The Life of Maria Lewellin Chapter 20

[Do you like seeds that much?]

[Yes! Ruri likes seeds more than bugs.]

We chatted on the way to the grocery store until we were just around the corner.

I saw the lady who owned the grocery sitting in a small chair outside and concentrating on her pastime.

“Hello.”

When I greeted her kindly, the lady raised her head and got up.

“You're here with Ruri again today.”

When I first stopped by here, the lady was so amazed to see Ruri perched up in my shoulder.

The lady asked if it was really a bird and I told her yes and then she asked if she had a name, and since then, whenever she saw Ruri, she would call her name.

“Kiyaaaat-!”

[Hello!]

Although the lady didn't understand her, Ruri still leaned over and said hello. I could tell that now even without looking at her.

“Yes, what can I get you today?”

“Um…I'd like an apple and a bag of hay seeds please.”

The ripe red apples looked very appetizing. If I tell the maids, they'll put pretty cut apple in front of me right away, but it was a little fun to go around the square and buy things sometimes. Plus, it also felt bad to go back empty-handed.

“Thank you. I hope you sell a lot.”

I rubbed the apple on my skirt and took a big bite. The fresh juice soaked the mouth and the apple feels perfectly crunchy.

People may snort or laugh when they hear it, but one of the good things about coming to this world was that the food was very fresh. Farming without any pesticides allowed me to eat with confidence.

“Hmm~”

A pleasant humming came out of my mouth.

The next place I went to was a cloth shop selling fabric. Now that I mostly know the geography of this neighborhood, it's not that difficult for me to find my destination anymore.

I crossed the road diagonally and went down two blocks further, and the store appeared.

“Hello. May I see some of your fabrics? “

“Well, do you happen to have a kind you're looking for?”

“No, I'm not looking for anything in particular, but I'm planning to make clothes that are comfortable to wear.”

“I see. Then…”

The old man soon began to skim through the fabric on the long wooden rod.

After a while, he showed a sample in front of me.

“How about something like this? It's made up of hemp material, so it's cool and light, and it's perfect to wear this season.”

So there is also a hemp fabric here.

I looked at the cloth with a curious expression. As the old man said, it looked light and cool, but it was so dark yellow that it felt so dull.

“Do you have any other colors?”

“Of course there is.”

The uncle took out another cloth and showed it to me. But it didn't look much different. It almost has the same color as well

“Can I pick my own?”

“Sure. Feel free to look.”

“Thank you.”

Then I looked around the store. There were many fabrics that were mostly monochromatic, and only part of the edges had gradations.

Black would be good considering what I'm making, but it would feel very hot if it absorbed sunlight. After looking around the whole turn, I reached out and pointed somewhere.

“Give me that.”.

What I chose was a deep navy blue fabric. The color was similar to the pants that I used to wear at home, so it was perfect.

“How much would you like?”

“I'm going to make pants. About two pairs so give me enough fabric for that, please.”

I hurriedly made a V with my fingers.

I'm not going to make two identical pants, I just wanted to buy enough cloth to make one shirt and one pair of pants.

“Thank you. Good luck with your business.”

I picked up the cloth that the old man cut for me and came out. Maybe because I bought what I needed, but my steps were lighter.

As I walked, I saw a beautiful building with a wooden awning. A smile instantly bloomed in my lips. The building has a signboard with a teacup drawn in it. It's a tea house.

[Shall we take a break, Ruri?]

[I like that!]

This is really a perfect timing.

I opened the shop happily.

There weren't as many guests as I thought. Taking over a small table, I ordered a lazenda tea and butter cookies. Lazenda tea is a tea made by boiling leaves of a plant called Lazenda, which has a similar aroma to Earl Grey but a tab bit sweeter.

“Here's your order.”

A hot steaming teacup and small cookie baskets were placed one after another.

“Thank you. “

I savored the scent of tea first. After a sip of hot tea, I also picked up a cookie, and I heard Ruri's voice.

[Ruri is hungry, too, sister.]

[Wait a minute.]

I opened my satchel and put some hay seeds I bought a while ago on the table.

I ate my share of cookies too, and the table next to mine got occupied by chattering new customers.

I turned my head and saw three ladies sitting on the sofa who started talking as soon as they sat down.

“I think it's prettier looking from here.”

“Sara necklace?”

“Yes.”

“That's right. That red Garnet must be precious. I'm so jealous.”

So there's Garnet in this country as well.

I don't really want to eavesdrop, but it's quiet around me, so I could hear their voices even if I don't try to listen.

“Why don't you also buy one?”

“I want to buy one, but I can't afford it now. It's too expensive. “

“Why, is your business not going well these days?”

“No. It's just that, the youngest in our family just went to the knight school this year. And we're about to die for that guy's tuition. I can't even dream of jewelry for the time being.”

“That's right. He did.”

This time I heard the voice of another lady.

“But isn't that really great? If he do well there, he'll get a boost in his status, right?”

“It's not just a rise in status. They say that if you work hard and stand out, or if you get good results in a competition, you can be selected as a knight of the nobility. You can also take the imperial sentinel test.”

I burst out laughing. Even though she just said how she's having a hard time because of him, now she's oozing with pride.

“Oh, so that's what it is. But if you're chosen as a sentry, you'll be able to see his Royal Highness up close, right?”

*choke*

The cookies I was eating suddenly felt stuck in my throat. I hurriedly grabbed the teacup and moistened my dry throat.

[Sister, are you okay?]

[Yes. I'm all right.]

[Please eat slowly. Ruri is not going to take that away.]

Aigoo this cute little thing.

I patted Ruri's beak with my fingertip with a pleased smile. In the meantime, the ladies on the table next to me continued.

“By the way, there will be a grand ball in the palace this year, right?”

“Of course. Last year, I heard that the esteemed daughter of the Winston family was the first to dance of the Crown Prince. I wonder what kind of person he's going to dance with this year.”

“I know right! I'm sure everyone's really looking forward to it.”

One of the girls held a teacup with her hands and said with envious face.

“Dancing with the Crown Prince, how exciting, isn't it? It's so dreamy.”

“I'm not even dreaming to have dance with him. I just wish to see him up close.”

Unknowingly, Ains' face popped up on my mind.

…Indeed. He's a little cold, but he's definitely handsome.

By the way, there's going to be a grand ball in the palace?

I was curious, but I couldn't just ask the ladies who I had never met. It would be unpleasant if I did since they might think I'm eavesdropping.

Should I ask Chloe later?

[When are we going?]

Ruri's voice woke me up from my thoughts. I must have almost finished my tea, I got up from my seat as I popped the last remaining cookie in my mouth.

[Let's go.]

[Yes, sister!]

When I came out, I started walking with Ruri and looked around the Square again.

I didn't even know then.

I didn't know that I would be the dance partner of the Crown Prince that all the aristocratic lady wished to be and envy for all eternity

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[Rohin year 26, month xx, day xx,

I went to the square with Ruri, today. Going to the square is fun. There are a lot of people and many things to see to pass time.

I bought a snack for Ruri and an apple. I also drank delicious tea at a teahouse I found. And when I came back, I asked Chloe, if there will be an avent….ivent…event.

Then Chloe informed me that it would be the Crown Prince's birthday soon. Maybe that's why the ladies were talking about the ball.

A ball on his birthday? I'm so excited. I'm sure it'll be elegant, right?

And giving birthday presents is a thing in this country as well so, I think I'll have to get something ready, too, what should I get him?]

-Maria's Diary Who's Writing This in a Cool Windy Evening-

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Glick's exclusive walking ground is as big as a stadium.

Glick loitered about to his favorite tree as soon as I opened the door.

I came, not to just accompany Glick for today. I have other I spread the secret thing I had in her hand.

….Nobody's here, right?

After looking around and making sure that I'm alone, I took off my flat shoes one after the other and put my two feet in the hand-mended shorts I had brought with me.

Then I gathered the hem of my skirt and tucked it into the shorts. It would be convenient to take off the dress completely, but I didn't have enough time to make a shirt.

Then finally, I tied my hair together.

I took a deep breath and I started running along the area.

“One, two. One, two.”

The reason why I'm running through Glick's walking ground in bizarre attire, is because I've gained a lot of weight ever since I came to the palace.

(t/n: finally! An mc who's not immune in getting fat! )

I didn't notice it at first. A few days ago, I grabbed my wrist while enjoying a bath, and it felt different from before.

….is this fat?

As soon as I thought of it, I looked down at my forearm and my lower belly.

I soon realized the seriousness of the situation. I don't know exactly because I don't have a weighting scale, but I must have gained weight.

Even breakfast and lunch, it was so good that I eat as much as I during dinner every evening.

“Hyuk, Hyuk, Haah, Haah.”

Lack of exercise quickly dawned on me. I haven't even run that long yet, but I'm already out of breath.

Aigoo… I'm dying.

As I ran hard, I saw Glick sitting on the tree. I paused in front of him for a moment and looked up at the top of the tree, breathing out.

“Haah, haah, haah-Glick, would you like to run with me?”

[I don't. It's annoying.]

'Really? If you don't like it, then never mind.'

Somehow I thought so, so I accepted it coolly.

By the way, standing still makes me want to cry even more. The dress was so tight that I couldn't even breathe properly.

I swear, I will make a short-sleeved shirt as soon as I got back to my room!

'I guess I lack in preparation. Should I go run a half turn? Or should I just wrap it up by warming up?'

….But half a turn seems too inconsiderate.

Since I already started it, I thought I have to fill at least one lap to enjoy a little sense of accomplishment.

Whoo, I took another deep breathe and jogged lightly. When I was about to took off–

[Strange.]

I heard Glick's voice from above.

“Huh? “

As soon as I turned my head, Glick came down the tree to the ground.

His noble eyes are still beautiful as always but the look he's giving me was pathetic.

[You're clothes. It's strange. Did you steal it from them?]

“Haha. No, Glick.”

I burst out laughing and waved my hands. The pants that Glick was talking about were probably the pants of the servants who once brought Glick a meal.

Although it is ridiculous for the leopard to talk about people, I don't think it feels that strange. Ains is also a man who sees himself highly, and I was worried that his servants would die.

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Chapter end