Chapter 63

"If I thought you were just going to fetch something from home, that's quite an impressive suit of armor. What's with that?"

Magilka stared intently at me in my armor. Her expression no longer held the confusion from before.

(Well, it seems the charm effect isn't working.)

"It's something Father gave me as a birthday present two years ago. He must have thought, 'If she's getting a sword, she might as well have armor too.'"

"Armor as a birthday present?"

Safina looked at me with a complicated expression.

(I can understand how you feel. Giving armor to a girl—what kind of parent does that? I was taken aback when I received it too.)

"Father asked Deodora to make armor that matched my sword in material. I guess Deodora decided to make it this elaborate full-body armor."

"It looks like something straight out of a story, a shining knight. It's quite intricate."

"Deodora was very proud of it, saying it was his best work."

I sighed as I responded to Magilka's honest reaction. Indeed, the armor I was wearing was quite luxurious. Because my father, who didn't know the true nature of the material, had asked for it to match the sword, Deodora had gathered white ore from across the kingdom and made 90% of the armor from it, using other materials (still harder than mithril) for the finer parts. The result was a dazzling, expensive, and luxurious full-body armor. Now, absorbing my magic, it had become even harder than ordinary armor, and thanks to the ease of processing and lightness of the white ore, each part was crafted with such depth that it almost reached the realm of art, making it indistinguishable from a legendary suit of armor. I had sealed it away in storage since receiving it, never imagining it would be unsealed in such a way.

"Well, I think this will do. Tütte, can you go fetch Lord Reiforce and the others?"

"Yes."

Tütte, who had been standing near the door, bowed and knocked on the connecting door, ushering in the men on the other side.

"..."

As the prince and Zach cautiously entered and saw me, they froze for a moment. I thought it might not work, but their expressions returned to their usual gentle ones, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Is that you, Mary?"

The prince asked me, and I responded with a ladylike curtsy.

"Yes, it's Mary."

"Yeah, with this, I don't get nervous because I can't recognize you."

"Ha! What's with that armor, Lady Mary? Not content with a legendary sword, you've got a legendary suit of armor too. You're a full-fledged legendary hero now!"

Seeing Zach burst into laughter behind the prince, who was visibly relieved, I approached him, making the sound of the legendary armor (laughs) as I did, a cold smile on my face as I reached for his helmet.

"Excuse me, but could Lord Reiforce look outside for a moment?"

"Uh, sure."

"Hey, everyone, don't you want to see Zach seriously trying to flirt with a girl?"

The women, understanding my plan, began to think about it.

"Now that you mention it, we've never seen Zach involved in such romantic affairs. I can't even imagine it."

"Hehe, what a great idea! I'd like to see how Zach flirts with a girl."

Safina, recalling something, placed her finger on her chin and tilted her head, looking up. Magilka, covering her mouth, showed a mischievous smile, while Zach's face turned pale as I tried to remove his helmet. He pressed it down with incredible force.

"Sorry! I won't say anything more, please forgive me. I'll die of embarrassment if that happens!"

He bowed deeply and apologized earnestly. I placed my hands on my hips and looked down at him triumphantly.

"Well, it seems everything is fine, so I'll be going home now. Good evening, everyone."

Feeling good, I elegantly bowed and walked out of the room. Everyone watched me with complex expressions.

"Normally, I'd be so embarrassed I'd want to die, but knowing that no one can recognize me, I feel more confident. Maybe I have a transformation wish?"

"..."

I walked calmly through the school grounds, a maid trailing behind me. I ignored the shocked and stunned faces of the students and headed for the carriage.

(Because no one can recognize me!)

As I got into the carriage and headed home, Tütte, still smiling, said:

"By the way, since I'm here, everyone knows it's you inside the armor."

"Whaaat!"

My scream echoed throughout the carriage.

---

Back home, the biggest problem was my father. If he saw me like this, he might go to the school to complain, which was scary. Fortunately, he was on a business trip and wouldn't be back for a while, so I breathed a sigh of relief. I quickly took off the armor and, through Tütte, made sure no male servants would come near me. I hoped the effect would wear off by morning.

"Miss, dinner is ready."

As I sat dejectedly in my room, Tütte came to call me. I responded and left the room. Although my father was always busy, he always came home on time for dinner, so I usually ate with both parents. Today, I realized it would just be my mother and me, which felt oddly fresh and exciting.

When I reached the dining room, my mother, Aries, was already seated, so I hurried to my own seat.

"Hehe, you don't need to rush so much."

My mother, with her gentle smile, laughed softly. She was so beautiful that I stopped in my tracks, mesmerized.

(If Mother were in the same charm-enhanced state, she'd probably charm everyone, regardless of gender.)

Nodding in agreement, I sat down, and the meal began. I forgot that I inherited my mother's blood and unconsciously showed a smile, talking enthusiastically about school. I didn't notice a few female servants covering their mouths and leaving the room.

I only realized something was wrong when the meal ended, and during the conversation, my mother's eyes took on a suspicious gleam as she leaned in to listen.

"Hehe, my cute Mary. You look even more adorable today, I could put you in a jewelry box."

"Mother?"

My mother, caressing my silver hair, looked at me lovingly. Her appearance was so seductive that any man would fall for her. However, I realized the situation was turning sour, and I was too focused to be mesmerized.

"Mary, are you enjoying school?"

"Yes, Mother."

"That's good. I heard about your achievements from the ladies at the tea party, and I was so proud."

Feeling a bit of danger from my mother's continued fondness, I was surprised by her unexpected words.

(What achievements? More rumors I don't know about?)

"Keep helping and supporting the prince."

"Yes, Mother."

I didn't understand what my mother meant, but with the current situation, I just wanted to leave the room, so I gave a vague response.

"Miss, your bath is ready."

"Ah, I see."

Tütte, sensing my mood and my mother's state, came to my rescue at the perfect time. I smiled brightly at her and responded, noticing her gaze shift away from me.

"Well, Mother, I'll take my leave now."

My mother reluctantly released my hair, and I fled the dining room.

(Damn, I wish this annoying effect would wear off soon.)

Despite my luxurious problem, I cursed and, knowing it was futile, had a thorough bath, washing my body more than twice as much as usual.

---

The next day, my enhanced charm effect hadn't worn off. I put on my full-body armor and, once ready, calmly got into the carriage to head to school.

"Let's give up on waiting for the effect to wear off. We need to solve this problem quickly!"

"That's right, Miss. That's the spirit!"

Clasping my armored fist, I gave up on the hope that the effect would wear off naturally and resolved to find a way to negate it. Tütte encouraged me.

"Magilka, I'm counting on you! Find a solution!"

"O-Oh, Miss!"

Tütte looked at me with a half-lidded gaze, seeing me dump all my hopes on Magilka.

Thank you for reading this far.