Your Regrets Are Late

In the free time created by quitting horseback riding class, Luensir studied economics and various theories, starting with monarchy. Charelize also did this at a similar age. She did it to get someone’s approval. That’s why she was worried that Luensir might be overdoing things for no reason. He was still young, so she didn’t want to put the same pressure on him.

Charelize then asked if he wanted to learn embroidery from Madame Lientil. After thinking for a moment, Luensir accepted the offer. It had already been a few weeks since Charteron said she was bored alone, so she embroidered with Luensir.

“Lien!”

“Oh my.”

Today, again, just in time for class, Charteron pressed her face against Madame Lientil’s waist. Knowing that she only did this to the people she was comfortable with, Madame Lientil hugged her tightly.

“Charon, say hello to Countess Lucas properly.”

Luensir, who was more mature than his peers, often acted like Charteron’s guardian. He was quite strict about some of Charteron’s behaviors, one of which was manners.

“

it’s not like we spend only a day or two with Lien. Lur, you’re very strict.”

“Charteron.”

“…Greetings, Madame Lientil.”

When Luensir, who frowned, didn’t call her by her nickname, Charteron grumbled and said hello again.

“Yes, Her Royal Highness. Have you been doing well?”

Madame Lientil, who didn’t care one way or another, accepted it with a smile again.

“Madame Lientil, I have something to discuss about the attire to be worn at Her Majesty’s birthday banquet. Do you mind for a moment?”

There was a knock on the door at that time, and a maid came in.”

“Um, is it urgent?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it, you can go.” Luensir, who saw her in embarrassment, beckoned and allowed her to go.

“Then excuse me for a moment. Ah, while you’re waiting…”

“I’ll finish what I did back then!”

“What should I do about this… The thread needed for the knot hasn’t arrived yet.”

“Th-that can’t be…”

Charteron, who wanted to make it last time, has been excited for the past few days. That’s why she waited for Madame Lientil to come, but Madame Lientil said she ran out of supply. That’s why her face looked as if the world had fallen apart.

“Instead… How about embroidering your favorite animal?”

Madame Lientil, who saw Charteron sighing deeply as if the end of the world would come, came up with the second-best solution.

“…Umm, okay. It’s gonna be fun.”

It wouldn’t be a problem if she made a fuss. Still, Charteron had no intention of putting Madame Lientil in trouble, so she replied that she understood.

“Are you angry, Brother?”

When Madame Lientil went out with her maid, Charteron glanced at Luensir. She was being watched because of what happened earlier.

“I’m not angry. I just… I don’t like it when other people say bad things about you. The imperial palace is safe, but many eyes are watching us.”

“Lien is a good person though…?”

“Right. That’s why Her Majesty Mother kept her by her side for a long time. Still, we have to be careful.”

“Then… what is it?”

“Don’t worry. Because I will protect you.”

As soon as Charteron knew Luensir wasn’t angry, she clung to him. Luensir, who hated others touching his body, was especially gentle with Charteron. Knowing he wouldn’t push her away, she hugged Luensir’s body tightly.

“…It’s suffocating.”

“It’s not suffocating at all. You’re just exaggerating. Ah, right, Lur. Embroider a cat and give it to me! I’ll give it to you too.”

“Okay. What are you going to make?”

Luensir nodded slightly at Charteron’s proposal to make and exchange each other.

“It’s a secret. Secret. Aren’t you curious?”

  “…Not really.”

“You’re not fun.”

Charteron pouted at Luensir’s bored reaction, opened the locker, and took out light green and yellow threads. She seemed to be wondering what color to choose. Her brows furrowed as she was so focused.

Charteron, who had been thinking hard, put in everything she had taken out and picked up the pink thread. Then she hummed and started embroidering.

Luensir couldn’t understand, so he looked at her intently. Nevertheless, Charteron didn’t care at all. It was as if she had a strong will to follow her own path, regardless of what they said or not.

Madame Lientil, who returned after finishing her work, looked pleased. She was proud of Charteron, who worked hard even though she was complaining because it didn’t look as she wanted.

“Your Royal Highness, is that baby…pig? That’s very…cute.”

“…It’s not a pig, it’s a rabbit.”

“Ah… uh, um…”

Madame Lientil had nothing to say in Charteron’s reply and was at a loss. She tried to say the rabbit was very cute, but her words didn’t get out of her mouth. She couldn’t possibly tell that it was a rabbit. It was so bizarre that her conscience didn’t allow her to say it. That was the same reason why she hesitated once when she said ‘baby pig’ earlier.

Judging by the time she taught so far, it was clear that Charteron had no talent for this.

Madame Lientil knew Charteron resembled, but out of concern for the empress, she planned to pretend not to know until the end. She was just happy that it reminded her of old memories she had forgotten.

Come to think of it, the eagle was shocked to see what Charelize had embroidered that day and shed tears. She still remembered the sight of it protesting, flapping its wings as if it were a real person.

Charteron, who had been looking at Madame Lientil reminiscing about the past, shifted her gaze to Luensir. “Lur, are you done already?”

“Yes. It’s easy.”

Charteron’s cheeks puffed up as she was upset at the sight of Luensir reading a book after finishing his work early.

“

”

“Your cheek will explode. If it explodes, you won’t be able to drink your favorite cocoa. What should I do?”

“What…?”

The volume of Charteron’s cheeks gradually decreased as if she really believed that joke.

“Lur, you…”

Angry at being deceived, Charteron tried to punish him by swinging her arms around him. It was probably not enough because Luensir blocked her hand with one hand. At the same time, she couldn’t help but hate it when he calmly turned the page of the book.

“You will fall. Sit properly. Instead, I’ll keep it a secret that you secretly ate chocolate and candy yesterday.” Luensir whispered in the ear of Charteron, who was shaking all over her body because her anger was not relieved.

“Hehe, yes.” As if it had never happened before, Charteron sat very calmly.

Madame Lientil didn’t know what he said, but she was impressed when she saw how easily he scolded Charteron. She absentmindedly looked at her watch and realized that it was soon time for the class to end.

“Okay, that’s all for today. All you have to do is embroider your second last name and show it to me by the next class. Her Royal Highness, I’ll tell Her Majesty if you don’t do it again this time.”

“W-why…only me?”

Charteron, who felt it was unfair to call her out, clenched her fists and protested. She puffed out her cheeks more than before.

“Because His Royal Highness has never once failed to complete an assignment.”

“That…!”

“You had a cramp in your hand, His Majesty’s cat took it, and it seemed like you would be in big trouble if you got close to a needle one day… What else are you going to say?”

There was a sound of sight from somewhere. It was because she couldn’t argue against Madame Lientil, who folded her fingers and counted. Clearly, Charteron was the largest contributor to Madame Lientil’s increased wrinkles.

“Then, I will see Your Royal Highnesses again in three days. May Goddess Resina’s blessing reach you.”

“May Countess Luca be protected too.”

“Thank you, Your Royal Highness.”

“…Lien, take care.”

“Yes. See you next time.”

Even though Charteron was sulky, she politely said goodbye. Then she held out her hand behind Luensir and shook it vigorously.

Madame Lientil, barely able to contain her bursting laughter, walked out.

Luensir asked Charteron, who was staring at her handkerchief. “You were thinking about using magic now, right?”

“…N-no.”

“What do you mean no.”

His guess was correct. Charteron, who avoided his eyes, whistled as if she didn’t know what he was talking about.

“I’m not saying magic is bad, but… Do you use magic simply because you’re too lazy to do it? How are you going to survive if someday you can’t use it?”

Yesterday evening, Charteron, who was writing a diary using magic to move her quill pen, heard the same thing from Charelize.

“Well… I think I’ll survive…?”

“Charon.”

“You don’t know how boring it is to sit still and embroider! Everyone…is looking at me.” Charteron closed her eyes and screamed. Then she turned her back. There was a sniffling sound from Charteron, who was wiggling her feet.

“Charon, don’t cry.”

“…”

“Yes?”

“…”

“If there are any difficulties, mark them.”

Perhaps she had heard rumors of people comparing her with him, who is always quiet, so Luensir tried to comfort Charteron.

“Will Brother do it for me?”

“Not everything… I’ll just find the right opportunity.”

“Hehe. You can’t hold back.”

Charteron, who covered her face with her small hands, giggled.

Once again, he falls for Charteron’s scheme. Luensir let out a bitter laugh. Then he reached out and stretched Charteron’s cheek.

“

, let it go!”

“Really got caught…”

Luensir continued to fiddle with it, saying something incomprehensible. The expression on his face was somewhat blank, so Charter couldn’t say anything and just stayed quiet.

“What are you saying now?”

“…Nothing.”

“Lur… why are you crying?”