Dinner Party
The dormitory orientation was held in the academy's auditorium.
This auditorium would also serve as the venue for tomorrow's entrance ceremony. Present there were the new dorm residents, teachers, and a few student representatives — essentially the student council members from what I could tell based on my previous life.
Among them was a familiar face… I had no idea that the student council president was my brother, Noel…!
During the orientation, we sat through the long speech from the headmaster, followed by greetings and explanations from the heads of the boys' and girls' dormitories, and finally, a speech from the student representative — Brother Noel. Watching him speak so confidently, I couldn’t help but think, as his little sister, that he looked really cool.
Three hours after the orientation, there would be a dinner party, and I’d have to change from my uniform into a dress. I’d never even been to a tea party before, so this would be my first party outside of our mansion.
Just as I was about to head back to the dorm, Brother Noel called out to me.
“Jo, how was it? Surprised?”
“Yes. Why didn’t you tell me you were the student council president?”
“Because I wanted to surprise you. …So, how do you feel? Think you’ll be okay here?”
“Hmm, I’m not sure yet… but my room is right next to Bell’s, so I’ll be fine. Bell’s maids and Sarah and the others are classmates too, and they get along.”
“If Young lady Bell’s next door, that’s reassuring.”
“Oh, and make sure to wear Aran’s pendant.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll be at the party too. See you later.”
＊＊＊
I finished getting dressed.
Today, I was wearing a sleeveless princess-line dress in light blue, the same color as my eyes. The round neckline and bodice were overlaid with lace that Tani had worked hard to knit, and there was a big ribbon at the waist. My hair was styled half-up, tied with lace that Tani had also made.
(You look lovely, Joan.)
(Yeah, you’re really cute~)
“Thank you, Pearl, Rosso.”
(Don’t forget that pendant.)
“Ah…”
Reminded by Pearl, I hurriedly put on the pendant I had completely forgotten about.
“Young lady Joan, Young lady Bell has come to pick you up.”
“Okay~”
Normally, for a party, you’d need a male escort, but this was more of a welcome party for new students, so an escort wasn’t necessary. That’s why I had arranged to go with Bell.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Bell… Wow, you look beautiful.”
Bell was wearing a sleeveless princess-line dress in a gradient of emerald green that matched her deep green eyes. The high neckline and waist were accented with a dark green ribbon. Her reddish-brown hair was intricately braided up.
“Thank you. You look adorable too, Joan.”
“Hehe, thanks to Sarah’s hard work.”
Thanks to Sarah’s special makeup skills, I actually looked like a proper noble Young lady.
When we arrived at the auditorium, it had been transformed with gorgeous decorations.
One after another, dressed-up new students entered. Even the commoner students had access to free rental dresses, suits, and hair and makeup, so everyone was dressed up. Though many looked embarrassed, probably because they weren’t used to such clothes.
Bell and I got drinks and were chatting when the entrance suddenly grew noisy. Curious, I looked over to see the student representatives and several teachers entering — the same ones from the orientation.
Among them was Brother Noel.
“Ahh…”
“What’s wrong, Joan?”
“Ah, see that tall guy over there? He gave the speech earlier.”
“Yeah, I see him. Very sharp-looking. What about him?”
“That’s my older brother.”
“Eh? Oh, now that you mention it, I remember hearing ‘Lampail’ during the speech.”
“Yeah. And now, he’s smiling all politely over there, but I know that’s his public face.”
“Really?”
“Yep. Deep down, he’s a magic nerd.”
“Ahh, right, you told me that.”
Since we exchanged letters and talked about our families, Bell understood immediately.
While we were chatting, Noel started walking over to us.
The girls around us were all staring dreamily at him. Heck, even a few of the boys looked enchanted.
“Jo, having fun?”
“Yes. Oh, Brother Noel, this is Bell.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Bell Barst.”
“I’ve heard all about you. Please continue looking after Joan, Young lady Bell.”
“Yes, likewise. I’ll take good care of her.”
“I know your brother, Hans, through the student council. How’s he doing?”
“Eh? Oh, yes, he’s… doing so well it’s exhausting.”
“Haha, that’s just like Lord Hans. Ever since he graduated and returned to your territory, I haven’t had many chances to see him. Please give him my regards.”
“Yes, thank you very much.”
The entrance grew noisy again, but this time, there were noticeably more excited, high-pitched voices.
“Ah, here we go.”
“What is it, Brother Noel?”
“You’ll know in a moment.”
He winked at me.
No, no, even as my brother, that’s embarrassing.
Ugh, why does he have to be so needlessly handsome?!
“Ah, found you!”
“Ugh!”
Emerging from the crowd was none other than Prince Fred. Not only did he suddenly show up, but he pointed straight at me, and I couldn’t help but react honestly.
As Prince Fred approached me—
“What’s with that ‘ugh’?”
“Oh my, did I say such a thing? Surely Your Highness misheard?”
“Tch… whatever.”
Ah, that guy actually clicked his tongue…
“Your Highness, it’s time.”
The one who spoke to Prince Fred was my older brother Aran.
When Aran’s eyes met mine, he smiled warmly. Though expressionless while working, that sudden, gentle smile always catches me off guard.
Ah… what is this? My heart’s fluttering so much…
And of course, seeing him in the Royal Guard uniform makes him look twice as cool.
“Yeah, I know. Young lady Joan, listen carefully to my speech.”
“Eh? You can do it?”
“I can!”
Behind Prince Fred, I could see Ryuk silently laughing, and Aran nudged him with his elbow.
As Prince Fred headed towards the stage—
“Joan, you know Prince Fred?” Bell asked, clearly surprised after witnessing our conversation.
“Ah, yeah. Our fathers were classmates, so I’ve known him since I was little… Wait, Brother Noel, why didn’t you tell me?!”
“Huh? I thought it’d be funnier this way?”
“Ugh, that’s not funny! Well… I did get to see Brother Aran, so I guess it’s fine.”
“Aran… is that the Royal Guard from earlier?”
“Yeah. I want to introduce him to you, but… that annoying guy’s here.”
“Pfft… Jo, you shouldn’t call royalty ‘annoying.’ Good thing I activated the soundproofing magic tool just in case.”
“As expected of you, Brother Noel.”
“You never know who’s listening, after all.”
Well, good thing the annoying one is Fred. If it were Albert, it’d be even more troublesome.
What do you think about this chapter?
