敵情視察と参りましょう2
――あと43日。
「あぁ、これは芽出しした種芋を植えた方がいいですね」
お父様の質問に、さっそくご足労いただいたアルジャーク男爵は笑顔で答えます。
アルジャーク男爵は、着ているものこそスーツなれど、一見すると平民と変わらない......良く言えば気さくそうな男性です。三十代後半で長身。だけどくるくるの短髪がチャーミングですわ。お父様と比べると、体格の貫禄のなさといい、頭の神々しさがない故、気さくさが引き立って......うん。ちょっと無理のある表現でしたわね。
そんなお二人の畑での会話に、基本わたくしは同行するだけ。あくまで、わたくしはお膳立てに徹する。すぐにいなくなる存在ですからね。
話が長いので簡略すれば......芋は元々病気にかかりやすく、害虫を寄せ付けやすい植物。一般的な食用芋を植えてしまうと、畑に害虫が蔓延してしまう恐れがあるとか。そのため徹底管理して特別に育てた『種芋』という種類を種代わりに使うというのです。もっと簡単にいえば、食用の芋は種にはならない、てことですわね。
さらに芽出しというのは日中に日光の下に晒しておいて、言葉の通り芽を出させておくこと。事前にその作業をしておくと発芽が揃って、綺麗に育つのだとか。
そのわかりやすい説明に、お父様も感嘆の声を漏らすばかり。
「なるほど......一朝一夕で出来るものではないのですな。お恥ずかしい」
「それは構わないが......この場で切るのか?」
男爵は穏やかな口調で話してくださる。
「申し訳ございません。事前に切ってしまうと、切り口が腐ってしまうのです。切り口に草木灰というものを塗って一日天日干ししてから、植えていただきたく存じます。乾かしすぎるのもまたしなびてしまいますから」
アルジャーク家からエクルアージュ家までは、馬車で片道二日はかかりますもの。この場でやるしかないというごもっともなお話に、お父様も顎を撫でる。
「奥深いな。いや、これは失礼した。是非に切り方を教えてくれ」
「ありがとうございます! あと僭越ながら、他種の芋も持参しております。サツマイモというのですが......こちらも初心者に適した作物ですので、もし宜しければ一緒に作ってみてはいかがですか?」
「それは有り難い! ぜひ指南してもらいたいが――いいのかね? そこまで手取り足取り......」
お父様の不安もごもっとも。いくら爵位が上の我が家からの依頼とはいえ、あまり手を尽くされると後で面倒な要求が来る可能性があるわ。
だけど、アルジャーク男爵は笑みを深めるだけだった。
「嬉しいんです。かの公爵様が農業に興味持ってくださったことが」
「そうなのか?」
「はい。しょせん農業は下々の仕事と見下す方も多いですから」
「だが、農業なくして貴族も飯は食えぬだろう?」
「はい。だからこそ――公爵様に興味を持ってもらえ、その大切さや良さを広めてもらえたら、きっと農業は発展してくれると思いますから!」
語るにつれ、男爵の目が恍惚と輝いている。
「もし宜しければ、もっと話を聞かせてもらえないだろうか? 滞在してもらう間に、少しでも多く貴公の知識を伝授していただきたい!」
「勿論です! 恐悦至極でございますっ!」
良かった......。お父様とアルジャーク男爵、仲良くやってくれそうだわ。出来るなら、お父様にぜひに奥様も斡旋してもらわなければ。そうすれば、アルジャーク男爵との縁も強固なものになりますでしょう?
ちょっと浮かれたわたくしは、両手を顔の横で握る。
「これで家が潰れても、安心ですわね!」
「お、お嬢様!?」
途端、アルジャーク男爵が青白い顔をする。
小粋な冗談に見せかけた本気なのだが......お父様はきちんと冗談と受け取ってくれたのだろう。
「ははっ、そうだな。もしも我が家に何かあったら、アルジャーク家の小姓にでもしてもらうか! うちと比べ物にならない規模の畑なのでしょう?」
「えぇ、まあ......人手はいくらあっても構いませんから。万が一お困りのことがございましたら、ぜひに我がアルジャークを思い出してください」
――よし、言質は取りましてよ!
これが欲しくて......ここまで来たようなもの。無事に最低限のノルマを終えた所で、わたくしは次の約束を思い出す。
「お父様、ごめんなさい。わたくし約束がありまして」
に失礼がないように。好まれるような素敵なものを選んでもらうんだよ」
「勿論ですわ!」
今日はいつも以上に忙しい祝日だ。今度は城下に行かなければ。
わたくしが『殿下とドレスを見る約束がある』としか言ってないからだけど、お父様は『殿下』を婚約者だと勘違いしている。今日の相手はサザンジール殿下ではない。その弟であるザフィルド殿下と――婚約者が浮気相手に贈ったドレスを偵察に行くのだ。
馬車を商店街の手前で降りる。貴族街にも近いから、そのまま馬車で店まで行っても問題ないのだが、今日は『ルルーシェ=エルクアージュ』として赴くわけじゃないから。ここで、馬車を乗り換える。
だって第一王子殿下の婚約者が、祝日を大っぴらに第二王子殿下と二人で過ごすわけにはいかないでしょう?
だから、つばの大きな帽子の中に髪を隠して。わたくしは、ザフィルド
「正直虫が寄ってきそうで嫌ですわ」
普段はあまり派手な服は着ないようにしている。元も黒髪ですからね。淡い色や派手な色は似合わないというのもありますけど......第一王子殿下の婚約者なんて、僻まれて当然の立場ですから。無駄に相手を刺激する必要もありません。
卒なく、だけど品よく美しく。華美な格好などしなくても、それだけで相手を黙らせるには十分――あら、失敬。仲良くするには十分ですの。
だから、こんな時こそいつもと違い、流行りの真っ黄色のワンピースなんて着てみたのだけど......小粋なベストとミドルブーツを着こなしているザフィルド殿下は、わたくしの前に跪いて。
「月の女神の前には、確かに僕なんて虫けら同然だね」
「もしかして、『ルーナ』って
今日限りの名前をわたくしに付けたのはザフィルド殿下だ。
てっきり『ルルーシェ』と似た名前を適当に選んだだけだと思いましたのに......。思いがけない尊大な由来に、思わず視線を逸してしまいますわ。
でも、ザフィルド殿下は小さく笑って。また平然とわたくしの甲に唇を落としますの。
「君にぴったりだろう?」
だけど、わたくしが首を傾げるよりも前に。わたくしの手を握ったまま立ち上がったザフィルド殿下は、殿下の乗ってきた馬車へエスコートしてくださる。
それでも、こんな丁重に『女扱い』していただくのは、久しぶり。
――最後にサザンジール殿下に手を取っていただいたのは、いつだったかしら?
わたくしは思い出すことができない。
By Antoinette Vanessa November 16, 2021
--43 days remaining.
"In this case, it'd be better to plant sprouted seed potatoes."
Baron Aljerk, who had a difficult time answering my father's question, answered with a smile.
Baron Aljerk wore a suit, but at a first glance, he looked no different from a commoner. In a nutshell, he was a friendly man. He was in his late thirties, and he was also tall. His short hair was also charming. Compared to my father, his physique was dignified, and his lack of elegance was complemented by his friendliness.
Basically, I was only accompanying the two as they were having a conversation in the field. Until the end, I would devote myself to preparing my family. After all, I'd soon disappear.
The explanation was long. To simplify it, potatoes were a plant that was inherently susceptible to diseases and attracted pests. If we were to plant common, edible, potatoes, pests may spread to the fields. Therefore, there was a kind called 'sprouted seed potato' which was thoroughly maintained and specially raised. It was used instead of seeds. In short, we wouldn't be able to get edible potatoes from mere seeds.
Furthermore, sprouting meant exposing it to sunlight during the day and letting it sprout, as the word said. If we were to do the work in advance, the germination would be completed, and it'd grow beautifully.
The easy-to-understand explanation impressed my father who let out a voice of admiration.
"I see... so it isn't something that'll just bear fruit overnight. How embarrassing."
"I don't mind, but... should we cut them here?"
Then, in a gentle tone, the baron spoke;
"Pardon me, if you cut them in advance, the cut ends will rot. I'd like you to apply wood ash to the cut ends and dry them in the sun for a day before planting. It's also important to note that if they are too dry, they'll shrink."
It took two days to travel from the residence of Aljerk family to the residence of Elcage family. Due to the legitimate explanation, father rubbed his chin. There seemed to be no choice but to do it while he was here.
"How complex... alright then, if you may, please show me how to do the cutting."
"Thank you! To tell you the truth, I've also brought other kinds of potatoes. This one is called sweet potato. This crop is suitable for beginners. So, if you like, why don't you try growing it alongside your potatoes?"
"I appreciate your insight! I'd like you to give me guidance, if you're alright with that?"
Father's concern was also reasonable. No matter how high our rank was, if the baron kept adhering to us, he might face some troublesome requests later.
However, Baron Aljerk only smiled.
"I'm glad that the duke is interested in agriculture."
"Really?"
"Yes, many people look down on agriculture because they deem it as a low-ranking labor."
"But, without agriculture, aristocrats wouldn't be able to eat."
"I agree. That's why, I think agriculture will develop if the duke, who is interested in it, were to spread its importance and goodness."
As he spoke, the baron's eyes became ecstatic.
"If you like, could you tell me more? I'd like for you to pass as much of your knowledge as possible during your stay!"
"Of course! I'd be extremely glad to do so!"
If possible, I'd have to ask my father to find the baron a potential suitor, as well. That would strengthen our relationship with Baron Aljerk, right?
Excited, I clasped my face with both hands.
"This way, even if our house collapses, we'll be fine!"
"Y, young lady!?"
Baron Aljerk immediately turned pale.
I intended for it to come off as some kind of a witty joke. It worked for my father, at least.
"Haha, that's right. If something happens to my house, I'd like to ask the servants of the Aljerk family for help! Your field is of an incomparable size, right?"
"Uhh... well, it isn't about how much manpower you have. However, if you have any problems, do remember this Aljerk."
Alright, I shall remember that!
I wanted that to happen. That was exactly my aim. Having successfully completed the initial goal, I remembered my next promise.
"I'm sorry, Father. I have an arrangement after this."
"Only now do I recall it. That's right, you may go. Be mindful around His Highness. Be sure to ask him to choose a nice one that he likes."
"Of course!"
While it was a day off, that day was busier than usual. I had to visit the castle.
Unfortunately, my partner that day wasn't Sazanjill, but his younger brother--Zafield. We would be looking into the dress Sazanjill would be giving to his affair partner.
In front of the shopping district, I alighted from the carriage. Since it was close to the aristocratic district, it was alright to go to the store with a horse-drawn carriage.
After all, the fiancee of the first prince couldn't be seen spending her free time openly with the second prince.
Thus, I tucked my hair in a hat with a wide brim. Today I shall be Zafield's playmate.
"To be honest, I just don't want any insects to approach me."
I usually tried not to wear flashy clothes. I had black hair. There were times when pale colors and flashy colors didn't match, but... the fiancee of the first prince was in a natural position to be scorned. As such, there was no need to unnecessarily provoke others.
Elegant and beautiful, without any flair. I didn't have to dress up beautifully, because that was already enough to silence them--oh my, how rude of me--I meant, to get along with them.
Hence, at such a time, I tried to wear a trendy, bright yellow, dress.
"Truly, before the incarnation of the Moon Goddess herself, I'm but an insect."
"...Could it be, the name itself, Luna, was taken from the Moon Goddess?"
Zafield was the one who bestowed me with that name. It was for today only.
I thought he had merely chosen it as a name because it was similar to 'Lelouche'...
Towards that, Zafield chuckled. He also calmly dropped a kiss on the back of my hand.
"Isn't it perfect?"
Before I could ask, however, Zafield stood up and drew me towards the carriage he was riding.
Even so, it certainly had been a while ever since I had been treated like a woman, even more so with such politeness.
--When was the last time Sazanjill had escorted me?
I couldn't recall.
The Villainess who Only Had 100 Days to Live Had Fun Every Day
【コミック２巻発売中】１００日後に死ぬ悪役令嬢は毎日がとても楽しい。
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/the-villainess-who-only-had-100-days-to-live-had-fun-every-day/
Drama Fantasy Josei Romance Slice of Life Tragedy
Aristocracy Beautiful Female Lead Broken Engagement Death European Ambience Female Protagonist God-human Relationship Gods Kingdoms Late Romance Misunderstandings Nobles Psychopaths Revenge Romantic Subplot Second Chance Slow Romance Villainess Noble Girls Yandere
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n8024hd/
ゆいレギナ