Chapter 7: A Special Delivery
“GOOD luck today, Lady Estellise!”
“Thank you, Cynthia! I’m going to make this mission a success!”
It was finally time for Lady Estellise to set out on her “lovey-dovey mission” with Prince Adelberd. Her strategy contained no tricks or underhanded tactics. Lady Estellise simply needed to muster up a bit of courage to create an environment where she and her fiancé could flirt.
“All right. Once we finish breakfast, we’ll head to the boys’ room to socialize. As soon as the mood seems right, I’ll lead Siraiya and Prince Rutherford out of the—”
Just then, a knock came at our door.
“My lady, a delivery from your parents has just arrived at the resort.”
I didn’t know they were sending me something. What could this be?
The employees carried a large crate into my room. The princes’ guards had already inspected the contents and resealed it, so I opened the delivery for the second time.
“It’s…!”
The box was packed full of various animal costumes.
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“THE main marketplace in the Rhuddlan territory is going to hold an animal festival…?”
“That’s right. As a tourist destination, we hold some sort of festival just about every month, but I’m told the two-week-long fireworks festival that was supposed to start today has been changed to an animal festival at the last minute, and guests are now invited to dress up.”
I’d asked the men to join us so that they could see the crate’s contents too.
The unexpected delivery contained headbands with animal ears, bows, hats, tail accessories, and gloves with soft claws attached. There were also masks with simple depictions of various animal faces.
“That was all their letter said. However, I believe these are…”
The festival was most likely changed at the last minute as a way of ensuring Prince Adelberd’s safety. Even if His Royal Highness was spotted with animal ears, it could be easily explained as part of the ongoing festival in the area.
Prince Adelberd took a pair of rabbit ears out of the crate. When he finally spoke, I could hear the deep admiration in his voice. “I’m truly indebted to Viscount Rhuddlan for his generosity. He arranged all of this for me just three weeks after learning of my condition. Only a truly capable man could change an entire festival in such a short amount of time. Now I understand how a viscount managed to amass a fortune rivaling those of the highest-ranking nobles.”
Prince Adelberd had worked out the true intention of the festival. I felt proud to hear him praise my father so highly. However, Mother probably participated in the planning as well. There was almost nothing my parents couldn’t do when they worked together. It almost felt miraculous.
“I’m honored by your praise for my father. He’s had a lot of experience finding the most talented workers available, so I’m sure they played a big role in this as well. Of course, he’s never had to change an entire festival in such a short window of time, either. I may be his daughter, but I’m almost as startled as you are.”
There would be no point in holding this animal festival if the residents of the Rhuddlan territory didn’t dress up too. Father had probably hired many craftsmen to make sure there were enough costumes for all the attendees. I pictured all the tailors in our territory working in secret to manufacture those costumes. The rest of our hot spring resorts were probably also selling these costumes and advertising the festival.
Everyone’s willingness to comply with the sudden change was proof of how well Father governed this land. I was so happy that the others got to witness my family’s brilliant accomplishment. Siraiya was smiling proudly as well.
“The people of this land wouldn’t be able to hold festivals if they were impoverished or overworked,” he said. “Mother and Father prioritize the people of this territory, and that’s why they’re doing well for themselves and will help with sudden requests like this. I learn so much from Mother and Father, who possess an endless love for everyone in their lives.”
“That’s exactly right, Siraiya.”
I was even happier to hear Siraiya taking pride in my parents as well. I gently wrapped both of my arms around one of his. He responded in kind by reaching down and touching my hand.
We weren’t yet married, but we were already family.
Suddenly, I felt an intense gaze coming from Lady Estellise. I looked over and found her clutching her flushed cheeks. I instantly knew she was imagining herself and Prince Adelberd linking arms like Siraiya and me. She’s so cute.
But then I noticed Prince Adelberd’s eyes on us, too. His expression was somewhat similar to Lady Estellise’s, while Prince Rutherford looked away angrily. What’s going on with them?
More importantly, I need to get things moving so that Lady Estellise can proceed with the mission.
“Father sent these costumes so you can disguise yourself, Your Royal Highness. I’ll store them in an empty room for now, since we won’t be attending the festival. Now, why don’t we all have breakfast, and after that we can play a board game or—”
“You mean we aren’t going to the festival?” Prince Adelberd cut me off mid-sentence.
Going to the festival meant Prince Adelberd, this country’s crown prince, would have to walk the crowded city streets. Lady Estellise would definitely join him, and I imagined Prince Rutherford being eager to attend with his older brother, too. If I had no choice but to keep an eye on them, Siraiya wasn’t going to stay behind and leave all the work to me.
But that meant a mixed group of royalty and high-ranking nobility—excluding me—going out in public.
“Is it safe for you to go into town…?” I asked.
I was taken aback, but Prince Adelberd twirled a pair of rabbit ears in his hand calmly as he responded. “It’s a rare occurrence, but the royal family will occasionally disguise ourselves as commoners and head out into the capital. The only condition is that we stay near our guards, who also remain disguised. We can’t run around and do whatever we please in town, but it’s still an opportunity to have quite a bit of fun.”
“I had no idea…”
“We go and conduct observations throughout town as part of our official duties, but in those cases, the citizens are on their best behavior around us. Sometimes we need to find ways to observe how our people truly live, without the lens of royalty distorting things.”
Prince Adelberd approached Lady Estellise and quietly placed the rabbit ears on her purple hair.
It isn’t exactly “physical contact,” but that’s quite a leap forward, isn’t it? Lady Estellise’s eyes went wide, and she stared up at the prince.
“You look adorable, Estellise. Would you like to attend the festival with me?”
“…Adelberd… Yes, of course I would.”
Lady Estellise looked embarrassed, but I could tell she was incredibly pleased. Prince Adelberd blushed in my presence for the first time.
The two made for such a cute, innocent couple. I was so eager to support them on their date that I couldn’t stop myself from crying out. “Let’s all go together!” I accidentally shouted.