CH 77

Town chapter 77: Garden Party 1

The middle of spring. I came to the southern village to see the state of the period workers who had been hired from early spring. However――.

"Uhh."

A groan came out of my mouth as I sit at the desk in my room. I was struggling with something completely different from the management of the village. The cause is a letter on the desk.

"Fujiwara-sama, Reina-dono of Polo Company has come to visit. I let her wait in the guest room as you said."

The voice of a wolfman comes from the other side of the door and the answer is "Oh, I'll come soon". Reina has already moved her residence to the Polo Company branch. Today, I called her for a difficult consultation.

I left my room and headed to the guest room. When I opened the door, Reina stood up from the sofa and greeted me. A beautiful appearance with golden hair and a dress that resembles a female suit. Standing like a secretary who is waiting for work.

I told Reina to sit down as I sat down on the sofa in front of her with a desk in between us.

"Fujiwara-sama, what can I do for you?"

"Look at this."

I put the letter on the desk. Reina picks it up and checks it. The letter is an invitation to a garden party sponsored by Her Majesty, the Queen of Dryad Kingdom. The identity and the invitation are not separately put.

"I don't know what to do. I don't know how to be polite to the aristocracy and I honestly don't want to go."

Although not attached, I intend to fulfill the minimum duties of a nobleman to the country. As a nobleman of the Dryad Kingdom, I govern the given territory and pay taxes properly to the country. That would be the minimum courtesy as a person who bought into the aristocratic position.

However, socializing such as parties don't fall into the "minimal" category for me. This time, as a country, I understand that there are many speculations about what I am doing. But that's that and this is this.

There was no special mention of socialization when the territory and the noble title were purchased. Well, I was trying to behave like an aristocrat, so it might be included in it. In any case, I don't think there is any compelling force for such vague things. In short, I don't want to go to the party even if it is necessary.

Then Reina, who read the invitation a second time, returned a glance which had dropped to the front and said.

"No, you should go. It's a party hosted by the Queen, regardless of other events of other lords. If you don't go, you'll be suspected to have something that you are hiding."

"Is that so?"

I knew it. Oh, I knew it. Invitation for a party hosted by the Queen. In other words, an invitation from the Queen. Not participating in this is an obvious disrespect to the Queen. It's an invitation that I must join, for no special reason.

However, it is troublesome. So troublesome. There are people more cultureed than myself. How to eat food. There may also be dancing. Manners, manners, manners. I don't know anything about the courtesy of the nobles of this world.

If it is Japanese etiquette, I'm sure I know how to behave; but in this world it will be useless. It's clear that I'm not as familiar with the manners of this world as everyone else. How much do I have to learn to participate in a party hosted by the Queen? The date and time of the event is two months from now. It's time-consuming, but troublesome things are always troublesome.

"However, I don't know."

I muttered with anger. But Reina nodded forcefully to encourage me to join the party.

"Don't worry. You still have time. I will teach you the courtesy that you need."

In Reina's eyes, you can see a melamel. Her attachment to the aristocracy doesn't show up, but when it comes to dealing with the aristocracy, she's scarily motivated. When consulting about the management of the territory, she professed with rough nose breathing.

If she were in my position, she would be eager to join the party. I want her to join the party on my behalf. However, it's even obvious to me that I shouldn't do that, leaving this duty to a merchant.

I sighed "Hah". There is no choice but to go. The answer was decided from the beginning. In this way, I received Reina's strict training and went to the party hosted by Her Majesty the Queen, the garden party.

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It is said that the beginning of summer without the rainy season is the most comfortable season in this country. In Japan, the best climate is close to late spring before the rainy season. It's not hot or cold, it's not raining, it's just the right temperature.

Let's talk about recent things a little here.

In the home town, the wolf tribe are spending their days learning Japanese. The results so far have been excellent. In addition, there was one person who learned Japanese at a frightening speed, that he can be called a genius. It is the young man with a wolf face who won the fourth consecutive reversi of the race competition in the old town. By mid-winter, he has already mastered Japanese to an acceptable level, and if I try to pass a textbook such as mathematics or science as a test, I will be asked questions the next day. In just a month, the books he is asking for are getting more and more difficult. It's almost impossible for me to review what I have learned a long time ago. I haven't met that young man for a while because I've always been learning about noble manners in the southern village. However, since I have handed out a lot of textbooks for learning instead, I'm wondering what questions I will be asked when I return from the Garden Party. When I saw the gentle character of Zoan, the son of Chief Jiharu, I was worried about the future of the wolf tribe, but apparently it is not necessary.

In the northern villages, hunting is thriving and in addition to the forest, the scope of action is expanded to investigate geography and vegetation, so there is no shortages of things to do. Always try to survive. This is something I should follow. Potato cultivation has also begun in that area and I have handed over a few chickens as livestock. They were able to spend the winter safely, so there was a slight sign of softening in the attitude towards us, and one of the tribal chiefs came to pick up in addition to Polif when granting spring goods, words of gratitude were said, though it was only in a formal way. I think it's very good. I wonder witch chief wanted to share their feelings first?

In the human village in the south, period workers seem to have become accustomed to living in the village. During this time, they have plenty of time for farming work, playing reversi and some male period workers who have women among enjoy a happy time together. Village chief Peter also relaxed as the village began to become lively. In particular, he was thankful that some of the people who originally lived in the village came back. After that, he was thinking how will they keep the workers in the village. However, he doesn't need to worry. I don't think people who have once experienced poverty let go of their current life. If you present the same conditions, they will definitely be part of the village.

So far is the current situation in the territory. Furthermore, my current situation is......I was now on my way to the capital city with a carriage. Going to the garden party. I took my escort team with me and Reino who knows the capital.

The carriage goes through a rough road into the territory to the south. After passing through the northernmost village in the territory, the road improved and after a few days we crossed two other territories before we were able to reach the capital city Dorisben.

"It's been a long time since I was in the royal city."

I nodded. We are almost at the castle in the capital city of Dorisben. The carriage goes through a busy street on the boulevard where many people come and go.

"It's been a long time since there is a smell that let me bent my nose."

As was the case when I came before, feces are scattered throughout the city. Of course, there are no fools scattering feces on the main street, and the roughly site is a back alley or a residential area. However, it still smells. The whole city seems to be stinking.

However, the people who live there don't seem to care. They are probably accustomed to it already.

The carriage we are using is for a nobleman which was arranged by Reina. There are no high-quality glass windows and the curtains and wooden lattices do not prevent the smell. Before coming here, I thought I would put on a window glass myself, but I stopped; thinking that it would be noticeable if the country nobility was in such a carriage.

When I look at Mira who is also in the narrow carriage, she is frowning. The wolfmen guards who surround the horse-drawn carriage are the same. This smell must be quite hard for them because they have a much better sense of smell than humans.

I would like to tell the person in charge to clean the city at least when nobles gather from all over.

"Large cities are like this."

A word from Reina who is sitting in front. But she can't hide her distain. At least in the village, there is someone who takes care of cleaning up the stool. Even for those who are used to it, this smell is still strong.

The carriage goes down the main street. The process is slow. Even on the main street, the road is not so big and there is a great number of people. As a result, the carriage is fully surrounded.

This hustle and bustle can be heard without listening. Do you understand?

"Hey, welcome! Our pigs are delicious!"

"Come, you get fresh eggs here!

"Alcohol! Alcohol! In this season, if you get drunk, you'll never freeze. You can drink it at our store!"

Those are the voice of the merchants who attract customers.

"You know, Marquis Lindbari is about to marry Your Majesty, Olivia."

"No, elder sister, don't make a joke in front of me. I wonder how much the age difference is in the first place."

"Hey! It seems that the undefeated Reversi King of Kings was invited to the Garden Party!"

"Well! Emm Romatto-dono is the creator of that reversi and is said to be even remembered by the Pope!"

Those are rumored stories from the people on the street. Even if it rots, it is the royal capital. The castle town is really lively. I don't think the finances are tough. Well, it seems that insects dwell in dead trees. But don't forget that there is poverty right next door. It is my trick to use it for the development of my territory. With that in mind, I heard a voice when I was listening to the noise of the castle town.

"It's a new book! A new book from the mysterious popular female writer OliveOlive has come out!"

New Book. Book? It is surprising that there was a person who made a living as a writer in this age. Is OliveOlive famous? Then the change was in front of me. Reina doesn't usually show her emotions very much. She is a cool beauty who is very calm and looks good. Her eyebrows opened slightly. That is not all. She looks out of the window where the scenery slowly moves.

"Now, if you don't buy it today, it will be sold out tomorrow! The next arrival will be two weeks at the earliest! If you don't read it now, you can't keep up with the story!"

Reina begins to fidget openly. It was clear what she was reacting to.

I see. I ask the driver to stop the carriage.

What's going on?

Reina asked me in the guise of nothing. But that is false. I don't think she is confused, but I know. It's clear, it's barre.

"Please wait a moment."

I leave Reina and get off the carriage with Mira. The destination was the store that advertised the book.

"This is a nobleman."

It's not strange to judge me as an aristocrat because my current outfit is quite nice.

"Shopkeeper, what is the new book by OliveOlive?"

"Hee. OliveOlive is a mysterious and beautiful female novelist who is now famous on the streets and her newly written book was received today."

"Huuh."

How do you know that it is a beautiful girl even though it is a mysterious writer? I looked at the stacked books. The book's title is 『Too Beautiful to Breaking of the Engagement〜Chapter of Creating an Orphanage to Raise a Future Husband〜』 and I wonder what it is about. This title is covered in the desire of women.

"Shopkeeper, do you have any past work of this?"

"Hee. Please wait a moment"

The store owner brought a bunch of books from the back. They are arranged in the store for easy viewing and I check them one by one.

『Too Beautiful to Breaking of the Engagement〜Chapter of Matchmaking Party and Vampire Trap〜』

『Too Beautiful to Breaking of the Engagement〜Chapter of entering the hero's party and engaging to the hero〜』

『Too Beautiful to Breaking of the Engagement〜Chapter of being able to sleep with the hero and the devil king〜』

『Too Beautiful to Breaking of the Engagement〜Chapter of joining the handsome main character as Harem member〜』

『Too Beautiful to Breaking of the Engagement〜Chapter of an eternal boy who may be more beautiful than me〜』

It's quite splendid. Still, is it faithful to desire? This is the female version of a Harem anime for men.

"Is this what you're selling?"

"Yes, that's right. Everybody, from children to adults, from commoners to nobility, pick up and read it."

"Hmm."

I pick up the book with the first chapter and open the first page. A synopsis on the very first page. It's pretty kind. The contents are as follows.

『――When a girl walks, the sun hides in the clouds and the flowers return to buds. All due to the beauty of this girl. The sun and flowers were ashamed of their ugliness compared to this girl's beauty――that girl was not so pretty in her previous life and died at the young age of 29 without being able to get married. She thinks that the cause of death is an accident because her last memory is that she has been hit by an aristocrat's wagon. And then she was reincarnated! Now she is a great beauty! Born again in a nobles house! And now she is 17! And! She was invited to her fiance's house today! This is only a proposal, right? She finally has her long-awaited marriage! Nevertheless, she is not happy! Ehehe. ――However, what was waiting for the girl was the unilateral destruction of her fiance and the engagement. What is the reason? And the girl goes on a journey. This is an adventurous drama where the girl search for a suitable fiance and play an active part in the world――』

Uuh......I'm troubled by the reaction. Is this happening on the continent? I wonder if this was popular in medieval Europe in my original world. Nonetheless. It is interesting that it is selling. This may help the literacy rate in the village.

"Are there any other books? Like a novel?"

"Although there are, there are only works that imitate OliveOlive. The people say it is respect or homage to that mysterious female writer. Of course, the quality is much lower than that of OliveOlive works. People who read the work and still don't get enough read those other ones.''

"Okay, then I will take this whole OliveOlive novels."

"Thank you for your continued patronage!"

All the books were packed in a cloth bag. Then, I buy fruits from the next store. Then two children were looking at us from a back alley. The clothes are much poorer than the people of the city. Are they living in a poverty street? When I beckoned and called them, I divided the fruits.

I try to get back to the carriage while dipping in self-satisfaction that I did a good thing. Then Reina who looked at this from the window turned away. Turning away is a proof that she is upset and want to leave as soon as possible. For a serious Reina, being distracted by a novel at work would be a disgrace.

"Hey, take this."

"Eh……?"

When I returned to the carriage and gave her the latest edition of OliveOlive, Reina looked at me with a confused expression, but with a somewhat expectation.

"Thank you for all the help you have taken care of until today."

"No, No, but......"

"If you don't want it, I'll throw it away."

"Ah, no, wait."

When I turn my face to the window, Reina reaches out reflectively. I smiled and gave her the latest book of OliveOlive.

"Th, Thank you very much……!"

At first, Reina was embarrassed with a blushing face, but immediately she hugged the book on her chest as if it was something important. The expression at that time is like a loving mother holding a baby. I saw a good image. As I heard later, Reina is a fan of this book, and she also respects the mysterious beautiful girl novelist OliveOlive.

So, it was a great pleasure to see this. I was in a good mood and was shaken by the carriage heading for a luxury inn. ――I want to say, but the story doesn't end here.

"I'm sorry. Even though I got a book, but it's hard to say......"

It was about the gifting to the child earlier that she started to say so and it originated from her mouth.

"If you don't be afraid of the aristocracy, you'll be unhappy because of those children......"

She said it was really hard to say. Many aristocrats are arrogant and some treat the lives of the common people like playthings. If the poor get close to such a person, they may be killed just because they are dirty. That's certainly true when asked. Easy kindness does not always benefit people. I realized that and I felt like I couldn't say anything, as I was shaken by the carriage.