Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 74: Chloe’s Tour
The first place Chloe showed us was a small courtyard. It was beautifully maintained, with flowers and greenery arranged like a work of art around a fountain.
“This is the garden I look after,” Chloe said.
“You maintain it yourself? That’s impressive. You clearly have talent with plants. You even grow medicinal herbs. They make excellent herbal tea.”
“You know quite a lot about them.”
“I suppose I do.”
“Big brother has made a flower bed in our garden,” Rosalia said.
Strictly speaking, it was a medicinal herb garden disguised as a flower bed. Chloe understood immediately and whispered in my ear.
“Are you growing ingredients for potions?”
“As perceptive as ever. Yes.”
I answered normally, so she realised Rosalia already knew about my potion-making.
“Is it truly easy to make potions?”
Chloe was interested. This was my opportunity to draw her into the world of magic pharmacy.
“Once you learn the process, elementary potions aren’t especially difficult. Mine are delicious too.”
“Delicious?”
“Sweet and tangerine-flavoured.”
“I don’t believe you.”
Her eyes widened. Whenever her normally sharp expression softened like that, she looked particularly cute.
“Adorable.”
“Are you making fun of me?”
Her face turned crimson.
“I’m serious. Would you like to try one?”
“N-no, thank you.”
She had clearly suffered through ordinary potions before. This was troublesome. Unless she sampled one of mine, she would never believe the difference.
I couldn’t bring potions into the castle under the current security measures, and I could hardly summon a princess to our townhouse on a whim.
“Rosalia, have you taken one of Julius’s potions?” Chloe asked.
She thought she had escaped, but she had walked directly into my trap.
“Of course. Big brother’s elementary stamina-recovery potion is sweet, fizzy, and makes me feel full of energy.”
“Sweet and fizzy? A potion?”
“You’ll understand once you try it,” I said, resting a hand lightly on Chloe’s shoulder.
She gave a tiny frightened squeak. That was how people in this world regarded potions. One day, I would change that perception.
“I won’t force you. But if you become curious, tell me. I guarantee both the flavour and the effect. Perhaps I can find a safe way to send one.”
“With the castle on alert, that may be difficult.”
“Exactly.”
Next, Chloe led us through a corridor lined with portraits of former kings. The deserted passage felt eerie, and Rosalia clung to my arm.
“Watch this. I’ll show you something interesting.”
Chloe stopped before one portrait and rotated it clockwise. A section of wall opened beneath it, revealing a dark staircase.
“Chloe!”
“Surprised? Impressive, isn’t it?”
This wasn’t something over which a princess should puff out her chest. Rosalia, however, was delighted.
“A staircase appeared from nowhere! Where does it go?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never followed it. Shall we?”
“No. Absolutely not. Close it before someone sees us.”
“You have no sense of adventure.”
“That isn’t the issue.”
The passage was presumably intended for the royal family to escape during an emergency. Revealing it casually could make it useless when genuinely needed.
“If this route is discovered, what will you do in a crisis?”
“Use another one.”
“That’s still not the point!”
Should I report her to Her Majesty? I could hardly write, ‘Your daughter showed us the castle’s escape routes.’
“There are several?” Rosalia asked, eyes shining. “Let us search for the others together.”
“Please don’t encourage her!”
Somehow, I had introduced two people who should never have met. After considerable effort, I persuaded Chloe to close the passage and led both girls out of the royal family’s private area.
The corridors beyond were busier, filled with servants hurrying about their duties. Chloe ignored the traffic and brought us to the royal library.
“So many books!” Rosalia exclaimed.
Please lower your voice in a library. I barely restrained myself from saying it aloud.
“Amazing, isn’t it?” Chloe said. “Only specially authorised people may enter.”
Bookshelves climbed almost to the ceiling. In the reading area, several scholars bent over enormous volumes.
“How does one receive permission?” I asked. “Is there an examination?”
“Do you wish to use it freely? I’ll ask for you.”
Connections truly were powerful.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
This time I accepted without hesitation.