Chapter 94
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: 24. Events in the Capital
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That evening.
After finishing her last class on Friday, Ivela skipped dinner and returned to her dormitory.
She had something important to take care of.
"Phew, tomorrow's finally here."
Tomorrow was the day she would head out alone with Ullan.
It was just spending one day together, but she couldn't understand why her heart was pounding like this.
No, correction. She knew exactly why.
This was anticipation. She had been counting down the days for a moment like tomorrow.
"Alright."
A bright smile spread across her face.
Then Ivela clenched her fist tightly.
There was a lot to prepare in various ways to make tomorrow a perfect day.
How much time passed like that?
By the time the sunset sky had turned pitch black, her basic preparations were finally complete.
"Hmm, this should be good enough for now."
The clothes she would wear tomorrow, her bag, her shoes.
And even a notebook packed with the day's schedule. As she rummaged through her things one last time to check if she'd forgotten anything...
"Huh?"
Something fluttered down.
A crumpled piece of paper.
What was this? A receipt?
With that thought, she picked up the paper. Then Ivela's eyes widened.
"...Ah."
It was a familiar item.
A gift enclosed with the letter her father, Count Deorg, had sent to Ullan.
A voucher for a suite at the Imperial Capital Hotel.
She had said she would dispose of it, but apparently forgot. Of course, even if she hadn't disposed of it, nothing would change. She could just tear it up.
"...".
But Ivela hesitated.
A suite voucher at a hotel right in the heart of the bustling imperial capital would surely cost a fortune.
Of course, that wasn't the only reason.
She gazed at the voucher with eyes full of contemplation. After a while—not a short time—she finally made a decision.
"Ahem! W-Well, just in case..."
She wouldn't dispose of it right away.
She might need it someday.
She let out an unnecessary cough and stowed the voucher away with flushed cheeks.
At that moment.
Knock knock!
Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.
Ivela jumped in surprise.
Like a child caught doing something behind their parents' backs. She hurriedly stuffed the voucher into her bag and turned toward the door.
"W-Who's there?!"
"It's me, Noa."
Ah, right. They had planned to meet today.
Only then did Ivela remember her promise with Noa from earlier. Moments later, when Noa entered the room, she asked with a puzzled look.
"But you're later than I expected."
The original appointment was 6 p.m.
But now it was almost 8 p.m.
Meanwhile, at Ivela's words, Noa made a subtle expression and let out a groan.
"Ugh, I was locked in the student guidance office."
"Huh? Suddenly?"
"Sigh, it's a long story."
She let out successive sighs.
Then Noa shook her head.
As if trying to shake off bad thoughts.
"Anyway, let's get started."
The reason she came here today.
To give advice for tomorrow's date. More precisely, Ivela had asked Noa for help.
'Even just from the character story...'
From childhood until now, Ivela had never spent time alone with the opposite sex.
She naturally had no dating experience either.
So she must have asked Noa for help.
'The problem is, I'm the same.'
Noa had no dating experience either. But there was a fundamental difference between her and Ivela.
Because when Noa lived as a refugee, she had enjoyed romance books, dramas, and movies every day.
'In other words, I can give simple advice.'
Like what clothes to wear or reviewing the date schedule.
Above all, Ivela was the first friend Noa had made since enrolling at the academy. So she wanted to help as much as possible.
Ending her brief contemplation.
Noa sat on the sofa and opened her mouth.
"First, show me the clothes you'll wear tomorrow."
"I already prepared them. Here's a T-shirt and..."
"No, put them on."
"Huh? Here?"
"That's the only way to be sure."
Just looking at clothes wasn't enough.
Different clothes suit different people. Of course, with Ivela's great figure, anything would look good on her.
"Um, I put it on."
At that moment, Noa's thoughts were interrupted.
Ivela approached hesitantly. Soon, her appearance came into Noa's view.
Ivela's outfit was simple.
A white T-shirt, jeans, a pure white hat, and sneakers—that was it. Noa narrowed her eyes and said.
"Fail."
"Wh-Why?"
"Too plain."
Of course, if just considering if it suited her, it passed.
As mentioned briefly earlier, Ivela had an amazing body. But for a first date, it was too ordinary.
"Isn't plain good?"
"No, tomorrow's your first date. And you're going in just a T-shirt and jeans?"
At Noa's scolding, Ivela bowed her head.
Not out of shame. The word "date" suddenly made her face heat up.
While she fiddled with her reddened ears, Noa spoke again.
"Don't you have other clothes?"
She couldn't have just these.
At Noa's question, Ivela hesitated before answering in a small voice.
"Actually, there are clothes from my family, but..."
"But?"
"They don't seem to suit me."
"I'll be the judge of that. Put them on."
"Okay, wait a sec."
Ivela grabbed the clothes and headed to the bathroom.
But this time, it took quite a while.
While waiting patiently. Finally, Ivela's voice came.
"...All done."
A tiny, creeping voice.
At the same time, Noa turned her gaze. And immediately widened her eyes.
"...!"
It was warranted.
Ivela had put on an off-shoulder dress that boldly exposed her shoulders.
An uncommon outfit around here.
While staring blankly at Ivela.
"Say something."
She said, covering her shoulders.
Noa snapped out of it and immediately gave a thumbs up without hesitation.
"...Pass."
"Really?"
"Yeah, this is perfect. Absolutely."
No, nothing else would do.
The white T and jeans suited her well too, but they couldn't beat this dress.
On the other hand, unlike Noa's rave reviews, Ivela looked dissatisfied.
"But it doesn't suit me?"
"What? Why do you think that?"
"Well, I don't have much muscle and..."
"That's why it suits you."
The proof was how perfectly she pulled off the off-shoulder dress. Despite Noa's denial, Ivela kept listing her flaws.
"And my shoulders are a bit broad."
"It's fine. No one will think your shoulders are broad walking next to Ullan."
"Ah..."
That was true.
Just matching steps with Ullan would make her look petite by comparison. As she nodded in agreement with Noa's words.
"Hmm, this is perfect as is, but do you have any accessories? Like bracelets or earrings."
"Oh, I think my family sent some."
"Bring them quick."
At the repeated urging, Ivela brought the entire jewelry box.
Noa picked out a matching bracelet and earrings for her outfit, then even let down her usually tied-up hair.
And the result.
A satisfied exclamation burst out.
"Perfect."
"Really?"
"Yes. Ullan will be stunned. I guarantee it."
She could swear on it.
The current Ivela could stand toe-to-toe with the party's top beauty, the bard.
"Clothes are set. Next, the schedule?"
"I wrote the schedule here."
Taking the notebook from Ivela.
Noa quickly scanned the plans.
First, 8 a.m.
Take the reserved carriage from the academy's main gate to the southern district of the Ruben Empire's capital.
'It takes about two hours to the capital.'
So arrival around 10 a.m.
Then a light meal, followed by a theater visit.
"Theater?"
"Yeah. I bought tickets in advance."
"What's it about?"
"A forbidden love story between a noble family's daughter and a barbarian warrior from the frontier."
"...".
Way too on the nose.
Noa narrowed her eyes.
Still, not bad. Ullan was oblivious to subtleties in every way, so this would get the point across to him.
'Next...'
Mostly typical date activities came to mind.
A packed schedule.
But one odd part.
"Why is there a one-hour gap here?"
Looking at Ivela's schedule, there was an empty hour between 3 and 4 p.m.
Had she not planned it?
As she thought that, an answer came.
"Ah, that's..."
She lowered her voice and whispered softly.
Only loud enough for Noa to hear.
"Ah, if that's the reason, no helping it."
Moments later, after the explanation, Noa nodded in understanding. It was a perfectly reasonable excuse.
"Any parts to revise?"
"Hmm, my opinion is..."
Some schedules needed tweaking. So Noa started editing the plan right away, and Ivela listened intently with a serious face.
Thus, the night deepened.
The next morning.
Ullan woke up early as usual.
A Saturday with no classes. Normally, he'd run through the forest for stamina training, but today was an exception.
He had a promise with Ivela.
So after a simple bodyweight workout.
He showered and turned his body.
To head to the main gate meeting spot.
But then, the white wolf crouching by the window suddenly toddled after him. As if planning to follow Ullan.
"You want to come too?"
[Grrr!]
The white wolf nodded affirmatively.
No idea what wind blew this way, but Ullan didn't mind.
"Fine, do as you like."
It would stay in the shadow anyway.
And sure enough?
As soon as he left the room, the white wolf melted into the shadow. Leaving the dormitory, Ullan walked into the fresh breeze.
A while later.
The main gate came into view in the distance.
It was fairly early, but a few students were around the gate. Probably heading out like Ullan.
Passing them by.
Ullan stood firmly before the main gate.
"Ivela hasn't arrived yet."
Current time: 7:50 a.m.
Still ten minutes left, so he planned to wait patiently. But then, suddenly someone approached.
"Hey, why'd you just pass by?"
A girl poking his side with a sullen face.
A familiar voice. Ivela's.
She wasn't visible until just now—where did she come from? As he turned with the question.
"...Ivela?"
For a moment, Ullan's eyes widened.
The girl before him was one of the students around the gate earlier. He just hadn't recognized her because of her different outfit from usual.
Her hair naturally down.
Her skin whiter than usual.
And the off-shoulder dress exposing her shoulders.
In all his past and present lives, this was the first time he'd seen Ivela in such clothes.
"Wh-What are you staring at?"
Perhaps stared too intently?
Ivela shyly bowed her head.
With an embarrassed expression. While she twirled her hair with her finger.
Ullan's reply came.
"I didn't recognize you because you're different from usual."
"R-Really?"
Ivela's complexion brightened a bit.
The dress she wore today was chosen with Noa to give a "different from usual" vibe.
Mission accomplished.
Ivela let out a short cough.
"Ahem! How's it look? Decent?"
She spun around and glanced at Ullan.
As if wanting his honest opinion.
Meanwhile, Ullan wasn't one to hide what he saw. He answered without hesitation.
"Very beautiful."
"...! B-Beau?"
"Yes. Makes me keep looking."
A completely honest answer, no lies.
After speaking, Ullan proved it by not taking his eyes off Ivela.
His eyes burning like flames.
Ivela looked away first.
"H-How long are you gonna stare?"
"Why ask?"
"It's embarrassing."
"I'm fine."
"...I'm embarrassed."
Blushing, Ivela pushed Ullan away with both hands. As if telling him to stop.
Just then, the reserved carriage arrived.
Creeeak!
Moments later, the carriage door opened wide.
But Ivela hesitated to board. The reserved carriage was taller than others.
"Need help?"
Did he notice?
Ullan spoke up.
It was what she secretly hoped for, so Ivela smiled brightly. She cautiously extended her hand.
"Yeah. Thanks..."
But she couldn't finish the thanks.
She expected him to take her hand, but Ullan lifted her up into his arms.
"...!?"
Ivela panicked at the sudden action.
Meanwhile, Ullan calmly carried her into the carriage. The coachman on the seat burst into laughter.
"Haha, your boyfriend's quite bold."
"N-No, it's not..."
She tried to speak but stumbled over her words.
So with her face red, she bowed her head. Soon the coachman's voice came.
"Alright, we're off."
The carriage jolted into motion.
Carrying the two, it sped down the straight road.
Meanwhile, at that time.
In the Ruben Empire's imperial palace.
As the warm sunlight bathed the streets, a group emerged outside.
Six men and women in pure white robes covering their faces and bodies. Notably, they formed a formation centered around one person.
Like escorting an important figure.
Along the way, two at the rear approached cautiously.
"You could have sent us for this."
"There's no need for Your Highness to come out personally..."
Somehow awkward and flustered tones.
They addressed the slender girl at the group's center.
At that moment.
"It's fine."
The girl called Your Highness turned to them. Her snow-white hair peeked from the hood, and her red eyes sparkled.
"I wanted to come out today."
The girl's identity was the empire's seventh princess.
Pertisha Eve al Ruben.
The reason this noble-blooded girl left the palace today was to buy supplies needed for her transfer.
"I want to pick out my own things."
Two months and a half from now.
She was scheduled to transfer to Arsen Academy. So she was buying various items for then in advance.
"But still..."
"Brother approved it too."
Right after Pertisha's reply.
The attendants finally closed their mouths. They had to. Her brother was none other than the first prince, Shartlan.
Shartlan Monic al Ruben.
The eye of the storm in the imperial family, touted as the next emperor. And Pertisha was his most cherished little sister.
"Come on, let's go."
Pertisha turned with a bright smile.
But she barely took a few steps before stopping. The person closest to her had grabbed her wrist.
"...Your Highness."
"Yes?"
"As a reminder, do not stray more than five steps from my side."
"Huh? Why five steps specifically?"
"That's my domain."
The brown-haired knight finished her answer.
Her name was Rimer Yen Rapidus.
One of the empire's five masters, called the Mad Sword of the East. Also the continent's only female master.
After Rimer's answer.
Pertisha suddenly widened her red eyes as if recalling an old memory.
"Ah, come to think of it, Sir Orden said something similar. But he said forty steps, I think..."
"Sir Saxen is the empire's strongest, after all."
The imperial family's sword, Saxen Yul Orden.
Serving the first prince, he was unequivocally the empire's strongest knight. The breadth of his domain was proof.
'...Forty steps.'
Insanely wide.
A domain was the result of a master's experience, skill, and spirit combined.
Thus, expanding it by even one step took years. Forty steps? Unfathomable strength.
Unless the ban on master duels changed, she'd never fight him anyway.
'Ah, speaking of master duels...'
A figure came to mind. Currently under special military management as a 'Grade 0' subject.
'Ullan, was it?'
Heir to a northern plains tribe.
The barbarian warrior, Ullan Bator.
A sudden master who defeated two of the empire's five swords.
'I'd love to spar too.'
Who knew if the chance would come.
Without visiting Arsen Academy, they'd never meet, and she had no reason to anyway.
She quickly shook off the stray thought.
And refocused on the conversation.
"Anyway, promise that, and I won't interfere with Your Highness's actions."
"Mm, got it. I'll keep it in mind."
Pertisha smiled sweetly.
As if promising never to stray five steps. With her answer, the group resumed walking.
Toward their destination today.
The capital's southern plaza.