“Ahh! Yesterday was so much fun!” Meltia said with a sunny look on her face. It was the day after the ball, and Jeanette had just arrived at the palace. “So? Will you agree that dancing at a ball is something I have obtained the ability to do now?” the princess added with a smug giggle. The memory of Jeanette pointing out what Meltia couldn’t do must’ve stayed in her mind this whole time.
Jeanette grinned.
“Yes! You were spectacular last night, Your Highness. You carried yourself with such poise, and you were both adorable and elegant! When I saw you, I thought that you looked like the pride of our nation that everyone would love to show off! And our Matheson dress suited you so well too... In fact, even though it’s only been a day, we’ve already received a heap of client inquiries about it! That’s how striking of an impression you made! It’s no wonder. You look gorgeous in anything as it is, and last night you were truly shining... Ah, just look at this! The royal newspaper wrote a huge headline about you!”
Following her rambling, Jeanette approached Meltia to show her the article. The princess seemed a bit put off as she replied.
“I get it, you’re excited. You ramble so fast sometimes... It’s kind of scary.”
“I’m sorry. I just wanted to get my feelings across to you...” Jeanette explained dispiritedly.
“Oh, it’s fine. In any case, I had a great time last night. If that’s what it’s like, I think I’d like to attend all kinds of balls from now on.”
“That’s wonderful!” Jeanette said, her expression brightening again.
If Meltia attended more parties, it meant Jeanette would be able to see her in even more gorgeous gowns. While Jeanette couldn’t dance together with Meltia on account of them both being women, she could at least feast her eyes on the princess’s beauty from afar.
“I can’t wait to see what kind of dresses you’ll wear in the future, Your Highness! I’ll have to make sure I don’t miss any parties that you’ll be attending... Oh! Also, I’ve been meaning to ask: In addition to such events, would you like to try going outside a bit more?”
“Outside?”
“Yes. There’s so many things to do out there! You can have picnics, ride horses, or go sightseeing. Lady Christine told me that when she was younger, she and Duke Pablo tried milking cows and tending fields!”
“Milking cows? Tending fields? What are you talking about?” Meltia asked, taking a keen interest in Jeanette’s words. Once Jeanette explained, the other girl looked impressed. “Wow... Is that what happens out in the town? I’d like to see this creature you call a ‘cow’ for myself. And the fields too.”
“I’m sure you’d enjoy it! Lady Christine told me those were unforgettable memories for her.”
“Humph... I can’t believe my aunt did all that. It’s a bit shocking.”
“That’s because she’s a very cheerful, lighthearted person! But she’s also just and kind. She’s a wonderful woman. Maybe we could invite her and take a trip to a farm together?”
“All right,” Meltia agreed. “As usual, I’ll leave everything to you.”
“Okay!” Jeanette nodded eagerly. Going to a farm with those two will be so much fun!
Most noblewomen would’ve hated the idea. The fact that Meltia was gladly going along with it showed that she truly was from the same family as Christine.
“When it happens, I’ll invite you not as Dr. Jaquilla’s assistant, but just as myself—as Jeanette Roussel.”
“Yes... Invite me as yourself,” Meltia said, then paused to gaze fixedly at Jeanette. Jeanette had a feeling that recently, the princess had looked at her in this way more and more often—at the person that she was. “Hey, Jeanette...”
“What is it?”
“I want to go to many other places too. I want to see all those things you talk about being in the town. I want to go to cafés, eat those cakes you mentioned are popular lately, and...see the company that you work at.”
Jeanette’s eyes grew as wide as saucers. Her Highness has become interested in the outside world! Rather than summoning things to the palace, the princess wanted to go out and see them for herself. Without a doubt, this was a sign of her growth.
“Okay! Let’s visit all kinds of places! And I’d love for you to visit Matheson Trading! I’m sure all the employees would greet you warmly too. But...I can’t believe you’re actually curious about the outside world now, Your Highness. I’m glad I told you about so many things while we practiced karate.”
“Well, you just seemed so happy when you talked about all of it. Obviously I want to experience such things myself. Plus...you have very good taste.”
“Oh...?! Are you complimenting me?! Thank you so much!” Jeanette exclaimed with a broad grin.
The princess looked away with a huff. Her cheeks were a little flushed.
“So I expect you to help me with picking out my party dresses from here on out! I, uh... I’m not well-versed in what’s trendy, so it’d be embarrassing if I picked something outdated!”
“Of course I’ll help! In that case, next time I’ll bring a tailor with me. You’ll be able to tell them what kind of dress you’d like, and the tailor will have even more motivation to make the perfect outfit for you!”
That put Meltia in good humor.
“Very well. Also, there’s the matter of Lord Claus. Whenever I attend a party, I want him to escort me.”
“I’m afraid that won’t happen,” Jeanette replied, firmly rejecting the idea.
“Why?!” Meltia spluttered. She hadn’t expected to be denied, and she instantly became displeased.
“You see... I realized something during the ball last night.”
“Wh-What?”
“I sent him off to escort you for the evening without giving it a second thought, but when I actually saw you two together...I got extremely jealous!”
Meltia paused.
“Huuuh...?” she uttered at last, loud and confused.
“You’re both so beautiful, and when I saw you standing next to each other, it was as if I were looking at a prince and princess from a fairytale!”
“Th-Thanks...?”
“But that beauty is a sin in itself! You looked too good together, and that made my chest ache...! I know it’s impudent of me to compare myself to you, but despite how I look, I’m Lord Claus’s fiancée!”
“I know.”
“You’re beautiful, intelligent, and you’re our nation’s princess. And then there’s me—just a stumpy, insignificant baroness. It’s obvious you’re more suited to being Lord Claus’s partner than I...” the disheartened Jeanette lamented, her shoulders drooping. Her voice had grown so quiet that it panicked Meltia a little.
“W-Well... I wanted to say something like ‘See? Now do you understand how amazing I am?’ But I’d feel bad if you’re going to be this upset about it... Cheer up already,” she said, trying to make Jeanette feel better.
“That’s why, Your Highness, I’m begging you...” Jeanette said, looking into the princess’s eyes with sincerity. The girl must’ve known what was coming, for her shoulders stiffened. “Please return Lord Claus to me!”
“No!” Meltia yelled, looking aside.
“Your Highness!”
“I said no! I love him!”
“So do I. I... I’m in love with Lord Claus.” Jeanette tightly clasped Meltia’s hand. “I know you like him very much. But when it comes to him...I won’t hand him over to anyone, not even you.”
Meltia gasped, but said nothing. Then, she shook Jeanette off and started walking away without even looking at her.
“I’m so annoyed! Just go home for today!”
“Your Highness...”
Just like that, the princess stomped out of the room.
She’s angry with me... Jeanette thought in a fluster. I didn’t come here intending to say all that...
In reality, she had just wanted to use her merchant’s wiles to coax the princess to become more interested in the outside world. This had been her objective when she’d arrived at the palace today. She wanted Meltia to realize that there were other fun things in this world beyond Claus. Jeanette wasn’t sure if that’d make Meltia forget about Claus entirely, but going outside more would certainly broaden the princess’s horizons. Perhaps something would eventually change Meltia’s mind in the process, and she’d be willing to hear Jeanette and Claus out.
This had been the last resort Jeanette had come up with.
But people’s hearts are complicated... It was arrogant of me to think I could change Her Highness’s mind. After all, I can’t even rein in my own feelings properly...
Yet those words had spilled out of her mouth when Meltia mentioned she wanted Claus to escort her from now on. If only Jeanette had chosen her words more carefully and rejected the idea more gently...
The crestfallen Jeanette’s shoulders sank dejectedly.