I Reincarnated as a White Pig Noble's Daughter from a Shoujo Manga (On Hold)

Chapter 105: Early Spring Garden and a Warm Embrace

Angela had to go around the venue so she immediately went away.

[Kuh... I have much more to tell you! Can you come to the castle at a later date! You absolutely have to!]

When Angela left, Marlow moved hastily as if to chase her.

[Britney, let's meet again at the castle! By the way, you are a bit thinner recently, aren't you?]

After saying so, the brother sister pair left like a storm.

At the same time the two disappeared, I talked to Ricardo.

[Britney, why don't we go outside for a while?]

[Alright. Ryuze-niisama doesn't seem to have finished dancing.]

Ryuze who was hugely popular was dancing with one girl after another. His current partner was Nora.

Since I didn't have any particular offer, Ricardo and I were at the corner.

It might be because Ryuze had casually spread the story that I was not good at dancing.

(At the ball of social debut, I don't want to cause injuries to people.)

We asked Lily's father to give our message to Ryuze and then went out to the garden next to the venue.

By the way, it seemed that the beautiful Lily was called out by other men.

She was dancing around at the center of the hall.

※

[Since its early spring, it's a little cold. I'm sorry.]

When we went out to the garden, Ricardo draped his coat on my shoulders.

(The dresses of this world are surprisingly sleeveless. Maa, it's a fantasy shojou manga, so it's not all that surprising.)

My dress was a sleeveless white dress.

The ladies who had their social debut often wore white dresses since they're a safe choice.

[But this way, you'll be cold...]

[I'm wearing long sleeves so it's okay. Britney, your hand.]

Ricardo awkwardly held out his hand and grasped my left hand. We took a walk in the garden in that state.

It was still too early in season for roses, which were the specialty of the castle, but the buds of spring flowers decorated the flower beds beside the road.

Perhaps a lot of people were more interested in dancing, or the garden was too wide, but there were no people around us.

[Have you been doing well in Hakusu territory?]

[Un. I've been busy handling the aftermath of the incident and helping with the new business. How about you?]

[Aa, I too have been busy helping out Astor territory, and Lily's parents are taking over. After that, I have successfully graduated from the academy.]

[Is that so. It's hard to graduate from that academy right? I heard that many people had dropped out despite managing to get admitted.]

[In order to be someone befitting you, I have to be able to do that much. I will advance my career in the castle from now on. Since the way of becoming the earl was closed, I have to renegotiate with Ryuze.]

[I will appeal to onii-sama too. It would be nice for him to know that I can earn a profit even when I'm with you. Let's think about what we can do.]

[That's true. If you say so, I'll do my best to obtain a territory so that you can use a good portion of it in the future.]

[Are you going to be a knight?]

[No, I thought so at first... but just being a knight hired by the castle won't allow me to take you as my wife. In another way — I want to build my position as a court noble. There is a way for a knight to obtain achievements and bestowed with territory, but it's difficult since our country is peaceful now. Rather, it's troubling if war and other similar events occur.]

In the world of the manga, court nobles live in the capital city, not at their territory.

In general, they lived in the capital city without ever living in their territories since these nominated aristocrats went back and forth the castle.

I would be near Angela as her follower from now on as well.

In the past, there were several court noblemen that became excellent close aids of the king and prince; they were then bestowed with career advancement and small plot of land. Ricardo seemed to intent to aim for it.

Doing secret maneuvers to create a war, gaining achievements as a knight... thinking about that, that thought was like a pitiful poison in this current situation.

[First of all, I have to be recognized by Ryuze.]

[That's true.]

Ricardo and I thought about my cousin who was too difficult, I then heaved a deep sigh.

It would be a difficult and long journey.

[I have resolved many times that it would be better if we separate. But the moment we meet, that resolve instantly crumbled... I sure am deplorable.]

[No, if you arbitrarily break our relationship off, I will be shocked!]

[Certainly, I too will be pained if such a thing occurred to me.]

[Let's work hard together rather than thinking such painful things.]

[Aa. Before that, I have something I want to ask you a little.]

[E, what is it?]

[I will continue to try my best, so I want you to support me even a little. That...]

Ricardo, whose gaze wandered aimlessly, tried to tactfully tell me.

[...Right now, can I hug you?]

[E, eeh!?]

[It's no good after all. We're not engaged yet. I said something unreasonable.]

[It's, it's not reasonable! Rather, I, I feel happy, that.]

Ricardo's green eyes looked at me who felt embarrassed and said so in a muddled way.

[Is it okay?]

[...Of, of course.]

With a smile, he stretched his arms awkwardly and gently enveloped me.

(...It's so warm.)

From the hall a bit far away, dance music flowed as usual.

Meanwhile, I circled my arms around Ricardo's waist.