The Long-Awaited Leave
Vacation time had flown by. Before I knew it, the date for my requested leave was tomorrow. The platoon leader had already headed out on his own leave, so I had to handle the handover to his temporary replacement—the former deputy platoon leader. There wasn't much to hand over anyway, so I figured I'd just meet him, exchange greetings, and call it done.
Junior Knight Ras. A commoner who graduated from the Imperial Academy. He'd joined as an Apprentice Knight at twenty and steadily climbed the ranks by passing his promotion exams.
"Nice to meet you, Sir Ras."
"Uh, um... pleased to, uh, no, nice to meet you too. L-Lady Rosenhardt."
Ras had that straightforward, honest country boy look. If you'd seen him on the street, you'd never peg him for a soldier—he was just that approachable.
"I heard you just got promoted to Junior Knight. Congratulations."
"Th-thanks... appreciate it."
"Nothing major for the handover... but they've started construction on the road to Tiabel Town, so you'll need to oversee the finishing touches."
"Got it. Piece of cake."
I got acquainted with Ras like that, then headed back to the barracks to prep for leave. Not that I did much—my maids handled everything. The only thing I personally packed was a single letter from the Tiabel Town headman addressed to my father.
"Your Highness, I picked out a dress uniform for you to wear tomorrow. Want to try it on?"
"What uniform? I'll just go in my combat gear."
"This is your return from soldier to princess! I'd love to airlift in a gown!"
"Get real."
Wear a dress for a long trip? No way. When I reincarnated and first had to wear one, it felt so damn restrictive. I only endured it next to Mother when I had no choice. Personally, if I was picking my own clothes, dresses weren't even on the table.
"Dress uniform! You have to wear the dress uniform!"
Elina started throwing a tantrum. Rolling on the floor, flailing her arms and legs—she looked just like a kid pitching a fit in front of the toy aisle. How is this girl my age? How was she top of her class at the academy? How is she head maid of our household... sigh.
"Fine, fine... I'll try it on."
"Right away!"
The second I gave permission, she sprang up, acting all competent. At least brush the dust off your hair.
The big day arrived. Thanks to Elina's fussing, I was in the dress uniform, decked out with earrings and accessories, sitting at the vanity. Every maid in the household swarmed me—powdering my face, fussing with my hair. The one perk of army life was skipping makeup, but after so long without, it itched like crazy.
"Your Highness, relax your face. You'll get wrinkles."
"I'm still young and firm enough."
"Pouting like that will give you wrinkles anyway."
"Tch."
In my past life, I'd have grabbed my leave pass after breakfast and bounced. But princess status meant full primping before heading out.
"Girls, isn't this good enough now?"
"Your Highness! A royal's appearance knows no 'good enough'!"
"There are people waiting outside."
Father set the leave date, so the Imperial Knights were probably lined up at the gate by now, having rushed here at dawn. Thinking of them standing there empty-handed brought tears to my eyes. Was it because this was all for show, not me?
Elina's eyes wavered a bit.
"We're imposing on the Imperial Knights—can't keep them waiting, right?"
"Urgh..."
Elina grumbled. In the end, I skipped a few primping steps and made it out of the barracks. Walking through camp with Elina, the soldiers' stares felt alien. If even I barely recognized myself, what about them? Feeling that awkward vibe, I reached the company commander's office.
Sure enough, the company commander—stiff as a board—accepted my leave report.
"Third Platoon Deputy Platoon Leader Apprentice Knight Arselia Rosenhardt, requesting leave."
"T-take care... no, have a safe trip."
"...Company Commander."
"Wh-what is it?"
"Shouldn't you be used to me by now?"
"I thought I was, but... your outfit's throwing me off."
A company commander shouldn't be fazed by a uniform—it had to be the hair and makeup. Too much. Good thing I cut it short.
"Anyway, safe travels."
"Yes, sir. I'll be off."
I finished reporting and left the office. Soldiers and knights stared as I headed to the gate. The waiting Imperial Knights spotted me and snapped to attention.
"Salute to Her Highness the Princess!"
"For House Rosenhardt!"
Oof, loud. As I returned the salute, the lead knight stepped forward.
"Your Highness, how have you been?"
He was the Imperial Knights company commander who'd escorted me on enlistment day.
"How well can I be in the army?"
"Hahaha! Fair point. This way to the carriage."
Thanks to the recent roadwork, I could ride from the gate this time. Tough during construction, but the payoff was nice.
"Oh, that reminds me—my assigned horse was a unicorn. What was that about?"
"Ah... that? It's... ambiguous whether it was coincidence."
"What do you mean?"
They'd picked from the knights' stables for my mount. But Thunderer overheard the knights looking for the princess's horse and trotted right up.
"Guess it just has that vibe..."
"Any inconvenience from the unicorn, Your Highness?"
"Nah, he's obedient. But sometimes riding him feels like flashing my virginity certificate."
"Your Highness!!!!!"
"Gah!"
My body flopped like a paper doll. Elina had clamped her hand over my mouth and was shaking me.
" decorum! Please, decorum!"
"Hey! You know how embarrassing Thunderer makes me feel?"
"Chosen by a spirit beast like a unicorn? You're halfway to perfection already! Y-Your... mouth!"
"Gahhh!"
My tussle with Elina ended in defeat. No chance against her in a fight, and the knights weren't backing me up.
"Your Highness, save those stories for the guys..."
"Ow! Fine, I get it!"
I sulked. Not a single ally.
The trip back to the capital went smoothly. The Imperial Knights' banner was basically a free pass. Truth be told, imperial edicts had gone out ahead to every region: provide maximum convenience for our passage. Once, some bold idiots tried impersonating knights but got nabbed fast without those orders.
Anyway, it was comfy—no camping or inns, just overnighting in nobles' castles.
Finally, familiar sights appeared.
"Your Highness! The capital!"
"Yeah, I see it."
My chest tightened. Home sweet home—it hit me right in the feels. Aaah, this is vacation. Never felt this in my past life; didn't want to go back to those parents.
The knights headed straight for the Imperial Palace. After checkpoints, I spotted Mother waiting with a horde of maids. Tears welled up. I rubbed my eyes quick.
Like those recruits crying to their parents after getting their phones at basic—must've felt like this. I jumped from the carriage and ran to her. No fancy greetings—just buried myself in her arms.
"Oh, my."
Mother seemed a tad flustered. Makes sense; first time for her too. My brothers wouldn't pull this with their personalities.
"I missed you."
"I missed you too, Arselia."
Sniff—good thing no maids around, or I'd bawl. For real.
"Wh-what's with the tears? Now you're making me cry."
Wait, already crying? Not full wail, but yeah. Glancing around, the maids looked misty-eyed. Damn it. Elina was barely holding back laughs, head down. Mortifying. I shoved my face deeper into Mother's chest.
"Mother."
"Yes?"
"Let's go inside. I'm embarrassed."
"Of course, dear."
We headed indoors. Soon, Father's office. I knocked; a curt "enter."
"Father."
"Arselia? Early arrival."
Gruff tone. Chief steward's here. Everyone knows Father's a doting dad except him—hilarious. I waved the steward out quick. He smiled faintly at Mother and me, bowed, and left.
Silence. Then...
"Aigoo, my girl!"
"Daddy!"
A shameless parent-child reunion unfolded.