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Chapter 66: The Scent of Green, Carried by Sunlight and Wind

When Jessica reached out her hand, Princess Sophia placed her own in Jessica’s of her own accord.

Princess Sophia got out of bed, still holding Jessica’s hand, and left the bedroom.

I, Elaniev, Crown Prince Alex, the guards, and the maids all followed after Jessica and Princess Sophia.

Jessica and Princess Sophia passed through the antechamber and stepped outside.

Princess Sophia came to a stop and raised a hand to shade her face.

「Ah…」

「Too bright? Your eyes will get used to it in a bit.」

At Jessica’s words, Princess Sophia nodded.

When Crown Prince Alex stepped forward, worried, I held him back.

He looked at me, confused.
I silently shook my head.

(Too much interference isn’t good…)

Alex’s desire to protect his sister is admirable, but it can turn into overprotection if taken too far.
Princess Sophia chose to leave her room of her own volition.

This is, so to speak, her first step toward independence.
It’s better to watch over her from a distance, ready to step in if something happens.

Princess Sophia lowered her hand.
Her eyes must have adjusted to the sunlight.

「Sophia-chan, let’s go to the courtyard!」

「Yes!」

Jessica called out to Princess Sophia in a casual tone, like she was talking to a neighborhood kid.
I interpreted her words to Princess Sophia, making sure not to lose that nuance.

Princess Sophia must have found Jessica’s lack of formality refreshing.
She smiled happily.

Jessica and Princess Sophia walked through the palace hand in hand, like close sisters.

The palace guards looked surprised to see Princess Sophia, their expressions filled with curiosity.
The maids they passed hurriedly stepped aside, eyeing the princess with concern.

Princess Sophia seemed about to stop walking, but Jessica ignored those stares completely and gently pulled her along.

I found Jessica dependable.

(That’s the spirit, Jessica! Don’t pay attention to other people’s stares!)

When they reached the courtyard, Jessica plopped down on the grass.
She patted the ground next to her to invite Princess Sophia to sit as well.

A maid quickly moved to fetch a mat, but I stopped her.

Crown Prince Alex tilted his head, questioning my reasoning.

「Gaia?」

I replied to him in a low voice.

「Jessica probably wants Princess Sophia to experience nature with her whole body. A mat would get in the way.」

「To feel nature…」

「Exactly. You can’t experience that cooped up in a room, right? To get stronger, she needs to go outside.」

「I get it, but… her clothes will get dirty.」

「If they get dirty, we can just wash them.」

「Well, that’s true.」

Satisfied, Alex nodded, and I stepped back a little to watch Jessica and Princess Sophia.

Princess Sophia slowly, hesitantly sat down on the grass.
A moment of silence passed.

She looked a bit dazed, but there was a gentle smile on her lips.
She seemed to be savoring the sunlight.

Eventually, Princess Sophia murmured softly,

「The sun feels nice.」

A gentle breeze blew.
Princess Sophia’s black hair fluttered.

「It smells green.」

She was sensing everything, the warmth of the sunlight, the scent of the grass and trees carried by the breeze, the feeling of the grass against her palms.

She was embracing nature with her whole being, and enjoying it.

A little blue bird perched on Princess Sophia’s knee.
She slowly looked down at it.

「So cute.」

Jessica responded to her murmur, and I translated.

「Fufu. That bird is welcoming you, Sophia-chan.」

「Do you think so?」

「Here, try slowly extending your finger like this. Gently, so you don’t scare it.」

Jessica reached out her index finger to the bird.
The blue bird hopped lightly onto her finger.

Princess Sophia imitated her, extending her finger toward the bird.
The bird hopped from Jessica’s finger to Sophia’s.

Princess Sophia’s face lit up with a bright smile.

「Bird-san, I’m Sophia. It’s a pleasure to meet you.」

The little blue bird chirped in reply.

Such a heartwarming, precious scene drew a sigh from everyone around.

「I’ve never seen Sophia smile so freely before…」

Crown Prince Alex looked like he was about to cry.

(Good for you, Alex! A smile is the first step to recovery!)

I nodded with a softened gaze.
If she found joy in being outside like this, she might start coming to the courtyard every day.

Getting out of bed and walking, even a little.
Spending time outdoors and soaking up sunlight, even briefly.
If Princess Sophia could gradually return to a healthier lifestyle, her frailty might slowly improve too.

Jessica and Princess Sophia continued chatting leisurely for a while.

About flowers and trees.
About Jessica and the elf tribe.

They talked like close sisters.

Princess Sophia placed a hand on her stomach.

「I’m starting to feel hungry.」