Living Up to Your Expectations - Chapter 39

—The Other Princess

We exchanged glances.

“Since she’s already undergone the ceremony and been officially announced as the Spirit Princess with great fanfare, they can’t very well say ‘we made a mistake, so we’re sending her back to commoner status’ now. It would affect the nation’s prestige. Apparently, she’s being ‘honorably transferred’ to the Ballensa region instead.”

I slowly closed my fan and sighed quietly.

“The Ballensa region, that frontier land said to be inhabited by many spirits, correct?”

Laila frowned.

“Yes. It’s less ‘rich in nature’ and more ‘a place with nothing.’ There are more trees and beasts than people. They’re building a new temple for the spirits there, it seems. The head of the Spirit Ministry is accompanying her too.”

“…That person was the very one who insisted on recognizing Lady Beth as the ‘Spirit Princess,’ after all.”

“Indeed. Even though I was the Spirit Princess, he pushed for Lady Beth to become the Crown Princess. He must be facing the consequences for that as well.”

I touched the rim of my cup with my hand. The heat traveled to my fingertips.

“Of course, her attendants too…?”

There was a subtle probing tone hidden in Laila’s voice.

“Naturally. Her attendants, and her so-called friends, are all being ‘honorably transferred’ together.”

They were always by her side, supporting her. They must be getting what they wished for. It’ll be interesting to see if they can remain as friendly as before.

Via smiled coldly.

“Friends? …Ah, you mean those who spread those completely baseless rumors about Feli?”

“Yes. The royal family and Father investigated thoroughly, you see. Officially, it’s being called ‘an honorable duty to serve the spirits’… but in reality, it’s no different from being sent to a convent.”

No one objected to their treatment.

After all, the spirits themselves pointed it out that day, in that very place. There was no way left to cover it up.

“Speaking of which, all three of the ‘heroines’ are now gone from the royal capital.”

At Laila’s remark, Via and I exchanged glances. That’s certainly true.

“Hehe, are you both aware? If they were real heroines, the story would only begin after their exile. What will you do if they claw their way back up?”

“My, will they seek revenge on us? How frightening.”

Of course, there wasn’t a trace of fear on either of their faces. Via allowed a slight smile behind her fan, and Laila merely shrugged.

Do they even have that much spirit left in them? Still, an encore performance might be entertaining.

“By the way, Via. Do you have any plans for our day off next week?”

As I placed my teacup back on its saucer and asked, Via blinked and tilted her head slightly.

“No, nothing in particular. Why?”

“In that case, how about having tea at the palace with Lord Lucius and Caien?”

“Lord Caien too?”

In that instant, Via’s voice jumped slightly.

“Yes, that’s right. Actually, Lord Lucius said he wants me to introduce Caien to ‘a sensible, calm, capable, and beautiful young lady.'”

“And so, me…?”

Via stared at me with a look of disbelief. Her eyes wavered, and the shadow of her lashes fell on her porcelain-like cheeks.

“Of course. You’re the only one who fits that description perfectly. And besides—”

“And besides?”

“Apparently, Caien himself said, ‘Please ask the Winchester Duke’s daughter as well.’ Asking me means, well? It must be you, Via, without a doubt, right?”

“Eh… but, that’s…”

Via’s gaze darted about, and the tips of her ears turned faintly pink. It was a charming reaction, utterly unlike her usual resolute expression.

“It means he’s looking for a fiancée, Via. Your father and Caien’s father have already received the king’s permission, so it’s practically decided.”

“Gah! …A-alright. Feli, I just remembered something urgent. I’ll be going now, then!”

Clattering her chair back, flipping the hem of her skirt, she hurried out of the salon. I watched her retreating back until it grew small, then finally allowed a smile to touch my lips.

“Lady Felicia, what on earth was that about?”

Laila, who remained, leaned forward with a puzzled frown.

“My, you didn’t notice? Via likes Caien. I don’t think her desire to work at the palace is solely for my sake, either.”

“Lord Caien!? How could I have missed that…! Ah, what a waste…! Wait a moment, please. I’m going to retrace my memories and check right now!”

Laila narrowed her eyes like a detective, making a gesture of sifting through her memories. Muttering, “That time… ah, I wonder what expression Lady Olivia had.” her eyebrows and lips shapes shifted rapidly.

“Via will be terribly busy preparing for next week, I imagine. She’ll want to polish herself up, and she’ll probably need to order a new dress. Will she manage in time? Hehe.”

“So that’s why she rushed off in such a fluster.”

“It’s quite rare to see Via so flustered like that.”

“Truly. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen it.”

Laila giggled, covering her mouth with her lace handkerchief.

“Well, I must also meet with Lord Lucius. I’ll do my absolute best for Caien and Via.”

“Lady Felicia, you must tell me all about that tea party later, alright?”

Laila leaned forward eagerly. She looked like a child begging to hear the next part of a fairy tale.

“Yes, of course. I’ll always live up to your expectations, Laila. Please look forward to it.”

I breathed in the scent of the tea, filling my chest, and smiled quietly.

—Believing that this plan for a tea party would surely be the beginning of a wonderful story.

END