Volume 9 Chapter 2 Coronation And Dresses
I hugged Sir Stefan tightly, patting his back as he cried softly. When I gently pulled away from him, I patted his head.
Since Sir Stefan is taller than me, I had to stretch a bit to reach his head. While I was doing that, Eir-Eir and Nel-Nel jumped onto Sir Stefan, presenting their heads as if to say, "Pet me too!" So, I took turns giving them some love.
As Ms. Famine sat on my shoulder, watching us, I gave her head a little rub, and she wagged her tail happily.
"Sir Stefan, don't cry, Sir Stefan."
"Lydia, if you're struggling in life, I want you to come to the palace. I'll make sure you have dresses and shoes, you won't lack for anything."
"Sir Stefan, I'm not dressed like this because I don't have money."
Looking at Sir Stefan reminds me of Father Feldur.
I've been wanting to visit the Rest Priest Family for a while now, but before I knew it, spring had come.
I wonder if my mother and father are doing well. I think they're probably as close as newlyweds and doing just fine.
"We're going clam digging now. When you go clam digging, your feet get dirty, so I bought sandals."
"Clam digging...?"
"On the beaches of Arsubania, there are clams. Iuse this rake to dig through the sand and collect them. Clams are delicious!"
"...There are clams on the beach. But isn't it dangerous? Are you really going to walk around town like that? Of course, my precious Lydia is always adorable, but being cute might attract the wrong kind of people..."
"Um... I'm okay. There were some scary things in the past, but now I'm fine. Everyone is kind to me, like Sir Ciel, Mr. Lucian, Sir Rail, and Sir Roxas, and also the people from Saintwise and Leonsroar... Anyway, there are many famous people among Lobelia's customers and my friends, so the bad people don't come near me. They're scared."
I worked hard to explain this to Sir Stefan.
If I don't, I might not be allowed to go clam digging. I'm desperate.
Since I've gone through the trouble of getting into the perfect clam digging outfit, I really want to go today.
"There were scary things in the past, huh, Lydia? It's my fault."
"Sir Stefan, please don't be down... It's not your fault. Mr. Lucian helped me after I broke off the engagement with you and I disappeared. So, it was okay."
"Ugh... I see... I need to thank Lucian again. I'm always being helped by everyone."
"Sir Stefan, I think everyone helps you because they know you're kind and a good person. So, cheer up!"
I might have said too much.
"That's right, Stefan. No one can live without relying on someone else. I'm just a cute puppy, so I'm being taken care of by Lydia. I don't plan to do anything other than my role as a cute puppy."
"Dad, you turn back into a human when you're in the bath, right?"
"I also want to stretch out a bit in the bath, which is a private space."
"Is being a puppy uncomfortable?"
"No? It's comfortable. After all, I'm cute."
With my dad cradled in my arms, looking up at me with his adorable, sparkling eyes, I decided to forgive everything.
Even though my dad turns into a handsome guy when he's in the bath, it's fine as long as I don't peek.
Thinking about it, it does feel a bit strange living with a man, but he's still my dad.
"Human form...?"
Sir Stefan asked with a puzzled look.
Now that I think about it, no one except me and Mx. Margaret has seen my dad's human form.
Feeling it might get complicated, I quickly changed the subject.
"Are you going to join us for clam digging, Sir Stefan? Even if you don't dig clams, just feeling the sea breeze will be refreshing. It'll definitely lift your spirits!"
"...Is that okay?"
"Yes! It's a bit tough for me to walk with Nel-Nel and my dad while carrying all the stuff by myself, so it would really help if you came along."
"Thanks, Lydia. Then I'll join you. I understand that you're safe, but I still worry. If something happened to my lovely Lydia, I'd regret not going with you for the rest of my life."
"The rest of my life..."
It sounds a bit like a tongue twister, which is kind of funny.
I giggled as I started walking with Sir Stefan.
Eir-Eir was perched on top of Sir Stefan's head, and Nel-Nel was being held. He even helped carry the bags.
The sunny Saturday morning felt so nice, and the breeze against my bare feet was cool.
Even though I just got my toenails done, I felt extra cute and happy.
Yes──this feels like being a grown woman.
I'm 19 this year. If you say you're an adult, then I'm already one.
Most noblewomen get married by 18, and by 20, many already have kids.
The people of Arsubania are the same, and in the Kingdom, the marriageable age is around 21.
Thinking about that, I looked up at Sir Stefan walking beside me.
"You've become His Majesty the King, right?"
I wonder if Sir Stefan will get married to someone.
"That's right. The coronation ceremony is coming up soon. I came to ask if you would like to attend, Lydia."
"Me?"
"Yeah. You are the Saint of the Rest Priest Family. You're no longer my... fiancée, and I can't ask you to come back now, but... if possible, I would like you to attend the coronation with Lord Feldur. I want you to bless me there."
"Blessing? Blessing, huh..."
What does blessing even mean? Attending the coronation.
I hadn't really thought about it.
Will I wear a dress? Of course, I will wear a dress.
Standing in front of everyone in a dress.
Saintwise and the Leonsroar people kneeling before me.
A dream from long ago came to mind, and I shook my head vigorously.
It's about the coronation.
That can't be a reality, right? Obviously.
"A blessing means acknowledging my ascension as the Saint of the Rest Priest Family. Then, as a sign of approval, I will kiss your palm."
"Th-that's not okay...!"
"Not okay...?"
"It's not okay. Acknowledging is fine. But, um, that's not okay. Kissing should only be with someone you love."
If I did that, it might hurt Sir Stefan's future wife.
Sir Stefan looked down, looking really sad, saying, "I see..."
I panicked. Did that sound like I was saying I disliked Sir Stefan?
That's not what I meant.
"I like Sir Stefan, but..."
"Lydia... I do too...!"
"But, Sir Stefan and I are no longer engaged, and as King, Sir Stefan has to marry properly, so I think it's not good if you pay too much attention to me."
"...Can I still have hope? But... it's too late now. What a selfish thought."
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, really."
"I understand about the coronation. I used to hate wearing dresses, but now I think I want to wear one. So, I'm a little excited."
"Ah. Thank you, Lydia."
The day I wear the dress will be a day I have to attend a banquet and such.
I've always been alone, feeling heavy-hearted while wearing Francois's hand-me-down dress.
But now──
Maybe I'll get some compliments. Maybe someone will say I look cute.
I remember Sir Ciel once said he wanted to see me in a dress. I've also gotten to know everyone from Saintwise, so maybe they'll compliment me too. I might not feel lonely anymore.
Thinking about that makes my heart feel light.
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