CH 206

Yesterday, I slept late because of my pounding heart ahead of the upcoming debutante, and on the way to meet Ninaina, it seems like I fell asleep in the carriage.

“Is it because I fell asleep in the carriage? I dreamed of graduating from kindergarten. Isn’t it strange, nanny?”

I hinted at the nanny who was checking my attire.

Then the nanny responded with a smirk on her face.

“It’s not that strange. You often have dreams related to kindergarten. Hoho.”

“Well, that’s right.”

I smiled tiredly.

I didn’t even know it was because while I was in kindergarten the work left a lot of impression on me.

‘Thanks to going to kindergarten back then, I’m still close friends with Princess Ninaina like this now.’

Just then, at the end of my left hand, the hand mirror that was rolling in the carriage caught my eye.

‘I can’t go to meet the princess with drool marks.’

I looked in the mirror.

12 years.

It was enough time to make a lot of difference.

Of course, it was enough to turn from a 7-year-old child into a 19-year-old adult.

‘Because nothing really has changed for me.’

When I was young, I used artifacts to see how I became an adult in advance.

What I saw then and what I am today are exactly the same.

‘All the other kids turned out nicer than I expected. But just me…… !’

Every time I looked in the mirror, I saw the round eyes I had been facing for 19 years and the dark green eyes inside them.

The grayish hair had grown to her waist.

I fixed my hat and got out of the carriage.

Having grown so much taller, it was possible to get on and off the carriage easily without any more footsteps or an escort from anyone.

* * *

Ninaina’s palace corridor, which I’ve been in and out hundreds of times, is now my home…… well maybe it wasn’t that much, but it was familiar enough to be a villa.

Ninaina’s maid who saw me opened the door to the parlor.

Then, along with the sound of setting the teacup on the table, Ninaina’s voice was heard.

“Emir, are you here now? I have been waiting.”

“Ah, greetings, Princess. I’m sorry. I fell asleep in the carriage…… so I was late!”

“Right. That’s enough excuses. Now raise your head.”

Ninaina waved her hand at my apology.

It was a signal to the maid to bring a new tea.

It was because of how much tea she drank while waiting for me, the teapot was half empty.

At the same time, I carefully raised my head.

Then I saw Ninaina, who looked more gorgeous today.

Her hair was swept right in a braid, and it was adorned with tiny red imitation flowers.

In my opinion, it was the style that suited Ninaina the best.

‘Maybe it was two years ago. I praised Ninaina when she first showed up with that hair, and since then she’s been showing up with that hair for at least once a week…… maybe?’

Perhaps because of her royal blood, Ninaina was also a span taller than me.

Red eyes and sharp eyes were glaring at me.

She was wearing a white lace and red ribbon-embellished dress today, and it looked really good on her.

Because of that, the moment I saw her, I couldn’t help but mutter admiration without realizing it.

“…… Your Highness shines brighter today! Your eyes twinkle like a ruby.”

But the murmuring did not end there.

It was because of Ninaina who cut my words in the middle.

“Excuse me, Emir. I know that too. I mean, my eyes look like rubies. You said it hundreds of times, but unless you’re an idiot, there’s no way I can’t remember it, right?”

Ninaina then grumbled.

Since rumors circulated that she likes the compliments that her eyes ‘looks like a ruby’, everyone she meets brings up the mention of her eyes.

“I really liked it when you first said it, but now I’m tired of hearing it a thousand times. If you want to pay tribute to it, come up with a new way.”

“Haha…….”

I think I may have played a part in making Ninaina sick of it.

After a while, Ninaina asked me a question with the new tea.

“Then let’s get to the point. We decided to make the debutante outfit today. Which of these designers do you like?”

The list Ninaina showed was filled with the names of clothing designers who were known not only in the Empire but also in other countries.

Of course, if it was for Ninaina, whoever the designer was, they would have run straight to the imperial palace.

‘You’re handing over the option to me!’

The more options I had, the more difficult it was to make a decision, so it just felt like my mind was wandering.

‘…… this person is?’

Then, fortunately, as I skimmed through the list, a fairly familiar name caught her eye.

It was the designer who made the clothes that Ninaina gave to me ten years ago, and has since been recognized for her skills, and finally became the exclusive designer of the princess.

Ninaina tilted her head at my choice

“Hmm? Did you deliberately choose my exclusive designer?”

“…… Can’t I, Your Highness?”

By any chance, I asked cautiously lest Ninaina said, ‘No! She’s my exclusive designer!’.

But the answer she gave is…….

“How can that be? Do what you want Emir.”

Was Ninaina’s exhilarating voice instead.