TL Note: Merry Christmas everyone! Next one will be after Christmas. Enjoy!
Chapter 9: Leo meets the prince.「Alright!」
After finishing up with the strapping for the potpourri, Leo floated a smile and looked up in satisfaction.
In front of him was a small box packed full of potpourri wrapped in a cloth - a sachet. He collected his leftover materials, and now the 0 yen workshop plan have been completed.
「Mm, scent is very nice as well.」
Inspecting each aspect of it, Leo gave it approving nod. As expected, it was made from first-class quality materials after all. If the sachet was enhanced with some small accessories that might be very good as well.
(Hm, adding in the scent cloth at the end there was definitely a good idea. It really enhances the aroma of the Muerta flower. Man, if I sold this as my old personal original blend, wouldn't it be really popular?)
Dreaming about the coming profits, Leo's cheeks softened into a loose smile.
Indeed.
The dress that Bianca poured perfume on the other day had too strong of a smell - so strong that it was tear-inducing - so once Leo got back to his room, he tore it up and used it to make the sachet for the potpourri, personally tailored by himself.
(Ughh, the sun is so bright.)
Leo winces his eyes as the sunlight sneaks in between the curtains of his window.
Although Leo doesn't like to lose sleep, he was happy about the progress that he had made. His love of money filled up his body with energy and allowed him to tirelessly work.
In the end, it took working all night to finish. Occasionally Kai would come to call out, but Leo avoided conversations as he had to work quickly to ensure the quality of the aroma. Aside from meal time, no other contact was made.
He seems quite concerned, maybe I should start giving him some piece of mind soon? Leo thought.
As Leo stretched his body, a restless voice was heard from the other side of the door.
「Leonorsama, Leonorsama! Are you awake?!」
It was the aforementioned servant, Kai.
「Is there something wrong?」
After Leo opened the door while rubbing his reddened eyes, Kai floated a pained expression upon seeing this. But at once he regained his composure and spoke.
「I'm sorry for the commotion so early. However, there is an emergency…!」
「Emergency?」
Leo tilted his head curiously.
「His imperial highness Prince Albert is making his way here right now!」
「Eh.」
Leo's mind went blank for a moment.
Seems like after the little sister princess yesterday, it's now the older brother prince's turn to make an appearance.
「Uhm…How come?」
「Of course, it is to apologize for her highness Bianca yesterday. However, ah, my apologies, Leonorsama. Anyway, there isn't much time, so first, ah, first allow me to make preparations!」
This servant is about to blow a fuse.
Seeing the usually diligent Kai so unsteady, Leo was overcome with warm feelings and said: 「Well, stay calm.」
For Leo who was raised in the lower city, the first imperial prince of the Weiz empire was someone from a completely different world than him. But, even so, to begin with, all of the nobles in this academy were different from him. He didn't feel like there would be some reward at the end of the year for getting along, so there was no reason to particularly get friendly with Albert either. To Leo, all of the nobles in the academy are just 「Passerby」 in his life. There's no need to use flowery language with them.
While a bit perturbed about his master's nonchalant attitude, Kai quickly assembled an attire for his master. Then, the door was opened.
「- Yo. Pardon my intrusion so early in the morning on a young maiden's room, Ojou-san.」
With a dazzling smile, a person entered a room with a large bouquet in his arms, that person was Prince Albert. However, because it's not yet time to go to school, Leo was still dressed in a tailor-made shirt and black panties. A simple and casual outfit.
「…Ojou-san, it's not what you think.」
As expected of a cool guy, his ikemen aura covers him from head to toe, giving a smooth retort. His shining good looks almost seemed like it was personally attacking Leo who often bragged about his very common face.
Feeling the hostility from the young and cute girl, Albert rose his eyebrows in slight surprise.
「Pardon me. You are quite a fine lady, Leonora von Harkenberg.」
While giving a refreshing smile, he elegantly presented the bouquet of flowers.
To that, Leo shot an unimpressed gaze.
- Torpè. It doesn't smell nice nor can it be eaten.
Torpè is a colorful flower bell-shaped flower that blooms in early spring. It becomes full-bloomed at the time of the spirit festival, because of that it is also often used for weddings, so it has become a flower of blessing. The Torpè flower, however, doesn't hold any real practicality so it was of no interest to Leo. Actually, since it is out of season, this flower is worth not a small amount, but since Leo held no interest in it, he did not know.
(Unfortunately, it seems like I'm not very well received.)
Usually, any of age girl who received a Torpè from the opposite sex would be incredibility delighted. However, this girl continued to keep up a vigilant expression, to that Albert was slightly distressed.
It's not like Albert was particularly overconfident, but until now, every girl who has seen his bright smile that would even melt a queen's heart have easily swooned for him.
Refocusing his mind, Albert changed to a more serious expression.
「You may be aware of me, I am the student council president, Albert von Weizsäcker. However, today, I have come here as Bianca's older brother instead. - Leonora. I have heard about what happened yesterday from Bianca. My younger sister has done something inexcusable. I sincerely apologize. I won't ask for your forgiveness, but will you allow me to deliver my sister's reflections?」
The student council president, the first imperial prince Albert bowed his head before them, the stiff Kai stared blankly at the situation. On the other side, Leo held a confused and puzzled look.
「Biancsama, reflection?」
Speaking of which, she made a pretty assertive invitation at some point, but I plainly rejected it. I think there were some ill words spoken about me as well, but they gave me things I needed to complete my project. For me, I don't think there was any reason to reflect on anything.
Albert gave a nervous laugh.
「Ah. Well, even for my haughty sister, she will at least reflect on the bad things she has done. Because she was too ashamed, she asked me to come delivery her message. After careful considerations, she chose this flower as well.」
In order to make up for the funeral flowers, Bianca picked a flower meant for blessing. And because of the perfume incident, she decided to pick a flower without a strong scent as well. Such a level of consideration, Leo, of course, did not notice.
「Hmm?」
Speaking of which, having the older brother come to apologize for their sister's action was not a practice a common person could understand.
Anyway, Leo did not feel any resentment towards Bianca to begin with. Even if they are gifting him the not very useful Torpè, it's still free. So Leo decided to gladly accept the gift.
「Thank you very much.」
「No, it is I who should thank you. So you've accepted them?」
「Yes. I, don't feel troubled, by it.」
It was the simple and complete truth, but Albert could still feel some tension in his shoulder from hearing those words.
(I heard it from Bianca, but she is truly a magnanimous child.)
Last night, Albert was very surprised when his sister came running and crying to him while shouting 「Onii-sama!」 through the men's dormitory. Though their relationship was pretty good, lately it's been rare that his mature sister would come crying and clinging to him.
Albert managed to calm his sister down and found out what happened. Apparently, he and Natalia both didn't account for his sister's eagerness.
(Well anyway, she indeed is a beautiful girl.)
I was often called 「The child blessed by the spirits」 with a lovely face. But her beauty trumps even my own. I heard the late Claudia had honey-colored hair, so perhaps this glossy black hair came from her father. That dark colored hair and deep violet eyes and smooth white skin, along with her shiny slightly flushed cheeks, it truly is mysterious.
「Leonora…」
「Yes?」
For some reason or another, that response is still surprising. This must because of the usual self-scorn that she imposed on herself, it's much different from the girls who lose themselves over the opposite sex.
「Um..ah, that's right. Won't you let us reimburse you for the stained dress? It might be hard to obtain something exactly the same, but we can get something tailored to your tastes.」
To that offer, the girl paused in deep thought.
「…No. It's, fine. Since it's not the same.」
Leo didn't really care about the uncomfortable dress - although he doesn't know the real value of Savarin though - If he received the same identical dress, then he wouldn't worry about being found out that he tore up his old dress for raw materials to make a sachet when he met Emilia again. So many times in the past, he saw men try to swindle the pawnshop lady with fake rings and having them be discovered every time.
「That is because…of course, because that dress was a gift wasn't it.」
「Yes. I received, from Emilisama.」
Since he thought he was being asked about who he received it from, of course, Leo answered truthfully. However, Albert sank into an apologetic silence. That is because he considered that dress to be an important keepsake to the girl.
「It was…an incredibly inexcusable thing that was done.」
Meeting her gaze, Albert firmly bowed once more.
At that time, something twinkled from the chest of the prince that caught Leo's eye and made him remember something.
「Ah…!」
Why do you have my Kar-sama, is what Leo wanted to shout out but failed to.
It can be seen through the prince's shirt, the familiar visage of an inelegant leather strip, the same one that hung Leo's old gold coin.
When Albert drew closer for the bow, his shoulders stiffened in surprise at the yelp of the young girl.
(Damn. If I recall, she was afraid of adult men.)
Bianca had heard from Kai about 「Leonora's past」. Of her unreasonable hardships.
The sight of the frightened girl who avoided eye contact while staring at his chest caused Albert to feel for her sorrowful circumstances.
「I apologize for startling you. Um, if a replacement dress isn't to your liking, is there anything else we could provide for you?」
「Give, Kar-sama.」
Upon hearing the resolute demand, Albert was very bewildered.
「Eh…?」
「My, Kar-sama, please return.」
「Leonora…」
Again, with the hostile gaze given along with her statement, Albert once again felt as if something sharp was stabbing him in the head.
(This girl…Leonora has yet to forgive us.)
That is indeed because Albert is the first imperial prince of this empire. Before, Leonora's mother was driven into her fate by someone like him, he who inherited the position of the previous prince, someone who was directly involved in the Disaster of Flora. It was because of Albert's father who overthrew the previous prince that he was able to become king, thus making Albert the new prince.
She who lost everything in the disaster, and while we gained the power of supremacy. She, who was deprived of their mother during childhood, while I gained the fortunes of a king. Of course, she would resent us. Of course, she would ask us to 「return her mother.」 If it was me, I would be plotting how to kill the other party.
To such a girl, I arrogantly believed I could 「give you anything you want.」 Just how far does my farce run. Albert was very ashamed.
「I'm sorry…I'm sorry, Leonora. Please, somehow, I can only ask that you forgive us, for not being able to return to you your Kasama.」
「Can't return?!」
「Ah. I am truly sorry.」
Leo was enraged. How could someone who holds so much power and authority go around stealing other people's possessions, and going so far as to refuse to return them? His face grew red in frustration. Of course, he was completely ignoring the fact that the gold coin was something gifted to him by someone else in the first place.
「Why?! Albert-sama, you have, so much!」
「Mm, indeed. I was blessed with so many things. And yet, there is no way for me to grant your sole desire…」
Albert's expression flashed a self-scorned smile. To this frustrated girl whose cheeks redden from sadness and eyes water from tears, there is nothing he could possibly do. Albert could do nothing but realize his own powerlessness.
「No matter how much money I have, it's useless.」
Even though I am the Gold Coin King, I can even grant the wishes of one girl. Albert pulled away his gold coin while saying that.
However, upon hearing that, the girl suddenly raised her eyebrows. Then, she said something completely unexpected.
「The gold coin, not at fault!」
Leo wanted to say 「it's because of your stinginess you bastard.」 For someone who is the richest person in the empire to dare to steal his coin, and then speak as if the coin is at fault, that infuriated him.
「Gold coin, not bad. Everything, everything, depends on you!」
Right, it's not the money's fault you're stingy, it's clearly your fault.
From the dignified girl's words, Albert again felt a sense of realization upon him.
He always thought that the 「Gold Coin King」 was a very unfortunate mantle, but she asserted that it wasn't so.
「Everything depends on me…」
Albert blankly murmured.
A girl way younger than me, who has yet to even make her high society debut, Leonora von Harkenberg. And yet, those fiery words seem to hold wisdom well beyond her years. Albert was shaken to his core.
(No…)
That's when Albert had a sudden thought.
Something similar to this has happened before, roughly two years ago.
「…….」
While the prince whispered the name of said person from deep in his memory, Leo slightly raised his eyes.
「What is it?」
Even if I remember his name, what's the use of clinging to the name of someone who's already gone. When he remembered how he was beaten up over his foolishness last time by the person, Albert floated a wry smile.
「No, sorry. Somehow, I suddenly remembered something from a long time ago.」
「a long time ago?」
「Ah…It took place two years ago. When I went incognito into the lower city, at that time, something similar was said to me.」
A scandal story of how the shining first prince of the Weiz empire went down to the lower city, it suddenly piqued Leo's interest.
Seeing the anticipation in the girl's eyes, Albert began to recount his tale. This was something that he had only told to his cousin Natalia up until now. But somehow, he felt like he wanted to share it with this girl.
「…Two years ago, when I had manifested my blessing of the dragon's blood - Ah, do you know about the dragon's blood? All direct descendants of the Weiz imperial bloodline have it, and the blessing can manifest in many different forms, it's like an heirloom so to speak. Depending on the person, the golden heirloom would take different shapes. For the previously zealous and religious king, the 「Golden Chalice King」 it was a chalice. For the fanatical conqueror king, the 「Gold Sword King」 it was a sword. And for me, my title is that of the 「Gold Coin King」」
「Gold Coin King…」
「Indeed. In the long history of the Weiz empire, it seems that this was the first time it had ever taken the form of a coin.」
Albert floated a weary smile.
「A heaven-sent child blessed with understanding in culture and economy. It is probably my fate to lead the Weiz empire to it's most prosperous and wealthy era on the whole continent. I believe that is a very joyous thing. Yet - at the same time as my awakening, many people tried to surround me and curry my favor.」
Once I awakened to my blessing, I was also able to freely give it away as much as I wanted.
Anyone would want economic prosperity, even at the cost of others. At times people would sabotage others, at times even family would betray each other. All for the chance to get closer to Prince Albert.
When just the day before, he had trusted teachers and dear childhood friends, it all changed when he received his blessing. Their eyes become muddy with greed, and for Albert who witnessed all of that, he became incredibly disgusted.
「That is,…well, I simply became tired of it all. I wanted to get a change of pace, so I went to the lower city. Perhaps I just wanted to forget the fact that I was the prince for a while. But, it was rather foolish in retrospect, I couldn't properly disguise myself yet and got into quite the bind with some hoodlums in the lower city. It was something to be expected while randomly loitering around.」
Albert nostalgically shrugged his shoulders.
It wasn't that Albert didn't know how to defend himself. In fact, it was the opposite, he had learned martial arts to protect himself from a young age and could kill a person with little effort. For this reason 「attacking someone without killing them」 is not something he was able to do.
「At that time, a lone boy came to my rescue.」
As he uttered that, a soft smile shone on Albert's face.
Anyway, that boy saved me with a brilliant kick - but rather than was just a feint, and then he used sand to disable the attacker's eyesight - then he swift attacked the men's weak point. The discord caused all of the attackers to disperse. What an inelegant way to fight.
On the other hand, Leo seemed to remember something. It wasn't Albert, but before he had saved a noble boy in the lower city, with those very same mentioned techniques. That boy feels suspiciously similar to Leo.
「With that, I was saved by the boy. However, afterward, while reaching out his hand and a smiling face, the boy said 「For saving your life, I'll only take one small silver coin」」
Leo let out a sudden groan. That flow of situation, and that price settling, there was no one else who that could be.
「I thought it was an act of justice but, he had come looking to earn some money. But still, since it was a chance meeting in the lower city, I gave him a small silver coin, then it got interesting. 「Can't you give a little more, I'm an impoverished son of a merchant, man.」 was what he said to me after. 「From talking to the shopkeepers around here, I could tell that your clothes are hand-tailored, and the way you speak is different too, and particularly by that well maintained black hair, you must be a dignified high-ranking noble」」
Huh? Leo thought.
「…Black hair?」
「Oh, I changed how my hair and eyes looked before I went. Just like before at the welcoming party, I had black hair and gray eyes. Well, recently I can also change my facial shape as well, but it was only very recently that I was able to do that.」
「Eh…?」
「Haha, you don't have to pretend. I know that the violet eyes of the Harkenberg family could easily see through a simple disguise such as that.」
The more dots he started to connect in the story, the more he unconsciously tried to doubt it.
Gray eyes and black hair. The guard of the welcoming party who had a perfectly ordinary face.
The black hair noble who go into trouble with some hooligans, just two years ago.
「Yeah, and so, just like that time, since I was still new to disguising myself, I was seen through at that time as well. Since he said I was dignified, amused, I decided to give him my gold coin as a test. How about this? I said.」
Two years ago, when Leo managed to cheat a worn out gold coin from a black-haired young boy.
「The boy was wildly overjoyed. I was very refreshed when I saw it. How do I say it, it was completely different from the greedy and unpleasant feeling I got previously, it was like seeing the pure happiness of a child who just got a new toy. But because I was pretty jaded at that time, I asked 「is it really something to be that happy about. Something like that -」」
- Even though it was something that had only brought misfortune upon me. Albert finished.
Leo started remembering more with each and every word.
Indeed, he remembered. A lone boy who had wandered onto the wrong people's turf, and he had decided to save him thinking he could earn some money. That was when he was told, those words.
Albert then suddenly laughed.
「At that time, that boy told me, 「Don't put the blame on the gold coin」.」
Leo started to break into a cold sweat.
「Is…is that so, interesting.」
「Uh-huh. Yeah, not only that, afterward he gave me a clean hit to my face and then he said 「Such a disappointment, blaming a gold coin for your own shortcomings, that's not how men do things. I feel bad for the coin having someone like you as the owner, so until the right time I will keep this gold coin for you.」 Then he held the coin tightly and quickly left. Afterward, no matter how much I searched, I was never able to find that boy again.」
「…….」
Leo was already at a loss for words.
Speaking ill of the royal family, hitting him and running away with his coin.
At worst it would be capital punishment. At best, a lifetime in jail.
Leo's mouth seemed to flap like a goldfish at the situation. Since that, the prince returned from his reminiscing.
「Oops, my bad. Somehow it became all about rambling about my past. I apologize to you.」
「No no!」
Leo tightly held his hands together. Is he talking about wanting to get his coin back? No no, actually the coin already found its way back to its rightful owner.
It looks like he hasn't found out the truth yet. I wonder what would happen if he were to notice? Leo began to timidly ask.
「…By the way, just if, you found the boy, Prince Albert, what do you plan to do?」
Stealthily gripping his hands together, Leo somehow managed to put together a coherent sentence for once. However for it to be something like this to cause it, it was not something to be delighted about.
Albert held his chin in deep thought then said 「Yeah.」
「—- if I was able to meet him again, probably, I would never want him to leave.」
「Ug…」
A small yelp slightly leaks from Leo's throat.
The decision is, life imprisonment…
Looking at the girl help held her chest with a sorrowful look, Albert floated a satisfied expression.
「What's wrong?… Ah, no, sorry. I went on a tangent again. Won't you tell me how I could pay you back? Leonora.」
However, the girl held a downcast-ed gaze and stood completely still. Wondering what was wrong, the Prince was about the reach forward to see, but at that moment, the girl energetically looked up.
「Um! Prince, I have, something for you!」
While shouting 「Just a little bit, please wait!」 she moved with extreme precision into the inner part of her room.
When she came back, she held in both her arms a large bundle of cloth bags.
With a thump, the mountain of bags was placed on top of the table. From that mountain of bags, wafted a soothing elegant aroma.
「This is…?」
「Heart calming, help sleep, aromatic bag.」
「Ah, so it's a sachet. Very nice embroidery and the aroma is also very nice. A wonderfully crafted item. It couldn't be, did you…?」
「Yes. I received from Biancsama, Muerta flower and perfume, made using cloth from my dress.」
With her thin fingers, she took out one bag from the pile and gently place it in the prince's hands.
「These are, my feelings.」
And then, with a bashful look, she floated a beautiful smile.
「Leonora…」
Albert had his breath taken away.
(This child is too kind.)
This feeling, like dry parched earth receiving moist rain for the first time in forever.
To put into practical use the Muerta funeral flower that was meant to insinuate her mother's death, ripped spirit cloth, and perfume stained dress to make something this wonderful, heavenly item. And to give it to the older brother of the person who has constantly offended her.
(The Muerta is a funeral flower, yet it was turned into a heart-soothing potpourri. I see, 'Depends on you,' this is what she meant. This is what she wanted to point out to me.)
Albert felt a sense of loss, over the incredible wit and tolerance of a girl younger than him has shown.
(Moreover, brimming with lovely sincerity, this girl holds a bright smell, just like that of a Saintess.)
Actually, the person who handed it over was joyous about the fact that he might be able to gain favor for his misgivings, but that Albert did not notice.
「…Thank you, Leonora.」
「I, made it, and gave to Prince, please don't forget.」
「Ah, I shall treasure it dearly, I won't forget.」
「—-Good.」
When the prince agreed that he wouldn't forget, the girl nodded in satisfaction.
As Albert went to examine the scent of the sachet, it wrapped him in a soft and tender aroma.
「Leonora. It seems like all we've done is be the receiver of your kindness and give you grief in return. Allow me to offer my thanks - no, my gratitude, please. Please, anything you wish and I shall provide for you.」
Once again Albert inquired. However, again the girl simply said 「There's no need」 and shook her head slightly.
「It is okay.」
「But how come?」
「I received flowers, thread, and perfume. And also Torpè from the prince, it is plenty.」
Of course, for Leo, since he returned the favor about 50%, if he keeps receiving things from the brother-sister duo then that would cancel out that 50%.
「However, even still, we would feel bad with just this. Anything is fine, is there any request you perhaps you have for me?」
While skillfully masking her intentions, the girl went deep into thought, then said 「Yeah.」
「Uhm. If that's the case…」
「Yes?」
「These sachets, please share it with Biancsama, as well. Prince's friends as well, share, a lot.」
If the Weizsäcker brother and sister use them, it will definitely spread around the imperial palace. And then, afterward, the sachet will become even more marketable and expensive. If the popular Albert and his friends use them that's even more people. Leo employs the secret marketing technique: Sampling, into full effect.
「You are…」
However, for Albert who doesn't know Leo's intentions, he simply admires the girl's earnest.
「Such an altruistic child.」
For the avaricious Leo, from the beginning, he has always thought about profits.
Being aware of his own tendencies, Leo was very confused upon hearing the prince's statement. However, the prince simply responded 「Oh, don't mind me」 and wearily laughed.
「—- Please pardon me. Your Highness, Prince Albert. Leonorsama. It is almost time for the morning assembly.」
Since it seems like the conversations have finally concluded, the servant intervened at the most suitable timing.
As Albert started to stand up, he suddenly remembered something and quickly sat back down on the sofa.
「That's right, Leonora. Allow me a few parting words.」
「W-w-w-what is it.」
While wondering why she was so disturbed, Albert continued.
「After this case, we and also the noble faction might stop approaching you, but the Bernstein faction will definitely call out to you. At that time, please let me know.」
「Bernstein faction?」
Upon hearing the familiar name, Leo tilted his head in curiosity.
「Ah. It is a group led by the son of the recently prosperous Bernstein company, Oscar. They lead the minority regular townspeople who have entered the family, but they are also a new noble family holding the viscount rank. With their power growing close to that of a baron, they have been at conflict with the noble faction. Even in the upper class, Oscar Bernstein is known for his superior intellect, because of that, the imperial faction and noble faction have their eyes on him, always looking to set him back. But he is always one step ahead of them. Which his charisma, he gains more supporters every year.」
「Hm…」
It was hard to grasp all the details, but Leo was able to understand that this was basically a turf war.
「And so, Leonora. While you are the daughter of a marquis household, you are also a native of the lower city. You are someone we want, but also someone Oscar Bernstein wishes to be on his side. Now, since there's a rumor going around that you are in conflict with Bianca, he will most definitely move to reach out to you. If that happens -」
As Albert puts more pressure on the table with the mountain of sachets, it seems like it's about to collapse.
「It'll collapse!」
「That's right, the very delicate balance that has been kept in this school so far will collapse.」
The prince sighed at the young girl's wisdom beyond her years.
Once again, he is amazed at her elegance and intellect, as he continues.
「That's why Leonora. If there's anything suspicious that happens, anything at all, please let me know. I will also keep an eye on you as well. - Will you promise me?」
I might have gotten too overly excited.
Realizing the unusual zeal that came from himself, Albert felt a little embarrassed and promptly excused himself from the room.
「Keep eyes, on me, declaration.」
Leonora murmured with a pale face, sitting still at her seat.
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