Magic Maker - How to make magic in another world - - Chapter 91

Magic Maker – How to make magic in another world –

Chapter 91   Once the troubles pass, again

For me, the word “confinement” generally carried a psychological connotation.

Because in modern times, I rarely found myself in genuinely constricting situations.

In unique situations like crowded trains, it was unavoidable, but those were exceptions.

However, now I was in an inescapable state of confinement.

“Ugh, it’s tight.”

As I said this, Winona hurriedly lowered her head.

“I-I’m sorry! But if I don’t tighten it like this, it might loosen and fall off.”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it. Sorry, continue.”

Winona cautiously continued her work.

I was in my room, in the midst of having Winona change my clothes for me.

I wanted to do it myself, but that wasn’t possible.

It was necessary to change into formal attire.

Casual wear was fine if I were alone, but there were established etiquettes, like how to tie a tie or wear a kimono.

I didn’t know how to dress, and until now, I hadn’t needed to know.

For nobles, formal attire seemed to be a matter of course, and it was common sense to visit the queen dressed formally.

Normally, I wore loose and simple clothes.

Formal attire, on the other hand, was tight, exerting pressure on the abdomen and groin.

The fabric felt good, but it was too tight to enjoy.

It seemed that Winona had placed an order with a tailor for clothes in the two weeks since I arrived in the capital.

Well, it seemed to be at the queen’s command.

“How… how does it look?”

It seemed like Winona had finished dressing me, and she brought a mirror in front of me.

Hmm.

It doesn’t suit me at all.

Not at all.

Classic trousers and shirt reminiscent of the Middle Ages.

A slightly unusual design vest worn over a slim jacket.

Finally, a one-sided cloak to complete the ensemble.

The cloak had a somewhat unique shape, hanging down only on the right side.

On the back side, there was a symbol resembling the branches of Lystia’s national emblem.

It seemed that by covering the dominant hand side with a cloak bearing the national emblem, it symbolized dedicating one’s will to the country.

Since I’m right-handed, it would be the right side; for left-handed individuals, it would be the left side.

It’s merely a covering, not completely hiding the arms, so it doesn’t conceal weapons or anything.

Probably some historical tradition.

This formal attire seems to be exclusive to nobles, especially those of the upper echelons.

Because I became a marquis, I’m now forced into such clothing.

Honestly, I still don’t feel the reality of it.

I haven’t even informed my family yet.

I think I’ll write a letter to my sister tonight.

I’ve been busy for two weeks and couldn’t contact them.

I got sidetracked.

In the first place, lower-ranking nobles like me wouldn’t directly meet with royalty or upper-class individuals unless something significant happened, so such formal attire isn’t necessary.

It seems that for regular tea parties and social gatherings, standard formal wear is sufficient.

It’s what you might call a dress code.

Moreover, it’s clothing not allowed for commoners, so I can’t even imagine the equivalent attire in Japan.

I’ve only worn things like formalwear, mourning attire, and business suits, so it feels really awkward.

I can’t complain since I have to go to the queen.

“Even a servant doesn’t have proper attire…”

“W-Well, I think it suits you!”

I turned back to Winona with a forced smile.

When she saw my face, she reflexively looked away.

It’s not even a compliment, Winona.

Despite feeling like I might fall into self-deprecating thoughts, I shook my head.

Just for today, and it won’t take more than an hour.

I just have to endure that time.

That’s right. It’ll be over soon.

So without worrying, I’ll quickly go to the castle and get the report over with.

“Alright, shall we go?”

“Y-Yes.”

When heading to the castle, it’s common to be accompanied by a maid.

But only up to the castle gates.

A maid like Winona can’t enter the castle, at least not in my case.

Whether a person can bring attendants or guards into the castle seems to be determined by their status.

For foreign dignitaries, it’s almost a necessity to have maids and guards to some extent within the castle.

Of course, in small numbers, but even among the nobles of one’s own country, it’s not often permitted.

Generally, upper-class nobles can bring in maids, but I’m a newcomer.

Even as a marquis, it’s mostly just a title without achievements, and it strongly carries the arbitrary and unilateral decisions of the queen.

In reality, there was quite a commotion during the ennoblement.

Leaving my residence, I headed to the castle with Winona.

Unless Winona is guiding, she always walks a couple of steps behind me.

If I don’t initiate conversation, we walk in silence.

She averts her gaze when our eyes meet and has never shown a smile.

She either fidgets awkwardly or timidly asks, “Do you have any business?” if I don’t start a conversation.

Yet, she inquires if an escort is needed at night.

Honestly, I don’t understand what she’s thinking.

She’s usually timid and hesitant, so why is she bold about nighttime?

Just to clarify, I’ve never asked her for assistance even once.

…Not even a bit, not at all, I haven’t hesitated in the slightest.

That’s the truth.

First of all, there’s that.

I have promises with my sister, and I’m not considering getting involved with anyone romantically.

I have no intention of building a relationship that goes beyond friendship, let alone a physical one.

And besides.

If I were to do that, there’s a chance I might lose the ability to use magic.

I’m a virgin.

Thanks to that, there’s a possibility that I can use magic in this world.

I’m not willing to take the risk of potentially not being able to use magic in my future life for the sake of a momentary pleasure.

At least, not at the moment.

So, I’m still pure and innocent, with a clean body.

Well, I don’t think it gets dirty just because I’ve done it.

It’s more of a mental thing.

Anyway, my relationship with Winona hasn’t improved.

Maybe it’s even worse.

It hasn’t changed much since we first met.

She’s still afraid of me, still timid, and I, in turn, am considerate of her, hoping to improve this relationship a bit.

Perhaps this dynamic will continue for a while.

I know that people have compatibility issues, and there are times when it’s just unavoidable.

So, there’s no need to force ourselves to become close.

I think with time, we’ll both get a bit more accustomed to it.

Both Winona and I.

As I pondered these things, we arrived at the castle.

Explaining the situation to the gatekeeper, they opened the castle gate for us.

“Alright, you can go back home. I’ll return on my own after it’s done. You don’t have to wait for me.”

I crushed all possibilities from the beginning.

It’s about her.

She might wait until I come out.

During the treatment for lazy syndrome, she spent almost all of her time with me.

Even when she could take a break, she insisted on staying up because I was awake.

Sometimes she reached her limit and fell asleep, but she was almost always with me.

Whether she’s serious, stubborn, or driven by a sense of duty, I don’t know.

Anyway, because of such situations, I’ve made it a habit to tell her what she can and can’t do, and what I’d like her to do beforehand.

It’s not that I understand Winona’s personality; it’s more like I naturally found a way to deal with her.

When I said my farewell, Winona reluctantly gave her consent and saw me off until I disappeared through the gate.

The gate, about 6 meters wide horizontally and 8 meters high vertically, closed with a deep, resonant sound.

“Then this way.”

With the soldier who had been guarding the gate, I headed toward the entrance of the castle.