Chapter 15

Bowing, Clifford headed towards the closet.

The closet was organized with dresses mostly separated by color. Clifford approached the corner where dresses in primary colors were lined up and brought out one of them.

"Lord Alderton, please let me hand it to you."

Matilda, who had taken the dress, came closer to me and held it up so I could see it clearly.

A dress in red and black. The central part of the body was red, and the rest was black. It had a draped design, with pearl decorations scattered here and there adding a touch of brightness. It was a one-shoulder style. And there was a unique feature: a long, detachable black fabric attached to the dress, designed to be draped over the left shoulder, which was the one-shoulder side.

The colors were the two popular ones Matilda had mentioned, it was a one-shoulder style, and it had a decent amount of exposure. The key point was the detachable fabric!

However, it seemed that the aspect Clifford prioritized was different.

"With that dress, it should harmonize with the Prince's fan."

I reached out to the small table and opened the fan. Black feathers spread out.

Indeed, the dress Matilda and Sasha had chosen was strong in its own right—so much so that it might clash with the fan, making the fan seem out of place. Normally, the dresses I wore, including the one I was wearing now, were designed to be easy to match with anything, so I hadn't particularly considered the fan.

I brought the fan close to the two-colored dress. The third dress Clifford had chosen, while also strong in its own right, matched the fan perfectly.

"Did you choose the dress to match my fan?"

"The Prince is known as the 'Princess of the Black Fan.' If you plan to carry that fan on the day, a dress that makes the fan stand out would be appropriate."

"Princess of the Black Fan?"

I furrowed my brow.

Did Clifford just come up with such an embarrassing nickname?

Clifford, however, remained unperturbed.

"The feathers used in the Prince's fan are from the Rev bird, are they not?"

The Rev bird. The large black bird that provided the material for the fan, which can often be seen flying around the castle grounds, and sometimes even drops its feathers.

"That's correct."

Acknowledging this, he explained further.

"The Rev bird is considered an ominous bird and is generally disliked. Fans held by noblewomen are typically white. However, by creating and using this fan, the Prince broke both of these norms. Black fans have become popular, and there are even those who feed the Rev birds. —Therefore, the Prince is called the 'Princess of the Black Fan.'"

So, I had such a middle-school-like nickname...!

Oh no, how embarrassing...!

But, but, the fluffy feeling of this fan can only be achieved with Rev bird feathers...!

"Moreover, it seems that the Prince is the only one who uses a fan made from Rev bird feathers. At least, I have never seen anyone else use one."

Why is that?

Hearing this, I suddenly felt a desire to stand up for the Rev bird. What's so bad about the Rev bird? I'm not saying we should pluck more feathers to make more fans, but I want people to recognize its qualities! I need to explain!

"The feathers of the Rev bird are wonderful. If others use them, they will see the value."

Clifford's response was a matter-of-fact statement.

"They are terrifying, are they not?"

"Terrifying?"

The bird?

"The Rev bird is said to bring death. It is associated with the death goddess of the underworld in the Sazar religion, and the resemblance to the goddess's mythical familiar is the origin of this belief."

The underworld in the Sazar religion...

"Perhaps the underworld, Ongalnu?"

The name Ongalnu, when I think of the underworld, always brings to mind a keyword from the Tahren arc. Ongalnu's name originated from the Sazar religion.

Clifford's lips curved slightly, perhaps finding it amusing.

"Yes. A bird from the farthest reaches of the underworld, Ongalnu. The Rev bird could be described as a familiar of Ongalnu."

So, a black fan might be accepted as a fashion statement, but the Rev bird is a different story. It might be like using funeral items in everyday life, or carrying cursed items willingly.

That's why!

When I had the fan custom-made, the merchant was so hesitant... Was it because of the color and the bird? He should have told me!

—But I have already grown too attached to this fan. The Rev bird, with its fluffy feathers, is a great bird in my eyes! The idea of it being a familiar of Ongalnu is just a superstition! I'm alive, and that's that! Yes!

"Prince"

Matilda stepped forward.

"Regarding this 'Black Fan'... I would like you to consider it."

It seems the nickname 'Black Fan' had already stuck with Matilda, the head lady-in-waiting, for my fan!

"The people in the castle are accustomed to seeing the Prince with the 'Black Fan.' A simple black fan is now used by people of all ranks without issue. However, the Prince's fan is made from the feathers of the Rev bird. Since this is the first semi-formal ball in a long time, there might be those who make unkind remarks. For this occasion, it might be best to refrain from carrying the 'Black Fan.'"

This was her advice, out of concern for me.

"Thank you, Matilda."

First, I expressed my gratitude.

But...

This fan has become like a part of my body...! Without the soothing fluffiness, I don't think I can survive the semi-formal ball!

If being called the 'Princess of the Black Fan' is the result of carrying this fan...! I will not discard the fan but will accept the middle-school-like nickname!

"But, I am the 'Princess of the Black Fan,' am I not? Perhaps it is expected that I will appear with the 'Black Fan'?"

"…I know it is impolite to say, but if the 'Black Fan' were to bring death to the Prince, that is a risk we cannot ignore..."

Matilda seems to be quite devout. I didn't know that. In reality, I don't think carrying a fan made from Rev bird feathers would lead to death, but this is more about perception. To reassure Matilda...

"Isn't that what the royal guards are for, to protect the Prince from such risks?"

"Royal guards... Lord Alderton, you mean?"

"Yes. That's right."

I smiled at Matilda and looked up at Clifford. His deep blue eyes met mine.

"Clifford, even if I carry the 'Black Fan,' you will protect me from any danger, won't you?"

Clifford, you need to answer immediately, even if it's a lie, for Matilda's sake!

"Yes, carrying the 'Black Fan' makes it all the more fitting for me to protect the Prince."

Ah, it seems Clifford quite likes this fan. We're comrades!

I couldn't help but forget my princess demeanor and smiled at Clifford.

People who understand the value of Rev bird feathers do exist!

"I'm counting on you. If you say so—Clifford, would you like me to bestow you with Rev bird feathers?"

This spontaneous idea of mine is actually quite clever! I didn't end up giving the ceremonial gift to Clifford during the oath ceremony, which was supposed to be a 'master' and 'servant' ritual. As a 'master,' giving something to a 'servant' might be a good idea.

A fan for a man might be a bit much... but feathers can be used in other ways.

"Rev bird feathers for you?"

Immediately, the corners of Clifford's mouth turned up, as if he was trying to suppress a smile.

"If I am the 'Princess of the Black Fan,' then it is fitting for my guard to also have Rev bird feathers. It's not strange at all."

And Clifford will join the Rev bird feather enthusiasts! Fluffy! Fluffy!

"How about using the feathers as a tassel for your sword?"

The sword at Clifford's waist had a tassel at the hilt, something not seen on ordinary soldiers' swords. It was a status symbol for knights and soldiers of a certain rank. While it might seem like it would get in the way during combat, experienced users can use the tassel for feint attacks.

Clifford's tassel seemed to be a standard issue from the castle. For nobles, even the tassel can be a statement, with various materials, colors, and lengths. The fact that Clifford uses the standard issue might indicate that he doesn't have such preferences.

"However, I am not forcing you. This is just my wish."

When you like something, you want to spread it! You want others to like it too! But you can't force it! Absolutely not! ...I made this mistake in my past life. I tried to recommend 'The Virtuous King' to a friend who liked shoujo novels. She deftly avoided my recommendations, and I became more persistent, urging her to read it. One day, she told me, "No matter how interesting it is, I just can't handle BL!"

...Right.

I apologized and made up with her, but most of my friends who read it without resistance ended up becoming yaoi fans. My sense of judgment was completely dulled.

Just because you like something doesn't mean everyone will. You can't force it...! No matter how much you like it, spreading it should be done carefully.

Respect the other person's will!

Danger, danger. I almost let my enthusiasm for defending the Rev bird feathers get the better of me.

I toned down my enthusiasm. Alright!

"If you don't want them, you can refuse. I won't hold it against you."

I waited for his response.

"I would be delighted to receive a gift from the Prince."

Clifford's expression seemed slightly mischievous, perhaps still suppressing a smile.

"I look forward to it. When I receive it, I will—"

He indicated the tassel on his sword.

"Attach the Rev bird feathers to this sword."

He will not only accept them but also use them.

Now, Clifford will officially join the Rev bird feather enthusiasts!

Great! I'll have the merchant who made the fan custom-make a tassel for me next time!

A soft laugh echoed. It was Matilda, looking at us gently.

"It was a groundless worry. With Lord Alderton, whom the Prince trusts, here—"

Matilda bowed.

"I spoke out of turn."

"No, I appreciate it, Matilda."

"Before I forget, Prince, which dress will you choose?"

A deep green dress. A light blue dress. A dress in red and black.

Given that the fan is a must-have item—

"I'll go with the one Clifford chose."

The other two are also excellent on their own.

But when paired with the 'Black Fan,' the third one is the best.

Decided.

"Still, Lord Alderton is quite skilled at choosing dresses. I feel a bit envious. ...I was quite confident."

Sasha, looking at the light blue dress in her arms, said this.

"The Alderton family, aside from the Earl and Lord Alderton, consists of women. Perhaps that's why?"

Matilda's question was met with a shake of the head from Clifford.

"I have one older sister and two younger sisters, but unfortunately, I am not well-liked. I have never been asked to choose dresses, and even if I were, I doubt I could meet their expectations."

"Oh, why is that?"

I tilted my head. I thought Clifford would do a decent job.

"I was able to choose the Prince's dress because the Prince carries the 'Black Fan.'"

"Because I always carry it?"

"That's part of it—essentially, the 'Black Fan' is the Prince's weapon. Therefore, I approached it as I would a battlefield. First, you choose the weapon, and then you decide on the rest of the equipment."

He applied this approach to choosing the dress.

"Is the weapon more important than life?"

"Yes."

"For me, the fan is more important than any dress."

"Did I offend you?"

"On the contrary, now that the dress is decided, I feel good. Thank you, Clifford."

I opened the fan in front of my face and smiled.

Next, we need to try it on and adjust the size.

Choose other accessories and shoes!