The Goddess Granted Me the [Hatching] Skill and Somehow I Became the Strongest Tamer, Commanding Mythical and Divine Beasts - 146

Chapter 146: Princess Olivia’s Tea Party First Half

“Happy New Year.”

A few days had passed since the new year began.

I entered the castle and greeted Princess Olivia for the new year.

“Happy New Year to you too. Now, let’s get right into studying noble etiquette.”

I was currently in her office, where books were piled up on the low desk like they were trying to touch the ceiling. Those were probably the materials I needed to learn.

“If you have any questions about anything, just ask.”

She said that and then started on her own work.

There was a stack of documents on her side that rivaled mine, and she furrowed her brows in concentration as she dove into her tasks.

“New Year’s always brings a flood of petitions.”

As I watched her, she let out a sigh and said that.

“I’m sorry to take up your time when you’re so busy.”

She handled her work so efficiently that I apologized to her.

“It’s fine. I took on Klaus’s matter because I wanted to.”

We had only met three times since the discussion happened at year’s end, so we weren’t close yet, but even so, her expression seemed to soften for a moment.

“Interactions between nobles might look complicated, but they’re not that hard. Just nail down the key points to watch for, and you’ll be okay.”

As expected from someone who’s spent years in the court. It was a really reassuring thing to hear.

“So first, memorize every single one of those etiquette books stacked up there.”

But then she casually dropped something outrageous.

“Huh?”

The pile of books was a huge amount. Over the new year, I’d read a few books I borrowed from Charlotte, and even that had taken quite a bit of time…

“Let me know when you’re done with those. I have more ready for the next round.”

“The next… round… exists…?”

I was stunned by her unexpected words…

“Don’t worry. I’ll turn you into a gentleman who can hold his own against anyone.”

Princess Olivia leaned her elbows on the desk and looked me straight in the eye. It was the first time I’d seen her smile, but right then, I had zero room to appreciate the beauty that earned her the title of the Jewel Princess.

“Shall we take a break soon?”

After lunch, in the afternoon as I was reading the etiquette books, Princess Olivia announced that.

By the way, I’d had lunch with her too, and she complimented my table manners.

Up until now, while working as a national adventurer, I’d often eaten with Nicholas, Xavier, and Douglas, so I’d watched their behavior and memorized it to imitate them, and that must have paid off.

As I stood up and tilted my head at her watching me…

“What’s wrong? Let’s go.”

She tilted her head and spoke to me.

“Um, where are we headed?”

When I voiced my question, she stopped in her tracks. After thinking for a bit…

“Come with me. I’m inviting you to a special place.”

I quietly followed her without a word.

We left the office and walked down the hallway.

She had explained that this hallway was off-limits from the parts of the castle I could usually enter, reserved only for royals and certain nobles.

Princess Olivia must be used to walking here since she didn’t seem to mind, but every time I saw the paintings, vases, and sparkling crystal lights decorating the place, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I didn’t belong.

As we kept going, a colorful garden came into view.

It was a beautifully maintained spot, and on the terrace, there was a table and chairs set up for four or five people.

A maid stood by the table, preparing to brew tea.

“This is the Princess Garden. It’s a garden just for royals.”

I followed Princess Olivia and sat down in a chair with her.

Before sitting, a maid had pulled out the chair for me, so I figured I needed to get used to gestures like that too.

“Thank you for inviting me to a gathering like this.”

When I gave a proper bow according to etiquette, she nodded with a satisfied look.

“Thank you for coming despite your busy schedule. I’d be delighted if you enjoy chatting with me.”

She gave me a smile I’d never seen in the office, and I found myself staring in admiration.

While the maid brewed the tea, a three-tiered plate arrived and was placed in the center of the table, filled with bite-sized sweets.

The maid set teacups filled with black tea in front of her and me, and we both took a sip.

“Is this Golden Rose?”

“Oh, you know it?”

“Yes, a friend once gave me some of the leaves.”

Lorraine from the Alchemist Guild had served it to me once.

Golden Rose was a flower that rarely bloomed, making it a rare item.

“I see… You have a friend with fine taste, then.”

Princess Olivia hesitated for a moment before taking a sip of her tea.

“Princess Olivia, with such a wonderful garden at your disposal, don’t you hold tea parties here often?”

The area around the garden was kept warm by magic tools. Thanks to that, flowers bloomed year-round, so a tea party here would surely be lively.

“…I used to hold them a few times back in the day, but not at all lately.”

There seemed to be something behind her words, as she set her teacup down on the table and gazed at the flowers.

I wondered if I should ask more, but sensing she didn’t want to talk about it, I decided to change the subject.

“These sweets are delicious too.”

I took a bite of one and shared my thoughts with her.

“Office work takes a lot out of my head, so I get tired. That’s why taking a break here in the Princess Garden with some sweets is my habit.”

Of course, she wouldn’t stay tireless while handling my lessons on top of that mountain of work. As I thought about how to thank her…

“But there’s something regrettable about it.”

“Regrettable…?”

Princess Olivia placed a hand on her cheek and let out a sigh.

“If I could add B-rank Platinum Syrup, it would taste even better, but I’m all out right now, and I can’t get my hands on more anytime soon.”

When it came to B-rank items, they were materials you rarely came across. The usual way was to put in requests patiently and wait for luck to strike.

“It’s not available on the market?”

Since she was royalty, it seemed like she could pull strings for most things, so I asked.

“It’s made from nectar taken from Platinum Helio flowers, but those are tough to find, so it’s not easy to get.”

In fact, even Crystal Herbs of the same rank had been impossible to discover without Purple’s guidance. Wait a minute…

“Princess Olivia, do you have the bottle it came in?”

A sudden idea hit me, and I asked her.

“Yes, I think I do?”

When she turned and checked with the maid, the maid soon brought over a bottle.

“Here it is.”

It was a beautiful crystal bottle, befitting something that once held expensive syrup.

When I opened it, a faint honey scent tickled my nose.

“Could I borrow this?”

“Sure, but what do you plan to do with an empty bottle like that?”

I smiled at Princess Olivia, who looked puzzled.

“Just look forward to it.”