SHC68_ARCHIVE_CHAPTER 68. Snow Falling Softly

 

68. Snow Falling Softly

In the imperial capital of the Qilin Phoenix Empire, winters are mild and snow never falls. But in Kikunoi, which is ten days away by carriage, snow is guaranteed every winter.

Not that I remember it, though.

One day, as the days grew shorter and the end of the year approached, the first snowfall of winter came to Kikunoi.

When I woke up and opened the curtains, I saw that it must have fallen quietly during the night. The trees in the garden and the porch were blanketed in white.

No wonder it felt so cold.

As the chilly air crept up from my toes, I couldn’t take it anymore and made a beeline back toward the bed—only to be interrupted by loud footsteps and a panicked voice from afar.

"Lord Regulus! You forgot your pants! Please stop—!"

With a bang, the door to my room burst open, and in came Regulus, looking like he was wearing an oversized shirt-dress.

"Nii-ni! The outside is all white!"

"Good morning, Regulus."

"Oh! Good morning!"

 

"The outside’s white because it snowed. Let’s look after our breakfast, okay? But first—pants."

"Okay! Utsunomiyaaaa! I need pants!"

After a polite bow and morning greeting, he dashed off the way he came. On his way back, I heard Utsunomiya scolding, “Lord Regulus! Please put on your pants before running around! Honestly!”

If I could hear that from here, I’m sure Rottenmeier did too… Utsunomiya might be in for a talking-to later.

It’s been about a month since the audience with the imperial family.

As the new year crept closer, everyone seemed a bit busier—and things around me had started to pick up too.

Elise had advanced to a level where she could sell her tsumami zaiku (folded fabric craft), and we had already produced a few pieces together.

A merchant I met while buying spices in the capital had agreed to come all the way to Kikunoi to help distribute curry powder.

 

The adventurers’ guild had taken notice thanks to Lara, Professor Romanov, and Viktor, who were wearing their neck warmers out and about. Roland from the guild even reached out to discuss selling our accessories.

With my magic studies progressing, I could now toggle enchantments on and off. So I started offering products with enchantments for a higher price and more affordable ones without.

I also received extra materials from everyone as thanks—Lara gave me leftover silk-sheep yarn, Romanov provided leftover velvet and boa trim, and Viktor gave me yarn for ponchos and wrist warmers. He even included beads made from crushed Nyxlight gemstones.

It got me thinking: maybe I could offer discounts for customers who provide their materials.

Even as I got lost in thought, my hands moved automatically, and I finished getting dressed.

My pants were way too loose.

That’s right—since starting my diet, I’d lost about half my original weight.

 

I was almost at a normal size now.

 

I’d grown a bit taller too, but the other day, Regulus had poked at my belly and cried, “Lara-sensei lied!”—no idea why.

In any case, after tightening the waist, my pants had turned into rather stylish wide-leg trousers. I might embroider the hem later.

When I entered the dining room, Professor Romanov, Viktor, and Lara were already there. I sat down just as Regulus was led in by Utsunomiya.

These days, not just breakfast, but lunch and dinner too have become much livelier affairs.

While Rottenmeier and Utsunomiya still ate separately out of duty, they joined us twice a week during manners training. Kanade and others would join in too, making it more like a joyful banquet.

 

We still followed the "mago wa yasashii" meal plan (traditional Japanese health-focused acronym for food balance), but Lara had suggested that it was okay to include a bit more meat since we were all still growing. So our portions had increased slightly.

Regulus, who used to struggle with using utensils, could now expertly handle his child-sized chopsticks and cutlery.

“Yesterday, it seems like it snowed quite a lot.”

“Since I was in the imperial capital for so long, it’s been a while since I saw snow accumulate.”

“On the other hand, I was at the border with Lumania, so it felt like just another day.”

Lumania is a northern country under the Empire, with a king. Their culture is more western than the Empire’s. It’s an area known for heavy snowfall, where snow falls for about two-thirds of the year.

“Hey, Nii-nii, what’s snow?”

“Well, it’s white and cold, falling from the sky… ice crystals?”

“Ice crystals? Ice... is it cold?”

“Yeah, it’s cold. Try touching it later.”

With sparkling eyes, little Regulus nodded enthusiastically. But it wasn’t only Regulus who was fascinated by the snow.

“Snow fell, so I came to play!”

Kanade-kun, his nose bright red from the cold, came running just as Regulus was about to rush outside after breakfast.

Winter boots, a sweater, a poncho, a neck warmer, gloves, a hat, and ear muffs—everything he wore was enchanted with “Ice Resistance” and “Cold Protection.”

Each time Regulus, fully geared up, stepped on the snow-covered ground, the sound of ice crystals crushing echoed.

Perhaps enjoying it, he kept stomping his feet, and then, through his gloves, he tried to grab the snow. But Regulus froze, staring at his hands.

“What’s wrong, little one?”

Kanade-kun called out with a puzzled face, but I wondered, what does “little one” mean?

When I asked, Kanade-kun explained, “He’s the young master, so he’s ‘Little One.’”

I see, I thought, and just as I was about to agree, Regulus finally opened his mouth.

“…It’s not cold!?”

“It’s because you’re wearing gloves, right?”

“Is that so?”

“Regulus-kun, why don’t you take off your gloves and touch it?”

“Okay!”

With a cheerful response, Regulus took off his gloves and put them in his pants pocket. He then eagerly shoved both hands into the snow. He leapt up in surprise and pressed his cheek with his hands.

“It’s cold! My hands are cold, Nii-nii!”

“It was cold, wasn’t it? That’s snow for you.”

“Snow is cold! It’s fun!”

“I’m glad you’re having fun.”

The freezing cold seemed to strike a chord in Regulus’ heart, and he giggled joyfully.

“Little one, do you understand how cold snow is now?”

“Yeah, I got it!”

“Then let’s have a snowball fight!”

With arms raised and a shout of “Yeah!” the voice wasn’t just from the children. Even the three elves joined in.

They made snowballs and threw them at each other. When they got tired of that, they made snowmen.

By the time the adults were covered in snow, Utsunomiya arrived with towels and gently took my arm.

Then, leading me a little away from the others, she whispered.

“Um, young lady, I have a request.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“Well… it’s about the New Year’s party and the birthday present.”

“Ah, the New Year’s party and the birthday present?”

“Yes. Since Regulus-sama is in mourning, I think it’s understandable that he can’t attend the New Year’s party. But the birthday is a once-a-year event… so we should celebrate it…”

Wait a minute.

I think I’ve just heard something important.

Rather than the New Year’s party, the birthday is more important.

As Utsunomiya fumbled with her words, I was taken aback.

“Wait, Utsunomiya-san. Is Regulus-kun born in the first month?”

“Huh? No, he’s born in the second month…”

“Hm? So, his birthday is in the second month, then…?”

What’s going on?

When I tilted my head in confusion, Utsunomiya’s face turned pale.

Then, looking as though she had encountered something unbelievable, she grabbed my shoulder.

“Young lady, you still have memories of the happy days before you fell ill, don’t you?”

“Yes, like when I saw beautiful embroidery or flowers…”

“What about birthdays…?”

“Now that you mention it… I don’t think I’ve had one…”

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With a weak smile, Utsunomiya screamed, “Rottenmayer-saaaaan!?”

EUN: PREPARE YOURSELVES, GET THE PITCHFORKS READY!! THOSE UNFIT PARENTS WILL BE MENTIONED FOR THIS ARC.

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