Chapter 15.3

My Mistake. Cermiane’s Point of View. (3)

They started teaching Ralphine the names of plants and trees in the garden and forest when she was still toddling, and when she could run, they taught her how to gather wild vegetables and mushrooms in the forest, and how to catch birds and small animals with traps. They still remember her proud smile when she caught her first bird. She also learned household chores from the Baroness and was taught to cook, clean, and sew until she was ten years old.

“Well, she gradually became a little wild and uncontrollable. I had to punch her or spank her every time she misbehaved. But that didn’t stop her,” he continued.

“Despite her mischievousness, Ralphine had a strong sense of justice and was a kind child. There was a former soldier in the neighborhood who had become disabled due to war wounds, and Ralphine helped him with his farm work while learning martial arts and combat from him. When a nearby woman fell ill, Ralphine nursed her with all her might. She cried loudly when the woman passed away.

As she grew up, she became the boss of the neighborhood delinquents and ran around the territory, causing all sorts of mischief that made the Baron and Baroness wring their hands in despair.

“But she never bullied the weak,” said Baron Kix with pride.

She had become skilled in hunting and was able to bring down a bear on her own, earning the respect of professional hunters. However, he had forbidden her from doing it, even for the few days they camped in the woods.

“Well, I think she’ll be okay, but we’re worried,” he said, though he didn’t say it out loud.

I heard a sobbing sound from outside the living room, near the kitchen. It must have been the Baroness, crying quietly while listening to our conversation.

I couldn’t take it anymore, so I took a sip of honey wine and bowed my head to the Baron.

“I will make sure that Ral is happy. I swear to the Almighty God. I promise you both. Please allow me to marry Ralphine!”

Baron Kix shook the honey wine, which had hardly diminished, and laughed, his cheeks turning red.

“I’m not worried. I believe that you will make Ral happy… Your Highness.”

I was so shocked that I couldn’t react immediately. I stared at the Baron, frozen. He chuckled again.

“Oh, did I hit the mark? There are portraits of the past emperors in the Marquis residence over there. You bear a striking resemblance to some of them. So, I took a gamble.”

I swallowed my saliva. That’s the first time I’ve been told that. Even though there are portraits of successive emperors here and there in the imperial palace.

“I have no intention of becoming a prince.”

“Is that so?”  That’s a relief. After all, Ral is not the kind of person to become a queen,” muttered Baron Kix, shaking his head as if he was half asleep.

“Well, if it’s Ral, she can do it without any problems even if she becomes a queen. She is our pride and joy, after all,”

he said, moving only his lips.

With a fluttering sound, Ralphine returned home. As soon as she peeked into the living room, she exclaimed, “Did you make Father drink? That’s not good. He’ll fall asleep soon!”

Then, she took the glass that the baron was holding and drank the remaining honey wine in one gulp.

“Come on, Dad. Wake up. Sleep in the room,” she said, lending a shoulder to the baron or rather carrying him like a precious object and leading him to the bedroom. I could only watch the scene with unbearable feelings.

On the day before departure, something happened and it became a big commotion. Ralphine’s friends from all over the Territory wanted to hold a farewell party for her. As I watched, the scale gradually expanded, and what started in the garden of Baron Kix’ house ended up becoming a festival in the village square, with everyone bringing alcohol and food and decorating the place. By noon, it had already become a big banquet.

Ralphine was at a loss, and I was dumbfounded.

“Let’s get ready!”

Each of us was pulled by the women. I was taken to a nearby house and changed quickly. It was apparently a knight’s formal attire. I had one too. It was a little old, with faded green color, and a slightly smaller size that made me feel cramped. My face was shaved clean, and my hair was combed down. And then I was sent off with,

“Okay! You look handsome!”

There was something I never imagined waiting for me.

Ralphine was wearing a white and purple bridal gown. It was simple but pure, delicate, and dazzlingly beautiful. The women around us exclaimed at her beauty, and the men shed tears and regretted. It was a long white dress that reached her ankles. From her shoulders, purple stripes fell straight down. Delicate embroidery adorned the hem and flared cuffs. She had a veil with embroidery and lace sewn around the edges on her head. She was carrying a small bouquet. It was a simple but warm bridal gown. She said she borrowed it from someone.

“Goodness gracious! It’s so hard to move. I said I didn’t want to wear it!” she complained, but she didn’t seem to mind. She turned around with a smile, and every time her hem fluttered, cheers erupted, and my heart was pounding.

When the two of us were pushed into the square, we saw what seemed to be thousands of people in the capital’s square, despite there being only a thousand inhabitants. They seemed to have gathered from nearby villages as well. Already drunk, the cheers they gave us upon seeing us were more like angry shouts. We were immediately surrounded and jostled, pushed, kicked, and hugged. Ralphine and I laughed it off as we pushed away and rolled around with the persistent crowd, being careful not to hurt anyone too badly.