Magic revolution of a Young Noblewoman Starting Over ~ The Executed Villainess restores her Ruined Family ~ Restraint? Prudence? I'm more interested in magic tools than that! - Chapter 18
My little baroness
☆
The weekend, one week after the family meeting.
In the garden of the Ainsworth mansion, many people were gathered.
They numbered about 50.
Other than my father and brothers, there were the craftsmen that came from the Royal Capital Workshop, and even all the way from the Owleyes territory’s workshop.
In addition, there were the woodwork-related suppliers and subcontractors who’d assisted in the magic rifle’s development.
Furthermore, there were the relatives living in the royal capital and, for some reason, even Graham’s young knight colleagues.
”Uuugh… I’m getting nervous.”
As I was getting nervous before the crowd of people, my attendant standing by my side, Anna, whispered gently in my ear.
”It’ll be fine, Leticia-sama. These past few days, haven’t you been doing your best with the finishing touches? For everyone that’s assisted, let’s show them Ojou-sama’s efforts and results.”
”Yes, that’s right…”
The audience took their places circling halfway around the garden’s pond, gazing at me and the magic rifle placed upon the stand on the table beside me, their faces full of interest.
I felt an indescribable sense of pressure.
I hadn’t faced this much attention since the engagement announcement party with the second prince before loopback[1].
That time was also the worst.
While attracting everyone’s attention, we danced the first dance as a pair.
While it appeared to be an elegant dance at first glance, he treated me roughly in the spots where people couldn’t see.
A hand so forceful that I unconsciously frowned.
A rough lead.
I was swung around like a puppet.
——— recalling it, I nearly cry in anger and humiliation.
Seeing me like that, Anna got down on one knee and wrapped her hands around mine so as to clasp it.
Warm hands.
Hands that care for me.
Those gentle eyes, which looked straight at me.
”Today, Ojou-sama, you can change the world with this magic tool. You can carve out your future. That, is something that no one in this world… no one but Leticia Ojou-sama[2] can do. What is there to be nervous about?”
Saying so, Anna smiled, and added this to the end.
”If it’s Ojou-sama, then it’ll surely be fine. ———my little baroness[3].”
Something hot, a courage, deep within my chest, welled up.
”Thank you, Anna. You’ve given me courage.”
I kissed Anna on the cheek, and walked over to where Otou-sama had been waiting for me to prepare.
”Otou-sama, sorry for keeping you waiting.”
”You fine to start, Letty?”
I gave a deep nod.
”Yes, please!”
Father nodded, and then raised his voice to the audience.
”Ladies and gentlemen! Thanks for gathering today for our Ainsworth Family’s new magic tool unveiling. ———many of you already know this, but the magic weapon being unveiled this time was thought of and designed by my daughter, Leticia, and was manufactured together with the workshop’s craftsmen. It is called the [magic rifle]. I’m confident that this weapon is something which will change the world, and history! Ladies and gentlemen, I hope that you too agree once you’ve ascertained its might with your own eyes.——— that is all.”
Otou-sama’s rousing speech drew everyone’s attention to us.
Next, Brother Hugh took over the announcements.
”And so, we shall now begin the test firing. The magic rifle is a type of projectile weapon called a [gun], which hasn’t existed up till now. The target is the plate armour and the magic shield placed across the pond. My younger sister Leticia will fire at them herself from this shore. Everyone, please take a look without blinking your eyes!”
Saying so, Brother Hugh looks back at me and winks.
Looking at that playful gesture, I unintentionally laughed.
The clamorous audience murmured.
”Huh, that child’s going to shoot?”
”Isn’t that young lady a countess?”
”Ignoring the armour, she probably won’t even put a scratch in the magically strengthened magic shield.”
I heard such voices.
I’ve got all the best cards I need.[4]
——— as I thought that, it happened.
”What, you. You think our young lady’s going to make a weapon that can’t even pierce through a shield like that? Huh?”
”Oi, don’t make fun of our workshop.”
”Ha! Let him say what he wants. That dimwit’ll be knocked off his feet when he sees the result.”
”M-, my baaaaaack?!”[5]
Pfft, I burst out laughing.
It goes without saying.
They’re the guys from the Royal Capital Workshop.
”Leticia Ojou-sama! Good luuuck!!”
The young man, Roland, shouted while waving a handmade flag with two bears drawn on.
Stop it, it’s embarrassing…
As I covered my face, my brother Hugh laughed and gave a brief comment.
”Letty, they looove you.”
”It’s not funnnyy.”
I puffed my cheeks out, and my brother happily patted my head.
TL Notes:
[1]so in other words, the first life ↩
[2]I’m so glad I chose to romanize these things. Translating this would have either have been a headache, or would havechanged the meaning due to the way English works. ↩
[3]in case anyone’s wondering, Leticia is a potential Countess, since the Owleyes position is that of a Count’s. However, Ainsworth is a Baron’s, and that’s what she’s aiming for, hence why Anna called her a Baroness, not Countess. ↩
[4]Strangely, this could’ve also meant “this grip is the very best” which would have also have made sense, but I checked the next chapter, and it turns out she hasn’t picked up the rifle yet. So why would she be commenting on the grip? ↩
[5]unfortunately, we’ve run into our first case of untranslatable double meanings. This was meant to be a joke, but the JP version of “knocked off of one’s feet” seems to be “break one’s back”. Which is funny, because “break one’s back” is a phrase with a different meaning in English. ↩