The Doll and The Prince - v3 Chapter 50, v3 Chapter 51, v3 Chapter 52

Naruhito (60)
The next day, Aoba came and taught me about money. I learned that I could buy one piece of candy for ten yen.
I like the silver one-hundred-yen coin. It shines, and you can buy ten pieces of candy with it!
The five-hundred-yen coin is also shiny, big, and beautiful.
Apparently, you can buy all sorts of things with money.
The clothes I wear, the food, water, picture books, and puzzles—I was told that all these things are bought with money.
Until now, I had only ever received things. I didn't know.
I didn't know that you couldn't get money unless you worked, and that you can't live without money.

Seeing me feeling down, Aoba said,

"Being a soldier is a job too, so you did work properly before, Naru. Since you weren't getting paid, it's no wonder you didn't know. You were doing your job properly and getting food, clothes, and weapons provided for you, so it's not like you weren't doing anything. The strange thing is that you weren't getting paid."
"But now, I don't have any money, and I'm still receiving all kinds of things. What should I do?"

I panicked. I can't fight anymore, so what kind of job can I do to live from now on?

"Children are supposed to be supported by their parents, so you started working way too early. You were working so hard, but you weren't even getting paid—what a predicament. Since you were working when you should have been studying, it's fine for you to focus on studying now."
"... But."
"His Highness is covering your expenses, Naru. He is working hard, right? When you grow up and get better, you can help out a lot. Rikimaru isn't working yet, either."
"He said he'll start working soon."
"Well, he's three years older than you."

Even so, I want to do something. Now that I understand.

"If you're worried about it, why don't you try helping out?"

Seeing me deep in thought, Aoba suggested.

"Why don't you ask the people who are working if there's anything you can help with, and if you do help, earn ten yen each time? Once you've saved up, we can go shopping."
"I want to go with Rikimaru..."

Aoba laughed.

"I'll let him know. It's about time you stopped overthinking."

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Naruhito (61)
“I'm home.”
“Oh, welcome back?”

While I was pushing a cart carrying a pot of tea and some teacups, Rikimaru, who was holding a large bag, came in through the entrance.
He said he was home, and without thinking, I responded with "welcome back," but this isn’t Rikimaru’s house, right?

“Where is my room, Lord Murashige?”

He’s talking to Grandpa, who isn't visible.

“Rikimaru, you may not have known this, but I have become the personal bodyguard of Naruhito. If you have any messages, please direct them to Muramasa.”
“Huh?”

At some point, Grandpa had come up to us, and after explaining, he disappeared again.
Well, whatever.
I’m busy.
As I started pushing the cart again, Rikimaru followed me.

“What are you doing?”
“Working.”
“Work?”
“Because I need money.”
“Why?”
“So I can buy things.”

Rikimaru’s awkward expression from when he first entered softened into a slight smile.

“To go shopping with me?”
“That’s part of it.”
“I see...”

While we were talking, we arrived at Sai’s room. I knocked...
Before we could hear a reply, Rikimaru tried to open the door, so I smacked his hand away.

“Stop that.”
“I’m just trying to help.”
“No need! Move away.”

“What’s going on?” Hiiro asked, opening the door from inside.
Ugh.

“Nothin... it’s nothing at all. Brought you… I brought some tea. Uh, um.”

Ugh, it’s definitely Rikimaru’s fault.

“I’ve brought some tea.”

I could hear Hiiro chuckling, but I ignored it and pushed the cart inside. I placed the warm tea I had poured from the pot in front of Sai, who was sitting on the sofa looking at some documents, and bowed my head.
Since Hiiro also sat down, I placed some tea in front of him as well. I bowed my head again.

“Thank you, Naruhito.”

Sai smiled gently. He put down the document he was holding in his left hand and drank the tea immediately.
Hehe, mission accomplished.

“Excuse me.”

As I was about to leave, Hiiro’s voice came from behind me, saying, “Good job.”
I pushed the cart with the pot and started walking again. I guess Muramasa’s room is next.
Rikimaru, who still seemed grumpy, was still following me, so I decided to let him come along.
Oh well, what can I do?

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Naruhito (62)
“Is carrying tea your job?”
“There are various tasks.”

I’m working right now, so I’m not really in the mood to chat. However, since I’m escorting a guest to Muramasa’s room, I guess it wouldn’t hurt to talk a little.

“You’re going shopping with me, right? When are we going?”

He suddenly went off somewhere and didn’t come back for a while, and now he’s acting all self-centered.

“I’ll ask Hiiro.”
“Why is His Highness involved in this?”
“Because Hiiro is coming too.”
“Huh? Why?”
“I only go on dates with Hiiro.”
“Date? We’re just going shopping, right?”
“But no.”

Ignoring the somewhat irritated Rikimaru, I knocked on Muramasa’s door. After hearing a response, I opened the door.

“Excuse me. I’ve brought tea.”
“Good work. Thank you very much.”

Muramasa, who was sitting at a large desk working, smiled kindly.
Rikimaru also came in, saying, “Excuse me.”

“I’ll be under your care starting today.”
“Yes, I’ve heard. Please, have a seat over there.”

Rikimaru sat on the sofa he was shown to, and Muramasa also moved there, so I placed two teacups on the table in front of the sofa and bowed my head.
As I was about to leave, Rikimaru turned around.

“Wait a minute. I’ll come with you.”
“No need.”
“Huh?”
“Excuse me.”

I bowed my head and closed the door. Next, I’ll bring tea to Yoshino.
I visited Yoshino’s room and served tea, and in return, she gave me a handmade bag and wallet. The bag, made from sturdy canvas, fit nicely against my left hip when worn crossbody. The button was magnetized so it was easy to open with one hand, and it snapped shut on its own when released. The bag was a warm white with a bright red, large button that looked beautiful. The wallet was made from the same fabric and had the same button.
I’m so happy!

“Thank you, Yoshino.”

Yoshino smiled warmly.

“Good job, Naru. Come by again.”
“Okay.”

She gave me a piece of candy, so I put it in the bag along with the wallet.
After returning the cart to the kitchen, I wiped down the tables in the dining hall.
Busy.
Fun.
As soon as I sat down to eat lunch, I immediately felt sleepy.

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