Kays Translations

Chapter 221: Etiquette Lessons from Hell

Princess Daniela finally regained her composure. She gave a delicate cough, then resumed her usual expression as though nothing had happened, although her cheeks were still red. No one in the room said a word.

In other words, nothing had happened. I had seen nothing. I would go along with that; it was better than starting some strange rumour. I had not seen anything, and I certainly had not felt anything soft enveloping me.

“That concludes the improvements to the icehouse. Thank you, everyone. With your help, we finished ahead of schedule.”

“Not at all. You improved the icehouse for us. Helping was the least we could do.”

A member of the Royal Magic Pharmacists’ Corps replied on everyone’s behalf. The other members who had been working in the compounding room arrived soon afterward.

“I heard the icehouse was finished…”

“Princess Daniela!? Good afternoon, Your Highness.”

That led to an impromptu tour of the icehouse, with people coming and going. Princess Daniela naturally went inside as well. I wondered whether allowing a member of the royal family into such a place was wise, but she insisted, so I had little choice. She seemed to enjoy herself immensely. Perhaps she liked magic tools.

“I would like to thank everyone involved for your hard work. I am delighted that the royal castle now possesses another such splendid facility. His Majesty the King will surely be pleased.”

Princess Daniela thanked everyone present. Several people were moved to tears; they had clearly never expected to receive the princess’s gratitude in person.

“Reviving this old icehouse will help the Kingdom of Spencer develop further. Please continue to lend your strength to the royal family and the people.”

Princess Daniela bowed, prompting several startled voices to beg her to raise her head.

That was moving. Still, I had not exactly revived an ancient icehouse. I did not even know what an ancient icehouse was supposed to look like.

The icehouse improvements were complete. They should help advance magic potions in this country. I had only thought it wasteful that the old icehouse performed so poorly that valuable ingredients deteriorated quickly, yet the project had somehow become a major undertaking. In any case, my work was finished.

“Julius, where are you going?”

“Now that I’ve finished what I needed to do, I thought I’d have lunch and then practise swordsmanship…”

“There’s no time for that. The three of you are beginning etiquette lessons now.”

Axel and Ijidol went pale. I was probably wearing the same expression. Surely we were not starting with table manners.

“Um, what about swordsmanship training?”

“Don’t worry. I’ve already informed them that you won’t be attending swordsmanship or magic training for a while. Axel and Ijidol needn’t worry either; I obtained permission for them as well.”

“Huh!?”

Someone let out a small cry. I should have realised what was happening when Brother Alex headed to the castle. Of course he had not gone there merely to see Princess Daniela.

Princess Daniela smiled, apparently delighted to be having lunch with us. Spurred on by that smile, we made our way to the dining room.

“I don’t remember what I ate at all.”

“Neither do I. I couldn’t even tell whether it tasted good.”

I thought the lamb steak had been excellent, though the portion was small. It was probably the proper size; I had simply wanted more.

“As expected, Julius has plenty of composure… No, Lord Julius has plenty of composure.”

Princess Daniela escorted us to the royal dining room, a private area reserved for the royal family. By that point, I had resigned myself to my fate. This was serious: I could neither flee nor refuse. Once I accepted that, I managed to relax enough to taste the food, although I was corrected several times.

I believed I had escaped the worst of the criticism because Axel and Ijidol had drawn most of the fire. It must have been hell for them. Well, they would grow accustomed to it eventually.

No one said anything further until it was time for a light walk after lunch, but Ijidol remained wary. A sensible attitude.

“What happens after this?”

“According to the schedule… dance practice.”

“Dance practice!”

Ijidol looked utterly desperate. He was not especially athletic, so I could hardly blame him. Still, he needed to learn the basics. In the future, nobles would ask him to dance at every opportunity.

“Don’t worry. It shouldn’t be too difficult. Even five-year-olds can dance.”

“Please don’t compare me with you, Lord Julius.”

“It’s true. Axel can dance, right?”

“Well… I can manage.”

Hmm. I still could not switch smoothly between casual and formal speech. If only there were a convenient switch somewhere. I would simply have to get used to it.

As expected, Axel could dance. In that case, most of the instruction could focus on Ijidol, which meant fewer eyes on me.

“Everyone is here. Then let’s begin.”

Brother Alex led us to Princess Daniela’s private rooms. Axel and Ijidol stiffened upon entering for the first time. I understood exactly how they felt.

When Brother Alex knocked, a reply came immediately.

“I’ve been waiting for you. I’m ready.”

Princess Daniela’s private suite was spacious. The room I had previously assumed was her bedroom was actually a small library, and it contained a piano with enough open space for dance practice.

By moving the tables, chairs and sofas to the walls, the room could serve as a small dance hall. In fact, a table and several chairs had already been shifted into one corner.

There was another door beyond the room. Surely that one led to the bedroom.

“Shall we begin our practice then?”

With that, Princess Daniela sat at the piano.

No way—Princess Daniela was going to play for us!

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