CH 207

It would be great if I could be of any help right now.

Like when she had come to the Empire to solve money problems. Somehow . . .

But in such a distant place, she can’t even properly recognize their painful reality.

When I turn sixteen . . .

Rieta dreamed of the age when all bonds would be released.

I can go back.

Rieta grabbed her knee and squeezed her hand on it gently.

Come to think of it . . .

By then, Noel must have achieved the big goal of making the female lead, his first love, happy, right?

. . . Uhm.

But suddenly something caught her mind. What was it?

She started fiddling with the tip of her chin, wondering what went wrong.

So, Noel’s first love . . . Is the female lead, right?

Rieta finally figured out what the problem was.

What Noel had said a while ago was the problem.

“No! It’s not the first time?!”

Rieta jumped out of her bathtub and grabbed her head.

This was an emergency!

Noel, what kind of kid are you?

Where did you get your first kiss!

“That’s what you have to do with the female lead, you idiot!”

* * *

The next day, Rieta was invited by Gabriella.

When she was invited by the Princess, she usually thought of drinking tea or taking a walk, but Gabriella did not enjoy such modest things.

To enjoy the good weather, the two decided to spend time in the garden sharpening arrowheads from woods.

Schwip—

While looking at the thin spiral of wood that came out, Rieta naturally remembered what she had been worrying about since yesterday.

Noel’s first kiss.

As a result of a long night of contemplation, she did find some hints about the other person.

Noel had borrowed ‘women’s’ clothes from the academy.

In the first place, there was no way Noel would wear women’s clothes, so he must have borrowed it from a female he was close to.

She and Noel must have been much closer than the others.

Wasn’t it possible to borrow clothes in the first place only when they trust each other?

So, maybe.

The owner of the dress must be Noel’s first kiss partner.

I should have asked the question properly then!

Rieta sighed in regret

Stupid Noel.

Targeting another girl the way she taught him to look good to the female lead?!

Riip.

Rieta’s twinkling spirit was awakened by the bursting sound from her hand.

She looked down and saw the slender bark split in half for her.

“Princess Rieta!”

Princess Gabriella, who was near her, approached in surprise.

“Are you okay?”

“Ah.”

Rieta hurriedly hid her hand behind and smiled wildly.

“I’m okay.”

“It can’t be. Give it to me.”

The Princess sat in front of Rieta and held out her hand directly.

“. . . It’s okay, it’s okay.”

“Show me. Unless you want to make me worry.”

A soft but strong tone.

Rieta reached out her hand to Gabriella without a second thought.

From the sharp edge of the split wood, her skin was slightly torn.

“I knew it.”

The Princess sighed and asked the attendant, who was waiting nearby, to bring her treatment tools.

He brought disinfectant and tongs, and Princess Gabriella said she would do it herself.

“I’ll take a look.”

She pulled Rieta’s hand a little closer.

Close enough for the Princess’ breath to catch on her fingertips.

Soon, Gabriella opened her eyes and began to pluck the little wood splinters from Rieta’s hands one by one.

“. . .”

Gabriella Farrell, the only heir of the Empire.

Lately, she had been busy roaming other estates, so she has had little contact with Rieta.

Even on Rieta’s birthday, she only sent a letter and gifts.

But this time there was a knight appointment ceremony, and it was an important ceremony that Gabriella could not miss.

She first met the major nobles in the capital that she arrived to after a long time, and when she had free time, she immediately invited Rieta to do this.

She said, “I am happy to spend time with Princess Rieta.”

Of course, Rieta also liked the Princess very much.

Princess Gabriella was a wonderful person.

The short hair, which she had kept short since she was twenty, and the uniform of a knight she enjoyed wearing at official events . . .

Of course, Gabriella was gorgeous even if she just wore a shirt and pants as she did now.

Even without any other decorations, it must be because her body overflowed with Imperial Majesty.

“Well, it looks like they’ve all been picked out.”

The Princess gently wiped the blood flowing with the white cotton wool, and looked around at Rieta’s hand.

“How is it? Is there any place where you feel odd?”

“Umm, no. I think they were all picked out.”

“Good.”

She soon skillfully applied the medicine and finished the treatment.

“Until the medicine dries, hold out your hand like that. It will get well soon.”

“I’m sorry, Princess.”

“Rather, I should be sorry. Because I was making an arrowhead for myself. I haven’t seen you in a long time, but I asked you to do something like this.”

“I offered to help.”

“That’s why I like Princess Rieta.”

The Princess left the remaining tools with the attendant, and she brought a small wooden chair and sat down in front of Rieta.