Chapter 54

### Chapter 1

Since she has the appearance of a young child, there is no sense of discomfort in acting like one. Rather, she believes that such things should be enjoyed actively.

Claudia, who happened to be living a second life, knew that life is inherently a one-time affair. Childhood is a time that never returns. She thought it should be enjoyed slowly and leisurely, like taking a nap during the day, rather than rushing to grow up quickly.

"Hmm..."

She woke up, stretched widely, and yawned. Around her bed were soft and adorable stuffed animals. All of these were gifts, but Claudia quite liked them.

The large, fluffy bed and the spring sunlight coming through the window made the second sleep especially enjoyable, so she closed her eyes and immersed herself in her dreams again.

She reached out for something nearby and pulled it close. However, what touched her forehead was not the soft, fluffy texture she had imagined, but the firm fabric of a shirt.

"...Princess?"

"Mmm..."

The voice that came from above was a mix of exasperation and bitterness.

"Please wake up, it's already morning."

A hand was placed on her back, and she was gently lifted up, but she pressed her forehead against the hand in protest.

"No... I want to sleep a little more."

"That's not allowed. Today is the day you have been summoned by your father."

She was made to sit on the bed. The person who had lifted her then stood in front of her and said matter-of-factly,

"---And I am not a stuffed animal."

"...Noah..."

Claudia, who had sat up and rubbed her eyes, called out to the servant with a voice that sounded extremely dissatisfied.

***

"Today, I was dreaming about you."

"---..."

Claudia, who had gotten out of bed and washed her face with clear water, sat in front of the mirror and explained to Noah.

"Actually, it was more like a dream from the past. Two years ago, right after I met you, Emilia and the Empress Ilmela caused a commotion over a curse. After that, Father said he would confer a knighthood on Noah, and I was choosing what to dress Noah in. That was the dream I was having."

"...Nostalgic, isn't it?"

"Hehe."

Claudia smiled at the word "nostalgic" coming from the eleven-year-old Noah. Looking up through the mirror, she saw Noah standing behind her, focused on her hair, which he was braiding.

"At that time, Noah was still this tall. You were tall for a nine-year-old, but compared to now, you seemed very small."

"..."

"Your cheeks were much rounder, and your hands were smaller. You were so cute that I couldn't help but dote on you in my dream."

"---So, that's why you were more difficult to wake up than usual and tried to drag me into bed with you?"

"Really? Did I do that?"

"..."

Noah, with an unwilling look, released Claudia's hair.

"It's done."

"Thank you, Noah."

Noah's braiding of Claudia's hair was very cute, with the side hair braided in a particularly adorable way. It was combined with a long, thin ribbon, and the braiding was quite intricate. Not only that, but thanks to the daily careful combing, the part of her hair that was let down was smooth and silky.

Noah's braiding was cuter than any of the maids in the castle. When she told him this, Noah bowed with a composed face and said, "I am glad if it pleases you."

"Today, I think I'll wear a dress in a spring-like dandelion yellow. One with lots of ribbons, and shoes with ribbons too."

"As you wish, Princess. ...Excuse me."

Noah took Claudia's hand and closed his eyes, infusing it with magic.

Claudia's magic mixed well with Noah's, spreading smoothly from her fingertips. A band of light wrapped around Claudia's body, which was clad in a white nightgown. The light covering her arms and shoulders turned into sleeves with a soft pop. The nightgown then glowed faintly, transforming into a lace collar. The flowing hem of the dress spread out, and a ribbon appeared at the waist, creating a bright yellow dress.

Claudia's legs were covered in white tights, and the light transformed into yellow shoes that matched the dress. The shoes, which were secured with a strap over the instep, shone brightly.

Noah's magic then tied a cute ribbon around Claudia's neck before disappearing.

"...Here you go."

"Hehe. Perfect, Noah."

Claudia was very satisfied with her reflection in the mirror and Noah's excellent work. After two years of teaching, Noah had a complete grasp of what suited Claudia and what she liked, as well as the latest trends.

Now, Claudia often let Noah handle everything, rather than creating dresses with her own magic. However, she still had Noah braid her hair with his hands, as he insisted on doing it himself for some reason.

"Seeing such excellent work, it really feels rewarding to teach you."

"It's not yet at a level worthy of your praise... But even so..."

Noah looked at Claudia intently through the mirror.

"I should be much more useful to you now than I was two years ago."

"---..."

Claudia blinked in surprise at his words.

"Are you... jealous? Of the younger version of yourself that I saw in my dream?"

"..."

"Even though it was a version of you from two years ago, when you were nine..."

"..."

Claudia found his eloquent silence amusing and laughed.

"Hehe, how adorable! Don't worry, you are always the cutest, no matter what."

"Th-that's not it...! I was talking about my abilities as a servant."

"Noah, you were an excellent servant at any age. Come here, let me pet you."

"Princess!"

Noah tried to stop Claudia from petting his head, perhaps to change the subject, and repeated the topic of her waking up.

"Rather than that, let's hurry. Since we are summoned to the castle today, it would be dangerous to keep that father of yours waiting."

"Hmm. Yes..."

Claudia placed her index finger on her cheek and tilted her head childishly.

"Actually, I don't need to go. The story should proceed on its own. It's common for a princess to be arranged for a political marriage without her consent."

"..."

Noah's expression suddenly changed.

"...What did you just say?"

"Oh. Didn't Karlheinz tell you?"

It was unlike Karlheinz to not share information. Claudia, thinking this, frowned and told Noah,

"I have to go on a date."

"......Huh?"

At that moment, Noah's expression was the most severe it had been in the two years they had spent together.