“You two, do you have any plans after this?”
Lily, who had been pinching the bridge of her nose at Rouge’s blunder, composed herself and asked me and Rouge.
“No, nothing in particular.”
If I had to say, I was thinking of studying for the midterm exams that were coming up next weekend. Last night, when I asked Rouge if we should go out to the Royal Capital like last week, she gently refused, saying, “Hugh, you need to study, right?”
Rouge glared at me when I replied that I had nothing planned. Well, let’s hear what Lily has to say first.
“Then that’s perfect. Actually, I was planning to go to my family’s place with Lecty. Would you two like to come with us?”
“Lily’s family’s place?”
“Yes. I expected that there would be some kind of celebration for His Majesty the King’s recovery, so I called the trading company that the Puridi family always does business with.”
“Ah, I see. There’s a dress code, isn’t there?”
Rouge clapped her hands as if she understood. Ah… come to think of it, when we went to Prince Slay’s Night Soiree, Marquis Puridi told me that the Royal Academy uniform would look out of place.
The Royal Academy uniform can be used as formal wear for formal occasions such as ceremonies, but it may not be suitable for events with a dress code, such as Night Soirees and parties. My family is too remote, and my father rarely goes to social gatherings, so I haven’t been taught any of that common sense.
“L-Lily-chan. I still think a dress is… I don’t think it suits me, and I don’t have the money…”
“How many times have I told you, Lecty? You should decide whether it suits you after you actually wear it. You can pay me back later. You’ll be getting a reward from His Majesty the King for the other matter, right?”
“B-but…”
Whether it was her resistance to wearing a dress, or her guilt about Lily trying to pay for it, Lecty was still hesitant. Lily glanced at me and whispered something to her.
“(Let’s have Hugh see you in a cute dress?)”
Immediately after, Lecty’s face flushed so rapidly that it sounded like a “poof.” Hey, Lily, what did you whisper to Lecty…?
Lecty covered her bright red face with both hands, peeking at me through the gaps between her fingers. I have no idea what Lily said to her, but is she really okay…?
“Lecty, if you don’t want to, you should say so clearly…?”
At worst, it’s not like wearing the uniform would be a problem…
I thought so and called out to her, but Lecty shook her head slightly. It seems Lily’s persuasion was successful. What did she really say…?
“Hugh and Rouge, you don’t have clothes to wear to the Night Soiree either, right? Since we’re at it, I was thinking of preparing them together, what do you think?”
“That would be helpful, but…”
If we were to prepare not only Lecty’s dress but also our formal wear, it would cost a considerable amount. I understand why Lecty was hesitant. It might not be a big expense for the Puridi family, but I can’t just have them pay for it…
And in the first place, I have no way to pay them back. I don’t think my family has that kind of money, and the travel money my father gave me was already almost gone.
As if sensing my feelings, Lily smiled and said, “It’s okay.”
“Don’t worry, Hugh’s will be your father’s hand-me-downs. Rouge’s will be billed to Lucas-dono later.”
In other words, there’s no need to hold back. If that’s the case, I can leave it to Lily.
“Then, I’m sorry, but I’ll take you up on your offer. Is that okay with you, Rouge?”
“Huh? Ah, yes. Thank you, Lily.”
“Yes, leave it to me.”
Lily puffed out her chest proudly. I felt like Rouge was a little out of it, but for now, we decided to head from the academy to Marquis Puridi’s mansion in the Royal Capital Central District.
Our means of transportation was Alissa-san’s carriage. Lily had apparently asked her yesterday, and when we went to the school gate at the appointed time, Alissa-san had already prepared the carriage.
“Thank you, Alissa-sensei.”
“No, no, I’m just going to report to Lucas-dono, so you don’t need to thank me.”
Alissa-san answered Lily modestly, while grinning at me and patting me on the back.
“You’re popular, aren’t you? Hey, you heartthrob!”
“Please stop patting my back with the Royal Knights Order’s force, seriously. It hurts like hell.”
I held my aching back and got into the carriage, and we arrived at the Puridi Marquis’s mansion in about 30 minutes. Alissa-san would come to pick us up after she finished her business.
We entered the Puridi family’s mansion and were led to the reception room by the servants who greeted us. Coming here always reminds me of the awkward time I had with Marquis Puridi…
“Huh? Come to think of it, where is Marquis Puridi?”
I thought he would be here to greet Lily like last time, but I haven’t seen him yet. There were only tea sets for the four of us in the reception room.
“Father is away. He’s flying all over the kingdom as the head of Lucas-dono’s faction. I don’t think he’ll be back for a while.”
“T-that sounds tough…”
I felt a little stomach pain, remembering my days as a corporate slave.
“Judging from his letters, he seems to be enjoying it quite a bit? He’s feeling a sense of purpose now that Lucas-dono has entrusted him with the construction of the faction. When he was in Prince Slay’s faction, he was lamenting that he couldn’t move even if he wanted to, and that there were more enemies inside than outside.”
“Ah, I see.”
It seems that Marquis Puridi has been freed from various constraints and is now free to spread his wings. If I think of the change of factions as a career change, I can really understand how he feels.
“Well then, we’ll go look at the dresses right away. Hugh, would you mind waiting here for a little while?”
“Don’t I need to go?”
“I told you that Hugh’s clothes are your father’s hand-me-downs, right? From what I saw last time, I don’t think they need any alterations, so please wait here and relax.”
With that, Lily left the reception room with Rouge and Lecty. …Why was I brought here?
…Well, whatever. I sat on the sofa and took a sip of the tea that the servant had poured for me. Last time, I was so nervous that I could hardly enjoy the taste or aroma. It wouldn’t be bad to have some time to relax and enjoy a good cup of tea.
Just as I was thinking that,
“I’ve been waiting to see you, Lily-chan! When I heard you were coming back, Papa rushed back from the south… ah.”
“Buh!?”
Marquis Puridi appeared with great force, and I ended up spraying tea from my nose and mouth.