Chapter 74

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Even if it's the first day of the new year or whatever, when you wake up in the morning, you say "Good morning."

As usual, I check my figure in front of the mirror. After getting ready, I call for Ms. Rottenmeier to check if there's anything wrong.

This has been a habit I've continued for about a year since recovering from the epidemic.

Yes, it's been about a year since the memories of my previous life started to surface.

There have been many significant changes, and the biggest one is probably the increase in the number of people in the mansion.

After exchanging morning greetings with Ms. Rottenmeier, I follow her to the dining room, where I meet Utsunomiya-san and Regulus-kun holding hands.

"Good morning!"

"Yes, good morning. You seem energetic today."

"Yep! Are you energetic too, Nii?"

"Yes, I'm energetic."

It seems that such greetings are part of the training for noble interactions. So even if it feels a bit formal, Lala-san says it's good to do it.

I slightly pinch the hem of my maid skirt and bow, and Utsunomiya-san moves behind Regulus-kun and me.

I take Regulus-kun's hand, replacing Utsunomiya-san, and follow Ms. Rottenmeier, who has started walking again.

As we approach the dining room, the previously quiet atmosphere suddenly becomes lively. When we enter, the visual splendor adds to the liveliness.

Mr. Romanov, Viktor-san, and Lala-san were already seated.

When they notice me entering, they stand up from their chairs.

Their appearance is different from usual. Mr. Romanov is wearing a military uniform with a white base, with decorative cords arranged like ribs, running horizontally. The trousers match the jacket. The shoulder straps, adorned with many gold braids, are connected to the collar with gold cords, and there are lavish medals on his chest. He wears a mantle on his right shoulder, which flows to his back on the left side.

This is apparently a grand uniform, and Viktor-san and Lala-san are dressed similarly.

What stands out is the intricate embroidery on the sleeves and cuffs of these ribbed uniforms.

"Good morning, what beautiful embroidery!"

"Good morning, shouldn't you praise something else first?"

"Good morning, A-tan. You're consistent even from the new year."

"Good morning, Manmaru-chan. You've already found this year's challenge."

"Ah, I'm sorry. All three of you look very good."

After all, the embroidery is so intricately and beautifully done.

I wonder if I can do something like that.

Even though I usually think they are handsome, their beauty stands out even more with such luxurious attire. Well, everyone is beautiful.

As I admire them, Mr. Romanov, who has stood up from his chair, kneels in front of me to meet my gaze.

"We are going to the palace for the New Year's audience. We'll be back by noon, but I have a request for you, Phoenix-kun."

"For me?"

"Yes. Can you apply the magic lantern illusion to my, Vitya's, and Lala's mantles?"

"Ah, yes. I can do that easily."

I nod and immediately touch Mr. Romanov's mantle. What pattern should I choose?

I don't need to sing to use magic; I just need to declare the enchantment, but singing helps with visualization.

"What pattern would you like, Mr. Romanov?"

"Hmm, a peaceful spring, perhaps..."

"Spring..."

With that in mind, I choose a song by a musician from my hometown, which poetically describes the beauty of the cherry blossoms along the Sumida River. The mantle shows delicate pink flowers dancing in the wind.

"I think an early spring landscape would be nice."

"Early spring, huh."

For Viktor-san's mantle, I choose a song titled "Ode to Early Spring," which evokes the warmth felt in the cold of winter and the song of an unseen nightingale, suggesting the arrival of early spring.

"I want something that will catch the attention of cute girls."

"Um... Ah..."

I don't understand this request.

Does he want something that will attract the interest of girls and invite them to approach?

With that in mind, I pull out a song from the limited love songs in my repertoire.

In Mozart's opera "The Marriage of Figaro," there is an aria sung by a teenage boy, asking what love feels like and questioning the burning sensation within him.

As I touch the mantles and sing, each one displays a beautiful scene like a screen.

After finishing, the three elves are ready and use a transfer spell to go to the palace.

Left behind are Regulus-kun and me.

The spacious dining room feels cold with just the two of us, so we sit side by side for breakfast.

After that, we go for our usual morning walk, and then, since it's the new year, we take care of the chickens and horses. This is also done with Regulus-kun.

In the stable, Josef is busy taking care of the pony I use for riding practice.

"Good morning, Josef. Is Pony-kun doing well?"

"W-w-w-well, Y-Young Master, g-g-good morning. P-P-Pony-kun is v-v-very well!"

"Good morning! Can I pet Pony-kun?"

"Y-Yes."

Josef has had a stutter since he was young.

He is nineteen years old and has been working for the Kikunoi family for seven years.

When he was twelve, he was a footman, but due to his severe stutter, he was transferred to the stable. However, it seems to be his calling, and he enjoys his work, according to Utsunomiya-san's research.

Pony-kun, the pony, is very gentle, even for a pony.

Regulus-kun and I brush Pony-kun, change the hay, and refill the water.

Since Mr. Romanov is away, we don't ride Pony-kun today.

Instead, I touch Pony-kun to a comfortable degree and remind Josef to come to the evening party. He smiles gently.

Holding Regulus-kun's hand, we return. Since it's the New Year, we decide to take a break from studying and play until the party.

"You're late."

"Yeah. What's taking the teachers so long?"

"They're late, aren't they?"

The party starts in the evening, and to ensure everyone in the mansion can participate, all the food is laid out in a buffet style. The chef will use magic to reheat the food if it gets cold.

Genzaburo-san and Sosuke-kun are here, as are Elise, Josef, the chef, Utsunomiya-san, and Ms. Rottenmeier, but the three elves haven't returned.

Regulus-kun and Sosuke-kun seem to be getting hungry, with their brows furrowed and hands on their stomachs.

As I'm wondering what to do, Ms. Rottenmeier whispers in my ear.

"It's not right to start without the teachers, but..."

"But..."

As I hesitate, a ominous sound of swirling magic fills the room. Gradually, the magic gathers and forms a vortex, which suddenly bursts into light, revealing the three elves in the center of the room.

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