In Chapter 29, I’ve made some additions.
As an adopted daughter of the Leighton Baron family, with only a month left until my enrollment in the Royal Magic Academy, I ventured alone into the Royal Capital.
Baroness Leighton, Sera-san, who is also a Shadow Knight in charge of guarding the Queen’s Palace, uses a carriage to enter and exit the castle due to her position. However, as a noble lady, even if I am the daughter of a lower noble, there is no need for me to use a carriage or have an escort every time I go to town.
The season was winter, but in the Kingdom of Claydale, located in the south of the continent, it doesn’t get cold enough to snow. I was wearing only a light coat over my dress as I gently pushed open the door of the shop I had arrived at.
“Gelf, are you there?”
I called out to the back of the empty shop, and from the depths emerged a middle-aged (male) dwarf wearing a red mermaid dress and high heels that clattered like horseshoes.
“Oh, isn’t it Aria-chan? Have you gotten used to the noble lady life?”
“No problem. Is what I ordered ready?”
“…You’re still as unresponsive as ever. The item is ready. I’ve arranged the latest design from Dandole in my own way. I’ll teach you how to wear it, so come to the back.”
“Understood.”
I quietly nodded to Gelf, who winked with eyelashes that looked over a centimeter long.
Gelf is a rock dwarf who excels at smithing, but he is also a unique and first-class craftsman who creates beautiful armor that he wants to wear himself. For some reason, Dolton acknowledges his skills but would never visit his shop.
I had asked Gelf to strengthen my armor with materials obtained from the Dungeon and to make thin armor that could be worn under my uniform.
Also, now that I was 12 years old, my body, which had grown with mana, was about the size of a 14-year-old, and I needed to have the size of the armor I had inherited from my master adjusted.
“Try wearing this. I’ve made spares.”
“Okay.”
What I was handed was an oddly shaped piece of armor. Its shape resembled the corset that Sera-san wore, which I had only seen once. The difference was that the material was not cloth but thin metal threads of platinum, so thin that it was transparent, and it covered up to the chest.
“A chainmail made of metal threads?”
“What an unrefined way to call it… It’s made of Mithril Silver, you know? The defense and comfort are on a different level.”
The shape was like women’s underwear, but it seemed to have more defense than ordinary chainmail. If you cast [Purify (Clean)] on it every time and let mana flow through it, it would even self-repair to some extent.
In addition, there were platinum-colored tights made of the same material. These were also so thin that they were transparent and fit snugly on the legs. They only reached about halfway up the thighs, but he said that they would be held up by a belt worn around the waist. Looking at the shape, I was reminded of something called a garter belt that was in that woman’s “knowledge.”
“Isn’t Mithril Silver… expensive?”
“Because it’s made into threads, it doesn’t use as much as you think. The processing cost was higher than the material cost. It’s within the budget I received from you.”
For this equipment enhancement, I had given Galbas-he and Gelf a total of 15 gold coins. It seemed like it wouldn’t be enough if Mithril Silver was used, but Gelf wouldn’t accept any more, saying it was “for fun.”
When I put on the underwear-like equipment, I then put on my usual equipment. Most of it was just size adjustments, but the color had a slightly reddish sheen added to the original jet-black color.
“I processed the core of the Minotaur Murderer’s horn into a solvent and coated the surface with it. The anti-magic performance should be greatly improved. And…”
What Gelf proudly took out, even more proudly than his own armor, was the leather wrapping that had contained the Murderer’s horn.
“It’s from Galbas-he. It seems your brother put a lot of effort into it.”
When I opened the leather wrapping, it contained the Black Knife and Black Dagger that I had entrusted to Galbas-he. When I gently took them in my hand and drew them from their sheaths, the two jet-black blades emitted a faint red glow.
“…Amazing.”
Galbas-he had said that the horns of high-ranking Minotaurs were rare metals. I don’t know how he processed them, but with this, I could cut through even high-ranking Monsters.
“Thank you… I can fight properly with this.”
“Yes, good. I believe that the current Aria-chan can handle it. And this is a gift from me for your entrance into the academy.”
“Huh?”
At the very end, Gelf handed me something wrapped in a paper bag.
“A woman needs courage! Wear this during a ‘showdown’!”
“…………”
Inside were ten of the latest white silk underwear, tied on both sides with strings, that were said to be popular from Dandole for some reason.
＊
I don’t know why silk underwear is needed during a “showdown,” but since Gelf, an armor expert, says so, it must be something necessary when fighting a strong enemy.
In that case, I should wear it while I’m at the academy to keep myself focused.
Time passed, and it became the new year. A week before entering the Magic Academy, I was finally allowed to enter the Royal Palace by Sera-san.
The ostensible reason was to help with Elena-she’s entrance preparations as her attendant, but the background was not only that Crown Prince Elvan-he had returned to the academy that day, but also that Clara-she and Carla-she, who had been staying at the castle for Queen’s education, were away from the castle.
“The academy has dormitories for students coming from the provinces. However, only about half of the lower nobles and middle nobles who don’t have mansions in the Royal Capital use them. We royals will live in mansions within the academy, each given to us individually. The stated purpose is for the royal family to govern the academy…”
I silently nodded to Elena-she’s slightly casual explanation on the moonlit terrace in the Royal Palace, while brewing her a sweet-smelling tea.
I had completed my education as a noble lady and Royal Palace maid at Sera-san’s mansion, and from now on, I would be by Elena-she’s side as an “attendant,” “guard,” and “classmate.”
Elena-she’s attendant at the academy is not Sera-san. Sera-san is also in charge of guarding the Queen’s Palace, so she cannot leave the Royal Palace for a long time. A female knight, who is her subordinate and a Shadow Unit member, will take on that role.
I will also be living in the same mansion, not in the dormitory, just in case, but since the Royal Knights will be guarding the mansion, my main job will be within the academy.
“Only His Majesty knows that my body has healed. Even so, the royal family must show a certain level of ability within the academy, so everyone will soon realize that my body has healed. If that happens, the Aristocratic Faction, which is currently quiet, may start plotting to support me again…”
Elena-she wrapped her hands around the steaming cup and moistened her lips slightly.
“The next king is my brother. Otherwise, the domestic affairs of this country will be in turmoil again, just like when the viscount’s daughter became the Queen.”
“…Then, why?”
It’s a cruel way to put it, but wouldn’t it have been better for Elena-she if her body had remained weak? It’s certainly good that Elena-she’s body has healed, but she didn’t seem like the kind of person who only thought about herself.
Elena-she smiled bitterly at my short question.
“It’s a simple story. Like my too kind father, I don’t trust my brother either.”
His Majesty, unable to hide his feelings, made the viscount’s daughter he loved the Queen, and is still suffering from domestic problems. And Elena-she believes that the Crown Prince, who was raised by that Queen, has similar internal problems.
“In the worst case, I will lead the country. But the Aristocratic Faction will soon realize that things won’t go the way they want. And then I will be targeted by the Royalist Faction, which is currently my ally. …Hey, Aria. You’ll protect me at the academy, right?”
I reflected her in my eyes for a moment without changing my expression at the words she asked with a slightly mischievous smile.
“That’s my job.”
“You’re still as cold as ever.”
Even as she said that, Elena-she’s smile deepened slightly.
＊
“Now, let’s go. Follow me, Aria.”
“Yes, Elena-sama.”
And today, we are heading to the entrance ceremony from Elena-she’s mansion, where she has been living since the day before.
Elena-she’s outfit is called the second type of uniform, which is often seen on daughters of upper nobles. She is wearing a crimson robe in the shape of a mantle over a dress made for this day.
I, who am accompanying her, am wearing a crimson, slender dress that covers the skin up to the neck and ankles, called the first type of uniform, which is worn by general female students.
In this academy, high-ranking nobles are allowed to bring up to two attendants, while mid-ranking nobles can bring one. Of course, some ignore this rule and bring many attendants and guards for the sake of showing off, but either way, they cannot bring them inside the school building. Elena-sama, being royalty and a role model for everyone, would never do such a thing.
That’s why many high-ranking nobles try to have children from their wards enter the academy as close aides.
In Crown Prince Elvan’s case last year, I heard that he welcomed two high-ranking nobles one year above him, one in the same year, and one new student this year as close aides. However, Elena-sama, with her many constraints, only has me, a lower-ranking noble serving as a handmaiden, as her close aide.
The carriage carrying Elena-sama, me, and the Shadow Unit’s maid and butler as attendants arrived at the entrance ceremony venue. As the maid and I got out first to be wary of our surroundings, Elena-sama, assisted by the middle-aged butler, stepped out of the carriage, and a sigh of admiration escaped from the surrounding students.
We proceeded through the crowd of lower-ranking nobles who were simply gazing at her with admiration and mid-ranking nobles who were plotting to curry favor. Partway through, the role of escort changed from the butler to me.
A rustle… A murmur rippled through the surrounding students.
The appearance of children of nobles above a certain rank is well-known, but they probably didn’t know who I was.
A female student accompanying the Princess on her entrance alone. Seeing that, several students who had been vying with each other took a step forward, but stopped as if sewn in place by my gaze, which carried a light “pressure.” Elena-sama chuckled, hiding her mouth.
“I’m glad I chose you. Look, Aria. They aren’t just in awe of you, they’re captivated.”
“…………”
As we walked towards the venue, surrounded by students keeping their distance, a familiar boy caught my eye as I surveyed the surroundings. Noticing my gaze, Elena-sama looked in the same direction, and frowned slightly as she saw the young lady walking next to him.
The girl with reddish-dark blonde hair, dragging the Cruz butler Theo-san with his tanned skin as if clinging to his arm, had her uniform hem raised to her knees, exposing her white calves in a manner unbecoming of a noble lady, while flashing an innocent, full smile at the astonished surroundings.
“Wow, how wonderful. From today, this academy will be my ‘stage’!”
Finally, the “fake Heroine” and Aria encountered each other.
It seems like it will become a “stage” for an Otome Game with the kind of messy drama I like (laughs).
Next time: The Otome Game’s Heroine.