(Past) Children’s Yearning

“Alberto. This is Reynaldo, my precious younger brother.”

Having recently welcomed Reynaldo into her home, Rosemary introduced him to Alberto for the first time.

She had hoped that the two boys would become good friends, but Reynaldo clung to her skirt the entire time.

Her adorable little brother, who has become quite spoiled by her, always sticks close to her whenever he has the chance.

“Say hello, Reynaldo.”

“…. Hello.”

A disgruntled voice came out.

She initially thought Reynaldo was scared of Alberto’s tall stature, but it soon became clear that he behaved the same way with anyone.

“Nice to meet you, Reynaldo-sama. My name is Alberto McClain.”

Alberto’s greetings, having learned the proper etiquette befitting a subject, showcase a dignified and impressive demeanor, akin to that of a knight.

Rosemary looked on with a smile as they exchanged greetings.

Reynaldo, gazing up at her, wore a rather disinterested expression.

Even with that face, he’s still adorable.

There’s nothing she loves more than a smile.

“Sister, I want to read this book.”

Oh, that’s unusual.

As Rosemary was enjoying her time in the garden with Alberto, Reynaldo surprised her by bringing along her favorite picture book about knights, despite often saying he’s grown weary of it.

“Sure, that’s fine.”

Leaving her flower arranging behind, she joined Reynaldo on the bench and settled down.

Despite her invitation to play together, Alberto, who usually spends his time practicing swordsmanship alone, paused his swings as he observed them.

“The knight’s book, are you reading it with Reynaldo-sama too?”

Alberto said in a dumbfounded way.

“Well, why not? I like it.”

“I know, but…”

Alberto looks somewhat dissatisfied.

Even though Rosemary always asks him to read it, he always says, “I’m bored of it.”

“Can we read together?”

“Of course.”

In Reynaldo’s previous home, he had not been allowed to learn to read much, but since coming to Hubert’s house, Reynaldo had quickly learned to read.

Not only that, but it seems that he has also learned languages from other countries. She should learn from him.

Because she will become a queen in the future, after all.

As they sat side by side, opening the book, a shadow appeared in front of them, so Rosemary looked up.

“Alberto, weren’t you supposed to be practicing?”

“I also felt like reading.”

He sat down next to her with a curt expression on his face.

It was a bench for two, so it was a little cramped.

She felt a bit squeezed between the two of them on the narrow bench, but she decided not to care because of their unusual appearance.

“Both of you never seem interested in reading it before. It’s strange.”

Rosemary couldn’t help but find it amusing and burst into laughter.

Then, both Reynaldo and Alberto also met her gaze and laughed along with her.

She turns the page.

The story of her favorite knight.

Rosemary wonders if she can become a princess like the one in the story.

Will her beloved knight protect her as his princess?

Reynaldo reads alongside her while Alberto turns the pages.

After she finishes reading, now it’s Alberto’s turn to read for her.

Even though he finds it exasperating that she never gets tired of it.

Because the other books are too complex and don’t capture her interest, that’s why.

The story that Rosemary has loved since she was little has always encouraged her.

And not just because of the story.

But also because there are two people who read them with her.

She’s a very lucky princess.

Her knights are always these two, after all.

Until the servants called them for mealtime, they spent the time together under the sunshine.

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