CH 54

Chapter 44: At the orchard

It was the weekend with less than a week left until the deadline for her impersonation. Ernesta had visited the orchard with Ivan.

Despite the intense sunlight, the dry air made it feel less hot. The orchard was located on a small hill within the grounds of the royal castle, with good ventilation and a panoramic view of the streets of Rashtovka.

The fruit trees and the black glazed roof tiles were shining against the blue summer sky. Ernesta let out a cheer for the beautiful landscape.

“What a beautiful place…! Thank you for bringing me here, Ivan.”

“Yeah. I’m glad you liked it.”

Taking a deep breath of the refreshing air, Ivan gave her a gentle smile.

Looking around, there seemed to be many ripe fruits in sight. While the trees were well maintained, there might still be a need to remove the insects and weed them.

“So, what should we do?”

She couldn’t just sit there in favor forever. Even Ermengard had to learn these kinds of work, and Ernesta had no intention of running away from her responsibilities.

Instead, she wants to work hard as a way of returning the favor. With that determination, Ernesta looked up at Ivan, who blinked in surprise.

“I’m surprised. Are you serious about doing farm work?”

“Of course! It’s not work if you only harvest the blessing.”

Ernesta had Rougena prepare her light equipment for today.

The Arkrig made of light fabric had a short hemline and was worn with pants and boots. Gloves and hand cloths were also prepared, and she was fully equipped.

“I thought you were dressed a little too eagerly… But for me, it’s not about work, it’s just about being with you.”

Although Ivan had a complex expression, he awkwardly held his tongue and eventually gave his usual wry smile.

“Well, if Ellie wishes, let’s do some work.”

“Yes! Thank you, Sensei!”

Ernesta replied seriously, her motivation overflowing.

However, at that moment, her beauty at a high position could not be contained, and surprised, he widened his eyes.

“…Haha! Me, a Sensei? That’s the first time anyone’s said that. It sounds fresh.”

It was a very cheerful laugh.

Seeing that expression for the first time, Ernesta’s heart beat faster without any regrets. Knowing another side of him made her happy. Laughing like this made him more approachable and suited him well, especially with that handsome face.

Ignoring the sweet pain in her chest, Ernesta gave him a mischievous smile.

“Ivan-sensei?”

“…! Stop it, it’s funny.”

Ivan seemed like he might double over with laughter. Seeing him really enjoying himself like that warmed Ernesta’s heart, and she chuckled too.

It would be great if we could keep laughing like this in the future.

Ernesta was contentedly looking at a hill of weeds. Brushing off the soil on her gloves, she walked towards Ivan, who was weeding the potato field.

Ernesta thought the way his large back was rounded seemed cute. Feeling a bit embarrassed by her own thoughts, she shook her head from side to side, then suddenly noticed a caterpillar on the wide shoulder.

“Oh, a caterpillar.”

Her body, accustomed to mountain climbing, moved on its own, and before she knew it, she had picked up the caterpillar and thrown it away. It was only after she noticed Ivan’s eyes widening in surprise that she realized how rough her action had been.

“You’re really different. Many women are afraid of bugs, aren’t they?”

“Um… ah, ha ha! I don’t know why, but I’ve been okay with them since I was little!”

It was her most “un-princess-like” blunder, surpassing all her previous mistakes. Ernesta’s face turned pale and she made up excuses, feeling embarrassed from the heat of the work.

“But, it’s not harmful or anything! Of course, centipedes and caterpillars are a no-no, but if we’re living here, isn’t it sad to take them away?!”

She was starting to lose track of her own words. Although she actually meant it, she felt like it was not the right time to bring it up.

As her thoughts started to swirl and dizziness began to set in, Ivan’s mouth curved into a reassuring smile.

“Well said. Even bugs need homes, don’t they?”

Ernesta was aware of how foolish her statement was, but Ivan readily affirmed it.

He really was kind to the core. Being treated with such kindness made her emotions, which she thought were suppressed, almost come to the surface.

“Let’s call it a day soon. Shall we eat some fruit before we leave?”

Ivan stood up and brushed the dirt off his knees. While his gaze was averted, Ernesta decided to press her cold hands against her cheeks.

They arrived at a gazebo with a scenic view, where they enjoyed the harvested fruits.

The refreshing wind blowing through the surrounding trees and bushes, paired with the fantastic scenery, lifted Ernesta’s spirits.

Sitting on a wooden bench together, they picked up some apricots that they had come across on the way. Ernesta took out a knife from the basket she had brought from the royal garden and started peeling the skin.

Ivan is peeling and biting into the fruit haphazardly. He seems more like a wolf than a royalty in moments like this.

“What’s the deal? You’re fine with bugs but you use a knife to peel the skin.”

“The two are not directly related. You’re being mean.”

Ernesta blushed and argued back as she skillfully peeled the skin. She felt like her dignity as a woman had long since gone out the window, but she still wanted to maintain some semblance of it for herself.

“…This is really good.”

“Really? I think it’s just average.”

Ernesta felt Ivan’s gaze on her, making her nervous. It was hard to work under such scrutiny, and she wondered if she had done something strange.

She nervously divided the fruit into eight pieces and arranged them on the plate. When she forked a piece into her mouth, a refreshing sweetness and light tartness spread throughout her mouth.

“This is delicious!”

She could eat this all day. The nourishing fruit revived her tired body and she felt energized from the bottom of her stomach.

“This is really delicious. After coming to Shenka, everything tastes good.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Ivan said shortly. It was like his usual smile, but there seemed to be a melancholic color floating in his eyes.

“Ellie. Is there anything you want to talk to me about?”

Her heart pounded so hard that she could feel her pulse.

When Ernesta didn’t say anything, his quiet voice began to speak again.

“It can be a worry or a problem. I promise I won’t do anything bad and I won’t make you sad. So if there’s anything, talk to me.”

Ernesta’s breath caught in her throat as the straight navy blue eyes shot through her.

Why did he ask her such a thing? Why was he looking at her with such sincere eyes?

“What’s wrong, Ivan? Did I seem anxious about something?”

Ernesta smiled as energetically as she could. She had to pretend she didn’t know anything precisely because she didn’t understand his intention.

“I don’t have anything like that at all. I’m very happy every day. Everyone is nice to me, and most of all, you care about me from the bottom of your heart.”

Does Ivan have a hunch about something?

If so, where does it lead?

Could I be interrogated here and now?

Ernesta shrunk in despair. However, Ivan’s response was a worn smile that she had not seen in the past month.

“…I see. That’s good, then.”

She quickly realized that she had disappointed him.

Ivan must have sensed something after all.

She hadn’t been imprisoned, which meant that she hadn’t given him an answer. That is to say, he must have felt her suffering and tried to help her.

If so, her earlier response carried a meaning of rejecting him.

She thought she should apologize, but she realized that it would be like admitting to lying and closed her mouth again.

The eternal silence was broken in a shorter time than she had anticipated. An attendant to the king ran up the hill from below.

With a single blink, Ivan immediately sharpened his gaze. His expression already had the dignity of the pinnacle of this country, and Ernesta realized that she had missed her chance to speak.

“Excuse me for interrupting your conversation! Your Majesty and My Queen…”

“Enough with the preamble. Speak.”

Ivan spoke sternly, interrupting the greeting of the gasping attendant.

“Yes! A messenger has arrived from the Bajant territory! Leutravia is assembling troops at the border!”

At that moment, Ernesta watched as Ivan clenched his fist with an expressionless face.

Regret doesn’t come first, time passing is always inevitable.

She should have known that, but foolishly believed that she could fulfill her duty without facing reality.