Chapter 07

Swordsmanship class had ended.

After showering in the training hall, Elizia changed her clothes as slowly as possible.

She was deliberately dragging her feet, hoping Rakan might give up waiting for her.

Running into him by chance was one thing, but walking around together as though it were part of her daily routine somehow made her uncomfortable.

Please let him have left already.

Muttering to herself, Elizia walked through the dim hallway.

Then, the moment she stepped outside into the warm afternoon sunlight—

“Elizia.”

Just as expected, Rakan was waiting for her.

Was the dazzling brightness because of the afternoon sun shining directly into her eyes…

Or because of his radiant golden hair?

Squinting against the light, Elizia hesitated.

But when Rakan casually gestured for her to come over, she gave up and walked toward him.

He wasn’t forcing her.

So why was it that she could never refuse his invitations?

She found herself genuinely wondering, yet couldn’t come up with an answer.

The two naturally began walking together.

Neither had any more classes, so their destination was the dormitories.

The late afternoon sun was pleasantly warm, and only the songs of birds filled the peaceful silence between them.

“Relax your wrist.”

Remembering the advice he’d once given her, Elizia swung her wooden practice sword through the air.

Ever since that day, her wrist had stopped hurting, and the shock from clashing with an opponent’s sword had lessened considerably.

His advice had truly been useful.

“I may have been a little too kind, teaching the princess of an enemy nation.”

Elizia smiled.

“If war ever breaks out, I’ll make good use of it. Thanks.”

The Kingdom of Ortigia and the Kashtra Empire had been under a ceasefire for twenty years.

Because of that, the word war no longer felt quite as heavy.

They could even joke about it.

Besides…

Spending time with him no longer felt unpleasant as it once had.

If anything, she felt they had become closer.

She didn’t dislike this atmosphere.

Still…

She couldn’t help wondering what was really going on inside his head.

Could he actually be interested in me?

No way.

She glanced sideways at him.

Judging by the respectful half-step of distance he maintained, it didn’t seem like romantic interest or an attempt to flirt.

“Senior… why did you suddenly start approaching me like this?”

“Why? Were you afraid I’d developed feelings for you?”

“Please don’t say terrifying things.”

“Terrifying? I’d call it an honor.”

“…”

At this point, comments like that no longer surprised her.

Apparently, she’d grown rather accustomed to Rakan.

Still, she couldn’t stop herself from frowning slightly.

Meanwhile, the man responsible for the absurd remark merely continued walking with his usual composed expression.

“If the opportunity ever comes, I’d like to introduce you to my younger brother.”

“Your brother?”

Elizia blinked in surprise.

The younger brother he once said I resembled? The handsome half-brother?

She already knew his sudden friendliness wasn’t motivated by romance.

But she certainly hadn’t expected him to be playing matchmaker.

Perhaps noticing her bewilderment, Rakan chuckled softly.

Ridiculously enough…

Elizia found herself thinking that the gentle curve of his smile was beautiful.

“Don’t misunderstand. I’m not idle enough to concern myself with my brother’s love life—or the romance of an enemy princess.”

“Then why?”

“For political reasons.”

“Political…?”

She narrowed her eyes.

She was the future queen of Ortigia.

His words clearly had something to do with that.

But what political significance could there possibly be in her becoming acquainted with nobles of the Empire?

Rakan showed no intention of explaining.

Tilting his head slightly, he looked at her seriously.

“In any case, you and I met first.”

“So let’s become friends first.”

“It won’t be a loss for you.”

“I suppose.”

Actually, I can think of plenty of losses.

Like attracting jealous stares from female students.

Or watching my popularity plummet.

Or having my facial muscles deteriorate because of your outrageous comments.

Swallowing those thoughts, Elizia simply nodded.

He might have a twisted personality…

But he didn’t seem malicious by nature.

Besides, despite belonging to the enemy nation, he appeared to have connections everywhere.

Building a friendship with him probably wouldn’t hurt.

“By the way, who are you attending tomorrow’s party with?”

“Senior Sophie.”

“I see.”

The gravel beneath their feet crunched softly.

Elizia lightly kicked a pebble.

“What about you, Senior?”

She asked without much thought.

Yet somehow…

The brief moment she waited for his answer made her strangely nervous.

If the name of some female student came out of those beautiful lips…

For some reason, she felt it would bother her.

“Frederick Watts.”

Thankfully…

It wasn’t a girl’s name.

Frederick Watts.

Sophie’s boyfriend.

Elizia quietly let out a small breath.

Relief subtly washed over her.

By then, the dormitories had come into view.

At the fork where the men’s and women’s dormitory paths split, Elizia gave a small bow.

“I’ll be going.”

“Alright.”

Rakan casually waved.

The two went their separate ways.

A simple, clean farewell.

* * *

“Elizia… are you really going dressed like that?”

“Yes. Why?”

“…”

Sophie’s expression became indescribable.

The school anniversary party would be held in the academy’s annex.

The two girls were preparing together in their dorm room.

As the daughter of a wealthy merchant, Sophie wore a fashionable silk dress.

Its structured pink skirt flared elegantly, while shimmering embroidered lace sparkled beneath her neckline like scattered jewels.

Elizia gently touched Sophie’s glossy dress before looking down at her own.

It looked almost exactly like what she wore every day.

The fabric was luxurious, but it was simply a modest navy dress buttoned all the way up to the neck.

Its fitted silhouette was undeniably feminine…

Yet it hardly gave off the impression of a princess.

More like a strict but elegant governess.

Sophie threw open Elizia’s wardrobe.

Inside hung countless magnificent dresses glittering beneath the room’s lights.

All of them had been packed by Elizia’s nanny.

None had ever been worn since she enrolled.

“You have all these gorgeous dresses…”

“And you’re choosing that?”

“Yes.”

“It’s not like I have anyone I need to impress.”

“…Seriously, Princess Elizia.”

“What exactly is your problem?”

“Hmm…”

“My lack of skill?”

That was exactly it.

At the palace, maids had always brushed her hair and dressed her.

Living alone made everything different.

Tightening corsets.

Braiding her own hair.

Every time she had to do those things herself, she became so annoyed that irritation practically reached her eyes.

It wasn’t that she disliked dressing beautifully.

She loved elegant clothes.

She simply wasn’t the sort of person who could patiently sit there decorating herself.

Besides…

She’d spent her whole life dressed up, and would continue doing so for the rest of it.

What was wrong with taking a break for a few years while attending school?

Sophie sighed before pulling every single dress from the wardrobe.

One by one, she held them against Elizia.

“This one’s pretty…”

“But the color’s too plain.”

“This one doesn’t suit your eye color…”

“Hm?”

“A merchant needs good taste.”

“Fortunately, I inherited that.”

“So today…”

“Leave your styling to me.”

“…”

“I won’t be as good as palace maids.”

“But I’ll do my best.”

The gentle Sophie who was always smiling now looked strangely determined.

Unable to resist that overwhelming enthusiasm, Elizia obediently nodded.

When such a kind senior insisted so passionately…

There was nothing to do but surrender.

After comparing countless dresses, Sophie finally nodded in satisfaction.

She immediately began rummaging through the wardrobe again, collecting jewelry, hair ornaments, gloves, and accessories.

Elizia simply stood in the middle of the room.

From that point on, all she had to do was let Sophie move her around like a doll.

“Is this tight enough?”

Elizia asked as she tightened Sophie’s corset.

Sophie struggled to nod.

“Mm…!”

Apparently it was difficult to breathe.

Despite her slender arms, Elizia possessed remarkable strength.

That included tightening corsets.

Sophie had even taken off the dress she’d painstakingly put on earlier so she could properly dress Elizia first.

Only after finishing Elizia did she finally change back into her own gown.

Once Elizia had finished tightening the corset, she gently brushed Sophie’s loose hair back into place.

Sophie then fastened her necklace once more.

The two girls stood silently, facing each other.

“You’re beautiful, Elizia.”

Sophie’s cheeks flushed pink as she smiled brightly.

She looked thoroughly satisfied with the masterpiece she’d created.

“You’re beautiful too, Senior Sophie.”

“As always.”

Elizia smiled warmly.

It amazed her how attached she’d become to Sophie.

After all…

Sophie was simply an upperclassman from an enemy nation.

Perhaps it was because Sophie always treated her with genuine kindness, free of ulterior motives.

“Let’s go.”

Picking up her satin gloves from the table, Sophie smiled.

Outside the window, the sunset had painted the sky orange.

The party was about to begin.

“Elizia! You look gorgeous today!”

“That violet necklace suits you perfectly!”

“I almost didn’t recognize you!”

“I mean that in the best way—you look absolutely beautiful!”

As they reached the first floor of the dormitory, they encountered many female students dressed in splendid gowns.

Several acquaintances hurried over to compliment Elizia.

She usually wore her hair in neat braids and simple dresses.

Seeing her transformed like this was unfamiliar…

Yet breathtaking.

“You’re beautiful too, Meres.”

“Thank you. Senior Sophie helped me.”

Replying modestly, Elizia continued toward the ballroom.

Perhaps it was because she’d dressed up after so long.

She felt lighthearted.

Her heart fluttered with excitement.

Even the gentle fragrance of flowers drifting from the garden made the evening seem perfect.

Her loose hair swayed below her shoulders in the breeze.

A delicate layer of lace rested over her violet-colored dress.

Transparent fabric draped across her shoulders, revealing her graceful collarbones and elegant neckline.

She looked both refined…

And youthful.

Yet the subtly revealing design gave her an unexpectedly alluring charm.

The dress hugged her waist before flowing gracefully into a full skirt.

Every step sent the layered fabric rippling softly.

The gemstones sewn throughout shimmered beneath the moonlight.

Elizia recalled the reflection she’d seen in the mirror.

It was the appearance she had always worn at the royal palace.

Familiar to her…

But completely unfamiliar to the academy’s students.

Her true self.

A dazzling princess.

She had always been the type of woman who shone brightest the more lavishly she was dressed.

Beyond the grand doors, the soft melody of string instruments drifted through the air.

Sophie and Elizia each accepted one rose and one lily from the attendant before waiting for the doors to open.

At last…

The gold-trimmed ballroom doors swung wide.

Brilliant light poured outward, carrying the music with it.

Elizia stepped inside gracefully.

Tables filled with colorful finger foods and drinks.

Statues crowned with flower wreaths.

Paintings decorated with books, quills, and scholarly ornaments.

Everything was magnificent.

But after only a few elegant steps…

Elizia suddenly froze.

Something before her looked completely unfamiliar.

Her eyes blinked slowly.

[Elizia Worder Ortigia]

Written clearly upon the large voting vase for the Rose and Lily election…

Was Elizia’s own name.