Chapter 101: Entering the Venue

Autumn, when the sky is high and horses grow fat. Mackerel clouds in the sky. No wind, clear weather. Finally, the day of the Autumn Cooling Party has arrived. Since morning, our house has been bustling with activity. Guests arrive from noon, but the Imperial Family (and us) must enter the venue earlier. Mother was also having her corset tightened firmly by maids since morning. I wasn’t tightened in a corset, but I was dressed in that Gothic Lolita dress and even had makeup applied carefully.

“Very lovely! Lady Sakuraile!” “Thanks…”

The more the dressing maids frolic excitedly—kyai kyai, the more my tension drops. Sitting continuously is tiring too… Already extremely fatigued before going.

“Lady Sakuraile, the carriage is ready.”

Entering the room were Bianca dressed in military uniform-like attire and Ritsu wearing a higher quality maid outfit than usual. Ritsu participates as an attendant, Bianca as a guard in the Autumn Cooling Party. Not as guests, but as my entourage. Since entering the venue in unrefined appearances like armor is not allowed, Bianca is participating in clothes resembling a military uniform. This is the same for other houses, and carrying swords is not allowed. Of course, body checks are done upon entry. There is a barrier sealing the aforementioned ‘Gifts’ at the venue too, but probably the [Holy Sword] I summon can break even that barrier to be summoned. Well, won’t do it though. Just in case, this barrier is set not to affect the Imperial Family and their guards. So I can seemingly use [Store Summoning] inside the barrier too. Don’t think I’ll use it though. Standing up from the chair, heading to the carriage. Oops, almost forgot the pochette. Normally such storage pochettes cannot be brought into the venue either, but well, that’s the privilege of the host/organizer. Don’t know what might happen. Just in case, keeping Bianca‘s Magic Sword Ensemble in the pochette too.

“Kohaku-san, going~” “Fua… Finally.”

Kohaku-san sleeping on the sofa stretches his front legs—guuu—and leaks a yawn. Just like that, he walked over—toko toko—next to me.

“Lady Sakuraile wearing that dress and Kohaku-sama side by side look like a matching pair.” “Yes, truly.”

Ritsu and Bianca state such impressions. Well, aimed for that around there. Glad reputation is good.

“Now, let’s go. Sakura-chan.” “Yes, Mother.”

Joining Mother waiting at the entrance, we board the Ducal House carriage. Only me, Mother, and Kohaku-san ride this carriage. Ritsu, Bianca and others are in a separate carriage behind. By the way, the elf sisters Mutilia-san and others depart a few hours later, staggering the time.

“Do your best, both of you.”

Waving slightly to Father seeing us off at the entrance, our carriage starts running straight for the Imperial Castle. Nice for Father. Doesn’t have to participate.

“Haa… troublesome…”

Involuntarily leaked true feelings. Mother sitting opposite chuckled—kusuri.

“Better get used to it now. Will happen every year from now on.” “That is true…”

Whether I become a Duchess or marry somewhere, the Autumn Cooling Party happens every year. Ah, there’s the Spring Sun Party in spring too? If participation is decided after all, no choice but to get used to it. Thinking of it as a women’s association meeting at the neighborhood association once every half year, maybe not so nerve-wracking…

“If you make more friends, it will become fun eventually. It becomes a rare opportunity to meet friends who went far away too.”

I see. Mother looking somewhat happy is for such reason, huh. After graduating from the academy, court nobles without territory stay in the Royal Capital, but other nobles basically return to their territories. Upper nobles with territories nearby like us are often in the Royal Capital though. Does the Autumn Cooling Party, the start of the social season, become an opportunity to meet classmates, seniors, and juniors who became distant? Like a reunion? If the family they married into is different from one’s faction, can’t easily invite them to personal parties… In the noble world, stories of individuals getting along but families being hostile seem common. Romeo and Juliet much. Well, among noble daughters of this country, only Estelle is my friend so far though… Bianca is technically a Viscount’s fourth daughter, but already an apprentice knight of our Ducal House… Then the princess combo Luca and Tifa… Certainly, thinking of it as a rare opportunity to meet those two, might become an annual pleasure. Speaking of princesses… Is Highness Risha of the Empire okay? Alone in enemy territory without allies, isn’t she feeling lonely? Feels weird for me, a human of enemy territory, to worry though. Elliott asked me too, but maybe really should watch carefully. That head lady-in-waiting completely looks down on her, so seems likely to intentionally make Highness Risha fail or be embarrassed. Well, if she fails, it becomes the Empire’s shame. With the Fourth Imperial Princess’s eyes too, don’t think they’d do such stupid things… probably. However, the Autumn Cooling Party is divided into adults who already debuted in society and underage who haven’t. Inevitably Highness Risha will socialize in the underage group, so the Fourth Imperial Princess’s eyes might not reach. Should keep an eye out here after all? Causing strange trouble and having sparks fall on me is something I want to avoid… The carriage enters the Imperial Castle without incident, deviating slightly from the usual route, heading to the largest garden in the castle. Getting off the carriage, many people were already moving busily, starting venue setup. Large tables carried in, tablecloths spread. Even a place like a bar counter capable of serving alcohol at the edge of the garden. Liquor lined up is all liquor purchased via my [Store Summoning].

“I will go to meet with the Empress. Sakura-chan should go around the venue and confirm where things are now.” “Understood.”

Saying so, Mother went to the Empress discussing with the Chamberlain. Still can see male figures sporadically in the venue. Well, naturally. Have to move those heavy tables. Basically Autumn Cooling Party is women-only participation, but among security guarding the garden perimeter, there are male knights too. Of course, female knights are closer to the venue, male knights outside that, feels like. There are things like hedges around the garden, making it difficult to peek inside the venue from outside. And, at the same time, these hedges are also made of roses etc., designed to entertain attendees’ eyes. There was a rose gate at the venue entrance, truly feels like a Rose Garden. No, many things besides roses blooming though. But don’t roses bloom around May? No, remember hearing words like Autumn Roses too… Well, otherworldly roses so my knowledge might not apply.

“However, truly a vast venue…” “Nearly double the previous garden.”

To my unintentionally leaked words, Bianca walking behind returned such words. Previous garden, probably refers to the garden when I defeated the Dark Dragon. Renovated the destroyed garden seizing the opportunity, but seems changed not just shape but size too. Basically, this garden has large gazebos in the center and four corners, divided into four areas by garden paths running north-south and east-west. Among the garden areas in Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest, the one where we underage interact is the Southeast area. Though, doesn’t mean can’t go to other places, strictly positioning as division. Well, if a lady not yet debuted in society goes to the adults’ interaction place, likely gently persuaded to return to original place, or her mother or sister would come out to take her away. Of course, reverse exists too. Adult ladies barging into underage place without reason is taken as lack of manners. Troublesome. Managing so such troubles don’t occur is my role… Your Majesty, isn’t the hurdle a bit high after all? Or rather, how was it done until last year?

“Last year, Lady Camille of Marquis Tenor House acted as host. Lady Camille completed her debutante this summer, so this time to that side…”

Bianca answers my question. Ooh… Senior host, became an adult… Marquis Tenor House is the Prime Minister’s place. Daughter? Never met, but wanted to hear advice beforehand. I walked thoroughly around the Southeast area in charge, checking for deficiencies. Just in case, seems no problem. Even without deficiencies, human trouble comes from the other side though…

“Lady Sakuraile, here is the guest list.”

While I was feeling helpless anxiety, Ritsu handed me a notepad. There, names, ages, family status, and a brief remark of young ladies were written in a row. Only underage young ladies, but investigated well… As expected of Nanane Clan. Information gathering is their specialty. Or rather, this many…

“What are these Circle, Triangle, Cross marks?”

Such marks attached at the end of the list.

“Indicators of whether they are beneficial to the le Philharmonie Ducal House. Circle is young ladies better to interact actively, Triangle is young ladies okay to interact depending on situation or Lady Sakuraile‘s preference, Cross is young ladies better not to get involved deeply if possible.”

Estelle, Luca, Tifa are Circle. Well naturally. Already good friends. Cross ones are houses of so-called Traditionalist Faction, opposing Father and His Majesty. Might get entangled weirdly, so whatever said, just vaguely ignore… Highness Risha is also Cross, huh. Umm… as a Ducal House, probably so but…