It Seems That I’ve Slipped Into a Different World. Also, My Gender Has Changed - Chapter 131
“Seiren-samaa, it’s morning- please wake u-p~!”
“…Nn-. Ah-, morning…”
I opened my eyes at Oriza-san’s high voice that was filled with spirit. I wrapped myself in the futon, thinking if I should just go back to bed—but then I suddenly jumped up. Nah, I’m not in a situation where I can go back to sleep today, damn it. Or rather, I’ve slept well, huh?
“Good morning-. You’re up earlier than usual, is that okay?”
“Ah- yup, morning. It’s okay.”
“Good morning, Seiren-sama. I’ve brought the hot water.”
At the opposite side of Oriza-san who was smiling, Minoa-san appeared while bringing a bucket. Perhaps Alica-san was gathering the last baggage in the other room, or so I thought.
“Morning. How’s the preparation?”
“We’ve finished transporting the main baggage. All that’s left is just everyday necessities.”
“Wa-, we’ll have to say farewell to this maid uniform today, huh-?”
When I tried to ask while wiping my face, the answer given to me was a remark in a slightly high spirit. Well, that couldn’t be helped as well.
Today is my and Taiga-san’s wedding day. It’s the so-called formal occasion, so to be frank, I am quite nervous.
Even so, I will change my last name from Shiiya Seiren to Shikino Seiren.
In a sense, I could say that I’ve returned. After all, I was Shikino Seiren back then.[1. The Shikino Seiren in the previous sentence was written in katakana (or naming style of this world): シキノ・セイレン. Meanwhile, the one in this sentence refers to how she will go back to her old name in the other world—written in kanji: 四季野青蓮.]
I changed into a bright blue dress that was slightly longer than a negligee, then I left the room. During the ceremony, I might be too nervous to eat, so in a sense, it seemed to be the best choice to eat now. Nah, Kaa-san was also like this during her own wedding, after all.
The breakfast with all my family present had the menu of scrambled eggs and salad as usual. The freshly baked breads were more delicious than the usual.
As a dessert, a simple pudding was brought out, and the pudding contained caramel, so I was a bit happy because of it and ate it slowly. After that, when I was done with the meal, Tou-san cleared his throat and made a light cough.
“Ah-, Seiren.”
“Yes?”
Then, I corrected my posture. I mean, I understand that Tou-san is also nervous. Not only Tou-san, but Kaa-san and Saryuu too, and the servants who are lining up as well.
“Thank you for being my daughter until today. No, from now on, you’re still my and Maya’s daughter.”
“That’s right. No matter when, even when you were in a different world, Seiren is still our daughter.”
Kaa-san, Tou-san was just too nervous that he couldn’t speak that well, I thought. Nah well, this couple has always been like this, though.
Suddenly, Kaa-san narrowed her eyes. She looked at me unblinkingly, and then she took a deep breath.
“Really, you’ve grown up so much like this. Despite the fact that we couldn’t really raise you ourselves.”
“That’s right. Still, I think that I’m glad we could spend the time together as parents and child, even if it was just for a year.”
“Me too, I’m glad that I managed to build a good sibling relationship with Nee-sama.”
Kaa-san, Tou-san, Saryuu.
It was only a short one year, but there were lots of things, and it was fun for me.
In this world, I have my parents, a younger brother, and everyone else.
I think I’m glad to be able to return home. Of course, I will never forget the orphanage director who raised me in the other world.
“Ah, uhm…”
Not good, not good, it’s not good for me to just think about it without conveying it. I have to properly speak up my mind.
“Tou-san, Kaa-san, Saryuu. And then, to all the servants. Thank you very much for looking after me.”
To be honest, my mind couldn’t really organize what I had to say. Even now, it was as if my mouth moved on its own.
“One year ago, I had lived without knowing anything about myself, and then I was taught a lot of things ever since I returned to this house. It was all thanks to everyone.”
But even so, it is true that I want to express my gratitude, and perhaps there won’t be any more chance for me to express it like this, so I have to try my best.
“I will leave this house today, but it is no mistake that I am Seiren who was born in this Shiiya residence. Therefore, I’m thinking of coming back here if there is a chance to do so. Of course, together with Taiga-san.”
Then, uhm, that-, as expected, if we have children, Tou-san and Kaa-san will be Ojii-chan and Obaa-chan.[2. Ojii-chan means Grandpa and Obaa-chan means Grandma.] I want them to see each other, right?
“That’s why, for now, thanks for everything up until today.”
F-for the time being, I bowed my head deep-ly. Somehow, I felt like my eyes were wet, but perhaps it was only my imagination. Perhaps… Surely… Absolutely.
Just like that, I returned to my room and changed my clothes again. Nah, I would be wearing the wedding dress and go to Taiga-san’s place from here, with a carriage that was specially prepared for the wedding ceremony. Tou-san and the others would come along in another carriage together, making their appearances at the wedding ceremony and stayed over for the night, coming back here tomorrow.
Yup, that was why it was a bit strange how I expressed my thanks right after the breakfast while crying, but apparently, we would have no chance to have this talk during the ceremony. Therefore, I properly expressed it before then.
During the meal, Ryuuka-san came to my room, arranging the preparations for the dress and accessories. The three maids who were following me also helped her, and I changed my clothes into the pure white dress. Ooh, it fit to my whole body and it seemed to be quite comfortable.
“It really suits you, Miss Seiren.”
“Haha, thank you very much. I’m quite nervous.”
“That is something that can’t really be helped. Miss will become Madame, and it’s your big moment.”
“Yeah, that is true.”
When Ryuuka-san put it like that, I realized that it was thecase. Up until now, I was the Shiiya family’s Miss, but from today onward, I would become the Shikino family’s Madame.
Then, I tried to print the figure of myself who was in front of the big mirror into my mind. There was no photo in this world, so if I didn’t look at myself carefully in the mirror like this, afterwards I could only see this figure of myself in the commemoration picture that I would receive later, it seemed.
The bluish white fabric had flower patterns that could be seen in the areas that were exposed to the light. Since it was a shoulderless design, I was worried that it might fall down, but as a matter of fact, there was a strap made of silver thread, so it would be fine even if I were to move around. Ah, in exchange for the sleeves, I wore the long gloves that almost reached my upper arm. Again, I didn’t need to worry that they would fall down as they stuck so perfectly on my arms.
The long dress’ shirttail had multiple folds of laces. It felt so fluffy, just the type that Kaa-san liked. Nah, I also liked this, though.
Then, Ryuuka-san’s veil was attached to Coda-san’s tiara. It wasn’t that long, but the pattern was so elaborate as if to make up for it. No matter how I looked at it, this seemed to be Cheria’s flower pattern. It was hand-knitted and was amazingly detailed.
On my neck, there were the tough necklace that Coda-san made, and below that was the amulet pendant that I always wear. Of course, the baby ring that Kaa-san gave to me as a present just right after I was born and the ring that was said to be my 18th birthday present were also hanging down there.
“Ah. If there’s anything, please don’t hesitate to ask for assistance. It can be quite hard for you, especially the part with lots of clothes.”
“I-I will be careful.”
Yup, that is certainly important, though, Ryuuka-san. …But well, I guess I was just too nervous.
After we were done, a knock to the door could be heard. The figure that appeared after Alica-san opened the door was Yuzuruha-san whose posture was strangely good despite him being nervous as expected. I see, this would be the last time we got to spend time like this, huh?
“The carriage to pick you up has arrived.”
“Yes. …Yuzuruha-san, really, thank you very much.”
“Don’t mention it. …It is my honour just to be able to say so.”
After bowing deeply, Yuzuruha-san held my hand. It seemed that he would be escorting me like this until we reached the entrance door. The servants would remain in the mansion, serving a feast to the fief population who came to see me off. Well, this was also considered as a festival. The God of Sun here loves liveliness, after all.
The carriage that arrived before the entrance was bigger than the normal carriage, as expected of a carriage that would transport people in their wedding dress. Normally, 6 to 7 people could ride in this carriage altogether. Furthermore, it was really lovely with white and silver color.
The carriage was white, and the horse was also white. The coachman was wearing white garments as expected, and it gave off the vibe of a naval uniform. Among all of this whiteness, the red hair under the white hat was slightly more vivid… Nn, red hair?
“I came to pick you up, Seiren-sama.”
“…Hmm-?”
Just as I thought, “Just whe-re ha-ve I heard this vo-i-ce?”, the coachman winked at me from under the hat. Aah, could it be…
“Ciao. It’s good that you seem to be well. I will escort you until you’ve arrived safe and sound by Taiga-chan’s side, so be rest assured.”
The uniformed coachman, or this country’s first prince then calmly smiled. What the heck are you doing here?!
If it’s like this, the hell with my nervousness, good grief!