AT the breakfast table, my family made a big fuss about my birthday as well.
From Mother and Father, I got the dress we ordered for my coming-of-age ceremony, plus various fancy accessories. From Charles, I got a stylish hat with feathers. Even Charles gave me an age-appropriate gift this year!
Once I arrived at Grail Academy and got down from the carriage, I found myself being greeted by each passing student.
Everyone called out “Happy birthday” to me!
“Good morning, Bel, and happy birthday!”
“Good morning and a very happy birthday to you!”
“Morning, Phia! Morning, Claude! Thank you both!”
As soon as I walked into the classroom, Oliphia and Claude called out to me.
Then Oliphia gave me a small box. I opened it to find a gorgeous, shining silver fountain pen inside. When I looked closer, I could see that it had my name engraved on it.
“I thought you could use it in your official Princess-ly duties, once you’ve come of age!” Oliphia beamed at me.
I smiled back at Oliphia. “Thank you so much,” I said, touched.
Then Claude picked up the wrapped present on his desk and offered it to me.
“Can I open it?”
“Of course.”
I opened it with excitement to see beautiful fabric inside. There was a delicate embroidery design on it, sewn with silk thread.
“Is it a shawl?”
“Yes. It’s from Nigren. My father sent it.”
“Really? Thank you.”
I placed the shawl over my shoulders to see how it looked. It was very sheer, almost see-through, which was common of this traditional handcraft from Nigren.
The embroidery work was extensive and covered the whole shawl. It was so beautiful, it took my breath away. Clearly, it’d been embroidered by a true artisan.
“Speaking of which, apparently the Foreign Affairs Minister and the Crown Princess will be attending.” As he watched me try on the shawl, Claude suddenly seemed to remember that bit of info.
“What?” I asked.
“To your coming-of-age ceremony, I mean. We’ve had responses already from many countries. Nigren is sending their Foreign Affairs Minister and their Crown Princess. And several magicians too, for research purposes.”
“Oh my! Indeed?” I brightened up.
Nigren’s Crown Princess…that was Karina. I really hated her in my old life (after she’d taken everything from me…), but I was looking forward to seeing this world’s version of Karina again.
I was already starting to feel excited for the chance to chat with her.
I ended up going home from school with lots of birthday presents.
I changed into a casual-but-pretty dress, put on a little makeup, and then paced the room excitedly until finally, a knock came at the door.
I was just fiddling with my bangs in the mirror when the knock came. I quickly dropped the hand mirror in my dresser drawer and pushed it shut.
“Princess Annabel, Master La Boulacherie is here to see you.”
“Show him in.”
Composing myself, I waited as Ellie opened the door for me. As soon as Ed saw me, he started smiling.
“Happy birthday, Princess.”
“Thank you, Ed.”
I stood from my seat as Ed looked fondly at me.
“You look very grown-up today.”
I looked down at my dress.
I’d actually chosen one of my more mature-looking dresses. After all, I was sixteen now. I’d come of age.
While I was at Laura Adams ordering my dresses for the ball and my coming-of-age ceremony, I’d thought “Why not?” and had ordered a few more dresses for everyday wear.
Instead of childish bows and ribbons, I’d chosen dresses with sophisticated embroidery. And instead of puffed skirts, I’d chosen a smoother, draped silhouette.
“I was worried it wouldn’t suit me.”
“Not at all. It looks wonderful on you.” Ed leaned in, bringing his lips to my ear as he gazed around at all the flowers. “You’re so beautiful, I thought for a second that perhaps, a flower fairy had appeared.”
Indeed, my room was overflowing with so many flowers today that it looked like a garden. That’s probably what prompted Ed’s comment.
But I blushed anyway, his sweet words filling me with giddy emotion.
Ed gazed at me, gently stroking my cheek.
“Princess, would you care to join me for a stroll?”
“A stroll? Okay.”
I’d assumed we’d just have tea or something, so Ed’s suggestion surprised me a little. Still, since I’d rushed home today, there was plenty of daylight left. A walk would be nice.
I called Ellie back from her tea-preparing duties to let her know I’d be taking a walk before returning my attention to Ed.
“Hold out your hand, Princess.”
“All right.”
Ed was holding his hand out to me, as if inviting me to dance.
“It’s unusual for you to be the one to suggest a stroll, Ed.”
Ed and I occasionally took a stroll around the palace gardens together, but it was usually always my suggestion. Ed had never really been the one to initiate it.
“I wanted to make at least one of your wishes come true today, Princess.”
“What do you mean?”
I tilted my head curiously, gazing at Ed as he led me to a thick area of trees where we could be hidden from view. Once concealed, he turned to me with a meaningful smile.
“Please watch, Princess.”
“Hm?”
Watch what? I was confused.
Meanwhile, Ed was muttering an incantation. Immediately, magical particles began to gather around him, reflecting the sunlight with a golden shine.
And then…
“Huh?!”
I was flabbergasted. Right in front of my eyes, Ed had…become someone else.
Soft brown hair rustling in the breeze. And eyes that weren’t red but brown.
Ed had gone. Now a pleasant-looking young man stood in his place. A completely different person. At least in appearance.
“That’s amazing!” I ended up crying with excitement.
I immediately knew that this was an Illusion. Ed had somehow learned how to cast it on human subjects.
The man who looked nothing like Ed was looking around, checking that no one was watching us. He’d one finger pressed to his lips. I quickly placed my hands over my mouth to stifle any further yelps. Keeping my voice as soft as possible, I leaned in to question Ed.
“Okay, so now you’re going to transform me into someone else as well, and we can actually go on a date?!”
“That’s what I’d like to do, but I haven’t perfected the spell yet. I can only cast it on myself. But I can make a few adjustments on you too, Princess.”
Ed reached out, facing his palm towards me and muttering something.
Golden magical particles began to gather on his palm, giving off a shining light.
Oh!
My hair was a naturally bright, golden blonde. But as the light particles made contact with me, I could see that the hair lying over my shoulders had turned chestnut brown.
“You changed my hair color?” I marveled.
“I changed your hair color and your eye color. Of course, I love your natural tones, but these colors also look very nice on you. I’m guessing most people won’t even recognize you as the princess. Now then, would you like to go on that date?”
“I would!” I nodded vigorously. Nothing would please me more.
A date with Ed, without having to worry about who might be watching us… I can’t think of a more spectacular present.
“Well then, let’s get going. Time is short.” Ed pulled a pocket watch from his inner pocket and checked the time.
“But we have until five?” I asked.
I’d checked the clock in my room on our way out. I was certain I wasn’t mistaken. We still had a full two hours.
I blinked up at Ed, who looked down at me apologetically.
“As I said, I haven’t perfected the spell yet. So far, I’ve only been able to make it last for an hour.”
“I see…”
One hour. Spent with Ed, it was sure to pass in an instant.
Ed pulled a charged Magic Crystal from his pocket and put his arm around my waist.
“So, let’s enjoy ourselves to the fullest…for an hour at least. Come on.”
Snuggled into Ed’s warmth, blinking as the world around us blurred and the ground beneath our feet disappeared.