SHC61_ARCHIVE_CHAPTER 61:Chapter 61: "If Winter Comes"/"Winter is Coming"

June 19, 2025

SHC61_ARCHIVE_CHAPTER 61:Chapter 61: "If Winter Comes"/"Winter is Coming"

Chapter 61: "If Winter Comes"/"Winter is Coming"
The one who introduced me to Igor-sama in the first place was the Princess, who also happens to be his friend. On top of that, the blessing related to business was something I received through her. So if there's a problem, and I happen to have the means to solve it, wouldn’t it only be natural for me to help?
"Honestly, what was he thinking, acting without going through me? You are my retainer, you know!"

"Uh… yeah…"

"And you too! You could’ve driven a harder bargain! Instead, you settled for just the materials!"
"Ah, well… I mean…"
But come on, right?
If I can resolve all the legislative headaches with a single tsumami-zaiku** piece, it feels like a pretty good trade-off to me. Like, I might even be getting the better end of the deal.
Just as she said, the funding looks like it'll work out, and I’ll be getting some quality materials too. If you consider it both a hobby and a business venture, then it’s practically a perfect opportunity.
Well… I can’t say it won’t get messy later, but really, what could anyone even do to someone like me who barely leaves her own territory?
Besides, my future is already decided.
“…Very well. If you deemed it necessary, I won’t object. Now, hurry up and bring prosperity to your domain so I may finally watch a proper musical!”
"Understood. This is one step toward that goal. If the artisans become prosperous, that wealth will ripple outwards. And once people have a bit of financial breathing room, they’ll be able to afford education and entertainment too."
“Mm. Continue working hard, then.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Start with something small. Build it up, step by step, until you reach your goal. Right now, I’ve only just placed my foot on the first stair. Once I climb it, another step will be waiting. I need to look ahead and make sure my footing is solid.
As I looked down at my feet, a flash of red caught the corner of my eye.
When I turned toward the hedges to see what it was, I saw a vibrant red wild rose in bloom.
That’s strange. It’s not even the right season.
Regulus-kun noticed me looking and turned to see it too. Then he pointed at the flower.
“Princess, look! A flower bloomed!”
“Hmm… this isn’t good.”
Despite the rose’s beauty, the princess’s expression turned grave—quite unlike her usual serene face when admiring flowers.
It wasn’t anger—it was more like concern.
When I asked what was wrong, the princess drew a bolt of cloth from thin air. It shimmered with a strange hue, somewhere between white and silver, glowing faintly.
“I was asked by Igor to give you this. A gift—use it as you see fit.”
“A gift…?”
“Starting today, I will return to the heavens until spring. I will not appear on the earth until then.”
The words hit me like a slap—I froze, mouth agape.
A surge of panic rushed from my throat.
“Why!? Did I do something wrong!?”
“Princess, we won’t see you anymore!?”
“Calm yourselves. I said I would return in the spring.”
She gestured toward the out-of-place red rose.
“As long as I remain on earth, the flowers try to bloom out of season to please me. But that shortens their lives. That is not my wish. So I refrain from descending in winter. I bring the flowers to the heavens and admire them there.”
I see. She’s thinking of the flowers, so she chooses to step away during winter. That’s actually quite considerate. As a leader, I should learn from that.
Still, I’ll miss her.
Regulus-kun must feel the same. He squeezed my hand tightly.
“Don’t make such forlorn faces,” she said. “I already told you I’ll return in spring.”
“But… we’ll be lonely.”
My insistence made the princess raise her brows slightly.
I must have annoyed her. No one wants to deal with clingy children. Maybe I pushed too far.
But then she gently said, “Lift your head.”
“So even you can act your age and throw a tantrum. That’s rare. But… being so dearly missed doesn’t feel bad, I suppose.”
Her gentle laughter only made it clearer that she truly would be gone soon.
As I frowned, eyebrows drooping, the princess beckoned us forward.
When Regulus-kun and I approached, she held out a small brush and a pot of red pigment.
“To keep misfortune away while I’m gone, I shall grant you protection. Show me your foreheads.”
“Yes…”
“Okay!”

We obediently lifted our bangs, and the princess dipped her brush lightly in the pigment and painted something small onto our foreheads.
When I looked at Regulus-kun’s, I saw a tiny flower-shaped design.
“It’s called **kaden—a charm worn as makeup to ward off evil. Since I’ve drawn it myself, even the Demon King would steer clear of you.”
“There’s a Demon King!?”
“There is. But… well, he won’t bother you.”
Oh, well, if he’s harmless, I guess it’s fine…? I didn’t think he was real at all. I’ll just add that to my mental notes.

“…Still, what you truly need to beware of isn’t demons—it’s other humans.”
“Ugh…”
“Thanks to the gods’ blessings, most things will work out for you. But that only applies to you. The people around you—the ones preparing your meals, your clothing, your necessities—they won’t be covered by those blessings.”
“Ah…”
“You’re the only one who can protect your own people. The old foxes you’ll be dealing with from now on—they won’t hesitate to go after your weak spots. Know this: You’ll be facing demons in human form.”

She’s right.

I don’t want to believe anyone would stoop so low as to target a child or lash out at innocent staff, but if I cause friction… who knows what sort of grudges might form behind the scenes?
People like Romanov-sensei and Rottenmeier-san will watch out for Regulus-kun and me. But there are many more people working in the estate—chefs, attendants, guards. Someone could try to threaten or harm one of them to get to me.
The princess was preparing me for what it means to lead.
This… this was her real parting gift.
I tightened my grip on the hand I was holding—and Regulus-kun gently squeezed back.
He and the rest of the household… It’s my job to protect them.
“Give me your hand.”
“Yes.”
“And carry this resolve with you.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
What she placed in my palm was a pouch made of embroidered silk—clearly not something of this world. When I opened it, inside was a beautiful black-sheathed dagger.
“My personal blade. I’m only lending it to you, so return it come spring. But don’t draw it.”
“Yes.”
“You are the head of this household now. If it ever comes to the point where you must draw this blade yourself, it means you’ve already lost. Make your moves before it comes to that. If necessary—strike first.”
“…Understood.”
The weight in my hand was more than just metal.
By the time the princess returns in spring… I hope I’ll have grown, even just a little.

EUNIE: WE'RE APPROACHING AN INTERESTING ARC AND WE'LL OFFICIALLY MEET A NEW CHARACTER!

HINT: HE/SHE WAS ALREADY SHOWN IN THE ANIME/MENTIONED IN A PREVIOUS CHAPTER

NOW IF YOU SEE THIS **

**TSUMAMI ZAIKU IS A

traditional Japanese craft where small pieces of fabric, typically square, are pinched and folded to create intricate three-dimensional shapes, often flowers, for decorative purposes, especially as kanzashi (hair ornaments