Editing/Standardisation: Medicine Melancholy
Original Translation: Medicine Melancholy
Iris
To participate in the tournament, we thoroughly prepared for it by gathering all the necessary equipment.
Ouka-san and Kirsche-san, fearing they might get caught up in more trouble if they stayed in their own workshop, discreetly collected their essential belongings and tools from there and decided to stay at Master Nephlim’s workshop.
“Well, we’ve got a big job ahead, so things are going to get busy. Kirsche, will you help me out?”
“Sure, Onee-chan! Just let me know if there’s anything I can do.”
With such a friendly exchange, the two returned to their work, looking like they had nothing more to worry about.
After bidding the three farewell, we returned to the accommodations at the Grand Arena――
“Today’s lecture… was so long again…”
“The fact that you said ‘again’ makes it sound like you’re used to being scolded. What’s up with that?”
“It’s not my fault that trouble keeps heading our way…”
The three of us slumped into chairs, exhausted.
Waiting for us as we returned to the Grand Arena was Leonhardt-sama, who wore a half-resigned expression as he gave us another lecture about “getting involved in danger again.”
In the end, he acknowledged that we had no choice but to help our friends, but lately, it does feel like we’ve gotten quite used to these lecture.
After the lecture was over, we changed into relatively simple dresses meant for private use to meet the queen and her entourage, who were expected to arrive soon. By the time we could finally catch our breath, it was already evening—though still quite bright, as it was midsummer.
The heat had eased compared to the daytime as the sun began to set, and the sea breeze cooled our minds, which were still a bit heated from the lecture.
At the back of the Grand Arena, on the side opposite the main entrance, there were five towers built along the cliffs facing the sea, inside the outer walls. These served as accommodations for us guests.
Each tower had five floors and was assigned to a different continent, including Acropolis.
The towers were connected to the VIP seating area of the arena from the second floor and to the outside through common areas on the first floor, but other than that, you couldn’t move freely between the towers. However, it seemed that with prior arrangements, it was possible to visit other towers.
As of now, we were in the second tower from the east, which had been assigned to the Kingdom of Norglacier, and in a gazebo (a Western-style pavilion) set in the rooftop garden.
“…At first, he didn’t look so happy about it, but after hearing our circumstances, the Count gave me permission to participate in the tournament.”
Said Reiji-san, sipping his cup of tea with a tired look on his face.
Since it was a last-minute entry to fill a vacancy, the paperwork would take a few days, and the formal registration wouldn’t take place until right before the tournament started.
And during that time, he had to attend a few formalities, which meant he couldn’t leave the Grand Arena often.
“Uncle was also reluctant about it, but there’s no problem on my side either. Though starting tomorrow, I’ll be dealing with even more procedures than you, Reiji.”
“The prince of a country suddenly demanding to participate in a tournament, it’s bound to cause quite a stir, I suppose.”
“Well, let them think it’s just the whim of a wayward prince. If they let their guard down because of that, all the better.”
When I pointed out the inevitable struggles the organizing committee must already be facing, Nii-sama merely sighed and shrugged his shoulders, and I smiled wryly at him in return.
“Still, I’m a bit surprised… I thought persuading him would be more difficult.”
His Majesty Alfgard was understandably unhappy when his long-lost nephew, who had just returned, decided to go into battle. While I was glad that we have relatives who are concerned about our safety, I thought he would be more against that idea.
“He must have had his reason for doing so.”
“Reason?”
“Mm-hmm. It seems when he eventually has to decide on who’s succeeding him as king, he wants me in particular to leave a legacy and improve my public image.”
“I wasn’t told anything like that though…”
“That’s because your lineage and qualities are without doubt, Iris. But in my case…”
Just as Nii-sama began to speak, we suddenly felt eyes on us from behind.
Not wanting to discuss such matters in front of others, I motioned for Nii-sama to stop, and at almost the same time, he and Reiji-san noticed it too.
The gaze was coming from behind Reiji-san, near the stairs leading down to the lower floor.
“Is that…”
“…A kid?”
The two of them looked cautiously at the figure.
The reason they hadn’t noticed earlier was probably because there was no hint of hostility or malice in the gaze.
When I turned around, I saw a small figure peeking out from behind a fence along the stairs.
They seemed to be trying to hide, but their small, white wings were sticking out, and the sight brought a smile to my face.
Sensing that we had noticed them, the little figure hastily pulled their head back.
“It’s alright, you can come over here. Would you like to join us for tea?”
It seemed Nii-sama had left this to me, choosing to observe.
Reiji-san, sensing something, took on the posture of a servant and stood behind us.
So, I stood up from my seat, trying to sound as gentle as possible, and smiled warmly as I invited the figure over.
Slowly, a small, well-dressed Highborn boy emerged from behind the stairs.
From the look of it, he seemed to be around seven or eight years old.
When I smiled at him again, his face lit up, and he trotted over to us. His manner was reminiscent of a chick chasing after its mother.
Isn’t this kid… incredibly cute?
Given the circumstances, it was easy to guess who this child was. I recalled how His Majesty Alfgard had frequently boasted about his son’s cuteness during the journey, and now it all made sense.
“N-Nice to meet you, Big Sister Irisria, Big Brother Saulquez!”
The boy, slightly out of breath, approached us and, despite his nervousness, bowed with a level of maturity that belied his age, though his voice still had the lisp of a young child.
Though his movements were dignified, the small white wings on his back fluttered adorably as he moved.
Just as I thought… this kid’s so cute!
With soft, fluffy silver curls and a perfectly symmetrical face, he was delicate and slender, in contrast to His Majesty Alfgard’s more muscular build from his military background.
His inherent beauty, along with his graceful demeanor and intelligent manner, was a clear sign of his noble upbringing and the love he had received.
His somewhat formal greeting tugged at my heart, filling me with warmth, and I barely managed to suppress the urge to hug him tightly and nuzzle his cheek. Instead, I kept a gentle smile on my face, doing my best to appear like the kind older sister I wanted to be.
…Yes, I can do this. I’m a kind older sister, after all.
I calmed my inner thoughts, which were dangerously close to acting on my maternal instincts, and opened my mouth. This young boy had greeted us so politely, so I had to make sure I set a good example in return.
“Nice to meet you as well. My name’s Irisria Norglacier.”
I lightly pinched the hem of my skirt, bending my knees slightly in a curtsy, and tried to smile as gently as possible to avoid making him nervous. Nii-sama, standing behind me, also introduced himself and bowed politely to our small guest.
“And… you must be His Majesty King Alfgard’s son, correct? May I ask your name?”
“Y-Yes! My name is Julius Norglacier. I haven’t received my magic name yet, but… Father told me I would get to meet you both, and I’ve been looking forward to it all the way here!”
He spoke, still a bit nervous, but flashed an innocent angelic smile—Prince Julius.
This was our first meeting with His Majesty Alfgard’s son, who, as our cousin, was also the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Norglacier.
APM - Translation 