Chapter 20

Fingertips adorned with nails like cherry shells gently touched the surface of the crystal.

At that moment, a tense silence filled the cathedral. A ringing in the ears resounded, and all eyes were fixed on her.

But the crystal, which everyone was watching, showed no reaction at all.

"......Oh......"

After a while, the attendees began to murmur.

"It's true. ... Truly, Princess Claudia has no magical ability."

"Even if she is a beautiful princess, this is no good..."

"Who would have thought that among the king's children, there would be such a person?"

"But what a pity. If she had even a little bit of magic, Princess Claudia's future as a royal would have been very different."

While listening to their arbitrary comments, Claudia was satisfied.

(This is just right.)

She turned to Karlheinz and pretended to ask anxiously.

"Karlheinz, did Claudia do well?"

"Yes, Your Highness. It was wonderful."

"That's great!"

She sighed in relief and then looked up.

(That's really good. I proved it in front of so many people, where even the fabrication of results or a gag order would be meaningless.)

Claudia smiled at her father, who she imagined was under the canopy.

(Thank you, 'Father.')

Still, the gazes that seemed to be sizing her up were probably not just her imagination.

But that was something Claudia had anticipated.

"Nova!"

She turned to the main door of the cathedral and called out loudly to the servant, drawing everyone's attention to Nova.

"Hey, Nova, it's over!"

Nova, who had been waiting outside the door, seemed surprised to be called. After a moment of confusion, he quickly returned to his unusually calm expression.

"...You did well, Your Highness."

"Hehe! Give me lots of pets later!"

Not only the nobles who were in attendance, but also her father, who had completely ignored Claudia, turned to Karlheinz and asked.

"Karlheinz, is that child the princess's servant?"

"Yes, as you say. While living in the tower, he began to serve the princess and was given a name."

"Hmph. He's like a stray dog."

After sneering, her father seemed to fix his gaze on Nova.

"--- Obsidian eyes."

"......"

Nova remained silent, met her father's gaze straight on, and then bowed properly.

(With this, the second objective is achieved.)

Claudia tugged at the hem of Karlheinz's clothes.

"Karlheinz, the candy for a reward..."

"Your Highness, please wait a little longer."

While Karlheinz tried to gently reprimand her, her father said dismissively.

"That's enough. The appraisal ceremony is over. --- Prepare a tea party for the princess afterward."

"Wow, a tea party!"

Pretending to be delighted, Claudia raised both hands.

Karlheinz knelt beside Claudia and whispered in a very low voice.

"Nova seems to be in a bad mood. What was your intention?"

"Claudia doesn't understand what you mean."

After saying this, Karlheinz sighed and escorted Claudia to Nova.

***

After the appraisal, Claudia was changed into a new dress by the castle's maids and led to the castle's garden.

"Come, Princess Claudia. The grass is a bit muddy here, so let's hold hands with us."

"I want to hold hands with Nova!"

Claudia said this and took Nova's hand, who was walking a step behind her.

Nova firmly returned her grip but his expression was sullen.

"Princess, it's dangerous. It's better to hold hands with an adult, not me."

"No! I want to hold hands with Nova."

Pretending to throw a tantrum, she looked up at Nova intently.

Nova, perhaps fearing that Claudia could see through him, quickly averted his gaze.

(Hmm. Even if you turn away, you can't hide your feelings at all.)

She found it endearing but refrained from laughing, as it would be cruel.

Although she had pretended not to know why Nova was in a bad mood to Karlheinz, Claudia understood perfectly.

(Anyway, let's focus on what happens next.)

In the garden, the children of the nobility and royalty were having a tea party together.

Karlheinz had explained to Claudia like this:

"Originally, this tea party was planned to be held after proving that Princess Claudia has magic, as a preliminary step before welcoming her to the royal castle. Although the plan has changed and the princess will return to the tower, the tea party will still take place."

(The children gathered here are all from the upper class and have high magical abilities.)

Claudia whispered to Nova.

"Nova, you could have stayed back and rested, you know?"

"My role is to protect the princess."

Despite his sullen profile, Nova spoke clearly, refusing to meet her gaze, which showed his determination.

Unable to resist, she giggled. As expected, Nova's face became even more unwilling.

"Really, I can be more reliable than any adult guard at the tea party."

"Hehe, I know, I know!"

While feeling cheerful, Claudia thought to herself.

(That's why I deliberately upset you and did what I did just now.)

Then Claudia and Nova arrived at the garden decorated for the tea party.

"Hey, they're here!"

An innocent boy's voice rang out, and all eyes turned to them.

There were about twenty children, ranging from around ten years old to about four, gathered there.

(I see.)

Observing the children, Claudia nodded in understanding.

(These are indeed children with high magical abilities.)

The children had been playing with each other or eating the sweets on the table.

But the moment Claudia arrived, they all stopped as if on cue and fell silent, staring at her.

The scene was so unusual that even the maids standing behind them were intimidated.