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“So you had a pleasant time, then.”

At the start of the week, on her way from the girls’ dormitory to the classroom, Ekaterina was asked about the day she went out with her brother, and Flora smiled upon hearing the answer.

“Yes! My brother escorted me the whole day, and it was simply the most wonderful time.”

Ekaterina replied cheerfully.
Though the following day had been so intense that my date with Onii-sama felt a bit overshadowed…
Still, it had certainly been a lovely day!

“You and your brother truly get along so well, Lady Ekaterina. Just seeing it makes me happy too.”

Ahh, what a healing smile from a beautiful girl.
Flora-chan really is a good girl. She’s all alone in the world too—anyone in her position could be jealous of someone who still has family, but not her. Not one bit.

By the way, Flora was born and raised in the imperial capital, and on weekends she returns to the baron couple who took her in. The baron’s wife is a great cook, and Flora often brings back recipes that would be nice to try for lunch.

“Please come to the estate with me this weekend. The roses are still in full bloom.”
“Yes, thank you so much. I’m really looking forward to being invited to the Duke’s estate.”

Flora said with genuine delight.
Indeed—since it was the perfect rose season, and since the two of them had taken first and second place on the exams thanks to studying together, Ekaterina invited Flora to come visit the Jurnova ducal mansion in the capital.

“Everyone else will be there too, so it’ll be lively and fun.”

When Marina and the others heard Flora was invited, they all exclaimed how jealous they were, so Ekaterina said they could come as well. Then even more people wanted to join, and it eventually turned into an open invitation for anyone who wished to come. Now, nearly the entire class—and even others beyond—seemed ready to show up.
After all, it *was* the rose garden admired by His Majesty the Emperor himself. It’s only natural that people would want to see it if they could.
Ekaterina felt sorry to burden the mansion staff right after the grand event of the imperial visit, but the butler, Graham, said with a kind smile that the Jurnova mansion had hosted “small-scale” parties with far more guests than her entire class, so this would be no trouble at all.
Wow. My family’s amazing. Even now, that still impresses me.

And the next day, she would be meeting Lev at the Murano Workshop.
Yesterday, her brother had readily agreed to buy the Murano Workshop, so she’d immediately told Lev the news—Swift Communication and Reporting are imperative!
According to Mina, who delivered the message, Lev had been too stunned to even celebrate.
Yeah, I get that feeling! I’m still kind of stunned myself…
Anyway, by the weekend, one of Khalil’s subordinates would contact the financiers who owned the rights to the Murano Workshop, and they’d quickly arrange the purchase. Lev would then leave the Garen Workshop and return to Murano. They’d have a follow-up meeting on the weekend to finalize the glass pen project details.

…A present for Onii-sama made in a workshop that very Onii-sama bought for a huge sum—yeah, that might feel a bit awkward.
But still, it’ll be something unique to this world. After giving it as a gift, I’ll work with Lev to turn it into a shelf product and get the workshop running at a profit.
Things are getting busy, but if it’s for Onii-sama , I can handle anything!

.

And so that week flew by, and the weekend arrived.
In the rose garden of the Jurnova ducal mansion in the imperial capital, forty to fifty boys and girls wandered about, marveling at the roses in full bloom.

“The breeze is full of the scent of roses!”

Marina exclaimed brightly and took a deep breath. Flora and Olga, who were beside her, smiled and did the same.

“What a truly lovely garden. I’ve never seen so many varieties of roses all at once. The fountains, the gazebo—everything feels so elegant, like a dreamland.”
“I’m so glad you’re enjoying yourselves.”

Under her parasol, Ekaterina smiled at Flora, who spoke so happily.
Incidentally, Mina had naturally been the one to open the parasol and hold it over her, but Ekaterina had insisted on taking it herself. A nanny-shade—that’s what you’d call it. So embarrassing, please don’t do that.

“This place is really something else. Back home, our ‘garden’ is basically a stable—take a deep breath there and the smell you get is literal horsesh—oof!”

Nikolai, Marina’s brother, who was beside her, started to say something heartfelt but got punched in the gut mid-sentence and coughed violently.

“What are you thinking, saying such things in a place like this, Onii-sama!? I *should* have left you tied up and dumped somewhere!”
“Don’t go saying ‘tied up,’ you idiot! Aren’t you supposed to act like a lady? If it were Mom, she’d simply smack me once and then laugh ‘oh-ho-ho!’ like nothing happened.”
“It’s because *you’re* the one saying crude things! You mangy cat peeler phantom!”

In this world, magical beasts and monsters do exist—but there are also imaginary beings of doubtful existence, and those are called phantoms.¹ Though, whether a “cat peeler” really counts as imaginary is questionable.

For the record, the reason Nikolai was there too was that Aleksei had invited him, saying, “You should come as well, if you like.” Apparently, it was out of consideration—he figured a brother would worry about a sister he quarrels with that much.

“We also have stables, of course. Once you tire of the flowers, you’re welcome to see the horses. As a warrior, perhaps you might be interested in swords or spears? I could show you the arms passed down from our founding ancestors.”

Because she knows it’s rare for Aleksei to speak to his classmates on his own, Ekaterina is eager to entertain Nikolai.

“That’s something worth seeing. I’d like to see it again myself.”

Hearing that voice, Ekaterina couldn’t quite stop the twitch at the corner of her mouth.

Why are *you* mixed in here, Prince?!

If it were our own garden, fine—you had a good look at it the other day! But the prince riding along with classmates in the Krymov family’s carriage? That’s absurd!
Well, I already sensed something was wrong the moment the Krymov carriage arrived at the duke’s estate, surrounded by four knights of the Imperial Order.
And sure enough, when the prince stepped down from the carriage after the Krymov siblings—who both looked like they didn’t know what to say—and casually greeted me with a “Hi,” I almost shouted *What the heck?!*
I did tell everyone to come together in carriages if possible, yes—but that was because there’s an economic gap even among nobles, and not everyone in the capital owns a carriage. I meant to say, “If you have one, please give a ride to those who don’t,” wrapped in polite wording. Not, “Please make it convenient for the Imperial Prince to sneak out incognito.”
At least send a word ahead that you were coming so we could arrange proper security!

…Swallowing all those thoughts into the pit of her patience, Ekaterina gave him a dazzling smile.

“My, Lord Mikhail, have you seen it before?”
“Yes, long ago. When your grandfather was still alive, I came to visit Aleksei, and he showed it to me.”

So it really was back in Grandfather’s time, huh.
Then Mikhail suddenly lowered his voice.

“…Forgive me for coming unannounced, Ekaterina. However, I do believe your security is solid, and I wanted to try taking a leisure stroll with everyone for once.”

Ugh…
Th-that’s… true. He’s an imperial prince by birth, not someone who can go out freely like ordinary people.
Right now, as a student, he’s in the most relaxed position of his life, and today—when the ducal family has invited everyone so warmly—might be a rare chance for him to *be like everyone else*… maybe?
Come to think of it, his father, the Emperor, once had my grandfather help him arrange a restaurant dinner to woo the lady he fancied back in his student days. So maybe it’s acceptable for princes to wander a bit during their school years—as long as it’s somewhere reasonably safe?

“And besides, last time my mother had you all to herself. I wanted to talk to you a little more, too.”

Huh, why?
My talk with the Empress was all about diplomacy and trade, and I did find it educational—but if he wanted to hear more about that kind of thing, wouldn’t it be better to just talk directly with Her Majesty instead?
While Ekaterina sent him a storm of question marks with her eyes, Mikhail only smiled.

“Oh, Lady Ekaterina—the butler is here.”

Ah! Right!

Prompted by Flora’s call, Ekaterina quickly turned around.
The one who should’ve given the signal first was me—but as expected of Graham, perfect timing.
At just the right distance—not too close, not too far—the butler bowed at the ideal angle. Ekaterina smiled at him gratefully.

“Graham, are the drinks ready?”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Then please serve them. Make sure the gentlemen get a little extra refreshment.”
“Understood, my lady. As you wish.”

The silver-haired butler gave a courteous bow and raised one hand to signal. At once, the maids and servers waiting nearby began to move in perfect order. Tables and chairs were carried out onto the grass, draped in pure white linen, and large plates of decorative sweets and tea sets were arranged neatly.

Watching the butler step away, Olga let out an impressed sigh.

“As expected of a household as distinguished as House Jurnova—the butler’s refinement is on another level.”
“He’s the very ideal of a butler, isn’t he? I’ve heard there are families who’ve served as butlers to noble houses for generations—perhaps he’s from one of those?”

Marina cast an inquisitive glance at Ekaterina, who shook her head.

“I don’t know about Graham’s lineage. To me, he’s like a guardian spirit who has always watched over our family. That’s how deeply I rely on him. Now then, everyone—the weather is so fine today. Aren’t you getting thirsty? We’ve prepared some wild rose tea as well. Please, do try it.”