Aobara-hime no Yarinaoshi Kakumeiki Chapter 4

Hi everyone, I’ve been very generously provided with the raw of the light novel by Claire Lilly on NU!

I have started translating from that and will be making a few edits to previous chapters over the next few days.

Chapter 4: The Blue Rose Princess Thus Awakens (2 - 2)

The figure of a terribly handsome man looking down in scorn sprung into Alicia's mind.

"Is something the matter? Alicia-sama."

"No…"

Head lady-in-waiting Fourier narrowed her eyes in suspicion at Alicia, who was hugging her own shoulders, shuddering.

Who that man—the a.s.sailant with jet black hair and violet eyes—was, Alicia did not know. But when she confronted that man in her previous life, she had guessed he was a n.o.ble.

If he were truly a n.o.ble, the person himself might unexpectedly show his face during some of the ceremonies she would attend, or at the very least she might catch hold of some clues with that striking appearance of his.

Just remembering the man who seemed to be the incarnation of the G.o.d of Death, Alicia felt her fair skin crawl, but leaving the situation alone as it was without anyone knowing was more frightening.

"I might attend tonight after all. Convey this to my father as well."

"Yes?"

"EHH!?"

The facial expression of the court lady who was called "The Iron Mask" crumbled at the princess' unexpected proposal. Even at the back, Ani and Marsa who had spoken aloud by mistake were shutting up each other mouths in a panic.

"Is it something to be that surprised about? …Or am I causing everyone trouble by suddenly changing my plans?"

"No!"

The voices of the three people—the head court lady and the attendants—overlapped each other magnificently, and they exchanged glances at each other. With an "ahem", Fourier cleared her throat and opened her mouth to speak on behalf of the others.

"We are always ready no matter when in order for Alicia-sama to carry out her role as the princess. Please rest a.s.sured. It's just that this is the first time we have heard Alicia-sama say that you will attend…"

Fourier had recovered her former expressionless state, but her open-hearted manner of speaking indicated her excitement.

Certainly, Alicia had been absent from ceremonies until now by taking advantage of her father's pardon and making all sorts of excuses. Those times were from before she made her debut into high society and so she'd been repeatedly advised by Fourier that even if she didn't attend the latter half of a ball, she should at least attend the beginning.

Since Alicia had paid no attention to her words because she found them bothersome, Fourier's excitement was embarra.s.sing.

"I've changed my mind a little. I've been thinking that it might be good to appear in public a bit more to learn about the n.o.bility from now on. …Uhh I don't think it's something worth crying about though-"

"No, no. Alicia-sama has grown up splendidly. This Fourier is deeply moved. How relieved Lizbett-sama must be too in heaven!"

By Lizbett, she meant the deceased Queen or in other words Alicia's mother. From before becoming her room attendant, Fourier and the Queen were friends.

Thus Alicia believed it was a natural course of events that Fourier firmly vowed, "For the sake of my close friend who pa.s.sed away early, I will help raise that daughter of hers to become a fine princess!", but the fact that she was so delighted just by Alicia declaring that she'd go to the ceremony was a rather complex matter.

In the end, under the command of the head court lady strangely in high spirits, Alicia was polished up by the maids who were likewise overflowing with motivation. Alicia grumbled in her heart, thinking that it might be better if she didn't attend after all.

The royal court orchestra played music as n.o.bles stood in lines divided into left and right. A red carpet was laid straight in the centre of such a large hall, and Alicia sat next to the King atop the innermost platform.

"Look, it's Alicia-sama. How pretty she is today too!"

"She seems to resemble Queen Lizbett more day by day!"

"She is truly the Blue Rose Princess who blooms in Heilland…"

"King James is probably going to choose a partner for his adorable daughter."

Uh huh. As I thought, how annoying.

While trying not to pay attention to the glances from the n.o.bles that poured into the great hall from various places, Alicia resisted the urge to breathe a sigh.

The mother in her memories was a very beautiful person. She always had a gentle smile on her face and would tenderly stroke Alicia's hair while calling her "my dear child".

King James loved her mother deeply and thus didn't try to marry a second time, regardless of whether his only child would be Alicia.

Hence the eyes that the n.o.bles pointed at Alicia were much more intense than the ones pointed at one princess. After all, the person who would become Alicia's husband would eventually become the king of the country.

Certainly in the long history of Heilland there were times when queens reigned over the country. But most of them were provisional and generally the princess' husband was nominated as the king or in the case that this did not happen, another male member of royalty would succeed.

Because of that, if Alicia made an appearance in official affairs, n.o.bles of the rank of marquis and above would swarm in their scramble to 'market' their sons first. Even under normal circ.u.mstances, having to undergo royal education and training from morning until night was already exhausting, so being surrounded by obviously hopeful aristocrats was very much agonising.

(That's why I hate public affairs.)

Although she complained in her heart, she still wore a smile on her face—a result of her royal training.

Speaking of which, it was the problematic man with jet black hair who made the public-business-hating Alicia yield to attending the ceremony yet…

(He's not here…is he?)

Alicia roughly swept her eyes over the n.o.bles lined up in the great hall, then knitted her shapely brows. There were many people with blonde, silver, red and brown hair, yet it was still impossible that she'd fail to notice such a conspicuous colour. Besides, she was seated on a platform, so that even someone of her short stature could still have an extensive view of the hall.

She wondered if this had immediately become a fool's errand.

She didn't expect to find him in one shot in the first place, but for some reason or another she felt disappointed. At that moment, she realised she was quite nervous about her reunion with the man in question again.

"Cia, are you feeling alright?"

King James looked worriedly at Alicia who loosened up her shoulders then leaned back on her chair. His retainers before were saying that King James was like the G.o.d of Fortune that had reached the East. She had never seen a or the G.o.d of Fortune, but thought that name was very fitting for the sociable King whose character, appearance and so forth were adored by both his retainers and the people.

"I'm okay, father. Are we starting soon?"

"If it becomes painful midway, it's fine to leave, okay?"

When Alicia nodded, King James grinned then gently stroked her hair so as not to ruin the arrangement done by Ani and the others. Whether that was a cue or not, Naizel Otto, the King's chief advisor who was waiting beside him put up his right hand.

A sonorous flourish of trumpets reverberated and King James and Alicia both rose, opening both arms in order to receive all members of the observation group. In response, two knights clad in uniform pulled opened the door of the great hall from both sides.

The group of inspectors all emerged onto the red carpet laid out on the middle of the entrance left open.

Elected officials from various ministries that administer government, several sons of prominent aristocrats belonging to the Privy Council that serves as the King's advisory committee, as well as leading graduates of the Royal Academy, the kingdom's top educational inst.i.tution—A total of 10 eminent members made up the observation group.

As one might expect from those who had returned from their inspection in Ealdar spanning two years, their eyes were equally discerning and even on such an occasion, they were imposing. Alicia, who was watching attentively as they bowed, froze as soon as she came across a certain person.