Time passed by slowly when I became a dress up doll for my mom and our maids.
Seriously...
Even after we've agreed on the dresses I would wear for the Kingdom's Founding Festival, they kept having me wear various other dresses!
When I asked if I needed more, mom said these.
"Eh? No, baby. Unless you want more dresses?"
"Well, I'll still wear all the other dresses you've bought for me, but why are we still trying out more?!"
"Eh~? Because we want to see you in these cute dresses more, right everyone~"
""Yes, Mistress~""
That's what they said!!!!
Hah... Fortunately, that's all over now... There are still new dresses I need to try out, but it won't be a marathon anymore. Mom told me we could try it out leisurely at my pace.
Since then, I've continued visiting the castle to learn how to act like a princess from Lily once every week by tagging along with dad.
It was slowly becoming very fun as I'm starting to get used to Hana's spartan training since we could play together afterwards.
Then when I'm home, I'll either be trying out dresses with mom, Anne, Maria-chan, and the maids who were currently on break, play with Kiara, Iris, Maria-chan, and Fubuki, or making some new confectioneries that I know how to make from my past life.
It was actually very relaxing and fun, but everything going on around me was the complete opposite.
Dad, Axel, and Lu-nii have been going to the castle regularly now to prepare for the Kingdom's Founding Festival. Even Vincent, who was supposed to focus on his training to help me with my company later on, had been helping them as part of his training. It has become very difficult to find time to hangout with the four of them as of late.
Mom had also been very busy with ordering and preparing everyone's clothing and accessories for the festival as well as the tea party that she will be holding on one of the days in the festival.
The Kingdom's Founding Festival lasted for exactly 1 week. During that time, the kingdom, especially the royal capital will be in full party mode to celebrate.
But, for us of high nobility, the most important days would be the first and last day of the festival.
On the first day of the festival, there will be a grand parade in the royal capital where the royal family would circle the capital, giving even commoners a chance to see their rulers, before returning to the royal palace and beginning the opening ceremony of the festival.
Then, on the last day, there will be a closing ceremony followed with the grandest ball of the year where almost every noble in the kingdom was invited to the palace. This is why my engagement with Alexus will be announced on this day.
In between these two massive events, there wasn't anything much going on for the high ranking nobles since they would focus their efforts on preparing for the closing ceremony and the grand ball on the last day of the festival.
During this time, the commoners and some low ranked nobles who have come all the way from their towns would be partying in the royal capital around the marketplace where store owners and merchants would offer huge sales in celebration of the Kingdom's Founding.
These few days of celebration were actually events in "Lovely Happenings". According to which route the heroine took, the capture target would abandon their duties and sneak out to go on a date with her in the marketplace.
Even Alexus, the crown prince, snuck out to go with her because she really wanted to go...
Now that I'm here, I can't believe he would do such a thing... I mean, members of the royal families would arguably be the most busy during these few days. How could he just sneak out to go on a date?!
Kuh... If he dares to sneak out and abandon his duties during such busy times, just see how long I would keep him in ice.
Well, I can't imagine this Alexus now doing that though. He's a responsible kid, and he knows how much I'd get mad at him for doing that, so I think it'll be fine...
Hm... What was I saying? Oh right!
Mom and her small cliques of her closest friends have agreed to spend just one day during the course of the festival to meet up in a private tea party in their home to celebrate. They would take turns hosting this tea party, and this year would be mom's turn, which was why she's extremely busy.
This is also why I've been making new confectioneries and teach them to our household's pastry chefs.
But, other than that, I... I have nothing to do...
Sometimes, I feel restless seeing mom so busy and the servants going around executing her orders while I'm here relaxing and playing with Kiara and Fubuki.
Though... There was one little thing that had been keeping me busy.
Lately, Evelyn, celine, Illya, and all of my close female friends have been visiting me often...
While we're exchanging letters, they would ask if they could come over to play and, of course, I'd accept. Then soon enough, they came two days later.
Actually... I'm now waiting in the parlor with Kiara on my lap and Fubuki on my head, expecting a certain black-haired Yamato Nadeshiko girl to come.
Just yesterday, Evelyn and Celine came to visit. We spent the entire morning and afternoon playing together. Then, in a few days, Illya had also promised to come and visit...
Even Valerie-chan would be coming in a week. Though, she said she's coming because Lawliela-sama wanted to help mom plan the tea party.
But still... I wonder what's going on? I mean, I'm happy that we're meeting more often, but shouldn't they be busy with their own preparations for the Kingdom's Founding Festival?
Or are they like me too? Bored and got too much time on their hands that they decided to come over?
Hm... That may be it. After all, I can't imagine Evelyn or Illya slacking in their responsibilities just to play. If anything, they'll finish all of them first before playing.
Well~! I got to meet these cuties, so it's a win-win situation for everyone~!!!
"Nee-cha~ Can I borrow Fubuki~?"
"Of course~ Fubuki~"
"Kyuu~"
Fubuki leaped off my head and nuzzled into Kiara's embrace, rubbing their cheeks together.
Ah~ How cute~ What adorable creatures~ I just want to squish them together~
"Alterisa-sama, is it really okay to have Fubuki here? Aren't you trying to hide her existence from everyone outside of the family?"
Maria-chan said as she stood beside the couch. Anne was waiting for Noir's arrival to lead her here, so she was currently the only one here.
"Hm, I've been thinking about that, actually... I think my friends could be trusted to not tell anyone that I have a Celestial Fox, but..."
"Mm... I think it's better to not give them that burden in the first place..."
"You're right..."
I let out a small sigh and lowered my head to Kiara.
"Kiara, can you bring Fubuki with you when you return~? You can play with her all you want, so keep her company, okay?"
"Yesh~! Hehehe~ Let's play together, Fubuki~"
"Kyuu~"
Thank goodness... Seems like Fubuki won't be too lonely...
It would be impossible to hide her existence from my friends and the public for too long. After all, I do intend on bringing her with me to the Academy for extra protection in case Keith, Wilhelm, and Luke decided to get seduced by the heroine and attack me for no reason.
I know Lu-nii would never do that since he's Kazu, and I'd like to believe that Alexus won't either, but I wouldn't know with the rest of them. So it would be better for me to bring Fubuki along so I could protect myself better just in case.
Maybe I could begin introducing her to my friends after my engagement with Alexus is announced? Being the crown prince's fiancee would protect me from people trying to get their slimy hands on Fubuki, so that might be a good idea...
As I thought about this, a maid came to the room, telling me that Noir had arrived. So, I had her escort Kiara and Fubuki back to Kiara's room, while I waited here for her arrival.
Soon, the door to the parlor was knocked once again and this time, it was Anne and Noir along with her maid.
"Ah~ Alterisa-sama~! Thank you very much for allowing me to visit~!"
"Noir~! Of course~ I always enjoy your visits~ Come and sit~"
"Yes~!"
Ah~ She's so cute~ Her jet-black hair is glimmering so beautifully as it swayed with every little movement. Her cute, little face and snow-white skin are so squishable that I might lose control one of these days and just attack her and rub my cheeks all over her!!!
Ah~ Her cute blue dress with white lily patterns also fits her so well~ She's a true Yamato Nadeshiko~!!!
She sat down right beside me, and Maria-chan immediately poured her a cup of tea.
"Thank you, Maria-chan~"
"Yes~ Noir-sama~ I hope you enjoy it~"
Ufufufu~ They've become such good friends too after that sleepover~ I'm so happy~
"Hehehe~ I'm so happy you came, Noir~ Are your preparations for the Kingdom's Founding Festival going well~?"
"Uhn~ I've picked my dresses for the events, so I have plenty of free time now~"
Umu, as expected. We young noble ladies do have little to do in terms of preparations.
"I see~ That's great~ I'm looking forward to seeing your dresses, Noir~"
"Yes~ I am looking forward to seeing what kind of dress you would wear as well, Alterisa-sama~ I'm sure you'll look very beautiful in them~!"
E-Ehehehe~ That makes me a little bit embarrassed~
"Thank you~ I've finished picking my dresses as well, so I have plenty of time in my hands, unlike my brother and father."
"Uhn. Dear father and dear brother are also very busy with their responsibilities. Dear brother actually really wanted to come visit as well, but he unfortunately couldn't make it due to a sudden call for duty from dear father..."
Hm? Why does Luke want to visit? Is there something he wanted to discuss with me about my training menu?
But it's as expected. Everyone's busy huh~? Even though they're still very young, they're already training their hardest for their duties in the future. Well~ As long as Noir can make it, I don't care about Luke~"
But seeing Noir's saddened face, she sure loves her big brother a lot, huh? As expected of the girl who became a villainess because her brother was stolen by the heroine.
Well, I won't let you become a villainess~ When your brother abandons you for that heroine, I'll definitely come and swoop you off your feet and never feel you lonely ever again!!! Fufufu~ I'll make you call me "Onee-sama~" and love me so much that you won't care who your stoic, stupid brother ends up with~!
"Ufufufu~ Then, let's have plenty of fun today, okay~? I'll make sure you won't feel lonely~!"
"Nn~! I-I don't feel lonely anymore now that you are here with me, A-Alterisa-sama~!"
!!!!!!!!
A-Ah! M-My heart! I-I've been shot straight in my heart by her love arrow!!!! I-I can't stand it!
"Ah~ Noir~! I'm so happy you're here as well~!!! Uuuuhhh~!"
"Uwah- A-Alterisa-sama~!"
Since it's only us and our maids around, I couldn't help but pounce on her and brought her into a tight hug.
S-She's just too cute~! I-I can't help it anymore~!!!
AAAAAAHHH!!! I REALLY WANT TO STEAL YOU AWAY FROM THAT GUY!!!! I WANT YOU AND KIARA TO CALL ME "ONEE-SAMA" AT THE SAME TIME!!!!
"I-It's too tight..."
"Ah! I-I'm sorry, Noir-"
"No! P-Please don't apologise... I-I uhm... I love being hugged... B-By you..."
Ah~ She's blushing~ So cuuuute~
"Hehehe~ Then, what would you like to do today, Noir~? Would you like to go to the garden? Or perhaps the library~?"
"Anywhere will be fine with me, Alterisa-sama~ As long as you will be by my side~"
Ah~ As you wish, my beautiful princess~! This prince shall escort you and give you the greatest time of your life~!!!
AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Please vote and comment your thoughts~!