Okoborehime To Entaku No Kishi
/ Okoborehime to Entaku no Kishi Volume 3 Chapter 1
Volume 3: Melancholy of a General
「 Chapter 1: Something Borrowed 」
Not long from now the wedding between Illstra’s third prince, Saverio and Sommevesle’s Duke’s daughter, Charlotte will take place. The fate between the two started when Prince Saverio was visiting Sommevesle for the first time, and fell in love with at first sight with Lady Charlotte.
Charlotte was Leti’s older cousin by 3 years. With golden hair and mysterious purple eyes, she was like a delicate princess from a fairy tale. Charlotte was generous and gave off a light feeling. She often talked about her fantasies, and in addition to her youthful facial features, she appeared to look younger than Leti.
Leti was attending her cousin’s wedding as Sommevesle’s representative. This was her first diplomatic trip since being appointed the next queen. However this was not closely related to politics, but a diplomatic event that required tough discussion and successful results. It was obvious this was something her father prepared in order for Leti to gain foreign affair experience.
This level of diplomacy, up until now, she has performed many times as a princess. Feeling how things have come to this point, Leti felt like letting out a sigh. (TN: difference of performing it as princess vs now as the future queen)
“It can’t be helped, because up until now I’ve always acted like a modeled princess. My king father probably also thinks of me as such….”
The princess that passionately loves art and literature, and is pained by the political conflict between her two older brothers. Never involving herself in politics and military affairs, but with a warm heart supports education and medicine.
“Even though this was for gaining the support of the commoners, at the same time it was also to not disturb the political balance between the Lauenstein and Eulenburg of the three great marquis houses, but in the end it’s best to set foot in various fields.”
Picking up her pace, Leti quickly headed back to her detached Villa after she had finished greeting her father before departing. Even so, due to her many years of hard work of maintaining the image of a perfect lady, not a sound could be heard in her steps.
“Princess, you seem to be in a hurry.”
“Hello, Johannes. As you know, I getting ready to depart on a trip that will make one’s expression go stiff.”
Called out by Johannes that was coincidentally passing by, Leti relaxed her shoulders. In front of Sommevesle’s Commander of the Royal Knight’s Order Johannes Müller, it was fine to not put up a front of a modeled princess.
“I think during this trip there’s a possibility that something fairly interesting is going to happen…..”
“Just as I’d promised beforehand, my goal is to obtain the ‘second one’. That’s why I won’t have the time to leisurely watch the wedding ceremony.”
I’d already notified Johannes in advance of my choice for the second seat in my ‘Knights of the Round’. When he heard the name, he replied with something like ‘your Highness sure likes taking on challenging tasks’ with a bitter smile.
“Then if I may, allow me to give you some light advice. Going by convention may not necessarily be a negative but rather may become a positive.”
“…….What topic is this relating to?”
“Other than that I’m unable to say anymore, because it’s merely some meager advice.”
“Is that so”
Johannes wouldn’t say anything meaningless, so this advice will surely come in handy in the near future. To this, Leti didn’t inquire any further.
“Normally, I definitely wouldn’t be able to give you advice like this, but the true goal this time is a different matter, and I find it a bit unbearable to see your Highness be used as an excuse for that matter.
“…….true goal? Excuse?”
Johannes just smiled without saying a word. This most likely means he does not intend to continue any further.
“Let’s change the subject. Does your Highness have something that can be considered a childhood dream?”
“Well…..probably, had one. What about it?”
“I was just thinking that if our childhood dreams were to be realized now, what kind of feeling that would be. …….ahh, I can’t imagine it. When you become older even the brain becomes dull.”
While saying something like ‘looking forward to your good news’, Johannes bowed his head and left.
◆ ◆ ◆
This is the ‘Knight King’s conference room’. Embroidered on the carpet that covers the entire room, is the story of the gods framed by the golden threads of grain ears. A wooden chandelier hangs below the ceiling, and above the carpet sits an elegant yet sturdy patina oak table, and made from the same wood are chairs that have decoration carved all over. The carvings on the back of the chairs is an unrivaled art piece.
The night before departing for Illustra, Leti through her dreams entered this space. This place houses the conscious of the reincarnations of the first king of Sommervelse, the Knight King, Christian.
Leti, bothered by Johannes’s question about her “childhood dream”, thought why not try asking the other kings.
“Childhood dream huh? Without a doubt its to conquer the world. Of course it’s currently working in progress.”
“……..choosing to ask you this question was my blunder. I should have predicted you would answer with a dream, that normally others would laugh at, with such a serious face.”
Even so, only the man called the Lion King, Alexander, would try to seriously try to make this dream a reality.
Having conquered half the lands on the continent, rather than a King he was more close to being an emperor.
“What about you King Karlheinz?”
“Most likely it was to be a good king………sorry for having such a boring dream”
“Not at all, that was a good answer.”
Compared to Alexander’s reign, the administrative King Karlheinz, not only chose not to invade other countries but also focused on internal government administration. In later generations’ assessment of him, he was definitely someone worthy of being called Sommervelse’s greatest king in history.
“What about King Oswald?”
“I……if i can live a quiet life in my own territory……I would be satisfied with just that.”
“And me, and me—! My dream is to become an artist!”
Probably noticing how the atmosphere became heavy, the Heartbroken King Ludgar interrupted the One Armed King, Oswald’s words.
“An artist? I sure would like to see King Ludgar’s drawings~”
“For Queen Leticia my era is the future—. But when I asked Kings from later generations about it, ‘because this is a painting by the Heartbroken King, that’s why the price is a bit forced’, I heard that kind of thing—.”
“Obviously I drew really well~” Ludgar said with a sigh.
“Ah, I’ve also painted Oji-san’s portrait before. Because the portrait decorating that corridor looked nothing like the original, this is what the face should look like! Thinking that, I wanted for the future generations to see too. But, even though that portrait in the corridor looks nothing like the person, it really captures the characteristics of the Lion King.”
Every king, aside from Alexander, knew about that portrait. The portrait of the 12th King Alexander, looked far from what he looked like in person. In it Alexander was over exaggerated to look like an evil villain. And the only ones who knew about this were the kings who met Alexander in this King’s space. Indeed it was so……everyone unconsciously let out a bitter smile.
“……..um, what is Queen Leticia’s dream?”
“My dream? This huh…..”
Being asked that by King Oswald, Leti replied with an answer more boring than Alexander’s dream.
◆ ◆ ◆
“Trouble…..”
Traveling with Leti to Illstra, not counting her knight Duke and the two maids borrowed from the marquis house from her mother’s side, is a total of 15 servants and guards.
This trip, almost as if heaven was interfering, had been progressing smoothly up until the 5th day. However on the morning of the 6th day, it fell into an unexpected situation.
“My deepest apologies…….! The alcohol prepared during dinner had gone bad…….!”
Last night, everyone sampled the famous local red wine that was considered a specialty in the area. But the red wine seems to have gone bad and everyone who drank it collapsed from stomachache.
The ones who avoided this disaster wasn’t just Leti, who only tasted a small sip for formality because she didn’t want to drink what appear to look like cheap wine, but also Duke, who refused to drink while on duty.
“Your Highness, please head to the nearest Knight’s Order camp and get some assistance. If we don’t seek help we would even be able to go to Illstra.”
“Yes………there’s not enough time to return to the capital.”
Returning to the capital, gathering new servants, and setting out again will delay the schedule by about 10 days. If it’s like that then we won’t make it to the wedding ceremony.
Even if Leti thought it was fine to ride the horse herself and just take Duke to Illustra, thinking for the sake of Sommevesle reputation, she couldn’t do it. For a princess, having guards and maids to take care of her was a must.
It can’t be help, just have to ask the people at the inn to pass a message to the Knight’s Order and wait until after noon. During that time, Leti took care of the maids who looked ghostly pale. Towards the apologetic maids, Leti warmly told them to first worry about their own matters.
“……..because the of the spoiled wine……somehow this feels a bit strange.”
There weren’t signs of nausea or fever, only cold sweat and stomachache were the symptoms. Leti knew of a condition very similar to this situation.
Within the Sommevesle kingdom there is a type of wild fruit that when consumed unripe, would cause stomachache. This was something even children would know of. If this fruit was the cause of everyone’s stomach pains, then it wouldn’t be life threatening. It would only be 2-3 days of discomfort and everything would be fine. We can still make it to the wedding if we wait for everyone to recover. However this was just an outsiders diagnosis. It’s difficult to proceed as predicted.
Also, if the cause of the stomachache wasn’t the spoilt wine but because that fruit was mixed in, then that means this situation was purposely triggered by someone. Then who would it be…….while thinking that, Leti’s thought process was interrupted by the knocking sound coming for the door.
“Your Highness, help from the Merwid Knight’s Order camp has arrived.”
(TN: 梅尔维德 – because I’m translating from chinese I have no idea what the original romanization of that name should be. Feel free to suggest a better spelling.)
Hearing Duke’s voice, Leti got up, replied once, and headed to open the door herself. Even though, something like this, was unbecoming of a Princess, however in the given situation she didn’t have any maids or servants, so she had no choice but to do things herself.
“Though it’s said to be for support, I don’t believe the representative of Merwid has that kind of power. So probably in the end they’ll most likely bring us to the camp near the border to ask for help. It’ll be double to work.”
“About that, a rather incredible important figure came.”
Duke opened the doors to the room where the Royal Knight Order’s support was waiting in, and Leti entered. However standing there was an ‘important figure’.
………why is ‘he’ here…..!!?
Leti’s mind was filled with shock, but she didn’t let it show on her face. Instead, Leti walked towards the center of the silent room and faced the ‘important figure’.
He was around 40 years old, with chestnut colored hair and sharp eyes. If you were to describe him with words, he famously held the image of the noble and stern man in uniform.
“I’m honored to make your acquaintance, your Highness. I am…….”
“No need, that’s more than enough.”
Leti, with a smile befitting of a princess, interrupted his introduction.
“Even if you don’t report your name, I know of it. Vice commander of the Royal Knight’s Order, Craig Barde. You who, voluntarily applied to watch over the furthest border away from the capital throughout the year and unable to return to the royal capital, became known as….’the border general’.”
“Truly long time no see~” though Leti said that, Craig, who couldn’t find any memory relating to their first meeting, for a moment had a blank expression.
By putting oneself in a favorable position in a conversation, the other party won’t have the time to think. Or, for example, ask questions that don’t require much thought.
(TN: these two lines were pretty hard to translate nicely…….)
“When I was 8, I once saw you from a distance and later asked father for your name. Because we were never formally introduced, it’s only natural you wouldn’t have any memory of it.”
The ‘father’ Leti spoke of was referring to the current King.
In contrast to Leti, who calmly said it was an honor to meet again, Duke and all the Royal Knights Craig brought, froze in shock. Because what Leti touched upon, was the one thing that can’t be touched.
“I am honored to be able to be remembered by the Princess. The circumstances of the situation, I have already heard from the messenger. Now then, what does your Highness intend to do next?”
However, Craig didn’t show any signs of becoming shaken or angry, rather he urged Leti to continue.
“Have a seat, it’s not convenient to talk while standing.”
Leti maintained her original composure, and showed no signs of being thrown off guard. Not answering Craig’s question, Leti gracefully sat herself down and ordered Craig to take a seat as well. However, Craig, maintaining his original stance without moving, continued to stand in the same position.
Looks like Craig is just as he’s rumored to be, someone who is the same type as Duke, an overly serious knight.
“First, can I ask why you are here? The nearest camp from here should Merwid’s and not your border camp, right?”
Even though Leti’s question was only pointing out the obvious, all the knights, other than Duke, present were surprised.
For them, Leti was merely ‘only a princess’. Believing that she was someone who by nature was uninterested in the internal workings of the Royal Knight’s Order, it should’ve been impossible for her to have such knowledge.
“It’s as you said. Even though I was appointed to guard the borders, because of a joint exercise routine agreement, I was visiting the Merwid camp. I also heard the news when the messenger came, and afterwards concluded that this was an emergency situation that I should attend to.”
“A correct judgement~”
Though Leti nodded her head in satisfaction, she was thinking of another matter in her head.
‘This is perfect is every way. …..my luck originally wasn’t good….’
However, this situation for her was beneficial in every way. If this situation can be used she will take advantage of it till the end, Leti decided so in her heart.
“The situation is as you’ve heard, aside from Duke Barchet and myself, everyone else who came along is incapacitated. If we were to return to the capital to gather new people, then we won’t make it in time for the wedding ceremony in Illstra. Because the schedule this time does not allow for more time. ”
Even though she was obviously looking up, she gave off the feeling that she was looking down on them. Leti used such attitude to skillfully face Craig.
“From the Knight’s Order, please allow me to borrow the least amount of people possible, I plan to depart just like this.”
“…..but then wouldn’t your Highness not have any maids by your side to take care of you.”
“There some things I can take care of myself. If there’s anything I need a helping hand on, then I’ll just have my knight over there handle it. It’s not a problem.”
Even if she appeared to be a princess that can’t do anything on her own at first glance, Leti was capable of dressing herself. After all, she was a restless princess that would roam the streets below the castle in her free time. This wasn’t her pretending to be strong, it was simply the truth.
“Is it really fine with just that?”
“Yea…….however”
Pausing for a moment, Leti used an undoubtedly dignified voice to order Craig.
“Craig, you also need to come with me.”
Craig who heard this order had some doubts.
Leti, who was closely observing him, did not miss his subtle reaction.
“…..but I also have my duties as the border guard…..”
“Leaving the duties of a border patrol aside and notify the Merwid camp, should settle that issue. The situation over there at the national borders right now really isn’t that urgent, right?”
Leti continued.
“Besides, even if you’ve always been stationed at the borders, doesn’t mean you are unaware of the things happening in the capital. My current position, you also should know about it, right?”
The princess who got the throne from the two rivaling princes who were too outstanding, with the title of the ‘Leftover Princess’ —Leti, was standing in an exceedingly dangerous position. Her being targeted by the political factions behind her two older brothers, was something even Craig knew.
“Please don’t look at me like that, the people I put by my side are all carefully chosen. But because of the urgency of the situation this time, I’m unable to do a background check on all the new knights that will be accompanying me. If among the people that I’m bring, there are knights that are affiliate with one of my two brother’s faction, then don’t you think I’m simply just walking towards my death?”
“……….I will assign someone trustworthy to follow by your side.”
“I’m saying in my heart, that trustworthy person is you. ……if we’re talking about the ‘Border General’, who distances himself from the royal family, then even if you’re not my ally, you won’t be my enemy either. Someone who I’d be at ease to put by my side.”
Knowing how his nickname of the ‘Border General’ came to be, Leti hinted at him as such.”
Taking a step back, Craig affirmed her orders and lowered his head.
“Afterwards I’ll let you take care of the other candidates. I have a very high opinion of you, and completely trusts you after all.”
This was obviously their first conversation, even if one hears things like ‘high opinion’ or ‘complete trust’, probably no one would actually believe it. To say it’s lip service would be an overstatement, but if it’s something said with genuine sincerity, then its probably said mixed with acting.
“You praise me too much……then if you’ll allow, I will excuse myself.”
Craig gave the royal knights behind him a look, and left the room.
With only Leti and Duke left in the room, it once again fell quiet.
“Prepare me a cup of tea. You can do it, right?”
“Don’t complain if it tastes bad.”
Just as she’d delcared, Leti ordered her knight to take care of the tasks that were for the maid. Duke, unwillingly called the inn worker to help him with preparation, and brought Leti the tea, completing his task.
“It’s okay, not terrible to the extent where it’s inedible.”
After taking a sip, Leti gently set the cup down on the saucer.
Then putting her finger to her lip, she quietly patted the space next to her on the couch, using her actions to signal Duke to silently take a seat.
“Keep your voice as quiet as possible. …….outside there are probably people with sensitive hearing.”
Despite Duke trying to maintain a bit of distance between them, Leti inched closer and spoke next to his ear.
“Among the people that the Vice Commander brought, are there people from Friedhelm’s or Guido’s faction?”
“No, everyone that Craig picked are from the neutral faction. The ones with the sensitive hearing outside guarding are probably considered ‘Craig’s faction’. …….this series of events that has happened so far appear to be purposely plotted by someone. From now on be careful with what you say. Even if you discover something, you have to tell me without anyone finding out, understood?”
“What does ‘Craig’s faction’ even mean?”
“This can only be answered after getting some solid evidence.”
Leti ended the conversation and got up to leave Duke’s side. However this time Duke grabbed on to her shoulder and pulled her back.
“……..relating to Craig’s faction, let’s just stop here. But there’s one more thing, that incident with the Vice Commander, do you know about it?”
“Which incident?”
“Don’t pretend to not know and ask me. ……if you know about how his nickname as the ‘Border General’ came about, then you should also know that mentioning anything relating to the King in front of him is not good.”
Duke pointed out the thing that shocked practically everyone in the room earlier.
Leti replying with, “oh that incident”, nodded her head. Yet she didn’t reply with anything like ‘that’s right’.
“I’m a princess, Craig is the Royal Knight’s Order’s Vice Commander. Whose position is higher, do you know?”
“……it’s your Highness, the princess.”
“Then explain the reason why I need to be careful with what I say to him. If it’s a reasoning that I can accept, then making me say something like ‘that’s correct’ is not imposible.”
The origins of the Royal Knight’s Order’s Vice Commander, Craig Barde’s nickname as the ‘Border General’ dates back to about 20 years ago.
Born as the second son of an earl, Craig Barde enrolled in the knight’s academy and graduated with outstanding results. Afterwards, he joined the Royal Knight’s Order, and displayed extraordinary talent.
With a aristocratic background and a honest and pure character, he was deeply trusted by the people around him, and not only that, he was also an expert swordsman. No one would turn a blind eye to this kind of man. This man, who had been invited by many to become their honorary knight, accepted Leti’s father’s invitation, who at the time was still a prince.
Craig believing that it was an honor to be asked to become a part of the future ‘Knight’s of the Round’, vowed to draw his sword for the future king.
But right after, war erupted between Sommevelse and the Kilth empire.
“…….in that war, my father was appointed the commander-in-charge and came up with a strategy, one that required abandoning a small team stationed in a certain village, and gather strength from behind and with overwhelming force strike back at the enemy. This became the deciding factor in the war, and Kilth empire retreated. This also allowed the two countries to sign a ceasefire agreement in Northruth Dukedom, the buffer zone.”
“However Vice Commander was against that plan. He didn’t want to abandon the surviving villagers and the frontline soldiers.”
“That’s right, however to gradually throw away our military strength was the worst strategy. You can say it’s no different to having the army completely wiped out. His Majesty’s tactics was the best strategy. It is precisely because of the overwhelming difference in military strength that we were able to obtain victory, and be at an advantageous position to conclude the ceasefire agreement.”
Though it’s said like that, not long after in a few years Kilth empire fell into a state of internal conflict. The emperor that signed the ceasefire agreement at the time was eventually overthrown by a rebel party, and as a matter of fact the ceasefire agreement that was signed up until now has no effect.
“The village and the small team that were abandoned were all destroyed, the young Craig Barde at the time was extremely angry. Afterwards he abandoned his future of becoming one of the Knights of the Round, and applied to work at the unstable national border. —Truly a noble knight that thinks for his country, it’s natural everyone around would have that kind of evaluation of him.”
Afterwards, near the gunpowder smoke filled air of the national border, Craig who accumulated many military achievements, was asked to be the next Commander of the Royal Knight’s Order.
“Yet when he was offered the position of the Royal Knight’s Order Commander, he refused. That’s because if he become the Knight’s Order Commander then he would have no choice but to return to the capital. For him, who didn’t even want to see the face if the King, chose to take the Vice Commander position. Unsure if it’s ‘thanks to this’ or ‘because of this’, the younger Johannes took up the position as the Royal Knight’s Order’s Commander.”
During the war, Johannes was Craig’s subordinate. Considerate of his respected senpai’s resolve, no matter what kind of ceremony it was, Johannes never ordered Craig to return to the capital.
“……is that the reason why your Highness can not understand Vice Commander’s anger?”
“No, I understand. But at the same time I can also understand his Majesty’s position. That’s all.”
The young Craig Barde’s anger was justified.
At the same time, the King’s judgement was also correct.
Leti had no intention of doing something like patching up the relationship between the two.
“Johannes did a good thing. If it wasn’t for his advice, I would have unknowingly just thought that I was lucky in this situation.”
Leti remembered Johannes words to her before she had departed. The mystery behind those words was finally solved.
“We’re pretty fortunate, right? We can bring the Vice Commander along as a bodyguard.”
“My luck was never good to begin with……..in addition, if this wasn’t a negative but a positive, then there are many things I need to revise.”
Leti, while thinking about how many points this conversation can give her, stood up.
“Before the departure preparations are finished, I’ll ask you to take care of everyone. I’m going to check on the maids.”
Leti said so in a clear voice, purposely replying loudly and clanking the teacup on the saucer. By doing so, the eavesdroppers outside would just think that ‘the princess is leisurely drinking tea’. They probably won’t come to the conclusion that she and Duke were discussing something in secret.
◆ ◆ ◆
今夜诸王的会议室中只有失恋王路德格在。除了失恋之后以外不会来到这个房间的王无精打采的看着新的来访者蕾蒂。
Tonight, only the Heartbroken King Ludgar was in the Knight King’s Space. Ludgar, who only come to the King’s Space when he gets heartbroken, listlessly watched Leti enter.
"啊——能治愈我的人来了——。……怎么一副不开心的样子啊，蕾蒂丝雅女王。"
“Ah—the one that can cure me came——why do you look so unhappy, Queen Leticia.”
"正在进行外交中呢。麻烦的事接二连三的扑了过来，不得不重新考虑计划了。"
"辛苦啦——。是缔结条约？还是领土分割会议？"
"外交自身是参加结婚仪式哦。是只要笑着就可以的轻松的工作。"
“I’m currently in the middle of a diplomatic trip. But troublesome situations keep arising, so I can’t help but to revise my plans.”
“Ah such hard work——. Is it for a treaty? Or a territorial dispute conference?”
“The purpose of this trip is to just attend a wedding ceremony. An easy task where I only need to smile.”
听到了这个的路德格沮丧的垂下了头。对于"失恋王"来说，结婚仪式是会揭开旧伤疤的词语。
Upon hearing this, Ludgar depressingly hung his head. To the ‘Heartbroken King’, words like ‘wedding ceremony’ would just reopen old wounds.
"真好啊……我也想变得幸福。"
“How nice ahh…..I also want to achieve happiness.”
在对于蕾蒂来说是后来的时代的失恋王时代，索鲁威尔王家的血统变得几乎快要断绝。索鲁威尔作出了把纳帕尼亚的第二王子路德格迎为王婿的决断。因为有一位索鲁威尔国王"单臂王奥斯瓦尔德」的女儿曾经嫁去过纳帕尼亚王家，虽然已经薄弱，但路德格确实继承着王家的血脉。
In, what is considered a future era for Leti, the Heartbroken King’s era, Sommevesle’s royal bloodline had grown so thin that it was about to be severed. Thus Sommevesle made the decision to have the 2nd prince of Nevaniya* Ludgar, marry into the royal family. Because one of Sommevesle’s King, the ‘One Armed King’ Oswald’s daughter once married into the Nevaniya Royal family. Though the blood was thin, Ludgar indeed inherited the royal family’s blood.
(*TN: 纳帕尼亚-if anyone knows the original japanese romaji of this please let me know. I’m really bad at romanizing names….also Oswald is Ludgar’s grandpa who knew lol though it’s probably more like great great great gpa)
路德格与索鲁威尔的公主结婚，作为王而继承王位——本应如此。
Lugar would marry Sommevesle’s Princess and inherit the throne as King——that was how it was suppose to have been.
"失恋王"最初的失恋在结婚仪式的夜晚来临。在夫妻的卧室中放置着来自新娘的"我和恋人私奔了"的字条，据说路德格直到天亮都呆呆的站着。
Heartbroken King’s very first heartbreak was on the night of his wedding. In the couple’s bedroom was a message from his bride stating ‘I have eloped with my lover’. And according to rumors, Ludgar ended up blankly standing there till dawn.
尽管没怎么看到过，比起从路德格那里，更多的是从后世的王那里听到这个趣闻。
Though she’s never seen it, instead of from Ludgar, most were rumors she’d heard from future kings.
"你是从其他国家来的王婿对吧。有被索鲁威尔的人质疑过作为王的资质吗？"
"大概有过想要测试我的意思吧，但是自从新娘逃跑之后就全——都变成同情了呢，那些人。啊啊我真是好可怜……！"
“You’re a king that married into the royal family right? Were your qualifications to be king ever questioned by the people of Sommevesle?”
“I suppose they had intended on testing me, however, ever since after the bride ran away it all——turned into sympathy. Those people. Aahh I’m so pitiful….!”
想起来就快哭了路德格这样说着"呜呜呜"地捂住脸。然后"哈——"的一声发出了沉重的叹息。
Remembering such things, Ludgar cried into his hands. And then with a ‘ha——’ sound, let out a heavy sigh.
"即使不被同情什么的，作为王的资质什么的我还是有的，应该可以很好的支配臣下——的样子。虽然不会像蕾蒂丝雅女王的资质那么好。"
“Even if I’m not being pitied, I still do have the qualities of a king, so it seems I should be able to rule well. Though it’s not like it’s as good as Queen Leticia’s qualities.”
"如果我有作为王的资质的话，就不用接受这样的试验了。"
“If I had the qualities of a King, then I wouldn’t be facing this kind of trial.”
"会有去试验蕾蒂丝雅女王的这样不得了的臣下吗？在有关索鲁威尔国历史的知识中我完全不知道啊。"
“There exist such an incredible minister* that would even test Queen Leticia? In my knowledge of Sommevesle’s history, I completely did not know of such things. ”
(*TN: 臣下- not exactly sure if minister is adequate here, but basically refers to anyone that officially work for the king)
出身于别国的路德格，对他来说的现在，是正在学习索鲁威尔国的历史的过程中。就连对索鲁威尔国发生过的有名的事件都会回答"欸？有过那种事吗？"，这样的情况在这个房间里经常出现。
Ludgar was born in another country. For him right now, he was currently in the progress of studying Sommevesle’s history. Even with famous events that occurred in Sommevesle, he would reply with, “Che? Something like that even happen?” This sort of situation often appeared in this room.
"……试验我的并不是臣下，而是我的父王。如果是这样的话很多事就说的通了。"
"是你的父王！？"
“………the one testing me isn’t a minister, but my king father. If it was like this then a lot of things would be easier said.”
“It’s your royal father! ?”
怎么会？路德格这样不可思议的想着。一般来说父亲应该是自己人，而不是敌人才对。
How can it be? Ludgar inconceivably thought this. Normally shouldn’t the father be an ally, and not the enemy.
"究竟有没有成为王的资格，想要在这次伊尔斯托国之行之中测量出来啊。于是拜托对待王族眼光很严厉的'那个人'来进行判断。因为如果是他的话大概可以用严厉但公平的眼光来看待我吧。"
“Whether the qualities of a king exist or not, it will be evaluated during this trip to Illstra. That’s why ‘that person’, who has a stern view towards the royal family, was asked to make that judgement. Because if it’s him, he will probably judge me harshly but fairly.”
但是父王和库雷格是已经决裂的关系。不可能会去直接拜托他。在两个人直接担任调节角色的就是骑士团长沃哈尼斯。沃哈尼斯说的"费了不少力气"大概就是指这件事吧。
Still, since my king father’s and Craig’s relationship was already broken to begin with. It was impossible for him to make this request directly. Between the two playing the role of a mediator was the Commander of the Knight’s Order, Johannes. The thing that Johannes said ‘took a lot of effort’ was probably referring to this.
（但是，这个用来测试是否有成为王的资格的试验，只是父亲"本来目的"的借口而已。）
‘Nevertheless, using this method to test whether I’m qualified to be king, was only an excuse for father’s original goal.’
父亲终于在试图摸索与库雷格和解的道路。而作为第一步，要想办法与他产生联系，于是准备了对蕾蒂的试验作为正当的借口。
Father was finally trying to search for a path to reconcile with Craig. And as the first step, he needed to think of a way to establish a connection with him, thus prepared Leti’s trial as a front.
所以沃哈尼斯觉得要接受原本不接受也可以的试验的蕾蒂"有些可怜"，才给予了助言吧。
That’s why Johannes felt that the Leti, who had to accept a trial she didn’t need to accept, was a bit pitiful, and so offered some advice.
父亲寻求着与库雷格的连接，沃哈尼斯对此进行了协助。而库雷格……
Father seeks a connection with Craig, Johannes towards this chose to assist. As for Craig…….
"失去了全部随从的公主能走到哪一步呢，想要看一看。"
‘Wanted to see how far the Princess who lost all her servants can go.’
库雷格大概已经预想到蕾蒂可能会说"不可以没有侍女所以要先回一次王都"之类的话。因为对他来说自己只是"遗落的公主"而已。
Craig had probably predicted that Leti would say something like, unable to travel without maids and need to once more return to the capital first. After all, to him Leti was just the ‘Leftover Princess’.
"在我看来，如果是蕾蒂丝雅女王的话，一个人就可以攻陷一个国家呢。"
“If you ask me, if it’s Queen Leticia, then you can singlehandedly capture an entire country.”
对于路德格来说，蕾蒂是"世界上最帅气的女人"。
For Ludgar, Leti was ‘the coolest woman in the world’.
因为他像理所当然一样说出的话，蕾蒂的心情变得有些平静起来。
Because he said it as if it was obvious, Leti’s mood grew calmer.
"虽然是有些过头了的称赞，但我接受了，谢谢。——想要试验的话就来试吧。我会用史上最高分来让你承认我是最适合成为王的人哟。"
“Even though it’s a bit of an overstatement, I shall accept it, thank you. ——if you want to test me come try. I will use the highest score in history to prove that I’m someone suited to become a ruler.”
◆ ◆ ◆
清晨的阳光刺激着蕾蒂的双眼。仍闭着眼睛，心想已经是早上了吗，她慢慢地起床，然后看着从窗外射进来的阳光……头脑一下子开始运转，想起有什么不对劲。
The early morning sunlight assaulted Leti’s eyes. With her eyes still shut, Leti thinking, ‘was it already morning’, slowly rose from bed, and then seeing the sunlight shooting in from the window…….her head immediately started to spin, thinking something was wrong.
（同行的女仆应该都因肚痛倒下了……是谁拉开了窗帘……！？）
‘The accompanying maids should have all collapsed from stomachache…..them who pulled open the curtains……! ?’
这个已上锁的房间被人入侵了。她快速地确认四周状况——于是一下子感到虚惊一场。从蕾蒂的影子中伸出一只黑手。那手正扯着窗帘。
This room that was locked had been invaded. She quickly scanned her surrounding——and as a result realized it was a false alarm. Out from Leti’s shadow, a small black hand stretched out. That hand was presently tearing on the curtains.
"我说了别随便跑出来吧。我要命令阿斯翠德把你净化掉了噢。"
“I already told you to not come out as you please, right? I’m going to have to order Astrid to purify you oh~”
前阵子，这黑手在王宫里引起了几乎能写作一本恐怖小说的状况。在解决事件时本是能够把它也净化了消除掉，但蕾蒂想可能之后可能能派上用场，选择把它封印在自己的影子里。
It wasn’t long ago, when this black hand caused an incident in the palace that could practically be written into its own horror novel. During the conclusion of the incident, Leti could have erased it by purifying it, but Leti, thinking that it could come in handy in the future, chose to seal it in her own shadow.
但是，成为蕾蒂新宠物的黑手，还没被调教好。偶尔会这样子擅自随便从影子里跑出来。
However, the black hand that is now Leti’s new pet, has not been properly trained. So occasionally it will come out of the shadow on its own without permission.
蕾蒂沉默地打掉黑手，"那东西"便看上去很不高兴地回到了蕾蒂的影子中。没被扯着的窗帘回到原本的位置，房间变得昏暗。
Leti silently slapped it off the curtains, and ‘that thing’ appeared to unhappily return into Leti’s shadow. Pulling the untorn curtains back in place, the room grew faint.
"——那么，得自己弄好公主的梳洗工作呢。"
“——now then, need to make myself presentable as a princess.”
蕾蒂亲手拉开窗帘。
总算是凭自己的力量穿上裙子，蕾蒂坐在梳妆台前。接下来是头发了。
Leti pulled open her closet with her own hands.
After finally putting on the dress on her own, Leti sat down at her dressing table. Next is the hair.
即使能自己细心地解开发辫，但很难自己结起。虽然说她的手也算灵巧、花点时间可能也能办到，但如果只是"贫穷男爵家的千金小姐"微服出来的程度就算了，说到要结出能保持公主风范的漂亮蝴蝶结，大概蛮难的吧。
While she can attentively undo her braids herself, it was difficult for her to braid it back up. Though it’s said that her hands can be considered skillful, it can be done if she took her time, but only if she was going out as the ‘daughter of a poor baron’ disguise. Her skills were only to that level. It was probably too challenging to beautifully braid it back into a bowtie fitting for a Princess.
"只有头发，只能这样子放下来呢。"
“It’s only hair, I guess I’ll leave it down like this.”
反正会看见现在的自己的人只有作为护卫的男人们。即使不仔细打理头发他们也不会觉得有什么不同吧。到了伊尔斯托拉国时就能向表姐夏洛蒂借侍女，蕾蒂想着现在没办法了，让自己接受这说法后，便站起身来。
Besides the only ones that are going to see her current appearance, were the men that are going to be her bodyguards. That’s why even if she doesn’t attentively do her hair, they shouldn’t be able to tell the difference, right? When she reaches Illstra she can ask her cousin Charlotte to lend her some maids. Leti thinking that there’s nothing to be done now, accepted this reasoning, and stood up.
"殿下，我进来没问题吗？"
"已经换好了，进来吧。"
“Your Highness, is it alright for me to come in.”
“I’ve finished changing, come on in.”
走进来的杜克看着蕾蒂的样子。
蕾蒂察觉到杜克在想什么，无奈地说。
Duke walked in looking at Leti’s appearance.
Leti sensing what Duke was thinking, reluctantly said.
"自己穿上裙子这种事我还是能做到的。如果是没人帮忙就穿不上的复杂裙子，我会拜托宿舍的女士。"
"不，不是裙子，头发呢？"
"别这么高要求吧。反正只是坐马车而已啊，这样放下来就可以了。"
“I’m still capable of putting on something a like dress myself. If it’s a complicated dress that can’t be put on without help, then I’ll just ask the ladies in the inn to assist me.”
“No, it’s not the dress, what about the hair?”
“Don’t have such high expectations. Besides, I’m just going to be riding in the carriage, it’s fine to just leave it down.”
看来杜克比蕾蒂想像中更细心留意她。明明以为男人这种生物，即使换了缎带的颜色也不会发现的说。
It seem Duke was more attentive of her than she’d thought. Even though she thought that creatures like men, wouldn’t even notice if she were to change the color of the ribbon.
"……我来吧？"
"来什么？"
"来绑蝴蝶结。虽然已经有好一阵子没绑过，没信心可以绑得好。"
“……how about I do it?”
“Do what?”
“Put it in a bowtie. Though I haven’t done it in awhile, so I’m not confident I’ll be able to do it well.”
杜克指着梳妆台让她坐在前面。蕾蒂半信半疑，但仍是坐到了椅子上。
Duke pointed to her dressing table telling her to sit. Though Leti was half doubting, nevertheless she sat down at the table.
"原来你有这种特技的呀？"
"要是要求像你的女仆那种程度的技术的话，我会很伤脑筋的。"
“So you had this kind of special skill?”
“If you expect it to be on the same level as your maids, then I would be trouble.”
杜克用手指掬起蕾蒂的头发，用梳子梳起来。
蕾蒂透过镜子看着他的动作，因他那像是很熟练的技术而感到吃惊。
Duke, using his hands, grasped Leti’s hair and began to comb it.
Leti watching him through the mirror, was surprised at how experienced he was at it.
"在哪练习的？"
"弟弟就像是姐姐大人的仆人一样。小時候明明让我和她练习剑术不知道害我有多惨，有一天却突然打扮起来，说要我在她头发上绑蝴蝶结。"
“Where did you practice this?”
“A younger brother is like a servant to the older sister. When we were little, despite practicing sword together, she suddenly decided to dress up one day, and said wanted me to do her hair into a bowtie.”
蕾蒂没说真可怜，而是苦笑说哪里都一样呢。
Leti didn’t offer words of sympathy, rather replied with a bitter smile saying how it’s the same everywhere.
"我也明白你姐姐的感受。……我是公主，所以小时候不是玩扮演公主的游戏，而是玩扮演女仆。"
“I also understand your older sister’s feelings……….though I’m a princess, so when I was small rather than play pretend as a princess, I played the maid.”
"那在另一种意义上是很奢侈的游戏啊……"
“That in another sense is a very luxurious game….”
玩的游戏里不是被侍候、被唤为公主大人，而是侍候人、唤别人作公主大人。这种游戏只有"公主大人"能玩吧。
A game where one isn’t served as a princess, but rather serve someone else as the princess. That kind of game could probably only be played by a ‘Princess’.
"当然，需要人演公主殿下。你猜是谁？"
"柯奈莉亚殿下吗？"
"在我身边有更亲近的人吧，拥有能让我玩的长发的亲人。"
“Naturally, needed someone to play the princess. Who do you think it is?”
“Princess Cornelia?”
“There’s someone else that’s even closer to me, someone who has long hair that I can play with.”
比异母妹妹柯奈莉亚更亲近的人，大概只有同母的弟弟雷恩哈路德。
Someone who was closer than the younger half-sister Cornelia, could only be her younger brother Leonhardt, who shared the same mother.
“Don’t tell me………! ?”
“At most I’d just make him wear a dress, and braid his hair into a bowtie. That kind of game. Though he had a face full of disdain, he’d still obediently listen to me. He was such a cute little brother.”
As a younger brother himself, Duke sympathized with Leonhardt, who had it rough. Thinking of how terrible it must have been, he carefully finished tying the two ends of Leti’s beautiful hair into a white bowtie.
“——it’s a reluctant pass. But it’s more than enough.”
Seeing her own appearance in the mirror, Leti gave a rather high evaluation. Duke indifferently replied with a ‘then that’s good’.
“If you ever make a huge mistake and have to resign from your position from my Knight of the Round, I can also consider hiring you as my maid.”
“The latter half I will gratefully accept, but the first half is excessive.”
Leti smiling happily stood up. Duke, watching the golden hair, gracefully sliding down her back and shoulders as she moved, unconsciously looked towards his palms.
‘……….that said, it’s truly beautiful hair. Are all women like this?’
Soft, brillant, and beautiful hair that slid through the fingers.
Though he didn’t notice at the moment, but this was him subconsciously wanting to touch it again.
A few translation notes:
English doesn’t have the proper pronouns for a lot of things so I feel quite a bit gets lost in translation sometimes. It’s kind frustrating for me when things can’t translate nicely into english. For example Leti refers to her father as both [父王]-royal king father and [父亲]-father depending on context and situation. [父王] is a formal way to address the father but only if your father is the king. In same sense she refers to her brother in such ways as well [王兄]-royal older brother.
Last thing is when Leti refers to Ludgar as the [王婿]-Royal Fiancee or Royal son-in-law; though is only applicable to males. This was impossible to translate as is without making it sound weird in context.
Again I’m quite glad I’m translating it from my mother tongue of Chinese rather than Japanese because this novel is quite a nightmare to translate.
Chapter end
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