The Saintess's Night of Reflections and Tangerines
Suddenly, it hit me—what was the second meeting between the saintess and the crown princess like in lez mode? Thinking back, I clearly remembered that their second encounter hadn't been at the academy.
"Estelle, have you run into Her Highness the Crown Princess again since that first time you saw her?"
"Nope? How was I supposed to see someone who goes on about being the empire's moon or whatever? I figured we'd only meet at the entrance ceremony."
The slight sarcasm in her tone confirmed it was definitely Estelle. Anyway, in lez mode, the two of them were supposed to have met once more before heading to the academy. As I'd mentioned before, there had been a tea party at Maria County hosted by Lina von Maria's invitation, and that's where the two had reunited.
"Come to think of it, I heard there was a tea party at the Maria countess's estate not long ago. Did you happen to go?"
I brought up Maria County on purpose, just to test if she had any connection at all to Lina.
"Maria County? Where's that? If it was a tea party in the empire—your empire, Theo—and they invited me, the saintess of the Holy Empire, that'd be pretty weird. The peace treaty isn't even fully in effect yet, and inviting someone you've only glimpsed at a party, without even a proper introduction? Doesn't make sense."
She really seemed to have no clue at all.
"Yeah, you're right. Anyway, since Her Highness is coming tomorrow, I need to let my parents know and get things ready. Estelle, you go rest."
Mom had gladly offered up one of the spare rooms when I mentioned Estelle staying the night. It was a guest room kept spotless, and Estelle took a real liking to it. To me, it was just an old bed with clean sheets and an attached bathroom for guests—nothing special.
"Want me to help?"
"Nah, you're the guest. But if you get bored in the middle of the night, feel free to come wander around."
"Okay, got it. I'll head in then. Um, today..."
"Today?"
"Thanks, Theo."
I watched Estelle slip into her room after that cryptic thank-you, wondering what the heck that was about. What was she thanking me for? Shouldn't I be the one saying that, after learning how to handle mana today? For letting her crash? But I was planning to charge her properly for that. What a weird girl.
While I was telling my parents about Iris's visit and turning the whole house upside down with preparations, Estelle lay there staring blankly at the ceiling, lost in thought.
'Father, I want to live freely too.'
The voice echoing in her mind was her own from a time when she was still a little younger. It was a desperate cry, pleading with the Holy Emperor—the highest authority in the Holy Empire and her father.
'Once you're born as a saintess, as my daughter, that's not possible. If you crave freedom, then surpass your old man and take this seat. No one will be able to control you then.'
The free-spirited, rough-mouthed Estelle everyone knew now—the one who had to speak her mind or burst—was a mask she'd crafted to cope with her lost freedom. Without it, she'd go mad from the suffocation, lose any reason to keep going.
"Theo..."
But today felt different. The man she'd met by sneaking out of the church at Duncan's sudden summons had this strangely comforting presence. At first, she'd pegged him as just some clueless idiot who didn't even know his own talent. Yet the more they talked, the more his way of seeing her—truly her—eased the tightness in her chest, let her heart beat a little freer.
"...I'll probably get an earful when I get back."
Before coming to her room, she'd joked about Iris scolding her, but Iris had no right to. More likely, it'd be a warm welcome with a request to give advance notice next time—something peaceful like that. What really worried her was returning to the Holy Empire and facing her father's wrath.
"This is weird."
But tonight, even that worry felt smaller. So what if I get scolded? It was the kind of defiant thought only the real Estelle could have.
"...All thanks to him."
The fear of reprimand was slowly being overwritten by her feelings for Theo.
"I wish we could go to the academy together."
That unanswered question from earlier kept floating in the air. Somehow, the conversation had veered off, leaving her regrets piling up inside: wanting to call him Theo casually, thinking it'd make getting closer to the crown princess at the academy feel more natural.
"......Haa, please."
But it all felt like she was just using him for her own comfort. Meeting the crown princess tomorrow would be a huge burden for empire folk. Her staying here had already put everyone on edge.
'Should I just go meet her now?'
She didn't know the hotel, but a quick scan of the guards in the central district would lead her right to it.
'No, no. They're working so hard on preparations. Better to help with that.'
She could fly off, meet Iris, and send her packing—but from an imperial subject's view, the visit was burdensome yet honorable. And with the whole place buzzing already, popping in to say "I met her, so Her Highness isn't coming~" would deflate everyone.
Dr-r-r-r—
"Oh my, Estelle dear. Still up? We must've been too noisy. Sorry about that."
"Ah, no, it's fine. I stay up late anyway. But ma'am, is there anything I can help with?"
Estelle was actually pretty good at cleaning, laundry—even cooking. Not by her own skill, but her mana handled it all flawlessly. She just directed it well.
"See? Cleaning like this finishes it in a flash."
Even without permission, she'd use mana to blitz through the cleaning and dishes, and Mom's eyes would sparkle like stars.
"Goodness, the saintess is amazing at cleaning too!"
"Aw, it's nothing. Just give me anything! I can handle cleaning, laundry, cooking, sewing—basically all the housework!"
"Oh? You do that yourself even in the Holy Empire?"
No, she didn't. There, she couldn't even if she wanted. Once as a kid, she'd helped a maid with something fun and effortless, only for the Holy Emperor to learn of it, put the maid through hell, and exile her. After that, Estelle never lifted a finger to help the maids.
"No, they have maids for everything there. But here, I want to try! I want to help you out, ma'am."
Estelle grabbed Mom's arm, nuzzling it like a puppy with a cutesy whine.
"Oh dear, aren't you just precious, Estelle? Hmm, what to give you... Housework's mostly done. Ah, Theo's out at the greenhouse picking tangerines right now. Could you help him with that?"
Thump! Working with Theo. For her—who'd manufacture excuses just to be near him—it was a godsend.
"Yes! I'll help a ton!"
"Good girl, hehe. Thanks."
Mom watched Estelle dash off to the greenhouse with a deeply satisfied smile.
"Uh, Estelle? What brings you here?"
Theo, meticulously plucking tangerines one by one in the greenhouse, spotted someone approaching from afar. Seeing it was Estelle, he asked in a slightly flustered voice.
"Ah, came to help. Y'know how good I am with magic? I helped your mom with cleaning, and when I asked if there was more, she sent me here..."
It was a jumbled mess of words, but Theo got the gist and nodded.
"Hmm, Mom's even roping guests into labor. Guess I won't get that room fee tomorrow after all."
Estelle burst out laughing at Theo's half-lidded, mock-regretful expression.
"Pfft, what? No way you're charging room fees. Helping's separate."
"Hey, then I owe you mana lesson fees—and that's way pricier. Let's call it even."
"Huh? Then I'm losing out!"
As Estelle shot him a playful glare, Theo grinned mischievously and changed the subject.
"Whoa, this tangerine's fresh! Wanna try one?"
"Master-level subject change, Theo."
"Haha, that obvious? Anyway, looks super sweet. Give it a taste."
The tangerine Theo handed her gleamed with freshness, almost sparkling.
"...Okay, thanks. I'll dig in."
As Estelle took it, a strange feeling washed over her—like she'd received a piece of Theo's heart along with it.