The Goddess Granted Me the [Hatching] Skill and Somehow I Became the Strongest Tamer, Commanding Mythical and Divine Beasts - 147

Chapter 147: Princess Olivia’s Tea Party Second Half

The day after I received the bottle that had held the Platinum Syrup from Princess Olivia, I visited the forest northwest of the capital with Purple.

“This was the forest I first entered when I came to the capital.”

It was where I hunted the Direwolf for the national adventurer’s first exam. And later, I got the Phoenix egg here too.

“It feels like ages ago, but not even a year has passed yet.”

I walked through the forest, my breath coming out in white puffs. I was dressed warmly, so it wasn’t too bad, but there weren’t many signs of living creatures around.

“…………♪”

In the midst of that, Purple flew about energetically, seemingly unaffected by the cold.

I took the bottle I’d borrowed from Princess Olivia out of my pocket and called to Purple.

“Purple, could you search for the flower that produces this nectar?”

Purple extended its proboscis all the way to the bottom of the bottle and tasted the lingering honey.

“…………♪♪♪”

As expected, it seemed interested in the honey, because I could sense emotions even happier than usual coming through.

Before long, Purple began to fly slowly, fluttering its wings.

“Still… haven’t found it yet?”

Half a day had passed, and it was getting close to dusk. The temperature had dropped, and the light was fading.

Purple had a sharp sense of smell even before evolving, and it had found one favorite herb after another, so I’d hoped it might work this time too. But after all this searching without spotting a single Platinum Helio flower, it looked like it was just too much to ask.

“Maybe it hasn’t bloomed yet, or perhaps someone picked it even if it has?”

Adventurers were still making money in the dungeon at this time of year, so it was hard to imagine anyone coming into the forest, but both possibilities existed.

“Man, the uneven ground makes it tough to walk, and I’m starting to get worn out.”

The footing was rough, building up fatigue faster than usual. On top of that, keeping up with Purple took all my effort.

If nothing turned up in a little while, I figured I’d call it and regroup for now…

“…………&#%! ”

A reaction came back from Purple.

“Did you find it?!”

I chased after Purple, and there bloomed a beautiful, milky-white flower.

“So this is Platinum Helio…”

I couldn’t help but stare, captivated by the flower’s elegant presence rooted firmly in the ground.

Its nectar made the finest syrup, but the petals and stem were prized too, used in all sorts of materials.

I picked all but three of the blooming flowers. Leaving some meant they had a good chance of growing back if I didn’t take every last one.

“Still, to think you have to venture this deep into the forest for these…”

I let out a relieved breath now that I’d gotten what I came for. I’d followed Purple here, but normally, no one would step this far in.

“Anyway, time to head home.”

“…………$”

Purple hoisted me up, and we traveled through the air. Unlike searching for the Platinum Helio, going back was a breeze.

I headed to the mansion, imagining what kind of face Princess Olivia would make.

The next day, I was studying court etiquette in Princess Olivia’s office.

In the afternoon, just like before, she suggested a break, and we headed to the Princess Garden.

“Yes, today’s tea is delicious too.”

As she drank her tea with a satisfied look, I brought it up.

“Princess Olivia.”

“Hm? What is it?”

When she turned to me, I took out the bottle.

“Klaus… is that?”

“I’m returning the bottle I borrowed.”

“But that’s…?”

She took it, uncorked the bottle, and sniffed.

“Platinum Syrup? How?”

Princess Olivia’s eyes widened as she looked at me.

“The other day, I happened to stroll through the forest and spotted some Platinum Helio. Since I had the bottle handy, I used it. I hope it suits your taste…”

I’d wanted to do something to thank her for making time for me.

As royalty, she already had plenty of jewels—nothing I could offer would stand out.

I figured something like this luxury good was something I could hunt down with a bit of legwork.

“You went into the forest in this cold weather?”

Princess Olivia turned her lovely eyes on me and asked the question, as if trying to see through whether I was telling the truth…

As I hesitated over how to reply, that hesitation itself became the answer.

“I see… You went into the forest just to get this for me.”

She clutched the bottle tightly to her chest and murmured that.

“Um… Princess Olivia?”

Had I upset her somehow?

As I watched her carefully…

“Klaus.”

“Yes!”

“Remember this: Nobles return courtesy with courtesy. I’ll definitely thank you properly for this.”

“Uh… this was meant to be my thank-you to you?”

I checked to make sure my intent had come across…

“I’m happy because of you, so I want to thank you. Just brace yourself.”

Her cheeks flushed red, and she shot me a glare that said she wouldn’t hear any arguments.

“For now, let’s chat over tea about what might make you happy.”

Princess Olivia said that as she mixed in the Platinum Syrup I’d brought.

“I don’t really have anything in particular I want…”

King Kings IV had been the same, and now Princess Olivia too—why did they all want to give me gifts? I sipped my tea, pondering that…

“Yes, this really is the best.”

I muttered to myself that the tea and her smile were more than enough for me.