kscans

Chapter 22 - Your Castle's Little Person

"His Highness Romel, the King's Brother, and the daughter of Baron Giorge, have arrived."

When her name was called and she entered, she found herself in the world of Cinderella. No, maybe Rose of Versailles? People in glittering costumes chatted amiably, and items of luxurious quality were on display.

"Fuaaaah."

Chihiro's mouth fell open, and she let out a dopey sound.

The royal banquet was held in a great hall with long tables, apparently separate from the ballroom.

Just how big is this place. As a frugal Japanese person, I can't comprehend it. But well, for medieval royalty, the size of the castle is a status symbol, I think.

Romel scooped up the Little Person, who was dazedly staring up at the splendid chandeliers in the hall.

"Don’t just stop here. You’re holding up the line behind you."

When he said that, she looked back to see people smiling warmly at her, standing near the entrance. Even the official announcing the guests' names had a wry smile.

Ugh... so embarrassing!!

Even though Romel had brought her in, she had been captivated by the historic architecture and antique-like decorations. Chihiro reflexively started patting Romel's head, pechi pechi.

"Ouch, ouch, don’t hit people to hide your embarrassment."

The royal banquet was by invitation only for the royal family and the ducal houses connected to them. Even if invited, Drago, as the head chef in charge of the kitchens, could not attend. Therefore, Romel, one of her foster parents, escorted Chihiro. Though he was just carrying her.

Romel, who didn't seem to mind being patted, ignored his brother the King's jealous glare and smugly took his seat with Chihiro. The sixth seat to the right of the King at the head of the table. The five seats on either side were for the royal family. The table was wide. To the King's right was the Queen. To his left were the two consorts, and in the first five seats on each side sat the princes and princesses. He had taken the sixth seat with this in mind, but the Queen, who was looking at the trembling King with an exasperated, fixed gaze, stood up with an air of resignation.

"Bring Lady Chihiro here. You as well, Your Highness Romel."

At the Queen’s unexpected words, Romel’s eyes widened. The King looked at the Queen with sparkling eyes, as if in prayer. Romel shot him a sullen look and shook his head slightly.

"No, I cannot do such a thing. An act that disregards the order of precedence in such a way is not permitted. Isn't that right? Brother."

The King’s shoulders jolted.

When Romel called him brother, it meant he was angry. The King reflexively nodded his head rapidly, and the Queen, prompted by Romel, returned to her seat.

The Queen with a wry smile, and the King hanging his head dejectedly.

What is this farce?

In Chihiro’s astonished gaze, the King looked like a puppy drenched and wilted by the rain. The illusion of drooping dog ears and a tail must have been her imagination.

The amusing sight of the chuckling young girl spread to those around, and the King's pathetic appearance ended as a funny story. Amidst this, Chihiro did not notice two pairs of eyes staring at her from across the way.

Wilfe and Theodore.

The two of them had their eyes glued to the adorably dressed Little Person. The mature champagne gold dress highlighted her irises, and the light pink gold apple dangling from the gold choker around her neck suited her well. Small apples of the same color dangled from her ears as well.

What is that? Isn't she too cute? Why is she with uncle? Shouldn't she be sitting here? Or rather, I want her to sit next to me.

Next to the seriously staring Wilfe, Theodore was fixated on the red and pink flower hair ornament in Chihiro’s hair. The small hair ornament was just attached to a large ribbon, but it made Theodore’s chest tighten.

She wore it. How happy that made him.

That small, stylish hair ornament was what Theodore had given her for her birthday. Unlike the other presents, she had taken a liking to this modest one and had worn it in her hair.

Chihiro noticed Theodore staring intently, smiled lightly, and gently tilted her head. So that the small flower hair ornament she wore could be seen clearly.

Noticing Theodore's beaming smile, Wilfe looked at the two of them suspiciously.

"What's this? Do you know each other? This should be the first time you've met, besides me."

"I gave her that hair ornament. I'm so happy."

Instantly, Wilfe stood up from his seat with a loud noise.

"Chihiro, why are you not wearing the ornament I gave you?!"

The room was filled with silence.

Even the maids carrying the food had frozen.

Staring at Wilfe with a cold, fixed gaze, Chihiro pictured the ornament he had given her in her mind.

That thing might be an ornament, but it's a tiara, isn't it? I'm amazed at your thinking that I could wear it here.

It was a small tiara, the size of an adult’s palm. A delicate piece of silverwork with a diamond in the center, it was a magnificent thing. However, Chihiro did not have the courage to wear it here, where the royal family was gathered.

Only the consorts could wear something like that in a place like this, right? Romel said so too. Your selection criteria is too much like your disappointing father's, you.

Remembering the bizarre assortment of jewelry gifted by the King, Chihiro let out a deep sigh. Apparently, Romel hadn't known about that either. When he grilled the King's attendants, he found out that the King had secretly bought them with his own pocket money, keeping it from the Queen. He had apparently wanted to be the first to give her a gift and had bought them from the merchants who came, whatever caught his eye.

The Little Person could not forget Romel's sharp, dark smile after that.

Scolded by the Queen, Wilfe returned to his seat dejectedly, just like the King, and the banquet proceeded.

The dishes for the small children were half portions. As expected of Drago. His meticulous care was evident.

As Chihiro wielded her cutlery without a sound, those around her looked on with admiration. Her eating manners were beautiful, with no spills or messes. The Second Prince of the same generation also ate cleanly, though clumsily. Only the Eighth Princess Mirtishia was struggling somewhat. She was still only three years old. It was nothing to worry about, but because the other two were so well-behaved, she stood out. And she was royalty. Her education was more thorough than others', so she started to cry, ashamed of her inability to eat neatly.

"You’re so cheeky! I wish you had never come!"

It was a tantrum born of embarrassment. Mirtishia, who should have been the star of the day, felt as though her position had been stolen by Chihiro. What was supposed to be her birthday celebration had turned into the debut of the newly welcomed adopted daughter of the royal family. She was not amused, and now this.

"What are you saying, Mirtishia!"

The Queen raised her voice without thinking. Mirtishia cried even more. Just as the venue was about to descend into chaos.

Someone moved with a nonchalant air.

She picked up a green bean that had been served with the meat with her fingertips and popped it into the mouth of the wailing Mirtishia. Surprised by the bean suddenly put in her mouth, Mirtishia forgot to cry and chewed. Smiling at her was Consort Habirush. She tilted her head with a soft smile.

"Is it delicious?"

Mirtishia swallowed the green bean and gave a small nod. Consort Habirush returned a brilliant smile and picked up a green bean from her own plate and ate it.

"Meals, you see, are to be enjoyed. Manners are for that purpose. So, if you can’t enjoy it, you don’t need the manners, you know?"

Smiling wryly that she had been ill-mannered, Consort Habirush wiped her fingers with a napkin. Then her eyes met Chihiro's, and she smiled brightly again.

"You are my daughter, I see. It is nice to meet you. Mirtishia-sama, please be kind to her as well."

Pressed by her gentle smile, Mirtishia also gave a small nod. The crying crow was already smiling.

"Consort Habirush. Chihiro is an adopted daughter. She is His Majesty the King's daughter."

Romel reminded her with a dangerous look in his eyes.

Please don't say anything unnecessary in a place like this!!

Eyes speak louder than words.

Sensing Romel’s extraordinary aura, the color drained from the faces of Consort Habirush's attendants. Oblivious, she placed a hand on her cheek and tilted her head in wonder.

"If she is His Majesty's child, then she is my daughter, is she not? Am I wrong?"

Consort Habirush's nuance was slightly different. It seemed she was still living in her own world of flowers. For now, relieved that the royal family's blunder would not be exposed, Romel prompted the maids to continue.

The rest of the banquet proceeded peacefully.

Mirtishia also apologized to Chihiro, and with a childlike smile, they promised to play together next time.

Just as the debut of Chihiro ended without incident and everyone involved breathed a sigh of relief, though the banquet had not been entirely calm.

An uninvited guest arrived.

Screams rose from all over the royal palace, and something burst through the skylight of the great hall.

Landing on the table with a thud was Queen Merda. Her eyes shining fiercely, she glared at the King.

《To not invite me to my King’s birthday celebration, what a blunder. This is a disaster, you know?》

All the King could hear was a buzzing sound, bubububu.

Sensing this, Merda clicked her tongue loudly and once again carved words into the wall. The faces of the royal family turned pale, and the palace servants let out shrieks. The wall Merda carved into was a custom-made marble wall. All the palace staff were in tears.

Achaa.

The Little Person pressed a hand to her forehead and looked up at the heavens.

However, she was happy that Merda wanted to celebrate her birthday. Stopping Merda, who was endlessly carving a lecture for the King, assisted by the child bees, Chihiro grinned.

"We’re having a party at my house after this. You should come to that."

After the banquet was the ball. Once the food preparations were done, Drago and Adoris would come home, and they planned to have a birthday party. Children from the orphanage were also coming, so she explained that this was actually the main event. Merda’s eyes lit up, and she nodded her head rapidly.

《Of course! I have brought plenty of honey and beeswax as gifts! The children have also gathered fruit from the south. I do hope it pleases you.》

"Fruit?"

《This way. It is said to be a specialty of the south.》

What was presented was a familiar, spiky yellow fruit.

"A pineapple?? No way, they have them here too!!"

The Little Person threw her hands up in the air with a shriek of joy.

The stunned people around her learned a lesson once again.

For the Little Person, food was better than gold and silver.

《Well then, shall we go?》

"Eh?"

Merda smiled brightly, grabbed Chihiro from behind, and leaped into the air. The other child bees followed her. As they watched Merda and the others fly out through the skylight just as they had come in, the dazed people snapped back to their senses and scrambled into action.

"The wall! The marble wall!"

"The table, too..... It's no good, the Queen's footprints are clearly left behind."

"A party after this? What's going on? I’m going too!"

"Don’t be ridiculous, brother!! The ball is next, isn't it? There are people making their social debuts, what will they do without the King!!"

"I wonder if I can go? Mother."

"Let’s see. I wonder?"

It should have been a scene of chaotic hell, but for some reason, it looked strangely peaceful. It seemed the royal palace was also getting used to the Little Person’s antics these days.

"This is amazing, Merda! It feels so good!"

《I am pleased that you are enjoying it. Now, we are coming into view.》

Visible from high up in the sky, Naya and Sasha were in front of the baron's mansion. They must be waiting for Chihiro’s return.

"This is the best birthday ever! I’m so glad I was born here. I’m grateful for God’s blunder!"

《I do not quite understand, but I am pleased that you are in good spirits.》

I’m going to live here. Fatimah. I’ll have lots of stories to tell you when I get there, so wait a little longer. Let’s be reborn together again.

God, I’m counting on you!!

With a wish in her heart that may or may not come true, the Little Person goes her own way in pursuit of happiness.

It is said that in that country, there was one who commanded monsters and soared through the sky. A Little Person who would shake the world some time later.

Wrapped in the warm care of everyone, the Little Person is doing fine today too.

April 15, 2021 Final Draft

Minabukuro Kazuhito