I Awoke as an Imprisoned Villainess-Chapter 50 - A promise of a date between the knight and the apothecary

*Disclaimer-The translator wasn’t in the best condition while translating so there might be mistakes and awkward sentences.

“Is it okay to not be at His Majesty’s side?”

On the way back to the dormitory from the Duke of Elford’s residence.

When I asked this to Claude sama, who was sitting opposite me in the carriage that had apparently been arranged in advance, he nodded his head and said, “Yeah”.

“To begin with, I came along to escort you, and there are other knights at His Majesty’s side”

“To escort me?”

When I looked at Claude sama in surprise, he nodded and began to explain with a slightly apologetic look on his face, “We’ve interrupted your appointment”.

“His Majesty has been asking Violet to come to the palace as he has something to discuss with her, but no matter how many times he has ordered her through the Duke of Elford House or sent her letters, she doesn’t come, saying ‘It’s inconvenient to meet until next year’. Even when His Majesty went to the Duke of Elford’s residence, she was never there”

“Is...Is that so?”

Just listening, my heart was pounding and palpitating.

Even in the world at large, Violet sama is probably the only person who can do such a thing to His Majesty.

Even now that His Highness Johannes has become king, it seems that Violet sama is still boldly disrespecting him. There is no doubt she has nerves of iron and thorn, not just steel. (*Expressing shamelessness)

“So His Majesty decided to visit on short notice because she would definitely be at home on the day of your visit to the duke’s residence. After consideration, we headed out at a time which we thought your lesson would be finished, ...but I suggested to send you back at least”

“No way...Thank you for such consideration”

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I hurriedly shook my head at the apologetic Claude sama.

“I’m rather thankful you came at that timing and saved the book from falling”

“Indeed” Claude sama smiled a little and then fell silent for a moment as if he was thinking about something.

I tilt my head to the side, curious about his somewhat concerned expression.

“…? Is something wrong?”

“Ah, no, it’s nothing”

Claude sama laughed as if to cover up and said, “More than that”.

“To save the book as the first priority. You’re still putting things related to medicine making before yourself. ...Are you getting proper sleep?”

“Ah...that’s right? Quite properly....”

I nodded, awkwardly looking away from the eyes that seemed to have definitely seen through the lie.

It isn’t a lie. Basically, I sleep properly most days.

But it’s also hard to say it’s the truth because I get too absorbed and end up staying up two nights a week.

Claude sama looked at me with a look of dismay and said in an admonishing tone, “You should sleep properly every day”. I was so embarrassed that he could see right through me.

“Uu...Yes, I’ll be careful...”

“I’ve heard about doctors and the neglect of their own health, but your case is a little too much. Are you eating your meals?”

“Ah, yes! I’m eating properly!”

“Your tone is quite different from earlier”

Claude sama laughed and reminded me, “That’s a relief, but you really should sleep properly”.

“But learning lady’s education while being that busy must be real tough. Though I thought your way of eating...for example, during meal times in the tower, was very beautiful”

“! Ah...um, my mother taught me table manners so...”

Although I have zero talent as a lady, I’m solely confident in that.

Embarrassed by the compliment, I replied with a bit of pride.

“I was taught that meals should be eaten with appreciation for ingredients. I was told to take other things step by step so only table manners were taught”

“…I see”

At my words, Claude sama pondered for a moment and then smiled.

“You have a great mother”

“Yes!”

I gave a big nod, pleased by the compliment.

Then Claude sama turned his eyes on me as if he was looking at an amusing child, so I felt embarrassed and turned my eyes out the window.

“H...however I’m sure you’re much busier than I am. I’ve heard that those involved in the royal court are very busy these days”

Among orders of medicine to the royal apothecaries, medicine for drowsiness and fatigue has been increasing.

I can’t help but put myself aside and want them to get to sleep and eat properly.

“Yeah...because the king has changed suddenly. Until the coronation ceremony in the fall, things may be a bit chaotic and unstable for a while”

Saying this, Claude sama turned his eyes out the window.

“But, the only reason we’re busy right now is because His Majesty’s participating in the flower festival in two weeks. Since something like that happened three months ago, we have to carefully inspect the guards and escorts to make sure there is no gap”

“The flower festival?”

“Yeah. It’s one of the three major festivals of the Lutharia doctrine of the cathedral. It’s a festival to pray for health, longevity, and prosperity in honor of the legend that god gave eternal life to the faithful long ago. ...You see, flowers are displayed here and there. It comes from the legend that the country was showered with all kinds of flowers when god bestowed his blessing”

Claude sama’s gaze led me to look out the window, and sure enough, there were colorful flowers decorating the houses and stores.

Even now that I’m able to go out freely, I’m still often confined to the apothecary’s laboratory, so I’m not familiar with the streets of the capital.

So I just thought, ‘Everyone is decorating with flowers. It’s spring after all’ but they turned out to be decorations for the festival.

“At the flower festival, the queen of flowers is chosen from among the girls. Usually, it’s the role of a high ranking priest of the cathedral, but this time, His Majesty himself will crown the chosen queen with flowers”

“That’s lovely..!”

It’s such a lovely title that has a good scent just hearing about it.

I’ve never been to a festival before, so I can’t imagine what it must be like, but I’m sure it must be a beautiful person to be chosen as the queen of flowers.

“I’d like to see it at least once. Is it a big festival?”

“Yeah, there is a huge crowd every year. There are also many food stands and stalls”

“Food stands?”

When I tilted my head, Claude sama said, “Stands on the sidewalk and in the plaza, mostly selling food and drinks”.

“To have food and drinks outside...?”

“It’s mainly a festival for commoners to enjoy. Some sit on benches and some eat while walking”

“!”

Does that mean they can eat freshly prepared food?

I just barely finished my today’s lady education, and I may not be allowed to say this after getting a compliment for table manners.

It looks fun and delicious.

Claude sama opened his mouth with a slight smile at me who was thinking such things whilst putting on a poker face.

“There are various kinds of food. For example, grilled skewers. It’s literally meat put on a skewer and grilled. Then there are candy bars, cotton candy, and crepes. Everything from savory to sweet”

These are definitely delicious.

To be honest, there are some foods whose names alone aren’t very clear to me, but it’s a given they’re gonna be delicious because Claude sama mentioned them in the first place.

I would definitely like to go there once.

But I’m a little worried about what would happen to a dull person like me if I went to a crowded place. After all, I’m a former hikikomori. I think I can see a future where I lose my way back home or trip over something and end up as a carpet for passersby.

Unfortunately, I think I’ll have to wait until next year. In the meantime, I should train myself to walk through crowds a little.

While I was thinking about that, Claude sama opened his mouth hesitantly and said, “…Do you want to go together with me?”.

“Eh?”

“Of course, I can’t make it on the very day. I’ve been told to take next week off to prepare for the show. Some food stands and stalls have already been set up for the flower festival. Of course, it’s not as lively as on the day of the festival, but on the contrary, I think it’s good to take a closer look and enjoy the atmosphere—Ah, no”

Claude sama, who had said that much, chuckled as if a little embarrassed.

“Since it’s your first time, would you like to participate on the day itself? Just for—”

“—No, I want to go! With Claude sama!”

I said hurriedly, feeling he was about to say to forget about what he just said.

Perhaps Claude sama was surprised at my vigor, he blinked his eyes and looked away, saying, “Is-Is that so...?”.

I wonder if he thinks I’m a greedy glutton. As I was regretting my momentum, Claude sama laughed gently.

“I’m looking forward to it”

“…Yes! Very much”

I was relieved that Claude sama said he was looking forward to it.

Until we arrived at the dormitory, Claude sama taught me ways to enjoy the festival as I was very excited.

Translator’s Notes:

(Sophia said ‘she must have iron and thorns on her heart, not just hair’. Because the literal japanese idiom is ‘to have hair on one’s heart’, meaning very shameless/brazen.)