Birthday Party 1
After lunch, the preparations that started with bathing and applying
perfumed oil all over my body finally finished a little before the sun set.
Partly because Ashren-sama doesn't attend evening parties very often,
it's been a long time since I wore a dress.
Out of the many dresses, the one I chose was, of course, a light blue
dress. Furthermore, I chose the most luxurious one, and had my hair done up
gorgeously, studded with small jewels.
The necklace shining on my chest is a blue diamond the same as my ring,
and tonight I am dyed in Ashren-sama's color as much as possible. Ashren-sama,
who came to my room to pick up such a me, widened his eyes that are the same
color as the ring and fell silent for a few seconds.
「...Does it look strange?」
「N-No. It is beautiful. It is a waste to show it to other guys.」
「Fufu, you look much more wonderful, Ashren-sama.」
The glossy light gray suit accentuates his good figure, and his hair,
which has increased in luster even more than usual, is sparklingly beautiful.
Standing next to this person, I feel like I pale in comparison even though I
went through the trouble of being dressed up. I asked Ashren-sama, who
offered his hand saying "Shall we go then," to wait a moment, and
picked up the finishing perfume. This perfume completed a few days ago was, of
course, made from Monitares flowers.
「I managed to make it in time somehow. I have nothing but gratitude for
the perfumer who cooperated with me.」
I scooped up a little of the solid perfume as if transferring the
warmth of my fingertips to it, melted it further with my fingertips, and
applied it to the nape of my neck and my wrists.
「Solid perfume, huh. I've never seen that before.」
Ashren-sama picked up the container with the
solid perfume, took a little on his fingertip in the same way, and brought it
close to his nose.
「I used the souvenir I received from Catherine-san previously as
a reference.」
The extract of the Monitares flower was rock solid. At first, I tried
turning it into a powder like medicine, but it didn't go well because it's hard
to dissolve in water.
I stumbled on a problem before even getting to the perfumery, and just
when I was agonizing over what to do, what I remembered was the solid perfume.
When I consulted the perfumer, I was told that although they had books
describing how to make it, they had never actually made it, so it started with
reading those books.
It took three days to give it form. From there, I left the scent
adjustments to the professional, and I continued to make prototypes to get it
to a usable hardness, barely making it in time for the birthday party. Since I
was using Monitares flowers, I was worried about it causing a stuffy nose, so I
decided to mix in a little of the medicinal herbs used for the hay fever
medicine.
「The Director tried the prototype herself to make sure it
wouldn't cause a stuffy nose. I hear several of her acquaintances also
cooperated.」
「Yeah. I heard she even asked His Majesty the King.」
「Eh, His Majesty the King?」
When I asked back in surprise, Ashren-sama also lowered his
eyebrows as if exasperated. Perhaps there is no reserve because they are
siblings, and even if there are side effects, it's just a stuffy nose and not
life-threatening, but to think my prototype was used on the King of a nation.
「My stomach is starting to hurt.」
「Her Royal Highness Princess Stira also tried it, you know.」
「...If you knew, please stop them.」
Even though I complained half-crying, Ashren-sama just laughed
it off smoothly. Could it be you recommended it along with the Director?
「Yeah, it's a good scent.」
He smoothly brought his face close to the nape of my neck to smell it,
and my face turned red.
「You were smelling it after putting it on your own finger, weren't you.」
「I mean that it is even better when mixed with your scent, Layla.」
「~~! The maid is here. She will tell on us to the Director, you
know?」
「Right, it can't be helped, should I step away a little?」
I thought he backed down surprisingly easily when I mentioned the name
of the chaperone maid, but...
「Hya」
As he stepped away, he dropped a kiss on my earlobe, causing me to let
out a small scream. Covering the ear his lips touched with my hand, I looked up
while trembling puru puru, and a sweet smile was returned.
「I was drawn in by your sweet scent, Layla.」
We haven't even left the room yet and this happens. I wonder if my
heart will hold out until the end tonight. I glared at Ashren-sama, who
was chuckling kutu kutu at the bright red me, and we headed to the grand
hall of the castle where the evening party was being held.
The grand hall, with a large chandelier hanging from the ceiling, was
already full of many invited guests. Since there are also several young men
wearing clothes that look like foreign designs, they might be the candidates
for Princess Stira's prince consort.
「As expected, will Princess Stira's partner be someone from a
neighboring country?」
「I wonder. The strongest candidate has disappeared, so the chances are
fifty-fifty.」
Even though I asked Ashren-sama, the answer came from right
behind me, and when I turned around in surprise, Claude-sama and Catherine-san
were there.
「Claude-sama, Catherine-san, you were
already here.」
「Of course. We've been going around to the VIPs of neighboring countries
for a while now to show off Catherine's dress.」
What Catherine-san is wearing is a green dress dyed with
Monitares leaves. Under the light of the chandelier, every time she moved,
flashes of orange and blue appeared, gathering the attention of those around
her.
「It's beautiful. But... it can't be mass-produced, right?」
「Development of the dye has progressed, and we can make double the
amount in the past two months. I intend to promote it using its high rarity
value as a selling point.」
「I also put on the perfume you gave me yesterday, Layla-san. This
is also highly rated by the ladies.」
Yesterday, I delivered all the finished perfume to Claude-sama.
The attendees of the party who came from neighboring countries will give
birthday presents to Princess Stira.
In return, the Kanista Kingdom is to give them gifts packed with
various special products. The book I wrote compiling the drying times of
medicinal herbs and the solid perfume are among them, and it also includes
pocket squares dyed with Monitares leaves, and the aroma candles made by Flora-san
and Tick. I heard there are various other things as well.
「Claude-sama. Excuse me for interrupting your
conversation. It seems a diplomat from a neighboring country wants to talk
about our country's special wine being served at the venue.」
「Oh, they took the bait right away. How is the inventory of the wine?」
「We have secured three hundred bottles.」
Looking at the subordinate of Claude-sama who came to speak to
him, I almost inadvertently let out a voice. The person wearing formal attire
with his red hair slicked back is Blake-sama's older brother and the
person Princess Stira had a secret meeting with, Ethan-sama.
Although the eye color is different, looking at him like this, he closely
resembles Blake-san. Especially excluding the hairstyle, their height
and build are the same, and I truly think they are brothers.
Now that Prince Elliot is gone, the possibility of this person
and Princess Stira getting married must have increased compared to
before.
The reason His Majesty the King of Kanista is considering a
prince of a neighboring country as a marriage partner for Princess Stira
is to elevate the status of the Kanista Kingdom, which is still in a
weaker position than neighboring countries, even a little through the bond of
marriage. But if the technology and products of the Kanista Kingdom are
acknowledged at this evening party and its existence as a nation is impressed
upon them, the necessity for that should decrease as well. This is where I
definitely want Claude-sama to do his best.
I thought that, but the words that came out of Claude-sama's
mouth were unexpected.
「Understood. I will go talk to them, so Ethan, you keep their
wives company.」
「Are you sure?」
「Of course. Well then, Catherine, let's go. I'm counting on you
since you are better at the language of that country, Catherine.」
「Yes, wine can be ordered later, so let's sell about five hundred
bottles instead of three hundred.」
Catherine-san's face changed to a sharp one.
This must be how she looks when she's working; dignified and wonderful. While
being moved by that, Claude-sama just said 'wives', didn't he?
「A-Ashren-sama. Is Ethan-sama married?」
「Yeah, right after graduating, to a classmate. If I remember correctly,
they should have a child too.」
No way!! Since his partner is a classmate, Princess Stira must
be acquainted with her too. If so, was what I saw not a secret meeting of
lovers, but a scene of infidelity?
「What's wrong, Layla, you look pale.」
「U-Um. I saw something terrible.」
Although Princess Stira told me to keep quiet about it, now that
things have come to this, I absolutely cannot just keep it in my heart. Half in
tears, I told Ashren-sama what I saw in the medicinal herb field.
「Ah. So that's what it was.」
「Did you know about it, Ashren-sama?」
When I asked in confusion, he raised only one corner of his lips and
smiled. Just when I was about to ask further at that hard-to-judge face, waltz
music began to play in the venue.
「Let's dance, Layla.」
「Our conversation is not finished yet.」
「That is for later. This is probably the last dance we will dance as
fiancés. Will you take my hand?」
Saying so, Ashren-sama offered one hand to me and turned a
perfect smile toward me. My heart unconsciously skipped a beat dokun.
Having a good face is a problem; when it comes to this, I have no choice but to
nod.
Ashren-sama is skilled despite saying he
doesn't like dancing. We have danced a few times so far, but his lead is
perfect and always gathers gazes.
But today was different. The ones gathering the most attention were Claude-sama
and Catherine-san. Dancing in the middle of the hall with large strides,
the two stood out very much, and every time Catherine-san moved, the
frills of her dress swayed softly, and the green fabric changed color.
「When worn by the tall Catherine-san, the dress looks even more
beautiful.」
「Just as my brother calculated, after the evening party, orders for
fabrics dyed with Monitares leaves will likely flood in.」
While the grand hall had become the sole stage for those two, I
suddenly wondered where the star of tonight's event was. Looking around the
venue while dancing, I found Princess Stira surrounded by several men in
front of a large door at the front. Oh dear, she definitely looks troubled.
「Is Princess Stira not dancing?」
「Since Prince Elliot dropped out. She probably didn't have time
to decide who to dance with.」
The person who dances the first dance with Princess Stira in
this situation is considered, by tacit understanding, the strongest candidate
for her prince consort. Originally, it was supposed to be Prince Elliot.
He hurriedly returned to his country the day after that uproar. It seems that
between then and the party, a deciding factor could not be found, and today has
arrived.
「Um, in a case like this, wouldn't a brother or relative act as her
partner for the first dance to gloss over the situation?」
「But my brother chose to dance with Catherine, so it can't be
helped.」
「He dared to do that in order to impress that dress upon the people of
neighboring countries, right?」
Claude-sama also has a position as a diplomat.
Therefore, in this case,
「Shouldn't you have invited Princess Stira for the first dance, Ashren-sama?」
When I said that slightly reproachfully, Ashren-sama made an
openly displeased face.
「I have no intention of dancing with anyone other than you, Layla.
Are you okay with me inviting Princess Stira for the first dance, Layla?」
Even if you ask me that. To be honest, seeing Ashren-sama dance
with someone other than me, let alone the first dance, doesn't feel good.
「That is... a little unpleasant, but...」
When I said that in a voice like a mosquito's buzz, a satisfied smile
returned.
「Right?」
「But, I also understand the position Princess Stira is placed in.
Therefore, when this dance is over... please invite her.」
She probably really wants to dance with Ethan-sama, but she'll
have to give up on that. Just imagining Ashren-sama and Princess Stira
dancing makes me feel down about my own plain appearance because it would be so
glamorous, but social gatherings are also connected to politics, so this is not
the time to be selfish.
「Haa, I'm not enthusiastic about it, but understood. It seems my brother
will be busy even after the dance, anyway.」
「Please do so.」
When I requested it again, he pulled my waist tight and our bodies
pressed closely together.
「Isn't this a little... too close?」
「I don't think so.」
At the same time as his words, a kiss was dropped on my cheek. Even as
coquettish screams of "Kyaa" rose from around us, the perpetrator
himself just stared at me calmly.
「I-In public, you know.」
「I can't have bugs coming near you while I am dancing with Princess Stira,
right?」
If I am wearing this much of your color, Ashren-sama, I don't
think anyone will come near me. Much less me, whose plain appearance would
sooner blend into the wall than be a wallflower.
After finishing the excessively close dance, Ashren-sama headed
toward Princess Stira as promised. Seeing him off with slightly mixed
feelings, as I was looking for a drink because my throat was dry, fruit water
was offered to me with a "Here."
「Thank y...!?」
My hand about to receive it stopped in midair, and I stared at the man
who brought the glass for me, blinking repeatedly. Eh? These beautiful green
eyes are...
「Blake-san?」
「Yes. Originally I am out of place here, but because I contributed to
the antidote and perfume making, I was specially invited.」
「Is that so?」
The reason I answered blankly was that Blake-san's appearance
was completely different from usual. His shaggy, fluffy hair like a bird's nest
was fixed with wax and slicked back. His well-shaped forehead and clearly
visible emerald jewel-like eyes made him look much more mature and intelligent
than usual.
「U-Um. Blake-san. Please stay like that for a moment.」
「Yes?」
Circling behind Blake-san, who tilted his head in puzzlement,
and looking at his whole body again, his back figure closely resembled his
older brother, Ethan-sama.
「...You sometimes come to the castle to help your older brother, right, Blake-san?」
「Yes. It is a good learning experience so I help him, but what about it?」
「What do you do with your hair and clothes at those times?」
「My hair and clothes? I borrow clothes my brother wore when he was an
apprentice, and I fix my hair with wax like I have it now. Because I can't come
to the castle with my usual bird's nest head, you see.」
He called it a bird's nest himself. No, that is not what I should be
concerned about right now.
Just as I was thinking 'Could it be,' over Blake-san's
shoulder, I saw Ashren-sama and Princess Stira heading toward us.
At the same time, Blake-san's shoulder twitched.
「Layla, it seems Princess Stira wants to
talk before the dance. Ah, Blake, you're finally here. You were late.」
「It is my first time coming to the grand hall, so I got a little lost.
Her Royal Highness Princess Stira, congratulations on your birthday.」
「Thank you, Blake. Thanks to you, it seems I can avoid a forced
marriage. I am grateful.」
「...I haven't done anything. But... I am glad.」
Their gazes intertwined for just a moment. Gasping, I looked at Ashren-sama...
and he was smiling with a triumphant look. This is...
Clicking my heels, I grabbed Ashren-sama's arm and stepped a few
paces away from the spot.
「You knew, didn't you.」
「I have no idea what you are talking about.」
「Since when?」
When I lightly pinched the arm of Ashren-sama, who tilted his
head with a "Hm?", he rubbed his arm exaggeratedly while laughing
"Ouch, ouch."
「Because those two met at the medicinal herb garden from time to time.
Since you were acting strange when you returned from the medicinal herb garden,
Layla, I thought it might be the case.」
I knew it. The one I saw was not Ethan-sama, but Blake-san!
「Then do Flora-san and Tick also know?」
「No, when Blake comes to the castle, he needs permission from my
brother, who is the person in charge. So, my brother tells me about it, and I
assign work so that no one goes to the medicinal herb garden on those days.
Since the time the people from the Pharmaceutical Department go to gather
medicinal herbs is usually fixed, if they avoid that time, they won't be seen
having a secret meeting.」
Come to think of it, there seemed to be a strange pause when I said I
was going to the medicinal herb garden. Eh, then does that mean both Claude-sama
and Ashren-sama knew about the relationship between those two?
「When we went on the field investigation, I asked you about Ethan-sama,
didn't I, Ashren-sama.」
「Ah, that's right.」
I glared reproachfully at that face laughing kutu kutu as if he
just remembered, but perhaps my reaction was amusing because he laughed even
more.
「Even just now, you knew I was mistaking Princess Stira's secret
meeting partner for Ethan-sama, didn't you.」
「Because those two look similar from the back. Blake with his
hair done up looks mature, doesn't he.」
「~~!!」
This is why, this is why! This is why you are called two-faced, Ashren-sama!!
「You were enjoying my misunderstanding, weren't you.」
「Haha, don't be so angry.」
Ashren-sama patted my shoulder lightly and
directed his gaze to Princess Stira.
「Her Royal Highness Princess Stira, I intended to be your dance
partner, but Layla got jealous. Blake, I'm sorry, but could you
keep Princess Stira company in my stead?」
Wrapping his arm around my shoulder and pulling me close, Ashren-sama
called out to the two of them. Furthermore, because he dropped a kiss on the
crown of my head as if to soothe my jealousy, Princess Stira laughed,
covering her mouth with her fan, saying "Oh my."
「B-But. Someone like me is not a suitable match for Princess Stira.」
「Then you just have to become a man who is a suitable match, right?」
Receiving Ashren-sama's gaze, Blake-sama's throat bobbed
up and down with a gokun. After a brief pause, Blake-san firmly
clenched his fist, took a deep breath, and as if steeling his resolve, met
Princess Stira's gaze head-on.
「...Would you dance a song with me?」
「Yes!」
She must have been waiting for those words; Princess Stira's
smile was sparkling as if flowers had bloomed in full glory.
Princess Stira placed her hand over the hand Blake-san
offered, and the two headed toward the center of the grand hall.
Perhaps what I saw in the medicinal herb field was Blake-san,
who had decided to back off out of consideration for Princess Stira's
position, and Princess Stira, who was angry and sad about it. If so,
this must be a major progression for the two of them.
「With this recent uproar, the Hadren territory has come to be
widely acknowledged. Thanks to the antidote that cures the Tarteria Kingdom's
endemic disease, coal will continue to be stably exported to our country. In
that sense, the Hadren territory is the linchpin of our country's
industry.」
「Then, the difference in status is not a problem?」
「From here on, it will depend on his own efforts. He needs the
character, knowledge, and achievements to convince those around him that he is
fitting to be the prince consort.」
There are probably still parts he lacks, but wouldn't Blake-san acquire all those conditions eventually? Because Blake-san is acknowledged to the extent that those two-faced brothers watch over their relationship, after all.
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