CH 6

“Marie, Al nii-sama said today that he would read the book with us.”

Marie greeted me with a chuckle and a “Good morning. Edward-sama,” as I sat up in bed. “First and foremost, please accept my morning greetings.”

“Right. Marie, good morning.”

“Did you have a good night’s sleep?”

“Un. This bed feels really comfortable.”

“That’s a relief. Now let’s wash your face, straighten your hair, and change your clothes.”

“Yes,” I nodded my head as I got out of bed.

At the same time, the other maids entered the room. At the same time, the other maids entered the room. To avoid startling me, Marie was the only one who attended to me at first. After that, the other maids would come and assist me in getting ready, and they would clean my room while I was away for meals.

Every day, I slept in a clean bed, wore clean clothes, ate delicious meals, and shared sweets with Mother Patti, and both Father and Brother paid me visits whenever they could. I felt like I was all better already, but everyone told me I needed to get healthier. ‘The temple healed my injuries, and I’ve been taking it easy ever since…’

“Marie, I’m much better than I used to be, aren’t I?” Once Marie had finished getting me dressed, I asked her.

“That’s right. But I think it would be more fun if you were healthier,” she said.

“More fun?”

“Yes. If you get better, you might be able to take more walks in the garden, and we might even be able to take you on an outing somewhere.”

“O-Outing?”

“Hmm~ Yes, I’ve heard there’s a big festival here in Finley’s territory sometime during the winter.”

“What’s a festival?”

“It sounds like we’ll be thanking God for the year, celebrating, and doing fun things together.”

“How fun! That must be very exciting.”

“It is, indeed. However, the current Edward-sama may become tired and develop a fever in the middle of the festival.”

“Hmm…”

‘That may indeed be true. Since I’m four years old, I don’t have much physical strength, so I get tired easily and often have a fever. In my previous home, they probably thought my condition was a hassle.’

“I’m sure that’s not all,” Marie continued. “When you get much better, Alfred-sama might be able to teach you how to use swords and magic. Perhaps you could even go horseback riding together.”

“With Al nii-sama, swords, and magic! Also, the horse! I-I want… it…”

Marie really knew what my weaknesses were. While slowly rubbing my back, which was coughing with excitement, Marie picked me up and left the room, saying, “Excuse me.”

“Ma…rie… I can walk.”

“Please allow Marie to assist you down the stairs.”

“Un… Okay. Please look after me.”

“Yes.” Marie walked with a slight sway, which made me feel good.

“Marie, I’ll be—healthier.”

“Yes, you will. But you’ll have to eat a little more to do so.”

“I can’t eat much.”

“I understand. It’s all because due to Marie’s own incompetence.”

I had a feeling I understood what Marie was saying, but I shook my head, thinking it was something a typical four-year-old wouldn’t understand.

“No, it’s not. Marie is not a bad person. It’s because I have a tiny tummy.”

“Fufufu… Then, let’s make your tummy a little bigger from now on.”

“Eee~ Don’t overfill it! I don’t want my stomach to burst like in the picture book!” I was afraid that if I ate too much, my stomach would explode, just like the magical beast Wolf in the picture book I was reading the other day.

“Good morning, Eddie. Are you getting spoiled this morning?” Brother Al called out to me at the bottom of the stairs.

I was embarrassed to be seen being carried, so I quickly requested that Marie let me down. “Good morning, Al nii-sama. Erm, I was just talking to Marie.”

“What were you talking about?” Brother Al then took my hand in his.

“I’m going to eat without my tummy bursting like a wolf.”

“A wolf? Tummy?”

“Erm. It’s all about me getting better.”

“I see. I’m not really sure, but if it makes Eddie feel better, I’m glad.”

“Yes. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Yeah, I’m looking forward to it, too.”

The conversation veered off at times, but Brother Al simply smiled at me. That day, Brother Al read me a picture book about a knight who fought demons. I was a little nervous because I had only seen picture books about the Hungry Wolf that Marie had read to me.

⟦If I am the only one who can fight the demon and save my country, I will go.⟧

“Oh no…” I couldn’t help but furrow my eyebrows upward[1] and speak out.

⟦“No, I will not let the princess go to the demons. I will defeat the demons.” To protect the princess, the knight went into the forest alone.⟧

“Wow… Alone.” ‘Why didn’t the other knights go with him? Aren’t there many knights in the castle? But now is not the time to talk about such things. I wonder what will happen.’

⟦In the dimly lit forest, a terrifying demon finally appeared before the knight.⟧

“T-This is terrible!”

“Eddie, calm down. It only just came out. Brother Al patted me on the back as I panicked and continued.

⟦The blue-faced, fanged demon said to the knight, “I’ll kill you and take the princess!”⟧

‘Wah! The princess will be taken away by the demon! What should I do!’

⟦”I won’t let that happen. I won’t let you take the princess,” the knight swung the golden sword given to him by the king toward the demon. ⟧

‘Amazing. Please do your best, knight.’ I cheered for the knight in my heart.

⟦The demon flew and dodged the sword.⟧

“…To be able to fly! This demon…”

⟦The knight swung his sword again and again at the demon. How long had it been so? Just as the demon was about to claw at the weary knight, the golden sword suddenly shone.⟧

“Eeeehhh?!” I couldn’t help but straighten my back and scream, and Brother Al patted me on the back. “Eddie …… it’s fine, it’s just the sword glowing.”

“I-Is that so…”

When Brother Al saw me stumble back to my seat, he resumed reading the rest of the picture book.

⟦The forest became as bright as daylight, and the demon shut its eyes due to the blinding light. Now! With his golden sword, the knight slashed at the demon once more. The demon screamed loudly and dissipated into the light.⟧

“Knight-sama is incredible!”

⟦The knight returned to the castle and told the king and princess that he had defeated the monster. Thus, the knight became the country’s greatest hero and lived happily ever after with the princess.⟧

“I’m glad. I’m glad that the princess didn’t get caught by the blue demon. Al nii-sama, it was really exciting and fun. Thank you very much,” I said, bowing deeply.

“I agree. This is the first time I’ve enjoyed ‘Princess and Knight’ so much.”

My brother wiped the corners of his eyes with a handkerchief and slammed the picture book he was reading to me shut for some reason. From that day onward, I fell in love with the picture books my older brother read to me. Not only did he read me picture books, but he also showed me his sword practice, taught me how to make delicious sweets, and even magically created a ball of water and let me touch it.

I was so happy to be with my brother.

Translator Notes

Another eventful day for Eddie 

[1] In the raws, it says 眉を八の字に (raising eyebrows in the letter of 8). Basically, Eddie’s brows knit together like this letter 8: 八.