Vol. 1 - Chapter 26 - Katariona Becomes Best Friends with her Former Best Friend in this life as well
Translator: Jpkuroneko-chan
Editor: Pierrot
Just to be sure, I decided to confirm with Chris.
"I appreciate the offer, but our territory is far from the royal capital, so I don't think it would be convenient for me to traverse to the royal palace."
Chris understood and gave a nod in agreement.
"I shouldn't have phrased it that way. I will provide you with the seeds of the plants in this greenhouse. I believe that the plants will grow well in the Marquis of Grandeur's territory as the soil is very fertile over there, too."
I see. That would be very helpful. In that case, I'll accept. I believe that some of these plants may prove to be useful for research.
"Thank you very much for your offer, Chris."
"You don't have to speak so politely. We're the same age. That's right! Rio, let’s be friends.”
"Eh? Friends?"
I didn't expect Chris to ask me to be her friend. This whole time, I was having a hard time thinking of how to ask her...
"Yes. Don't you want to?"
Chris was gazing right at me from above. Ugh! So cute.
"No, I don't mind! In fact, I'm rather happy. I've always wanted to be... friends with Chris, too."
"Good! I've never had a friend my age before."
“Huh? Don't you have any other young ladies your age in the royal capital?"
Chris's expressionless, half-lidded eyes widened.
"Nobles who want to have a connection with the royal family send their daughters over, but they don't talk to me and are very boring."
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I'm sure that's true. They’re probably just trying to get closer to the Crown Prince by establishing a connection with the Princess or to create an opportunity to bring their son and the Princess together.
"So then, why did you want to be friends with me? I might be calculating too, you know?"
"Because I like Rio. And you're not calculating. Rio looked like she wanted to go home right from the start."
Did I look like that? I indeed wanted to go home early, but I didn't think I showed it on my face.
"Well… It was awkward, and I wanted to go home early. But you know what? I was hoping for a chance to ask Chris to be my friend, so I tried my best to stay until the end."
"Rio is so straightforward. I like you more and more. What were you going to do if you didn't get the chance?"
"I'd write to you then!"
After a moment of confusion, Chris burst out laughing.
“So, it's like exchanging love letters between a couple. You’re funny, Rio. Mmm. A letter. That's nice. Since the capital and the Marquis of Grandeur are so far apart, shall we exchange letters?"
"I thought letters to the royal court were censored, though?"
All letters to the royal family are supposed to be censored, except for secret documents. That includes gifts. What if I don't want them to read the contents? I have no intention of writing anything embarrassing, but...
"I have a way to avoid censorship. I want a regular letter and a report on the growth of my plants, and I don't want them to know what I wrote.”
Plant growth reports. I was going to send them anyways, but it seems like I’ll be busy when I get back. First, I’ll have to get Thomas to help me with the construction of the greenhouse.
"A way to avoid being censored? How is that possible?"
"I'll have them deliver it to the Marquis of Grandeur's townhouse later.”
Deliver? Is it a magic tool?
After the tea party, Chris and I returned to the palace. Until then, Chris and I had been chatting the whole time, having tea and sweets brought to us at the garden table set up in the greenhouse.
We talked about plants, Sandorion, and sweets. Even in my previous life, Chris and I had similar hobbies and tastes. We were kindred spirits.
I mentioned that I had been making sweets and cooking lately, and Chris promised to visit the Marquis of Grandeur next time because she wanted to try it too.
We had a good time.
But on the way back, before we got onto the carriage, His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, came to see us off, carrying a bouquet of roses that he said was a gift for me.
"Didn't you say you liked roses the last time I visited the Marquis of Grandeur? Well, I thought I would give you some roses the next time we met, Rio."
A lovely bouquet of white and pink roses was wrapped in pretty ribbons and non-woven fabric. I couldn't say that I didn't want them, and above all, flowers are innocent, so I decided to accept them.
"Thank you, Your Royal Highness. I love roses, so I'm very happy."
I thanked him and gave him a curtsy as a form of social courtesy.
"You'll be staying in the capital for a while, right? I'm sorry I couldn't talk to you today, but I'd like to spend some time with you. Would you mind if I came to see you while you are here?"
I don't want you to come, but I can't tell you not to come either.
“Could you please let me know in advance if you are coming to our residence?"
I gave him a fake smile and told him not to come unexpectedly without an appointment.
"Of course. See you later. Sieg, Rio."
I told him to call me Kate, but he called me Rio. I was annoyed, but I didn't want to offend him by saying something sarcastic.
'Rio, are you okay? For now, do you want me to punch the Crown Prince brat?”
Leon asked in an angry voice as if he might actually hit him.
“You can't do that! Leon, it's okay.”
I smiled and tilted my head adorably at the Crown Prince and smiled.
“Good day to you. His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Richard."
I emphasize the Crown Prince part. He asked me to call him Rick, but who am I to call him that? It would not be rude if I referred to him by his honorific title. That was my best attempt at defiance.
"Thank you for inviting our children here today. His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince."
After Father gave a greeting on behalf of the family, everyone in the family gave the royal salute of the most respectable order and then got into the carriage.
As the carriage started to run, I looked out the window and saw His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, smiling and waving. I would have been happy in my previous life, but now my forehead is tight with anger. I might even have a blue streak on my face.
"Rio, you must have been very happy to receive a bouquet of roses from His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince."
As I stare at the bouquet of roses with a grim face, Mother speaks to me with a smile. No, I'm not happy, Mother.
"Yes, I am. It's the perfect material for a good jam."
"You just got it, and you're going to make jam out of it?"
"Oh, Father. How can I make jam when the flowers are still so beautiful?"
Father's face became relieved. If I suddenly turned them into jam, I won't be able to show the Crown Prince that I've decorated them properly when he comes to our residence. Besides, flowers are innocent. But I don't want them to be displayed in my room. I want them to be displayed at the entrance.
"Sieg, how was the tea party?"
"I talked with His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince. We had a good time. He even permitted me to call him by his nickname in private."
"I see. The Crown Prince is an intelligent man. It seems that you and Sieg are on the same page."
Please don't be fooled, everyone! In the future, the Crown Prince would claim to be your friend, but he ruthlessly had Brother decapitated.
"Rio, you and Princess Christina left halfway through the trip. Where did you go?"
My grumpiness was completely blown away by the mention of Chris.
"Chris... Her Royal Highness, Princess Christina, showed me around the greenhouse, and we became friends! And, well, you know. We had a lot of fun talking in the greenhouse!"
"Oh? So, you've become such good friends that you can call Her Highness, Princess Christina, by her nickname? That's great. Her Royal Highness is the same age as Rio, too."
That reminds me, Chris said she was going to deliver something to the townhouse.
"Well, you see. I think Her Highness will send something later. Will you let me know when the messenger from the palace arrives?"
Father let out an impressed sound.
"Not only the Crown Prince but the Princess also has a gift for you? Rio must have been very well-liked."
I didn't care about the Crown Prince, but I was glad to have met Chris. Although I didn't want to, I felt glad to have come to the capital.
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