Let's start over, Your Majesty.

Chapter 333 Small Village

Caesar sat up in bed, which was now a bit too small for him; if he lowered himself even slightly, his feet would have to stick out.

However, I slept exceptionally well last night. With Yumilia's gentle coaxing, it felt like I was back in my childhood nights.

I stretched comfortably, got out of bed, put on my clothes, and went to wash up.

"I've really grown up. Everything looks smaller now than before," he thought to himself as he stood in front of the mirror by the sink.

Looking out the window, he saw that yesterday's laundry had been washed and hung out to dry in the small courtyard, swaying gently in the wind, just like his childhood memories.

After washing up, I went downstairs and was greeted by a sweet and cloying fragrance.

Good morning, Caesar.

Yumilia, wearing an apron, had already prepared breakfast.

"You're up really early," he said as he walked over.

“After all, it’s my first day back home,” Yumilia said.

She covered her mouth and chuckled softly, "Caesar seems to be sleeping soundly. Is it because he's back home?"

"Perhaps," Caesar said frankly.

Yumilia couldn't help but smile as she listened, and brought over a plate of toast and milk.
"Hurry up and eat breakfast."

While enjoying breakfast together at the table, Yumilia said to Caesar, "It's my first day back, so I think I should visit some acquaintances in town, and also some places I used to frequent. I'd like to reminisce a bit."

"Yes, I'll do whatever you say," Caesar said.

After breakfast, Yumilia went out as planned. She packed the pastries she had baked the night before into several small boxes, put on a sun hat, and wore a white floral dress. She looked like a delicate white lily in full bloom, making her especially pleasing to the eye.

Caesar picked up the bamboo basket that was over ten years old and that he had used since childhood, as he was going to town to buy some ingredients later.

On the way, Yumilia ran ahead like a little child, finding everything along the roadside new and exciting.

"Caesar, Caesar, look at this flower! I've never seen it before in the botanical garden."

"Caesar, look, look! The clouds over there are so beautiful!"

"Caesar, look, so many butterflies!"

Seeing the jubilant and excited elf, Caesar couldn't help but smile.
As they walked, she grew to like the feeling, holding Caesar's head and looking around from time to time.

"Caesar is so tall! You can see so many things from up here that you wouldn't normally be able to see. Oh, I can even see the tips of those windmills over there, and so many birds!" he exclaimed.

In the midst of their playful banter, an elderly woman appeared and walked towards them. In a panic, Yumilia hurriedly tried to get off him, but Caesar greeted her directly.

The old lady was also from the village, and when she recognized them, she greeted them with a smile.

"Caesar has changed so much, but Yumilia hasn't changed much at all, haha," the old woman said with a smile.

Upon reaching this point, they could already see the windmills among the flower fields. At Yumilia's request, Caesar finally put her down.

"The flowers here are still blooming so beautifully," Yumilia said, her eyes shining as she gazed at the flower field.

“I remember, it was right here that I fell off my bicycle, and it was you and Ita who helped me back,” Caesar said.

"Yes, back then, Caesar was still as stubborn as a little adult, gritting his teeth and enduring the pain. He only secretly cried a little when he was with me," Yumilia said with a soft laugh, covering her mouth.

“Then there’s no need to say anything more,” Caesar coughed.

Yumilia took Caesar's hand. "We have plenty of time to get back, so let's have a picnic here again next time," Yumilia said with a smile.

They walked into the town together. Although it was the morning market, there were far fewer people. In recent years, Fein's industrialization has yielded remarkable results, and the rural population has been migrating to the town.

However, walking around the streets, you can still run into some acquaintances, such as the florist where Yumilia used to work, and some other friends you know quite well.
The flower shop was still open, and the proprietress was overjoyed to see Yumilia. After exchanging pleasantries, she gave her a large bouquet of flowers. Unable to refuse, Yumilia gave her a box of snacks as well.

Many places have changed. For example, the kindergarten that Caesar attended is now a park. There are not many children in the town anymore, so it was natural for it to close down. However, I didn't get to ask where the former teachers went, which was a pity.

Looking at the somewhat dilapidated kindergarten, Caesar recalled his childhood spent there. Although he already had many worries back then, it was still a carefree time compared to now.

And the little water gun war that happened in that kindergarten still makes me laugh when I think about it.

I took a walk around the town and visited a few acquaintances. Not many of my kindergarten classmates were still here; they were all people Yumilia knew.

They found the former kindergarten principal, Mr. Grant, who is now retired, and his wife. He was overjoyed to see Caesar, not expecting him to return at this time. He said he had seen Caesar's report in the newspaper and then praised Caesar's achievements repeatedly, saying that he was the most promising of his former students.

There were few reports about Caesar, and they were not particularly noticeable, so it was only thanks to Mr. Grant that he was able to find them.

As a teacher, I am naturally very happy that my students are doing well. Old Grant chatted with Caesar about the changes in the town over the years and the whereabouts of the teachers.

Miss Cecily, Caesar's former most troublesome teacher, later passed the kingdom's civil service exam, went to work in a big city, and I heard that she married a young master from a middle-class family and now has two children.

There's also Philie, Caesar's former "little fangirl," who got into a good university but hasn't graduated yet. The most noteworthy one is Mana, Caesar's former nemesis. After graduating from elementary school, he didn't get into high school because of his poor grades. He then worked as a sailor for a few years and was unexpectedly noticed by a rear admiral who wrote him a letter of recommendation to study at the Naval Academy. I heard that he will become a naval officer after graduating in a few years.

Another one is Chopper, whom Caesar was familiar with. He's now a quasi-academy scholar and has a bright future ahead of him.

The principal spoke with great emotion, recounting everyone's experiences before letting out a long sigh: "You've all grown up. I'm truly proud to be your teacher."

The longest conversation was with the headmaster, who even invited them to lunch. Unable to resist their hospitality, Caesar agreed. After a sumptuous, rustic lunch, they chatted for a while longer before finally leaving.

Having visited all the people they needed to, and having also bought all the groceries and household supplies they needed, and with dusk approaching, they headed home.

This time, Yumilia was more carefree. She rode on Caesar's shoulders, enjoying the scenery along the way, playing with the butterflies that flew by, and even mischievously covering Caesar's eyes to play a prank.

“Oh, right, Caesar, go to that stream over there, I’m going to pick some wild mint,” Yumilia said, rubbing his head.

“Shouldn’t we have bought it at the market?” Caesar said.

“That won’t do. Wild mint tastes much better. It’s a very important ingredient for desserts!” Yumilia said.

“Alright, alright,” Caesar had no choice but to say.

It was still early, so he changed direction and took a side path toward the stream.

After arriving, she put Yumilia down and began searching along the stream, soon finding a large patch of wild mint.

"Wow, so many!" Yumilia picked a piece, put it in her mouth, chewed it a couple of times, and showed a satisfied expression. She then quickly began to direct Caesar:

"Caesar, hurry, let's gather more. You go over there, I'll go over there."

Caesar obeyed her command, put down his basket, and began to pick the wild mint.

The two of them quickly picked a large handful, wrapped it in a cloth strip, and put it in a bamboo basket.

"That's good then." Yumilia smiled and nodded.

"Then, shall we go home now?" Caesar said.

She looked at the clear, gently flowing stream.
"How about we relax here for a bit? It's been a long time since we've been here. I used to bring you here to play in the water when it was hot," Yumilia said.

"Ok."

Since there was no rush, I sat down on a smooth, large rock by the stream, taking advantage of the darkness.

Yumilia took off her shoes and socks, revealing her fair and rosy little feet, and dipped them into the cool water.

"Phew, it feels so cool." She breathed a sigh of relief.

Two toes playfully slapped the water's surface, splashing water everywhere.

“Caesar, after Ita arrives, let’s go to that amusement park again, shall we?” Yumilia said.

“Okay, but that amusement park might not even exist anymore,” Caesar said.

“No, no, I checked before I came back, and it’s still there. They’re still having a carnival right now,” Yumilia said.

“Is that so? Then we should go and take another look,” Caesar said.

The two of them leaned against each other, their feet soaking in the water, chatting.

At this moment, small fish swam up from the stream and surrounded Yumilia's fair feet.

"Caesar, look! There are so many little fish! They're even biting me! How fun! Hehe."

Yumilia swung her toes in the water, shooing away the small fish, and then let them swim back up after a while, playing around like this.

As it grew darker, I packed up my things and prepared to go home.

Yumilia was still embarrassed by what she had just said. Caesar picked up her shoes, intending to help her put them on, but he snatched them back.

"I can do it myself."

"Okay, hurry up."

Caesar stood up and said.

But as soon as Yumilia put on her shoes and socks and stood up, she slipped on the smooth rock, cried out in surprise, and fell into the stream.

"Alright, let's go back quickly. It's getting dark and cold, and you'll easily catch a cold if you stay wet."

Yumilia pursed her lips, lowered her head, and nodded.

After returning home, they washed up early and went into a sweet dream.

(End of this chapter)