Drop!!　～A Tale of the Fragrance Princess～ c2

I… won’t make any excuses. I drop off the face of the planet often. I’m sorry.

For those who are tired of waiting and don’t mind crappy quality (not that it’s never been good). Read through the JP text.  Give corrections if needed please.

I really dislike giant walls of text. Really not suited for this. I’m sorry if some of the translation confuses you. I’m confused myself.

If someone wants to give translating Drop a go then by all means, please do so~ I don’t have the right or ability to! ;-;

Anyways, will update it if I translate any more tidbits of text.

Again, sorry.

 

Act 2　The Noble Girl’s Outing Plans

http://ncode.syosetu.com/n7983cw/3/

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　The last time Cordelia remembered using a letter was in the previous world when she was in『kindergarten』and『exchanging letters』was still a fashionable thing.

 

She had never been good at writing them, and there was no longer anybody who could only be  contacted by letter. That’s why she didn’t have any bad or good memories regarding the experience.

 

　However, now Cordelia was very impressed by the letters she had received.

 

　(There are really a lot of herbs――)

 

Cordelia took a breath to calm her excitement, and once again took the letter she received from the head chef―― More like a report―― and looked through it once more. There, a『summary of wild grasses with strong fragrances』was listed, in other words a list of where she could find these herbs was written down. It recorded herbs like mint and sage, chamomile and lavender that could all be found within a mountain nearby the capital city where her mansion resided. Cordelia raised the corner of her lips.

 

(This is excellent……)

 

　The letter that contained information about many of the herbs she was experienced in handling from her previous life was like a treasure box filled with jewels. She could only feel joy. If she could get her hands on these herbs, then it would definitely be the best start she could wish for. If that’s the case, then it’s crucial to decide how I’ll begin my research―― Cordelia thought, but the next moment she bumped into a difficulty.

 

That’s right…… The habitat of these herbs, is a mountain.

 

「……Is it very cultured for a young noble lady to go picking herbs and wildflowers in a field……I wonder if I can go?」

 

　Yes, even though it was close by to home, the mountain was abundant with magic. Thanks to the magic the plants grow well, but for the same reason, it’s plausible that monsters will appear as well. So even if her Father loved to spoil her rotten――no, in reverse it was because he loved her so much that he would bar her from going and argue it would be too dangerous. If she ordered the servants to go, they could bring back a fair share. But Cordelia wanted to head there herself with her own feet and confirm the status of the growth in the wild. If she went there herself there was the possibility of discovering other herbs not written in the list.

　Even more so though, she was purely curious about what lay outside of the mansion and wanted to see it for herself.

 

Ever since she was born Cordelia had almost never stepped outside.

 

　It wasn’t like she was formally banned from going outside. But in the first place, she『did not go out usually.』Had the maid who had taken care of Cordelia ever suggested to, she would have followed. But she had never been told such a thing. For example, even if there was a parade celebrating the National Festival, she would be told「Today is the day of the festival, so classes are cancelled. You may look out from the balcony if you wish.」It was likely that not going outside was normal. (Incidentally, the view from the balcony is great, but I was unable to comprehend the state of the festival in the least.)

 

Of course, it wasn’t as if all children’s outings were prohibited, but…… In the books she had read in the archives, there were many children who had gone out to meet their fiancés and such (accompanied by a guardian,) so if it was for a reason like that then it might be acceptable.

 

(……It’s not my fiancé, but I would like to meet my fated plants…… Just kidding, of course that would be a stretch.）

 

　Now then, what to do?

　While Cordelia was troubled, she had no intention of giving up.

 

Her memories of walking around as she wished in town and freely researching in the previous world were telling her『it wasn’t good to stay cooped up in the mansion.』She was operating according to the common sense of that world. That’s why she did not think that it was fine for her to depend on others to come to an acceptable conclusion. She knew that her situation from the past and the present were two entirely different things. But to resolve her experiment and to sate her curiosity, she could not let such trivial reasons disturb her objective.

 

　But if she was to aim at becoming a proper lady, then it would not be fit for her to ignore the trifling common sense outright. Then without fail, she would have to figure out a solution that wouldn’t deviate from the behaviour of a proper lady, but would let her fulfil her objective of going outside.

　Without neglecting her escorts, a method that would convince her Father――……。

 

　「Ah.」

 

After thinking in depth, she realized that there was one possibility.

 

「If I were able to accompany Brother Ishma on his long ride……」

 

The Pameradia family’s third child and second son, Ishma Pameradia.

　Recalling this person, Cordelia decided to stake her chances on the possibility.

 

　Cordelia had three siblings; her eldest brother, who was fourteen years her senior; the younger  twin of her eldest brother, who had already been promised to the second son of another Duke’s family, her elder sister; and her second elder brother, who was twelve years older than her.

 

　Both of her elder brothers had each taken the entrance examination to the National Chivalric Order at the age of fifteen, and successfully became knights. After joining they were assigned to the apprentice unit called the Young Lions, and afterwards she heard they entered the Imperial Guards at the age of 18. It seemed that the speed of those brothers’ success were『without a doubt, fast.』

 

According to Cordelia’s teacher, the Young Lions unit had been a generic practice squad until that point, but after her brothers had joined it became an assembly of only those with high status. Hearing those words caused her to think that they were only being biased, but it was common sense in the Knights that the Young Lions training was much harsher than a normal practice unit’s training. In addition to the general martial arts and studies, unlike normal practice units they trained in applying magic and more, and forging themselves through restless days and nights, they diligently went through drills and practical training for two years. Like that they completed the two year curriculum in only one year, left for the naturally intense work of the Border Patrol, and after returning received the captain of the Young Lions’ comprehensive evaluation. They would finally be assigned accordingly determined by the assessment that they received.

 

　Naturally it was severe, but it deeply reflected the caste system of non-aristocratic knights…… The main offenders who held dissatisfaction were knights affiliated to the Training Unit in the training course. However, claiming that the nobles hailing from dignified families with high magic concentration were holding back the normal Training Unit would be unreasonable. For example if they were to poorly merge the magic training sessions together, there would be many injured people as a result. That’s why the current situation was the most optimal. It’s not like all high ranking nobles are equal in having strong magic either. However the high ranking nobles who went on to be knights were pretty much those who possessed strong magic. And of those from the practical units who went to challenge the Young Lions’ unit, even if they had resentment against the system itself, they were in a situation that forced to recognize them without being able to change anything. There was too much of a difference in their abilities. That’s why there hadn’t been any full blown cries for system reform yet.

 

　But even within the Young Lion’s unit from the special forces training school, there were seldom members chosen to become Imperial Guards. Generally, even if it was hasty, they would be attached to another unit for one or two years. However, achieving that “seldom” was the sub-commanding officer of the First Regiment, the eldest brother, and the second eldest attached to the Second Regiment, showing that they were that powerful, and successors of superior ability holders……Or something accordingly.

 

The conversation has slightly strayed, but that second brother of the Second Regiment would have two days off duty in ten days time. Both brothers lived their lives in the general lodging house, and only on those days would they return home. Once he returned home, Ishma would head out on a long ride without exception. To him, the best method to heal him from his rigorous work was a horse.

 

Naturally he was very capable, so he didn’t require an escort―― And while saying that, it seemed that no one from the mansion was able to keep up with him, and there would always be one chasing after him―― And he would often head towards the area deep in the mountains.

 

Once before, Ishma had inquired Cordelia something in a playful manner.

 

「Do you want to come along too?」

 

　At that time, Cordelia had been too surprised at the suddenness and was unable to reply, but she clearly remembered what she had been told.

　It was likely that Ishma remembered that incident as well. The brothers’ memorizing ability was extraordinarily high. Even if he had said it as a joke, and even if he had the assumption that she would refuse, if Cordelia, who was once invited before, said that she wished to accompany him then he couldn’t possibly say that she couldn’t go along with.

 

Concluding that, Cordelia immediately pulled out some stationary and composed sentences with carefully written letters.

　She wasn’t good with writing the characters, but because her letter would be inspected by another person’s eyes, as a daughter of the Pameradia family so she could only show the most beautiful characters. Even if the person who saw it did not disclose the contents, it was ideal to show the least openings as possible to other people.

　In the first place it was her first request to her brother, so roughly made letters were out of the question.

 

（Now then, what will Brother’s response be?）

 

　With the letters she wrote filled with her hope, while a little restless, today she lived another carefree day.

 

But Cordelia had yet to receive a reply about her letter from her elder brother.

 

She had heard that Ishma was more or less the youngest member of his unit, and was very busy with his assigned duties. That’s why Cordelia was able to predict that she might not receive a reply. Yes, although she hadn’t gotten an acceptance, due to the fact that she had not received a reply, it didn’t mean that she had been rejected. It ended up that she would have to bring it up once her brother arrived back at home.

 

That’s why Cordelia intently waited earnestly for her Ishma’s off duty days. At last the morning of the days when he would return home came, and she had no choice but to await anxiously while staring outside, stationed on standby at the entrance.

 

In reality, she would be endeavoring in lessons or studies at this time. But the day after she sent out her letter, while yet to receive a reply, Cordelia did her best and raised her pace. Thanks to that, today and the day after, she was exempted from classes for the two day duration.

 

In regards to her father, she thought of a plan and after three days, she was able to convince him.

　I want to accompany Brother on his long ride. At first when Cordelia said those words, her father showed an extremely reluctant appearance and questioned in a murmur,「Can you even ride a horse?」but other than that he didn’t acknowledge or reject her. That’s why without abandoning hope, Cordelia requested from her father until he gave his consent.

 

　Her father, Elvis, greatly considered her wish in his head.

 

The mountain is dangerous. If a monster appeared, it was unlikely that Cordelia had the means to run away skillfully. But if Ishma accompanied her, then no problems would occur. He knew of Ishma’s capabilities. All the same, if he erred in judging Cordelia’s area of activity then it would be dangerous, but Elvis understood that his daughter was a child who rarely asked for things. And, it was unthinkable that Ishma would be negligent in his vigilance to keep an eye on his young sister. The extent of Ishma’s field of vision and his magic perception was at the point that it would overwhelm an expert. Even if a monster was far away, he would be able to feel its presence. That’s why―― If it was a situation like this where there were no worries, rather, Elvis thought that this was a chance.

 

Yes, Elvis wanted to create an occasion where Cordelia could get used to horse riding. When she voluntarily said that she had wanted to go on the long ride, Elvis took the meaning as「she has an interest in horses.」

 

　Those who ride horses in this world are primarily men, but other than the few female knights it was permissible for noble women to ride horses as well. It wasn’t particularly recommended, but it was overlooked if treated as a high class hobby. As a matter of fact, this hobby was useful when they became of age. Yes, while interacting with a man it could become the start of a conversation. 男性貴族の場合は女性と違い乗馬スキルが必須とされている。これは馬に乗れて一人前と見なされていた時代の名残である。女性同士で有れば化粧や服飾、観劇や刺繍の話が出来るだろうが、男性相手だと同じようにはなかなかいかない。共通すると言えば食事の話くらいだろうか。もちろん外交や政治の話も悪くはないが、肩の力を抜く事が出来る話も大切だ。きっかけが作りやすい。顔を広めるためにも会話の引き出しは大いに越したことは無い。

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

（Won’t he return home sooner?）

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

「You seem to be on quite the alert while waiting, Cordelia.」

「Good work, Brother Ishma.」

 

 

「Is what the letter said true?」

 

 

「Yes, of course it is!」

 

 

「Say, Elder Brother. Please take me along with you. I would like to go see the Seaverph Forest.」

「To think that my sister who was attached to the library and Father would designate me for the job. But the forest is…… I wonder if this is our Mother’s influence?」

「Mother? ……Have you met Mother before, Brother?」

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

（The past is the past. It can’t be helped.）

 

（……Now is not the time for this.）

 

 

 

「……Brother?」

「No, it’s nothing. We’ll set out tomorrow. Because the woods sparkling with morning dew is a beautiful sight, we’ll leave early in the morning.」

「Y-yes.」

「Excuse me, but I’ll be heading to sleep. You should also return to your room, Cordelia.」

 

 

 

（……As I thought, maybe that was something I wasn’t supposed to hear.）

 

 

As Cordelia was returning to her room, she realized she was feeling dejected.

 

 

「”For those who are qualified as nobles, there are times when you must suppress your emotions,” something like that.」

 

 

（It’s good that there aren’t any lessons today.）

 

 

（It’s fine, once I go to sleep and wake up my head will feel better――）

 

 

 

　Hey, if Mother isn’t interested in the house, doesn’t that just mean that she hates you?

　――You’re noisy.

 

 

　She’s your mother right? Even though she met with Brother, aren’t you lonely?

　――Then what are you saying I should do?

 

　To shake off the noisy thoughts, Cordelia rolled over once and slightly opened her eyes. It looked to her as if the hanging curtains were accusing her of something.

 

 

　Rustle, rustle. Without closing the window, the shut curtains were not raising any voices, but they were strongly accusing her of something.

 

 

（……That’s right, I don’t think anything of it. These feelings of loneliness are a lie, because I must learn from the best woman’s negative example. (?) Just because things don’t move as I want, I will not become a woman who exerts her will. I will become a woman who removes her obstacles. Even if it’s out of the ordinary in this world――I will grab hold unto happiness with my own hands.）

 

　Cordelia succumbed herself to the long awaited drowsiness.

 

（……Let’s become a proper lady quickly. Without being confused by my feelings, and keeping my gaze in front――）

 

　In her dimming consciousness, she made her small resolution.

 

 

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Chapter end