Chapter 129.2

"Did you say something about muscles...?"

"It takes a lot of strength to keep your back straight, or in other words, to support your body. What Harriet-sama lacks is not energy, but strength."

Rishe said, gesturing to her own stomach as she explained.

"First, the abdominal muscles, then the back muscles. Looking at Harriet-sama's posture, it doesn't seem to have reached the point of skeletal distortion, but when you're over 20, it becomes more and more serious."

"When you say seriou, you mean..."

"Currently, Harriet-sama's back and neck are bent as a result of her muscles's inability to support her body. It is her bones that bear the brunt of the load, and as the years go by, it will lead to neck, shoulder and back pain."

When her condition progressed to that point, it could affect daily life.

"Harriet-sama, if your body hurts just from sitting, it will be very difficult for you to read."

"Gasp...! H-How can I prevent that from happening?"

"First of all, you need a minimum amount of exercise, and stretching your back is part of that exercise. You'd better think of it not as an etiquette, but as a workout for your health, and to accumulate a little bit of it every day!"

Rishe then pointed to a large window set into the white wall of the money changer.

"Harriet-sama, you can see your own reflection when you look at that window glass, right?"

"Yeah..."

Harriet's eyes wavered in confusion, as if she was not used to seeing her own reflection.

Harriet's reflection on the glass was still beautiful. However, her figure was a little hunched over, which probably rankled the Head Maid.

"Try to keep your back straight and your chest out... Yes, that's a good start!"

"It's hard just to stay in this position."

"Maybe at first, but look at the window again."

Harriet's eyes widened in surprise as she obeyed Rishe's words.

"Ah..."

Harriet's hair and dress hadn't changed from seconds ago, of course.

But there was a definite change.

The silhouette of her dress looked more beautiful, and her figure appeared smarter. Thanks to her chest and raised face, her face looked brighter, and the makeup around her eyes glittered.

"Don't you look completely different when you just straighten your spine and stretch your chest?"

"H-Huh? Really...?

Smiling at Harriet, who blinked repeatedly, Rishe replied.

"It's hard to maintain a beautiful posture when you're not used to it, but if you keep in mind that the dress you're wearing looks great as long as you put your heart into it, I'm sure you'll feel more motivated to work a bit harder."

"..."

Harriet chewed over Rishe's words as she stared at her reflection in the window glass.

She then looked down at the dress she was wearing and smiled wryly.

"...Okay..."

"...!!"

Seeing the smile on her face, Rishe hurried to give the Head Maid an earful.

"Did you see that, Head Maid? Harriet's shy smile is very nice and cute...!"

"S-She still has a long way to go!! It is only natural for her to be smiling and lovely at all times in another country as we are here on a diplomatic mission!"

"But she's lovely, isn't she?"

"W-Well, yes, but...!"

The Head Maid blurted this out and then, as if caught off guard, flushed and covered her mouth with her right hand.

However, she would not take back her statement. Seeing the squirming Harriet and the Head Maid like that, Rishe couldn't resist laughing.

I'm glad Harriet-sama is having a bit of fun. It's dusk, and we need to get back to the castle soon...I'd like to visit a lot of stores that can cheer her up.

What kind of stores would Harriet like?

Rishe's imagination raced as she thought about the shopping they would do later.

***

In addition to her new dress, Princess Harriet had a small bag in her hand.

She said she was going to do the shopping herself, so she prepared this bag.

Harriet, with her back to Rishe, who was talking to the Head Maid, opened the clasp of the bag and peered into it so no one could see it.

"...Money..."

There were several gold coins inside her bag.

The engraving was a simplified version of the eagle that was the national emblem of Garkhain. Harriet stroked the feathers with her white fingers.

"Garkhain money...money, money, money..."

Then she closed her bag quietly.

She murmured so quietly that it could almost be called an exhalation. Her mumbling was drowned out by the sea breeze and the sound of the waves.

"...With this money, I can get whatever I want..."

***

After visiting a few stores, Rishe and Harriet returned to the castle by carriage as dusk was falling.

When they arrived at the entrance hall, a maid greeted them with a message.

"Welcome back, Rishe-sama. Oliver-sama passed a message that His Highness Arnold wishes to see you."

Thank you, I'll be in his office shortly. - See you later, Harriet-sama."

"O-Okay, thank you very much...!"

Rishe parted ways with Harriet, who bowed repeatedly, and headed for Arnold's office.

Oliver greeted her when she knocked on the door.

"Excuse me, Your Highness."

"Hmm..."

Arnauld had changed into a black shirt and was writing. The buttons on his collar were undone, revealing his scars that he normally hid.

"May I have your attention, Rishe-sama?"

Oliver, who had come in after closing the door, said with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Look at my master! I only took my eyes off him for a moment, and he somehow went dipping into the sea with his clothes on..."

"Eh?"

Rishe stiffened and looked awkwardly back at Oliver.

"I asked him what had happened to him, but he wouldn't tell me. I'd love for him to take a break, but to do something mischievous..."

"Oh, Oliver-sama! His Highness isn't to blame for that, I..."

"... Rishe."

While Oliver was not looking, Arnold put his index finger in front of his lips.

Perhaps he meant to keep it a secret.

Whaaaat?

He was poker-faced, but he looked like a child after a prank.

If Arnold had been scolded by Oliver, Rishe would have had to tell him what happened.

However, with his signal, she couldn't force herself to reveal it here.

I don't know why you want to keep it a secret...but I have to tell Oliver the truth and apologize to him when His Highness isn't around later on...

Amidst Rishe's contemplation, Oliver ushered her to a place.

"Rishe, please have a seat on this couch...You, too, My Lord."

"Okay."

Arnold stood up and sat down on one of the couches placed across the low table.

He urged Rishe to sit beside him, and she obeyed. Arnold motioned to Oliver, and after a bow, Oliver sat down across from them.