Once again, for some reason, I'm currently sitting on the lap of my father as we head to the Royal Palace with our carriage.
Yes... Again.
Our household's carriages were all of the best quality in terms of appearance, comfort, and size. It could fit the entire family, as well as Anne and Maria-chan if we want to, easily. It was a given considering how filthy rich my family was.
But even then, I still can't escape the fate of being forced to sit on my father's lap...
Seriously, I can't even escape since he has an arm around my waist...
When we were departing, I sent an sos signal to my mom and Lu-nii who were seeing us off, asking them to help convince dad to not embarrass me in such a way. After all, even though I am only around six, I'm mentally much older than that!!! It's super embarrassing to sit on my parent's lap like this!!!
Yet, they betrayed me... Lu-nii just snickered at me while mom smiled helplessly.
Now, I'm here... On my dad's lap for the entire trip... I can't even get help from Anne since she's in the other carriage...
The only saving grace was that no one is watching this disgraceful display of mine...
Hah...
The reason for my visit to the royal palace was to meet Lily and learn how to act like a princess, and dad is bringing me along to the palace since he also has a meeting with the other nobilities and the king. He'll just leave me with Lily until he finishes his business and we'll return together afterwards.
I sent her a letter of request for this right after our sleepover. She seemed very surprised, but after I explained why I need to be capable of acting like a princess when my engagement with Alexus is announced, she agreed.
We continued exchanging letters after that to decide on the time and we both agreed for it to be today.
Hehehe~ I'm looking forward to it~
Hana has always been a great teacher. Without her, I might've had a much worse time with my academics since I'm spending most of my time with the drama club.
She's my beautiful guardian angel~
Soon, we arrived at the royal palace.
As usual, we got a face pass and all the guards, scholars, royal court mages, and servants all greeted us with a salute or bow.
At this point, I'm getting used to being treated like that and I would greet them back with a smile.
However... I feel like I want to bury my head into a hole...
"D-Dad... P-Please let me walk myself! I-It's embarrassing!"
"No. If I let you walk yourself, you might get lost."
W-What does he think I am?! I'm not a child!!!
Well... Technically I am, but I'M NOT!!!!
"Uuuuh... I-It's so embarrassing... Everyone is staring..."
"They're staring because you're so beautiful, my little angel."
They're not!!! It's because you're carrying me!!!
Look! They're staring so hard because the prime minister known for his ice-cold countenance is carrying his daughter like this!!!!
Aaaahhh!!! Why does he have to be this strong?! Is he using enhancement magic?!
I looked back towards Anne, who was following us closely from behind, hoping she could help me.
But against dad, Anne was powerless. She shook her head and smiled helplessly.
In the end, I gave up and resigned to the fate of being carried around by my dad...
After what seemed to be forever, we finally reached the private parlor Lily was waiting for me in after we were led by a royal guard.
When we entered, Lily and her maid, Nina, greeted dad. Then, dad, Anne, and I also greeted her back. After telling Lily what he'll be doing in the palace and that he'll pick me up after he's done with his business, he left, leaving me to Anne, Lily, and Nina's care.
I took a seat on the couch with Lily as the cutie ponytailed blonde maid Nina, served me tea. Then, Anne gave the confectionery we brought and helped Nina prepare them for Lily and I to enjoy.
"Even though I agreed, I still can't understand why you still need to learn about this... Didn't you pass your etiquette lessons with flying colors? This shouldn't be a problem to you."
Lily let out a sigh and looked at me with a helpless smile.
"W-Well, acting like a noble lady and a princess is different... I've been copying mom all this time and I could act like a noble lady. But, I don't think I have that royal charisma like you, your mother, or my mom does. That's why..."
I could copy their actions, but I can't copy their charisma! This and that are different! The air or royalty and majesty around them is something I can't just simply copy by looking.
Even though I could pull it off if I were to be a prince, I needed to be a princess this time and that's something I've never done!!! That's why I want to know what sort of lessons she went through to have such majestic charisma of a princess.
"..."
W-What? Why are you looking at me like I said something ridiculous?
Eh? Anne? Nina? Why are you two looking at me like that too?
Was my request too much?! D-Did unknowingly asked for a "secret" the royal family had been keeping to have such majestic charisma? I didn't, right?! After all, mom has it too!! She's so majestic and beautiful!!!
As I was panicking, Lily finally let out a sigh once again and smiled helplessly.
"Risa, you know that no one would expect you to act like a true princess at your age, right? I am a real princess, but they're all shocked when they see me act like this. Isn't that right, Nina?"
"Yes. Your highness had displayed a surprising show of elegance and charisma from such a young age. My elder sister and many of us servants were truly shocked by your grace."
Anne nodded in agreement. She had also told me how impressed she was the night after she met Lily for the first time. She said it reminded her of me, for some reason.
"We're still very young, so you shouldn't feel burdened like this. I'm sure that's not what onii-sama wants as well."
Lily then continued.
"You'll also receive additional lessons after your engagement is announced on becoming a princess, so everything should be fine, right?"
T-That's true...
I've also been told that my princess education will start a few weeks after the Kingdom's Founding Festival, and it will teach me more advanced etiquette and history lessons.
"U-Uuuhh... I don't want to make a fool out of myself in front of everyone during the Kingdom's Founding Festival..."
"You won't, Risa-chan. I guarantee it. Don't you think so as well, Nina? Anne?"
"Yes! Lady Lorya is the only one I've ever seen to equal my lady in terms of gracefulness!"
"My lady Alterisa-sama has always been the most gracefully young lady I've ever seen. At least when she is in public..."
"See~?"
U-Uuuuhh... I-It's so embarrassing...
Anne too! You don't need to add that last bit!!
"B-But I want to maintain my image as a cool, elegant, and charismatic onee-san to my friends and family..."
...What? Why are you guys looking at me like I said something ridiculous again?!
Lily then began to giggle.
"W-Why are you laughing?"
"Heheheh~ It's nothing. You're just so cute, Risa-chan~"
"Wha-! I'm being serious here! Stop laughing, Lily!"
"Ahahaha, okay! I'm sorry!"
"Geez..."
Lily wiped her tears and calmed down.
"Alright. I can give you some pointers from the etiquette lessons I learned as a princess. That should be enough, right?"
"Uhn! Thank you so much, Lily~!!"
"Hehe~ Anything for my dear Risa-chan~"
Yaayy~ I love you Lily~
[Lily's POV]
Hehe~ It seems she's still not aware of her own charm, huh...?
She doesn't have the charisma of a royal yet. Her innocence and purity, her true essence, still shone through even when she acted gracefully.
She may seem elegant and majestic for Evelyn, Valerie, and the others, the normal girls our age. But to the adults and onii-sama, it was impossible to miss. But that is why so many people are attracted to her. She kept an elegance on par with the royal family, yet her honesty, innocence, kindness, and genuinity still shone through unmistakably.
In time, she will gain the charisma and majesty of a queen, but I'm sure those traits will still shine through her actions if not her transcendentally beautiful appearance..
She will be perfect to be the mother of the kingdom.
But, seeing her worry over such things and work so hard is so cute~
Ufufufu~ You're such a silly girl, Akari. But, that's also why I love you sooooo much~ Hehehe~
"Alright~! Then let's start! Be ready because I will not hold back for my dear friend~!"
"E-Eh...? U-Uhm... Your eyes look scary, L-Lily-sama... A-Are you really not going to hold back...?"
"Nope~ After all, I will be doing this for my best friend~ Now, straighten your back and get your chin up! A lady should always be graceful even while enjoying their tea snacks!"
"Y-Yes!!!"
Ufufufu~ Risa-chan looks so cute when she's trembling~
AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Please vote and comment your thoughts~!