The Duke's Daughter Goes Her Own Way
[I'm Glad I Met You. (Part 2)]
Translated by: ME
The first semester of our first year was over. We had final exams, and we three girls all received 'Excellent' grades. There was a break, and after that, we would move on to our specialized courses.
Studying for the exams was really tough... Mostly because of tutoring Marie.
Don't noble families have private tutors? Why is her comprehension slower than mine? And why does she have such unique methods of memorization? Just because we won't use these subjects in our specialized courses...? But if you fail them, you can't even *enter* the specialized courses!
Even Lady Elizabeth had said, [I underestimated Miss Marie. I never imagined it would be this difficult...] So I guess even from a noble's perspective, Marie is a little unusual?
But then, Lady Elizabeth is usually surrounded by people like the Crown Prince, so perhaps she assumes everyone is at least reasonably competent, if not at His Highness's level?
When Marie came to show us her report card with a tearful face, Lady Elizabeth and I instinctively braced ourselves.
We were even thinking about how to console her.
But it was the opposite. She was crying from happiness.
We ended up comforting a sobbing Marie who kept saying, [I did so goooood...]
Yeah. It was really fun.
There were tough times with studying, but I made two truly wonderful friends.
I'll keep doing my best.
Also, I got a little closer to Mr. Carey. I learned he's twenty this year, that he's actually the third son of a Baron—even though I'd been talking to him so casually—and other things.
He said that since he's the third son, he'll leave the family after graduation anyway, so the whole noble thing doesn't matter.
He said that with a laugh.
...What should I do? I think I might really like Mr. Carey...
Even though he's a noble, he said it wouldn't matter after graduation...
Hmmmmmm.............
Okay! I've decided! I'll give it a shot!
Giving up without trying anything isn't like me!
I'll try my best, and if it doesn't work out, *then* I'll give up!
Once the break is over, I'll try asking Mr. Carey out. That's my decision.
***
Even during the break, the academy facilities were open for use.
In every facility, you could find at least a few lecturers or students.
I borrowed a few books from the academy library. Except for some rare volumes, you could check most books out.
I planned to read the books I'd been wanting to during the break.
I originally wanted to borrow about five books, but just carrying three while moving between shelves made my arms ache. The thought of putting these in my bag and carrying them home... made me give up on adding two more.
...Maybe I should work on my strength a bit.
I left the library with my bag slung across my shoulder.
After walking just a short distance, my shoulder already hurt. ...Maybe I should get a bag with wider straps. I'll probably be borrowing books to take home from now on, too.
As I walked along thinking about this, I ran into Lady Elizabeth and Marie.
[Ah, Miss Emilia. What a coincidence.]
Lady Elizabeth smiled warmly at me, and I gave a slight bow in return.
She had told me, [You don't need to bow your head every time], but I felt like doing it anyway.
[Hello. What are you two up to?]
When I asked, Lady Elizabeth showed me a small box she was holding.
A white paper box, the kind you get from confectionery shops.
[I was making this.]
[What is it?]
[Cookies.]
Cookies?! Lady Elizabeth bakes?!
Wow... that sounds adorable...
[What about you, Marie?]
Are you helping?
When I asked, Marie held up a small bag she was carrying.
[I just forgot something at the dorm and came to get it. Then I ran into Lady Elizabeth by chance.]
Now that you mention it, Marie does live in the dorms... That's probably unusual for a noble lady, isn't it?
I've heard the noble dorms at Cockford Academy are incredibly luxurious... But the dorms at our school are the ones behind the lecture hall, right?
They're much nicer than my house, but compared to a noble's mansion, they must seem shabby.
But Marie doesn't seem to have any complaints at all...
Marie is a strange one too.
[Miss Emilia, if you'd like, would you care to sample my cookies before you go?]
[Huh? Is that really okay?]
Homemade by Lady Elizabeth? Is it really alright?
[Of course. ...But it would be better to move to the cafeteria.]
***
We moved to the cafeteria. Lady Elizabeth insisted on treating, so I ordered tea. Marie got orange juice.
Lady Elizabeth borrowed a plate from the kitchen and placed two cookies on it.
They looked like perfectly round, pretty cookies, though their color seemed a bit pale.
[Please, help yourselves.]
[Yay, thank you!]
Marie reached for the plate without any hesitation.
...I'm kind of jealous of that part of you.
I picked up the remaining one.
[Thank you.]
[Yes. If you'd like another, I'd be happy to give you one.]
Marie stuffed about half of her cookie into her mouth.
Watching her, I also took a small bite of mine.
...Huh? What is this...?
It has... no taste at all?
While I was still chewing, wondering what this was, Marie made a strange sound—[Goffo!]—and spat out what was in her mouth.
[Marie!]
[Miss Marie, that's unsanitary!]
Marie covered her mouth with her hand, seeming to choke.
I wiped the table with a napkin. Lady Elizabeth was holding out Marie's glass of juice for her.
Marie took the glass and drank about half of the orange juice in one go.
[Wh...what is thiiis...?]
Marie said, still holding a handkerchief to her mouth. Lady Elizabeth looked completely serious.
[They are cookies.]
[They turned to powder when I bit them! And they have no taste at all!]
She was right.
Absolutely no taste.
And while the initial texture was crisp, chewing turned it all into powder. Furthermore, it sucked all the moisture from your mouth.
Marie must have taken too big a bite all at once.
[My mouth is all dry and pasty now! This is way worse than the wafer shell of a *monaka*! It's so dry!]
[Just as civilization cannot advance in a single day, the evolution of cookies is not so easily achieved.]
...Lady Elizabeth, what are you talking about...?
The evolution... of cookies?
[So, 'A cookie is not made in a day,' then...]
Marie, what are *you* saying?! Did you understand what Lady Elizabeth just said?!
[Precisely what Miss Marie said.]
What do I do...? I don't get it at all...
[They have evolved tremendously compared to the last batch. Now, if I can just solve the mysterious phenomenon of the flavor disappearing...]
The lack of taste is strange, but more importantly...
[What was the last batch like?]
Marie, who had finished her juice, asked.
[The last batch, much like this one, had no taste and was terrifyingly hard.]
[Ahh... I see. But isn't hard better than turning to powder?]
Marie, how are you so fearless?!
[No. They were 'terrifyingly hard.' When I threw one on the ground with all my might, it bounced right back.]
[It bounced...?]
[Yes. It bounced. You could break it with a meat tenderizing hammer. The fragments were sharp, so if you weren't careful eating it, your mouth would be covered in blood.]
With a straight face! What are you saying?!
You need a *hammer* to break it? Was that really a cookie?!
Well, I'm not sure if this tasteless thing qualifies as a cookie either!
[This batch was created today with the assistance of our chemistry lecturer, Mr. Mash, and our physics lecturer, Mr. Dawson, under their supervision. As expected of our teachers, it achieved a properly crisp texture.]
She's nodding as if that explains everything, but she involved the *teachers*...?
Now that she mentions it, cooking is a bit like a chemistry experiment...
[However, they completely lack flavor. The teachers burst into laughter and then were thoroughly perplexed. They said they would contact me if they found any methods for improvement.]
The teachers...
What are you doing, teachers...?
And Lady Elizabeth... they burst out laughing, is that really okay...?
Lady Elizabeth firmly grasped the box on the table with both hands and looked down at it.
[I plan to have the remaining cookies sampled by the guard knights and His Highness.]
At her words, the knight standing guard a short distance away flinched slightly.
...Being a guard knight must be a tough job...
And His Highness...
Please, you have to tell Lady Elizabeth.
That this... probably isn't a cookie.
It would be presumptuous for someone like me to say that to Lady Elizabeth.
So, Your Highness, I'm counting on you...
***
We each advanced to our specialized courses.
Marie went into Economics.
I hadn't known, but Marie's family runs a famous merchant house. They have shops that sell a lot of women's undergarments, offering affordable, good-quality items that even commoners can buy. I actually wear them myself.
Apparently, those shops are run by Marie's family.
And what's more, the designs and concepts for the underwear all come from Marie!
...I'm sorry, Marie. I underestimated you.
She said she's studying to take over the family business.
Though her goal of [Raking in the cash for a comfy retirement!] is a bit questionable...
Lady Elizabeth went into Natural Sciences.
To be honest, I didn't really understand what that department did. I heard it was a fairly unpopular department within the academy, with only four students, including Lady Elizabeth.
When I asked her what she would study there, she replied, [I wonder if I can learn to predict tomorrow's weather?] which surprised me.
Marie agreed, saying, [I get it! Not knowing the weather first thing in the morning is so inconvenient!] but I didn't understand at all.
Isn't tomorrow's weather something you can't know until tomorrow arrives?
As expected, Lady Elizabeth's thought process is on another level.
And I went into the Medical Department.
As per my original goal, I intended to study to become a doctor and research ways to deal with Zygale Fever.
As a side note, His Highness apparently chose Law. According to Lady Elizabeth, [He will likely be absent often due to his official duties from now on, so he probably chose a field he excels in.]
He *excels*... in law...
As expected of a future ruler.
My own understanding of law is pretty much just, [Do bad things and you get arrested]...
Each of us on our own paths.
It was a little lonely being in separate classrooms, but we were still in the same academy. And we were all doing our best. I resolved to work hard so that whenever we met, I could talk with them with a smile.
***
It was near the end of our first year, around the end of February when the cold was just beginning to ease.
Lady Elizabeth said, [There is someone I'd like you to meet.]
She specified the date, time, and place... but the *place* was the problem.
It was a very quiet restaurant in the noble district of the royal capital. A super high-class place, the kind I'd likely never set foot in my entire life.
Since it was a high-class establishment catering mainly to nobles, there was, of course, a dress code. I certainly didn't own any clothes suitable for such a place.
When I said as much, Lady Elizabeth gifted me a complete outfit—dress, shoes, bag, everything.
Just by touch, you could tell they were all high-quality items.
When I tried to refuse, Lady Elizabeth smiled and said,
[I was the one who invited you, so it's only natural I provide them. Please don't worry about the cost. It all came from my allowance.]
That makes me feel even worse! Using Lady Elizabeth's allowance!
[Miss Emilia, if you gave someone a gift out of kindness, and they firmly refused with a 'I can't accept this,' wouldn't you feel sad?]
[I would...]
I understood that. But even if I gave someone a gift, it wouldn't be anything this expensive.
[For nobles, spending money to stimulate the economy is also part of our duty.]
That was true, I'd learned that in economics.
It's not just frivolous spending; that activity helps the economy function.
[I don't often purchase luxurious items, so I occasionally need to spend money like this. So, Miss Emilia, you simply need to accept it.]
Then, Lady Elizabeth suddenly looked startled.
[Or... is it that you truly don't like the designs? I took the liberty of choosing them based on my image of you...!]
[No! Not at all! Everything is lovely, and I like it all!]
That was the truth.
The dress, the coat, the shoes, the bag. They were all lovely and tasteful, and I was genuinely very happy.
So this is Lady Elizabeth's 'image' of me... That's a little embarrassing...
In the end, I accepted the entire outfit.
I wore it and went to the designated place, where Lady Elizabeth was waiting for me outside the restaurant. I was immensely grateful, as I'd been terrified to enter such a place alone.
The inside of the restaurant was so opulent and glittering that my legs felt weak just being there.
How much does that vase over there cost?... And that painting, the frame alone looks expensive... It's only February, but they have so many flowers displayed...
Nervously, I followed behind Lady Elizabeth as she led the way.
We were shown to a private room.
A woman was already there inside.
She had beautifully flowing golden hair and clear blue eyes. A very beautiful woman.
...Could it be?... Somehow... her atmosphere reminds me of the Crown Prince... No, it couldn't be...
As I was thinking this, Lady Elizabeth gestured towards the woman.
[Miss Emilia, allow me to introduce you. This is Her Royal Highness, First Princess Linalia Floria Belkraine.]
Nooooo!! I knew it!!
Wh-wh-wh-why is the Princess here...?
[I am Linalia Floria Belkraine. My apologies for summoning you here today.]
As the Princess performed a graceful, noble bow, I hurriedly bowed my head.
[I-I am Emilia Forsythe. It is an honor to be granted an audience with Your Royal Highness.]
Was that greeting even acceptable?!
[Please, raise your head.]
Hearing her very gentle voice, I timidly lifted my head.
[May I call you Miss Emilia?]
[Y-yes. Please, feel free...]
[And please, you must call me 'Lina'.]
A nickname?! Why?!
[You mustn't pressure her, Lady Linalia.]
[Then, Ellie, you must call me Lina.]
[As you wish, Lady Lina.]
Replying with a slightly exasperated laugh, Lady Elizabeth took my hand.
[Now, let's take our seats first.]
***
I was too nervous to taste the food at all.
After the meal, Lady Linalia left first. She apparently had official duties to attend to later.
We talked about many things over the meal.
Lady Linalia said she wanted to further expand this country's medical care and welfare systems. She asked if I would cooperate.
But even if she asks for cooperation, I'm just a student. What could I possibly do?... When I thought that, she said she wanted me to tell her anything I noticed.
For example, what or who is lacking at clinics. Things that could be improved, or done differently. Regarding welfare, she wanted to know what would make people happy—those who can't work due to physical conditions, the elderly, children.
She said that there were surely things invisible from her perspective as a member of the royal family. That there must be things only I, a commoner, could see.
Lady Elizabeth, who knew about Lady Linalia's efforts, had introduced me as a reliable source of information.
[...Why did you want to introduce me to Lady Linalia...?]
After Lady Linalia had left, I asked Lady Elizabeth while we were having dessert.
Lady Elizabeth swallowed the cake in her mouth and smiled.
[Because I thought the path you are taking and the path Lady Linalia wishes to take would surely intersect somewhere.]
My path and Lady Linalia's path...
[Lady Linalia is tackling the very large challenge of 'this country's medical system.' And you, Miss Emilia, are one of the 'small individuals' within that 'large thing' Lady Linalia is addressing. I think someone dealing with something so large can find it difficult to see the small details. I thought that you, as one of those small individuals on the inside, might be able to help her with that...]
Lady Elizabeth took a sip of tea and quietly placed her cup down.
[For example, if you wanted a facility dedicated to researching infectious diseases...]
Her words surprised me.
That was indeed something I had been thinking about.
I could research at the academy, but there was a severe lack of materials, funding, and personnel.
[And if you were to find a way to prevent some kind of infectious disease, you could ask Lady Linalia to mobilize the country.]
Mobilize the country...?
Somehow, the scale of the conversation had grown to something I'd never even considered.
But it was true, Lady Linalia could do that. As the sister of the future King...
[There's a limit to what an individual can do, but a connection with Lady Linalia can, in essence, become a 'pipeline to the state.' ...I'm sure it will be of use to you someday.]
I didn't know when that 'someday' would be.
But if I truly found a way to prevent or cure Zygale Fever,
having the 'country's support' at that time would surely be a great advantage.
[Lady Elizabeth...]
I looked straight at Lady Elizabeth, who was smiling back at me.
[...Do you believe that I will someday find a way to prevent or cure Zygale Fever...?]
She spoke as if that day would certainly come. As if introducing me to Lady Linalia was a preparatory move for that day.
[I do.]
Looking right back at me with a slightly confident smile, Lady Elizabeth stated clearly.
[When I heard about your 'dream,' I thought: This is surely a person who will see it through without giving up. In that case, as a friend, I wanted to offer all the support I could.]
As a friend.
What wonderfully kind words.
[From now on, my position will make it difficult for me to openly support any specific individual.]
That's true. You will become the Queen one day.
[So, this is about all I can do. After this, I will simply be an observer.]
She said this with a slightly lonely smile.
[Then please, watch over me, Lady Elizabeth.]
If you say you can only observe.
[Someday, I will accomplish something and come to see you. ...Until then, please watch over me.]
So please, don't make such a lonely face.
Right now, my heart is so full of happiness. Please don't smile like that, you who made me so happy.
[I promise. I will definitely come to see you, Lady Elizabeth.]
Even though you will soon be in a position where a mere commoner like me cannot easily meet you.
I will achieve something worthy of that meeting. But...
[...I'm sorry if I'm a little old lady by then.]
[That's quite alright. I'll look forward to it.]
Lady Elizabeth, who said this with a laugh, looked very happy indeed.
***
I began submitting monthly reports to Lady Linalia summarizing the current situation and any requests. Replies from Lady Linalia were delivered by officials from the royal castle.
Sometimes Lady Linalia herself came, which was always a huge surprise.
I occasionally saw Lady Elizabeth and Marie on campus. We'd have tea or meals together, chat about how things were going.
Beyond that, I sometimes spotted Lady Elizabeth around campus.
For some reason, whenever she was around, my eyes would follow her.
Sometimes she walked alone, with a light, bouncing step.
Sometimes sitting on a bench with His Highness. (On those occasions, if I stared, His Highness would give me a displeased look.)
Once, she almost tripped and was caught by a guard knight.
I once saw her at the laboratory building. She was in the chemistry lab with the chemistry lecturer, Mr. Mash, and the physics lecturer, Mr. Dawson, conducting some kind of experiment... It *was* an experiment, right? The hallway smelled like butter... It couldn't have been cookies again... could it?
***
While moving between buildings on campus, I saw His Highness sitting on a bench in the courtyard. His guards were there, but he was alone. That was rare.
And he seemed to be sighing wistfully about something.
I wonder what's wrong? But it would be strange for me to call out to him, right?
I should just leave him be.
Just as I thought that and started to walk away, our eyes met unexpectedly.
Would it be strange to look away now?
Maybe I should just give a slight bow.
When I bowed my head, His Highness sighed. ...Did I do something wrong?
[Miss Forsythe, might I have a moment...]
[...Yes, what is it, Your Highness?]
What could it possibly be?
His Highness said, [Over here], so I cautiously approached. He had a small box resting on his lap. ...Wait a minute. That box looks familiar...
His Highness sighed once more and opened the lid of the box he was holding.
...It was packed full of cookies. Why... did she make *so many*...?
[As I thought, you seem to recognize what these are.]
[...Are these Lady Elizabeth's cookies, by any chance...?]
[They are. Care for one?]
Your Highness... isn't that a bit unfair...?
How could someone like me possibly refuse a suggestion from you...?
[...I'll have one, thank you.]
I had no other choice.
Steeling myself, I took one cookie from the box. It looked better than the last batch. Hmm. Mustn't be fooled by appearances. It's from Lady Elizabeth, after all.
So she *was* making cookies in that chemistry lab...
[It's alright. This batch is neither hard nor powdery.]
He didn't say they *have flavor* though...
Well, I've taken it now, so I have to eat it! Do your best, Emilia!
Encouraging myself, I brought the cookie to my mouth.
It had a crisp texture and a faint scent of butter. Not much taste.
...Wait. Huh? What is this?
The more I chew, the more it becomes sticky in my mouth... Huh? Seriously, what *is* this?!
I instinctively covered my mouth with my hand. His Highness sighed and gazed into the distance.
[...I still have fifteen more... Care for another?]
I forced myself to swallow the sticky substance in my mouth, took a breath, and looked His Highness straight in the eye.
[My apologies. That would be impossible.]
It might be disrespectful, but it's true. I can't. I still have over half of the first one left, and I'm not even sure I can finish *that*.
[I see... Yes, of course... My apologies for asking the impossible.]
[No, I'm the one who is sorry I cannot be of help.]
[No, it's fine. ...Even if I distribute them among the guards, there will still be leftovers... What to do...]
The guard knight behind him made a face that seemed to say [Huh!?] for a second... I'll pretend I didn't see that.
[What about Your Highness's aides...?]
[I see. That's an idea.]
His Highness nodded, closed the box, and stood up.
[Thank you, Miss Forsythe. I've figured out how to dispose of them all.]
[Oh, I didn't really do anything. Also, Your Highness, this is presumptuous of me, but the word 'dispose' might be a bit...]
It was probably his honest feeling, but still.
[Ah, my apologies. It seems I was a little flustered, as this was rather unexpected.]
I understand. It was unexpected for me too. More than that, how does it even *get* like that...?
[Ellie brought them to me with such a happy smile that I ended up accepting them... Even though I knew what would happen afterward...]
His Highness sighed again and gave me a wry smile.
[My apologies for involving you. Well then, I shall take my leave.]
[Yes. I must be going as well.]
I bowed to His Highness and quickly headed for the cafeteria. I needed a drink, fast! Something delicious!
And Your Highness, I'm begging you! Could you please, *please* say something to Lady Elizabeth?! As your future Queen, she doesn't need to cook, right?! Please tell her, "You don't have to!" You're the only one who can say that to her!
***
And just like that, our academy life was over in the blink of an eye.
I married Dan, Danny—Daniel Carey—whom I'd been dating since our student days, right after graduation. It seems his lingering in the general education classrooms was a kind of hobby combined with his research.
He's a strange one.
***
Four years after graduation, thanks to the efforts of Lady Linalia and Lady Elizabeth, a specialized medical education institution was established. It also incorporated the research facility I had hoped for.
It was a joint investment from the Aristol Ducal House—where Lady Linalia married into—Lady Elizabeth's family, the Macnagan Ducal House, and the state.
A commemorative plaque was erected, and for some reason, my name is on it too.
I feel like I didn't do anything! But seeing my name alongside Lady Linalia's and Lady Elizabeth's makes me so happy that I think, well, maybe it's okay.
***
And time flowed on.
It took a very, very long time, but our research team succeeded in creating a cure for Zygale Fever. And a preventative method, simultaneously.
Occasionally, Lady Elizabeth would offer advice through Lady Linalia.
It made me happy to know she was still watching over us.
Five years after that, deaths from Zygale Fever in this country became almost nonexistent.
***
For my achievements in establishing preventative and treatment methods for the troublesome disease, I was to be decorated. At the same time, I was even granted a baronetcy, though it would last only for my lifetime.
My husband, Danny, laughed, [Went from being the third son of a Baron to a commoner, and now I'm a Baron again.]
And now, here I am at that investiture ceremony.
Before me stands Lady Elizabeth. We've both grown older, haven't we?
But Lady Elizabeth is still, as always, adorable and beautiful.
She firmly clasps my hand, smiling with evident joy.
[You kept your promise to me.]
Of course I did. I worked hard for this very reason.
What was originally just my simple dream...
You picked it up and reached out your hand to me. That's why I was able to come this far.
I want to say so much more, but the words won't come.
Even though you are right here, so close to me.
Ah, but there's one thing I must tell you.
[I... was fortunate to have met you, Lady Elizabeth. ...I'm so glad I met you...]
Lady Elizabeth smiled at my words and nodded, saying, [As am I.]
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