Chapter 35

＊ Charlotte Fraise ＊

The Fraise Marquis family is not very noticeable.

Despite being a marquis family, which should hold a high position in noble society, the Fraise family was utterly unremarkable.

At balls, they were not asked to dance, and at tea parties, they were not included in conversations—afterward, letters would even say, "It seems the Fraise family did not attend; it was a shame not to see them."

Therefore, Charlotte, the daughter of the marquis, had decided from a young age:

"I am me! I will flourish in noble society!"

She even studied how to laugh.

"Oho-ho-ho!"

However, the maid's advice seemed outdated.

"Miss, place the back of your hand on your chin and laugh loudly, 'Oo-ho-ho-ho!'"

"Oo-ho-ho-ho!"

"Again!"

"Oo-ho-ho-ho!"

"Excellent! Next is makeup!"

She veered further and further off course. She applied makeup and curled her strawberry blonde hair into ringlets.

But this only made her stand out in a bad way. When noble children gathered,

"Ah, why are you wearing such old-fashioned clothes?"

(Real intention: If you come to my house, I'll get you some nice clothes!)

Her high-handed tone made everyone back away.

The only one who remained was:

"We only have this kind of thing. No merchants come to the borderlands."

It was Mira from the Muel Border Baron family.

Mira, who had grown up freely in the borderlands, was weak for shiny things. Even the mismatched Charlotte, who wore makeup as a child, seemed shiny to Mira.

"R-really, that's a pity... I mean, Oo-ho-ho-ho! Then I'll send the Fraise family's merchant to the border baron family!"

"Really, is that okay!?"

"That's an easy task!"

Charlotte was the only one laughing. When the merchant heard this story later, he turned pale. The Muel borderlands were so far away. However,

"Do you have a problem? I can't have my daughter be a liar!"

The marquis, who doted on Charlotte, threatened the merchant, who had no choice but to start traveling to the borderlands.

This led to new goods flowing into the borderlands, which in turn led to an influx of adventurers and the great development era due to dungeon conquests—though that is a story for years later.

Charlotte's "debut into adulthood," the "Dinner of New Shoots and New Moons," ended in what she considered a "great failure."

"—I didn't stand out at all!"

Then some terrifying masked figures attacked, and next, someone mentioned poison, and she was escorted out of the venue for protection,

"I hardly got to talk to Lord Krevshrat!"

Charlotte cried. She cried so hard that her makeup ran.

But there was still a chance. A tea party was held afterward—Krevshrat didn't come, but it was still good to connect with the ducal family. After all, the six great ducal families held immense power in the Holy Kingdom—though this was why the marquis families under them were not very noticeable. If she could stand out with them, she could stand out too.

"Grrr..."

However, the problem was—there was a clearly more noticeable presence, the daughter of the Sylies Marquis family, Eva.

"...How can I stand out more than that woman?"

"What's wrong, Charlotte?"

"Meow!?"

She let out a strange sound.

It was Mira, one of her few friends.

"Oh, don't surprise me like that!"

"Sorry, sorry"

Seeing Mira's carefree smile, she sighed. This girl was becoming more and more carefree in their interactions. Moreover, Mira had fallen in love with Eva—though Charlotte believed it wasn't deep love, seeing Mira's enthusiasm made her lose confidence—she was starting to see Mira as a rival.

"You need to be more serious. Your father has already returned to the borderlands, right? Standing here alone won't make you stand out at all!"

"Oh, you know about Papa? Thank you for worrying! But I'm strong on my own!"

"That's not what I'm worried about! I'm saying that without the symbol of the borderlands, which is the worst kind of noticeable, you won't stand out!"

"Ahaha. I'll tell Papa that Charlotte said nice things about him."

"I didn't say nice things!"

Charlotte was getting frustrated that she couldn't get through to Mira.

"...It doesn't seem like the shock from the ceremony is still affecting you."

Mira's words, spoken softly, didn't seem to register with Charlotte.

The incident at the天赋珠玉授与式 (Tianfu Pearl Granting Ceremony) had shocked the children who participated. This year's ceremony was canceled, and the children received their pearls at home.

Incidentally, Mira received [Close Combat ★★★★], and Charlotte received [Beautiful Hair ★★★]. The parents' interests were clear. [Beautiful Hair] was an extremely rare talent, and the fact that it was imported from other countries showed how much the Marquis Fraise doted on his daughter. As a result, Charlotte's strawberry blonde hair was always shiny and her ringlets were perfect.

"Hmm, what's that?"

They were in the lobby of the conference building in the "First Holy District." What had happened at the recent talent granting ceremony—and rumors suggested that something had also happened with the six great ducal families, and the content of the announcement was about to be revealed. Although it wasn't something the children should hear, they were called because they were involved in the ceremony.

Charlotte noticed Eva, the daughter of the Sylies family, and probably the head of the family, Victor, standing in the shadows at the end of the corridor.

"Oh, Lady Eva. Let's say hello—mog!"

"Be quiet. Let's sneak closer."

"Um... are we eavesdropping?"

"Words. We just happen to overhear their conversation as we walk quietly."

"That's still eavesdropping..."

Fortunately, Charlotte and Mira's guards were busy chatting. The guards, who got along annoyingly well, were laughing heartily. Charlotte's guard, chosen for her looks, was slender but a good conversationalist.

As they approached Eva, they could hear voices.

"—Father. So the description of the 'Child of Calamity' is... 'black hair, black eyes'?"

"—Yes. Some countries have even been destroyed in the past..."

"—I understand. Thank you."

"—Continue your research. Is that clear?"

"—Yes, of course. —Oh?"

Eva noticed Charlotte and Mira and turned to them with a gentle smile.

"!"

It was a smile that made even Charlotte, a girl, feel a flutter in her heart. Mira, of course, was completely smitten, her vocabulary reduced to that of a one-year-old.

(What is this? She suddenly grew up! Could she have a crush...!? Otherwise, she wouldn't have grown up like this!!)

Eva bid a small farewell to her father and walked over to them, while the Marquis Sylies, looking somewhat reluctant, walked away. Being both capable (apparently) and handsome, he was another point of jealousy for Charlotte.

"Good day, Lady Eva."

"Good day, Lady Charlotte, Lady Mira."

"Cute..."

"By the way, Lady Eva."

Since Mira was always like this, both Charlotte and Eva had developed a tolerance for it.

"You seem to have changed quite a bit?"

"? ...Is that so?"

"Perhaps you have a crush!?"

Charlotte wanted to see a flustered face, but to her surprise, Eva only smiled slightly, looking a bit troubled.

"...If I could say that, it would be nice. But I am still not worthy to stand beside him."

This was almost an admission that she had a crush, but more surprisingly, Eva admitted that she was "not worthy." At that moment, a small bell rang.

"—Ladies and gentlemen, the explanation by the representative of the Holy King will now begin. Please enter the room."

Several priests appeared, ringing bells and guiding the nobles.

"Oh, it's time. Let's go, everyone."

"Oh, yes... Oh, Lady Eva."

Charlotte noticed that Eva's guard was a burly man—Captain Maximus.

"Your guard has changed."

Eva responded with a very pleasant smile.

"Yes. —For now, at least."

That day, the content explained to the nobles sent shockwaves throughout the Holy Kingdom.

The obligation of the royal family to offer human sacrifices was revealed.

Next, the current Holy King would abdicate and be known as Duke Glenjed. The next Holy King would be the First Princess, and the other princes would retain their right to the throne until the First Princess had a child.

Finally, the dissolution of the Liviere ducal family, one of the six great ducal families, was decided. However, their vast territory would be temporarily under direct royal control and eventually distributed to landless nobles. The reason given was that the Duke of Liviere requested the dissolution of the ducal family, but no noble took this seriously. The Liviere family would become commoners, but their maritime business would continue. However, the engagement between the 10-year-old Third Prince and the Liviere family was annulled, leading many nobles to see this as an opportunity to court the royal family.

The foremost among them was Charlotte Fraise herself—though it was uncertain whether this romance (if it could be called that) would come to fruition.

Charlotte is adorable (truth).

Thus, the second chapter concludes.

What did you think?

If you found it "interesting!" or "want to see Ray's future growth!" or "want to see the ladies meet again no matter what," please give a ★ rating at the bottom of this page.

The ★ is a motivation for the author to update, so I kindly ask for your support.

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In the next chapter, I plan to include the characters from the second chapter before moving on to the third chapter.

The third chapter is titled "The Black Pirate Laughs Under the Moon" and will take place in the Lev Magic Empire. See you there.