Chapter 36 Garden Picnic
Home picnic. In other words, it's just eating lunch boxes in the yard, a playful way to enjoy the "picnic vibe."
To be honest, I'd really like to go out for a proper picnic, but since I almost died not long ago, Father isn't giving me the green light.
I'm fine now, but... well, thinking about how much he cares makes me feel good.
Still, this situation is a bit weird.
"Hey Yumie, ahh."
"Ah, ahh."
I take a bite of the sandwich my elder brother offered.
It's a fluffy white bread sandwich with just the right amount of saltiness from the ham and lettuce, and it's really tasty.
"How is it? My sandwich good?"
"Yes, it's delicious!"
But since Lisa made it, isn't it a bit off to call it "my sandwich"?
I thought about pointing that out, but seeing my elder brother grinning with genuine happiness at my reaction makes it hard to say anything.
Well, Lisa's over there a bit away, quietly watching us, and she hasn't said anything, so I guess I don't need to bring it up.
...And then there's this.
"What are you talking about? My sandwich is definitely better! Here, Ms. Yumie, ahh."
"Ah, ahh."
For some reason, Monica is competing to feed me too, saying similar things, so I can't just point it out to my elder brother.
Yeah, so, that's the sandwich Lisa made.
They're the same sandwich, so there's no difference.
"It's delicious!"
But watching the tension between the two of them, I can't help but smile and respond like that.
Not that it matters, but the two of them exchange glances, sparks flying between them.
"Hehe, did you see that, Mr. Neil? My sandwich seems to be better!"
"You're not saying that, are you!? I mean, why are you acting like it's normal to feed Yumie? That's my job as her elder brother, obviously!"
"I don't think that's normal, Elder Brother."
"Seriously, for someone who's supposed to inherit Granbell, that's just unreasonable."
"What!?"
"Common sense says that the honorable role of feeding Ms. Yumie is more suited for me, the daughter of the Duke's family!!"
Monica, feeding Yumie isn't an honor or anything, and I definitely don't think that's common sense.
"I agree that feeding Yumie is an honorable role, but using your family status as a shield is just unfair!!"
"It's not unfair, this is what you call a survival skill."
What kind of survival skill is that!?
"Ugh... well, fine, I'm family after all, so even after you leave, I can still feed her, pet her, and sleep with her every day, so it's not a big deal!!"
You say it's not a big deal, but your voice is shaking, Elder Brother.
By the way, are we really going to do this every meal from now on? That's kind of embarrassing, you know?
"Ugh...! If that's the case, I need to convince father as soon as possible to make Ms. Yumie mine..."
Monica, when you say "mine," you mean as in becoming a knight, right?
Because I feel like there's more pressure behind that, but it must just be my imagination.
Hmm, I did aim for this, but both of them are spoiling me too much.
No matter how cute this Yummy smile is, if they keep this up every day, I might end up being a total loser.
I need to hold back a bit... but I also want to lean on Elder Brother...
As I pondered this while watching their friendly bickering, Lisa, who had been watching from a distance, came over to me.
What's up?
"Young lady, there's a letter from the Royal Palace."
"Royal Palace? Is it from Prince Sigurt?"
"I can't tell you that much. Please check for yourself."
Within the royal family, the only one who would have a reason to write me a letter is probably Prince Sigurt.
I mean, I haven't even met anyone else.
Even the King and Queen, I know their names but I've never seen them.
So, naturally, I thought it was from the prince... but when I opened the letter, it had an unexpected name.
'Lady Yumie Granbell, I invite you to a tea party. I would like to talk to you alone, if that's alright. Rifine Dia Ortria... huh?'
Rifine Dia Ortria.
That's the name of the princess of this country and Prince Sigurt's sister.
I heard she's a bit frail, so she rarely shows up at social events and spends most of the year at the Detached Palace... so why the sudden invitation?
"I don't know the reason, but... either way, this is just what I need."
If I kept relying on my Elder Brother, I might end up developing a serious brother complex myself.
Maybe I should go visit the Royal Palace.
If it's a request from the royal family, my father wouldn't be able to refuse, no matter how overprotective he is.
"Yumie, what's wrong?"
"Ms. Yumie, what's the matter?"
Elder Brother and Monica asked almost simultaneously.
I told them in a light tone.
"I just got an invitation from the Royal Palace, so I'm going to a tea party. ...It's just the two of us, so you two can't come, okay?"
"...Huh?"
Seeing the two of them perfectly synchronized with their faces full of despair, I had a hard time holding back my laughter, but that's a secret just between us.
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