Chapter 93

"Please follow me. I need your full support for my actions from now on."

"…I didn’t want to hear this. Besides, whether it’s Prince Serius or Princess Octavia—how can we judge who is right?"

Derek asked me just now. I trusted Derek, but it’s only natural that a man like Mr. Edgar’s father can’t decide between the two.

"You don’t need to trust me."

I opened the 'Black Fan' and smiled regally.

The connection is a thin line. A grandfather and his nominal granddaughter. Even if he maintains a stance of refusal, I understand that it’s a challenge to make him an ally with just that. First of all, even his son is in the same position.

"Probably, to you, both my brother and I are the same just because we are royalty, right?"

"……"

Perhaps something happened between the royal family and his father. It’s about a girl named Aileen, one of the two daughters.

"To put it another way, which of us, my brother or I, you assist should be a trivial matter."

I think, fundamentally, you don’t want to be involved with either of us.

"Then, what if I give you a reason to assist me?"

"……?"

The man looked puzzled.

"Let’s make a deal. Grandfather, Grandmother. As a princess, I will grant one of your wishes, within my capabilities. Do you have any wishes?"

If this doesn’t work, I’ll have to resort to threats, like using Mr. Edgar’s name to pressure them. I hope there’s a wish I can fulfill!

"If—"

A frail voice echoed in the room.

"If we help you now, will you really grant our wish?"

The man’s wife, who had been standing by his side, stepped forward. She was slender, and if Mr. Edgar were a woman—no, she resembles the girl in the painting, Aileen.

"Do you have a wish?"

"Edgar—"

"Ridiculous. Can you trust a royal? Look what happened to Aileen!"

In response to her husband’s plea, she answered with a question.

"Has that child—Edgar—ever said anything bad about the princes?"

"That’s—!"

Yes, that’s right… Mr. Edgar… Mr. Edgar has also been helping me.

Mr. Edgar’s mother looked at me straight in the eye. Despite her slender frame, she exuded a strong presence, her hands clasped in front of her chest.

"If, in the future, that child—Edgar—finds himself in trouble, please help him."

"……?"

Her phrasing caught me off guard.

It sounded like something was definitely going to happen to Mr. Edgar in the future.

"Even if Mr. Edgar is wrong, will you still help him?"

Basically, I’m fine with helping, but I can’t promise to help in every situation.

She slowly shook her head.

"No. Only when, from your perspective, Edgar is right and you want to help him."

—In that case.

"Alright. I will grant your wish."

There’s no reason to refuse.

I nodded firmly.

The man looked conflicted, but when his eyes met his wife’s, he let out a deep sigh instead of voicing his opposition.

Then, in a resigned and resigned manner, he spoke.

"…In that outfit, you’ll stand out. I’ll lend you the clothes of my deceased daughter… Aileen."

Hearing this, I swallowed hard.

I had a feeling it might be so.

—Mr. Edgar’s sister was indeed deceased.

And this room is probably…

"Yes, that’s right."

Mr. Edgar’s mother walked to the wardrobe in the room and opened it.

This room, where we entered, was Aileen’s room. I realized I had been stepping in with my shoes.

The room felt small to Octavia, who was accustomed to the royal palace, but to Makoto, it felt like a girl’s room that evoked a sense of familiarity. It was as if the room’s owner was still alive.

Several dresses were taken out of the wardrobe.

"I think that girl would have been happy to help. Edgar, too… if he were still the same as before… no, I’m sure he still is."

"The past is the past. It can’t be changed."

In their conversation, Mr. Edgar’s father let out a deep, heavy sigh. The words he spoke resonated with me, and my chest ached.

Even as he denied it, it was clear he couldn’t completely let go or abandon it. I felt the same way, even though the subject was different.

Mr. Edgar’s father looked at us and stated matter-of-factly.

"I am a merchant. I cannot break a contract. Since you will grant my wife’s wish, I will assist you. If you need anything else, please let me know."

He pressed his lips together.

I can’t let my emotions drag me down.

"Then, I won’t hold back."

I smiled, exuding confidence.

That’s probably for the best.

…Right?

The plan is simple!

I will change into Aileen’s—town girl style—clothes. Someone will change into my dress and pretend to be Octavia, buying us time until we escape!

I will ride the horse prepared for me, as I said, "without holding back," with Clifford! I regret that princess education didn’t include horseback riding. It would have reduced Clifford’s burden.

Anyway, after that, we’ll cross the Esphera Bridge and head to the royal palace. Once there, I’ll use my princess authority to order Hugh’s arrest and rescue Sir Sil!

That’s it.

"Can the princess change her clothes by herself?"

Thus, I am currently in the middle of changing.

The men have left the room, and only Mr. Edgar’s mother has stayed behind, saying, "It must be difficult."

Dresses are different from modern clothing, so it’s easier to change with help, but I can manage on my own.

I took off the cream-colored dress, removed the tiara and hair accessories, and… this too. The glove on my left hand.

"Please take this dress."

The dress handed to me was a white and light pink apron dress, one of the ones taken from the wardrobe.

It fit almost perfectly.

—Ah, right. I can’t forget this. I took out the sword tassel wrapped in paper, a memo pad, and a pencil from the inner pocket of the inspection dress I had just taken off and put them in the pocket of the apron dress.

I stretched the fabric of the skirt, and it was complete. Neither too loose nor too tight.

When she saw me in the changed clothes, her eyes slightly moistened.

"……"

I don’t look like Mr. Edgar or the girl in the painting—Mr. Edgar’s sister—but I guess I’m around the same age as when she passed away.

—It makes me think.

Losing a family member makes you feel this way. Then… my father, mother, and sister must also be in pain?

Is my—Makoto’s—room still as it was when I died?

If it is… I would be happy but also sad.

I want them to move on and live, but I also want them to remember me forever… I don’t know which is better or which I want.

After living as Octavia for sixteen years. The price of not facing my—Makoto’s—death.

My gaze naturally fell downward.

"…Is something wrong?"

Mr. Edgar’s mother noticed me looking at the tiara and asked. Rather, at the side of it…?

"Is that a live flower hair accessory?"

"Royals sometimes want to use live flowers as accessories. It was actually Mr. Edgar’s idea."

"Edgar…?"

"He put a Lyschran flower in his hair."

Mr. Edgar’s mother smiled faintly.

She looked at me again.

"Your husband was rude to you. I apologize."

"…Since you are willing to assist, that’s enough."

I could tell they dislike the royal family… my father.

"Royals shouldn’t be lumped together. My husband understands this. …I do too."

But it’s quite difficult to differentiate.

It’s much easier to lump them together. In the case of things you like, it might even be better, but in the case of things you dislike… how is it?

Knock, knock, on the door.

"!"

For a moment, I braced myself,

"Princess Octavia, is it alright?"

"Yes… please wait a moment."

I replied to Derek.

I put on the hooded cloak that was prepared for me. Today, during the inspection, many people have seen the face of the First Princess Octavia and still remember it.

"It’s fine."

The door opened. However, the ones who entered were Guy and Eil.

Both of them had the same reaction. "Huh?" They opened their eyes wide. If the princess suddenly became a town girl, well… yeah.

I hadn’t explained the details to Guy and Eil.

Derek’s judgment was that it was better not to. Not because they can’t be trusted, but because it would be easier for them. Just following orders is the best, and they don’t need to know the reasons.

"Both of you, stand there."

—To find a replacement for me, the options are limited. Physically and for the role, Clifford and Derek are not possible.

By necessity, the candidates are Guy and Eil, who are serving as temporary guards.

Even these two are a stretch… The dress will probably tear to shreds… Can the cape cover the arms? But the cape has its limits. I need to cover as much of the body as possible with matching fabric or a cloak to avoid being seen…

I observed them from head to toe.

"……!"

"……!"

Hmm. In terms of height, it’s Guy. In terms of build, it’s Eil…

I don’t have time to hesitate. Okay, you’re it!

"Eil"

"Yes!"

"Change into my dress."

I pushed the cream-colored dress I had taken off into his hands without any discussion.

"—What?"

Eil’s voice was shocked.

"Guy, help him."

The Eil cross-dressing plan begins!

At Mr. Edgar’s mother’s suggestion, we decided to cut the dress into top and bottom parts. The skirt part would be wrapped around, and the top part would be pinned with matching fabric to cover the gaps. The shoes would remain the same, hidden by the dress.

Then, a silver wig—available at the general store—was placed on Eil’s golden hair. The tiara and hair accessories were added. The left hand was covered with a glove, and the right hand held the 'Black Fan'… and it was opened to hide the face…

"Eil! Holding it like that is a fail."

Zero points! I gave a strict acting lesson.

"B-but… the Lev bird’s…"

Eil’s dress-up was, in terms of form, somewhat successful.

As long as they don’t get too close…! The back view is decent.

But the way he held the 'Black Fan' was terrible. The more I guided him, the more his score dropped from zero to negative. Eil seemed to have a very typical reaction to the 'Black Fan' made from Lev bird feathers. He was almost in tears.

…It was a blind spot. This is the typical reaction.

Compromise plan…

"If it’s too difficult, give it to Guy."

"Peuts! I’m counting on you."

Immediately, Eil passed the 'Black Fan' to Guy. This is ridiculous…! The 'Black Fan' is amazing!

"Really? Wait a minute…"

While saying this, Guy caught it hurriedly.

Hmm…

"Guy is fine, isn’t he?"

"My sense is the same as Burn’s!"

But he can hold it, and it’s better than forcing Eil to hold it!

"Alright. Guy, hold the 'Black Fan' open to hide Eil’s face. Nobles sometimes have their attendants hold fans for them."

When he does it, does he look like a queen? What is he? He’s being treated like one, but it can’t be helped…!

"Listen carefully. Both of you. You will continue the inspection in my place. Mr. Derek will assist you. Try to keep my and Clifford’s absence from being discovered for as long as possible."

They looked at each other and then turned to me almost simultaneously.

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

"I’m counting on you."

Guy opened the door. Eil went out.

I nodded at Derek, who was looking back at me.

Now, we just need to follow the plan and carry out our roles!

The door closed slowly.

—Well then.

I approached the window in the room. I lifted the sliding door. Looking down, I saw Clifford standing there. If I jump from here, the landing point will be right behind the shop.

To psych myself up, I slapped my cheek.

I put on the hood.

I turned back for a final look.

"—I’m off. Mr. Edgar’s mother."

When parting, I call her as I want.

Grandmother, rather, this side is stronger for me.

Well, then.

I aimed for Clifford and dove!

I stood at the edge of the window and kicked off with all my might!

"…Goodbye."

A small voice came from behind.