Chapter 23

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The procedures for enrolling in the academy and various other matters have been steadily progressing in places unknown to me, and today, filled with dreams, I have finally, finally turned ten years old.

I am now being dressed in my ceremonial dress by the maids, and I am in a state of being changed like a doll.

"Miss... I've given you various instructions, but are you really going to be okay on your own?"

"To be honest, I'm nothing but anxious, but I'll try to act in a way that doesn't disgrace me as a duchess's daughter... as much as I can."

I have been given advance lectures on the elements of concern in my daily life, and I have been trying to become more independent from Tütte over the past year. However, the reason my anxiety remains is entirely due to my fragile mental state. The moment I get flustered, I immediately transform into a god of destruction. There's nothing I can do about it except rely on prediction, experience, and familiarity.

(Ah... I want to become the kind of person who has hair on their heart.)

Even now, I'm already starting to get nervous about my first enrollment ceremony, even though I haven't even arrived at the location yet.

To avoid drawing too much attention and causing unnecessary waves at the ceremony, I instructed that the color of my outfit should be as inconspicuous as possible. However, the white dress, as usual, is made of a material that is excessively expensive, like silk. Moreover, the skirt is triple-layered with intricate embroidery, lace, and frills, and the gloves and stockings that peek out are also adorned with elaborate lace, frills, and embroidery, making it too ornate.

(The concept of my personal tailor for this outfit is apparently to exude luxury at first glance... This is almost on par with a wedding dress... Sigh, I wish there were a uniform for the academy... If they can make this, maybe I should have them make a tracksuit.)

As my hair is tied up with a platinum hairpin, I sigh. As usual, I am now a complete, all-white figure.

(Yes, I shouldn't stand out... This...)

I grumble to myself as I look at my completed appearance in the mirror.

(Why in my head? Because the maids are congratulating each other with a sense of accomplishment, and I don't want to dampen their spirits.)

I am led by Tütte to the carriage waiting at the entrance. Altria Academy is built on a hill a little away from the capital. The carriage slowly starts moving, and to avoid the disgrace of being late on the first day of the enrollment ceremony, I have allowed extra time.

I then arrived safely in front of Altria Academy.

There, several large school buildings are built on a vast site surrounded by stylish brick walls, and a fairly tall clock tower stands in the center.

"This is Altria Academy..."

Excited, I keep peering out the carriage window. The carriage passes through the gate and travels down a row of trees with flowers like cherry blossoms, stopping at the designated spot. There are already several carriages parked there, indicating that other new students have already arrived.

"Miss, the venue seems to be this way."

"U-um..."

I try to keep a calm mind and follow Tütte to the enrollment ceremony venue.

The venue is more like a large auditorium than a gymnasium. In my knowledge, it feels more like a large movie theater. When I enter, a staff member is talking to Tütte, and it seems that the seats are assigned. It looks like the noble hierarchy is at work here too.

After a brief farewell to Tütte, I enter the venue, and for some reason, a murmur rises from the audience. I see that everyone in the venue is looking at me.

(Eh? What? What? Is there something wrong with me?)

I quickly check my appearance and am surprised. My outfit is faintly glowing.

The auditorium is closed, and only the light from the windows is entering, making the room slightly dim. As a result, my outfit, which reflects the light, stands out with a faint luster. Not only is the material expensive and reflective, but upon closer inspection, tiny, sparkling gems are sewn in various places.

I glance sideways at Tütte, who is standing at the entrance, and she is making a small fist and a victory pose. She must be pleased that I have successfully drawn everyone's attention. I am not happy about it...

"That's the 'White Princess' the prince spoke of."

"More beautiful than the rumors... No wonder Lord Legaria boasts."

"What a pure and white lady."

Voices from school officials and others reach my ears, but I ignore them, straighten my posture, and maintain my elegance while trying to walk quickly to my seat without showing my legs under my skirt. It's like a swan gliding gracefully on a lake, but in reality, moving its legs frantically...

Even after the window light no longer reaches my outfit and it returns to normal, it is too late. The interested gazes are still focused on me. Moreover, the seat I am directed to worsens the situation. It is in the center of the auditorium, with a good view of the podium, and no one can sit next to me.

(Haha, complete isolation... )

I let out a hollow laugh with empty eyes and stare into space as I sit down.

"Hehe... You're quite the center of attention, Miss Mary."

A voice calls out from the seat diagonally behind me.

"Magiluka!"

Turning around, I am so happy that I start to stutter. My friend, with her distinctive golden braids, is sitting in a luxurious dress of blue and black, hiding her giggling mouth behind a fan. It seems this is a VIP seat, and I am relieved to avoid being alone. The venue is gradually filling with new students, and the ceremony begins as scheduled.

Incidentally, Zach is also near Magiluka, but since he arrived just in time, he is pretending to be someone else.

The ceremony proceeds smoothly, and I experience firsthand the common complaint that the long speech by the principal is boring and makes you sleepy. Despite this, I fight off sleep as a matter of pride as a duchess's daughter, and by the end, I am so sleepy that I seriously suspect the principal is using a sleep spell to counter my magic resistance.

The commotion in the venue wakes me up. The prince, as the representative of the new students, has taken the podium. Despite his gentle, blue eyes peeking out from his silky golden bangs, he stands straight and speaks with a dignified attitude, and the young ladies in the audience look at him with dreamy expressions.

(The prince is still as popular as ever...)

I am grateful to him for waking me up and manage to complete the rest of the ceremony without incident, finishing the enrollment ceremony successfully.

After the ceremony, as everyone starts to leave, I wait at my seat to avoid being swept away by the crowd.

(I can't let myself get lost in the crowd and cause trouble for others.)

Although it's too early to relax, the fact that the ceremony is over makes me let my guard down, and I relax my shoulders and close my eyes.

"Hey, how long are you going to sleep, Miss Mary? The ceremony is over."

"Wh-What! I'm not sleeping!"

I glare at the rude person who called me and try to defend myself, but a nearby classmate giggles.

(Oh, this fool... I'll knock him out next time.)

Zach, who slept through the entire ceremony, is looking at me with a sigh, and my dark side vows revenge.

"Where's Magiluka?"

I look around, but I can't find her, who usually corrects this man's blunders.

"Magiluka went to the prince."

"Really? She's busy. Do you need to go too?"

"No, I was left behind while I was sleeping."

"Oh, I see..."

I turn away and head for the empty exit, and Zach follows me.

"Why are you following me?"

"Magiluka told me to, as a guard and to keep the boys away..."

He looks a bit embarrassed, and his cheeks are slightly red, which I find kind of cute, so I decide to cancel my vow of revenge.

"Okay... thank you."

Thanks to Zach, I notice that the boys around me are glancing at me. They must be bothered by Zach, so they are just looking.

(Well, I am the daughter of the Duke of Legaria, after all. Their parents probably told them to get to know me... Good luck to them.)

Sighing at the harshness of the noble society, I leave the venue.

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