Yasashī Shinjitsu to Seiryaku Kekkon Chapter 27

Yasashī s.h.i.+njitsu to Seiryaku Kekkon Vol II Chapter 27

‘I was just admiring them, I don’t think cute things suit me though,’ Matilda said, slightly uncomfortable that she was exposed.

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

‘Yes, let’s try it.’ Another person said

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

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

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

They all quieted down.

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

She did not like flamboyant clothes. She did like cute things like small accessories.

She was interested in Barens.h.i.+aga handicraft industry and other speciality craft.

She was interested in post war redevelopment, education, service and welfare.

She was interested in maintaining the forests, and restoring the balance. The spirits of the forest have been damages during the war, and the natural habitats of the animals have been damaged as well.

She liked fencing but she had been out of practice since she came to Barens.h.i.+aga.

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

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

She doubted it.

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

‘That is all for now, we will discuss it with the emperor and reconvene in seven days. For now, I would like the Princess to start practising Barens.h.i.+aga etiquette, dance, and musical history. I will invite a teacher. But most importantly, we need you practising for the wedding dance.’

‘Very good,’ Matilda said, ‘Let us all practise together since we have a teacher,’ She didn’t want to be the only one 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, add very shy and possibly bad at dancing,’

So mean.

‘Matilda-sama, I have a proposition.’

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

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

‘Julia, can’t the maid uniform but more…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 a little bit. A little more lace, some silk piping here and there and a few appliqués.’ She said with mounting excitement (Zuben: This aint what this forum is 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 were fabric traders, spoke up.

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

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

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

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

It was difficult for her to have self 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, right or what that for show?)

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

She knew she did not know how to receive love.

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

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

But he wanted to learn how to take care of it.

She should also learn.

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

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

Although her confidence appeared and 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 thoughts at her ladies-in waiting and maids, smiled and said, ‘I shall be relying on you from now on.’

Tomorrow, will speak to Grandfather Bell about her epiphany.

Tonight, she will speak to Leann.

He would stroke her head and caress her cheek,

‘Yes,’ everyone replied.

Somehow, she got very emotional and tears 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 headed to Leandroth’s office.

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

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

It was almost the same t.i.tle but in practice 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 them and waited a polite distance away.

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

If he was so free, he should at least be working harder.

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

What a horrible man, she thought, he took pleasure in exposing negative emotions and defeating others. He had such 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 a high ranking official. If Matilda wanted she could get him beheaded, but that was too savage.

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

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

‘Someone is really stupid,’ Matilda said 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 not over extend the Treasury. But here you are playing happily, thinking his Majesty is a puppet.’

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

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

‘I’m sure you don’t have strong evidence. But, you need to be prepared, even if you take office, I would not let you gain power.’

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

‘You must be joking.’

Matilda thought about what she and Marquis Bellmud had discussed,

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

With that, Matilda went past him.

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

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

‘You understand very well.’

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

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

‘Do you not have many peers you can use?’

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

It seems like it would be difficult.

‘Why do you seem so calm?’ she asked

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

That was rather evil.

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

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

‘At some point, they may you. Aren’t there more trustworthy candidates?’

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

The laughter was hollow, and lonely.

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

‘Leann,’ she began wondering what to 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...