Chapter 102: Start of the Autumn Cooling Party

As the starting time of the Autumn Cooling Party approached, guests began to arrive sporadically. Basically, arriving guests greet the representatives of this party, Her Majesty the Empress and Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. Mother and I are hosts (receptionists), but not the organizers. We must show that we are strictly assisting the Imperial Family. Therefore, we wait towards the back. Even so…

“Eh!? This is the Empress Dowager!?” “No matter how I look, she looks like a sister to the Empress…!” “T-The rumor of the secret rejuvenation elixir was true!?”

Grandmother’s popularity is amazing, truly amazing. Well, can’t blame them… Looks like late twenties no matter how you look at it… Grandmother, whose skin was vigorously rejuvenated by the aforementioned ‘High-Grade Skin Lotion’, is the center of attention for the visiting noble ladies. As expected, noblewomen also want to know the secret of youth. However, those not very interested are, natural as it may be, girls of the younger generation. Yup, their skin is still plump and fresh after all. Breaking away from the noble ladies surrounding Grandmother, they come towards us where underage participants gather.

“Nice to meet you, Lady Sakuraile. I am…” “My Vuvuzela House has been in the north for generations…” “What a lovely dress! Where on earth did you…”

To the young ladies coming to greet one after another, I greet with a pasted smile and urge them toward the venue. Listened properly to the first few, but from around the tenth, it just passed from right ear to left ear.

“Greetings… Greetings are long…!” “Can’t be helped. Everyone is desperate to sell their house. Conversely, young ladies of opposing factions slipped through, didn’t they?”

To my grumble, Bianca standing behind answers in a small voice. Certainly, children of Traditionalist houses quickly went to the back of the venue after exchanging formal greetings. Maybe told by parents not to get involved too much. For once, grateful for factional disputes. Just the name ‘Princess of the Holy Sword’ walking on its own weirdly due to dragon slaying and magic sword killing is enough… Probably told by parents, but there are a certain number of young ladies trying to curry favor. Can’t blatantly avoid them either, managing to get through with a twitching smile and vague replies not giving commitment. Basically, those coming here are underage young ladies, but the higher the rank, the more likely they have guards and attendants. They aren’t necessarily underage like our Bianca or Ritsu, sometimes adult maids or female knights, so couldn’t let my guard down even more. Absolutely sure my words will be reported to the house heads from these people…

“Lady Sakuraile!” “Ah, Estelle!”

To me feeling fed up, Estelle wearing a pale cherry blossom and white Gothic Lolita-esque dress came. Behind her, Estelle‘s mother Yulia-sensei is greeting the Empress and others. Yulia-sensei also seems surprised at Grandmother’s change.

“Ah, Sakuraile and Estelle.” “What? Ooh, both wearing unusual dresses.”

While talking with Estelle, Luca and Tifa came from further behind. Behind them, Tifa‘s sister Highness Nero is greeting the Empress and Grandmother. Both brought female guard knights and attendant maids. As expected of those serving royalty, no openings in either. Wanted to enjoy chatting with everyone including Estelle, but still have guests to greet, so asked them to head to the venue in the back. The three leave talking happily. Nice, I want to leave this duty quickly too… Mechanically exchanging greetings with visiting underage young ladies. Kohaku-san at my feet got completely bored and started sleeping curled up under the shrub behind me. This child is supposed to be my bodyguard though… Means no danger? If truly so, well fine but… Just when I sighed a small sigh of resignation, saw the Fourth Imperial Princess of Allegretto Empire wearing an ice blue dress arriving at the venue entrance.

“Thank you for inviting us this time.” “Th-Thank you for inviting us…”

Imperial Princess Leticia bows to the Empress and Grandmother with a curtsy, expressionless as usual. And next to her, Imperial Princess Risha wearing a mint blue dress greets similarly. At her faltering greeting, Leticia directed a glaring eye at Risha, causing her to look down. No, forgive that much… How strict are you. Imperial Princess Leticia starts talking with the Empress and others, and Imperial Princess Risha comes towards us timidly. Behind her were that mean-looking head lady-in-waiting from our first meeting and an unmotivated-looking female guard knight.

“Pleased to be with you today, Lady Sakuraile.” “Welcome, Highness Risha. Hope you enjoy yourself today.”

Greeting each other with curtsies. Perhaps the glare from her sister earlier affected her much, she walks towards the venue dispiritedly. After that, the elf sisters Mutilia and Eltiria, and Saint Roulette-san of Gospel Kingdom also arrived. Roulette-san seemed to want to talk to Kohaku-san, but seeing him sleeping soundly, gave up and left for the venue. After welcoming a few more noble ladies and young ladies, finally, music announcing the start of the Autumn Cooling Party began to flow. The orchestra of court musicians positioned near the center of the Great Garden begins to play music quietly. The flowing music is Tchaikovsky’s ‘Waltz of the Flowers’ from ‘The Nutcracker’. Amazing, perfectly reproduced. Can’t believe it’s a performance copied by ear. Looking closely, the orchestra composition is all female. Even the conductor is female. Thorough indeed. Well, there might be topics that can’t be discussed with men present… At the position of concertmaster of the first violin was my music teacher Ms. Pamela. Recently only saw her rocking out strumming the guitar, but feel violin suits her better after all.

“Now, the real thing starts from here. Sakura-chan, I leave that side to you, okay?” “Okaaay…”

Receiving encouragement (?) from Mother, I also start walking toward the site entrusted to me. Kohaku-san also followed—teku teku—stretching as if saying ‘Finally’. Going to the Southeast garden entrusted to me, several groups were already gathered, smacking lips on tea and sweets, and seemingly enjoying chatting. For now, at a glance, no problems seem to be occurring. Troubling if problems occur this early though. First, heading to the large gazebo in the Southeast of the garden. A white, stylish gazebo built on the edge of the pond. By tacit understanding, this place is to be used by the highest-ranking persons. In other words──Royalty. Therefore, currently sitting at the table in that gazebo were Luca, Tifa, Imperial Princess Risha, and Eltiria-chan. Eltiria-chan is also the daughter of the Elf Chief. She has qualifications to sit there. And behind each, attendants and guards were waiting. Estelle who was with Luca and Tifa was sitting at a different seat. Ran away, huh…? Technically, this is a place used by royalty, but apparently anyone can be invited with permission. Well, a Baron’s daughter sitting together with royalty of other countries, who knows what would be said later, so I understand Estelle‘s feeling of fleeing. If only Luca and Tifa, Estelle‘s presence probably wouldn’t have been a problem, but Imperial Princess Risha and Eltiria-chan are there too… The seemingly gentle two might forgive, but that mean lady-in-waiting seems likely to screech some sarcasm. However, even approaching the gazebo, can’t hear conversation at all… Ehh…? No fun conversation? Wait a minute, feels awkward? Climbing the low stairs of the gazebo, the four were silently engrossed in ‘La Vie en Rose’ shortcakes in front of them. Apparently, lack of conversation was due to this. Feeling relieved mixed with ‘Is that okay?’, almost swept by subtle indescribable emotion, but held it back and put on a smile.

“Everyone, are you enjoying yourselves?” “Ou! Sakuraile! To hide such things, truly cannot be underestimated as usual!” “Delicious… scary delicious…!” “Delicious no matter how many times I eat, yes!”

Tifa, Luca, Eltiria-chan are stuffing their mouths with cake—mogu mogu. Happy they are pleased, but Imperial Princess Risha isn’t moving with fork in mouth. Eh, is she okay…?

“Lady Risha?” “Ha!? S-S-S-Sorry, seems consciousness flew away due to excessive deliciousness…!”

No, how much. Doesn’t the Empire have one or two delicious sweets?

“The, the Empire’s sweets are like solidified sugar, more heavy feeling. Like sweetness remaining on the tongue forever…” “Ah…”

Somehow understood. Like coating sweets with melted sugar… Sticky to touch. Those kind of sweets, huh… Delicious ones are delicious though.

“This is a sweet only Sakuraile can make. Probably not in the Empire either. How is it, surprised?” “No, anyone can make it if they have ingredients, technique, and patience?” “Na, nu!?”

Tifa who was making a smug face at Imperial Princess Risha turns around surprised. No, why are you surprised… Fresh cream can be substituted with milk, and chocolate which was a concern became makable. Most cakes can be made, right?

“C-Can’t you teach how to make…” “Umm, I don’t mind teaching particularly, but just in case stopped by His Majesty. Isn’t that a negotiation between countries?” “Muu… Unfortunate.”

Luca pouted a little, but stuffing her cheek with another bite of cake, immediately became a melted face.

“…Lady Sakuraile is close with Lady Tifania and Lady Lucariora, the two of you.” “Umu! Battle comrades who fought serious matches!” “Nn. Close friend.”

To Imperial Princess Risha‘s words, both puff their chests proudly—fufun. No, the match Tifa is talking about is cards, right?

“I-I am good friends too!”

Not to lose, Eltiria-chan raises her hand. My, cute. Oops, this child is older than me…

“Envious…” “Eh?” “N-No, nothing…”

When I looked, Imperial Princess Risha looked down, averting her eyes. Wonder what? Well, whatever.