The Sword and The Dress - V3C3 PART1

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Translator: iveyra | Editor: Ms. Sheepn
Time went by quickly even in the midst of a regular and busy daily routine. When I woke up in the morning, I gave Captain Jullius a morning kiss and decided to wait in bed until the captain got up. Then, I went to the Special Task Squad to see him off as well as having breakfast there before going back home. After that, I was pestered by Sieg until I had my lunch, then I was tormented by the Saintess until the sun went down. When Captain Jullius returned home, we ate dinner together and I had free time before going to bed. This fixed daily routine lasted for several days.

And finally, the day of Lady Kidea’s banquet was drawing near. I don’t want to go.

“Please tilt your head a little to the left. Yes, like that.”

The middle-aged Madam, who is a famous makeup artist, smiled and used a makeup brush to put makeup on my face. There were some people who specialized in makeup. In addition, there were also some people who specialized in taking care of someone’s hair, nails, skin, etc. I knew there were many young ladies who care about their appearance, but I think this was much more intense than I thought.

Like that, I entrusted my body into someone’s else hands for half a day and only then I finished dressing up. Although the banquet took place at dusk, I was wondering why we started getting ready so early like this, but turns out it wasn’t early…. Still, the result is…

“Miss! You are really, really beautiful!”

“… Hmm.”

As Sofia was making a fuss, I stood in front of the full-length mirror and a young lady’s figure that was two times more beautiful than usual, was reflected inside. Indeed, it’s worth spending the time and money.

“It would be nice if I could also attend the banquet together with Captain Jullius.”

I want to show him this reflection and say ‘Tada!’. Though, it doesn’t mean he will notice my changed appearance. Actually, if it’s the Captain, I’m sure he would recognize me from my movements even if I hid my figure by wearing a full mask, heightened my shoes using insoles, and had a big smile. Let’s try it next time.

“Okay, Miss. Let’s leave now.”

Sofia said with a grin on her face. I’m the one who dressed up, but she’s more excited.

“Slowly, please walk carefully. At least until you arrive at the banquet hall, you have to keep this appearance.”

“Don’t worry. It’s all good as long as I don’t run.”

“You also have to be careful when you get in the carriage. Would you like a neck cushion? If you put your head against the back of the chair, your hair will get disheveled.”

“…. All right.”

“There’s also a back cushion here. There’s even a footrest too.”

“You might as well ask me to completely stand up on the way there.”

“Actually, that would be the best, but you can’t do that.”

Even the noble ladies are living a hard life. As expected, I can’t marry a typical nobleman. If I’m with Captain Jullius, even if I run around in my nightdress with my hair down, forget nagging, he’ll even run along with me by my side. It must be nice.

Under Sofia’s meddling, I went outside and a gorgeous carriage led by six white horses was waiting there. That crest on the side of the carriage was likely to be Count Epheria’s family insignia. If others look at the carriage, they might think that it looks like someone from a duke’s family is inside. It is, in fact, not too much of a stretch as the person I’m riding with, is a prince.

“You’re here, Miss.”

Siegfred, who was standing next to the carriage, came and greeted me respectfully making him look very much like a butler. Sofia was staring with an oddly moved expression on her face, but in my eyes, he’s a watchman, nothing more, nothing less. I guess today I’m going to say ‘those grapes are sour grapes’ for sure. This is my first time attending Lady Kidea’s banquet though! Even the food served at each banquet is also slightly different. Moreover, she’s even someone from a duke’s family. It can’t be said that it’s a foreign country due to its relationship with the Empire, but since it’s from a far away region, there is a good chance of presenting unfamiliar dishes! Damn it, what a shame.n
Sieg skillfully assisted and helped me to get into the carriage. He wouldn’t have escorted many women during his stay in the Church, but he seemed experienced.

“I’ve said it many times, but all Miss has to do is smile as gracefully as possible.”

Butler Sieg said this after I had sat in the carriage and he sat across from me.

“Do you think I’m some kind of doll?”

“It’s all for Miss’ own sake. Especially, don’t mingle with the women.”

“You used to tell me to be careful of men in the past.”

“Ladies generally look favorably upon handsome men. On the other hand, there are plenty of unrelenting cases for a beautiful woman who looks like an easy target.”

“Do I look easy?”

“The countryside Count family’s heir who just lost her parents. You look like a well cooled-down apple pie with no owner, that is just waiting to be eaten.”

Hearing his words makes me hungry. Apple pie is delicious.

“Maybe there are some men who will try to seduce Miss, but I believe you won’t be fooled by them so it’s fine.”

“If there’s a man who’s more handsome than me, I might be charmed by him.”

“There’s none.”

Butler Sieg said firmly. Actually, I think so too. I used to be known as an extremly handsome man.

As befitted its seemingly expensive exterior, the carriage ran smoothly down the road heading to the Imperial Palace. It wasn’t far from the Imperial Palace, so we arrived shortly. We got through a brief inspection in the middle, and then as we reached the location where the banquet took place, I could see numerous carriages lined up in rows. Lady Kidea’s banquet even has a large number of guests as many as the First Princess Aranea’s banquet.

“I heard Lady Kidea is the most beautiful woman in the Imperial Court. What do you think?”

Talking from the perspective of an older brother. Butler Sieg, who was escorting me, sighed briefly.

“I want you to remain silent.”

“You can’t prohibit me from talking.”

“I don’t allow you to talk because you talk in such a manner. Contrary to the past, it’s not how it used to be.”

He could have said it nicely. But I wasn’t that reliable, so I kept my mouth shut and moved on. Habits are scary because I don’t know when and where I’ll abruptly speak like a man.

The spacious banquet hall was already crowded with people. Apparently, Lady Kidea has not arrived yet. The host of the banquet was usually the first or the last to appear. I felt a few eyes were looking in our direction, but no one expressed much interest. As a matter of fact, the young lady of Count Epheria’s household was unknown in high society. It just so happened that I attended some banquets hosted by the most famous ladies in the Imperial Court one after another, but the truth is that I’m a newbie who hasn’t even made a proper debut yet. If a lady wants to make her official debut in high society, she has to personally host a banquet… Can’t I just live like this and not do it? For reference, men need to ask a noble lady with whom they are close or have a personal connection to host their debut banquet. Although I was also a woman in the past, I was the captain of the Holy Knight Squad, so the former saintess, Her Majesty the Empress, was in charge of hosting my debut banquet.

“Apart from me, I think there’s no one who recognizes you as a prince, right?”

Butler Sieg shrugged his shoulders as he whispered in a small voice so that no one could hear him.

“The only people who know my identity in this banquet hall are my sister and Prime Minister Mord. It looks like neither of them has arrived yet.”

“Then, can’t we eat something in the meantime?”

There are some unfamiliar refreshments on that table over there. I don’t wish to eat a lot, I only want to take a bite of each. Looking at my desperate eyes, Sieg helplessly said.

“It seems dangerous to let milady get close to the table, so I’ll get you the right amount.”n
“There’s no need to say that it’s dangerous.”

“Please sit on that couch over there. If by any chance there is a man who recognizes and approaches you, ignore him with a detached smile.”

“Okay.”

I’m confident in having a smiling face while thinking of something else. I passed through the crowd and sat on the couch that was placed in front of the wall. There were eyes that shot me a sideways glance, but there wasn’t even anyone who came up and talked to me. In the past, I wouldn’t be afraid of entering the banquet hall and I would even be surrounded by five or six young ladies.

This current body is also quite beautiful, but there is no man approaching me.

Even if there’s someone approaching me, I’ll have to refuse him, but still. Ortzen said I was popular even though it was because of my title and money, but doesn’t anyone recognize my face? At that time, a familiar looking girl caught my eyes. It was Roanne Epheria, a beautiful girl with gorgeous blonde hair hanging down on her back. She had a haughty look as she linked her arm with a man who seemed to be in his late twenties. She’s also here. I was wondering if I should warn her that she would pay dearly if she were to be pointlessly greedy or not, but then she found me and her big purple eyes opened even wider. Roanne dragged the man next to her and strode towards me.

“Oh my! Older sister Silla.”

“Oh, it’s been a while. How have you been?”

I didn’t stand up and remained seated as I greeted her half-heartedly, and Roanne slightly pouted her lips.

“Older sister is indeed the one who seems very comfortable after you made your family look like that.”

It’s not me, but your mother’s doing. I wanted to refute it, but I needed to be careful of what I say, so I just stayed silent. Don’t mess with me here; it would be good if you stay still, else you will be crushed properly later on. In the past, there was only Ortzen, but now there’s a scary prince in the boat. However, Roanne was unwilling to back off.

“This person here is my fiancé, Marquis Stevel’s second son, Sir Krail Stevel.”

I wondered where in the County had he entrusted her to to be taken care of, but I see that she has moved into a Marquis’ residence. The guy named Krail cleared his throat then looked down at me.

“Nice to meet you, Lady Silla Epheria. I’m the second son of Marquis Stevel, Krail Stevel.”

I heard that. Why did you repeat it like a parrot? At his respectful attitude, a look of embarrassment crossed Roanne’s face. Well, actually, if he’s aiming for the Count Epheria title, that would make me more tempting than Roanne. Because Roanne’s legitimacy to inherit the title is low. Legally, she’s second in line of succession, but in lineage, she’s not included. Therefore, if she were to take possession of the Count Epheria title, chances were high that she would be strongly opposed by the branch families. Whereas, I’m the first in both lineage and legitimacy.

“… Why aren’t you answering?”

As I followed Butler Sieg’s advice to keep my mouth shut, Roanne raised her voice sharply. What do you want me to do? Do you want me to open my mouth to hit on your fiancé? I also have a fiancé, you know? My cute fiancé is much stronger and more powerful than the simpleton next to you.

“Older sister!”

“… Noisy.”nn
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