The Duke's Daughter Goes Her Own Way
[Where the Duke's Daughter's Unplanned Path Led...]
Translated by: ME
Time flies, and learning is hard.
It's absolutely true. The wise people of old said some good things.
The three years at the academy passed in the blink of an eye...
Ellie-chan's research didn't finish...
No, well, at first, I was actually pretty casual about it!
I just thought, come to think of it, this country doesn't have a proper 'weather forecast', does it?
Something like, 'Wouldn't it be convenient if it did?'
So I looked into it at the academy, and it turned out no one was researching that right now.
Huh!? Wouldn't it be convenient!? Why isn't anyone trying to do it!?
There was one person a few years ago who researched the relationship between natural phenomena and climate. I looked up that person's papers and research content too.
They were so close!!
They were on the right track!
There were plenty of traces of their efforts to establish trends through statistics, like predicting the weather hours ahead from cloud distribution or gathering records of heatwaves and heavy snowfalls from literature from the last hundred years.
I wonder where that researcher is now and what they're doing?
...When I looked into it, they were a lecturer at the academy.
[Teacher! Can I take over this research!?] I charged in and asked, and they laughed and said, [Sure, but you're an odd one, aren't you?] No, no, I'm not odd; this is seriously for the national interest!?
At first, it was just the teacher and me working hard on it, but gradually, companions increased.
Or rather, I gave a presentation to increase them. About the benefits of being able to predict the weather.
As a result, people from the Agriculture and Engineering departments also came to help, and it developed into a major project. Yeah!!
That said, the daily work is mundane: taking readings from homemade barometers, recording the state of the sky...
I remembered when I was in elementary school, I was assigned to record the values inside a Stevenson screen, though I forgot what it was for. ...What was that assignment for again?
If only we could just launch a weather satellite!
But we don't have the technical capability or knowledge for that!
When I hit a wall in my research, I doodled in the corner of the lab's blackboard.
Speaking of weather, that's right! It's So*jiro!
Watch over me, So*jiro! I'm gonna become a proper meteorologist too...!
It was a So*jiro (fiercely half-remembered) drawn with that feeling, but before I knew it, it had become the lab's mascot. Someone named it 'Tenki-chan' (Weather-chan).
When I showed Tenki-chan to Marie-san, she said, ['Is it Fu*sshy?']...
Only the color... only the color matches! And I was a little confident...!
And then, before I realized it, a friend named 'Stein-sensei', a character version of the academy's emblem, had appeared next to my Tenki-chan. Next, 'Ford-sensei' was born.
In my head, a mysterious comedy routine started: ['Hey there, it's Stein!'] ['I'm Ford.'] ['Together, we're 'Steinford'! ...Hey now, I went to a fast-food place the other day.'] Of course, the opening music from a certain comedy championship was playing in the background. ...Oh, that's enough! Thank you very much~.
Furthermore, 'Mugi-chan' by the agriculture students, 'Nogisu-kun' by the engineering students, and others appeared, showing a mysterious expansion of the Tenki-chan family.
The Tenki-chan family continued to grow, and they remain on the lab's blackboard even now, after I've graduated. ...And they're still increasing. It's scary.
Although I graduated, my research didn't end at all, so current students have taken it over.
I show my face at the academy once a month to exchange information with them.
...But every time I show up, it starts with ['A new family member has appeared!'] What's that about? ...It's fine, but what is it?
The research is being continued by volunteers. I intend to do what I can on my end too.
I'm thinking it would be nice to build a dedicated research institute someday. I'll gather graduates! I'll gather excellent brains...! Fuhahahaha...!
***
What surprised me was that Emilia-san married Senpai immediately upon graduation.
I was so surprised!!
I knew they were dating and thought they'd probably get married someday, but the speed was beyond what I expected, and I saw Emilia-san's seriousness.
They were having a small, intimate ceremony with just family, and they asked me to attend if I'd like, so I agreed without hesitation.
On the day, I asked Marina to make me look inconspicuous since it was supposed to be secret, and she even changed my face to the point where I thought, ['Who is that?'] No, wait, not that. You don't need to be that serious.
I don't want a level of disguise where I'm unrecognizable.
I managed to get her to tone it down to a level where it was like, ['Ellie-chan is here incognito.'].
It was a very warm, happy ceremony. ...If only Marie-san hadn't been sobbing loudly next to me.
Actually, that day ended with both Emilia-san and me comforting Marie-san.
...Don't make the bride take care of you, Heroine! I know it's happy tears!
Emilia-san said to me with a smile full of happiness, ['Next will be your turn, Lady Elizabeth.'].
Yeah. I can't invite you to the ceremony, but I told her if she'd like, she could come and see, and she laughed and said, ['Of course!'].
***
And now, the present.
There are less than six months left until my wedding with His Highness.
His Highness's countdown has changed to ['Only X days left']. ...The detail of it... no, it's nothing, yes.
Our wedding is, of course, a major national event.
The number of invited guests is staggering, and the list of attendees is staggering too.
From the day before, welcome parties for the guests are held at the royal castle, and on the day itself, it's a triple combo: Ceremony → Parade → Party at the royal castle.
The next day, thankfully, His Highness and I have no plans, but the castle is all hands on deck seeing off the state guests.
And three days after the ceremony, there's another presentation to the citizens.
That thing where you wave from the castle balcony. That thing, like the public greetings at the Imperial Palace.
As expected, it's completely different from a commoner's marriage.
It's packed with things to do.
The country is already in a festive mood. It's the Crown Prince's wedding year, so apparently, the number of people getting married to ride the wave has increased. That's what Emilia-san said. By the way, Emilia-san, isn't that pregnancy a bit quick!?
Once our marriage is settled, Her Highness Linalia will also marry into her new home. The Aristoll Ducal household is apparently already in a state of perfect readiness.
And after that, next up is, surprisingly, our heroine, Marie-san, is also planning to marry!
Her partner is Lord Paul Nelson, His Highness's aide.
Paul-san's family home is also a merchant house, and he and Marie-san reached the goal by resonating on the very materialistic level of ['Making money!! Let's earn efficiently and handsomely!!'].
According to Marie-san, ['A third son who can marry in, with both knowledge and skill in managing a business, likes money but doesn't cheat. Is there a better candidate!?'] I don't know what to say even if you ask me ['Is there!?'] But if Marie-san thinks there ['isn't'], then isn't that fine?
As a side note, it was Her Highness Linalia who introduced them.
She apparently thought their passion for business was similar.
['I absolutely thought they were a perfect match. I'm glad it worked out,'] she said, smiling *ufufu*... Is she a matchmaking granny?
...It's strange.
Around me, the only ['love-based marriage'] is Emilia-san...
Her Highness Linalia and Lord Robert are like war comrades, and Marie-san and Paul-san have a workplace-colleague vibe... Something's off...
Isn't the romantic element around me a bit too lacking? ...Maybe including myself.
***
Today is the final check on the finished dresses.
The pure white dress for the ceremony, the dress for the subsequent party, the dress for the public greeting...
Every single one is an ultra-luxury item on a level that makes me afraid to even touch them. They're all adorned with gems and such.
While internally trembling, going ['Hye~...'], I tried them on, and the tailors left satisfied, having received the OK for everything.
The dresses will be stored deep within the royal castle until the day.
I'm sixteen years old... My height stopped at 156 cm... What happened to Mother's genes!? Try harder! Father is over 170 cm, you know!
His Highness comforts me, saying, ['It's fine, Ellie, you're cute,'] but I hate these gutless genes...!
My chest is modest, and my bottom is modest, so the suspicion that His Highness is a lolicon is still widespread.
I'm so sorry, Your Highness! It's all because my genes have no guts!!
Therefore, all the dresses I tried on today were exclusively ['cute route']. I want sexiness... Desperately...!
***
[You must be tired, Ellie.]
It's our usual tea time. But the location is His Highness's room. It's winter, you see. There's little snow, but it's cold.
Even though it's his room, the door is left slightly ajar, Elsa and Marina are inside, and Sir Gray and Alphonse are outside the door.
Elsa has completely become His Highness's personal maid, but, well, I suppose it's fine. The other party is a god, so it can't be helped.
[Sorry to keep you waiting.]
[It's fine.]
His Highness takes my hand and escorts me to the sofa.
I sit on the reception sofa in his room, next to His Highness. It's been like this lately.
[How did the dresses turn out?]
[They were all items too good for me. No alterations were needed, so I'm told they'll be stored in the royal castle until the day.]
[I see. I'm looking forward to it.]
His Highness looks happy.
This person has really become so expressive. When I first met him, he was like a doll. He used to put on unnatural, pasted-on smiles.
Has it really been eleven years since then?
...We're not even married yet, but it feels like we've been together for many years. I wonder why.
[Ellie? Is something wrong?]
From right beside me, His Highness peers into my face. As always, he's close.
[I was remembering when we first met.]
[...I see.]
His Highness also narrowed his eyes nostalgically.
Well, yeah. How should I put it, it was a微妙 start, wasn't it?
His Highness was making a微妙 face the whole time.
[You were nothing but a surprise to me.]
I couldn't help but smile wryly at His Highness, who said this while laughing nostalgically.
[You splendidly destroyed my stupid fixed notions of ['this is what a young lady is like'].]
[Somehow, I feel apologetic...]
To His Highness, and to the other young ladies.
[You don't need to apologize. It's because you are that kind of Ellie that I came to cherish you.]
Because I'm the type of young lady who looks at guard placements and searches for sniper perches?
[You always say things I could never imagine. You do things I've never even thought of. ...And I always feel awakened by it.]
Ah... Well, that's also a kind of ['knowledge cheat'], you know.
...But, including that cheat, isn't that ['me']?
[Thank you, Lord Leon.]
His Highness looks a little puzzled when I thank him.
But I thought I wanted to say it before becoming His Highness's wife.
[For bringing me this far.]
When I first heard about the engagement, I thought, ['Could this be a Villainess Reincarnation!?'] and all that comes with it, like engagement annulment and subsequent downfall.
But His Highness cherished me so much that he didn't even let me worry about such things.
There *was* an otome game development (I think?), but it ended before it began.
And now, in what His Highness calls ['one hundred and thirty days from now'], we will become husband and wife.
[We made a promise long ago, didn't we? To carve the path together, and walk it together...]
[Yes.]
He nods immediately.
[Do you still feel that way now?]
When I ask, he smiles a meltingly sweet smile.
[Of course. I've never forgotten. And...]
His Highness cuts off his words and takes my hand. Just like that day, he gently envelops my hand in both of his.
[This is the hand you offered me that day. I will absolutely never let it go.]
The ['absolutely'] is said with an abnormal amount of force, which is a little scary...
[I said it too, didn't I? 'As long as it is Your Highness's wish'.]
His Highness gently kisses the back of my hand and says in a slightly cheerful tone,
[Then I am relieved. Stay by my side forever from now on.]
[Yes. As long as it is Lord Leon's wish.]
[Yes. ...What do you wish for from me?]
What I wish for from His Highness?
Somehow, it feels presumptuous, and I haven't really thought about it much...
If it's His Highness, he will probably become a good ruler without being told by others. He doesn't engage in unhealthy habits, he never neglects his studies...
But saying ['nothing in particular'] feels somewhat bland, or pitiful for His Highness...
Wishes, huh...
His Highness is plenty kind already, and he's considerate of me too.
Even when I do something, he laughs it off.
Hmm...
Ah, that's right.
[Please live as long as you possibly can.]
[Live long...?]
His Highness looks puzzled, as if I'd said something unexpected.
But, if I had to wish for something from His Highness, it would be about this much.
[Yes. A long life.]
His Highness is a person with a very strong sense of responsibility. And the things he must bear from now on are immeasurably heavy.
So that he doesn't crumble under that pressure. So that he doesn't wear himself out from the weight of responsibility.
[I will support you by your side. ...So, please live a long life, so that we can be together for even one day longer.]
Until the day he eventually ascends the throne, and then entrusts it to the next generation.
[It's a story for the far, far future... but after Lord Leon has ascended the throne and then abdicated, shall we go traveling, just the two of us?]
[...That sounds nice. It sounds fun.]
His Highness's head goes *puff* and comes to rest on my shoulder.
[Not for official duties, but just going to places we want to go, eating things we want to eat, seeing things we want to see...]
[Yeah...]
[So, until then, please stay healthy and live long.]
[Yeah...]
I think it would surely be fun, just the two of us, His Highness and me.
Even though it's a story for the far, far future.
Even though it's a story for after we have children and that child becomes fit to inherit the throne.
Even though His Highness always has ['for the country'] and ['for the people'] in mind first, I want him to do something just ['for himself'] after he no longer has to think of that first.
[For that to happen... I must become a good King.]
[If it's Lord Leon, it will be fine. I am here. Her Highness Linalia is here. All your aides are here. Everyone will support you, Lord Leon.]
Everyone is trying their best to do what they must to support His Highness.
It will surely be fine.
Because His Highness is loved this much.
I remember seeing something somewhere before.
The words: ['Falling in love happens. Nurturing love is a choice.'].
I didn't fall in love with His Highness, but over these eleven years, affection and fondness have grown. I properly know that in this world, the one who treasures me the most is probably His Highness. Because he is that kind of person, I want to live my life with him.
The feeling that I've ['been with His Highness for many years'] is probably because my relationship with His Highness wouldn't change, whether we have the form of ['husband and wife'] or not.
His Highness is there. And I am by his side. ...Yes. Isn't that a wonderful thing?
[Ellie...]
[Yes?]
His Highness's voice is slightly hoarse. What's wrong, Your Highness? Are you about to cry?
[Thank you.]
For what?
There's nothing you need to thank me for.
Just as I thought that, His Highness suddenly hugged me tightly.
In the corner of my vision, I saw Marina and Elsa *sususu*... slipping out of the room.
Sorry, you capable ladies. Your way of silencing your footsteps is perfect too.
[Lord Leon? What's the matter?]
I pat His Highness's back as he holds me tightly, as if to soothe him.
I feel the passage of years in the breadth of that back.
He used to be a slightly slender, beautiful boy, didn't he? Now he's a fine young man.
[Thank you for choosing me. ...Thank you for being born.]
'Thank you for being born'...?
What kind of thing is that to say! Ellie-chan is going to cry!
Things like, why was I born in a world completely different from Earth, with memories of a previous life?
Things like, maybe I have these memories because I have some role to play?
Things like, maybe I'm an anomaly in this world...?
I thought about all sorts of things!
But then.
If you say something like that to me...
[I'm sure... I was born to meet you, Lord Leon.]
Oh no. The tears are coming out.
[I think that's why I'm here...]
In this 'other world'.
To support you. To be by your side. To love you.
All of it, all of it, is for Your Highness.
To lighten the heavy burden you bear, even if just a little.
That is the purpose of my being here, and the purpose of these memories.
When I think of it that way, it feels very happy.
[...For my sake?]
His Highness says while loosening his embrace and pressing his forehead against mine with a *kotun*.
His Highness's eyes are slightly moist. So even His Highness cries sometimes.
[Yes. I'm sure of it. ...I've decided to think that way.]
[That makes me happy.]
*Fufu*, His Highness gave a small laugh.
His Highness kissed my tear-filled eyes and then pressed his lips against mine.
...The first kiss, in our eleventh year. Your Highness, you held out well...
But no further than this, alright? Please endure for the next one hundred and thirty days. I get the feeling you're vaguely eyeing the bedroom, but it's a no-go, alright!?
***
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
(Excerpt from previous text omitted)
King Leonard I and Queen Elizabeth had two princes and two princesses. The first prince was the future ['Reform King'] Cedric.
(Middle portion omitted)
The reign of King Leonard I, renowned as a wise king, is also called the ['Spring of the Kingdom']. This name alludes both to the way new technologies were born as if plants were constantly sprouting, enriching the country, and to the mild climate of spring.
In reality, there were no wars with other nations during King Leonard I's reign, and relations with neighboring countries were good.
Because of this, some refer to King Leonard I as the ['Budding King'].
Elizabeth, who became his Queen, was from the Macnagan Ducal family within the same country and is known as a wise queen alongside the King.
She created the prototype for ['weather forecasting'], which forms the foundation of modern meteorological forecasting science. To further develop it, the Macnagan Meteorological Observatory was established with funding from her birth family, the Macnagan Ducal household. The observatory is still in use today, and the building is designated as a tangible cultural property.
(Middle portion omitted)
There are many anecdotes about Queen Elizabeth, most of which are very unique.
Documents remain in the Macnagan household suggesting that during her time as Leonard I's fiancée, Queen Elizabeth revered him like a god. According to these, it seems everyone in the Macnagan Ducal household felt similarly. Following the documents' clues, a hidden door was found in a wall, and behind it, what is believed to be an altar dedicated to Leonard I was discovered.
The portrait displayed there appears somewhat younger than the extant coronation portrait of Leonard I and is presumed to have been painted during his time as her fiancé.
A dried bouquet was placed on the altar, and from the ribbons and other decorations, it is known to be the wedding bouquet the Queen tossed to the populace after the ceremony.
She seems to have enjoyed confectionery as a hobby, and the ['Ellie Cake'], said to have been conceived and created by the Queen, is still widely known today as a famous local sweet.
Although it is called a cake, it is actually closer to a thick hard biscuit, a baked good with a buttery flavor and a slight saltiness. It is generally eaten with cream or jam.
As it is baked hard and keeps well, it is still used today as emergency food for disasters and as military rations.
There are records that Leonard I enjoyed eating this, but in the personal notes left by his son Cedric, there is a statement that seems somewhat displeased: ['There is something wrong with Mother's sweets.'].
Together with her academy classmate Emilia Carey and Leonard I's sister, Linalia Aristoll she also devoted efforts to promoting regional medical care.
Their names appear together as founders of the famous Berklein Medical University.
In later years, Emilia Carey succeeded in eradicating the country's troubling Zygare fever from an epidemiological perspective, and upon receiving an award for this, she expressed her gratitude to Queen Elizabeth.
(Middle portion omitted)
After Leonard I abdicated at the age of fifty-two, he did not remain in the royal castle but moved his residence to a detached palace. Queen Elizabeth accompanied him.
It is said that when they moved to the detached palace, a considerable number of the castle servants voluntarily requested transfers to the detached palace.
However, castle records indicate that only two ladies-in-waiting and two knights accompanied them.
Leonard I and Queen Elizabeth were also known to be fond of traveling, and after abdicating, they traveled all over the world together.
They regularly reported interesting things found in foreign countries to King Cedric via letters, and King Cedric used these to further enrich the country.
King Cedric's notes state: ['Father and Mother appear casually in the borderlands and tell me this is lacking, that is how it's going. Parents are naggy, but they are a blessing.'].
(Middle portion omitted)
Leonard I passed away at the age of eighty. For that era, this was an astonishingly long life. The cause of death is believed to have been old age.
After witnessing his final moments, Queen Elizabeth also passed away that same year at the age of seventy-six.
It is an anecdote fitting for the couple, who were reputed to be as close as Forun butterflies.
They now rest, like generations of royals, in the cemetery of St. Cereford Church. By order of King Cedric, so as not to separate the close couple, their coffins are housed in the same mausoleum.
Even now, flowers never cease to be placed before that mausoleum.
***
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Excerpt from ['Leonard I and His Wife Elizabeth']
***
This concludes the main story.
Thank you for your company.
ME's Note: The MAIN STORY, okay? There are still side and extra stories or might as well call it gaiden stories. There's so many of them. Look forward to reading it.
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