"......Hmm."
Yuni looked at her reflection in the mirror, taking in her attire.
"This looks good enough."
At Yuni's contented smile, those behind her exhaled sighs of relief.
"So, you'll go with this dress?"
"Yes, this one."
The maid observed Yuni intently.
The dress was more modest and cute than flashy, fitting for lower nobility young ladies.
It suited Yuni well, but it was vastly different from her usual attire.
Yuni typically wore more elaborate and mature-looking dresses.
Being younger than her rival, Rie, a contender for the Royal throne, she chose her dresses to not fall behind in appearance.
However, the dress Yuni now donned was more suitable for a young girl.
It was almost like casual wear and accentuated Yuni's cuteness.
Undoubtedly, this dress complemented Yuni much better than her usual choices.
Her personal maid cocked her head in puzzlement.
Yuni had always disliked such cute dresses.
Her every action and choice of clothing were influenced by Rie, aiming to match her.
What had prompted this change of heart?
Yuni seemed to be searching for clothes that showcased her at her best.
She moved around, examining her reflection in the mirror.
'She has changed a lot,' the maid thought.
Having been by Yuni's side since childhood, she had always noticed the smallest changes in her.
But never had she witnessed such a drastic transformation.
The harshness had left her eyes, replaced only by the innocence seen in her younger years.
Whatever had happened at the Academy, it was a positive change.
"Miss Yuni, I will add some accessories for you."
"Yes, pick something pretty."
"Certainly."
The maid chose a fitting accessory from those prepared and approached Yuni's hair.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64ce79d606107d003c23ea27", id: "pf-5140-1"})"By the way, who are you meeting today?"
"A senior I met at the Academy. They've been very helpful, so I've decided to help them in return today."
The maid's eyes widened at Yuni's words.
Yuni never openly acknowledged receiving help due to her strong pride.
Yet, here she was, speaking so casually about it, which was surprising.
'This person must be the one who changed Miss Yuni....' the maid thought, smiling warmly.
Though she didn't know if the person was male or female, she believed they must be someone good.
Yuni wasn't easy to care for.
She always did as she pleased, never voicing her discomforts.
Being able to help Yuni meant understanding her well.
"Dressing up like this suggests..."
It was probably for a man.
If it were for another woman, Yuni would have preferred a more comfortable outfit instead of dressing up.
Of course, it could be otherwise, but her intuition, honed by years as a maid, told her it was a man.
Especially since rumors had been circulating about Rie having a man in her life recently.
Now, with Yuni giving off an aura as if she too had a man in her life, the passage of time felt starkly evident.
It felt like a mother sending off her daughter to marriage, but seeing Yuni's current situation, she was more overjoyed than lonely.
"Miss Yuni."
"Hmm?"
"Now is the time for you to find your own happiness! Not swayed by others, but happiness that's truly yours!"
Yuni looked at her with a puzzled expression.
"What do you mean?"
"You'll understand my words as you grow older!"
It was a word of encouragement for Yuni, who had always been chasing after Rie's shadow.
However, there was something she was overlooking.
The person Yuni was going to meet was Rudy...
And who Rie was fond of...
'I wonder if the senior will like this.'
Unaware of her concerns, Yuni was beaming with a bright smile.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "64cc9e79c7059f003e4ad4b0", id: "pf-5109-1"})The day of my appointment with Yuni arrived.
"...Senior, are you alright?"
"No…"
My stomach churned, and the headache wouldn't ease.
I considered postponing my meeting with Yuni due to my poor health, but eventually decided against it.
I had made many efforts, but entering the Royal army had been impossible.
I didn't know what efforts Yuni had made, but they must not have been easy.
I couldn't disregard Yuni's efforts just because I was feeling a bit unwell.
Yuni looked at me with worried eyes and then clenched her fist.
"Then let's meet quickly and return. If it becomes too much, I'll make sure you don't overdo it, so be ready."
"Alright. Thanks."
Yuni, looking spirited, boarded the carriage with me, and we set off.
Contrary to my worries that the swaying of the carriage would worsen my nausea, the ride was surprisingly smooth.
Whether it was a royal carriage or Yuni had arranged for a good one, I couldn’t tell, but I was able to relax comfortably.
As I half-reclined, Yuni broke the silence.
"Ian... why are you meeting that person?"
"My father left some business unfinished, so I'm going to hand over the follow-up work."
"...What do you mean?"
I had received the transmission of spatial magic from Perrian.
However, I couldn't use it.
I didn’t even know what was transmitted or the content of it.
All I knew was that I had 'received' it.
With just this knowledge, there was nothing I could do.
Even though I had experienced some future events as my future self, I couldn't apply it now.
Without the basics, reaching advanced levels was impossible.
I needed fundamental education.
Perrian had clearly instructed me to learn from Ian, so I was seeking him out.
"Why did you dress up like this, though? You could have worn something more comfortable."
I squinted at Yuni.
window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "663633fa8ebf7442f0652b33", id: "pf-8817-1"})Although she wore a simple dress, which could be considered ordinary, our destination was practically a training ground.
It was a place where conscripted Royal soldiers trained, and commanders occupied.
A place more fitting for a uniform or casual attire than a dress.
"Oh… Senior, I thought you weren’t very observant, but how did you notice I dressed up?"
"..."
Yuni misunderstood my intent.
When I mentioned dressing up, I was referring to the dress itself, but Yuni took it as meaning she had put effort into her appearance.
"So, do I look pretty? Is this the style you like?"
Yuni twirled her dress and lifted the corners of her mouth.
"Yes, you look pretty. Well-dressed."
Continuing the conversation would only exacerbate my headache and nausea, so I let the conversation drift without much engagement.
"Hmm~. Alright. I'll make sure to come in a similar style whenever I meet you, Senior."
"Okay… Thanks."
"Princess, we're almost there."
While we were exchanging idle chatter, the carriage arrived at the location of the Royal army.
Outside the capital's walls, right in front was a small building of a very unique design.
It was closely attached to the wall, with an empty plaza in front of it.
On this vacant plaza, numerous soldiers were engaged in training.
Initially, I thought being outside the city walls might pose security or enemy threats, but seeing the situation, it seemed my worries were unfounded.
Despite its small size, the building was heavily guarded with many soldiers around, making it impossible to infiltrate.
The reason for their stationing here began to make sense.
Inside the city, there would be insufficient space for training, and the presence of nobles would disrupt the soldiers' training routine.
Stationed outside, all these problems were solved.
"Who goes there?"
As the carriage approached, a soldier came up to us. Yuni opened the window and looked at him.
"I am Yuni Von Ristonia, the Second Princess of the Empire."
At Yuni's words, the soldier's eyes widened, and he quickly bowed.
"My apologies. Please, go right in."
Following the soldier’s guidance, the carriage moved into the encampment.
"But how did you manage to set up this meeting? I tried everything and couldn’t manage it."
"There’s a special way to do it."
"…And what is that way?"
"Um… It’s a bit complicated to explain right now… Oh, but Senior, you already know about it. I just played a little trick with that matter."
I tilted my head in confusion.
A matter I knew about that could grant access here?
No part of it seemed to make sense to me.
Did Yuni have some sort of leverage over the nobles?
"Princess, we’ve arrived at the building."
"Ah, right. Thanks. Here."
Yuni extended her hand to me.
"Let's get down."
"Am I some princess now? Why the escort?"
"You’re unwell. I can at least help you out this much. If you don’t want it, just say so."
There was no reason to refuse her help, especially when I was struggling to keep myself upright.
"…Alright. Help me out."
"If only you were this cooperative from the start."
Yuni teased me with a mischievous smile and extended her hand.
I accepted her help to get up.
"Ugh…"
However, Yuni couldn't fully support my weight.
As I wobbled with dizziness, I nearly collapsed onto her.
"Yikes… Senior, why are you so heavy?"
"If you’re going to complain, don’t bother helping."
"Hey, I’m offering my help here. Don’t make me feel bad."
Yuni grumbled playfully as I took her support to get out of the carriage.
Then, as we were getting out.
"…Rudy?"
I lifted my head at the sound of my name.
A woman with neatly tied red hair and wearing a uniform was staring at us in surprise.
"…Astina?"
Astina was looking at us with a surprised expression.
