My Lord Who Is Being Prudent! [EN]: Chapter 184

§ 184. Elena (1)

Elena wandered alone through the production district of Ruben.

And, as expected, there was no one around her.

When was the last time she had been alone like this as a princess?

As far as Elena could remember, never.

In the Imperial Palace, there were always attendants and maids.

Outside the Imperial Palace, there were the Royal Knights.

Elena was always accompanied, no matter where she was.

This was the first time she had ever been truly alone.

She felt a strange mix of excitement and loneliness.

Elena strolled through the streets of Ruben with these mixed emotions.

The production district of Ruben was, as the name suggested, dedicated to manufacturing and crafting.

It was an area where various production facilities, including blacksmiths, were located.

It was the heart of Ruben’s goods production.

“Hey! Bring me some magic stones here!”

“How much time is left until the next order is due?”

Perhaps because of this, the production district thrummed with intense activity.

In the blacksmiths, the clang of hammers and the roar of forges echoed.

In the mills, the rush of clear water accompanied the turning water wheels.

And from the stone quarries, smelters, workshops, and so on.

Various sounds and smells emanated from each facility, each fulfilling its role.

Even those who quickly transported the finished goods added to the bustle.

The production district was teeming with life and vitality.

Elena widened her eyes, taking in the sights and sounds of the production district.

When she first came to Ruben, she had been simply in awe of the estate itself.

But now…

The awe she felt in the production district was a new and different sensation.

Elena slowly moved forward, her gaze sweeping across the scene.

Soon, she stopped in front of a building that appeared to be a blacksmith.

The heat radiating from within was intense.

The rhythmic clang of hammer blows echoed.

The atmosphere was similar to that of any typical blacksmith.

However, the building itself was far from ordinary.

It was on such a magnificent scale that it was hard to tell if it was a blacksmith or a factory.

If it weren’t for the sound of the hammer blows, she would have assumed it was a factory rather than a blacksmith.

Also, within this blacksmith, dwarves and humans worked side-by-side.

As she stood there, gazing at the blacksmith, a voice broke her reverie.

“Hmm? I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before.”

The voice was thick and gravelly.

Turning, Elena saw a short, muscular dwarf.

The dwarf tilted his head, studying Elena with a curious gaze.

“That’s strange. Did I make a human friend in Ruben that I didn’t know about? Hmm… If it’s a human guest, it would be better for Behan to come than me. Hey Behan!! Come out here for a second!”

“What is it?” a voice replied from inside the blacksmith.

Soon, a middle-aged human man appeared.

The middle-aged man wore an annoyed expression.

“Why did you call me out when I’m busy?”

“It’s not that. There’s a guest here.”

“A guest? You can handle that much, can’t you…?”

The man named Behan’s expression froze mid-sentence.

More precisely, his expression froze the moment he recognized Elena’s face.

A moment of silence hung in the air.

“Eek!”

Behan screamed in horror, startled by the realization.

“Huh? What’s wrong with you?” the dwarf asked, tilting his head at Behan’s reaction.

Behan didn’t answer, but quickly lowered his head.

“I-It is an infinite honor to meet the Princess!”

Behan’s words echoed in the air.

“Princess…?”

Only after hearing Behan’s words did the dwarf’s eyes widen in surprise.

“T-This young lady is the Princess? So, that person who came to Ruben this time?”

“That’s right! What are you doing! Lower your head quickly!”

Only then did the dwarf realize his mistake and hastily lowered his head.

And he began to tremble.

“No, you don’t have to be so formal,” Elena said, feeling embarrassed.

It wasn’t as if the dwarf had been particularly rude.

Besides, the dwarf was just a dwarf.

Even though dwarves had integrated into human society, they still had their own customs and ways. [Dwarves are known for their craftsmanship, strength, and sometimes, a lack of social graces in human society.]

It was ridiculous to demand strict human etiquette from them in the first place.

“I-I’m sorry, Princess! This friend is ignorant. So please have mercy…!”

“T-That’s right! I’ve only been hammering since I was a child… I’m an ignorant guy.”

However, the two didn’t seem to share her perspective.

“No, I’m fine, so please continue with what you were doing,” Elena said, waving her hand to reassure them.

However, the two remained with their heads bowed.

She felt like she was getting in the way.

“It’s okay. Then I’ll be on my way,” Elena said, leaving the blacksmith as if she were escaping.

And the news that Elena had visited the production district spread quickly.

Perhaps because of this, people began to watch Elena whenever she passed by.

Some even stopped what they were doing and bowed excessively.

She felt very uncomfortable with the attention, but when she thought about it, it was also her fault.

Elena’s status was that of an imperial princess.

To the residents of Ruben, she was a figure of immense importance.

“······”

In the end, Elena had no choice but to leave the production district.

And it was not much different wherever she went.

Residential, cultural, agricultural, industrial, etc.

Wherever Elena went in Ruben, people watched her.

At this point, Elena couldn’t shake the feeling that her presence was a hindrance.

Wherever she went, Elena felt like she was disrupting the normal flow of life.

She felt strangely listless.

Elena moved aimlessly, letting her feet guide her.

How long had she been walking?

When she came to her senses, she found herself in a vacant lot.

A wide, open plain with an unobstructed view.

No signs of people could be seen or felt nearby.

It seemed that she had unconsciously sought out a place where she could be alone.

There was a tree planted in the vacant lot.

The tree was about 4-5 times larger than Elena, neither too big nor too small.

And it didn’t look particularly special.

But why?

Just looking at the tree made her feel at peace.

Elena unknowingly moved towards the tree.

However, she had to stop before she reached it.

That’s because there was a woman in the tree.

She didn’t seem to be very old.

She couldn’t guess her exact age, but she was definitely young.

Above all, her skin was so white and transparent that it resembled snow.

She was a woman with clear features and bright eyes.

A possessor of beauty that could not be easily found anywhere on the continent.

And long black hair that cascaded down.

Elena could tell at once that she was a dark elf. [Dark elves are often depicted as having dark skin and hair, and are sometimes associated with magic and nature.]

The dark elf was lying still on the tree.

Really still. She was lying on the tree, doing nothing, just looking at the sky.

What is she doing?

…Just as she was thinking that.

“Hello.”

The dark elf’s voice startled Elena.

Elena unknowingly flinched.

Soon, the dark elf slowly sat up.

Then, she smiled brightly at Elena.

“I’m Sera.”

Elena stared silently at the dark elf… no, Sera.

It seemed that Sera didn’t know Elena’s identity.

It seemed that she didn’t know that Elena was a princess.

That’s why she’s talking so casually.

And if someone else heard Sera’s words, they would say something.

But right now, Elena was alone.

“I’m Elena.”

“Nice to meet you, Elena.”

Sera smiled brightly once again at Elena’s answer.

Then, she jumped down from the tree and approached Elena, saying.

“What brings you here, Elena?”

“Just…”

Elena was momentarily lost in thought at Sera’s question.

She didn’t know how to answer.

Elena pondered for a moment longer, but…

“I was just wandering around.”

In the end, she had no choice but to vaguely gloss over it.

And even she thought it was a suspicious and strange excuse.

But was Sera unconcerned?

Or was that enough for her?

“Is that so?”

Sera didn’t seem to care much.

Elena felt awkward for some reason.

Elena said with an awkward smile.

“What were you doing here, Sera?”

“Watching the sky.”

“Watching the sky… you say?”

Elena tilted her head at Sera’s answer.

Watching the sky?

Was there anything to watch in the sky?

Especially like this, all settled in?

“Yeah. Looking at the blue sky makes me feel good for some reason. Do you want to join me, Elena?”

“Watch the sky?”

“Come here.”

With those words, Sera grabbed Elena’s hand and led her.

“W-Wait a minute…”

And her grip was surprisingly strong.

It was hard to believe that she was the same woman.

Elena was pulled along by Sera.

They arrived at the top of the tree where Sera had been lying just now.

“It feels even better when you lie down on this Instiz here.”

Sera offered Elena a spot.

And it seemed that Instiz was the name of the tree.

Elena hesitated for a moment, then lay down in the spot that Sera offered.

And the blue Ruben sky stretched out above.

“How is it?”

“Well…”

It was pretty.

The blue sky and the fluffy clouds floating around were sights that she couldn’t normally see.

Just looking at the clear scenery made her feel refreshed.

As she was looking at the sky of Ruben, she suddenly thought.

‘Have I ever consciously looked up at the sky…?’

Come to think of it… she didn’t think she had.

As a princess, what she faced every day was the ceiling of the Imperial Palace.

Even when she went outside, she didn’t consciously look at the sky.

She had only glanced at the sky that was reflected in the corner of her vision.

She had never consciously looked up at the sky like this before.

Swoosh…

A gust of wind brushed Elena’s hair, and her sun-like golden hair fluttered.

At the same time, the sound of the Instiz’s leaves rustling could be heard.

The clear sky and the gentle sound of the tree.

And the cool breeze.

“…It’s nice.”

She felt good for no reason.

“Right?”

Sera smiled brightly and took a seat next to Elena.

Elena quietly watched the sky with Sera.

Then suddenly.

“I wish I could stay like this forever.”

She couldn’t help but think that.

“Then you can just stay.”

Sera said it as if it were the simplest thing in the world.

But Elena gently shook her head.

It wasn’t just that she wanted to lie on the tree and look up at the sky.

Not only today, but also tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow.

She meant that she wanted to feel this kind of freedom and peace in the future as well.

But that was impossible.

Elena was someone who had to leave soon.

Above all, Elena was not allowed this kind of leisure.

That was because the duty and responsibility that she had to fulfill as a princess did not allow for such indulgences.

But that was only the human situation.

“You can do what you want to do.”

Sera, a dark elf, didn’t seem to understand that.

“You may not know this, but humans have a responsibility to bear.”

“Hmm… I don’t understand difficult words.”

Sera said with a sullen expression.

Elena didn’t say anything else to Sera.

Because the circumstances of dark elves and humans were different.

“But if the humans that Elena is talking about also include the people of Ruben, then that’s not the case.”

Sera’s words were heard again at that moment.

Sera smiled slightly and continued.

“You can do what you want to do. You can challenge what you want to be. It’s okay to fail. I think of it as a kind of experience.”

Elena gently shook her head at Sera’s words.

“There are many people who can’t do what they want to do. There are many people who can’t challenge what they want to be.”

It wasn’t a matter of will.

Because their circumstances didn’t allow it.

Because not everyone started on the same starting line.

That was the wall called reality.

It was also the reason why everyone dreamed, but few achieved their dreams.

She didn’t know what the situation was for dark elves.

But in human society, it was an insurmountable wall.

But.

“It’s okay here in Ruben.”

Sera didn’t seem to think so.

Soon, Sera smiled brightly and continued.

“Because Sian protects everyone.”

Elena was momentarily speechless.

Protecting the dreams of the estate residents.

It could be thought of as utter nonsense.

Because there was no such aristocrat or lord in the Empire.

But Elena couldn’t deny Sera’s words.

Because she had seen it herself.

Sian was working tirelessly for the estate residents.

Thus, protecting Ruben and its people.

She had witnessed and experienced it with her own two eyes.

Sian, who was busy even now.

Wasn’t all of that for his estate residents?

“So in Ruben, you can do what you want to do.”

A dazed mind.

Elena really had nothing to say.

“What do you want to do, Elena?”

“I don’t know…”

Elena couldn’t answer properly to Sera’s continued words.

She didn’t really… think about what she wanted to do.

To be exact, she *could* do whatever she wanted to do.

As an imperial princess, that was definitely possible.

“Hmm… then what do you want to be?”

“That’s…”

Elena was speechless at Sera’s continued question.

As an imperial princess, she could do whatever she wanted to do.

But what she wanted to be… she couldn’t.

Even if she wanted to be something, she couldn’t be it.

Elena had been a princess since she was born.

When she thought about it… Elena didn’t want to be anything other than a princess.

The Royal Knights were sweating and sparring to become higher-ranking knights.

Crown Prince Conrad was learning Charlotte’s swordsmanship to continue the imperial family’s lineage.

And he was working tirelessly day and night to become a better emperor.

The people around Elena were working so hard.

To become someone worthy of their respective positions.

But… Elena didn’t have that.

She didn’t want to be anything other than a princess.

She was just bound by a sense of duty according to that status.

It wasn’t that she didn’t make an effort.

She didn’t neglect her studies and responsibilities as a princess.

But Elena didn’t have the inner drive, the will to strive for something more.

It was an act of conforming to a destiny that was determined from birth.

She didn’t have any complaints or questions about it.

But was it because of Sera’s words that Sian protected everyone just now?

What if…

What if she had been born as an ordinary woman instead of a princess?

If she had been born here in Ruben, would things have been a little different…? She suddenly wondered.

“…I envy you.”

Elena unknowingly blurted out these words.

“Huh? What?”

Then Sera tilted her head and asked.

Elena slowly opened her mouth at Sera’s appearance.

“Sera, I’m actually an imperial princess.”

“I see.”

Then Sera nodded lightly.

Unlike what she thought would be a surprising reaction, Sera didn’t seem to care.

“Aren’t you surprised…?”

When Elena asked again, Sera widened her eyes and looked at Elena.

“Was I supposed to be surprised?!”

Somehow, she was surprised that she wasn’t surprised.

Soon, Sera cautiously looked at Elena.

Then, she exclaimed, “Eek, surprise!” and looked surprised.

Elena unknowingly smiled.

“That’s not what I meant. And you don’t have to be surprised on purpose.”

“Really? Whew, that’s a relief. I thought I was a clueless person who didn’t even know when to be surprised…”

Then Sera stroked her chest dramatically.

Sera stroking her surprised chest while lying on the tree.

Why was that sight beautiful and funny at the same time?

“Pfft.”

Elena unknowingly burst into laughter.

And was it because of Elena’s appearance?

“I guess I was clueless after all…”

Sera’s expression became very sullen.

“N-No… Kya-ha. That’s not it… Kya-ha-ha.”

“It’s okay, Elena… you don’t have to comfort me. I’m okay…”

Elena couldn’t stop laughing at all.

After laughing like that, she felt relieved.

And Sera’s attitude didn’t change even though Elena was a princess.

She was just treating her like a friend, just like before.

Treating a princess like a friend…

It was something that anyone who heard it would be horrified by, but Elena didn’t care.

In the first place, Sera was a dark elf.

According to the knowledge Elena had, elves didn’t adhere to strict human etiquette.

It was enough if they had a genuine desire to respect the other person.

It was strange to force human etiquette on a dark elf in the first place.

And honestly…

She was comfortable as she was now.

When she was talking to Sera, she could be Elena, not a princess.

Dark elves, who had been ostracized for handling the mana of darkness.

Honestly, Elena also had some prejudice.

But Sera, the dark elf she met directly, was a purer woman than anyone else.

She felt sorry for the prejudice she had held.

“Thank you, Sera.”

“Huh? What?”

Sera tilted her head and asked at Elena’s words.

Her sullen expression had returned to normal as if nothing had happened.

“Just… this and that.”

“This and that?”

Elena smiled slightly and continued.

“Actually, I’m trapped in some kind of obsession. I still have it now…”

“Obsession? Like a trauma?”

“Similar.”

“Really? I have something similar to a trauma too. So…”

Then Sera fell into thought.

Was it that having an obsession sounded like a boast?

Sera tilted her head left and right several times.

And then.

“…What was it?”

Sera scratched her head and blurted out.

Elena burst into laughter again at Sera’s appearance.

How could she call it trauma if she couldn’t remember it?

“Sorry. I can’t remember.”

“It’s okay.”

Elena gave a small smile.

“What is the obsession that Elena has?”

Sera asked the following question.

Elena told Sera about the obsession she had.

It was none other than the sense of duty as a princess.

Elena herself didn’t know why she was bringing up this story.

Even though there was no need or reason, Elena continued the story.

As if confessing to a priest.

Elena continued the story while looking at the blue sky.

And as expected.

“Hmm… difficult. I don’t understand at all.”

Sera didn’t understand it.

Elena nodded as if it was okay.

“That’s how humans live.”

“Humans live in a complicated way.”

“I know. I’m just trying to marry a good person and help the imperial family. I didn’t know it would be this complicated.”

“A good person? Are you talking about Sian?”

She didn’t say the word Sian anywhere, but Sera immediately made the connection.

It seemed that the formula ‘good person = Sian’ was firmly established in Sera’s mind.

And well…

It wasn’t exactly wrong.

At that moment, Sera’s face appeared above Elena’s vision.

Sera’s appearance against the backdrop of the clear blue sky.

Long black hair cascaded down, brushing Elena’s face.

“Elena.”

And Sera’s words were heard.

“Do you like Sian?”

“Y-Yes?”

Elena exclaimed in surprise.