By Zephyria 
On the weekend, I went on an outing with Rubel, whom I had neglected during the exam period.
This was because the child had previously requested that I spend the weekend with him once the exams were over. As he said he wanted to go out quietly because he was feeling troubled, I didn’t invite any other classmates.
It was convenient because I didn’t have to make up excuses, as he had said he liked going out with me because I was quiet.
I also thought it was fortunate, as I had really liked the botanical garden I had visited before and wanted to go again.
When we got into the carriage, he sat in the seat next to me rather than in front, so I asked why. He said it was better to sit facing forward to avoid motion sickness, so I moved to the seat across from him.
I thought this arrangement would be better since both the child and I were growing, making it more comfortable than sitting side-by-side, but it was amusing how he seemed a little disappointed.
“Why the long face?”
“…Huh? No, is my expression strange?”
“No. Not really.”
Every time children treated me so familiarly, I felt a strange sense of wonder.
Lately, I often thought I was benefiting from my appearance.
In my past life, my large build and gruff demeanor made even close children treat me with difficulty or deference. But here, it was different.
Many seniors and peers often leaned on me, draped their arms over my shoulders, or stroked my head. It was like being treated like the chick doll I used to play with. It was probably because I was small and young.
I didn’t particularly dislike it, but it felt awkward.
We got off at the botanical garden without a word.
Rubel said he had already bought the tickets and tied a wristband around my wrist. We could enter the main gate without waiting.
I had expected it to be crowded on a weekend, but it was surprisingly quiet. He explained that many people slept in on weekend mornings, and I chuckled briefly.
Since I was reborn, I hadn’t slept in until midday. I knew now that it was due to a persistent sense of urgency, but I hadn’t shaken off the ingrained habit.
Before, I had only arrived in the evening after all classes were over, so I hadn’t seen it, but now, with the sun shining, the light penetrated deep into the greenhouses, scattering in a rainbow of colors that was almost dizzying.
The beauty, which seemed otherworldly, was so enchanting that I kept stopping even as I walked.
Even though I was walking the same path as before, the light was different, and the trees looked different. With no children chattering and pointing things out, my mind settled into a quiet calm.
A park attendant scattered grain in a clearing, and birds gathered, pecking at the seeds. It was a peaceful scene.
As I carefully read each sign, Rubel, who was walking beside me, casually spoke up.
“There are berries growing here, did you happen to see them?”
“Hmm?”
I hadn’t thought to look behind the leaves, so I hadn’t known. The berries of the Evergreen Tree, with its lush, glossy green leaves, were the exact same shade of green as the leaves themselves.
As I marveled and exclaimed in surprise, the child whispered, “There’s one here, and here too,” pointing with his fingertips. I found a few more and pointed them out to Rubel, who seemed delighted.
It was amazing how easily one could be cheered up by such small things. I had always considered grand and vast things beautiful, but I was reminded anew that small, delicate things could also be beautiful.
The wildflowers blooming in clusters beneath the large trees were truly precious and lovely.
People were the same. I realized too late that the world was not meant solely for the accomplishments of a few great individuals. I must not forget and must engrave in my heart how many people, like gentle wildflowers, were so numerous and important.
As I voiced these thoughts, the child brought up the topic of his Imperial Studies class. He said he would also remember such things deeply, and I patted his back, telling him it was a good thought.
As we walked side-by-side, we sharpened our Eye Force to find and point out lovely things like the Evergreen Tree berries to each other. Thanks to this, we saw unknown mushrooms growing on tree trunks and insect molts clinging to cracks in the bark.
Somewhere in the distance, I heard the music of an orchestra. Closer by, a bird sang. The gaze that touched my cheek felt ticklish.
By now, I was accustomed to Rubel looking at me.
During class, or even during meals, whenever he happened to look up, the child would hastily avert his gaze more than once.
Without any awkwardness, I turned to look at him. I saw his face flush red again as he startled and took half a step back.
We had reached a point where we knew each other’s proximity without even looking. I knew Rubel was close behind my shoulder, but I gently patted his shoulder a couple of times to soothe him, even though I knew I wouldn’t bump into him by turning my head.
I decided I had to ask him about it, so I opened my mouth. We were walking towards the second greenhouse after spending a long time in the first.
“Why do you keep looking at me?”
“…Does it bother you?”
“Sometimes.”
As if I had said something wrong, he startled again and stopped walking. I lightly pushed his back, but my current hands were so small that it looked like I had merely placed my hand on his back, which was amusing, so I withdrew it.
Understanding that I meant for him to keep walking, he slowly resumed walking, and he spoke with a disappointed voice.
“…Then, should I not look…?”
“There’s no need for that. I was just curious about the reason.”
Glancing up, I saw that his entire face, up to his forehead, was already flushed crimson.
The next greenhouse was the spring flower greenhouse. Amidst the sweet fragrance, Rubel, flushed red, looked like a flower himself.
The black and white child murmured in a small voice, like the sound of a flower bud opening, “Because you’re pretty, my gaze just drifts.”
“Ah.”
Is that so.
I still didn’t quite believe the compliments about my face, but I supposed it was possible. I figured it was because my hair color was light. I had heard that in the Sierran Empire, light hair color was considered a standard of beauty.
Feeling a bit awkward, I ran my hand through my hair, and the wavy strands flowed softly through my fingers.
“…Hmm.”
“Do you dislike it…?”
“I don’t particularly mind.”
“Oh. R-really?”
“Yes. Well, if you, senior, like it.”
The child opened his mouth as if to say something more, then closed it, and finally bit his lip and fell silent.
Seeing him look so pathetic and cute, my hand moved first. As I gently stroked his head, I suddenly thought he looked quite accustomed to being treated gently, so I asked if his father often stroked his head like this.
He gave a shy laugh and shook his head.
“Only Young Master Ernhardt treats me like this.”
“Is that so?”
“Ah, no. I mean, I like it.”
“Yes.”
As I tried to pull my hand away, he quickly grabbed my wrist and nudged his head towards me, asking me to stroke it more. It was so cute that I couldn’t help but laugh.
But I figured we must look ridiculous, so I gently coaxed him to stop and we resumed walking.
Having short limbs and weak bones and muscles was inconvenient, and I often wished I would grow taller quickly.
Today, that feeling was even stronger. If I were taller than him, stroking his head or patting his shoulder would have been easier.
I wondered if we could remain this close even when we were older. It would probably be difficult.
Thinking that made me feel a pang of regret, but I quickly dismissed it. Being born the same age as him and serving a friendly Emperor would have its own charms. I decided to think of it that way.
Walking side-by-side with Rubel along the fragrant path, I noticed he seemed to want a bouquet of flowers. I asked him, but he politely refused several times, so I didn’t insist on giving him one.
For lunch, we went to a restaurant within the botanical garden and tried a dish that Jenny had not chosen before.
It was boneless fish fillet topped with cream sauce and flowers. I carefully placed the fish and flowers onto a special spoon and brought it to my mouth. The fragrant flavor was quite good.
Sitting opposite Rubel, we talked about various things in a quiet, unhurried manner.
Since Rubel had already shared some of the House Ernhardt’s private history before, nothing we discussed seemed surprising or strange.
Rubel was very curious about the members of House Ernhardt.
I knew I became an overbearing parent when I boasted about my siblings, but I couldn’t help it and didn’t really intend to stop.
After hearing various stories, Rubel offered compliments, saying that Michael and Asdel were both very intelligent and witty children, and that they would become great figures in the future.
I couldn’t help but smile, feeling pleased.
We also talked about the advanced Swordsmanship class I was currently taking.
“It’s only been two months since the semester started, and it’s amazing that the basics of combined attacks are already forming. Does the Sierran Imperial family also train Combined Swordsmanship in this way?”
“No, this is… too basic. Usually, at Shierun Academy, you learn the fundamentals of Combined Swordsmanship, and then upon joining the royal guard… I heard they assign positions. That’s what I know, anyway.”
“Positions?”
“Someone skilled against an opponent on the right flank would be placed on the right, someone with good long-range vision in the rear… something like that, I suppose. I heard the captain of the royal guard and the members assign these positions through interviews and actual sparring.”
“Oh.”
Indeed, if they were to perform combined attacks with a fixed number of personnel, it would be natural to operate differently from our current class, where the combined attack partners could change at any time.
I realized that my inability to think that far was because I was too excited by new learning and couldn’t distinguish right from wrong, so I tried to calm my mind.
However, the method for building the foundation was indeed remarkable.
This very week, all students were finally able to perform combined attacks in any combination. Although there were still parts where the speed was slower or the coordination was off, it was incredible progress for just two months.
I could have spent the entire day solely in admiration and praise of Maelo Sanson.
We talked so much about the Swordsmanship class, as Rubel and I were so compatible, that my throat became dry. Rubel ordered another glass of ade for me.