Chapter 33

Now, to the Royal City

“…Why was something like this sent to me…”

The thing I presently held in my hand was an invitation . …It is an invitation to a party held in the Royal Castle to celebrate the founding of the Kingdom .

Because it is an official event, it is usually attended by everyone, especially those who are making a debut . That’s right, if it is the usual .

However, I have been banished from society, and ever since I have been expelled from the academy, I have never received an invitation . Nevertheless, that is only natural, or rather, it is bizarre for me to even receive one .

“…However, young mistress . The invitation to this party came from the royal family . You cannot turn it down so bluntly . ”

Although Sebastian said that, he was also looking at the invitation with suspicious eyes .

“You’re right . …I should prepare myself for the worst . ”

“You don’t have to worry about the fief . It’s just nice that Dean will be here, and if anything happens, I will immediately dispatch a messenger . ”

“Yes . Sebastian, I’m counting on you . ”

* * *

Several days after that, I left the fief for the first time in a long while and headed towards the house in the Royal City . It’s been almost three years since I left the Royal City, and because it’s has been so long, I don’t have any deep impressions of it .

“Welcome home, young mistress . ”

All the servants gathered and greeted me at the same time . And the person at the very front was the head maid, Rimé .

“It’s been a long time, Rimé”

“Yes . To finally be able to meet the young mistress again, there is no greater joy than this . ”

“You’re being too exaggerated . ”

Then, I walked passed the servants who had lined up and headed further inside .

“…It’s been a long time . ”

“Welcome home, Iris-chan . ”

Inside, my parents and my younger brother were waiting .

“It’s been a long time . Father, mother, Berne . ”

“Above all, it’s good that you’re in good health . It’ll be good if you spend your time here leisurely . ”

My normally strict father unexpectedly displayed a soft expression . With just that alone, I felt slightly pleased .

“Yes, please allow me to do so . ”

“More than anything, I heard from Sei that there will be another new product? I’m looking forward to it . ”

“The preparation to commercialize it is not yet completed . However, I will be doing a trial run of the product during the upcoming party, so please look forward to it . ”

“Weellll~ Later please show it to me in secret? Can you?”

“Please look forward to seeing it tomorrow . ”

When I said that, she sported a slightly disappointed expression and consented anyway .

“Older sister… Will you really be attending tomorrow’s party?”

“It can’t be helped . Since I received an invitation from the royal family . ”

“…However, Ed-sama and Yuri-sama will be attending for sure . ”

I was surprised when I heard Berne’s words, and my eyes unintentionally widened in wonder .

“…I was surprised . ”

“About what?”

“The fact that you’re actually worrying about me . ”

After I said what I was thinking, Berne’s face darkens a little .

“That is… It is certainly normal for you to think that it’s a little late for me to worry about you, but…”

“Not at all . Thank you . ”

After that, I went to my room to relax . The last time I was here, I was really nervous thinking about how my negotiations with father will turn out, and after the meeting with him, I was so busy with various preparations that I do not have much memory of this room . That’s why it feels a little nostalgic .

While I was relaxing like that, Rimé came to the room .

“…Young mistress, the Master is calling for you . ”

“Hmmm, father is… I will go to him immediately . ”

When I entered the room, father was sitting on a chair surrounded by lots of documents . …Somehow, I see my own appearance in him .

“…So you came . ”

“Yes . Please excuse me . ”

“…It seems like the fief has been doing well lately . ”

“It’s doing passably . ”

“Don’t be too modest . …Well, I guess that’s fine . That aside, I’m really sorry about this time . ”

“When you said ‘this time,’ are you talking about the party?”

“Yeah . Although Melly and I tried to investigate it… the insiders insisted that the invitation came from a member of the royal family . ”

“I wonder what they are intending in making me attend? It’s not as though there’s any merit . ”

“Or rather, it’s because it will be difficult for you . The aristocrats will be strict on someone who has once been banished from society . ”

“Well, if it’s about that, I’ve already prepared myself . It is a situation which I cannot run away from, so there’s no helping it . ”

“On that appointed day, there’s a high chance that the King will not make an appearance . ”

“Although it’s the party to celebrate the founding of the Kingdom, the King might not attend? Did something happen?”

I mean, it’s the party to celebrate the founding of the Kingdom, right? So unless something compelling happened, the King will definitely be there .

“…About half a year ago, the King collapsed . ”

“No way…”

After feeling like I was hit by a massive weight, I instinctively heaved a sigh . With this timing, and for the King to be absent . No matter how one looks at it, the chaos in this Kingdom will intensify .

“Although he collapsed, I can’t say that his illness was serious . However, as of now, if one just looks at him, one can immediately tell that his health is gradually deteriorating . The party tomorrow will most likely be the trigger to set this Kingdom off . ”

Well, that’s probably how it’ll be . If the King is absent, no matter who it is, they’ll find it suspicious . And in no time at all, rumors will start to spread .

“Since that is the case, a daughter of a Duke will probably become one of the main topics . During tomorrow’s party, my existence will probably be in the limelight . As for me, I really want to quickly return to the fief and resume my normal life . ”

“Ah, that’s right…”

“Father, although you probably have a lot of work left to do before tomorrow’s party, but please take care of your body . ”

“You as well . I also heard about . Didn’t you already collapse once?”

“Only for one day . But after that, I’ve always remembered to relax . ”

“Is that so . When it comes to work, the body is the basis . …You as well, make sure you don’t overwork yourself . ”

“Yes . Thank you very much . ”

* * *

…The next day, because the weather was beautiful, I decided to do yoga in the garden . Although it seems like Tanya has given up on the idea of asking me to stop wearing linen T-shirts and tights early in the morning, she probably didn’t think that I would wear it outside . And when she saw me, she panicked .

…I’m so sorry, Tanya . However, it is warm in the Royal City, and the weather is fine, so I instinctively did it .

Mother found with at the same time as Tanya . When she saw me, she seemed to have gotten interested in yoga and made me promise to teach her tomorrow morning .

Since the party will take place tonight, I should probably start making my preparations .

I took a shower and began my preparation . After I got dressed with help from Tanya, she also took responsibility to do my hair and make-up .

By the way… The trial product, this time, is a dress . This dress has been tailored with the recently discovered silk . As expected, silk… has splendid luster . Earlier, Tanya was also looking at the dress absentmindedly .

…Now then, preparation is perfect . Spirit is also adequate . Thus, shall we head off to the battlefield?

* * *