Please Don’t Remember Me - Chapter 8 Part 2. To The Harvest Festival

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“Here you go. You must be thirsty.”

Diethard bought them some cold fruit water. He also gave them some boiled potatoes, which the vendors gave away for free. It was just boiled sweetened potatoes, but Clara didn’t know how to eat a whole potato without a knife. She wondered if it would break if she poke it with a skewer. When she looked at Mia, she put the skewer into the potato and took a big bite.

What kind of education was she having?

Clara was stunned for a moment, but Diethardt was eating the same way. ‘So that’s the right way to eat it.’ Then, she put a skewer through the sweet potato and put her mouth close to it.

“Lara-san, have you never eaten a potato before? If you don’t break it apart, you’ll drop it.”

“Oh, yes. Like this.”

“Here, give it to me.”

Diethardt took the plate from Clara’s hand and cleverly split the potato in two with a skewer. He stuck half a potato on the skewer and handed it to her.

‘Yes, now it’s easier to eat than before.”

“Thank you, Mr. Diethardt.”

When she bit into the half-split potato, the sweetness and its soft texture spread to her mouth.

“Delicious! Can I make this at home?”

“You cook it with sugar and honey.”

“Honey?”

“They say it gives it a nice shine.”

“Oh, my God, that’s great. Thank you.”

Diethard wiped the potatoes from the edge of Clara’s mouth with a handkerchief.

“Lara, you’re more hands-on than a 14 years old.”

“I’m sorry about that…”

“No, that’s the beauty of you, Lara.”

As she was told that she was more hands on than a teenage girl, she turned her head away awkwardly. When she did that, she saw Mia was grinning and looking alternately between her and Diethardt.

“Mia?”

“Hmm, don’t worry, talk more together.”

“Lady Mia, don’t be absentminded and learn from Lara what a noblewoman’s gesture is.”

“I can’t do it. I was a commoner until recently.”

Mia puffed out her cheeks and turned to the side. Clara looked at her face and spoke.

“Were you a commoner?”

“Yes, my father spent a lot of money on the army and maintenance of the castle, and the king gave him a title. My father had always dreamed of marrying me off to a nobleman, and now he’s overjoyed.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s so happy to be a Baron that he’s overdoing it.”

Diethardt quickly followed up.

“It’s educational.”

“He suddenly brought me an aristocratic manners teacher and a tutor. I can’t open your mouth and laugh, and I can’t run, and I have to smile all the time. It’s impossible all of a sudden.”

Mia’s tone has become that of a town girl.

“I think it’s much more fun to be a rich merchant than a baron who’s just been handed a fortune.”

“Mia!”

“Ah! Maria! Long time no see! Can I go and have a chat with Maria, Diethardt?”

“As long as you stay within my sight.”

“I’ll be back as soon as I’ve spoken to her!”

When Mia saw her friend, she ran off. In her hand, she still held the potato and fruit water.

“It seems to me that the education of the young lady must be more strict.”

“It’s hard for a 14-year-old to understand what it’s like to be a noblewoman.”

Diethardt sat down next to Clara.

“Lady Mia’s family have been wealthy merchants for generations. In particular, her father is very good at business, and although he says that it is a reward for having given the royal family a lot of flexibility, in essence, it is like buying a title. In order not to be called a nobleman just because he bought the title with his money, he wants to solidify the ground by marrying Mia to a nobleman with a long history. It’s a tight squeeze for Mia, who has been living in freedom all her life.”

“It’s the opposite of me.”

“Are you free now, Lara?”

Putting her hand on her chin, Clara wondered what is freedom? She now thinks for herself, makes her own decisions and lives on her own. Not for her country, not for the people, but for herself. For herself alone.

Her heart ached at the thought. She has lived as a Princess and her livelihood was financed by taxes from the people. Now, she’s living her life without giving anything back or fulfilling any role.

Diethardt giggled at her, who deepened the wrinkles between her eyebrows with her hands on her chin.

“Yes, her father gave the princess a very large jewel. And he received the noble title for it. After that, when the Princess got engaged, the King bought jewels from his business and made her an engagement ring, so Mia’s father was able to recover a lot of the money he spent on the royal family.”

“…What?”

Clara almost spurted out her fruit water, but she held it back and smiled as if nothing had happened.

“So the princess is engaged to be married?”

“Oh? You don’t know? The moment she came back from studying abroad, she fell in love with a Duke at first sight, then, she suddenly announced her engagement, and in no time at all she rushed to his house. I think the wedding will be held in six months.”

What he may or may not know was that Clara was a party of this story. Thanks to the princess that she is now working and living in the attic. How much does Diethard know about her? Does he know the story of the Princess of Corafran? If she goes on talking about it too much, she’s afraid her identity might come out.

“I like ……. I wonder if I’ll ever have a friend.”

Clara looked at Mia, who was clapping her hands and laughing with her friend.

“Lara doesn’t have any friends? I’ll be your friend for now. I’m sure you’re already my friend.”

Diethardt said smilingly and extended his hand to her. For a moment she didn’t know what she was supposed to do, but then she shook his hand in a panic. Belatedly, she knew it’s a handshake.

“Thank you, my friend, it’s nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, then shall we go home now? Lady Mia, we’re going home!”

‘I’m sure that the education of Mia as a young lady and the education of Diethardt as a butler will take more time,’ thought Clara with a chuckle.

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