Bravery surged through Elric’s body. So what if he had to undergo bridal training again? Having Jerry and Kite there would make the experience easier at the very least. At least he wouldn’t be laughed at by himself.

Together, the group marched back toward the princess’ room. Hamon was the one to knock on the door and soon a maid came to answer.

Ushered inside by the maid, the group continued inward with Charle practically pushing Elric inside.

The room was especially bright with the open windows letting in the sun. Inside, the entire place almost looked as though it was glittering.

Underneath the closest window was a red-painted cabinet and a high-quality wardrobe. Large oil paintings decorated each of the four walls of the room, though Elric didn’t recognize any of the figures painted on them. Without a doubt, however, these works of arts were masterfully painted. Even the roof was painted with a mural the azure blue color of the sky and had also clouds painted in. There was even a suspended chandelier painted like the sun.

And sitting there in the corner on top of a fox-skinned sofa was the one Elric was afraid of seeing the most: Flania.

The princess stood up at their entrance and strode pleasantly over to them.

Elric bent the knee to the princess at once. He was willing to bow his head to the ground if it meant the princess would forgive him.

“My dear uncle,” Flania smiled, “how happy I am to see you! And you’ve brought guests! Honorable Grand Magister, it is an honor to have my residence graced with your presence. It is also a pleasure to see sir Elric safe and sound with us. How worried we were when you didn’t come home last night! It brings me happiness to see your safe return, sir Elric.”

“I beg for Your Highness’ forgiveness.” Elric’s voice quaked. Her words were sweet but he could sense the edge in it. It would’ve been better for her to have been harsh straight off the bat. At least that way he’d feel reassured.

“No no no, there’s no need to apologize. But there is something I would like your input on.”

He wasn’t sure what the request was, but a request was better than a punishment. Of that much, he was certain. Looking at the sweat-stricken faces of Jerry and Kite as they suffered next to the wall was enough to send Elric into fight-or-flight mode. If he could do well on whatever the princess wanted maybe he’ll be able to reduce his punishment or even escape it! Elric was ready for the task, even if it meant walking through flaming coals or swimming through an ocean.

But Flania didn’t respond. Instead, she beckoned to the nearby maid who came forth with a beautiful long skirt.

He glanced at it, curious. This was a pretty dress, but not one the princess would normally wear. Pink and magenta in color, the dress was embedded with many pretty gems and pearls and was embroidered with golden threads. It was a masterful piece of embroidery, but it was also quite garish as well. The matching earrings next to the dress were even more ridiculous-looking with how large and heavy it looked. Would the ears fall off if they had to support such a weight? Or would the wearer even bother to move in fear of their ears being ripped off?

Had the princess’ taste in fashion deteriorated? Or was she deliberately trying to catch attention with such a dress and earring? Elric couldn’t see any other reason why she would pick out an outfit only a superficial heiress would wear? Someone far more sensitive to fashion trends and had a good educational background would never choose such an outfit to wear.

What was the princess thinking? Was she going to try them on and ask for his opinion? Was this a test of honesty? Or was this the next step in bridal training? Regardless, Elric was ready to be completely honest with the princess if he had to be.

“What do you think of this dress and skirt?”

“It is beautiful fabric, Your Highness, but I dare say it would not suit Your Highness. It is far too garish and impactful in the wrong ways. I believe the other skirts would suit you more.”

Laughter broke out from the princess. “Your honesty is appreciated, Elric. An unselfish person who speaks the truth. But be assured, I will not be wearing this. This dress is not for mine purposes.”

Elric blinked. Then what was the point of the dress then? Was she okay? Did something she drank in the palace not sit well with her?

“Elric.” The princess continued. “You’ve shown to be quite adequate with your etiquette training, it is almost second-nature to you. And yet you’ve caused embarrassment for me yesterday. I believe this to be a fault of my guidance, and sadly, I do not think I will be able to teach you. Thus I have given up on your training.”

She pointed her finger to the still-sweating figures of Jerry and Kite. “Those two have shown aptitude for my training. I will be spending my efforts on these hopeful two.”

Jerry and Kite’s faces went ashen.

“I found one even better suited to teach you. Thankfully Sir Kebrilio was able to aid us.”

“It is an honor to serve, Your Highness.” Kebrilio spoke politely.

※※※

A complaint rose up in Elric’s mind at Kebrilio’s flat smile. Was the princess planning on asking this bear of a magus to teach him etiquette? Wasn’t she just giving up then? Elric knew how Kebrilio was. The magus walked like a drunken badger when he attempted to walk in the way nobles did. His body just wasn’t thin enough to emulate the footwork properly.

At least Kebrilio would treat him nicely. That was the good thing about this situation.

Elric’s expression earned a small smile from the princess. “Oh Elric,” She thought. “It’s too early to be smiling, you won’t even know what hit you later. Uncle is a smart one to have come up with such a plan. Is this what it means to be a ‘diamond in the trough’? Never did I imagine he would have such tricks in his mind. This plan is exquisitely interesting and equally cruel. Experience it well, Elric.”

“Due to Sir Kebrilio’s efforts, I will be able to rest assured in your training under Countess Merlise. She is the premier teacher of Karthian court etiquette, and a strict one at that. Under her tutelage, many nobles became splendid ladies and beauties…”

An uneasy feeling began to settle in the pit of Elric’s stomach. Had he the choice he would’ve ran out from this room a long time ago.

“For the sake of your future, I have taken the decision to enroll you in their accelerated etiquette lessons for six days. From today henceforth, you shall be known as Fantasia, sir Kebrilio’s niece. Your clothes are already prepared. That dress is yours as well. Satisfied?”

“The future? What future? It’s all pitch black! A future where everyone will laugh at me. My tragic future…” Elric had fallen into despair.

“Clonk. Clonk.”

Heads turned when they heard two crashes from near the wall. Kite and Jerry sat there with wide-open mouths as they stared at the princess and Elric. The kettles of hot water had fallen off their heads earlier when they heard what Elric was going to go through.

Calmly, Flania tilted her head at a slant to speak to the two. “Should you not feel satisfied with my lessons; Kite, Jerry, then you may join Elric if you wish. I am sure sir Kebrilio will not mind having two more nieces.”