𝐆𝐲𝐚𝐟𝐮𝐧!
Chris’s special training was really tough. It was nothing compared to the time at the aristocratic school.
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I know that he is making sure I won’t be embarrassed at the award ceremony, so I was desperate too.
I worked hard every day to remember the faces and names of the nobles I had hardly remembered before, practicing walking and smiling.
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“It seems Ojou-sama is not familiar with the nobility, but it will be troublesome if you don’t remember. You didn’t even recognize Prince Linus’s face.”
“I definitely know it now! The only portrait I had seen of Roa-sama was from his younger days, so it just took me a while to realize who he was. . .”
“Indeed, there are few portraits of Prince Linus, but still, as a noble living in this country, you must know them.”
“Yes. . .”
“Ojou-sama seems to have trouble matching people’s faces with their names. Moreover, you subtly avert your eyes from men with handsome faces, don’t you?”
“. . .It’s okay now. Thanks to the lord knights, I’ve gotten quite used to shining faces!”
“That’s the spirit.”
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Show off a beautiful series of movements until the award! Smile silently when someone talks to you! Don’t open your mouth immediately and make a blunder!
While making sure to sleep well at night to prevent skin problems, the time passed with just Chris and me.
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“Chris, about my marriage. . .”
“I have heard from His Majesty Coleesh. There may be many aiming for Ojou-sama, but rest assured, I will never let anyone you dislike touch you.”
“. . .Do you think I could marry anyone I wish?”
“Yes. Within the country, except for His Majesty Coleesh and the married, you can marry anyone. His Majesty has declared not to take concubines.”
“Mismatched or unworthy. . .”
“There might be someone who those words suit as a partner for Ojou-sama. You are doing much greater things than you think you are.”
“. . .Even if the partner is Roa-sama?”
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It took a lot of courage to say this. My throat tightened with tension, and my breathing became shallow.
Chris said nothing and gently narrowed his eyes.
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“Even if Prince Linus is the partner.”
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His Majesty Coleesh said there would be no problem with whoever I marry, but it still bothers me.
The low-ranking noble who wasn’t even known has become quite significant.
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But then again, I haven’t heard Roa-sama’s feelings clearly! He might have had a change of heart!
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“Ugh. . .!”
“Ojou-sama, what’s the matter?”
“It’s okay. . .”
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Just imagining Roa-sama liking someone and standing together amicably is quite damaging. . .!
I am imagining things on my own and getting shocked on my own!
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“Anyway, now I only need to think about the award ceremony! By the way, is Caroline coming to the ceremony?”
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I pushed the thoughts of Roa-sama out of my mind forcibly and asked about what had been bothering me.
Caroline gave me important information. It was because she told me Maurice’s whereabouts that I could catch him and put Dyson in jail.
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“Miss Caroline has declined the award. She decided to start working as a full-fledged informant, and being recognized would make it impossible to continue in that role. Miss Caroline said that the greatest reward is not needing praise and not being known for her involvement with Prince Linus. His Majesty respected Miss Caroline’s wishes and truly did nothing.”
“For Caroline, that’s the best reward, isn’t it?”
“Yes. But she will attend the award ceremony, so it’s best to pretend to meet for the first time and become friends.”
“It will be my first time meeting Caroline without using a magical disguise tool. That’s right, we can just become friends again.”
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Feeling energized at the thought of meeting Caroline, I’m sure I will see friends I haven’t met in a while too.
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“Just a little longer, I’ll do my best!”
“You’re getting much better. Let’s keep it up until the award ceremony.”
“Yes!”
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Then, enduring muscle pain and headaches from overloading with information, the day of the award ceremony arrived.
The ceremonial clothes I was to wear today were only basted, but the supermaid Chris had somehow taken them and finished sewing them completely.
Chris made me up beautifully, arranged my hair in a complex half-up style, and added a necklace borrowed from the queen and a matching hair ornament.
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Powder was dusted on the exposed skin, making it white and glossy. It’s supposed to reflect the light and twinkle modestly.
Today, Chris is in his male form, dressed in a ceremonial outfit that matches the color of mine, with his long blonde hair tied back.
I thought I was used to seeing Chris like this, but when he dresses up, understanding his own strengths, the sparkle is almost blinding.
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“Miss Alice, no, Ojou-sama. . . You’ve really done well. With the way you are now, you can carry yourself splendidly at the award ceremony. Don’t worry, there will be guards other than me from here on.”
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We’ve been shut in this room together for almost a month. Chris has done so much for me.
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“Chris, thank you. It must have been tough always being with me, who is not quick to learn. If it weren’t for Chris, at the noble’s school and even now, I wonder what would have become of me. . .”
“If it were that time, I’m sure you would have managed on your own.”
“Please, don’t say something so reckless.”
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Smiling awkwardly in response to Chris’s gentle smile, I straighten my back. As I walk, the sound of my heels clicking against the floor can be heard.
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“Let’s go.”
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Chris opens the door.
Beyond it, the same sky blue as my ceremonial dress spreads out.
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“Roa-sama. . .! And everyone else!”
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Leading with Roa-sama, Arthur, Edgar, Rolf, and Rene were all assembled.
They all watched me, who was surprised, with smiles as if their mischief had succeeded. Roa-sama, looking slightly thinner, held out his hand with a childlike smile, his eyes twinkling like stars.
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“May I join you, my lady?”
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The tension in my body, which had been rigid until a moment ago, eased moderately. A smile naturally came to my face.
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“Being escorted has really improved you.”
“That sounds exciting.”
“You’ll be at a loss for words, for sure.”
“At a. . . loss for words?”
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Placing a hand on Roa-sama’s arm, who is unaware of the term ‘at a loss for words’. The hem of the dress becomes a hindrance, but I start walking with a smile taught by Chris.
A laughter-suppressed voice is heard from behind like a ripple.
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“. . .Should I be at a loss for words?”
“No need to be. Come on, let’s go together.”
“Isn’t there still time before the award ceremony starts?”
“There is time to spare, but it’s risky to stay in the waiting room. Let’s stay somewhere safe until the ceremony.”
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I thought we were going to the waiting room for a final check, but it seems not.
The smile of Roa-sama, seen after a long time, was so dazzling that I instinctively looked away. Feeling Chris’s sharp gaze from behind, I casually faced forward again.
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“I’m relieved that Alice hasn’t changed.”
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. . .Although Roa-sama’s voice was reassuring, I felt nothing but inadequacy.
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We reached a very splendid room, being cautious of my surroundings.
The outside of the room I had been confined in was quite for the upper-class nobility, but I hadn’t been able to see my surroundings because of the surprise of being with Roa-sama and the others.
I sits down on a chair pulled out by Chris and casually check the room. It’s a luxurious yet quiet room with no one else but them.
It seems that only I doesn’t know where this place is.
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“Roa-sama, where is this?”
“This is the queen’s palace. Alice has been in this palace all along.”
“What. . .?”
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What the—?!
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