CH 6

Falling cherry blossoms dances on the glittering stage.

A clown who sings and dances happily, an acrobat who shows off his soft body on top of a large ball, and dogs jumping and jumping while diving through many lined up large and small rings.

The circus performance that started immediately fascinated Miriella.

Among them, the dance of many girls attracted Miriella's feelings.

Perhaps they were wearing foreign costumes, about 10 girls fluttering the thin cloth that hid their turbans as they danced on the narrow stage. The clothes that shine by reflecting the light show a lot of exposure, but she didn't think it was vulgar.

Among them, Miriella's eyes were captivated by the girl dancing in the center while swinging loose pants. [TL Note: pants arabian dance.]

The glittering earrings and necklaces accentuate her mystery. She is like a dancing princess from a foreign land. Miriella was watching her intently, clasping her hands in front of her chest the whole time.

After that, the circus performance ended with a grand acrobatics swing and tightrope walk. Amidst the thunderous applause, the performers all bowed on stage. Miriella gave generous applause to the dance princess who bowed brightly in the middle of the girl group.

This visit to the circus was made possible by an invitation from the circus troupe to the Duke of Fowders household. For that greeting, Leon went to the captain's waiting room behind the tent.

Miriella quietly separated from everyone, accompanied by Melisa.

While looking around restlessly, she found a cage for the large dogs that were showing their tricks earlier. She was shoved in the back as she watched the dogs being fed by the cautious caretaker.

"Kyaa!"

"Ahaha. Are you surprised?"

Standing in front of Miriella who turned around was the young dance princess who was dancing that beautiful dance. The innocently smiling dancer was about the same height as Miriella, and looked about the same age. Her hair and eyes are lustrous black, which is rare in this region. However, the dancing girls all had the same black hair, so they must have come from a region where black is not uncommon.

"You are"

Miriella held the dancer's hand tightly with a smile on her face.

"Your dance was the best!"

"e?"

"I'm Miriella. What's your name?"

The dancer is reluctant to introduce herself because Miriella is smiling too much.

It's Noel."

"Noel! What a cute name."

After a pause, Noel smiled amusingly, leading Miriella by the hand to a nearby upholstered chair. She takes out a small castella from a paper bag that was left there and puts it in Miriella's hand.

"I'll give it to you. It's delicious."

“This is the castella that was sold at the street stall, right? I wanted to try it, thank you Noel!”

Miriella , who has a penchant for sweets, spoke quickly and immediately ate the castella. A soft and sweet scent immediately fills her nose, and the fluffy dough gives it a rustic taste.

Taking plenty of time to fully enjoy it, Miriella turned to face Noel.

"Noel, for showing me such a wonderful dance, and for giving me such delicious castella, no matter how many times I say thank you, it won't be enough."

Noel hands the next castella to Miriella who is talking excitedly. With her eyes shining, Miriella threw a second one into her mouth.

"Hmm! It's delicious!"

Noel looked amused at Miriella who had fully enjoyed the castella. She still wears a thin cloth over the lower half of her face as she did when she was on stage, but up close it is almost transparent and does not cover her face. Noel smiled like a mischievous child, but she was a girl with a beautiful and well-proportioned face with her bright eyes.

"Miriella is a strange princess."

Miriella blinks and tilts her head.

"Even though you have high enough status to have someone to accompany you, you're not arrogant at all."

"Oh, that's what my Oji-sama taught me."

Miriella, who dyed her cheeks lightly, told Noel about her uncle. Noel looks dazzled at Miriella, who speaks happily as if she is embarrassed.

“Miriella really likes her uncle, doesn’t she?”

"Eh, um, that is"

Noel looks behind her, leaving Miriella alone who begins to blush and become impatient. The maid Melisa, who had a wry smile on her face, nodded lightly.

When she turn her gaze back from Melisa to Miriella, she makes a troubled face and puts her index finger to her mouth.

"Keep it a secret..."

"Un."

--------------

After that, Miriella went to the circus several times accompanied by Melisa and her escort. 

There were times when she was able to go inside and there were days when there were no tickets on the day, but she was always able to meet Noel.

When Miriella came, Noel treated her with castella and sweet fruit water from the stall. Melisa suddenly feared that the old Miriella would show up and say something like, "I am tired of cheap castella." but her fears turned out to be groundless.

"You know, Miriella. Our circus is about to go to the next town."

Miriella silently opened her eyes wide.

"Next week's performance in the royal palace square will be the last in the royal capital."

"Where are you going next?"

“I heard that it was the Duchy of Fowders.”

The Duchy of Fowders is a territory governed by Miriella's father, but since ancient times, the head of the family has always lived in the capital in order to hold an important position in the royal palace. The territory in question is located in the northern part of the royal capital, and speaking of a town where a circus could be held, it would be Desnia, which is quite far from here.

Miriella who realize it sank at once.

"Ne, that's why. Be sure to come to the performance next week."

"Un."

"I'll dance for Miriella, so definitely come see me."

Unlike Miriella, who still had a sad face, Noel showed a powerful smile. She's sure Noel is also sad to say goodbye. But when she smiles, she's sure Noel is trying to cheer her up.

"Yeah, I'll definitely go. Noel."

-------------

Immediately after returning home that day, Miriella went to ask her father to let her go to the event at the royal palace next week. His daughter, who had recently stopped being selfish, had a rare and strong request, and her father gave permission in two replies.

"Oji-sama! Take me to an event at the royal palace next week."

Now, with those little feet, is currently entering Leon's room.

Leon and his attendant exchanged glances at Miriella who boarded without waiting for reply to her knockings. Melisa and Maille, who couldn't stop her from behind, apologized deeply.

Compared to when she was seven years old, Miriella has lost her selfishness and tyranny, but she still can't see her surroundings from time to time.

With that momentum, she started telling Leon about today's events.

"Your friend is going far away"

As usual, the two of them hang side by side on the sofa and talk about the circumstances. Miriella was surprised by Leon's leaked words after hearing that.

"Noel is, my friend?"

"Am I wrong?"

You often go to see each other, and it's hard to say goodbye because you two are friends, right? asks Leon while tilting his head. After staring at Leon's blue eyes for a while, Miriella slowly moved her open mouth.

"This is the first time I've made friends."

Miriella still has a dazed face. Leon laughed because her expression was so cute and funny.

"Ah... But I still don't know if she's my friend! Even if I think she's my friend, Noel may not think the same as me."

“Well then, why don’t you ask her during the performance at the royal palace?”

"I will."

Miriella nodded and her scarlet eyes were filled with strong determination. Unlike her earlier color that contained sadness, it seems that she is uplifted by the sound of having Noel as a friend.

The two maids secretly shroud their tongues at Leon's ability to instantly revive the depressed Miriella.