I'm a court magician. Recently, I’ve been worrying about the princess staring at me. - Chapter 17

“…I’m tired.”

I croaked out my first two words of the day.

I was both mentally and physically exhausted from all the work I had yesterday, what with my given job and all the other extraneous tasks my seniors had me do for them.

It was different from the time I learned Her Highness’s name. This was just overwork. Rest assured I’ll be fighting for overtime pay.

Even after washing my face, it was painfully obvious that I wasn’t in my best condition. I had no dark circles under my eyes, but I could still see in the mirror just how tired I was. 

I combed down my bedhead and changed into my uniform, choosing not to prepare breakfast today. I wasn’t in the mood to eat.

After making myself presentable, I left my house and walked down the main street of the capital. The cloudless sky was a vivid blue, and flashily decorated shops lined the street. It seemed that everyone was looking forward to a busy day of celebration. The past few days were an event all on their own, but today was when they would see their efforts pay off. 

Some stalls were preparing food and others were inflating balloons. I took in the sights as I made my way to the royal palace.

My mission today was important: to protect the princess. I had contemplated educating the main guard in real combat, but decided not to. Two days wasn’t enough to learn anything useful. And my job was a support role, anyways.

“You’re always early, aren’t you?”

“Elt-san…”

Patting my shoulder (with his strength, it was closer to a slap) was my senior, Elt-san. He was dressed in his magic robe and his red hair stood out as always.

At a glance everything seemed normal, but looking closer, he seemed under the weather. 

“You didn’t get enough sleep?”

“Well, it gets like this every year.”

There were prominent circles under his eyes, and his right eye was visibly bloodshot. That, along with his sunken cheeks, gave the impression that he was ten years older than he really was. Is this what happens every year? He looked like he couldn’t even stand straight… If I didn’t know any better, I would have believed that he was the drunkard I saw in the tavern yesterday who challenged the barkeep and went five rounds.

“So, are you all right?”

“Oh, it’s no problem… just a hangover.”

“So it was you!”

To clarify, the man didn’t just have five drinks. He challenged five people to drinking rounds, and I know this because after going against the barkeep he proudly proclaimed that it was his fifth win. Disgusting.

What are you doing the day before the Founding Festival?

“Raize, you’ll find out when you grow up…”

“Please don’t taint my vision of the future… I feel like throwing up just looking at you. Is this what you meant by ‘it’s like this every year’? You weren’t talking about the overwork?”

“Well, I was working…”

“Oh, get off!”

I shifted myself away from Elt-san, who was trying to lean on me. He didn’t reek of alcohol, but I couldn’t be sure that he wouldn’t puke all over me.

“Now that I think about it, isn’t your home in a different direction? Where did you come from?”

“If I was at home… I would have overslept.”

“You’re saying you stayed up all night? I hope your hangover lasts extra long today.”

“You… since when were you so harsh on me?”

Seeing such a terrible adult would put off anyone.

The royal palace was right in front of us.

I just wanted to hole up in my office for the rest of the day.

***

“You, too!?”

Stepping into the common room, I was greeted by the sight of Milena-san pale-faced and collapsed on a sofa, with Arina-san in a similar state across from her. Between them sat no less than ten bottles of wine. 

“Ah… good morning, both of you. It really is a good morning…”

“It looks to me like the worst morning of your life, if I’m being honest with you!”

“Raize… you’re noisy. I’m going to throw up…”

“Why is everyone drinking to the point of being hungover… and also, shouldn’t today be the day you drink? Why did you go all out yesterday?”

Drinking on the night of the Founding Festival is understandable. It’s just participating in the festivities, after all. But the day before… What about your security jobs!?

Milena-san raised herself with some effort and cradled her head in her hands.

“We’re off today…”

“What? No, you guys have to patrol the area, right?”

“Somehow, they let us off. They’re sending some of the royal guards instead.”

“So I drank all night… and here we are. I usually drink after it’s over, but this year it should be fine.”

“Is that so?”

I sort of understood. Elt-san, on the other hand, could not be forgiven. It’s different when you do this every year. No excuses.

I was staring at Arina-san when she suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me in.

“Uhh, what’s wrong?”

“……“

“What is it?”

When I asked her again, she gripped my arm even harder and looked at me with a dying face.

“Headache pills… Bring me some.”

“You’re supposed to take Eastern medicine for hangovers, not headache pills. Both of you.”

Their eyes begged me for help, and my sense of pity won out. Grumbling complaints under my breath, I went to the medicine cabinet in my office to look for the medicine they needed.