Chapter 52 Princess Rifine's Confession
Finally, my very first birthday party is about to begin.
As I hold Yumie's hand and walk toward the venue, I gulp down nervously.
Maybe it's from anxiety, but I feel like my palms are sweaty.
It must feel gross for Yumie to hold my sweaty hand; should I let go for a moment?
But still, I really don't want to let go right now──just as if to understand my feelings, Yumie's grip on my hand tightens a little.
...I always wonder, how does Yumie know what I want without me saying anything?
I feel like I'm becoming someone who can't be without Yumie, and that makes me anxious in its own way.
"Don't worry, Rifine. No matter what happens, I'm here with you."
But every time I hear Yumie's kind words, I want to lean into this warm feeling a little more.
No... not just a little more; I want to stay like this forever.
How happy would that be?
If only I were really Yumie's sister, I wouldn't have to worry about things like this...
"Wait, if Yumie married my brother, wouldn't I really become her sister...?!"
With this brilliant idea flashing in my mind, I couldn't help but praise myself for being a genius.
If that happened, Yumie would become my sister.
Sister... no, that's not quite right, something more like...
"Elder Sister Yumie..."
The words I muttered felt incredibly fitting in my mind.
Yes, that sounds nice, Sister.
If the day comes when I can call her that... hehehe.
"Rifine, what's wrong?"
"N-nothing at all!"
That was close! If she knew I was having such fantasies in my head while she was worrying about me, what would Yumie think?
Seeing me slap my cheeks to regain my focus, Yumie tilted her head in confusion but didn't press further.
Letting out a sigh of relief, we walked together and finally arrived in front of the door leading to the venue.
"Here we go..."
Up ahead, there is a party prepared by Mei and Yumie has gathered people for me.
To be honest, it still doesn't feel real to have someone celebrate my birthday for me.
I feel like everything from the day I met Yumie until today might just be a convenient dream for me.
If anything, it would be more believable if I opened this door and there was not a single person, and they told me the whole birthday party thing was a prank to make fun of me.
Still, I believe the warmth of Yumie's hand holding mine is real, and suppressing my anxiety, I push open the door──and beyond it, a dazzling world I have never seen before spreads out.
"The princess has arrived."
"How beautiful. The dress design is wonderful, where did you have it tailored?"
"Is the lady next to her from Granbell? I heard the head of the family has been boasting about her everywhere..."
"I heard she was close to the princess, but I never thought she would even serve as the escort for the party. To have the dresses tailored to match each other is quite something."
"The two of them standing side by side, they look like fairies. They look like sisters, so heartwarming."
Wherever I look, there are people, people, people everywhere.
Curiosity, admiration, interest, various gazes and voices are all focused on me, and I feel like I might be crushed by the overwhelming flow of information.
The splendor of the party is several times more luxurious and refined than I had imagined.
I heard that the Detached Palace's budget isn't that large and the staff is minimal, so I thought they could only manage to make it look decent to some extent...I wonder how much time and money they squeezed out for me.
Just imagining it makes me so happy, I feel like crying.
"Ah..."
That's why I have to respond to their thoughts and act like a princess, but because I was paying attention to my surroundings, I tripped over a small step.
It's so embarrassing to fall in front of so many people.
But I can't fix my posture now.
I instinctively shut my eyes tightly...but my body, which was doing so, suddenly floated up lightly.
"Performance magic── (Float), (Light Wrap), full power!"
Led by Yumie's hand, my body, which was about to fall, is lifted into the air.
As the light flickers, Yumie and I follow the magical path created in the sky.
Amidst the enchanting display, gasps of awe escape from the crowd, and Yumie smiles at me.
──I told you, right? I'm here for you──
Yumie's kindness, conveyed without words, fills my heart to the brim.
I want to hug Yumie tightly right now.
However, that would waste all the effort Yumie and the Maids have put in for me.
I must hold back my selfish feelings and do what a princess should do.
"Everyone, thank you for gathering for me!"
Trusting Yumie's magic, I boldly raise my voice while looking down at the Nobility from the air.
With a smile, I show them that I am their master, one of the Royal Family.
"I have arranged the best food and music for today. Everyone, please enjoy yourselves!"
I didn't prepare any of this.
It feels a bit wrong to take credit for everyone's hard work, but I know this is what I must do right now.
Did I do well? Am I living up to the Royal Family, being a princess that Yumie and the Maids can be proud of?
Glancing to the side, I see Yumie nodding with a smile, and from a distance, the Maid team from Detached Palace is applauding, clearly impressed.
...What are those fans with "Princess Fight" and "Princess is Cute" written on them? Just because the Noble can't see you from the corner of the venue, don't wave those around! It's so embarrassing!!
But, well....
"I would be happy if you all continue to be friends with me. I love you all!"
I can't help but let those words spill out towards the Maids.
I intended to whisper softly so that the Noble below wouldn't hear, but strangely, my words echoed as if magic had been used, reaching everyone in the venue and leaving the gathered Noble frozen in place.
...Oh no, oh no, oh no!!
"Th-that was a mistake!! I'm a princess, so I don't think I can easily become friends with everyone!! Um, um... so, that concludes my greeting!! Everyone, please enjoy yourselves!!"
In my panic, I ended up repeating a line I had already said, and I asked Yumie to lower me down.
Ugh, there were so many noble and their sons and daughters I was meeting for the first time today, and I said something like that...
what a lifelong embarrassment!!
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