Yasashī Shinjitsu to SeiryakuKekkon Vol IIChapter 27

‘I was just admiring them, I don’tthink cute things suit me though,’ Matilda said, slightly uncomfortable thatshe was exposed.

‘Don’t be silly, cute things wouldabsolutely suit you.’

‘Yes, let’s try it.’ Another personsaid

‘Oh no, let’s not!’ she said, shebecame fl.u.s.tered. (Zuben: You’re the future queen right?)

‘There is a distance between whatyou like and what you actually have, it’s dark.’

Julia, the chief of staff, clappedher hands loudly, ‘Everyone! We have lost track of what we’re doing.’

They all quieted down.

‘Let’s put down what we havediscussed so far. We will note the things that Princess Matilda is interestedin pursuing and leave the rest to his Majesty. Agata, please take notes,’

She did not like flamboyantclothes. She did like cute things like small accessories.

She was interested in Barenshiagahandicraft industry and other speciality craft.

She was interested in post warredevelopment, education, service and welfare.

She was interested in maintainingthe forests, and restoring the balance. The spirits of the forest have beendamages during the war, and the natural habitats of the animals have beendamaged as well.

She liked fencing but she had beenout of practice since she came to Barenshiaga.

(Zuben: In other words, boring. Therewere more ‘I am interested’ in but they weren’t important to the plot so Ididn’t bother)

There were parts she would like torefute, was it okay to behave like that as an Empress.

She doubted it.

Although they are her words, theimpression was different from what she had in mind.

‘That is all for now, we willdiscuss it with the emperor and reconvene in seven days. For now, I would likethe Princess to start practising Barenshiaga etiquette, dance, and musicalhistory. I will invite a teacher. But most importantly, we need you practisingfor the wedding dance.’

‘Very good,’ Matilda said, ‘Let usall practise together since we have a teacher,’ She didn’t want to be the onlyone being watched while she was learning. It would be too embarra.s.sing. (Zuben:People would be watching just you at the wedding)

Julia sighed and said, ‘Agata, addvery shy and possibly bad at dancing,’

So mean.

‘Matilda-sama, I have aproposition.’

‘Matilda, you’re too cute!’ Paolasaid (Zuben: Does this character have nothing else to add? Then shut her up.)

No, she was the cute one, shethought as she regarded Paola in her uniform. It was dark blue with a plainwhite ap.r.o.n. It was rather practical, no cute embellishments.

‘Julia, can’t the maid uniform butmore…cute?’ (Zuben: She’s going to be one of those kinda characters huh;everything motto kawaii! Motto!! Motto!!!)

‘Eh…?

‘Everyone is quite beautiful,whether they are chief or servant. So why don’t we change the uniform just alittle bit. A little more lace, some silk piping here and there and a fewappliqués.’ She said with mounting excitement (Zuben: This aint what this forumis for Matilda)

She like making cute people cuter,cuter than she could ever be.

‘…I’ll think about it.’ Julia said

‘Me too!’ Clara, whose parents werefabric traders, spoke up.

The other maids and ladies whosehobbies were sewing and embroidery raised their hands with interest.

Watching everyone excitement,Leandroth was not an enemy, she thought. (Zuben: ¬.¬)

With this seemingly simpleluncheon, he’d helped her bridge the gap between her, her ladies and maids.

She realised and admitted that hewas a good person. (Zuben: Just now?!)

It was difficult for her to haveself confidence and express herself honestly.

To be honest, difficult was not it,it was possible but she was reluctant (Zuben: You were a Prime Minister, rightor what that for show?)

Because she did not like herself,she did not have any confidence in herself. It seemed like Leandroth was tryingto untangle the mess that was Matilda, taking the circuitous route to herheart, by making her look at the world around her and seeing that people caredabout her; making her see that he had confidence in her, if she didn’t inherself.

She knew she did not know how toreceive love.

The basket that was her heart wastoo small, to rough. Leandroth was trying to reshape it.

The gla.s.s that was her heart hadbeen broken a long time ago. (Zuben: So many metaphors. Similes?)

But he wanted to learn how to takecare of it.

She should also learn.

She was sure she was not going tochange easily, but she was conscious of her growing desire to change.

Even if it is difficult to changethe size of the basket, she wanted to face Leandroth and try whole-heartedly.

Although her confidence appearedand disappeared like ripples on a lake, she wanted to be conscious and aware(Zuben: My three translating software and I may have lost the plot again!)

Matilda looked up from her thoughtsat her ladies-in waiting and maids, smiled and said, ‘I shall be relying on youfrom now on.’

Tomorrow, will speak to GrandfatherBell about her epiphany.

Tonight, she will speak to Leann.

He would stroke her head and caressher cheek,

‘Yes,’ everyone replied.

Somehow, she got very emotional andtears filled her eyes. Julia came over and hugged her.

Even when she was happy, she cried.

It was a very happy thing.

◇

After the luncheon, Matilda headedto Leandroth’s office.

On her way, she met the snake: TheDeputy Secretary of the Deputy Prime Minister, Earl Pikers.

There were two positions under thedirective of the Chief Executive Office. The Prime Minister oversees theMinister and the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Education.

It was almost the same t.i.tle but inpractice the secretary of the Ministry of Reconstruction had more power.(Zuben: Why the h.e.l.l is that so?)

The knights walked ahead of themand waited a polite distance away.

She wanted to sigh; she didn’t knowif she’d be polite.

If he was so free, he should atleast be working harder.

His eyes widened as he saw her, ‘Areyou going to sell the flames to his Majesty?’ he said, his tone rather oily. Hehad a sarcastic smile.

What a horrible man, she thought,he took pleasure in exposing negative emotions and defeating others. He hadsuch a shallow face he could not suppress his impulse.

She remembered what Leandroth said,one could not talk to the royal family without permission, even if you were ahigh ranking official. If Matilda wanted she could get him beheaded, but thatwas too savage.

Benaza, one of theladies-in-waiting who had accompanied her, glared at his impertinence, ‘This fool,how dare you!’

This person, because he was anofficial, he did what he wanted or said what he wanted directly. He did notseem to understand people were watching him, he did not understand the heartsof the people in the palace. (Zuben: what are they going to do?)

‘Someone is really stupid,’ Matildasaid quietly like an aside but loud enough to hear, ‘If you want to bribe,bribe in moderation; if you want to consolidate power, do it let openly. Do notover extend the Treasury. But here you are playing happily, thinking hisMajesty is a puppet.’

‘Even if youdidn’t make a mistake, His Majesty has noticed your slow siphon. The Emperor isbeing frugal, but you still have comment.’

‘What…?’ the Knight thataccompanied the Earl roared. The Earl raised his hand, the knight backed down.

‘I’m sure you don’t have strongevidence. But, you need to be prepared, even if you take office, I would notlet you gain power.’

‘I will make sure you live isolatedin this palace. How much of that can you tolerate?’

‘You must be joking.’

Matilda thought about what she andMarquis Bellmud had discussed,

‘If you make a move, it would givehis Majesty an opportunity to crush you. You are mistaking a wolf that hideshis fangs for a puppy. Continue to do so, you will reap the consequences.’

With that, Matilda went past him.

She told Leandroth of the incidentwhen she got to his office, he gave a wry smile,

‘The doc.u.ments you have to dealwith have increased because the officials supposed to be working on them havebeen pressing them on you.’

‘You understand very well.’

‘It was mixed in with doc.u.mentsthat are for your attention.’

‘Yes. Although, I hated it, I havekept my power by being able to complete the work without much fuss. Itcertainly is hara.s.sment.’ (Zuben: How old are these people, twelve?)

‘Do you not have many peers you canuse?’

‘No really. It seems many of thepeers want to be tied up long winded deals. The only thing to do is to build asystem that diminishes the power of the Ministry of Reconstruction.’

It seems like it would bedifficult.

‘Why do you seem so calm?’ sheasked

‘Because, I’m wondering how long Ineed to keep letting him breathe.’

That was rather evil.

‘With the Prime Minister retiringbecause of illness, I may have to promote the Deputy Prime Minister, theMarquis of Yangas, into his place. And then, appoint the Marquis of Casenas tothe Deputy position. But Pikers’ bribery is widespread. I want someone who canfind true evidence, so that we can clear him aside and begin true rebuilding ofthe country.’

‘Are you sure you want to instatethese people?’ she asked as she tilted her head watching him. He really was awolf hiding his fangs. Though, she had said it herself, to her, he was alwayslike a gigantic affectionate dog; innocent and amusing. (Zuben: Why do youbehave like you lose your brain everything other day then?)

‘At some point, they may you. Aren’tthere more trustworthy candidates?’

‘Betrayal is a good starting pointfor evidence against one’s enemies. Besides, we don’t whole heartedly trusteveryone, do we?’ Lean asked rhetorically as he laughed.

The laughter was hollow, andlonely.

She felt a pain in her chestlooking at him, she reached for him,

‘Leann,’ she began wondering whatto say, when there was a loud knock on the door.

‘Your Majesty! The Prime Minister!He’s dying!’

The Marquis of Bellmud?!

Zuben: Yay! I sorta figured it out. Enjoy.

Index ⚔ Chapter 28...