Dream Life

April 12th.

I, Barbara Harding, have been offered a visit by Zacharias Lockhart, and I am not worthy of my age.

I meant to seal my admiration for that one, but it still springs up when I see you.

I'm relieved that I haven't withered as a woman yet, but I felt sorry for myself for not being able to give up forever.

Most irrelevant to my thoughts and such, Master Zacharias will just have errands for me as chief samurai.

Master Zacharias comes to the office of the chief samurai after breakfast. After serving your breakfast, I hurried back to my room.

Just getting familiar in front of the mirror, the door knocks.

This is Zacharias Lockhart.

While relieved in time, the voice drops slightly lower to sound calm, "Go ahead," he says, and opens the door.

There stood Master Zacharias, who became a slightly more adult man than last year.

As usual, it's a black-colored meal, with stainless white skin, golden hair and sapphire-like eyes that stand out. I'm going to fall in love with you unexpectedly, but I'll summon my mental strength to disguise myself as calm.

"I'm sorry I'm busy," he said, bowing his head.

"No, I've heard important things about you and Uncle Borderline, so there's no problem."

If it's a tough way to answer me, it's a little dented.

Guide them to the sofa for reception and serve the prepared and preserved tea.

"Thank you. That smells good. Is it from Imperial City?" He has just become famous as a gastronomer, and seems familiar with tea.

Just in case, I was delighted in my heart to have it ready.

When I sat face to face, Master Zacharias started talking to Xu (Momouro).

"I asked you today about His Excellency the Governor. I'm tired, and I'm worried that I'm going to break your body like this because it feels very tense."

"If that's the case, I always think about it, too. But I can't help you..."

What Lady Zacharias pointed out is my primary concern. Since the departure of the Northern Governor's army, there has been an overlap of hard work and I was afraid that Master Mitsuji might fall one day.

"Dear Barbara, do me a favor," you said, staring straight at me. I tried to take that gaze calmly, but couldn't stop my cheeks from getting hot.

"What is it like," I manage to say just that.

"I'd like you to support the Governor."

I just had to be confused by those words.

I'm just a samurai and I'm not sure about politics. I just had to be confused when they said I would support you.

You noticed my confusion, Master Zacharias smiled at Nicole,

"There's nothing hard to think about. All you have to do is listen to your stupidity and snort at it."

"Is that really all you need?

"Yes, Your Excellency the Governor is anxiously rare. But the source of that anxiety cannot be easily removed. But anxiety seems to hold a heart and can be light or heavy. In fact, time will fix your troubles, Governor General or Baron Oldham."

"Is that what it is..."

"Yes," he nodded loudly at my grumpy question, with an even brighter grin.

"Well, let's talk analogy," you said, getting mouthed by the cup.

"Suppose we have a feast where we can see a lot of valued customers. Some customers have difficulty, others have bad liquor habits. Think of that situation."

I was right to think of the situation. I'd rather say I remember what actually happened than think of it.

When I thought of it, Master Zacharias went on to talk about it.

"Let's just say you didn't get the alcohol you had planned for the day the banquet started. We arranged for a replacement in a big hurry, but we've been contacted that if we manage to hang in there, it will arrive three hours before the banquet. And it was three hours ago, but it still hasn't arrived. Only more time has passed, and an hour has passed. Wouldn't this make you anxious? If it doesn't arrive."

"Yes, I think so"

"But think about it. The earliest and three hours ago meant that there was a good chance of delay. Besides, we still have two hours, so you don't have to worry. But in such cases, people think they only have two more hours. That's exactly what's happening in the northern part of the world today."

Master Zacharias' analogy story was very easy to understand and immediately understood.

As soon as I became head samurai, I partitioned banquet seats, but I've been in the same situation. That was caused by my lack of confirmation, but I still remember my stomach hurting so tightly.

At that time His Excellency Baron Oldham said, "You don't have to worry. If you're worried, think about what's going on, and strike your hand another way. That way I don't have to think in a bad direction," you said, making me feel easier.

"The current Governor General has come to terms with a long period of volatility, but the situation is not so bad. Do you feel like you're in a so-called suspicious ghost?"

If that's what Master Zacharias said, I'm sure there's no problem at all. Then all I have to do is think about making your feelings easier.

"I understand very well. I don't know about politics, but I know very well that you think in the wrong direction. If my listening makes you feel any less comfortable, I will try to be sincere."

We then listened to you in your territory and imperial capital for about thirty minutes.

Dwarf Festival, banquet with all the blacksmiths at Ars, dinner at the Marquis Seawell's mansion, wine search on Seawell territory...... all of which I enjoyed and sincerely hoped you would join me.

But I don't deserve that.

The fun times are just around the corner.

"Sorry to disturb you so long," said Master Zacharias, bowing his head.

"Well, thank you for your kind regards, Governor."

"I'll take care of it. It can't be a big deal, but we will try our best."

After Mr. Zacharias left the room, I headed to Mr. Ogi's office.

This is always the case and not particularly unusual.

But my expression must have been different than usual. My lord was seen in my face,

"I wonder if something good happened, Barbara"

Furthermore, His Excellency Baron Oldham also said, "though it looks brighter than usual".

"Yes, I spoke to Sir Zacharias (...) earlier and he told me that this situation would not last that long. I think that lightened my mind and put it on my face."

"Well, I don't think that's all," she said, grinning.

I thought in my heart I hadn't seen you smile in a long time, but I wouldn't say that.

"We've heard a lot of interesting stories. I think it would be better if you both heard from Lord Zacharias (...). Especially when it comes to the Dwarf Festival, because it was very hard to laugh."

"Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu Whew, Ferdinand."

"Yes, I would love to talk about how the head samurai forgets me... Kukukuku..."

Was my expression so strange? Lord Ogi and His Excellency the Baron are laughing.

I didn't understand why it was so strange, but I decided not to care that it was a good thing to have a smile back on you both.

■ ■ ■

After Barbara Harding leaves the office, Uncle Hubert Raswell and Baron Ferdinand Oldham face each other.

"I don't think I've seen Barbara smile in a long time. This could be the same for Nong et al."

"You're the one on the left. It's certainly been a long time since I've laughed so much, no, I didn't think it would be a year."

The two noticed how strained they were.

"My men will also be tough if Non and the others look harsh. You have to reflect."

When Baron Oldham nodded at it, Uncle Borderline went on to say more.

"And I didn't know that Barbara didn't realize she was wrong."

"That's right." Lord Zacharias ”is the only place I usually say," Dear Zacharias, "that's Prince Harlem in all directions."

Borderline uncle slightly distorts his face to the word.

"I have a problem when they take Barbara... well, I don't think she's old enough..."

"We don't know that," said the Baron,

"Lord Beatrice and the head samurai should have been the same age. I can't tell you there isn't."

Borderline uncle says "Sure" and silences.

"Even so, the chief samurai will stay. If you were willing to go under Lord Zacharias, you would have raised your hand a year and a half ago."

Uncle Borderline snorts at it and he gets a serious look again.

"I wonder why Zacharias went to see Barbara. Ferdinand, what does Sir think"

"You must be thinking about us. Desmond is in Lord Zacharias's room last night. I haven't heard the details, but I thought you probably went to talk to him about not being able to contribute measures yourself. If he was wise, he would have known before that that we couldn't afford it. I thought you might have been afraid of that."

Through his servants, the Baron knew that Associate Baron Desmond Gateskel had visited Zacharias' room.

"It's possible. I don't know what you talked to Desmond about... No, I guess you told him to stay too, in conjunction with Rodrick"

"I thought that might be the most likely thing. If you do have Lord Zacharias to stay, you can rest assured as far as I am concerned. If that much delicacy were to advise you, most of your shoulder load would go down."

"Right. But you can't leave Zacharias behind. I'm sure Desmond knows that."

"Isn't that why? Lord Zacharias saw Desmond's contemplative face and went to speak to the chief samurai. You won't be talking about specific policies, but you'll be talking about enough to reassure the chief samurai. And show us what she looks like. I was wondering if that was his measure."

Borderline uncle nodded loudly,

"Then we have to do what we can. Implement yesterday's Zacharias measures. Will you gather the nearby Commander Class by tomorrow? I want to discuss it once now, including Masaias and others"

"It is my pleasure," the baron replied, trying to leave the room, but stopped to see if he had come up with anything, adding: "I have one suggestion from me," he said.

"Something."

"Lord Zacharias said today, at the request of the Blacksmith Guild, he will be on his way to inspect the site where the distillery is to be built. Why don't we accompany you?"

So Uncle Borderline realizes the Baron's intentions.

"I see. When it comes to security in the realm, Nong et al., who were full of heads, go to see where the distillery is planned to be built. Make everyone think you've had enough good news to show your face to a project that's not urgent."

"You're right. And if you let the Blacksmith Guild banquet show its face, there will be good rumors all over Wellburn."

"That's good. Then you should think of something to plug in. I hear Lord Alexis has plugged in a dish that will become an Ezarrington specialty. Then let's insert a dish that can become a new Welburn specialty just as well."

"That's good. Talk to the head chef and come quickly."

Saying so, the baron stopped his leg as he started walking.

"What's the matter with you?" When Uncle Borderline hears, the Baron smiles and explains why.

"The chef will round his eyes and hold his head. And... kukukukuku..."

Suddenly a laugh comes in, and I can enjoy it.

"What's the matter, suddenly?

"No, it just came to my mind. I wonder if the Ezarrington family cook held his head in the same way. That's what I realized when Lord Zacharias got involved, the cook was in trouble."

"You sure do. Hahaha! Then let's ask the chef straight from me. Perhaps Lord Alexis did the same."

"I feel sorry for you, my lord," but

"Okay. I'm going to call the chef now," he said, leaving the room.

The two had an incredibly bright look on their faces thirty minutes ago.