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After
that, Eva and Rose presented her with ribbons similar to the ones
Candice favored and often wore in her hair. Two adorable pink ribbons.
Even though she had many ribbon hair accessories, this ribbon felt special to Candice.
(……Why
am I this happy, I wonder. Even though it's just a ribbon.)
Candice didn't know why, but she felt like
she was going to cry. As she firmly held her tears in, the two of them, perhaps
thinking Candice was in a bad mood from just waking up, nervously
fidgeted in a panic.
(At
times like this…… I was taught by Jeanne that I should say thank you.)
Candice repeatedly opened and closed her
lips.
(Why
is it so difficult to say thank you to those of lower status, I wonder?)
She
repeatedly opened and closed her mouth, but no voice came out. Holding her
breath, Candice's face turned bright red. And then, she spat out words
as if squeezing them out.
「I-It's quite cute, huh…… I like it! I don't mind using it
for you every day, you know?」
Those
were the only words that finally came out, but Eva and Rose
probably understood that Candice liked it. Letting out a breath of
relief, the two of them clasped their hands together. Happy about their
feelings, Candice thought of something. It was her first time feeling
this way.
「Tell me your birthdays!」
「……Eh?」
「Because it's not like I wouldn't
celebrate them for you.」
Looking
surprised, the two exchanged glances, then held Candice's hands while
gazing at her with gentle eyes.
「Candice, Imperial Princess-sama,
thank you very much!」
「We are happy. But we will just
accept your feelings.」
「Even though I, myself, am saying I
want to know……!」
「Because we are already happy enough.」
「That's right. For Candice, Imperial
Princess-sama to keep us by your side…… there is nothing we are more
grateful for.」
Candice puffed out her cheeks, baring her
unease, but unlike Candice, the two looked happy.
「Let's leave this talk for after Candice,
Imperial Princess-sama's birthday is over!」
「Because today's main character is Candice,
Imperial Princess-sama!」
Candice nodded at their persuasive words.
「Now then, today is a special day, so
we will put our spirit into getting you ready!」
「Because we're going to make Candice,
Imperial Princess-sama cuter than anyone else!」
Fired
up, Eva and Rose rolled up their sleeves. Deciding on the dress
to wear today together with the two, her hairstyle was set in her recently
favored high twintails. That was because Arthur would say, 「It's cute like a rabbit,」
and Luca would also say, 「Candice suits adorable hairstyles, doesn't
she.」
They
tied the ribbons—pink layered with white lace—that Eva and Rose
had gifted her earlier into her hair. She wore a pink dress to match the
ribbons. She had recently bought it from a merchant as a reward for working
hard. The shrewd merchant had started bringing items for both Arthur and
Candice.
Candice had only been buying things for Arthur,
but her eyes were suddenly captivated by an adorable dress. Ever since her
memories returned, she had only worn simple dresses. That was meant to utilize
her reflections on her past, but also to admonish herself for having done
nothing but waste money. However, this time, unable to hold back, her gaze
naturally went to a dress that was so much to Candice's liking. Perhaps
noticing Candice repeatedly stealing glances at the dress, the merchant
had recommended it to her. When she looked at Eva and Rose, they
likely understood what Candice wanted to say.
『Candice, Imperial Princess-sama, an
occasional reward is necessary, you know!』
『I agree too. I think this dress will
suit Candice, Imperial Princess-sama!』
Because
they said that, she had purchased this dress. Wearing a reward dress put her in
a good mood.
(I
can keep doing my best to become a "good Imperial Princess"
from now on!)
In
the past, she couldn't have thought of such a thing. Even if she owned hundreds
of dresses, she had no attachment to them, and no matter which dress she wore,
she was never satisfied. However, this time, the dress she bought as a reward
for herself felt like something special.
(Let's
carefully wear this dress one more time on a special day!)
She used to never wear the same dress twice once she wore it, but that wasn't the case now. She wore the dresses and one-pieces she liked over and over again. The influence of Eva and Rose, daughters of fallen Imperial nobles, might have been a big part of that. Having experienced a life of poverty, they used to say 「What a waste」 like a catchphrase. Perhaps due to hearing that every day, Candice also gradually started to feel that it was a waste. Jeanne, Arthur, and Luca were also the types who took good care of their belongings. Being together with them, Candice was naturally being influenced by those actions.
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