Drop!! ～A Tale of the Fragrance Princess～ (LN)

Volume 4, Epilogue: To Exchange Words Part 1

Gilles Perception

The wind blowing in from the slightly opened window is gentle and comfortable. The sunny weather is surely calming the hearts of the people who live in town.

A knock sounded at my door.

This sound is definitely Vernoux.

Come in.

Hey, Gille. Whatre you reading?

Hello, Vernoux. Im reading the record of proceedings I borrowed from father.

Oh, the thing yesterday? I also heard a little about it from father. Theyre planning to organise part of the northern district in the royal capital, right?

Yeah. They add a lot of illegal buildings in that district, and its hard for people to walk around. There are also a lot of quarrels there.

Theyll probably argue about solving it too, but thats inevitable.

The place in question tends to prioritise customs over laws, so the congressional decisions will also lead to backlashes. However, Congress isnt making this decision on their own. Theyre improving the area because the local residents complained.

Of course, it would be ideal if there is a solution that would satisfy everyone, but even God wouldnt be able to find such a solution.

Its no use, but I want to reduce the number of dissatisfied people but this is the most I can do.

People living under the law should not suffer disadvantages.

What is right, and what is wrong?

Even though there is a congress, I will make the final decision someday. I feel again that my ideas have an influence on peoples lives, even from a piece of paper.

Father is amazing.

His Majesty is asking you to watch him. He wants you to study from him while you can.

Thats right. Father is always thinking of my welfare so that I wont be troubled in the future. If I can live up to his expectations No, I have to live up to them.

You dont have to correct yourself. That part of you is really diligent.

Vernoux sat on the sofa where he usually sat. That sofa is like his reserved seat, so I always put sweets there for him. I put bottle orange peels there today. I like eating things as they are, but for Vernoux, who loves sweets, I placed some chocolate coated orange peels there.

Vernoux knew that those were for him, so he opened the lid without waiting for my permission.

I was surprised when His Majesty suddenly showed up in the study room in the morning and called you So it was to give you that record of proceedings.

Yeah, no, that was different. I got this at breakfast.

Really? Then, what did he want?

Vernoux asked while eating the orange peel. His actions arent commendable as a Marquiss son but this is Vernoux, so it cant be helped now.

Thats not a big deal.

Surprisingly, youre hesitating. Was it about an arranged marriage?

You know, dont put me in your shoes.

Hey. Both you and Dilly. What kind of person do you think I am?

Im joking.

I think Vernoux was joking, but its not funny to me, so I want him to stop.

But fortunately, that wasnt what father informed me.

Father told me to do a better job at sneaking out.

His Majesty did?

Father silently approves of me going to Senseis place, right? But, thats only silent approval. Clay complained that I quickly disappear whenever I have free time.

Ah Isnt it fine? You do what you have to do, so you can spend your free time however you want.

Hes obstinate as always, Vernoux frowned, but it wasnt like I couldnt understand Clays feelings. He is simply worried that it would develop into a serious incident if something were to happen to me while I was out.

Father giving me silent approval instead of giving me permission when I talked to him about it is proof of the risks.

When His Majesty was young, he would secretly sneak out of the castle, didnt he?

Of course, but that isnt public knowledge. I dont think Clay knows about it.

The only reason why Vernoux knows about it is because his father, Marquis Leonard Flantheim, snuck out with father. No, unlike me, I heard that father didnt want to go out, but the Marquis forced him to, Youll suffocate if you dont go out!

You wont have a fated encounter either! Hes always been like that, father had said.

Whatre you laughing at?

No, its nothing.

Im sure Vernoux will remain as he is, no matter how old he gets.

Its a little hard to say that I thought such a thing. Because, apparently, its eerie.

Hmm? Well, its tough on you, Your Highness. Good work.

Vernoux ended the conversation as if it was someone elses problem and reached out for his second orange peel.

Well, if you dont want to stop sneaking out, then the only thing you can do is be grateful for His Majestys advice. You dont want to stop, right?

Yeah, not at all.

Even father gave me advice so that I wouldnt have to stop. Of course, Im taking a breather but I finally get to meet Dilly, so I definitely want to avoid a situation where we could no longer meet. However, I probably cant visit Oulu Village more, even though I want to. I have to put up with this.

I actually wanted to see more.

Well, of course Anyway, arent you glad you got to go to Oulu Village? Isnt it good nourishment for you as Prince?

Yeah.

To create a kingdom where everyone is at peace.

I understood everyonewho I couldnt comprehend on paper because I actually talked to them. All I could do for the children in Oulu Village was play with them, but it made me strongly want to create a kingdom where everyone could live with a smile.

I cant imagine peoples happy faces if I just stayed in the castle.

Well, yeah But the children over there would be surprised if they found out that youre the real prince. I mean, I dont feel like surprised is the right word to use.

Vernoux said, and I smiled wryly.

Vernoux looks more like a Princeto the children than I do. They wouldnt find out the truth.

I said lightly, and Vernoux stopped the hand that was reaching for a new orange peel.

Stop it. Im getting goosebumps.

Really?

Im sure they would be surprised if they found out that Vernoux is a Marquiss son. I think that Vernoux looks closer to the princes and typical nobles who appear in picture books.

However, Vernoux only looked bitter.

Princes in picture books wear pumpkin pants. Someone, do something about that. Pants with vertical stripes are just unreal!

Even if you say that to me

Do you know how I feel about being told that I look like that?

Do you hate it that much?

I feel bad for Vernoux, but I cant share his feelings. He doesnt hate the position of prince, but the pumpkin pants I cant imagine it at all. Ive never worn them in the first place.

I do.

I see.

Absolutely.

He emphasised firmly. I never imagined that Vernoux is obsessed with fashion, but it seems like pumpkin pants are unbearable even in his imagination. I found out something new.

Then, isnt it better if they were naked?

You know, thats going too far, right?

Sorry. Im kidding.

Its too vulgar for a Prince to say. Where did you learn something like that?

I have an idea, but for example, from Vernoux and others.

Stop with your false accusations.

I didnt apologise even though Vernoux, who had thrown three orange peels into his mouth, had protested.

Because you hate princes too much.

Of course I do. Im not fit to take your place even if you take out the pumpkin pants.

I blinked several times.

I can take that as a compliment, right?

You can interpret it however you want.

Vernouxs answer sounded indifferent, but he didnt deny it, so Ill interpret it how I like.

Thanks.

I didnt do anything you need to thank me for. But well like you saw, children admire princes. Stand firm and dont lose heart.

Okay. Ill do my best so that they wont say the fairy-tale princes are better.

But dont overdo it.

After eating the orange peel, Vernoux clapped his hands lightly and leaned back on the chair.

Well, you may be popular with children, but Dilly still wants nothing to do with you.

No Well, if you could stop there.

What? I said it modestly.

I thought Vernoux looked a bit optimistic but was he worried about me after all?

I could only smile wryly when I thought that.

I was able to meet and talk with her a lot as Gille, and I was given the opportunity to contact her about the mobile library as Sylvesterbecause Vernoux had brought up my name Dilly reacted just like I had expected her to she frowned for a second when my name was mentioned.

She had said, I dont want to bother His Highness but it was difficult to accept that.

Still, dont be discouraged.

Dilly doesnt get discouraged even if shes hated. Shes already set an example.

An example?

Mick and Dilly. Havent you heard that they get along now?

I took an envelope out from the drawer because she had written about it and Vernoux sighed lightly.

It was a pretty simple reason is what I want to say, but I didnt talk about it with her face-to-face. What? So youre discouraged after all? Dont change your expressions in such a short time.

Pretend you didnt see it.

Ill take it as youre growing instead of being discouraged.

Vernoux looked annoyed, but he didnt say anything else about it. Actually, rather than growing, Id take talking and being able to meet Dilly as a small step to achieving my happiness But putting it into words has a lot of negative points. However, I didnt say this out loud and kept it in my mind.

Even if Vernoux took back his previous compliment, it was uncool, and I cant change the situation if I dont face forward.

Oh yeah, did you eat the muffin properly?

I did. I had to eat it while it was still delicious because Dilly made it. Its a waste, though.

You dont have to worry so much. She said that she would make you more if you ask her to.

Um. Im pleased.

I think this is one of the reasons that improved my depression.

I couldnt help but be surprised when Vernoux delivered me the muffin that Dilly had made. Because I couldnt imagine a noble lady making sweets herself.

But I was happy.

So I couldnt make up my mind about whether to eat it or not, but gradually I got to the point where I thought it would be rude to not eat it while it was at the most delicious, and had it for dinner.

Dilly probably cant guess what Im thinking, I thought as I ate the muffin.

But I want to ask her to make them again, but Im a little worried about asking.

Whatre you worried about? Dilly said it was alright, so you dont have to worry about her saying no, right?

No, thats not it Im worried that she might get hurt while making sweets

I dont want her to get hurt because I asked her to do something. Im sure she has to use butter to make the muffins. If so, then she would have to use a knife, or she may get burnt.

I worried, and Vernoux looked at me in shock.

You dont have to worry that much. Dilly isnt that clumsy. She probably uses a knife all the time, and I dont think shell mess up and hurt herself Oh.

Whats wrong?

No, well, its nothing.

I questioned Vernoux, who had stopped artificially, and he feigned innocence. Vernoux is good at hiding things, but his reaction right now had been half-hearted. Far from being suspicious, Im worried instead.

Moreover, if this was something related to Dilly, then I couldnt wait around for him to answer.

Whatre you hiding?

Nothing I just thought that she had gotten hurt the other day. Its only a scrape, and its already healed. But, its rare for Dilly to get hurt.

Hurt? Should I send some medicine?

I said before thinking because he had said something surprising. But, Vernoux lightly shook his head.

No, Im telling you its only a scrape.

It wont be good if it leaves a scar even if its just a scrape.

I said its already healed, didnt I? And Dilly didnt want to talk about it, so pretend you dont know. Ill be troubled if she gets angry. Thats why I was hesitant to tell you, Vernoux continued, but I couldnt forget what I had heard.

Is she really alright now?

You know, its not like shes from a house that cant buy medicine. Youre worrying too much. Its not a big deal when we get scrapes, right? The Earl would already get it treated if it had been a serious injury.

Thats true, but

Then, its decided. You cant ask her about it. She didnt even tell me about it when I asked her face-to-face.

Like Vernoux said, I had to agree with him.

But on the other hand, I didnt want to.

Vernoux didnt say anything, so I cant either it sounded like it had already been decided. Well, it has.

Of course, I know that wasnt what Vernoux meant. As hed said, she hadnt told him anything about it even though he had asked her face-to-face, so someone who hadnt seen it shouldnt point it out.

What? Is there something else?

Nope, nothing.

There was nothing wrong with what Vernoux had said. I just thought that I was a little pathetic for thinking those thoughts.

But I wont lose.

What was that?

Nothing.

Translator: Blushy

Editor: SenjiQ