Chapter 257: After Going on a Date in the Royal Capital, I Started to Think Princess Charlotte Wasn’t Such a Bad Person After All

The royal capital was overflowing with people and goods, far more lively than Monvan.

The entire city seemed wrapped in the voices of people and the smell of cooking.

Charlotte’s horse made the sound of hooves on the brick road, but it was swallowed up by the footsteps of the citizens and disappeared.

The roads were wide, so even while I walked beside the horse holding the reins, I could stroll at a leisurely pace without worrying about bumping into anyone.

Shops lined both sides of the street, selling food and clothing.

Even though it was early morning, merchants were already standing in front of their shops and calling out to attract customers.

I didn’t see any knights walking around in full armor, but several men with broad shoulders and scars on their faces strode down the main street as if declaring that they themselves were the main characters. Were they knights participating in the Christmas Tournament?

Whether the rough-looking men knew the identity of the noble lady walking beside me, or whether it was simply kindness toward a woman, everyone made way for us. Despite their rugged appearances, they were surprisingly gentlemanly.

The merchants seemed to regard them as good customers and called out trying to sell bread and wine. There were also older sisters beckoning from the side alleys. Was it erotic business from the morning...?

The older sisters looked around twenty and wore clothes that exposed their shoulders and the upper parts of their breasts, but was it erotic business? They were emphasizing their breasts by scooping them up with both hands, but was it erotic business? Right next to the entrance of that side alley there was a stall selling something that looked like spices, and the greasy shopkeeper there was saying "It’s effective for increasing sexual desire" while selling leaves, but was the woman further inside doing erotic business?

A warrior-looking man with a grin and a nose stretched long entered the side alley while leaning slightly forward, but was the woman at the end doing erotic business? A man and a woman were raising three fingers or two fingers as if negotiating prices, but was it erotic business? The woman clung to the man’s arm and the two of them headed deeper into the alley, but was it erotic business? No matter how you looked at it her breasts were pressing against the man’s arm, but was it erotic business?

A high-pitched metallic kan, kan rang out rhythmically, so when I looked over there was a man sitting in front of a building hammering armor from the inside with a hammer to correct the warping. Was it erotic business? No, this one at least was not erotic business. Was the armorer working from early morning, or was he making noise to attract work?

I almost bumped into someone, so I returned my gaze to the front.

A boy who met my eyes said "I’ll deliver fodder anywhere" but fodder becomes horse feed and also becomes beds, so was it erotic business?

Another boy turned a business smile toward me saying "One copper coin for a full water jar," but a water jar is the same metaphor for a honey pot as a woman’s private parts, so was it erotic business?

Because I was holding the horse’s reins I couldn’t make sudden changes of direction, so it was easy for people around me to call out, and several young boys spoke to me. Maybe they only looked like boys but were actually girls, so was it erotic business?

Or perhaps they really were boys, but there are apparently those kinds of needs too, so was it erotic business?

No, they were probably apprentices of craftsmen. Apparently people normally start working once they reach the age of ten.

Ah... There’s a fragrant smell.

That street stall.

They were roasting a chunk of meat skewered on a stick while rotating it over the fire and pouring a thick liquid that looked like cheese over it from above. It looked incredibly delicious. Without any need for modern knowledge to intervene, this was definitely delicious stuff...

The melted cheese and meat fat that dripped into the frying pan below were being brushed back onto the meat with a branch brush. Seriously, this has to be insanely good...

Saliva started overflowing.

Not only me but also the passersby seemed to have their gazes and feet drawn toward it.

Looking at it before breakfast was poison for the eyes.

For now I was relieved there were no beastmen carrying stones while being whipped, so I decided to just look ahead.

"It’s really lively."

"Um. During the Christmas Tournament a great market is also held, so various merchants set up shops. Fine textiles from Mador, beautiful ceramics from Leglandelle, sweet cider from Norma, top-quality wine from Nul Arn, high-quality furs from Margolant, spices from the far south—various goods from all over the world gather here."

"Heeh. Margolant furs are famous. My arm covers were also given to me by a sheep girl from Margolant, so they must be good quality. They’re warm, so I’ll take good care of them."

"Um. From what I can see they look like rather fine items. If they were made from the down of a young sheep girl the quality would be certain. However, looking at you again, your appearance is quite peculiar..."

Well, I’m completely naked under a red long robe and white arm covers. Being called peculiar can’t be helped.

The sheep girls said that once it gets warmer and their wool grows they’ll give me panties as a present, so I’m looking forward to it.

"Hm?"

A man was approaching. He was pushing through the crowd and clearly heading this way. He was rubbing his hands together with a smiling face that screamed "I’m currying favor."

"Princess Charlotte. It’s me. The merchant Sahm. Fine clothes from southern Galmata have arrived, how about them? Silk as smooth as snow."

Ah. An acquaintance of hers.

Come to think of it, this girl’s name was Charlotte.

Every time this girl spoke she freely dropped proper nouns and swore by everything, and she used concepts unique to the nobility, so I hadn’t remembered the important name.

"Um. Perfect timing. Right now I have no money on me. Could you give this person twenty gold coins? I swear by my golden ring that the advanced gold coins will be delivered later."

"Certainly. If it is a request from Princess Charlotte, there is no way this Sahm could refuse."

"Um. I thank you. Bring the silk clothes to the royal palace again later."

"Yes. Certainly."

And so I was given twenty gold coins by an unknown merchant. I didn’t feel I had done anything worth being thanked for, but money is important, so I’ll take it. I put the gold coins inside my arm covers.

While holding the horse’s reins and occasionally stopping when blocked by the flow of people, I walked steadily through the city until eventually high city walls and what looked like a castle beyond them came into view.

Contrary to the magnificent wall towers, the gate itself was small. It would be impossible for mounted riders to enter side by side. Perhaps defense was prioritized.

There was a moat in front of the walls, and I escorted Princess Charlotte to the front of the drawbridge.

"You have done well."

"Yeah. I’m glad nothing happened. See you."

"Um. Knight, wait."

"Hm?"

Charlotte turned her horse’s head and took one step closer to me, then untied the scarf that had been around her neck.

"You will be participating in tomorrow’s tournament, will you not? I shall bestow my scarf upon you. For my sake, it would be good if you achieved victory."

Hm, why is she giving me a scarf?

Is there some special meaning like throwing a glove to challenge someone to a duel?

Is it simply a present the same way the sheep girls gave me arm covers?

Somehow the nuance feels different.

Culturally, what is the correct thing to do?

’Hello. Dura-san.’

’Yes.’

’There’s something I want you to ask Iria. Is she nearby?’

’Yes. She’s swinging her sword a little away from everyone.’

’I rescued a girl from bandits and she said she’d give me a scarf. Is it okay to accept it?’

’Yes. Please wait a moment.’

This is bad. Not accepting it immediately is awkward. I need to buy time.

I forced an amicable smile toward Princess Charlotte for no reason to stall.

"Fufu."

"What is it. Suddenly laughing."

"Fufu. Looking at Your Highness shining like the sun, a smile naturally spilled out."

"Fufu. You’re a strange one."

Ah. She returned an unexpectedly cute smile. This is bad. Even though she’s an arrogant royal, I can’t bring myself to dislike her.

Her broad forehead reflected the sun and looked a little cute.

"Come to think of it, I haven’t heard your name."

"Yes. My name is Ooi Masaharu. I’ll be participating in the Crito as the Cosmic Golden Knight Sahar Galactic. I’ll be wearing shiny golden armor."

"A golden armor is quite eccentric. You’re not the Golden Prince of Lumaniera."

"Ah, damn. So there are other guys wearing golden armor besides me. Well, overlapping can’t be helped, but it’s a little disappointing."

"Fufu. There’s no need to worry. I swear by the gods of light, no matter how many knights in the world wear golden armor, there will be no other golden knight who wears my scarf. Your figure clad in golden armor with my purple scarf will surely stand out. Now, Ooi Masaharu, accept it."

Princess Charlotte held out the scarf.

’Sorry for the wait. Apparently it’s fine to accept it fairly casually. Popular knights receive dozens of scarves and handkerchiefs before matches. Rather, participating in a tournament without wearing a single gift from a noble lady is considered unattractive and uncool.’

’Understood. Thank you.’

It’s like a Super Chat.

Princess Charlotte is giving a present to me, her "oshi."

By wearing a woman’s scarf I can appeal to the surroundings that I am being supported by a noble lady.

Princess Charlotte enjoys watching the knight who is wearing the item she sent perform well. It’s like having a red comment read.

I see, a win-win relationship.

Then I’ll accept it without hesitation.

I accepted the purple scarf.

"Thank you very much, Princess Charlotte. I’ll wear this and participate in tomorrow’s match."

"Um. Ooi Masaharu, I bestow my blessing upon you. Ha."

Princess Charlotte entered the castle.

As expected, wrapping this scarf around my lower abdomen like a loincloth would be no good, right?

It’s already mine, but if I used it as a substitute for panties Charlotte would get angry, right?

For now, to keep from losing it, I stuffed it inside my arm covers.

Now then. The sudden morning quest is finished, so let’s return to the bus carriage and receive Rafilia-san’s meal.