Chapter 49 The Princess's Melancholy
I thought I'd seen that face before──and sure enough, I'd seen it plenty in the Founding Festival articles and the papers after.
"Y-Yes, that's right... people say it all the time."
Judging by her half-laugh, her strained smile, she's definitely the real deal.
Still, I half-commend Yuruyana for his smooth words.
Even if he's wrong, if someone's told she looks like the princess, most folks──unless they're utterly twisted──won't feel insulted.
It's also a good way for her to dodge the truth──claim she's just a lookalike.
"Actually, I get that too sometimes. Being told I resemble the most beautiful princess in the kingdom──that's quite an honor!"
"Oh, come on..."
Her words lured her in, and the girl sheepishly touched her cheek with a smile, giggling.
This princess──she's terrible at lying.
"Your Highness, I just can't keep this up anymore."
Sure enough, her attendant was the first to give up, shaking her head.
"Ugh..."
The princess's eyes, behind her glasses, flickered with frustration and disappointment.
"Huh? Are you really the princess?"
Yuruyana's tone was deliberately insincere.
I wouldn't be surprised if a talent scout from a theater troupe showed up any day now.
"Yes. But there's no need for overly formal hospitality. Please──just as you are."
Resigned, Princess Ellen finally took off her hat and glasses──steadfast──and straightened her back.
Instantly, the air around her shimmered, blooming with grace and dignity, as if she'd transformed.
"Let me reintroduce myself──I am Ellen, the First Princess of this kingdom. I heard from Helmine about your shop, and I've come incognito during summer, hoping to visit."
Even for her best friend, I knew it wasn't easy for the royal guard to get multiple days off on a whim.
She'd have to explain the situation to Ms. Helmine somehow.
But she's saying strange things...
"During summer?"
If she's here for my sake, she's not unwell──so what's the rush?
Why does she have to come so suddenly?
Yuruyana caught onto that suspicion immediately.
"Could it be... that Your Highness the princess, came to relax? This is the coolest spot in the capital, after all. Perfect for cooling off."
No way I believe that.
"..."
Nailed it, huh?
No wonder she was dragging her feet about the reason.
She's really just out for a bit of sightseeing ── no serious business at all.
"Going all the way down to the lower town for that? It's strange to complain about her living there, but honestly──it's not exactly a safe district."
Unlike Yuruyana or Mako poking around familiar shops,
this is a whole different story.
The wrong move ── just making eye contact ── and you're asking for trouble.
"You don't need to worry. We've arranged security that won't bother the residents."
"Really?! That's wonderful!"
Even her capable attendant's words made the princess surprised first.
It's clear she's truly a pampered princess ── beyond being spoiled, I can't help but admire her resilience.
The princess bathed in a faint, indulgent gaze, and suddenly realized she'd let her mask slip.
She coughed awkwardly, trying to cover it.
"You said not to tell anyone..."
"I know, but I can't just ignore it. Still, we've kept it small. Please, understand."
"Ugh..."
Still, when I see her up close, the sharp features, the changing expressions...
there's no denying how much she resembles Yuruyana.
If their hair tones matched, even if someone called them sisters ── or, well, siblings ── I'd believe it.
"Exactly. When I kept complaining about the heat, Helmine told me about this place. Something cool and secret ── she said I should ask for the details."
Yuruyana shot me a quick glance, no doubt recalling that little bet we'd joked about earlier.
"I was genuinely surprised when I saw it... how do you keep the room so cool? I've heard Sir Tsukumo is a skilled Arcanist, but──this must be magic, right?"
"No, it's Arcane Machinery."
Just the other day, I gave nearly the same explanation to Yuruyana, and here was Princess Ellen, offering fresh little interjections like, "Mm-hmm," and, "Is that so?" with such natural grace.
And then I got it.
I understood the meaning of that last piece Luka mentioned, the part about something good coming my way too.
"How much would it cost to sell that air conditioner? I really want one for my room, just saying."
With a pleading look in his sparkling, sky-blue eyes, he clasped his hands together as if in prayer.
His face, similar to Yuruyana's, seemed even more dazzling without any of that off-putting slyness.
"That's something my grandfather made for the shop, so it's not for sale. We were just considering modifications for general use."
"My, my, how fascinating. What can I do to help? If it's within my power, I'll assist in any way I can. Please, won't you prepare one as soon as possible?"
It seems Yuruyana was right; the heat in the castle is quite the pressing issue for her.
"Even if you say that, I can't make any promises. Adjustments are needed depending on the size of the room."
"Then, might I suggest you take a look at my room first? I intend to place a special order."
"Eh!?"
The loud exclamation didn't come from me or Yuruyana, but from her attendant.
Naturally, inviting a young man into the private chambers of an unmarried princess is unprecedented.
"Your Highness, that's..."
"It's fine. Helmine and Sir Tsukumo are good people, and they've done so much for our country, haven't they? Plus, there's a connection with the Oldrinii family."
Then, as if a brilliant idea struck, she clapped her hands together.
"Ah, the missus should come too. No one would dare do anything improper in front of such a charming lady, right?"
"No, I'm..."
Yuruyana, who usually had a knack for diffusing tension, suddenly seemed flustered.
I'm sorry if it seems like I'm misleading you into thinking I'm the head of a household at my age.
But still...
"If the cooling system finally works smoothly in my room, I'm sure the whole castle will demand one next. Since they're rushing me to get it done, feel free to include extra charges in the estimate."
This princess, she's soft-spoken but surprisingly stubborn ── she refuses to listen to anyone.
When I tried to ask her aide for help, she just looked off into the distance, lost in thought.
"When's the soonest you're available? We should come get you."
I only grew more frantic.
Even the carriage we took to the Berth estate the other day caused a stir with the passing townsfolk ── can you imagine if the royal family's carriage arrived?
Rumors would spread like wildfire.
"No! I'll come to the castle myself...!"
It seems this princess is the kind who won't change her mind once she's decided ── so I had no choice but to give in.
I tried to act firm, but I couldn't shake the image of Luka's sneaky grin.
If I'd predicted how this would turn out, I'd have explained things a lot better before now.
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