Since When Did You Have The Illusion That You Don’t Have Magical Powers?! - CH 26

Characters in this chapter:

Sapphiras Perfectio, 2nd son of the Earl of Aldridge

Percival Belisario, 3rd son of Margrave of Vanderwall on the Eastern Frontier

Aurora Steinfeld, daughter of the Duke of Bloomfield

Alexis Lumen Solmontana, the Second Prince

Herrera Stiard, daughter of the Marquess of Fargerson

Right now, Aurora and I are on our way to the royal palace in a carriage.

Since my visit to the Duke’s house the day after we returned from Natura, we’ve been carefully preparing for this day. However, it was mainly me who needed to prepare.

Naturally, today’s soiree had been planned long in advance. However, Aurora was not given a dress by her supposed fiancé, the Second Prince, nor had he offered to be her escort. At this point, I knew that he would quietly ignore Aurora on the day. Just when I thought that would be fine, the fake holy magician fiasco broke out.

In the first place, the betrothal to the Second Prince was requested by the royal family. From my point of view, it was a very disproportionate engagement, so it would have been nothing short of unwillingness for His Excellency the Duke. The second prince, who couldn’t understand such a thing and behaved arrogantly, was getting sick of her. Aurora herself is said to have completely no feelings towards the second prince. It’s only natural, isn’t it?

For the Duke, who had been thinking that it was about time to clean up the engagement, the current uproar is a good opportunity. However, considering the way they have been treated, the Duke and I agreed that it would be uninteresting to simply call off the engagement, and I personally wanted to make the prince say ‘gyafun1’.

I had no choice but to give the prince, who was so conceited, a good whip of discipline.

But there’s not much time left until the soiree. That’s when my intense special training to escort women began.

After school, it was at the duke’s house, and at the academy, Percival showed me the ropes. By the way, I skipped the dancing. Everyone agreed that if the Second Prince was going to make a fuss, it would be before the dance started. I see, so he wants to dance the first dance with the woman he fell in love with.

Normally, I would have said I couldn’t do such an aristocratic thing, but I was more excited than ever as I was determined to overthrow the second prince.

And so, we welcomed today’s soiree.

The white outfit I’m wearing today was once again prepared by the Duke’s house. There wasn’t enough time to make it from scratch, so they modified a ready-made product again this time, but as always, it is a piece of clothing that makes me want to ask, ‘How much gold is it?’ The seamstress also had to rush to make alterations, and I said that I can wear the costume I wore at the tea party the other day without doing such an unreasonable thing, but it seems that it is not allowed in the ducal family. This time in particular, unlike the tea party held in the garden of his own mansion, the soiree was held at the royal castle. As a ducal house, I apparently could not be allowed to attend in half-hearted attire.

And Aurora, sitting in front of me, is as beautiful as a goddess. Her mauve-pink silk dress with delicate lace embroidery around the bust suits her slender figure. The subdued colour makes Aurora look more mature than her age, like a fairy queen. Certainly, no shallow man would be able to escort the beautifully dressed Aurora. When I think about it, it seems reasonable that the Second Prince, who is too shallow, would not escort Aurora. Perhaps he didn’t escort her because he was aware of his own inadequacies.

And I’m the same, who is aware of my inadequacies.

I think Percival would have been a better escort.

After all, I am a commoner at heart. No matter how much I trained, I don’t know when when my faults will be exposed.

And considering the glamour and height difference, I think Percival would have been a better fit for the role? I’m barely taller than Aurora, but that’s really only marginally so.

“If I had Percival escort me while I still have a fiancé, everyone would have a strange misunderstanding. On the other hand, Sapphiras-sama, you are clearly related to the Duke’s family, so there is no problem.

“Ah, I see.”

Certainly, at this soiree, we must let everyone know that there are no flaws on Aurora’s side. Even if it’s a little unreliable, I have to escort you huh?

“Fufufu, and everyone will be envious of me for being escorted by Sapphiras-sama, who is whispered to be the Spirit of Twilight.”

“Eh? Is, is it”

Don’t be embarrassed when that nickname is mentioned again.

We have a final meeting in the carriage. In the worst case scenario, for example when the Second Prince tries to harm Aurora, it was decided in advance that we would transfer back to the mansion.

When I asked to what extent I was allowed to use the whip when the Second Prince took action, I was basically told that I could do whatever I wanted.

The carriage arrived at the royal castle shortly afterwards, and the coachman opened the door. It was finally time to put into practice the best gentleman’s escort, which had been thoroughly drilled into me by the Duke’s retainer and Percival. The battle begins the moment we get out of this carriage. I quickly got out of the carriage and extend my hand to Aurora. Aurora relaxed slightly and took my hand.

As we gracefully make our way to the entrance, the name ‘House of the Duke of Bloomfield’ is called out in high spirits, and we enter the hall with Aurora. The gazes of the people attending the soiree were focused on us. The daughter of the Duke, who would normally be standing alongside the Second Prince, is being escorted by a boy from who-knows-where, so what’s going on? It is natural to wonder.

“Well, who is the gentleman next to Aurora-sama?”

“I’ve never seen him before.”

The noise of the ladies jumped into my ears. I look around casually as I escort Aurora. Most of the nobles have never heard of me, so they must be wondering.

And those who do know me whisper softly to the nobles around us with a slight air of superiority.

When we stop, people who knows Aurora well gather around. For now, I’m on a silent smiling mission. Most of the aristocratic conversation is lost on me.

“Aurora Steinfeld!”

When my cheeks are about to cramp from putting up a smile, A disproportionately loud voice resounded in the venue of the soiree. Hey, hey, are you forgoing the honourifics? You’re no gentleman. I frowned greatly, but Aurora didn’t change her expression at all. As expected, pointless.

The crowd suddenly split, and today’s protagonist finally appeared.

The Second Prince was naturally flanked by the Marquess of Fargerson. Behind them are the two candidates of close aides, No. 1 and No. 2.

This dim-witted Second Prince probably intends to declare her his official fiancée at today’s soiree. And in a way, that will embarrass the Dukes of Bloomfield.

But I will prevent such a plan.

“Your highness.”

Aurora curtseys with a refined gesture. I stood there next to her, expressionless. Naturally, I have no intention of lowering my head. I don’t think they can see me anyway.

The Second Prince stares at Aurora with the face of a hero who condemns evil. He is probably intoxicated by his own stage. I feel like I can’t stand to watch it, so please don’t do it. And I can’t take the triumphant look of the daughter of the Marquess of Fargerson. How is that a lady’s face?

“Aurora Steinfeld! You despicable person who plotted to win the position of Princess Consort by falsely claiming to be a holy magician! But you clearly aren’t a holy magician, it was revealed by the national treasure sceptre the other day! The true holy magician is this Herrera! Shame on you! I will not have a vicious woman like you as my Princess Consort! In the name of Alexis Lumen Solmontana, your betrothal is hereby annulled this very night!”

Really, you’re the one who should be ashamed of yourself. It’s not something you should be proudly shouting about at a soiree. I involuntarily look up at the gorgeous ceiling of the great hall. The paintings on the ceiling are magnificent. As expected of a royal castle.

Anyway, the stage is set. This is where the second act begins.

“With all due respect, Your Royal Highness the Second Prince Alexis. The fake holy magician is that young woman, isn’t it?”

I’m not very good at beating around the bush, so let me be clear. At this point, I don’t mind at all if he declares me disrespectful. Because His Excellency the Duke has told me I can do whatever I want.

“……Who the hell are you?”

The Second Prince’s gaze turns to me for the first time, and I bow my head formally.

“I am Sapphiras, currently attending the Royal Academy of Creare under the patronage of the Duke of Bloomfield. For some reason, I don’t have a family name.”

“Hmph, a mere academy student shouldn’t interrupt.  You may not know this, but while this woman calls herself a holy magician, she can’t even pray properly. To think that such a woman would call herself a holy magician and will become my consort. She really is a despicable woman.”

How dare he humiliate the woman to whom he is engaged to be married? This is beyond the point of being intolerable. The royal family must have told this foolish prince about the significance of the engagement, right?

The two potential aides behind him, No. 1 and No. 2, should also admonish him a little. This is no time to be nodding along.

It can’t be helped at all.

“Once upon a time, the Great Sage Urla!”

I strain my voice so that every corner of the hall can hear me. The Second Prince and the Marquess of Fargerson look perturbed by my sudden start, but I continue without caring.

“In order to protect the country, she gave prayers to the brave warriors who went to battle. However, a national treasure sceptre given to her by the king failed to unleash her true power. Disappointed, the Great Saintess Urla sought the Sceptre of Caeres Ais to release her true power……Now, who can prove that the national treasure in question is not the sceptre that had disappointed the Great Saintess?”

an onomatopoeia, imagine the ​​appearance of being overwhelmed and unable to say anything.