The Duke's Daughter Goes Her Own Way
[Elizabeth Dances, But Does Not Improve]
Translated by: ME
Time flies like an arrow.
The first year at the academy passed in the blink of an eye, and now it's the spring following the end of the second year.
This academy, with its ['Studies First, Who Cares About the Rest!'] policy, has no cultural festivals or the like. It's thoroughly composed only of elements unsuitable for an otome game setting.
Incidentally, there's no student council either. The boys' dormitory seems to have a self-governing association. ...I feel like you could make a game set in the Boys' Dormitory Self-Governing Association. Though it'd be BL.
***
His Highness came of age this year.
He's eighteen. A proper adult now. Yes, in appearance too. He's tall, has a good amount of muscle, and his face has fully taken on a youthful man's appearance; our god is dazzling.
I turned fourteen, and my height... isn't growing. Why!? Mother is a tall, slender beauty!
No, just kidding, just kidding. It grew, it grew. Hahaha.
...What's the meaning of being barely 150 centimeters!?
The theory that His Highness is a lolicon is still stubbornly hanging on...
Is it even possible to dispel this at this point? Do girls' heights still grow from here? By Japanese standards, this is second-year middle school, you know? Not *chūnibyō*, but actual middle school second year?
...I have a memory of my growth stopping in the sixth grade of elementary school in my previous life. The sense of despair is incredible.
Also, my face is still an astonishing baby face! I'm still getting love calls from the lolicon King of the neighboring country!
***
Well, His Highness, who has become a handsome young man at eighteen, will be busy with public duties from now on. So, I heard he will be taking almost a complete break from the academy.
[I've practically already earned my graduation qualifications, so don't worry.]
Wow, as expected of His Highness. So cool.
[Ellie, enjoy yourself for one more year,] he said with a smile. Is that the composure of an adult, Your Highness?
***
[A, a crisis like this in my life...]
The academy is now on spring break.
It's a quite long vacation, from the end of March until the end of the first week of May.
During this time, that hellish entrance exam takes place. Everything about it feels nostalgic now...
Even during the break, the academy facilities are available for use.
There are plenty of students, like those conducting experiments that require ongoing observation.
And so, in the cafeteria.
The useless girl, now sixteen this year, is trembling violently.
The glass in her hand is shaking *buruburu*, about to spill the orange juice inside.
Emilia-san is watching her anxiously, handkerchief already at the ready.
[Marie-san, for now, let's put the glass down.]
[I, I'll put it down...]
The bottom of the glass hit the table, making a *chacha* chattering sound.
Just how much are you shaking!?
Emilia-san has become like a care worker. As expected of Emilia-san, the angel in white...
Marie-san's ['Greatest Crisis in Life'] is the Grand Ball at the royal castle in the second week of May.
This will be the so-called ['Social Debut'] venue.
The age of majority is eighteen, but the social debut age is sixteen.
The difference is that drinking alcohol is permitted from eighteen. Those aged sixteen or seventeen cannot drink alcohol at evening parties. They *can* drink, but the penalties for causing any trouble while doing so are heavier.
Also, from eighteen, you gain something like ['voting rights'].
If you want to work in major departments of the royal castle, you need to be over eighteen.
This doesn't apply to maids or cooks not involved in politics.
Once you make your social debut, you gain the right to attend evening parties. Or rather, the opportunities where you are *compelled* to attend increase.
Also, you can marry from sixteen.
...His Highness is counting down the days on his fingers, looking forward to me turning sixteen... He often says [Only X years and Y months left], but the ['Y months'] part is so detailed it's a little scary.
For this social debut, all noble young ladies and sons who turn sixteen that year receive an invitation to the Grand Ball from the royal castle.
It's like the Austrian Opera Ball. It serves the same purpose as a high-class matchmaking venue.
Men wear tailcoats and white gloves, women wear pure white dresses and long gloves as rules, and the debutantes of the year are presented.
There, they must dance a specific dance.
Marie-san's crisis is that dance.
It's not a dance with a fixed partner. Several people form a circle, repeatedly changing partners while dancing.
It's a dance only performed at the debutante ball.
It's a once-in-a-lifetime grand stage.
...However, this dance! Has quite a peculiar style and is difficult.
[Is it really that difficult?]
Emilia-san, a proper commoner with no connection to high society, asks.
[It's sooo difficult!]
[I wasn't asking you, Marie.]
Whoa, a sharp remark delivered with a smile!
[Well, it is difficult. But even if you make a mistake, it's considered 'part of the charm'.]
[See! That's great, isn't it, Marie!]
[It's nooot...]
Marie-san's vibrate function remains completely broken.
Hmm... What to do.
I remember it myself, but my own motor skills are a bit... unique. It's not something I can teach others.
The teacher who taught me the dance also gave me a dubious seal of approval, saying, [Your movements are correct, but....... No, it's nothing. You'll be fine, Lady Elizabeth.]
Anyway, during the practice for this dance, His Highness served as my partner.
I stepped on His Highness's feet and kicked his shins multiple times, but he said, [I'm honored to be the partner for Ellie's first debut dance,] with a smile so full of charm it was almost erotic.
Dancing, huh...
I wonder if there's even one person among my household's mysteriously-backgrounded servants who's good at it?
Maybe I'll just ask around.
***
[I mean, why did you think commoners (barely off the bottom) like us could dance or something?]
That was the answer I got from Dee, the barely-off-the-bottom commoner, when I visited the ducal mansion and asked, [Does anyone here know how to do the debut dance?]
[I mean, even if Dee is at the bottom, I thought maybe someone would? There's gotta be at least one from a normal noble family!?]
Don't tell me there isn't a single one!?
Normally, servants at the ducal level are daughters of nobles or second or third sons, right!?
[Why is the Young Lady looking for 'normal' at the Macnagan Ducal household?]
Anna said to me in a relaxed tone.
...Well, I thought there might be a *little* 'normal' element...
[I could teach the male part...]
As expected of Butler Thomas, a title-holder!
But what's needed right now is the female part.
[I mean, wouldn't it be better to look in the castle? The Reaper was supposedly a noble, but he's not from this country.]
[No, I'm not expecting anything from the Reaper in particular.]
I don't need someone from another country!
...I'll just look in the castle, then.
***
I asked around everywhere: [Can someone teach my useless friend the tricks of the debut dance?] and managed to hook one person. And a tremendously big fish at that.
It feels like I caught a tuna, let alone a sea bream, with a hook without any bait.
Today is a dance lesson at the ducal mansion, with the useless heroine invited.
[Lady Elizabeeth... Thank you sooo much...]
Her vibrate function is still broken.
[It's for a friend.]
When I said that with a sigh, the already-broken-in-various-ways Marie-san started crying.
That's scary, please stop.
Our house does have a ballroom.
It's a secret that it's usually the servants' playground since we rarely host evening parties.
I took Marie-san there and introduced her to today's instructor.
[Marie-san, this is Her Highness Princess Linalia, who has agreed to be today's instructor.]
Bow! Bow, Marie-san!! Don't stand there with your mouth open like an idiot!!
Marie-san noticed with a start and hurriedly performed a bow. Princess Linalia giggled at her flustered, completely ungraceful state.
[I, I am Mariebell Flourite! It is an extreme honor to meet you!]
[Please raise your head. It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Mariebell.]
[N, nooo, p, please, just call me Marie!]
Just how much are you shaking?
[So Ellie calls you 'Marie-san'?]
[Yes.]
[Then I shall do the same. Nice to meet you, Marie-san.]
[Y, y, y, ye-ss…………]
Vibrate, and then mute.
Marie-san has acquired a new function. Let's call her Marie-san 16s.
***
Her Highness Princess Linalia is fifteen years old this year. She's one year older than me, one year younger than Marie-san.
Just as the Crown Prince is a dazzling beauty, Her Highness Linalia also possesses a radiant, light-attribute level of beauty.
It's been decided that two years after His Highness and I marry, Her Highness Linalia will also marry into another family. Her partner is Lord Robert Aristoll, the Duke.
Her Highness Linalia, who wishes to remain involved in national politics after marriage, and His Grace, who was weary of searching for a bride, found their interests aligned.
Apparently, they discussed the marriage with great passion, yet very matter-of-factly, both with faces like ['I've received divine revelation!!']. His Highness told me this with a distant look.
They are very harmonious as an engaged couple, but listening to their conversations, they feel more like ['comrades pursuing the same path'] or ['war buddies'], with no romantic charm at all.
...Well, they seem happy, so that's fine.
The torrential downpour of marriage proposals that had been raining down on His Grace also ceased, as no one could possibly interfere with the marriage of a princess. So, His Grace has been in exceedingly high spirits since the engagement was settled.
[Her Highness Linalia will teach the female part.]
Don't make that face, Marie-san!
Patting the still-trembling Marie-san's back, I whispered to her conspiratorially.
[It's fine. Her Highness Linalia is a tolerant person who doesn't mind minor disrespect. First, please turn off your vibrate function.]
[Th, the stop button is...]
Where is it!?
[Now, for the male part, we have Lord Morgan, who serves as Her Highness Linalia's guard knight, Alphonse over there, and one more person selected solely for his motor skills and good looks—our household's Reaper.]
[Reaper?] The voices of Her Highness Linalia and Marie-san harmonized.
The introduced Reaper was crouched down, covering his face with both hands, weeping bitterly.
[...Caesar. I'm sorry. I apologize, so please stop crying.]
[...To have it follow me for this long... I want to kill my past self...]
It never fades—that's the very nature of a dark history!
Still, it's annoying to have a grown man crying like that.
[Caesar, you're being rude in front of Her Highness.]
[...It all started because of you, Young Lady...]
Don't sob! It's off-putting coming from a man your age!
[Then, go cry in that corner over there. Alright?]
[...Aye.]
Responding in a stuffy, nasal voice, Caesar obediently moved to a corner of the hall.
A grown, handsome man sitting in a 'physical education sit' pose.
It's a rare sight, but it doesn't make my heart flutter at all.
[We don't have an orchestra, but the servants of our house who play instruments as a hobby have gathered, even though no one called them.]
In the corner of the hall were servants holding various instruments.
Her Highness Linalia was looking at them with strangely sparkling eyes...
Stop playing your instruments so freely, yelling ['Yeah!'] or whatever! It's noisy! You're startling Lord Morgan too!
...What is this? Was it really a good idea to have the venue at my house...?
Wouldn't it have been better to ask for the royal castle...?
Anyway, Anna, let's put down that triangle. We're not using it.
***
[One, two, three, four, five... and you turn around.]
Her Highness Linalia demonstrated the moves while carefully teaching Marie-san.
We managed to get Marie-san to mute her vibrate function and do her best.
[Young Lady, aren't you gonna join in over there?]
Our baker Nathan, who surprisingly seems to be able to play the violin, pointed his bow towards Her Highness Linalia and the others.
[I more or less remember the moves myself.]
That's right. I remember the moves.
Though the teacher's mysterious seal of approval makes me anxious.
[Then please give it a try, Young Lady!]
Anna, who was empty-handed because I had strictly forbidden the triangle, dragged Caesar over by the arm.
Caesar was wearing a tailcoat he must have borrowed from Thomas.
It didn't fit him at all, was baggy, and looked terrible.
[Alright, let's begin~]
Saying that, he lightly tapped the floor with his bow to set the rhythm.
Taking Caesar's hand, we bowed to each other.
It's not a tight hold; we only take each other's one hand, stepping and spinning around.
When I put my foot out, Caesar's foot deftly avoided it.
Foot out. Avoid. Out. Avoid...
[...What kind of martial arts demonstration is this?]
Shut up!!
[It's only because it's Caesar that he dodges, but if it were anyone else, you'd be kicking them, right?]
[No, for the Young Lady, that's amazing, isn't it!? It kinda looks like dancing!]
Not everyone is saying ['For sure—!'], you know!? Remember that!
And Alphonse! You turn off your vibrate function too!
***
Moving your body continuously is tiring, so we took a break.
A tea corner had been created by the servants in a corner of the hall, which was far too large for just a few people to use.
They managed to bring that heavy table over...
When we sat down, a maid prepared tea and elderflower cordial for us. After moving around, a cold drink is better than tea, right?
[Um, Your Highness Linalia... You're not tired, are you...?]
Marie-san, who seemed to have gotten somewhat used to Her Highness Linalia, asked timidly.
Her Highness Linalia smiled brightly in response.
[I'm fine. In fact, I'm enjoying myself.]
Right. You *are* enjoying yourself, aren't you? Why?
And also, why did you specifically request ['Can the venue be at the ducal mansion?']?
[I think Marie-san will be fine once she overcomes that nervousness. As for Ellie...]
What about me?
Hey, Your Highness Linalia, what about me?
[You're cute just by being here, so you'll be fine.]
This isn't a ['Nico~'] moment!
Nothing about that is 'fine'!
And Marie-san, why are you nodding!?
...You could praise Ellie-chan's dancing a little. If you praised me, I might improve.
[By the way, Your Highness Linalia, why did you want the practice venue at my house? Wouldn't it have been better to borrow a room at the royal castle? They have (proper, not that fun orchestra) musicians there, and (plenty of partner candidates, not just the Reaper selected for motor skills)...]
[To be honest, I was interested in the Macnagan Ducal household.]
She started saying incomprehensible things with a nice smile!
[I heard stories from my elder brother and wanted to visit once.]
And... what kind of stories might those be...?
[My elder brother often says, 'The Macnagan Ducal household is a demonic realm,' so I wondered what kind of place it was...]
Hey, Your Highness!! What do you mean by that!?
What do you mean, 'demonic realm'!
Sure, it's a bit different from normal!
The servants are a little (a lot? No, quite?) strange!
And my brother is that, and this, and a rotten shitbug in various ways!
...No, let's stop. If I start listing things, there's no end, and it really does make our place sound like a demonic realm...
Hey, Anna, no ['Ching♪']! I told you to put the triangle down!
['Demonic realm'? What is that?]
No, you don't need to be scared, Marie-san, it's fine.
[I don't really understand it either. But my elder brother says so. Also, whenever he returns from the ducal household, he always looks very tired...]
Ahh~... I'm sorry about that.
[The other day, he even took along members of the secret unit, the royal intelligence agents... I wondered what on earth happens there.]
...Yes. He did bring them along.
***
A few days ago, His Highness paid a surprise visit to the ducal household.
His Highness, whose schedule is always packed, always sends word ahead for visits.
Since there was none, our household was quite flustered.
Ah, I was home for the long vacation break. I was super surprised.
He showed up as casually as if visiting a Japanese friend's house, saying ['Hey'] or something.
We were entertaining him while wondering what he came for, but about twenty minutes in, I understood His Highness's purpose.
He had come to search for our household's hidden altar!! And he'd borrowed two ['Owls'] from the King for it!!
How serious can you get!?
Since His Highness said ['If I'm stopped, I'll give up,'] all the servants in our house went all out. Even the genuine, just-a-cook old man was holding a ladle, saying ['Come at me if you're coming!'] ...Dude, you can't do anything, just go make soup...
Among the servants in perfect interception formation, Dee was particularly harsh.
It seems the three special forces units are mutually incompatible.
It's like different departments in the same company not getting along very well...
They were the active, professional ones. Our side were all ['former'] something. But we outnumbered them. We also had the home-field advantage.
So, while I was just having tea with His Highness, the servants were running around the grounds freely. It was scary how intently His Highness was watching the hand signals they were exchanging.
Your Highness, are you seriously trying to memorize them...?
Two hours later, victory went to the Macnagan Ducal household.
Dee was sneering ['Ha, serves you right!'] at the two ['Owls'] tied up with rope, but aren't you gonna get payback for that later?
His Highness left looking very frustrated. ...Taking the rope-bound ['Owls'] with him.
***
But I can't tell this story so honestly!
And servants! Stop being so noisy, saying ['That was fun!'] and ['That was interesting!']! Why are you all casually chatting about it so openly!
[They are such cheerful people.]
See! Her Highness Linalia is laughing at us!
Baker, don't look embarrassed! No one's praising you!
[My apologies. We allow our servants a great deal of freedom.]
[Fufu. It's quite alright. ...So, what exactly did my elder brother want to do?]
Ah, you hadn't forgotten about that topic.
[It seems Lord Leon wanted to search for ['a certain item'] located somewhere in our house.]
['A certain item'...]
Yes. Please forgive me for not going into details. It would deal a fatal blow to His Highness.
[What that is... I cannot say in detail, but please understand.]
[Yes, that's fine. It is a matter of the Macnagan Ducal household's private affairs.]
I heard the sound of Alphonse choking.
Seriously, can't you do something about that tendency to laugh easily?
See! Her Highness Linalia is saying ['Lord Alphonse, are you alright?'].
[No, it's nothing. Please don't concern yourself.]
Alphonse answers with a nonchalant smile. What thick skin.
[Was my elder brother able to find that ['certain item']?]
[No. Our household's servants defended it completely.]
That's why! It's not a ['Yeah!'] moment! Just be quiet for a bit!
Her Highness Linalia looked surprised, saying ['My...'].
[They are quite capable, aren't they...]
Her Highness Linalia let out an impressed ['Hooh'].
She looks very beautiful, but the content of our conversation was just too much, the gap is incredible...
***
After that, we practiced dancing with partners, including the men.
Marie-san, who seemed to have relaxed considerably, stumbled a few times but had improved to an acceptable level.
Her Highness Linalia was, as expected, elegantly graceful, and every time she spun around, her golden hair floated up, looking incredibly beautiful. Marie-san and I both watched, going ['Whoa~...'].
Me? I was kicking Alphonse's feet, got a problem?
It's different! See, Caesar dodges, right? Doesn't that change the male partner's steps? I thought if I tried with Alphonse, who probably wouldn't dodge, it might look more like a dance...
I kicked him a lot! ['It's... subtly painful...'] Don't say that with a pained expression!
Whatever. Ellie-chan still has two years until her debut. I'll practice more.
***
The day of the Grand Ball.
Until the first dance by the debutantes is over, other people cannot descend into the hall. Spectator seats are set up around the periphery, where everyone watches over the debutantes.
Many nobles are present to see their sons and daughters on their grand stage.
I was secretly allowed to join the VIP seats among them. His Highness the Crown Prince was also in the same seat. Also, Her Highness Linalia came to watch, worried about Marie-san.
If Marie-san knew that, her vibrate function would probably activate, so I haven't told her.
The entrance music began, and the great doors opened.
Names were called out one by one.
This is in order of rank, so Marie-san is a bit past the middle.
[Lady Mariebell of the Flourite Count household.]
Whoa! She was called!
Somehow, *I'm* the one feeling nervous!
I unconsciously clasped my hands tightly, and His Highness gently took them in his.
*Aha~...* That calmed me down a bit. His Highness's healing effect is amazing~...
A pure white dress, long gloves. Neatly styled hair and a small tiara.
Marie-san, at the entrance of the great doors, executed a smooth, graceful bow.
Marie-san...!! You've become so splendid...!!
I don't know why. It feels like watching my own child's coming-of-age ceremony... I feel a strange sense of emotion...
[Marie-san seems to be doing well.]
Her Highness Linalia's voice sounded relieved.
The debutantes first line up in the ballroom to receive words from Their Majesties the King and Queen.
As Marie-san walked to join that line... she... tripped.
With a *clunk*.
Noticeably.
[Oh my...]
[Marie-san...]
[She must be nervous, don't you think? There are occasionally young ladies like that.]
His Highness's follow-up was kind...
Marie-san, who somehow managed to line up, looked more like she was hanging her head than bowing profoundly...
Well, it became an unforgettable memory, right? Let's think of it as a good thing.
***
A few days later, in the academy cafeteria, Emilia-san and I comforted a weeping Marie-san...
Thank you for reading. If you want to help my hobby please download and install LDP9 with my link down below. Just Click the small yellow LDPlayer Banner.
OR
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel
-Horizontal.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment