translated by lyran1, edited by Minak Amie
Older Brother, targetedPrincess Patricia arrived at the table and took a pastry while saying that she will receive me first. (TN: パトリシア王女はテーブルにつくと、お先に頂戴しますわと言ってお菓子を手にとった)
With the baked pastry in her mouth, the delicious taste brought a smile to her face.
Since this is a guest room within the royal palace, it is difficult to determine who the real guest is, but I"m thankful we can keep moving forward.
Thanks to that, there is no need for me to worry. Michelin and I breathed out in relief after clearing the first hurdle.
Prince Edward has now taken up the role of host as the pastries and green tea were being enjoyed.
As one would expect of the royal palace, both the guest room and the pastries prepared were superb.
(TN: 流石に王城の客間に用意されるだけのことはあり、どちらも絶品だ。)
The pastry doesn"t just taste like pure sugar, the b.u.t.tery flavour is also prominent. It is comparable with the western pastries in my previous life.
But I think it"s impossible for such high-cla.s.s goods to be readily available for the general public in this level of civilization. I wonder if there are rare goods for the n.o.bility and royals.
(TN: 文明のレベル的に一般流通はまだ無理だと思うのだが、王侯貴族向けの希少品としてならば作れるということなのだろうか。)
The black tea has a fruity aroma with a good, mellow, and slightly astringent taste. In my past life, Darjeeling made from the second harvest of Muscat grapes had a similar fragrance, maybe the process of making it is the same.
(TN: 前世であったダージリンの２番摘みの物はマスカットのような香りがするとの事だったので、これも似たような手入れや製法でつくられたのだろう。)
Prince Edward directs his gaze at Michelin and me, making a light signal.
Well, it"s finally time to introduce ourselves.
[Elder sister, let me introduce these two. This is my fiancée. Michelin, Duke Alderton"s daughter, and her brother, Marcel, the Duke"s eldest son.]
[Your Highness, Princess Patricia, it is a pleasure to meet you for the first time. I am Michelin Alderton.]
Although there is some awkwardness, Michelin stands from her seat and greets the princess with a bow.
[Oh, I am in your care. I am happy to have such a cute younger sister in the future, Miss Michelin.]
Princess Patricia smiles gracefully.
Ah, what a refreshing feeling. (TN: おお、いい感じである)
Michelin"s cheeks turn red from embarra.s.sment.
For her to call someone a year younger than her cute and make her embarra.s.sed, this Princess Patricia, like Prince Edward who seems like a typical prince, appears to be quite dignified. She understands that we would be pleased hearing such a compliment.
But… I know it.
The princess" true face. (TN: この王女様の本当の表情を)
Nevertheless, there won"t be a chance to see it for a while.
Judging by the exchange so far, I decide to stand up and head towards the princess.
[Your Highness, Princess Patricia, I am honoured to meet you for the first time. I am Michelin"s older brother, Marcel Alderton.]
[Oh no, you do not have to be so polite. You are the older brother of my future younger sister. I consider you like my own brother as well, therefore…]
Princess Patricia smiles gracefully at me and -
[Please stop being so formal. Let"s speak normally, okay? Ah, my shoulder is stiff because of the party, but I guess it can"t be helped.] (TN: I think she is speaking another language…)
What?
At first I think I am hearing things.
But, there is no doubt about it. The source of the words is the smiling princess sitting in front of me.
If there wasn"t an attendant with her, she would probably look like a middle-aged man tired from doing desk work while moving his stiff shoulders with a weary expression on his face. She just spoke in a higher ancient language.
[I heard that Duke Alderton"s family"s insight on the ancient language is profound, so let us practice for a while.]
Princess Patricia speaks as if she is explaining to the surrounding maids and attendants.
Yes, certainly we are familiar with the ancient language to the point where it is spoken daily. (TN: 確かに上位古代語は日課レベルで親しんでおります)
Although we know it, we don"t use it in such a manner…
Michelin is stunned by the sudden situation while Prince Edward smiles as if nothing strange has occurred. However, I can clearly see the look of resignation in his eyes.
[Please don"t stand there dazedly and quickly sit down. That way, the maids won"t be too suspicious. Come on now, take a seat.]
[…Well then, I shall avail myself to your kind offer.]
With this, I return to my seat.
[Elder sister, normally you can"t suddenly create such a situation.]
[Marcel Alderton"s reputation seems to be interesting. I thought that he could handle at least this much. However, I wonder if I was wrong. If that"s the case, it would be too much of a disappointment! Isn"t it kind of sad!?]
(TN: 何やら面白そうと評判のマルセル・アルダートンなら、これくらいは受け止めると思ったんだけどなー、見込み違いかしらね。だとしたらガッカリよガッカリ！ どうなのそこんとこ！？)
Unbelievable, both of them are saying such things while speaking with such elegance.
[Umm, excuse me, but it seems I cannot completely understand the current situation.]
[You… where is the guy who was once referred to an unmanageable person with an annoying expression on his face? There wouldn"t be much meaning in speaking in an ancient tongue otherwise.]
(TN: did I get it right? -あんたねー、困ったということを困った顔で言う奴がどこにいるのよ。わざわざ上位古代語で会話してる意味がないでしょ)
Although the expression on her face was one of worry, the words she was saying were absurd.
…Why did the princess" true character suddenly appear!?
Patricia the third princess,
Gaspar"s fiancée in the original game.
With Gaspar"s strong temperament and the princess" dignified and prideful personality, there would constantly be conflict between the two.
From Gaspar"s point of view, the royal family was difficult to please, whereas Princess Patricia believed that wearing a façade was a sign of strength.
(TN: ガスパール視点ではいちいち王族としてと小うるさく、パトリシア王女視点では力を笠に着る慮外者)
They both were aware to some degree that there engagement was one of convenience. In Gaspar"s capture route, Princess Patricia played the role of rival in order to protect the royal family"s pride. If the capture was successful, her true situation was revealed. The flow of events would cause the player to feel touched.
The princess" honour was not ruined, however the problem was in the matchmaking route. (TN: このルートでは王女殿下感は損なわれないのだが、問題は仲人ルートだ)
In the route, it was the moment when Gaspar began to feel attracted towards the main character. His being an animal lover was not something Princess Patricia was unaware of. From there, the two would begin discovering the hidden parts of each other that hadn"t been shown before as the story advanced.
It became clear that the princess behaviour she had was just on the surface, in reality, she was actually a nice and friendly character.
From then on, Gaspar who had abided by his self-doctrine before, had begun worrying about Princess Patricia who had none of the characteristics of royalty along with her close friends. The development that followed, in various ways, was incredibly heart-warming to see.
(TN: Is there anyone understand this part? それまで完全にオレオレ主義だったガスパールが)
Oh, by the way, in Prince Edward"s route, it seems like he had a hard time dealing with his older sister"s true personality since childhood.
[…Edward-sama, may I know what is happening?]
Perplexed by whether or not she was following the situation, Michelin frankly asks Prince Edward with a smile.
Such a wonderful sister.
[I am sorry to have surprised you. What was my sister saying…? She was wondering if you usually hide your true self and occasionally reveal it. When there is someone around who understands the ancient language, it usually ends up with her speaking in an informal manner.]
[It is impolite to hide one"s true self! I"m already playing the role as princess perfectly to fulfil my duty as royalty! While I"m not playing such a role, I want to take it as easy as possible!]
Well, I still admire it no matter how many times I see it.
Even though her appearance is that of someone speaking in a relaxed manner while gracefully enjoying tea, her words that are filled with emotion while holding nothing back resound in my heart.
However, for the maids who haven"t learned the higher ancient language, royalty and n.o.bility can freely manipulate the commoners to believe that they are having a high-cla.s.s conversation.
From the princess" standpoint, there is always someone around her.
Maids and escorts, these people are always in contact with her since she is her Highness, the Princess.
I would guess that is why she wants to enjoy an informal conversation with someone.
[Although I understand the reason, are you sure it is alright for me to not use honorifics?]
I make an expression and somehow manage to partic.i.p.ate in the conversation.
[Of course it is~ We"re doing this because I don"t want to speak formally! Didn"t you understand my reasoning?]
So unreasonable…
Nevertheless, when entering a village, do as the villager do. (TN: basically just follow the flow right? – 郷に入りては郷に従えというしな)
[…I wonder if afterwards I would be accused of les majeste.]
[Nfufufu~ just as I thought.]
While I am reluctant to speak without any adorned words, Princess Patricia mutters while laughing gracefully with her true feelings.
It is a genuine graceful smile.
[Uhh, elder brother! Are you sure?]
[Well, ultimately, it cannot be helped.]
Michelin looks amazed at me who decided to speak casually. Well, it"s fine.
[Oh yes, Michelin-chan can also talk normally too.]
[-chan… I, although this is normal…]
As Princess Patricia addresses her, Michelin once again returns to her embarra.s.sed state from before.
[Ah~ Is that so? Because I"m not truly a princess… Oh, I shouldn"t be talking about that. Ahahahahahahahaha!]
Uwaa~ it"s difficult to react - this princess.
[Hey Princess, please stop inviting my sister in such a strange way.]
[You should adapt to the conversation, Brother Marcel.]
I admire my future brother-in-law.
That reminds me…
[…How should I refer to Prince Edward in this case?]
[I hope that, not to as extreme as my elder sister, you will be more familiar with me. Oh, as for my subtly polite tone, I"m doing it because it is easier for me, so please don"t mind it.]
Thanks to Prince Patricia"s blunt manner of speaking, my favourable rating for Prince Edward has increased.
[Then once again, please take care of me Prince Edward.]
[Likewise, Brother Marcel.]
With Prince Edward"s expression and tone, paired with the ancient language, it gives a feeling of equal standing.
[Well~ he really adapts easily~]
Princess Patricia, who is watching our interaction, says with an interested tone.
[A flimsy daredevil, it seems like things won"t always be fun.]
Princess Patricia looks straight into my eyes.
It"s needless to say who the daredevil is.
I see, it seems like she finds me entertaining. What an honour…
…Ehhhhhhhhhhhhh!?
I cry out in my mind given the intention included in those words.