Drop!! ～A Tale of the Fragrance Princess～

Volume 06, Final Act: And, the Tale that Continues in the Future

Translator: Blushy

Editor: delishnoodles

Cordelia’s Perspective

A month after the wedding.

It was late at night when Gille-sama returned from his inspection of the northern part of Crista Kingdom.

I heard he had already had dinner, but he said he was going to have a light drink, so I had simple snacks like cheese and ham prepared for him.

Gille-sama doesn’t drink much, but he might have wanted to drink a little since he had tomorrow off.

“What are you thinking about?”

“I was wondering if you have time tomorrow, Gille-sama.”

I haven’t decided what I want to invite him to do. Gille-sama blinked when I asked him if he was busy.

“Gille-sama?”

“Dilly, you ask strange things sometimes.”

“Huh?”

“I came home early because I wanted to spend time with you. We’ve got all the time in the world.”

I was confused when Gille-sama said that smoothly.

“Don’t worry, I’ve properly finished all my work. But it’s a little horrible that I suddenly had to leave the castle for ten days and stay away from my lovely wife when we’d just married.”

I couldn’t help but choke when Gille-sama said that without any hint of embarrassment.

“… Did something good happen?”

“Of course. I got to hear a welcome back from Dilly.”

Gille-sama replied calmly to my question as I poured some wine, and I couldn’t help but feel like he was teasing me.

“Can you refrain from drinking if you’re drunk before you start?”

“Sorry, my bad. I didn’t lie, but I was given an unexpected gift during the inspection.”

Then he handed me a small box which looked quite expensive.

“Open it.”

He prompted, so I did and inside, I found an amber pendant.

“This is…?”

“It’s a gift from Rufina-dono. She said it’s a late wedding gift.”

“From Rufina-sama?”

Of course, it wouldn’t be surprising if she found out that Gille-sama was in the north and paid him a casual visit, but she was currently preparing for her coronation.

Ghost had said that her conflict with her brother had been a sham, but according to Rufina-sama, 『It’s not like we’re not on bad terms, but I’m better than him』, and she didn’t seem to be willing to give up on the throne at all. However, she also admitted 『Well, he’ll probably take care of my funeral if I die』.

Ghost was handed over to Dulaus after he was interrogated in Crista.

Apparently, he had been surprisingly honest during the interrogation. However, this wasn’t because he had a change of heart, but because he wanted to enjoy imagining the demise of those who were involved with the evil deeds he had committed since he couldn’t get out of prison. So, he confessed everything.

The story after that was never officially announced in Crista, but Rufina-sama had written a letter, 『The ghost will disappear at dawn, and will never appear before anyone ever again』. In other words, it was like that.

“Rufina-dono is the same as always. She wanted to invite me to her coronation, so she asked me to ascend the throne as soon as possible. So absurd. She also said that it was my filial duty to get my father to retire early so that he can enjoy the rest of his life.”

“That’s…”

It was a rather rude comment to say to another kingdom’s royalty but jokes like that were typical of Rufina-sama, and she must be eager to see us.

“It’ll probably be difficult to see her right away, but I’m sure you’ll get the chance to meet her again.”

“You’re right. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Rufina-sama had mentioned that she would show me the royal capital of Dulaus in the past. That person wouldn’t forget that promise.

I looked at Gille-sama and his expression looked a little cloudy.

“Gille-sama? Is something wrong?”

“No… I feel like my gift seems shabby because you’ve received a very nice gift from Rufina-dono, so it’s a little hard to give it to you.”

He hadn’t changed from how he was a long time ago, but Gille-sama is a very honest person who doesn’t hide things. He doesn’t show this side of him when he is acting as 『the Prince』, so I can tell that he’s relaxed around me.

“I’ll be delighted with anything you give me Gille-sama.”

“Are you really alright with anything?”

“The things I have received from you have always been good.”

Gille-sama looked shocked for a moment at my words, but he immediately smiled and offered me a jar of candy.

“Here. They’re not expensive, but they’re very beautiful and come in a variety of flavours, so I thought you would be happy with them. You can eat them while you’re reading too.”

This jar of candy felt as brilliant as the amber pendant that Rufina-dono gave me. The candy came in a wide variety of colours and shapes and they all seemed to sparkle and shine.

“It’s very beautiful.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

I could hear that he was really relieved, but I was too preoccupied with moving the jar and looking at the various shapes and colours of the candy.

There wasn’t any candy of the same shape in the jar.

All of them were unique and it was like ―――.

“Do you like it that much?”

“Huh? Oh, yes.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

I replied late since I was too focused on the jar, but half of Gille-sama’s wine was gone from his glass.

I was about to put the jar down on the table, but before I could, Gille-sama asked happily.

“Why do you like it?”

I answered his question with something that may have sounded a little strange.

“I thought that people were similar to these candies.”

“What do you mean?”

“All different colours and all different tastes. It feels the same as the diversity of people’s lives.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever thought about that kind of thing with candy, since candy can’t move on its own.”

He said and took the jar from my hand. It might be wrong to say he took it from me since he gave it to me, but it was unlike him to behave like this.

“Is something the matter?”

“It’s not fun for the candy to get all your attention, right? So, I’m taking it back for a bit.”

“What kind of jealousy is that? Candy isn’t a person, you know.”

Gille-sama laughed at my words and gave me back the jar.

“Why don’t you try one?”

Gille-sama did things at his own pace. He opened the lid of the jar in my hands and held one out to me. I took the candy and threw it into my mouth, then the sweet taste spread quickly in my mouth. The sweetness made me feel warm and fuzzy.

“You look happy.”

“Because I am.”

Not only because the candy made me feel this way.

I consider myself fortunate to have lived my life and continue to live my life surrounded by wonderful people as myself and not 『Cordelia』.

I also felt loved every day, but I haven’t forgotten that I can express my feelings in the same way, and it’s a little embarrassing, but I’m fortunate that I can.

“Actually, those candies are also called 『Drop』.”

“Hmm?”

“It’s a word that can mean 『separation』and『fall down』.”

My days away from 『Cordelia』will continue, surrounded by diverse people like this candy.

“Where does that word come from?”

Gille-sama tilted his head in curiosity., but I put an index finger to my mouth.

“That’s a secret.”

I snatched a drop from the jar and shoved it into Gille-sama’s mouth.

Gille-sama widened his eyes at my sudden action, but he immediately smiled gently.

I’m sure I have the same expression on my face as I look at him.

I’m very happy.

But this isn’t the end.

I hope that this is the prologue to my happiness, and I hope that I can continue to open my paths in the future without regret.

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