ELLY 6
The Duke's Daughter Goes Her Own Way
ELLY insert title here
-Horizontal.jpg)
*****
Tra-la-la, tra-la-la, la♪
Elly is growing up nice and smooth~. I recently turned ten years old~.
For my birthday, His Highness gave me a truly wonderful fountain pen~. It writes so smoothly, the craftsmanship is gorgeous, and it’s my absolute favorite~.
His Highness really is such a capable man~.
The other day, I baked an indescribable something resembling a miracle cookie that had absolutely no flavor whatsoever and presented it to His Highness.
There were about ten of them in total, but it seems they were ultimately distributed among the guard knight big brothers. Though they thanked me, every single one of them had eyes that silently screamed, 'Don't let it get you down!' ...I shall never forget this humiliation...
I still have no idea why it failed.
Could this perhaps be what people call 'game logic correction'?
Not that I'd know, though.
For the time being, it seems my Crown Princess education has reached a temporary milestone.
Rather than being finished, it was more that progress had moved much faster than expected, so we were taking a break.
I was told that the remaining subjects could wait until I grew a bit older.
Apparently, what remains involves national defense, royal state secrets, and... bedroom lessons.
Elly is only ten years old after all~ I don't get it at all~ (kyah///).
A year after our engagement was finalized, my retreat routes were already pretty much cut off.
However, I was the one who chose this path.
(If there’s no turning back, then I’ll just march straight forward!)
That was how I steeled my resolve back then.
Yet, as things stand, life is exceedingly peaceful.
When I was six years old, there was a formal presentation to the nobility introducing me as His Highness’s fiancée. Prior to that event, His Highness had spoken to me:
「I shall carve out the path ahead. Will you walk it together with me?」
Looking straight into the eyes of a little kid four years younger than him. His eyes were deeply sincere, yet held the faint trace of anxiety.
He was sooo cool!!!
His Highness was only ten years old at the time, you know?!
A fourth grader! Well, there are no elementary schools here, but still!
And yet! How about that line?! Isn't it electrifying?! I was thoroughly electrified!
Plus, the fact that he said 'let's walk together' instead of 'follow me' scores major points!
I mean, how could I not nod?! If someone who went that far for me ever betrayed me, it would take something monumental.
That was precisely why, even if it meant losing the safety net of breaking off the engagement, I took the hand His Highness extended to me.
「Would you give me the honor of escorting you for the rest of your life?」
Talk about smooth~!! But he pulled it off! Sooo cool~!!
That same prince, who was already a 'fine man' at age ten, is now fourteen.
His childishness has vanished completely, the roundness smoothed away from his cheeks and body lines, leaving a boy on the cusp of young manhood.
The term 'handsome boy' was practically invented for His Highness...
***
There are several educational institutions in this kingdom.
His Highness will eventually attend one as well. In all likelihood, he will go to the Steinford Royal Academy.
There are no special entry prerequisites; whether noble or commoner, anyone can enroll.
So long as they can pass the stupidly difficult entrance examination, that is.
Tuition is collected generously from nobility and nominally from commoners. Scholarship systems exist as well. Dormitories are available, with dorm fees set at a uniform rate regardless of social standing.
There are no tropes like 'special quarters for high-ranking nobles' as seen in stories.
Whether you are the son of a duke or the eldest son of a downtown greengrocer, you are shoved into a double room based strictly on order of application.
However, top academic performers are awarded single rooms.
It is a school of pure meritocracy.
In terms of my former life, this academy corresponds to a university.
The stance is that students are naturally expected to have already mastered high school level academics. Hence, the entrance exam is stupidly hard.
Even if the applicant quota is not met, anyone whose test scores fail to reach a certain threshold is ruthlessly rejected. Incidentally, the enrollment cap is a mere forty students per year. However, years where they fall short of that quota are not uncommon—in fact, they fail to reach it almost every single year.
It is a small, highly elite, ultra-difficult institution.
Graduates from here are integrated directly into the kingdom’s core government organs.
However, its defining characteristic is that while getting in is difficult, graduating is just as tough.
If you fail to achieve the required marks on the graduation exam, you are held back without question.
The standard course duration is three years, with a grace period of three additional years allowed for repeating. ...(Considering you can stay in university for up to eight years on Earth, cutting two years off that feels positively demonic.)
Failing the graduation exam in your sixth year naturally results in expulsion.
Since expulsion is quite disgraceful, many choose to give up and withdraw after around five years.
Even if one drops out, simply having been enrolled at Steinford carries considerable prestige. That is how tough of a school it is.
As a side note, there was once a legendary year where all thirty-five entering students managed to graduate together. That event is still passed down as a myth to this day.
Noble sons aiming to apply usually take their first entrance exam around age thirteen or fourteen.
Since adulthood is at eighteen, graduating before reaching adulthood is considered ideal.
His Highness is currently fourteen. I wondered if it wasn't about time for his entrance exam season.
「I am not taking the exam this year.」
When I asked His Highness about his exam plans, that was his response.
(This year?)
Ah, so he means next year?
「Do you know which school I plan to attend, Elly?」
We were enjoying a leisurely teatime in the usual garden near His Highness's private quarters.
「Steinford, I presume?」
With His Highness's intellect, he would surely pass~.
Or rather, any other school would probably be meaningless for him to attend.
After all, the castle's tutors are absolute top-tier!
「Yes, Steinford... however, I intend to attend together with you, Elly.」
As His Highness smiled brightly at me, a stupid sound leaked from my mouth. (Huh?)
「Umm... wait, am I attending Steinford?」
「Are you not?」
He asked back, looking genuinely puzzled in return.
「Well, I thought eventually... I might...」
Indeed.
Steinford boasts a lineup of first-rate instructors that rivals even the royal castle's.
On top of that, it stands at the cutting edge of various academic disciplines.
Almost all of the tutors at the royal castle are Steinford alumni themselves. ...Except for Lady Hamill, my etiquette teacher.
「Steinford has very few female students, you see. I would be a bit anxious letting you attend alone.」
「That may be true, but would there really be anyone at Steinford who would look down on someone just for 'being a woman'?」
Ninety percent of Steinford's student body is male.
The reason is simple.
Women generally do not have the mindset of 'working at the core of the state.'
Noble women mostly attend Northpole Maiden Academy, while commoner girls often go to Cockford Academy.
Northpole Maiden Academy's motto is 'Be a Lady', whereas Cockford Academy's is 'Learning is Equal'. Lady Hamill, who teaches me etiquette, is a Northpole graduate. I heard they have classes in embroidery! I feel far less capable of doing that than getting a perfect score on a written exam!
Incidentally, Steinford Academy's motto is 'Success Belongs Only to Those Who Reach Out for It Themselves.' A magnificent motto that basically translates to: "We have no use for slacker-asses or those who lack motivation."
His Highness let out a soft chuckling 「Fufu」 and reached his hand out toward my hair. He entwined his fingers in my slightly annoying hair, which fluttered softly in the gentlest breeze.
「I simply want to go to school with you, Elly. ...Is that no good?」
As His Highness brought the hair coiled around his fingers to his lips and smiled, my cheeks flushed red against my will.
「If that is your wish, Lord Leon.」
(His charm is leaking out everywhere!!)
His Highness planted a gentle kiss on the hair around his fingertips before letting it slide softly from his grasp.
「Thank you. ...Next year, or perhaps the year after? Let's take the exam together.」
「...I will do my best. It would be quite tragic if Lord Leon passed and I failed...」
「It will be fine. You will definitely pass, Elly.」
Why are you so full of confidence...? When the person in question thinks her chances are fifty-fifty...
And so, it seems Elly has to start studying for entrance exams now.
It feels a bit like I poked a bush and stirred up a snake, but oh well.
***
「Aides.」
On a summer day when I had begun gathering materials for the Steinford exam, His Highness suddenly brought it up during our usual teatime.
He mentioned that it was about time he finalized his close entourage...
「Yes. I need a few individuals who can serve as my hands and feet, after all.」
「Or rather... did you not have any until now...?」
Come to think of it, I had never met such people.
(Wait, what?! Has His Highness been handling all his administrative duties completely on his own until now?! Seriously?!)
「There are several 'candidates.' Whether I will formally appoint them as my aides as they are is another matter, however.」
(Harsh~.)
「I would like to filter them out a bit. ...And I want you to help me, Elly.」
He gave a bright smile.
His Highness tilting his head with that smile was calculatedly adorable.
However, I knew better.
Times like this almost always meant trouble.
「Umm... what exactly should I do...?」
When I asked timidly, His Highness smiled radiantly.
「Nothing in particular.」
「Nothing in particular?」
When I repeated his words like an idiot, His Highness nodded while maintaining his smile.
「Yes. It is fine if you just behave as you usually do, Elly. I am counting on you.」
Even if you say you're counting on me...
Well, nevertheless—
「Yes.」
I had no choice but to reply like that. ...What on earth was he planning to do?
Elly is at the castle library today~.
It's for the Steinford entrance exam prep.
His Highness intends to take the exam 'as soon as my preparations are complete.' Even if he says as soon as I'm ready... it would feel much easier emotionally if there were a set deadline.
Well, maybe the year after next? That's what I think, and His Highness seems to be thinking along the same lines.
Judging by His Highness's composed demeanor, he has apparently finished his own preparations already.
The start of the academic year in this world is May.
Ah, the calendar is almost identical to Earth's, by the way. January to December, thirty days every month except November, which has twenty-nine days.
The reason the academic year starts in May is that the social season begins in mid-May.
Schools and the like align with that schedule as well.
Currently, it is July.
This year's entrance exams are already over.
Since the exam takes place in March, there are seven months left until next year's exam. That is definitely not enough time.
Applying for Steinford requires attaching a thesis to the application form first.
I want to object to that right off the bat.
Include the thesis in the exam itself! What do you mean 'attached to the application form'?!
And it's not a short essay that's barely a step above a school composition but a full-fledged thesis. Are you serious?!
That serves as the primary screening, and admission tickets are sent only to those who pass.
The examination lasts two days, covering Foreign Language 1, Foreign Language 2, Geography, History, Politics, Economics, Mathematics 1, and Mathematics 2. The foreign languages can be chosen by the applicant. There is no exam on the native language, nor classical texts.
Mathematics 1 and 2 are different from the so-called 'Math I' on Earth. Mathematics 1 consists of mathematical calculation problems. Mathematics 2 consists of calculation problems jumbled together with physics and chemistry.
I can probably manage those tests somehow.
The problem is the thesis.
Coming up with a theme, gathering materials, planning the structure... it's mind-boggling!
And of course, there is a graduation thesis when you graduate! Yay!
...(Was the 'Academy' in otome games really this hardcore...?)
I feel like otome games often had that stance of 'everyone is equal at the academy,' so wouldn't Cockford Academy be more like an otome game setting? Their motto is equality (for academics, at least).
Maybe this world really has nothing to do with otome games after all.
Lately, I find myself thinking that more and more.
When I consulted our venerable master, Master Nathaniel, about the thesis, he jokingly suggested, 「Shall we put forth a brand-new theory on the downfall of the Demain Empire?」
That's fine and all, but will you take responsibility if I fail?
His Highness's super heavy trust is resting right on these shoulders of mine, you know?
When I told him that, his face instantly turned deadly serious.
Though I do love Master Nathaniel for that.
And so, I spent my days gazing at the bookshelves, thinking, (A thesis, huh~ What should I write about~?)
As I moved among the bookshelves singing tra-la-la♪, a guard knight big brother stood by my side. Whenever I was in the castle, His Highness assigned them to accompany me.
Different knights rotated daily, but recently it had consistently been Lord Noel Gray.
He was the Chief Guard Knight dedicated to His Highness.
Upon tasting my flavorless cookie, he had said, 「This is the first time in my life I have eaten food with no taste whatsoever. It was a valuable experience.」 ...Hey, are you complimenting me or insulting me? Which is it?
Lord Gray was the second son of a marquis, and he had reportedly received one of the titles his father possessed—a viscountcy.
Thus, I addressed him as Lord Gray.
He was currently around twenty-one or twenty-two years old, a quite handsome and nice guy.
He was an attentive guard who would immediately fetch books from high shelves and hand them to me.
When I asked him if that wasn't outside a guard's duties, he smiled and replied, 「Lady Elizabeth has a rather poor compatibility with stepstools, after all.」
...Yes, I do misstep quite often, but... Seriously, are you picking a fight with me? What is your deal?
However, Lord Gray was tall and convenient, so I decided to make full use of him without hesitation.
"Get that one, get this one..." I had him retrieve books left and right, leaving everything to Lord Gray, who held them all without a single complaint.
My favorite seat was at a small table tucked away in a quiet corner, smaller than the others.
A table lined with six chairs on one side felt restless. The table placed in a dead-space corner was considerably smaller.
It was marvelous. Atsushi Watanabe would smile in approval. (I'm Jamila~ in a low voice.)
Castles have many non-square, non-rectangular rooms, so mysterious dead spaces tend to pop up. When you spot one of those odd little nooks, you naturally just want to fit yourself right into it.
Having Lord Gray place the books on the table, I sat down in the chair he pulled out for me.
While contemplating a thesis topic, I flipped through the books he brought.
If it was related to the Demain Empire, gathering materials would certainly be easiest. There were plenty of documents at my estate as well. I could also write something about the Agathia River Valley Civilization.
However, the overarching theme specified by the academy was to write about 'what you wish to learn.'
It wasn't as though I wanted to become a historian.
Or rather, my future profession was already set.
So what would I learn, and how would I apply it as His Highness's consort?
There were plenty of fields I wanted to dive into. And I was being given the opportunity to learn.
「...Lord Gray.」
I called out softly to Lord Gray standing behind me.
「Yes?」
「Do you like madeleines?」
At that question, I felt a hint of confusion from Lord Gray. After a brief hesitation, he answered in a quiet voice.
「...If they are standard ones.」
Hmm? What does that mean?
I didn't say a single word about Elly making them, though?
「If I were to write a thesis summarizing why my homemade sweets fail, do you think Steinford would read it properly?」
「Since the cause behind your failures remains unsolved, would it not result in an incomplete, inconclusive paper...?」
(Tch. Valid point.)
Incidentally, Lord Gray was a graduate of the Beresford Royal Knights Academy, located on the outer edge of the royal castle grounds. Anyone aiming to become a knight had to graduate from there, or they wouldn't even be taken seriously.
...(Truth be told, I kind of wanted to attend that school too. Although I was certain His Highness would never permit it.)
(They have military strategy classes... It sounds so fun...)
「If I conclude it with 'requires further research,' it might preserve a decent appearance...」
「Were you not barred from entering the kitchen, however?」
It was true, but what a way to put it!!
...I knew Lord Gray meant no harm and wasn't saying it out of malice, but...
What was this feeling...? My heart hurt just a little bit...
「Could you keep it quiet in the library?」
Suddenly spoken to, I felt awkward since he was entirely right and turned toward the voice.
Seated at another small table in the dead space, just one table over, was a young boy.
In age, he was probably around the same as His Highness. There were many noble children around His Highness's age, so it wasn't particularly rare.
「My apologies.」
When I bowed my head lightly, the boy snorted 「Hmph」 and lowered his gaze back to his open book.
A high-strung, fussy-looking kid.
That was my primary impression.
His dark brown hair was trimmed short, except for his bangs, which reached down past his ears, parted down the middle. His thin, silver-framed glasses further amplified his nervous vibe.
His facial features were well-formed, but his lips were tightly pursed, practically declaring, 'I am difficult to deal with!' ...What an unrewarding declaration to make.
Deciding to quietly look for thesis ideas, I lowered my eyes back to my open book.
Feeling someone's presence right next to me, I looked up to find the high-strung boy standing directly beside me. I startled instinctively, but since Lord Gray behind me didn't move, it meant there was no danger of him harming me.
「Umm, is there something...?」
Did he need something?
I wanted to read my book in peace. ...I might have been the one to disturb the peace first, but I had apologized for that, hadn't I? Was that still not enough?
「Karl Smith's 'Market Economy Theory', is it? Not that you could understand it even if you read it.」
He said it with a snort of laughter.
(Awesome! What a total trash kid! Short for trash brat!)
「Indeed. I am currently in the process of understanding it.」
This book discussed markets and the currency that controls them. About half the content overlapped with Karl Marx's famous 'Das Kapital' back on Earth.
However, this book did not favor communism, placing its focus instead on how to develop the economy within a capitalist framework.
My personal assessment was a draw between it and Das Kapital. Both had merit, and both had room for counterarguments.
(It would be really interesting to pit this against Marx...) I thought in all seriousness. Though it was impossible.
「If you honestly said 'I cannot understand it,' you would at least have some charm.」
Again, this time sneering 「Ha!」 at me.
(Awesome! A piece of trash—[omitted]!)
「I cannot deny that my current understanding has shallow areas.」
That was precisely why I was re-reading it.
In economics class, my tutor and I had engaged in a debate based on this very book. ...Both of us grew so heated that a lesson scheduled to take three sessions stretched into five. It was fun.
It took the structure of my tutor presenting an antithesis to the thesis I proposed.
We both got too invested in trying to 'defeat' each other.
In the end, we found a compromise, and on the fifth and final session, we shook hands firmly and praised each other's efforts. It was a refreshing conclusion straight out of a shonen manga.
「Even if you want to show off, why not choose something a bit more realistic?」
The eyes behind his glasses held utter contempt.
「Thank you for the advice. ...May I return to my reading?」
Honestly, what a nuisance.
People of this type never listened to what others said anyway.
The boy looked at the three other books stacked on the table and sneered 「Ha!」 once more.
「None of these are things a woman should be reading.」
('A woman', he says!)
(Awesome! A total piece of trash—[omitted, third time]!)
The ideology in this kingdom was fundamentally 'male precedence.' Not 'misogynistic oppression.'
It simply meant men were generally placed higher in position. Women were by no means treated with contempt, and although few in number, female officials did exist. They were properly promoted and given raises according to their abilities.
However, every now and then, a man who got thoroughly confused would appear, harboring a fully misogynistic worldview.
Such individuals were usually quietly pushed out of society and faded away.
(This is bad.)
(Seriously, what a hassle.)
(This kid has so many 'no-good guy' conditions stacked up he's practically achieved a Haneman hand.)
First, he didn't even introduce himself (1 Han).
Pick a fight with someone simply because she's female (1 Han).
Failing to show proper etiquette to someone who has Lord Gray (a dedicated royal guard knight, and Chief Guard to the Crown Prince no less) standing behind her. Meaning he hasn't even realized what that signifies (3 Han).
Misogynistic mocking (1 Han).
Grand total of 6 Han, 12,000 points, Haneman!
For any fine ladies wondering what on earth a Haneman is, search 'Mahjong point calculation' right now!
Failing to recognize the meaning of the uniform Lord Gray wore was fatal for anyone frequenting the royal castle.
The guard knight big brothers wore black uniforms exclusive to them. They were freaking cool, but I'll skip over the details of their cool looks.
Only those specifically chosen from among the elite Royal Guard were permitted to wear it.
While they held non-hereditary knighthoods, quite a few of the royal guards like Lord Gray held hereditary titles.
They themselves were by no means individuals to be taken lightly, to say nothing of the person they were guarding.
They were the ones lent out by the royal family to guard quasi-royalty like myself or state guests.
It was blatant that I was not someone a mere noble boy should be picking a fight with.
Hence, 3 Han. I set the value high on purpose.
Please know that it wasn't because I desperately wanted to force his score into a Haneman hand.
Well, personally, I didn't particularly care if he picked a fight with me.
However, my official status was quasi-royalty.
There was a high wall between personal feelings and reality.
This young master had already messed up to a degree where getting executed on the spot for insolence wouldn't be out of the question.
(What are we going to do with this kid...?)
As I thought that, I cast a quick glance back at Lord Gray behind me, and he gave a subtle smile.
That smile clearly translated to, 'Please feel free to do as you wish.'
Fixing this boy's ideology would likely be no easy feat.
And there was no reason for me to be the one to do it.
I didn't know which house this young master belonged to, but it was a job for his family or his tutors. ...Though there was a strong possibility his family's views were problematic as well.
Either way, I didn't consider it my job.
「...Lord Gray.」
「Yes.」
Lord Gray, standing behind me, took a step closer. I gave a wry smile as I looked up at his tall frame.
「Could you ask the librarian to return these books?」
「As you wish. ...Shall we return to your room?」
Indeed. I had actually been given a room inside the royal castle.
Next to His Highness's private quarters—in other words, the 'Crown Princess's Private Quarters.' Currently, it was a room that was hardly ever used.
「Let us do that.」
As I prepared to stand up with a sigh, Lord Gray politely pulled my chair back.
Lord Gray picked up the books stacked on the table, and we prepared to leave the spot.
Glancing back just once at the high-strung Haneman boy, it seemed he had finally noticed Lord Gray, and his face had paled slightly.
(Too late!! How narrow is your field of vision?!)
When I tried asking the librarian to return the books, he instead processed them for checkout.
So I went quietly to the room granted to me and decided to enjoy a peaceful read there.
「I hear there is a stress relief method where people bake sweets when frustrated to blow off steam.」
As I said that while walking down the corridor, Lord Gray gave a wry smile.
「If it is stress relief you seek, there are various other methods, it seems. Such as taking a long bath, or taking a walk...」
(Is my baking really that bad?!)
「Or exercising—」
「Others sleep, or in my personal circles, there are those who eat their favorite foods to their heart's content.」
(...So exercise is off the table too...)
He cut me off with terrifying eagerness.
「Sleeping might be a good idea, then.」
As I said with a sigh, Lord Gray nodded with a slightly relieved expression, 「Indeed.」
I headed to my room feeling somewhat unsatisfied.
***
A few days after my encounter with the Haneman Blunder-Brat, His Highness spoke with a remarkably refreshing smile during our usual relaxing teatime.
「I have finalized my aides. When you have time, I shall introduce them to you, Elly.」
「Ah, you have decided then. Congratulations (?)」
(Is congratulations the right thing to say here?)
(Well, whatever.)
「There are four of them, including Noel over there. Each of them has distinct characteristics, so I doubt you will have trouble remembering them.」
'Noel over there' was stationed at his designated post impeccably again today.
Today as well, the formation eliminated all blind spots perfectly.
As the Chief Guard Knight, Lord Noel Gray stood closest to His Highness at all times. In times of emergency, his duty was to put his body on the line to protect His Highness.
「Was Lord Gray in the position of Your Highness's aide...?」
I hadn't known.
Being the Chief Dedicated Guard alone carried incredible prestige as a title.
「To be precise, it is slightly different, but you may think of it that way. That is how those around us view it, after all.」
「I see...?」
I didn't really get it.
Well, if it was something I needed to know, His Highness would surely explain it.
The fact that he didn't elaborate meant it wasn't something I particularly needed to know.
Noticing that my confusion was likely showing on my face, His Highness offered a gentle smile.
「Thanks to you, Elly, I was saved.」
「...I have no recollection of doing anything in particular, however...」
I truly had no idea what he was referring to.
Thanks to me...? ...Gasp! (A bulb lit up!)
「Could it be that my cookies—」
「No, that has nothing to do with it.」
(...His Highness cut me off with terrifying eagerness too...)
(Are my cookies really that bad?!)
The aides I was introduced to a few days later were all marvelous people who looked as though they each harbored hidden depths and schemes.
As expected of His Highness...
*****
I missed it the first time, but there's ultraman ref. here.
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)
Comments
Post a Comment