Chapter 6: Puffy Augustella von Arcana ①
Puffy Augustella von Arcana was an intelligent young girl. This intelligence did not merely refer to her mental acuity but also encompassed her graceful and modest demeanor as the Princess of Arcana, along with her character.
With her stunning appearance complemented by virtues such as compassion and humility, she garnered nothing but admiration from nobles both within and beyond the kingdom.
From a young age, she had a clear understanding of her position.
Everyone’s eyes were fixed on her every move. Yet, she was aware that not all of those gazes were filled with goodwill.
While many were moved to the point of breathlessness by her gestures and conduct, there were also those who waited for her to make a mistake, their eyes keenly searching for any flaw.
Such scrutiny was inextricably linked to her status as royalty. Royalty represented the authority and symbol of the nation, and even a child could not escape the yoke of that responsibility.
Puffy accepted this reality, but accepting it and being at ease with it were entirely different matters. Just before meeting Ichiro Yamada, she felt a slight weariness.
Though she was not so self-deprecating as to liken herself to a bird in a cage, she nonetheless felt an inescapable sense of suffocation.
Yet, each time this feeling arose, thoughts of self-discipline came to mind.
The meals she had enjoyed, the wonderful education she had received, the comfort of a home that shielded her from the cold and heat, and the luxurious clothing and adornments that she wore—all of these were things that ordinary citizens could never attain. She naturally recalled that her sense of suffocation was, in fact, an affront to the country, its history, and the people who lived there.
Her serious and earnest nature did not allow her to grasp this.
She could think freely, yet she was unaware that such thoughts were permissible. Bound by the chains of “this is how royalty should be,” she had become ensnared in her own expectations.
Moreover, the problem did not end there. She was expected to continue embodying the beautiful and intelligent Puffy Augustella von Arcana, and at the right moment, she would have to marry into a noble family to strengthen the ties between the royal family and the nobility, or perhaps become a symbol of friendship between nations by marrying a foreign prince. This unchangeable reality loomed before her, overwhelming in its starkness.
She might not have realized it herself, but an unalterable reality lay before her, and within her, chains bound her.
In such circumstances, her negative emotions gradually accumulated, and over time, they transformed into a sense of despair akin to what one might feel about a long and unending life.
Despite this, there were moments when Puffy could be herself. Those moments came when she was lost in the pages of a book.
She loved tales of adventurers. The excitement of watching free-spirited seekers face danger with wisdom and courage made her heart race as she turned the pages. She also adored mystery novels penned by those who had been transported from another world. These stories, which satisfied her intellectual curiosity, provided her with a profound sense of fulfillment. Additionally, she indulged in a variety of biographies and nonfiction stories.
However, her favorite genre was the one popular among the common women—more specifically, love stories.
Though some deemed it trivial, she discreetly sent trusted messengers to procure these tales for her.
On days when a messenger delivered a new book, she would be restless all day, eager to immerse herself in the world of the story. Yet, she maintained a perfect facade, never revealing her excitement, and even her family, including her parents, failed to see through her act. Still, her mind was filled with thoughts of romance yet to be discovered.
Among the many love stories, there was one book that stood out as her absolute favorite. It had been read countless times, its pages worn, and though it was never explicitly stated, it could be considered her bible.
The content was so clichéd that it made her blush—“The Love Story of the Summoned Hero and the Princess.”
She learned of the summoning after everything had transpired, alongside Chancellor Madison, who had been opposed to it.
Her father, the Arcana King, had been persuaded by a prominent member of the pro-summoning faction, who had plotted to keep Madison away, presenting the argument that “the deadline for using the Summoning Magitool was approaching” and “it would be a waste not to use it.” He was further urged, “Their power is remarkable. Please agree to this for the sake of saving the nation from danger,” and “If you do not nod in agreement and the damage escalates, many lives will be lost, and it will be irreparable.”
When she heard this, she felt a wave of dizziness and a sensation of crumbling from her feet up. It was sophistry. Why did they not trust the strength of the people of this world? Why put those unrelated at risk?
When she approached her father, she raised her voice, one she had never used before, to scold him.
But it was all too late. The situation had already begun to unfold, and it was rolling forward.
The two who had been summoned gained the rare professions of Hero and Holy Knight, and many present at the summoning declared, “Now our country is safe,” with fervor.
Moreover, they had only two options to return: wait twenty years or obtain the Wish Orb, and they were reluctantly accepting the exploration of the Newly Constructed Ultimate Labyrinth to secure it.
All she could do was support them.
Though she chastised herself for harboring such unseemly feelings, she found herself comparing the summoned Hero to the heroes of stories. The Hero she had seen a few times was a slovenly figure, the complete opposite of the heroes in tales.
He welcomed the attention of influential families within the pro-summoning faction with open arms. She heard that he was being pampered and treated exceptionally well. Rumors within the castle suggested that the Hero, like a debauched Seeker, drank heavily from early afternoon and indulged with the women provided to him.
Yet, Puffy felt that this was indeed the truth. In the corridors of the Royal Castle, she had encountered the Hero multiple times. Each time he passed by, the scent emanating from him and the lewd, lingering gaze he cast upon her made her retreat to her room, where she would embrace her trembling body, overwhelmed by fear and disgust.
However, that fear gradually dissipated. The catalyst for this change was her encounter with the Holy Knight Boy.
In Puffy’s eyes, the Holy Knight Boy was a person of indomitable spirit, one who would rise again no matter how many times he fell—his eyes always sparkled with brilliance.
───────────
A little announcement!
The paper version of this work’s comic adaptation will be released on 11/19! Both volumes 1 and 2 will be released simultaneously!
That’s tomorrow… I’m so nervous!
It features the alluring Pul-san, the enchanting Angelica, and the captivating Sensei!
I hope everyone will pick it up! Eeeeeek!!!