"Mother!"
"Dear mother!"
After Regalus and Althea exclaimed in surprise, Regalus regained his composure and offered his greetings once again.
"It's a relief to see you well. We were preparing for your arrival if you had just let us know..."
"Ohoho, but I did inform you. Right, Sol?"
"Yes."
"But I simply asked you to keep it a secret from Regalus and the others, didn't I?... Anyway..."
Clara, who had been speaking in a relaxed manner, straightened up and turned towards Siegfried.
"...I apologize deeply for the delay in greeting in front of His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince. Please forgive our rudeness... Your Highness, above all, it is a pleasure to see you in good health."
Clara, who had moments ago been playfully enjoying herself, now displayed a refined demeanor befitting RGC's 'Butterfly,' leaving everyone astonished with her grace.
"Oh... Yes, Lady Monclair, such formalities are unnecessary. We were just chatting here as friends... It's wonderful to see you in good spirits as well."
As Siegfried responded with a smile, Clara, ignoring the admiration of those around her, turned towards Lily with a serious expression.
"So... you're one of the debutantes, aren't you?"
Even Lily, who fearlessly faced the teasing from her noble classmates at the academy, was rendered speechless by Clara's imposing presence, merely staring at Clara in awe.
"...Can't even give an answer?"
"Oh... No, dear mother. Perhaps she's feeling a bit overwhelmed..."
While Regalus tried to intervene, Clara didn't stop him.
"Well, are you frightened of me?"
"No, it's not that..."
"...You're lying."
"What?"
Unexpectedly, Regalus responded with a foolish tone to what seemed like a joke.
Ignoring even that, Clara addressed Lily.
"For now, this is your first experience in a true social setting, isn't it? You mustn't be intimidated by someone like me. In social gatherings, your demeanor, language, and knowledge are everything. You must possess enough etiquette so as not to be looked down upon by others... The reason you felt intimidated by me is because you lack confidence in your etiquette... So, I've decided to appoint Ann as your protector and tutor."
"Um... Wait, Mother? You're suddenly... talking about things without even knowing what we're discussing? And appointing Ann as a protector..."
"Oh, are you objecting?"
"No... I mean, yes."
"It's not... everything, but you've heard most of it, haven't you? ...From around the part about 'no guarantee of a debutante appearing'..."
"Isn't that pretty much everything?! How much more enjoyment do you need..."
Regalus interjected, scratching his head in frustration.
Forgetting to involve everyone in the continuous exchange between the Monclair mother and son, Oliver hastily offered his greetings.
"It's a pleasure to meet you for the first time. I... I am Oliver Norland, the eldest son of the Norland family. I've heard about Lady Monclair from my mother. I look forward to getting to know you..."
"Well, from Cassandra's time as Minister of Magic, we haven't had many chances to meet... Is your mother doing well?"
"Yes."
"That's good to hear... Oh, if you have time, could you come to Titania' place the day after tomorrow?"
"Huh?... Titania... Ma'am?"
Who could that be? Siegfried whispered to Oliver, "Our Queen."
"Ah! Forgive me for the disrespect! I didn't realize it was Her Majesty's name I used so casually... I apologize! Um... I will definitely convey your message to my mother."
While admiring her youthfulness, Clara nodded.
After a brief pause, Lily also offered her greetings.
"I am Lily Gresha. I am currently serving as a priestess. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Seeing Lily's demeanor, Ann glanced at Clara, nodded, and said a word.
"Miss Lily, if I may ask, where were you born? And within the clergy, what position do you currently hold?"
I'm going to stop here and let you take over. How's the progress?
Lily had assumed she would be addressed by Clara, so she responded to Ann with surprise.
"Um... I was born in the Illumi Cathedral. Currently, I hold the position of priestess."
"I see... Understood, milady. I shall take it upon myself to educate her a bit during the summer break."
Ann bowed her head to Clara.
"Huh? Wait a... Is that decided?"
As Lily inadvertently interjected with a comment, Ann retorted sharply, "That's quite impolite."
Observing their exchange with a smile, Clara addressed Ann, "Hehe, thank you."
"Um, Mother?"
Regalus interjected.
"What is it?"
"Having Ann accompany us is helpful, but what about your maids, Mother?"
"Mine? Well, Nina and Lanie could... Ah, I see. Let's have both of them accompany us. Isn't that right, Sol?"
"...It's too much of an honor. However, if it's just as maids, it's fine, but as guards... I think they're not quite up to it yet?"
"That's exactly it. No one starts out perfect, right? Take it slowly... though there's only a limited time. Besides, there's no problem with the guards. Thomas, the most trustworthy guard in the kingdom, will be coming to the palace the day after tomorrow. After that, he'll be responsible for protecting her. Once Nina and Lanie are done with their tasks here, tell them to return to Monclair for further training with me."
"Understood. I'll relay that to them."
Listening to the exchange between Clara and Sol, Regalus spoke up again.
"Mother, taking Nina and Lanie to Monclair...? What about Ann?"
"Of course, she'll stay behind. Ann will also serve as her guard."
"Is Ann okay with that?"
"It's what Her Ladyship has decided, so there's no problem. Besides, being by Lady Althea's side is something many within Monclair's territory aspire to... So, Laila, if you're not up to it, I'll take your place, alright?"
Upon hearing those words, Laila stiffened in surprise.
"...So, the younger sister is really popular, huh..."
Muttered Oliver from a distance, causing Siegfried, who was also standing nearby, to turn around. Continuing his words, Oliver said, "I know that from school, but I think the popularity among the people in the territory is immense too."
"If you spend about ten days in Monclair's territory, you'll understand."
Siegfried replied, smiling faintly.
Feeling a bit dissatisfied with things being decided without her knowledge, Lily couldn't say anything more when she saw Ann, despite being a maid, perform perfect etiquette.
Meanwhile, Althea, who was also wearing a discontented expression, was approached by Clara.
"Althea, you were also attacked, weren't you? I don't think you should act so hastily without knowing the reason. So... for now, what you should focus on as a Monclair is to polish your skills and become proficient in magic that you won't be ashamed of handling... Oh, and yes, you should also come with me to the palace the day after tomorrow. Princess Liliauge seems to be looking forward to it."
With a smile, Clara said, reminding him, and Siegfried added as if remembering, "That's right. She asked for it from Princess Liliauge... Althea, sorry for the sudden request, but can I entrust you with my sister?"
"Of course, it's an honor... Princess is about to turn four soon, isn't she? I'm looking forward to seeing her becoming even more adorable."
Where did the dissatisfaction from earlier disappear to? Whether it was just her simplicity, Althea responded with a smile.
With a nod of agreement to the message received, Siegfried addressed everyone.
"Well then, I'm counting on you. ...Sorry for the slight digression, but that's the current situation report and the issue of Miss Lily's guard. Reg and Oliver, even if it's a hassle, please come to the palace regularly... Oh, and as for Cartlis..."
"Ah, until he recovers, we'll take care of him here. Leave Tormandi's matters to me too."
Regalus replied to Siegfried's words, who nodded in relief, and they each left.
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"Mother!"
"Dear mother!"
After Regalus and Althea exclaimed in surprise, Regalus regained his composure and offered his greetings once again.
"It's a relief to see you well. We were preparing for your arrival if you had just let us know..."
"Ohoho, but I did inform you. Right, Sol?"
"Yes."
"But I simply asked you to keep it a secret from Regalus and the others, didn't I?... Anyway..."
Clara, who had been speaking in a relaxed manner, straightened up and turned towards Siegfried.
"...I apologize deeply for the delay in greeting in front of His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince. Please forgive our rudeness... Your Highness, above all, it is a pleasure to see you in good health."
Clara, who had moments ago been playfully enjoying herself, now displayed a refined demeanor befitting RGC's 'Butterfly,' leaving everyone astonished with her grace.
"Oh... Yes, Lady Monclair, such formalities are unnecessary. We were just chatting here as friends... It's wonderful to see you in good spirits as well."
As Siegfried responded with a smile, Clara, ignoring the admiration of those around her, turned towards Lily with a serious expression.
"So... you're one of the debutantes, aren't you?"
Even Lily, who fearlessly faced the teasing from her noble classmates at the academy, was rendered speechless by Clara's imposing presence, merely staring at Clara in awe.
"...Can't even give an answer?"
"Oh... No, dear mother. Perhaps she's feeling a bit overwhelmed..."
While Regalus tried to intervene, Clara didn't stop him.
"Well, are you frightened of me?"
"No, it's not that..."
"...You're lying."
"What?"
Unexpectedly, Regalus responded with a foolish tone to what seemed like a joke.
Ignoring even that, Clara addressed Lily.
"For now, this is your first experience in a true social setting, isn't it? You mustn't be intimidated by someone like me. In social gatherings, your demeanor, language, and knowledge are everything. You must possess enough etiquette so as not to be looked down upon by others... The reason you felt intimidated by me is because you lack confidence in your etiquette... So, I've decided to appoint Ann as your protector and tutor."
"Um... Wait, Mother? You're suddenly... talking about things without even knowing what we're discussing? And appointing Ann as a protector..."
"Oh, are you objecting?"
"No... I mean, yes."
"It's not... everything, but you've heard most of it, haven't you? ...From around the part about 'no guarantee of a debutante appearing'..."
"Isn't that pretty much everything?! How much more enjoyment do you need..."
Regalus interjected, scratching his head in frustration.
Forgetting to involve everyone in the continuous exchange between the Monclair mother and son, Oliver hastily offered his greetings.
"It's a pleasure to meet you for the first time. I... I am Oliver Norland, the eldest son of the Norland family. I've heard about Lady Monclair from my mother. I look forward to getting to know you..."
"Well, from Cassandra's time as Minister of Magic, we haven't had many chances to meet... Is your mother doing well?"
"Yes."
"That's good to hear... Oh, if you have time, could you come to Titania' place the day after tomorrow?"
"Huh?... Titania... Ma'am?"
Who could that be? Siegfried whispered to Oliver, "Our Queen."
"Ah! Forgive me for the disrespect! I didn't realize it was Her Majesty's name I used so casually... I apologize! Um... I will definitely convey your message to my mother."
While admiring her youthfulness, Clara nodded.
After a brief pause, Lily also offered her greetings.
"I am Lily Gresha. I am currently serving as a priestess. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Seeing Lily's demeanor, Ann glanced at Clara, nodded, and said a word.
"Miss Lily, if I may ask, where were you born? And within the clergy, what position do you currently hold?"
I'm going to stop here and let you take over. How's the progress?
Lily had assumed she would be addressed by Clara, so she responded to Ann with surprise.
"Um... I was born in the Illumi Cathedral. Currently, I hold the position of priestess."
"I see... Understood, milady. I shall take it upon myself to educate her a bit during the summer break."
Ann bowed her head to Clara.
"Huh? Wait a... Is that decided?"
As Lily inadvertently interjected with a comment, Ann retorted sharply, "That's quite impolite."
Observing their exchange with a smile, Clara addressed Ann, "Hehe, thank you."
"Um, Mother?"
Regalus interjected.
"What is it?"
"Having Ann accompany us is helpful, but what about your maids, Mother?"
"Mine? Well, Nina and Lanie could... Ah, I see. Let's have both of them accompany us. Isn't that right, Sol?"
"...It's too much of an honor. However, if it's just as maids, it's fine, but as guards... I think they're not quite up to it yet?"
"That's exactly it. No one starts out perfect, right? Take it slowly... though there's only a limited time. Besides, there's no problem with the guards. Thomas, the most trustworthy guard in the kingdom, will be coming to the palace the day after tomorrow. After that, he'll be responsible for protecting her. Once Nina and Lanie are done with their tasks here, tell them to return to Monclair for further training with me."
"Understood. I'll relay that to them."
Listening to the exchange between Clara and Sol, Regalus spoke up again.
"Mother, taking Nina and Lanie to Monclair...? What about Ann?"
"Of course, she'll stay behind. Ann will also serve as her guard."
"Is Ann okay with that?"
"It's what Her Ladyship has decided, so there's no problem. Besides, being by Lady Althea's side is something many within Monclair's territory aspire to... So, Laila, if you're not up to it, I'll take your place, alright?"
Upon hearing those words, Laila stiffened in surprise.
"...So, the younger sister is really popular, huh..."
Muttered Oliver from a distance, causing Siegfried, who was also standing nearby, to turn around. Continuing his words, Oliver said, "I know that from school, but I think the popularity among the people in the territory is immense too."
"If you spend about ten days in Monclair's territory, you'll understand."
Siegfried replied, smiling faintly.
Feeling a bit dissatisfied with things being decided without her knowledge, Lily couldn't say anything more when she saw Ann, despite being a maid, perform perfect etiquette.
Meanwhile, Althea, who was also wearing a discontented expression, was approached by Clara.
"Althea, you were also attacked, weren't you? I don't think you should act so hastily without knowing the reason. So... for now, what you should focus on as a Monclair is to polish your skills and become proficient in magic that you won't be ashamed of handling... Oh, and yes, you should also come with me to the palace the day after tomorrow. Princess Liliauge seems to be looking forward to it."
With a smile, Clara said, reminding him, and Siegfried added as if remembering, "That's right. She asked for it from Princess Liliauge... Althea, sorry for the sudden request, but can I entrust you with my sister?"
"Of course, it's an honor... Princess is about to turn four soon, isn't she? I'm looking forward to seeing her becoming even more adorable."
Where did the dissatisfaction from earlier disappear to? Whether it was just her simplicity, Althea responded with a smile.
With a nod of agreement to the message received, Siegfried addressed everyone.
"Well then, I'm counting on you. ...Sorry for the slight digression, but that's the current situation report and the issue of Miss Lily's guard. Reg and Oliver, even if it's a hassle, please come to the palace regularly... Oh, and as for Cartlis..."
"Ah, until he recovers, we'll take care of him here. Leave Tormandi's matters to me too."
Regalus replied to Siegfried's words, who nodded in relief, and they each left.
ShoujoDirector Share your thoughts down below and click the heart icon if you enjoy the content!
