The Duke's Daughter Goes Her Own Way
[Ellie meets a boy with a soot-stained back (and they soon part ways)]
Translated by: ME
Run-ta-ta, run-ta-ta, run-run....
Ellie-chan is growing up so well. She turned ten the other day. For her birthday, His Highness gave her a very lovely fountain pen. It's easy to write with, the craftsmanship is beautiful, and I really love it. His Highness is really a capable man.
The other day, I made some miraculous cookies (provisional) that tasted of absolutely nothing, and presented them to His Highness. There were about ten of them, but apparently they were all distributed to the Royal Guards (Guard Knights) The Knights thanked me, but their eyes all said, [Don't worry about it!] ...I will not forget this humiliation... I still don't know why I failed. Maybe this is what they call [game correction]. I don't know, though.
For the time being, it seems that the Crown Princess education is at a pause. Rather than being over, it seems that progress was faster than expected, so it's a break. I was told that the rest will be done when I'm a little older. Apparently, what's left are the parts related to national defense, the parts related to the royal family's secrets, and the bedroom lessons. Ellie-chan is ten years old. I don't understand~ (Kyaa///).
One year after the engagement, my escape route was already almost completely cut off. However, I myself chose this path. If there's no going back, I'll move forward! That's what I resolved at that time. But the current situation is very peaceful. When I was six years old, there was a public announcement in front of the nobles that I was His Highness's fiancée. Prior to that, His Highness said to me,
[Then I will carve out the path. Would you walk it with me?]
Looking straight into the eyes of a little kid four years younger than him. With very sincere eyes, but with a hint of anxiety mixed in. It was so cool!!! His Highness was ten years old at the time!? Fourth grade of elementary school!? Well, there's no elementary school here, though! But! How about that line! Doesn't it give you chills!? I got chills! Moreover, the point is that it's not [follow me,] but [let's walk together]! I'm going to nod! If someone who said this much betrays me, then there must be something serious going on. That's why, even if the escape route of canceling the engagement disappeared, I took His Highness's outstretched hand.
[Would you give me the honor of escorting you for the rest of your life?]
How cheesy! But it suits him! So cool!
Such His Highness, who was already a [good man] at the age of ten, is now fourteen years old. All the childishness has completely disappeared, the roundness has disappeared from his cheeks and body lines, and he is a boy on the verge of becoming a young man. The word [beautiful boy] exists for His Highness...
There are several educational institutions in this country. His Highness will eventually attend one of them. Probably, His Highness will attend Steinford Royal Academy. There are no particular conditions for admission, and everyone, whether noble or commoner, can enroll. If you can pass the ridiculously difficult entrance exam. Tuition is collected more from nobles and modestly from commoners. There are also scholarship systems. There are also dormitories, and the dormitory fees are the same regardless of social status. There are no measures such as [special rooms for high-ranking nobles] as found in stories. Whether you're the son of a duke or the eldest son of a greengrocer in the downtown area, you'll be crammed into a double room in order of application. However, if you are one of the top students, you will get a single room. It is a completely meritocratic school.
This academy is positioned as a university in my previous life. It is taken for granted that you have already completed your studies up to high school. That's why the entrance exam is ridiculously difficult. Even if the enrollment quota is not reached, people whose entrance exam scores do not reach a certain level are mercilessly rejected. By the way, the quota is only 40 people each year. However, it is not uncommon for the quota not to be reached in some years. Or rather, almost every year, the quota is not reached. It is a small, elite, and super-difficult school. Graduates of this school are incorporated into the central organizations of the country. However, it is difficult to enter and difficult to graduate. If you do not achieve the prescribed grades on the graduation exam, you will be held back without question. The course period is three years. After that, there is a three-year period of being held back. ...Considering that you can stay in university for eight years, being two years shorter than that is the work of a demon. If you fail the graduation exam in the sixth year, you will of course be expelled. Expulsion is quite dishonorable, so many people give up after about five years and withdraw from school. However, even if you withdraw, just being enrolled in Steinford gives you a certain amount of prestige. That's how difficult the school is. As an aside, there was a year when all 35 students who entered were able to graduate together. That is still told as a legend.
The sons of nobles who try to take this exam usually take the exam for the first time at the age of thirteen or fourteen. Since the age of eighteen is adulthood, it would be great if they could graduate before adulthood.
His Highness is currently fourteen years old. I thought it was about time for the exam season.
[I won't take the exam this year.]
When I asked His Highness, [His Highness, the exam?], that was his reply.
[This year?]
Oh, does that mean you'll do it next year?
[Do you know which school I'm going to attend, Ellie?]
We're having a leisurely tea time in the garden near His Highness's usual private room.
[Steinford Academy?]
With His Highness's brains, he'll pass. Rather, if it's any other school, wouldn't it be pointless for His Highness to attend? After all, the instructors in the castle are top-notch!
[That's right. It's Steinford Academy... I was thinking of going with Ellie.]
His Highness smiled at me, and I let out a foolish voice, [Huh?]
[Eh... um, am I going to attend Steinford Academy?]
[Aren't you going to attend?]
He asked back as if he was wondering.
[Well, I was thinking about it eventually...]
That's right. Steinford Academy has a top-notch faculty that is as good as the castle. Moreover, it is also at the forefront of various fields of study. Almost all of the instructors at the Royal Castle are graduates of Steinford Academy. ...Except for Mrs. Hamil, who teaches manners.
[There are few female students at Steinford. I'm a little worried about letting Ellie go alone.]
[That's true, but are there any people at Steinford who would despise their opponent because they are a woman?]
At Steinford Academy, 90% of the students are male. The reason is simple. Because women don't have the awareness of [working in the central government]. Many noble women attend North Pole Girls' Academy, and commoner girls attend Cockford Academy. North Pole Girls' Academy's school motto is [Be a lady], and Cockford Academy's school motto is [Learning is equality]. Mrs. Hamil, who teaches manners, is a graduate of North Pole. They have embroidery classes! I don't think I can do that more than getting a perfect score on a written test! By the way, Steinford Academy's school motto is [Only those who reach out will grasp success]. We don't need people who don't do it or don't want to do it, which is a wonderful school motto.
His Highness chuckled and reached out to my hair. His Highness twirled the strands of my hair, which were subtly annoying as they fluttered in the slightest breeze.
[I simply want to go to school with Ellie. ...Is that no good?]
His Highness brought the hair twirled around his finger to his lips and smiled, making me blush.
[If Lord Leon wishes it.]
Sex appeal! It's leaking out!
His Highness kissed the hair on his fingertip and gently released it.
[Thank you. ...Next year, or the year after? Let's take the exam together.]
[...I'll do my best. It would be quite tragic if only Lord Leon passed and I failed...]
[It's okay. I'm sure Ellie will pass.]
Why are you so confident...? I think it's 50/50...
So, it seems that Ellie-chan has to study for the exam from now on. I feel like I stirred up a hornet's nest, but oh well.
[Retainers?]
On a summer day when I started collecting materials for the Steinford Academy exam, His Highness suddenly said that at our usual tea party. It's about time to solidify my retainers...
[That's right. I need several people to act as my hands and feet.]
[Rather... haven't you had any until now...?] Come to think of it, I've never met such a person. Eh!? Has His Highness been doing all the work by himself until now!? Seriously!?
[There are several 'candidates'. Whether or not I will appoint them as retainers as they are is another matter.]
How severe.
[I want to sift through them a little. ...I want Ellie to help me.]
Smile. His Highness, smiling and tilting his head, is very cunning and cute. But I know. Most of the time, there's nothing good about these situations.
[Um... what should I do...?]
When I asked timidly, His Highness smiled beautifully.
[Nothing in particular.]
[Nothing in particular.]
His Highness nodded with a smile at me, who had repeated it like a fool.
[That's right. I want Ellie to just be herself as usual. I'm counting on you.]
Even if you count on me... But, well--
[Yes.]
I have no choice but to reply. ...I wonder what he's planning to do.
Ellie-chan is in the castle library today. It's for the Steinford Academy exam. His Highness intends to take the exam [as soon as I'm ready.] Even if you say [as soon as I'm ready]... I'd feel more comfortable if the other party set a deadline. Well, is it the year after next? That's what I think, and it seems that His Highness is thinking about that too. Judging from His Highness's composure, it seems that he has already finished preparing.
The beginning of the year in this world is May. Oh, the calendar is almost the same as Earth's. There are twelve months from January to December, and each month has thirty days except for November. November only has twenty-nine days. The beginning of the year is May because the social season starts in mid-May. Schools also match that. It's currently July. This year's exams are already over. The entrance exam is in March, so there are seven months until next year's exam. There's no way I can make it.
To take the Steinford Academy exam, you must first submit a thesis with your application form. I want to start there. Please include the thesis in the entrance exam! What's with attaching it to the application form! Moreover, it's not just a short essay, it's a full-fledged thesis. Seriously!? There is a primary screening there, and if you pass, you will receive an exam ticket.
The exam is two days long, and the subjects are Foreign Language 1, Foreign Language 2, Geography, History, Politics, Economics, Mathematics 1, and Mathematics 2. The foreign languages are selectable by the examinee. There is no native language exam. There is no classical literature either. Mathematics 1 is mathematical calculation problems. Mathematics 2 is calculation problems with physics and chemistry mixed in.
These exams will probably be manageable. The problem is the thesis. Thinking about the theme, gathering materials, thinking about the structure... it's mind-boggling! Of course, there's a graduation thesis when you graduate! Yay! ...Was the [academy] in otome games this hardcore...? I feel like there was often a pretense of [equality in the academy,] so isn't Cockford Academy more like an otome game? Their school motto is equality (in academics, though). Maybe this world has nothing to do with otome games after all. I've been thinking that a lot lately.
When I consulted our great teacher, Professor Nathaniel, about the thesis, he said with a laugh, [Shall we propose a new theory on the fall of the Dimaine Empire?] That's fine, but please take responsibility if I fail? I'm carrying the heavy trust of His Highness on these shoulders, you know? When I said that, he suddenly became serious. I like that about him though.
So, I spend my days gazing at the bookshelves, wondering, [Thesis, huh? What should I write about?] Run-ta-ta, run-ta-ta♪ As I move along the bookshelves, my escort knight is with me. While I'm in the castle, His Highness assigns them to me. Different people accompany me each day, but recently it's been Sir Noel Gray. He's the head of His Highness's personal guard. He ate my tasteless cookies and said, [This is the first time I've ever eaten something with no taste. It's a valuable experience.] ...Hey, are you praising me? Or insulting me? Which is it? Sir Gray is the second son of a marquess, and he received one of the titles his father holds. It's a viscountcy. Therefore, I call him Sir Gray. Currently, he's twenty-one or twenty-two years old, quite handsome and a nice guy.
He immediately takes and hands me books from high places on the bookshelves, a thoughtful guard. When I asked if that was part of his job as a guard, he smiled and said, [Lady Elizabeth doesn't get along very well with stepladders.] ...Yeah, I often slip. ...Seriously, are you picking a fight? What's with you? However, Sir Gray is tall and convenient, so I'll use him without hesitation. [Get that, get this...] I have him take books at random, and I leave it to Sir Gray, who carries them all without complaint.
My favorite seat is a smaller table in a secluded spot. A table with six chairs lined up on one side is unsettling. The table in the dead space at the end is much smaller than those. It's wonderful. Mr. Atsushi Watabe would be smiling. It's a germiller! (in a low voice). Castles often have rooms that aren't square or rectangular, so they tend to have mysterious dead spaces. When I find those mysterious corners, I just want to fit myself into them.
I have him put the books on the table and sit in the chair that Sir Gray pulls out for me. I think about the thesis topic while flipping through the books I had brought. If it's related to the Dimaine Empire, it's certainly easiest to collect materials. I have a considerable amount of literature at home as well. I can also write something about the Agathia River basin civilization. However, the main theme specified by the academy is to discuss [what you want to learn.] I don't particularly want to become a historian. Or rather, my future profession is already decided. So, what will I learn and use as His Highness's consort? There are many fields I want to explore. I also get opportunities to learn.
[...Sir Gray.]
I call out softly to Sir Gray, who is standing behind me.
[Yes?]
[Do you like madeleines?]
Sir Gray seems puzzled by the question. After a moment of hesitation, Sir Gray answers in a small voice.
[...If they're typical.]
Hmm? What does that mean? I didn't say anything about Ellie-chan making them, though?
[If I wrote a thesis on why my sweets always fail, would the Stanford side read it properly?]
[Since the reasons why they fail have not been elucidated, wouldn't it become an inconclusive, unfinished thesis...?]
Tch. You're absolutely right.
By the way, Sir Gray is a graduate of the Beresford Royal Knight Academy, located on the outskirts of the royal castle grounds. Those who aspire to be knights must graduate from here. ...Actually, I've been thinking about entering this school a little. I don't think His Highness would ever allow it, though. They have military strategy classes... They look fun...
[If you end it with [requires further research,] you can maintain a decent appearance...]
[But haven't you been banned from the kitchen?]
It's true, but it's the way you say it!! ...I know that Sir Gray doesn't mean any harm, and he's not saying it sarcastically... I don't know... It hurts a little...
[Could you please be quiet in the library?]
I was suddenly spoken to, and feeling bad because he was right, I turned towards the voice. A boy was sitting at a table across from mine in the dead space's small table area. He's probably about the same age as His Highness. There are many noble children of the same age as His Highness. So it's not unusual.
[I'm sorry.]
When I bowed lightly, the boy snorted and looked down at the book he had opened. A neurotic kid. That's my first impression. His dark brown hair is neatly cut short, but only his bangs are long, reaching down to around his ears. He parts them in the center. The thin silver-rimmed glasses further enhance the neurotic feeling. His features are well-defined, but his mouth is tightly closed, as if asserting, [I'm difficult!] ...What a pointless assertion.
I decided to quietly look for thesis ideas and looked down at the book I had opened. Feeling someone's presence right next to me, I looked up, and the neurotic boy was standing right beside me. I was startled, but since Sir Gray didn't move, I knew there was no need to worry about him being harmed.
[Um, is there something...?]
Does he need something? I want to read my book quietly... I may have disturbed him first, but I apologized for that, didn't I? Isn't that enough?
[Carl Smith's 'Market Economy Theory,' huh? You probably wouldn't understand it even if you read it.]
He said with a snort. Wow! What a shitty kid! In short, a shit kid!
[Yes, I am currently in the process of understanding it.]
This book discusses the market and the currency that controls it. About half of the content overlaps with the famous Marx's [Das Kapital] on Earth. However, this one does not approve of communism and focuses on how to develop the economy within the framework of capitalism. My personal impression is that it's a draw with [Das Kapital]. Both have their points, and both have room for rebuttal. It would be interesting to make Marx fight it out... I seriously thought. Impossible, though.
[If you honestly said, 'I don't understand it', you might be a little more endearing.]
Again, he sneers, [Ha!] Wow! What a shitty (omitted)!
[I cannot deny that there are parts I do not fully understand at present.]
That's why I'm rereading it. In my economics class, I had a discussion with the teacher based on this book. ...We got so heated that the class, which was supposed to end in three sessions, was extended to five. It was fun. The teacher threw an antithesis at the thesis I had established... that's how it went. We both put too much effort into [I'm going to defeat you!] We eventually found a compromise, and in the fifth and final session, we shook hands firmly and praised each other's efforts. It was a refreshing ending like a shonen manga.
[Even if you want to show off, shouldn't you choose something a little more realistic?]
The eyes behind the glasses are completely mocking.
[Thank you for your advice. ...May I return to my reading?]
This is already a pain. People like this never listen to what you say anyway.
The boy looked at the three other books stacked on the table and laughed again, [Ha!]
[None of these are things a woman would read.]
He said [a woman]! Wow! What a shitty (omitted, again)!
The ideology of this country is basically 'male superior'. Not 'male chauvinism' It's just that men are generally placed above. It's not that women are neglected at all, and there are not many, but there are female officials. They are properly promoted and given raises according to their abilities. But still, sometimes men appear who misunderstand something and have a thorough male chauvinist ideology. Those kinds of people are usually quietly pushed out of society and disappear.
I can't. This is really a pain.
This kid has about a haneman's worth of conditions for being a bad guy.
First, he doesn't introduce himself (ihan).
He harasses someone even though they are a woman (ihan).
He doesn't show respect to someone who has Sir Gray (a royal family exclusive guard knight, and the head of the Crown Prince's personal guard) behind them. In other words, he doesn't realize what that means (sanhan).
Mockery based on male chauvinism (ihan).
A total of rouhan, 12,000 points, haneman. What is haneman in the first place? To you ladies who are wondering, search for [mahjong calculation]!
Not realizing the meaning of the uniform Sir Gray is wearing is fatal for someone who enters and exits the royal castle. The personal royal guard wear black uniforms exclusively for them. This is also super cool, but I'll omit the coolness. This is only allowed to be worn by those who are further selected from the elite group of guards. They have the title of knight, which is a one-generation peerage, but many of the guards and escort knights have hereditary peerages like Sir Gray. They themselves are by no means beings to be taken lightly, and needless to say, the target they are guarding is even more so. They are lent out by the royal family to quasi-royals like me, guests of the country, and so on. It is clear that a noble young master is not someone to pick a fight with. Therefore, sanhan. I set it high. I want you to know that it's not because I just wanted to get to haneman.
Well, as for me personally, it doesn't matter if I get picked on. But I'm technically a quasi-royal.
There is a high wall between personal feelings and reality. This young master has already done something that would warrant being killed on the spot. What are we going to do with this kid...?
Thinking that, I glanced at Lord Grey behind me, and he gave me a small smile. That smile meant, 'Please, do as you like'. Trying to change this child's ideology will probably be difficult. And I don't need to be the one to do it. I don't know which family's young master he is, but it's a job for his family or tutor. ...Although there's a high possibility that the family's ideology is messed up. In any case, I don't think it's my job.
[...Lord Grey.]
[Yes.]
Lord Grey, who had been standing behind me, took a step closer. I looked up at the tall Lord Grey and gave a wry smile.
[Could you ask the librarian to put these books away?]
[As you wish. ...Shall we return to your room?]
That's right. I actually have a room in the royal castle. It's next to His Highness's private room, in other words, the [Crown Princess's private room]. Currently, it's a room that's hardly ever used.
[Shall we?]
As I sighed and tried to stand up, Lord Grey politely pulled out my chair. Lord Grey took the books that were piled on the table, and I tried to leave the spot. Just once, I glanced at the high-strung, full-house boy, and he finally seemed to notice Lord Grey, and his complexion worsened slightly. Too slow!! How narrow is your field of vision!!
When I tried to ask the librarian to put the books away, the librarian took out the lending procedure. So, I obediently went to the room I had been given and decided to relax and read there.
[I heard that there's a stress relief method of making sweets when you're frustrated.]
As I said while walking down the hallway, Lord Grey gave a wry smile.
[If it's stress relief, there seem to be various other things you can do. Like taking a long bath, or going for a walk...]
Are my sweets really that bad!
[There's also the method of exercising—]
[Other than that, there are those who fall asleep, or those around me who eat as much of their favorite foods as they can.]
...So exercise is no good either... I was interrupted with great enthusiasm.
[Falling asleep might be a good idea.]
As I said with a sigh, Lord Grey seemed a little relieved and nodded, [Yes, it is.] I headed to my room with a slightly unconvinced feeling.
Several days after the encounter with the troublemaking, full-house young master, His Highness said with a very refreshing smile during our usual leisurely tea time.
[I've decided on who will be my close aides. I'll introduce them to Ellie when you have time.]
[Ah, you've decided. Congratulations (?)]
I wonder if congratulations is the right word? Well, does it matter?
[Including Noel over there, there are four of them. Each of them is unique, so you shouldn't have trouble remembering them.]
Mr. Noel over there is standing perfectly in his designated position today as well. Today, too, his placement is perfectly without blind spots. Noel, Lord Grey, who is the chief aide, is always in a position close to His Highness. In the event of an emergency, his duty is to protect His Highness with his body.
[Lord Grey, you were in the position of His Highness's close aide...]
I didn't know that. Even just being the head of the exclusive guard is an impressive title.
[It's slightly different, to be exact, but you can think of it that way. That's how it probably looks to those around us.]
[I see...?]
I don't really understand. But well, if I need to know, His Highness will tell me. The fact that he's not going into detail means that there's no particular need for me to know about it. His Highness smiled kindly at me, who probably had it written all over my face that I didn't understand.
[I was saved thanks to Ellie.]
[...I don't recall doing anything in particular...]
I have no recollection of it at all. Thanks to me...? ...Ah! (Ding!)
[Could it be my cookies—]
[No, that's not it.]
...His Highness also interrupts with great enthusiasm... Are they really that bad!?
The close aides who were introduced to me later all seemed to have something up their sleeves, and they were all wonderful people. As expected of you, Your Highness...
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