CH 33

The day after consulting with Hisui-san,

I was working at the workshop as usual.

I was told not to act weird or flustered.

Not that I had to, but I couldn’t even if I wanted to because I didn’t feel any stares or hostility.

I’ve been trying to pay attention to my surroundings since then, just in case.

“Nobody’s watching, right?”

“What is it?”

Irina-chan, who was working with me, heard my sudden mutter and asked me about it.

I hastily made an excuse.

“Oh, it’s nothing. I was just thinking that I need to produce results soon.”

“You don’t have to rush. Onee-sama has already achieved a lot, hasn’t she?”

“There’s only one.”

“That’s not true. You’re also working on other requests alongside your research, and Onii-sama has been praising you a lot.”

Yuren-kun often exaggerates his praise for me.

Apparently, he’s also telling someone else about it, not just me.

Lately, I’ve been hearing a lot of talk about him praising me.

It’s mostly from Irina-chan and Hisui-san, but I’m sure he’s telling others too.

Normally, I would be happy about it, and I am happy now too.

But…

I feel like it’s connected to that incident.

I’m sorry for Yuren-kun, but I’m sure there are people who don’t like him praising me.

And in fact, I found out that there are.

This palace is comfortable unlike Mayquin, but there are always people who don’t get along in places where people gather.

It’s best if everyone can get along, though.

“It’s hard.”

“Even for Aria?”

“That’s right. I’m a person too——Yuren-kun!”

Yuren-kun, who had visited the workshop without my knowledge, was standing next to me.

I was startled to find out that the person I was casually talking to was him and I inadvertently took a big step back.

“Hey Aria, I didn’t expect you to be so surprised.”

“Uh, yeah, sorry. It was sudden so I was surprised.”

“I’m sorry about that.”

Yuren-kun smiles kindly.

Irina-chan notices him and runs over.

“Welcome back, Onii-sama! Is your work done?”

“Yeah, it’s all settled.”

“Is that so? Thank you for your hard work, Onii-sama. What brings you to the workshop?”

“Well, I don’t really have anything to do. I just came to check it out since I had some free time.”

As Yuren-kun and Irina-chan talk, I can’t help feeling uneasy.

I glance around nervously.

I think the inside of the workshop is safe, so my gaze leans inevitably towards the window glass.

I wonder if someone is watching me.

I don’t feel anyone’s gaze on me right now, but it feels like someone is staring at me.

It’s okay… Right?

I won’t suddenly be attacked or something, right?

Yuren-kun is here too, so it should be fine.

“Aria?”

“Huh?”

“What’s wrong? You keep looking around.”

“Are you looking for something, Onee-sama?”

The two of them stop talking and notice that I am focused on something.

I calmed my restless heart and pretended to be calm so as not to reveal anything.

“Yes. I’m just looking for some material.”

“Material? Is it for making wheat?”

“Yeah, it’s a plant called ‘seven-leaf grass.’ It’s a special material, so I want to go get it.”

“Seven-leaf grass… I’ve never heard of it.”

Yuren-kun puzzled over how to get me the information I needed.

I wasn’t just making it up; it was really a material that I wanted.

Seven-leaf grass is a special grass with seven different types of leaves, and the type of leaves changes depending on the environment in which it grows.

Each leaf has a different characteristic, so it is highly versatile as a material for transmutation.

I think the reason Yuren-kun doesn’t know about it is that it was discovered fairly recently.

“It can grow anywhere, but it’s hard to come by because it grows quickly from sprouting to withering. Processing it after harvesting is also important, and if you make a mistake, you won’t be able to store it.”

“Wow, it’s that kind of plant. Then, I can’t request you to just pick it up quickly.”

“Yeah, it might be difficult. That’s why I was thinking of going to get it myself.”

“Right now?”

I shook my head.

I did want to go and get it, and I had been considering going soon.

But recently, it had become difficult.

“Let’s do it another time. I’m in the middle of trying to make do with the materials I already have.”

“Okay. Let me know if you need anything. I can come with you too.”

“Uh, yeah. Thank you.”

Normally, I would be happy, but I couldn’t feel genuine joy now.

It wasn’t Yuren-kun’s fault… I felt sorry for him.

I wanted it to be resolved quickly.

Otherwise, I wouldn’t even be able to concentrate enough to talk to Yuren-kun.

“Oh, by the way, Onee-sama, have you heard the rumor that you’re a witch again? They’re saying that you’re making dangerous potions in that hut and stuff, but that’s impossible!”

“Hahaha, I’ve heard the same thing.”

I was busy with other things, so I didn’t have time to worry about that.

Rumors that I was a witch had become common within the royal palace.

It was not to the point of being behind my back, but I could feel people’s eyes on me when I passed by, so I didn’t really mind that much.

“Everyone doesn’t know me, so they’re just being weirded out by the rumor.”

“That may be so, but it’s rude to call you a witch!”

Irina-chan pouted in anger.

She was kind to get angry on my behalf.

And then I noticed Yuren-kun remain silent.

When I looked towards him,

“Hey, Aria.”

“What?”

“Has anything strange happened to you lately?”

“Huh?”

That was unexpected.