“As expected of the country of love.  You’ve been holding quite the free-spirited festival.”

“Mn,” before Jill could chew over her sense of discomfort, a mirror was brought in.

“Please, have a look.”

Prompted as she was, Jill turned her gaze to the mirror.  There she stood in a dress, one layered with fabric dyed a splendid blue, and heavily adorned with ribbons and frills.  Behind her head rose a large collar spreading out in the shape of a fan.  Jills eyes opened wide and she blinked.

The lady attendants who had helped dress her smiled.

“The size is perfect.  The design is also traditional, and has dignity.”
“Your hair is planned to be put up.”
“U-Um, is this color… really alright?”

Blue is a color forbidden in Kratos.  While it is not forbidden in Rave, she had thought it shunned following the tale that there were no blue dragons.  That was also a conclusion she had come to due to apprentice Dragon Knights receiving light-blue armbands, and a failing class created as a warning being called the Blue Dragon Class at Laica.

The dressmaker, however, gave a matter-of-fact response to Jill’s indirect question.

“This place is different from Kratos.  It is alright.”
“E-even so… this… this dress, a mantle wouldn’t suit it, would it…?”

Jill, in the role of the Dragon Maiden, would have a flower crown placed on her head by Hades before the people.  She heard that she would be wearing a mantle at that time.  It had even been strictly decided that three attendants would be there to hold the train of her skirt.  There hadn’t been any rules regarding the color of her dress, but there were rules concerning the mantle— in other words, it should have some traditional meaning that must not be casually omitted.

The dress Jill was presently wearing looked like an old-fashioned design from an earlier era, one with the area around the shoulders oddly puffed out.  Together with the intimidating collar, it was obvious that wearing a mantle over it would get in the way.  Of course, if this was appropriate, then that was fine.

“We received instruction that a mantle would not be necessary this time, so it became this sort of design.”

Jill’s eyes widened at the dressmaker’s unhesitant reply.

“Eh… I- I didn’t hear of that.  Um, who the heck said that?”
“Her Highness the Seventh Imperial Consort.  I am the dressmaker retained by Her Highness the Sixth Imperial Consort.”

Then Fien wasn’t the one who arrange this?  While overcome by confusion, there was knocking on the door.

“Sense—, I’m coming in.  Why… are you making the knights stand outside the room?”

Lutiya, and he’s come at just the right time.  A lady attendant immediately raised her voice.

“She is changing clothes.  Gentlemen, outside.”
“Eh, changing clothes, right now!?”
“It-it’s fine, I’ve already finished changing!  What is it, Lutiya?”

Lutiya was the emperor’s younger brother.  Not even the lady attendants could easily drive him out.  Thus, before the determined Lutiya could escape, Jill swiftly presented herself.  Lutiya, with a “gyaa,” fell over.

“Do-don’t come out!  Yo-you’re chang— Eh?”
“Ho-how is it, this dress?  It is for the Dragon Flower Crown Festival.”

Lutiya, having retreated all the way to the wall, must had noticed Jill’s strained smile, blinked a few times and then gave a solemn answer.

“…To start, wouldn’t having so much blue be bad for an official function…?”
“Ri-right…?”
“Eh, what?  You had this made for you?  That’s harassment.  And it’s ugly too.  Under whose instructions was this made?”
“So-so what business do you have!?”

With those around them listening, Jill hurriedly changed the subject.  Lutiya’s eyes narrowed in turn.

“What business…?  I came to get sensei because sensei didn’t come to the costume fitting with Hades-aniue.”
“Eh, the costume fitting is starting now?”

Lutiya clicked his tongue.  His gaze then dropped to the side and he spat out.

“…According to Hades-aniue’s schedule, it started an hour ago.”

All the blood drained from Jill’s head.

“I-I’m late…!?  Hi-His Highness, is he still waiting for me!?”
“There was a meeting scheduled, so he went to that.  He says to message him to rearrange a new time.”

Hades was also busy.  All Jill could do was nod.

“I understand… Apologize to His Majesty for me.”

She had made trouble for him.  Lutiya’s voice lowered as he saw her shoulder’s slump.

“…Where are Natalie and Frida?  Sufia-sensei doesn’t look like she’s here either.”

Sufia was Jill’s tutor, but recently she had been overseeing Frida’s etiquette training followed by Lutiya’s.  While this wasn’t a topic that would lead to trouble if overheard by others, Jill still found herself lowering her voice for some reason.

“Her Highness Natalie and Her Highness Frida are conducting a parade costume check and also holding interviews for dancers.  Sufia-sama seems to be facing some trouble with the bazaar the House of Maquis Veil intends to host for the festival, and so still hasn’t returned.”
“…Isn’t this intentional?  Both the costume fitting and the current circumstances?”

Jill blinked, and then Lutiya’s face was right before her.  He wore a serious expression.

“…Shall I call Hades-aniue?”
“I believe His Majesty is in a meeting right now.”
“He will come flying if sensei calls.  Even now, he’s probably whining about how much he hates work.”
“—It was just a small issue of miscommunication, Lutiya.  You shouldn’t jump to conclusions.  You keep watch so that His Majesty doesn’t run away.  I’m counting on you.”

She gave him a smile and a light pat on the back.  Lutiya pouted his lips in dissatisfaction.

“…If anything happens, call me.  I’m free, anyway.”

“Your Highness the Dragon Consort, are you here?  The flower crown prototype has been completed… ara.”

Fien poked her head inside and blinked upon seeing Lutiya.  Lutiya gave her a sharp glare before silently turning on his heels.

---

Read more than 10 posts ahead and support Faux on Patreon for only $2~

<Previous Chapter

Next Chapter>