"Brother Haruki, tonight I will be sleeping with you"

"You seem to be sleepwalking, Amelie, let me take you to your room."

As soon as I came to Haruki's room with a pillow and asked to sleep with him. The boy straight away naturally treated me as if I was sleepwalking and then subtly tried to push me out of his room.

"I'm serious"

Before I could get swept along, I came to my senses and halted my footsteps, and tried to get back in.

"Ok stop right there, I don't know why you want to sleep here but I can't just let you! Remember your position, Amelie!"

As a princess, normally I'm not even allowed to interact with just any random person. So, of course, sleeping with strangers is a no-no. Let alone the opposite sex. And even if I'm not a princess, going to bed with a boy who isn't your family isn't something a girl can do casually.

I understood what Haruki was trying to say. But today, I wasn't in the mood to be an obedient child.

"What's wrong with brother Haruki? I don't understand."

"Sometimes I want to pinch your cheeks."

"Ehehehe. . . ."

Realizing that he couldn't force me to leave, Haruki sighed and asked. . .

"Have you asked your mom for permission?"

"Not yet, but I'm sure that mom will allow it"

That's why, there's no problem.

"Of course. . ."

This time Haruki slapped himself in the face. My mother no longer considered Haruki a guest, so she no longer bothered to act like royalty. Because of that, Haruki understood that if I were to ask her for permission, my mother would easily give permission while laughing. She is the kind of parent that feels more like your friend.

"What about Erwin?"

"If Erwin is here, you'll forget about me."

Of course, he wouldn't literally forget me, but when the two of them met. They always end up talking to themselves until I feel like I'm being left out. And since I'm the only girl here, there's a lot of their conversations that I simply can't figure out where the fun part lies.

We may be close, but the wall between gender is just that thick.

"Or. . . .you don't want to be just with me?"

"I should have asked you that instead, are you sure you want to be alone with me? Aren't you scared?"

If we were talking about the Haruki from a few months ago. Maybe not, but now it's a different story. I'm even sure that if there was an assassin trying to take my life. The boy would bravely try to protect me.

"Instead of being afraid, I feel safe with you"

"Amelie. . . . . you! . . aghh. . . never mind! Just come in."

"Eheheheh. . . . ."

As soon as I got permission from him. I went straight in and jumped onto the bed while throwing off the slippers I was putting on. Such behavior is far from that of a princess. I am sure that none of my siblings could do this kind of thing in the palace.

Not long after, Haruki followed me to the bed. And because this bed was too big for two little kids like us. As expected, Haruki chose to settle down at the far end of the bed away from me.

"Why are you so far away?"

My goal for coming here at night and forcing him to accept me in his room was to try to reduce the distance between us. I wanted him to no longer feel shy or awkward interacting with me. That's why I won't just let him run away.

"Isn't it warmer this way?"

Without asking permission first. I invaded his personal space by shifting my pillow and lying right next to him until our bodies were stuck together.

"Ugh... I have to make sure that no one sees this"

". . Why?"

"The servants will tease me to death"

"You're exaggerating, Erwin, and I have never been teased by anyone."

In terms of physical closeness, Erwin and I were almost like real siblings. If he wasn't working, he would be near me. We ate together, studied together, went everywhere together, and did many other things together. Seeing me holding hands with Erwin was not a rare sight at all, seeing us hugging was common, and seeing him petting my head or pinching my cheek was also a daily occurrence.

Everyone knew that Erwin wasn't really my brother, but no one had ever teased us except my mother.

"Of course, who dares to tease a princess?"

"Ahh. . . . ahaha I forgot"

It's been so long since I've been treated like a princess that I forgot I was A PRINCESS.

"Besides, Erwin is a noble he's also their boss"

People in their right mind wouldn't take the risk of acting disrespectfully in front of him. Not only because they were afraid of being punished, but also because they were afraid of losing their jobs. A job that pays much more compared to farming their own small plot of land.

Although Erwin probably wouldn't think much of it, no one wanted to give it a try to find out.

"Meanwhile, my position is different"

Haruki himself was the son of a diplomat from another country. By bloodline, he had a high position. But here, other than my mother, Erwin, and I, no one knew about it. All they knew was that he was the person my mom invited to be my teacher.

In other words, around here Haruki is just another coworker for them. And as a fellow worker. They had no reason not to tease him.

"How about we lock this room so that no one can carelessly come in?"

"Don't you dare do that! They'll tease me even more"

As someone who has lived twice. I know that kids his age hate being teased the most. Especially if the subject is the opposite sex.

I've been a victim of that myself. But in my case, I didn't think much of it because I thought. If something isn't true, it's not true no matter what anyone else says.

I wanted to say something to him, but unfortunately. Because I don't even understand how he feels, I don't know what to say.

"Never mind, let's not talk about that again! I just need to wake up earlier than everyone else"

"Are you sure you can do it?"

Everyone here used to wake up very early. The servants even get up and work before sunrise every day.

"Don't underestimate me, as long as I know when to wake up I can wake up at the right time"

"Wow. . ."

My previous father used to be just like Haruki too. He could wake up on time even without an alarm. For example, before going to bed he planned to wake up at five in the morning. At that very hour, his eyes would just open on their own without a command.

"A moment."

Haruki took something from the drawer of the table beside him, after which he. . .

"It's nine o'clock, ok!"

"Wait a minute brother Haruki, what is that? A clock?"

"You know about clock Amelie?"

"Yeah, I've seen Erwin's dad carrying it around."

The clock that Haruki showed me was a portable mechanical clock the size of my palm. Although its design and materials were nothing to write home about. Owning one granted a higher degree of status even more than wearing a beautiful piece of jewelry because the price was many times that of ordinary accessories.

Because their construction was complex and required high precision not to mention that they also had to be imported from Albion. Only a select few could afford them. To tell the time, most people including us still relied heavily upon the sun and bell towers as timepieces.

"Are you rich, Haruki?"

A person who had the position of a diplomat was certainly not poor. But in Amteric, only kings, generals, or owners of large territories could own such things.

"Not really."

If you buy it outside Albion. The price of the clock Haruki had would be many times the original. But if you buy it directly in the land where it was made, plus if you have connections. You can get it at a fairly affordable price.

At least by his standards.

"Have you ever been to Albion Haruki?"

"Yes, I spent two months there"

"What kind of place is Albion?"

"First, the air is dirty"

"How so?"

Compared to other countries. Albion is the most industrialized. In its major cities, the sight of large factories filled with equally large machines emitting black smoke was normal.

"Apart from smoke, they also dump waste haphazardly"

The soil and rivers, just like the air, become dirty. Add to this the emergence of slums that have sprung up due to the large number of people moving from villages to cities also contributes to the chaos. Once you step out of the rich people's housing complex, you are greeted with a messy and dirty city.

"But in addition to the extensive negative effects, the positive effects of industrialization are no less great"

With the establishment of these factories, they could mass-produce many goods. Food, clothing, farm equipment, precision machinery, ships, and weapons. All these advancements made the island nation whose land was not fertile, strong. Both economically and militarily.

"It wasn't long until Albion decided to try colonizing another country"

Once their domestic market became saturated, they ran out of materials, and their ambitions began to swell. They decided to expand outside the country.

"And their first target was Yamato"

About 20 years ago, Albion tried to make Yamato its colony. However, because Albion was not as advanced as it is now, Yamato was able to repel them by using the world's oldest tactic. They defeated an invading army with its superior numbers.

Tactics that they can no longer use anymore because now it was them who has lesser population.

"But that war which only lasted for a few years taught us one very important lesson"

Alone, we are weak.

They survived Albion's invasion only because they were able to unite. Otherwise, the country called Yamato might have ceased to exist.

"As an island nation, we have a very high degree of individualism"

Each island is almost like its own isolated world. And everyone thinks that they are the ones who deserve to be the ruler and stand above the rest. Thus, for hundreds of years, the provinces of Yamato were in conflict with each other.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

But once they felt how small they were in the face of Albion's power. They were forced to forget the conflicts between them and unite under one flag. A unity that still exists even today.

"How do you choose a leader?"

There is no way that people who have been in conflict for hundreds of years can easily make a compromise. There must be a lot of conflicting interests there.

"The solution is actually quite simple"

The origin of the conflict between the provinces was, as Haruki already said. They believed that they were the greatest, the best, and the most deserving to lead everyone.

"So, they just need to show their skills in front of everyone"

The casualties from their war with Albion were numerous. And everyone realized it happened because of one's incompetence in many places. Not only did they need to unite, but for Yamato to survive any massive attack. They also need competent people to wield power.

You want to be our leader? Prove that you deserve to be our leader.

You want to be a general? Show that you are the best candidate.

You want to be a minister? Make everyone believe in you.

After that, every 5 years there's a kind of tournament to select the new member of the government. While the royal family still exists, they are pretty much just figureheads. It's not a democratic nation, but it sure is a nation of meritocracy.

"Of course, things aren't as smooth, easy, or simple as I make them out to be"

In practice, many problems arose and had to be dealt with. But overall, the method has successfully turned Yamato into a country that prioritizes skills above all else. And since skill is even more important than bloodline, Yamato has also managed to become a country with the highest level of education in the area.

"That's amazing"

A revolution without anyone getting their head cut off, a violent coup, or another civil war was something very rare.

"Brother Haruki, tell me another story"

"Okay."

After that, Haruki began to share his other experiences with his father from meeting pirates in the sea of Hispain. Talking about the purpose of human life with students from Sian and living in the remote area with workers who used large animals to transport timber and other goods.

As someone who has never traveled far. All of his stories made me feel excited to hear them, but there was something that pleased me more than increasing my knowledge of the world. And that was the fact that Haruki no longer cared about the distance between us. Throughout his storytelling, he no longer fusses about the fact that I snuggle into his arm.

And just like I asked, Haruki continued to tell me stories until I finally yawned widely.

Amelie Haruki [https://krita-artists.org/uploads/default/original/3X/f/7/f7ee350e22f45d0a3e9cce98eaa0db4a82592798.jpeg]

"Are you sleepy Amelie?"

"Um. . ."

I still wanted to hear Haruki's story. But my body couldn't lie and was begging to rest. I felt tired and my eyes were also getting sticky.

"Alright, I'll put out the light"

"Wait! . . "

Before Haruki managed to reach the oil lamp on the table beside him, I pulled his hand first.

"Can I. . . come again tomorrow?"

This time, Haruki naturally stroked my hair while smiling.

"Of course."

As soon as the light went out, I immediately stuck to Haruki with a smile. And once again, this time Haruki hugged me back without any hesitation. I couldn't see his face because the night was really dark here. But I knew that Haruki was also smiling when he held me.

Well. . .

Mission accomplished.

5

After finishing the scheduled study. The three of us decided to go outside and get some fresh air. Together with some workers, we sat on one of the chairs we had installed a few days ago in a shady corner of the garden.

"I'm out of material"

Haruki said with a tired face.

"But I haven't learned magic from you yet."

"Magic is not something that can be taught or learned from others, how to utilize it may be learned but how to use it one must discover on their own."

"In other words, I can't use magic?"

"I don't know."

Again, what Haruki meant by magic was not magic that you could use by casting spells, chatting with supernatural beings and borrowing their powers, or utilizing relics filled with energy to bend the laws of nature. The magic he was referring to was more like Esper's powers. Like Acc**rator's Vector manipulation ability or controlling electrons and creating electricity like M**asa.

"If you want to do the test I don't mind guiding you"

Because all people who magic usually also had above-average physical abilities. The way to test whether you have special abilities also relies on physical tests. And based on Haruki and Erwin, the test itself was excruciating.

"Gah. . . no thank you."

Ever since I was reborn in this world and learned about the existence of magic, I've always imagined that I too have special abilities. Considering that miracles like me being reborn can happen, it's not too far-fetched to wish that I had an OP power that I could use to defeat anyone in battle. Even if I can't be a hero, minor powers like being able to heat coffee is fine too.

But unfortunately, it seems like whoever gave me the second chance doesn't want to give me another bonus. Which I can understand considering that once again, being able to come here and start a new life all over again is already a tremendous miracle.

"Ahh. . . "

I let out a long sigh.

"Don't be discouraged, even without magic I guarantee that you can achieve success"

While saying that, Haruki placed his palm on my head and started stroking it. Which had recently become a habit.

Moreover, he also looked at me with a wide smile. A sign that probably meant that he really believed what he just said and not just wanted to cheer me up. I hope.

"Thank you."

I looked back at him while giving the boy a smile that I made as bright as possible.

". . . . ."

As expected, after seeing my elite grade smile. Haruki was immediately at a loss for words. A reaction that has recently also become normal and I often utilize it to retaliate against his unsavory act towards me like earlier.

Which unsavory act are you asking?

The act of stroking my head. Of course, I understand that he didn't do it with bad intentions or anything like that. And to be honest, it didn't feel bad to be petted by Haruki.

But lately, the volume of him stroking my head has been too much. It's even more than both Erwin and my mother combined. Seems like my therapy method has been too successful.

"Brother Haruki?... . . "

As a little girl born to a handsome man and a beautiful woman, it was almost a law of nature that I would also inherit the attractive features of both of them. In other words, I'm sure that in this domain. My cuteness is unrivaled. My mother, the servants and gardeners, the farmers in the fields, the merchants from out of town, and even Erwin were all taken in by my cuteness.

Some reacted by pinching my cheeks, and others usually immediately wanted to hug me. Which was easy to understand because if I were in their shoes, I would have done the same.

Who wouldn't want to hug a cute little girl whose body looks so soft and warm?

The sight of the people around us laughing at him made me feel quite satisfied, enough to make me smile even wider.

"Don't tease him too much Amelie, what if he misunderstands?"

While Haruki continued to be teased by the adults around him and looked increasingly embarrassed. Erwin approached me, lowered his body slightly, and whispered the above into my ear.

"Misunderstand what?"

". . . . ."

And as a reaction to my answer, Erwin turned to look at me with a gaze that seemed to say 'Are you an idiot?' indirectly. It was the first time I had ever gotten that look from him.

"If you don't understand, that's fine."

"Hmmm? ..."

"Never mind, instead of talking about magic, let's talk about how to sell these things."

"Ah... I almost forgot"

"Stop getting distracted by him!!!"

While we already secured a partner for distribution and marketing. We still need to think about what goods we should bring to the market. Considering that our economy is not healthy, we can't just churn out new products without thinking about the cost of production and transportation.

We have to make products that still make sense in this kind of environment to turn a profit. If the product we make is too complicated, too niche, or has too much exotic material in it. It would just become a burden not only for us but for our partner too.

Hence, we regularly hold a meeting to decide what to make. We didn't plan this, but he already made things so I might as well check it out.

"You can play with him after we are done"

"You make me sound like I want to play with him so much"

"You don't? I mean, you always look so happy whenever he pets you"

"I just want to mentally punish him by making everyone tease him for embarrassing me"

"That was some cute revenge"

"Anyway, show me what you wanted to make"

"Changing subject aren't we? well, here!"

While our products are pretty unique. They are not by any means complicated to copy. It is only a matter of time until someone decides to copy and undercut us. Hence we want to diversify our lineup soon.

With that, Erwin comes to the conclusion that we need to make an exclusive luxury product. Products that can be sold in low volume but big in profit.

I agree with his plan, but. . .

"This? Are you sure this can become an exclusive product?"

The three items that Erwin drew in his notebook were a hurricane lamp, a shaver, and a manual water pump. Practical things that I didn't think had any luxury value at all. When Erwin told me that he wanted to be a luxury goods maker. I thought he was planning to make something more "WOOOOW" like jewelry, complicated mechanical toys, or other weird items.

"What is that face?"

"Nothing, I'm just surprised"

With his skills, I'm sure he can make those things. That's why when she shows ordinary-looking items. I was a little surprised.

"Surprised why? I thought the items were quite luxurious?"

"These are luxury items? . . ."

"Huh?... . "

Just like I was confused by Erwin's product. It seemed Erwin was also confused by my reaction. And from the look on his face, he really thought that the things he made fell into the luxury category.

"Ahem. . . . it looks like the definition of luxury for the two of you is quite different"

While Erwin and I were talking and showing each other confused faces. Haruki finally managed to recover from his embarrassment. And as I expected. . . .

"Let me explain. . ."

Naturally. His palm immediately rested on top of my head and began stroking my hair. But this time I didn't react immediately, instead I closed my eyes and started thinking.

While continuing to stroke my head, Haruki began to explain the difference between my and Erwin's views. The luxurious things I thought of were tertiary items that weren't too important but could show your wealth. Whereas Erwin's definition of luxury was practical items that no one had ever made and were rare in the market.

"Mmmm. . . ."

I could accept his explanation. But I still can't accept one thing.

As I said earlier. It's not that I don't like Haruki stroking my head. But this was embarrassing. For some reason, being stroked on the head by Haruki felt more embarrassing than when Erwin did it.

If he would stop doing it in public, I don't mind at all being a cat substitute for him and letting him pet my head as he pleases.

". . . ."

Wait a minute! What did I just think of?

Please don't tell me that it's because I've been petted by her too many times. Now I'm the one who's addicted to being touched by him?

No! No! No! No! No!

"Amelie?"

Looking at me who kept silent while closing my eyes and crossing my arms on my chest. Haruki stopped his stroking against my head, after which I sensed that he was trying to look down and bring his face closer to me.

"Ah. . . ."

And sure enough, upon opening my eyes. I immediately found Haruki who put on a worried face looking directly into my eyes. Making me who had just thought of something strange, suddenly felt embarrassed.

"Amelie. . ."

This time, it was Erwin who called me. But unlike Haruki, his voice did not contain concern. Rather, it had a judgmental tone.

"I thought being caressed by Haruki made you embarrassed"

Well, it did. But you make it sound like I hated it. Well, I'm a bit angry, but not hate it.

"Eh. . ?"

And as expected, the one who thinks like that isn't only me.

Haruki immediately changed his face from worried to surprised. After that, his hand that had been stroking my hair also immediately stopped. Not long after, his face changed again. This time, it became a sad-looking expression.

"Mnghhh. . . "

And seeing that. My chest suddenly felt hurt. Seeing him put on a sad face had a big influence on the state of my chest. Because I was mentally older than him it felt like I had just taken a child's favorite toy. Then, because I had also regarded him as my own little brother. My feelings of guilt suddenly overflowed as well.

I didn't do anything, but why does it feel like I just bullied Haruki?

"I'm sorry Amelie, I didn't know that you hated it"

Finally, Haruki's hand actually came down from my head while putting on a smile. But his smile this time I didn't like at all.

Because of that. . .

"Haruki"

I took his hand, grasped it tightly, then placed it on my cheek to show that I didn't mind being touched by him at all.

"I'm just embarrassed, . . . . if it's just the two of us. . . . . . . . . it's okay! You can touch me as much as you want. . "

“Wordiiiingg!!”

After saying that and hearing Erwin's scream. I immediately looked back at Haruki's eyes directly. However, instead of making a happy face. Haruki instead widened his eyes while putting on an even more surprised face.

Not long after that.

"Ugh. . . "

Haruki suddenly lowered his body while holding his chest like an injured person. Which of course made me immediately panic.

"W-what's wrong brother Haruki? Does it hurt?"

"No-nothing, I'm just. . .

"Amelie. . . don't finish him off just like that"

Erwin who was beside us, slapped his face with his palm and then looked at me from between his fingers while shaking his head. Although he didn't say anything, I could feel that his look meant "You're really stupid".

And once I looked around me. The people around us again looked at Haruki with warm looks like a parent seeing their child acting cute. But this time, besides those looks. He also received whistles, congratulations, and compliments as if Haruki had just won something.

"I'm sorry Haruki, It seems my assistance has killed you instead"

Erwin stands on his knee and then puts a praying pose in front of Haruki.

"I'm not dead yet!"

"Ahahahaha, come on!"

With that, Erwin helped Haruki to stand up. And after that, the two boys begin talking with each other excitedly over something that I don't understand. And not wanting to be left out, I dive straight between them and beg for their attention like a spoiled child. I may be mentally adult, but let’s forget about that for now.

This peaceful life, I hope it lasts forever.