Chapter 80
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: The Mage of the Imperial Palace (2)
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"Guhhh..."
A groaning sound echoed through the bathroom.
Naturally, it was me on the verge of death.
Odette claimed this was the standard care for students attending major events, but from my perspective, it was straight-up corporal punishment and abuse.
"Miss Lunaris, could you lift your arm just a bit higher?"
"Odette, that's a really sensitive spot... Gyaaah!!"
"You're being such a drama queen. We haven't even started yet."
Seizing the moment(?), the maids kneaded me roughly.
Luxurious aroma oil slid over my skin, and some sharp, unidentified tool scraped away the grime.
Wait, hold on... there's no need to touch there... it's covered in layers of underwear and clothes anyway, so no one would see...
...Eek! W-who was that just now?! That was definitely on purpose, you naughty hand!
After being boiled and scrubbed in the steamy heat for dozens of minutes...
"Shall we head out now?"
I thought I'd finally escaped the torture chamber(?), but the real ordeal was just beginning.
"Mmm~ You finally look a bit human."
Raymond, the department head, was standing firm at the door.
"And seeing you like this... it makes me want to go all out."
Behind the department head loomed a mountain of fabric scraps.
"The robes I bought from the Mage Tower just arrived. Why don't we try them all on?"
"...Huh?"
"While the department head picks out your outfit, we'll finish up your grooming."
Didn't we say we were in a hurry...?
Because a carriage from the imperial palace or something was waiting, and we had to rush...
"Guh... ugh, ahhh..."
But my protests were silenced by hands massaging my mouth and cheeks.
In the end, I surrendered completely, leaving myself in the hands of the department head and the maids.
"Maid chief, doesn't this one look better?"
"Wouldn't this suit Miss Lunaris's hair color more?"
"But she made an impact at the Mage Tower with Starlight Magic this time. I want to go symbolic with the color."
"In that case, this shade would be much..."
"No, no. This one's..."
...These people aren't treating me like a doll for dress-up, are they?
*
Half a day passed like that.
"All done."
At Odette's declaration, the maids let out squeals of delight and stepped back.
"What do you think?"
I rolled my stiff neck and stood before the full-length mirror.
"...?"
A stranger stood in the mirror.
My messy, tousled hair was neatly styled, flowing elegantly.
I didn't know what treatment they'd done, but my ashy gray mop had become a cascade of pristine silver galaxy.
The deep night-sky blue formal robes were quite elegant.
The makeup was subtle, perfectly accentuating my features without overdoing it.
"Ooooh...!"
Raymond, the department head, covered his mouth and let out a gasp of admiration.
"As expected, with such a great base, dressing you up is a joy! Perfect, Miss Lunaris!"
"Well... I do look like a different person."
I muttered indifferently, staring at my reflection.
Not bad, I guess.
"But Odette."
"Yes, Miss Lunaris."
"This collar feels a bit tight around the neck."
Odette smiled sweetly and gently adjusted my collar.
Just that touch made breathing much easier.
"You'll have to endure a little discomfort for the sake of fashion."
"...Got it."
I absently tried to scratch my head, only for Odette to smack the back of my hand. It would ruin the carefully set hair.
...This outfit was turning out to be a real hassle.
"Alright, alright! Time to head out. We're already running way behind."
"Hold on. These shoes are really uncomfortable..."
Just as Raymond stepped out first and I was about to follow him out of Linea Hall...
"Luna?"
I ran into Princess Celestina Belhart, who was emerging from the dormitory basement.
"Wow~ You're so pretty! I barely recognize you!"
"Thaanks..."
"What's the occasion? Oh."
The princess let out a short gasp and beamed.
"Heading to the imperial palace?"
For a moment, it felt like an invisible line had been drawn between us. Was that just my imagination?
"Yeah, something like that... What about you, Princess? Not going?"
"I've got some business to attend to."
A bitter smile played on Princess Celestina's lips.
"...Well, I'll be off then."
I blinked blankly, gave a slight nod, and passed by the princess toward the carriage.
Even seeing someone off required reading the room.
The imperial palace sure was a hassle.
*
"Is Duke Adrian not coming?"
At a noble's remark, Miriel's grip tightened on her champagne glass.
Again.
She'd lost count of how many times she'd heard it.
Miriel turned her head, forcing an elegant smile as if nothing was wrong.
"Father has other commitments, so I've come as his proxy."
"Oh... I see."
Who was that guy again?
His face was familiar, so he must be from the Second Prince's faction, like Duke Adrian.
Someone who wouldn't dare lift his head before the duke was now holding it high before Miriel.
"It seems His Grace doesn't consider this appointment ceremony very important."
"..."
"Well, he's such a busy man with state affairs. I suppose it's understandable... Ahem!"
His words bristled with thorns.
Forget that this was the birth of the empire's youngest grand archmage.
Even knowing the Second Prince had shown interest in the new grand archmage, sending a proxy?
"And sending the least impressive of the three siblings as proxy... Tsk tsk!"
"What did you just say?"
"Oops! I spoke out of turn. My apologies, Lady Miriel. Do pass on my regards to His Grace later."
He turned away as if he'd lost interest, blending into another group of nobles.
Soon, whispers rose from behind.
They knew the duke had other business, but they hadn't expected the second daughter.
They'd hoped to see Adrian's famed flower, one of the empire's three great beauties, after so long, but it was her sister instead.
Despite the blatant disdain, Miriel kept smiling brightly as if she hadn't heard a thing.
Of course, her insides were burning.
She who had reigned as queen over the lady of the house at Elterion Academy...
Here in the imperial palace, she was merely Duke Adrian's least troublesome finger.
Miriel took a deep breath to steady herself.
Today's goal was singular.
To bring Lunaris Evermoon before the Second Prince.
If successful, she might finally catch the prince's eye a little.
And Father's approval would be a bonus.
But now that she was actually at the palace, it didn't seem easy at all.
"Too many rivals..."
Miriel swallowed a sigh as she surveyed the room.
The palace was more crowded than usual today.
Especially with shabby-robed mages everywhere.
The ones she'd seen frequently at the academy lately, crawling down from the Mage Tower.
"Heard the rumor? About that magic tome on natural mana utilization that hit the Mage Tower auction."
"The buyer revealed the first five pages, and just that has turned the academic world upside down."
"Dozens of short papers have already poured out..."
"And she's only 16. Hard to believe."
"Wiped out the deputy tower lord's signature magic in one go, they say."
The mages' talk was all about Lunaris.
All those mages were itching to attach themselves to her, even for a single word.
And among the Mage Tower mages who came to see Lunaris were some Miriel couldn't even dream of approaching.
"Heavens... even the Tower Lord herself."
"How long has it been since the Tower Lord left the Mage Tower? Thirty years?"
"Rumor has it she's marked her as successor..."
The Mage Tower Lord, Eleanor.
If that powerhouse stuck right by Lunaris, Miriel might not get a chance to approach.
'This is trouble...'
As she quietly sighed and pressed her furrowed brow...
"She's just getting off the carriage now!"
At someone's shout, all eyes turned to the door.
Soon, two female mages entered the hall.
Leading was a middle-aged mage decked head to toe in luxury: Raymond Cloud.
She looked less like a mage and more like a spendthrift matron from a noble house.
And behind her...
"Ooh!"
Gasp after gasp erupted from the crowd at the sight of the refined girl following Raymond.
"That must be the girl from the rumors."
"Lunaris Evermoon...!"
Silver hair spilled like stars over deep navy robes reminiscent of the night sky.
Despite her youthful face, her lake-blue eyes shone as if holding the world's truths entire.
Miriel unwittingly drew in a sharp breath.
Was this really the Lunaris from Elterion Academy, who always looked bored with the world, yawning through sleepy eyes?
'What the hell happened over vacation?!'
Gazing at Lunaris, who radiated brilliance even in the dim palace, Miriel felt herself shrinking smaller by the second.