Vol 2 Chapter 14 – On the Morning of the Entrance Ceremony

The Royal Academy—it’s the gateway to success for the elite, leading to the Royal University, the kingdom’s highest institution of learning.

Graduating from this academy with high marks throws the doors to the kingdom’s central leadership wide open.

—As long as you don’t screw up royally, that is.

You can’t get overconfident, since there are cases like mine where you can graduate second in your class from the Royal Academy and still be a total failure.

I was probably the only one in this situation, having also graduated second from the university (Lidia was, of course, first).

“―Allen-sama, is something the matter?”

“No… I was just lamenting my own powerlessness. By the way, Anna-san. What’s that orb for?”

“I have to show this to Lidia-sama later! She was about to take a day off from her first post as a Royal Court Mage just for this.”

“…I see.”

“Well then, it’s about time for the grand reveal. The young ladies must be getting tired of waiting. Hehehe—I can’t wait to see their reactions.”

With that, she skipped out of the room.

She looks like she’s enjoying this from the bottom of her heart…

Is it a blessing in disguise that Lidia and Karen (who went ahead to the Royal Academy to prepare for the ceremony) aren’t here… or am I just postponing the inevitable…?

I check myself in the full-length mirror—and a sigh escapes me naturally.

“S-Sensei…!”

“N-Nii-sama…!”

“A-Allen-sensei…!”

As I was lost in thought, the door opened and Tina, Liene, and Ellie, all changed into cute dresses, came rushing into the room one after another.

And then, they looked at me and were struck speechless—you saw me in a similar outfit just the other day, you don’t have to react like that…

I’m the one who knows best that it doesn’t suit me!

“—I’d heard about it, but it suits you quite well, doesn’t it? It’s no wonder Lidia was whining, ‘I’m going to the entrance ceremony too!'”

“…Please don’t tease me too much.”

“Oh? I’m just telling the truth. You’re a handsome man on any given day, but—yep, this has its own charm. Anna, you’ve done well.”

“Thank you very much, Madam.”

Entering after the three girls were Anna-san and Her Highness, Risa Linstar.

She is the wife of Duke Linstar and Lidia’s mother.

She normally assists the busy Duke Linstar in their southern territory, but with Lidia becoming a Royal Court Mage and Liene entering the Royal Academy as the second-highest-ranking student, it was a grand occasion.

—Using that as a pretext, she came up from the south the other day.

She probably just hated being the only one left out of the loop. She’s the hands-off type, for the most part.

Her beauty and figure are as timeless as ever.

Her beautiful red hair, so much like Lidia’s, is striking.

Her age is a mystery; she looks like she’s in her twenties, and when they’re together, they look more like sisters than mother and daughter.

But seeing her smile, you realize they really are parent and child.

…She is the mastermind behind this whole affair.

“Risa-sama.”

“—Allen?”

“…Risa-san. I understand that the Royal Academy’s entrance ceremony is important. However.”

“Noooope. This is a rare opportunity, so you will do it right. It’s not fair that I’m the only one who doesn’t get to see my son looking so stylish, and besides, a mother has a responsibility and a duty to make her son look cool, you know?”

That’s right… I am currently wrapped in a super high-class suit that I would normally never wear—or rather, never have the occasion to wear.

My hair has also been styled with various products, making me look just like a butler.

This morning, I was suddenly abducted after waking up, and before I knew it, this was my state.

If it were Lidia whining, I might not have listened, but with Risa-san as the opponent, there was no other choice. I have no say in the matter.

…And I also feel indebted to her for the trouble I’ve caused.

When I arrived at the ducal residence, Tina and Ellie were there as well. Apparently, they had been cleverly lured here.

It seems Anna-san chose their dresses, too.

Frustratingly, they look great on them.

It’s easy to forget, but Anna-san is an incredibly competent maid.

Well, if I told her that, I can just see her trying to hide her embarrassment by instigating Lidia in various ways, so I’ll absolutely never say it.

Of course, Liene looked adorable as well.

Compared to those three—I glance at the full-length mirror one more time.

No, no, this is a bit… honestly, I don’t think it suits me…

Having seen the real deal in Graham-san, this just feels like a cheap imitation.

On the day of the Royal Academy exam, Lidia tricked me into a similar outfit (apparently it was ‘in the style of a butler from a novel’ at the time), but it wasn’t this formal…

“I must say, this is a masterpiece, if I do say so myself. The only regret is not being able to see young mistress Lidia’s reaction, but—well, this is fine in its own way.”

As she says this, Anna-san gleefully captures the images of the three still-frozen girls in a video orb.

I don’t think she’d listen even if I told her, but that thing costs more than an average person’s monthly salary, you know?

And what’s more, it’s a disposable model that can’t record anymore once its capacity is full…

“Now, let’s get going. You three, snap out of it. Otherwise—I’ll be the one to ride in the carriage with Allen.”

“M-Mother-sama! Th-That’s not fair!”

“Th-That’s right! Even for you, Risa-sama—I-I won’t give up my spot!”

“I-I think it would be best to prioritize Allen-sensei’s feelings!”

“So they say. You’re as popular as ever, aren’t you? Allen, you decide.”

Risa-san smiles, winking one eye.

—It’s been this way since I met her four years ago, but I don’t feel like I can ever win against her.

A small sigh escapes me.

Is Lidia going to end up like this someday…? If she does, that would be a bit of a problem…