< Chapter 66 - Summer Festival >
Chapter 66 – Summer Festival
The Royal Knight Pool.
Although he called it that, Yuder was certain as he climbed the stairs.
‘It’s an outdoor hot spring.’
To be honest, it’s just a bathhouse.
‘Hmm… I’m nervous.’
Even though I was in a swimsuit, it wasn’t because I was going to the bathhouse with Cordelia that I was excited.
‘Of course there is some of that too.’
No, maybe it’s more important than you think.
Anyway, there was another real reason why my heart started pounding.
‘It’s an unfamiliar place.’
An outdoor hot spring in the royal palace.
I’ve never heard of it or been there.
An unknown location where it wouldn’t be strange for the first discovery achievement to appear if it were a game and not reality.
‘I’ve changed a lot too.’
In the past, I would get nervous when I came to an unfamiliar place like this.
I was on edge trying to spot any possible danger.
But now, I’m excited about visiting an unknown place, so it’s a world of difference.
[Yuder, Yuuder. They’re all here. Be nervous. Got it?]
Just as Yuder was about to become absorbed in his emotions, Cordelia spoke through message magic, and thanks to that, Yuder came to his senses. He took his eyes off the large white ribbon decorating Cordelia’s hair and looked straight ahead.
“Thank you, Uder Bayer and Cordelia Chase, for visiting.”
A palace staff member dressed as a butler standing at the entrance bowed and paid his respects.
After Uther and Cordelia gave a brief greeting, the tour began. As expected by Uther, it was clearly a place that was usually used as a bathhouse.
“Sister! Brother!”
As we passed through the wooden screens, a well-appointed outdoor hot spring appeared, and one of those soaking inside suddenly stood up and shouted.
It was Princess Darian wearing a green swimsuit.
“Princess Darian.”
Cordelia smiled gently and nodded.
She seemed much happier than usual, perhaps because she saw a familiar face while she was nervous.
“Hehehe, both of you come in quickly.”
It was a childlike innocence, but unfortunately I couldn’t follow it right away.
Because she wasn’t the only one soaking in the hot spring.
“Judah Bayer of the House of Bayer and Cordelia Chase of the House of Chase greet the Crown Princess and the Prince.”
Uther spoke on behalf of the group, and Cordelia bowed again somewhat obediently.
And at that greeting, Princess Daphne, who was wearing a white one-piece swimsuit, nodded.
“It’s good to see you again. This is Prince Dion, my younger brother and the pride of the royal family.”
“It’s Dion.”
Following Princess Daphne’s introduction, Dion revealed himself.
I couldn’t see him fully because he was soaking in the murky hot spring water, but he seemed to have a fairly healthy body for a wizard.
‘And you have a handsome face.’
As expected of Princess Daphne’s younger sister, her face was one that made one feel ‘cool’.
Added to this was the deep, bright golden blonde hair. Perhaps because it was wet, it looked a little sexy.
‘I don’t like it.’
As Cordelia’s gaze fell on Prince Dion, Jude unconsciously turned his gaze back to Princess Daphne.
She looked at Uther and Cordelia with eyes that looked much older than her age, not even the young age of twenty, and then she made a slight gesture and said.
“The night air is cold. Come in.”
“I’m sorry.”
Uther and Cordelia bowed again and carefully stepped into the hot spring water.
It was hotter than I thought, but as Princess Daphne said, maybe because the night air was cold, my feet went in without me realizing it.
“Is it warm?”
When Princess Darion asked with a bright smile, Cordelia, who was sitting with her shoulders sunken in, answered with a smile as well.
“Yes, Princess. It’s very warm and nice.”
The floor wasn’t that deep, just enough for a young child like Princess Darion to fit in, but she was still able to fully submerge herself by adjusting the angle at which she sat.
“Thank you again for inviting me.”
When Yuder bowed again, Princess Daphne waved her hand.
“That’s enough formality. I invited you here because I wanted to become more familiar with you.”
Even though we were wearing swimsuits, it was definitely a special treat to soak in the hot spring water together.
‘I waited for the fairy’s excuse······.’
It was literally just an excuse, the real purpose was, as he said himself, to become closer to him.
‘You are welcome here, though.’
Why does Princess Daphne show more interest in him and Cordelia than expected?
Is it because of Princess Darion?
Or maybe there is another reason for Princess Daphne.
‘Anyway, an opportunity is an opportunity.’
If the person I was supposed to become close with had feelings for me, that would be the icing on the cake. There was no reason to refuse.
“It’s a new thing, but… you’re really cute. No, you’re lovely. Isn’t that right? Dion?”
When Princess Daphne said this while looking at Cordelia, Prince Dion also nodded.
“Yes, Sister. It seems to be more than the rumors.”
“Right? Am I right?”
Following Prince Dion’s calm voice came Princess Darion’s lively voice.
She was more excited than usual, perhaps because she was among her favorite older sisters and brothers.
“Go, thank you.”
Princess Daphne smiled again as Cordelia bowed her head with a blush on her face.
“You’re cute. You’ve probably been told that you’re pretty so many times since you were born, but it’s so cute how you always get embarrassed.”
“Yes? Uh··· Yes······.”
Cordelia’s already red face turned even redder, and seeing this brought a smile to the faces of Princess Daphne, Prince Dion, and Princess Darion.
‘Cordelia is cute, isn’t she?’
Lovely.
Uther, who agreed vehemently, smiled happily, and Cordelia, who had somehow found herself in a helpless situation, immersed herself a little deeper into the bath.
“Anyway, it’s good to talk about this and that, but I’d like to get started right away. That’s why we gathered here in the first place.”
The reason why they gathered at night, and in a place that is usually used as a bathhouse.
“I miss you too, Fairy. That’s why Dion Uncle came.”
As Princess Darion spoke with a big smile, Prince Dion continued in a calm voice.
“Is there a special ritual required? A procedure or something?”
Although his posture was clearly the same, his gaze seemed more intense than before, perhaps because of his mood.
So instead of beating around the bush, Uder spoke directly.
“It’s simple, but there is one ritual that is necessary.”
“Oh, what kind of ritual is it?”
“I’m curious too.”
“me too!”
As all the royal family members showed interest, Yuder continued speaking with a proud expression on his face.
“First of all, it has to be night. And it has to be a bright moonlit night, with Selene and Helen shining brightly.”
“and?”
“We need a truly beautiful woman. Not an ordinary beauty, but a truly amazing beauty.”
To the extent that it truly deserves the adjective peerless.
At Uther’s explanation, everyone’s eyes turned to Cordelia’s face, and they nodded almost simultaneously.
“indeed.”
“That’s already been prepared.”
“I admit it.”
As each word continued, Cordelia’s face grew hotter and hotter, and now even her neck was red.
A fresh, beautiful and lovely girl who blushes and shrugs her shoulders while soaking in hot spring water.
“And we need a song. A beautiful girl’s song.”
Prince Dion nodded immediately at Uther’s explanation. It was a story that made sense.
“Song can be found in many rituals and ceremonies, transcending nations and cultures. Moreover, fairies are a race known to enjoy dancing and singing. It is quite possible.”
“I see.”
Princess Daphne nodded in agreement with Prince Dion’s explanation and looked at Cordelia again.
“So, is it okay for Cordelia to sing here now?”
“Yes, if there really are fairies living around here, they will show themselves in response to Cordelia’s beauty and song.”
Because there have been several precedents already.
As Uder spoke with a confident expression, the faces of all the royal family members showed anticipation and excitement, although to varying degrees.
“I want to hear it soon.”
“me too.”
And of course, the urging that followed.
Uther gently grabbed Cordelia’s hand in the water, and Cordelia flinched and looked back at Uther, biting her lip slightly.
‘Hey! You bad boy!’
What if I make things bigger?
No, what if you explain it like that!
‘Why, it’s all true.’
‘No! But that’s true!’
‘And you knew this would happen, right? That’s why you practiced.’
‘Ugh······.’
In fact, it was all a set procedure.
The problem is that it’s more embarrassing than you think.
Cordelia looked at Princess Daphne again, and Princess Daphne greeted her with a splendid smile.
“Go ahead and give it a try.”
I understand that you’re embarrassed and want to leave it out, but I want to hear it.
No, that’s why I want to order more.
“Sister, I want to hear it too. Does Dion Brother do the same?”
“Yeah, I want to hear that too.”
With Princess Darion and Prince Dion adding their words, Cordelia felt like she was cornered.
And here’s a message of magic that follows.
[Teacher Ahn said that it would be easier if you gave up. Just give up.]
A message from Uther.
Cordelia wanted to shout, “Who is Mr. Ahn?” No, she wanted to shout, “Even you, Yuder?!!” But she forced herself to calm down.
As Uther said, I knew it would turn out like this.
Because it’s something that has to be done anyway.
‘Okay, let’s just give up.’
I’m not sure what I’m giving up though.
“Phew······.”
Cordelia took a deep breath and then stood up.
A beautiful girl with long, wet hair under the fantastic moonlight.
The playful faces of the royal family naturally lit up with admiration, as it was like a painting in itself.
‘As expected of Cordelia.’
Uther also looked at Cordelia with a pleased face, and Cordelia took a few more breaths.
And finally, just before opening her lips.
‘for a moment.’
Cordelia stopped all movements for a moment and pursed her lips.
It was because one important fact came to mind.
‘Hey, should I call you here? That?’
Twinkle twinkle little star?
It’s not some beautiful and sad song, it’s not some sacred song that ennobles the heart just by listening to it.
Twinkle twinkle little star?!
Cordelia was flustered and looked around busily, rolling her eyes.
The royal family is looking this way with a face full of anticipation, and Yuder is looking at me with a face as if asking if there is a problem.
And the palace maids and palace staff are not looking this way, but they are secretly listening with expectant faces and their ears pricked up.
‘It’s too much! It’s too much!’
Here, in this situation, call out to Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star!
Of course, it’s not that Twinkle Twinkle Little Star is a bad song. It’s a very good song.
But still.
But still!
[Cordelia? Is something wrong?]
[I don’t know! I hate you! I hate you!]
[Cordelia?]
Why is he suddenly acting like this?
Regardless of whether Uther was flustered or not, Cordelia, who had poured out her resentment, took a breath again.
Anyway, I had to call you.
Princess Daphne couldn’t be made to wait any longer.
‘Okay, let’s give up.’
I don’t know who it was, but I heard that Mr. Ahn said that.
Cordelia, with her shoulders hunched, closed her eyes to lessen her embarrassment, then opened her lips and sang.
“Twinkle, twinkle, little star~ Shine beautifully~ In the western sky~ In the eastern sky~ Twinkle, twinkle, little star~ Shine beautifully···yes~”
A fantastic collaboration of slightly anxious tones, blushing faces, cute lyrics, and a loveliness that somehow makes you want to keep teasing her.
Princess Daphne bit her lip to keep herself from laughing, Prince Dion turned around and laughed, and Princess Darion simply smiled brightly.
Uther tore the scroll.
‘Recording complete.’
I’m glad I was able to capture some great footage.
That was the moment when everyone except Cordelia was satisfied in their own way.
“Wow, it’s really pretty.”
“So pretty~.”
“I want to pinch your cheeks.”
A very familiar line.
And the chattering voices continued on.
“I think it will be soft and fluffy.”
“Hey, do you want to play with us?”
Small, cute fairies that glide across the surface of the water.
Even the rather generous Princess Daphne opened her eyes wide for a moment, and Princess Darion let out an exclamation.
“Wow?”
A real fairy.
Fairies that look like winged girls, the size of a palm.
Prince Dion jumped up from his seat in surprise, and the palace staff and palace maids looked at him openly, unlike before.
And Uther clenched his fist.
‘Bingo! As expected! Summer Fairy!’
Her soft, sun-kissed, Latin-like brown skin and curly hair were proof of that.
“Whoa······.”
Cordelia opened her eyes to the sound of the fairies’ voices, let out a long sigh of relief, and then collapsed on the ground. This was because she had let go of her tension.
“Now that I look at it, there are a lot of pretty kids?”
“It’s a total flower garden!”
As the fairies began to laugh out loud, Prince Dion spoke with a serious face.
“Is it a song? A song about stars is a prerequisite for calling out to the fairies? Is that why you haven’t responded to me until now?”
In fact, this outdoor hot spring was a place that Princess Daphne visited at least ten times a month.
But in the past dozen years or so, the fairy has not appeared even once.
“Can’t you just sing? Well, that’s more likely. I’m sure even my older sister would hum a tune sometimes.”
It was more like a researcher’s typical monologue rather than asking anyone in particular, but since everyone was so close together, everyone heard it.
Prince Dion’s hypothesis.
Only when you sing a song about stars will the fairies appear.
The reason is that Princess Daphne has not been able to summon fairies until now.
Princess Daphne and Princess Darion nodded at the somewhat convincing story, and the palace staff and palace maids also showed expressions of understanding.
But it was at that very moment.
“what?”
“We just show up when there’s a pretty girl?”
“The song isn’t that important?”
“You can call me anything.”
“I just came out because she was so pretty?”
“It’s not because of the song that it hasn’t come out until now, is it?”
The fairies’ bold speech and what can be inferred from it.
A murderous light appeared in Prince Dion’s eyes, Princess Darion smiled awkwardly, and the palace maids and court ladies who had been watching quickly turned their gazes away.
And in the midst of all this, Cordelia, who was sitting on the thorniest of all, whose only fault was being born too pretty, felt like crying and groped her hands in the water. It was to find Uther’s hand.
[Eww! What should we do, what should we do, Yuder? Aren’t we going to be executed?]
Before he could immediately respond to the magic message he had unknowingly vomited, Uder grabbed Cordelia’s hand tightly. Then, he looked straight ahead and whispered as he sent the magic message.
[It’s okay. Princess Daphne is a great person.]
[What are you talking about!]
[Whoa, calm down. And we didn’t do anything wrong, right?]
Because I just called you and did what I was told.
Because it was the fairies who caused the accident, not Cordelia.
[Still.]
[It’s okay. The princess is smiling, isn’t she?]
[That’s a completely stiff smile?!]
A smile that is the epitome of hardness.
But, as Uther said, Princess Daphne was a great person – no, a woman of great generosity.
“I guess there is such a thing as taste. I will try to understand.”
Although they felt a bit tacky for some reason, the palace staff and palace maids breathed a sigh of relief at the declaration that they would get through it anyway, and Cordelia also slumped her shoulders.
And Uther didn’t miss a moment.
As usual, he changed the subject as if he was jumping over a wall.
“Summer Fairies, these people over here are human royalty. So, may I meet your queen?”
“Our queen?”
“Oh, your queen.”
The Summer Fairies blinked at Uther’s words, and the royal family also focused on the new development.
Meeting the fairies was amazing, but going one step further, I might even meet the Fairy Queen.
“I wonder?”
“Well, it’s really pretty.”
“The Queen will like it too.”
A familiar flow of conversation.
Here, Uder decided to take some medicine.
“If you take me to the Queen, I’ll give you something good.”
“Good thing?”
“Oh, that’s really good.”
There are already very good things that have gone through clinical trials through Paul Fairley.
Uder spoke with a very friendly smile, and the fairies who had been looking around among themselves and thinking about it soon nodded.
“Okay! I will!”
“Let’s go together!”
“Let’s all have fun at night!”
The fairies shouted with innocent faces, and Uther smiled with satisfaction.
Even Cordelia, who was quite possessed by Uther, saw the smile of a wicked, yet incredibly kind, swindler.
&
< Chapter 66 - Summer Festival > End
