Chapter 37
Time passed quickly, and the day of the banquet to celebrate Licht’s return finally arrived.
“Ugh, do people normally start preparing this early?”
After being woken up at the crack of dawn by Lellia’s call, I had been sitting in front of the mirror for three hours now, struggling to keep my eyes open. Only just beginning to feel a little more awake, I sent Lellia a resentful glance.
Ignoring my look, Lellia picked up the third necklace adorned with white gems and held it against me, saying,
“For your information, on the day of the banquet, it’s normal to start preparing from four in the morning.”
“…Good heavens.”
Doesn’t makeup usually look worse when you’re tired? But judging from the way the maids kept applying and wiping things off my skin in cycles, it seemed I had nothing to worry about.
I’d heard Lellia didn’t like high society all that much, but judging by the way she was preparing today, she certainly didn’t look like someone indifferent to it.
“Aren’t you going to get ready, Lellia?”
“Of course, I will.”
“If you waste all your time helping me and get delayed, what then? It’s already nine o’clock.”
“I’ve done this many times before, so I can decide quickly. Hoho. Even if I stopped going out because I got tired of the social scene, I was active in it for quite a long time, you know.”
No matter what I muttered, Lellia busied herself, briskly directing the maids left and right.
I had thought, ‘Since there are so many dresses already made, I can just pick one and wear it.’ But that was a naïve miscalculation. The endless time spent choosing dragged on and on.
Thanks to that, I got to try on jewels far bigger and more dazzling than anything I had ever seen in media during my past life.
‘Even Sephina didn’t go through this much trouble for her first banquet.’
Was it something the novel just skipped over? No… since Lellia never appeared there, it definitely wasn’t like this.
“Lellia’s dream was to be a fairy godmother, you know.”
Lucas, who had been watching from the side, spoke up with a smile he couldn’t quite hide. Having finished his own preparations early, he had come to escort his younger sister Lellia.
Gone was the bear-like warmth I’d seen before. With his neatly styled hair and splendid dress uniform, he now gave off an aura that was both imposing and manly.
Just a while ago, he had started sidling up to me, slipping in a comment here and there as I sat dazed under Lellia’s touch.
“Don’t know what fairy tale she latched onto, but she sang about it for years.”
“Fairy godmother?”
“Yes. She insisted she was destined to become one. My parents wondered if she was demanding a baby sister or something—it caused quite a stir.”
A fairy godmother? What, does this world also have stories like Cindrella? I glanced at Lellia, who was busy finishing her outfit.
“Our Lellia may act all mature, but in truth she’s full of dreams and hopes.”
Lucas whispered conspiratorially, wary she might overhear.
“Seeing her enthusiastically take charge of your preparations—even though she said it’s just because you’re unfamiliar with the palace—I’d say she’s reliving her childhood fantasies.”
“Oh my, that’s adorable.”
My reaction made Lucas shake his head. Well, siblings will be siblings.
“Thank you for seeing it that way.”
He still treated Lellia like a child. I hadn’t realized it before because she always carried herself so maturely beside me, but she was only just of age, after all.
‘Wow, that’s a much more innocent reason than I expected.’
I swallowed a laugh as I admired the reflection of myself, transformed under Lellia’s “fairy godmother” touch.
‘Who would think I’m just a nobody mage from the Magic Tower now?’
My silver hair, usually tied up halfheartedly, was neatly brushed and styled into a half-updo, pinned with silver ornaments set with deep pink gems.
And with the empire-line gown of soft blue fabric embroidered with silver lace—carefully chosen by Lellia’s discerning eye—I could almost pass for a noble young lady, as long as I kept my mouth shut.
I hoped to just enjoy the banquet after all this effort, but unfortunately, my mind was far too tangled.
Because today was the day I truly had to stay sharp. After this, I would also need to search for the Saintess, who had yet to appear no matter how much I wished for her.
“This is why they say impatience brings hardship.”
“…Pardon?”
“Nothing. When are we leaving?”
I shrugged at Lucas’s confused look and stretched. Sitting still any longer was impossible. At that moment, perfectly timed, came the sound announcing Licht’s arrival.
“Are you ready?”
‘Wow. Just… wow.’
My gaze instinctively shifted to him. Not just me, but also the maids who had been helping, and even Lucas standing nearby, all turned to him with faint smiles.
Licht always carried himself neatly. But today—was it because it was the day of his celebratory banquet?—he looked like he had gone all out.
‘So this is what the author meant by “dazzling.”’
His white uniform bore golden epaulets, a heavy red cloak embroidered with the Luden Empire’s crest draped over one shoulder. His jet-black hair was swept back, baring his forehead and emphasizing his sharp features.
‘Yes, this is what you call true imperial royalty!’
I almost blurted out a gasp.
‘Handsome men are the best! Beauty is the best! Male leads are the best!’
Licht paused when his eyes fell on me, sitting primly before the mirror. He tried to keep his gaze steady, but the faint flicker showed his surprise.
Well, who wouldn’t be? Until now, the only clothes I wore in the palace were the standard black mage’s cloak, before Lellia had ordered proper attire for me.
‘Honestly, I look kind of cute like this, don’t I? Hehe.’
It was the first time in either life I had been dressed up this extravagantly. Waking up so early had been hard, but seeing the results lifted my spirits more than I expected.
‘Still, next time she should wake me at eight. If there is a next time!’
“…If you need more time, I’ll wait.”
“N-no! Lellia, I’m finished, right?”
“Mm, yes. Just a moment.”
Already dressed and with her hair elegantly done up, Lellia came over to inspect me closely—the jewelry, the gown, the makeup. With careful hands she adjusted a piece slightly, then stepped back and nodded. The signal that everything was truly complete.
“Thank you!”
“It’s a fine time to depart.”
From a short distance away, Licht approached and offered me his arm. I wasn’t sure if I should link arms or just rest my hand lightly, but luckily, Lellia demonstrated with Lucas.
Following her example, I placed my hand on Licht’s arm. My face heated up immediately. In either lifetime, I’d never stood like this, holding onto someone’s arm.
‘Whoa… he’s solid.’
Had he been doing nothing but training since returning to the palace? His muscles felt like stone beneath my hand, even though he wasn’t flexing.
I suddenly recalled the image of Licht lying in the Magic Tower.
‘Even back then, his muscles never seemed to go away, huh?’
“Take care as you go down.”
His low, gentle voice rang pleasantly in my ears. Whether for my sake or not, Licht moved slower than usual as we descended the stairs.
But since I wasn’t wearing very high heels nor a tight corseted gown, I actually felt quite comfortable. And with Licht holding me steady, I could lean on him slightly without worry.
‘Thank goodness this world has alternatives to those suffocating corseted dresses.’
Lellia, with her keen sense, knew I hated restrictive clothing, so she had suggested a dress with a looser silhouette.
“Ah, thank you.”
I couldn’t bring myself to lift my head as I replied. If I met his eyes now, I was sure my heart would jump out of my chest. It was already hard enough that this dazzling male lead was kindly escorting me.
‘Don’t forget—he’s not yours, not yours!’
I silently took a deep breath, trying to calm my reckless heart. Maybe it was just my imagination, but I felt like Licht’s gaze lingered on me, making it worse. Without the courage to confirm, I simply looked down and carefully followed his steps.
