Chapter 30 – Flower Of The North Sea (2)

“Rejected.”

“Hmph.”

From afar, Adela returned, dejected after receiving an instant rejection without a moment’s hesitation. Pointing at Louis, she muttered something unbelievable.

“A Count…”

Hah, sigh…

Erzebert tilted her head back to relieve the stress furrowing her brows. Stress ruins the skin.

She tried to speak to Adela as gently as possible, like a mother dealing with a child’s tantrum.

“Adela.”

“Yes?”

“Do you really think titles are just handed out to everyone because there are many nobles at the academy? Don’t you realize the royal finances and lands are in shambles after two wars? Where do you expect to find a title for someone like him? He hasn’t even accomplished anything remarkable; he’s just a store owner! Do you want to see me summoned by the Council and punished for abusing royal authority?”

“Hmph…”

Rejected by both, Adela grew even more disheartened.

On the other hand, Erzebert became more convinced that the young lady of Rochear was not of sound mind. It seemed she liked Louis, but surely no sane person would be attracted to such a man?

While it was true he had some hidden past related to the royal family and Terra Ernestine, and Everett had seriously recommended meeting him after his recent lesson, claiming he was a skilled knight or mage, attraction as a man was another matter entirely.

His sloppy appearance, from loose T-shirts to dragging slippers, and his unruly hair were off-putting. She had even seen him smoking on a bench on a sunny day.

Louis was utterly unsuitable as a marriage candidate for the Rochear family.

“Adela, let’s find a marriage partner slowly. For now, how about cultivating some common sense and etiquette? I can help you with that.”

“You, Princess?”

She felt a pressing need to rehabilitate Adela.

Her mannerisms and behavior were an embarrassment to the renowned Rochear family.

Esther Rochear was a ruthless mage and the kingdom’s spear, but Adela was like this…

“Trust me. You haven’t debuted in society yet, right?”

“No.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you become the debutante of the year.”

Everything was for the kingdom’s future.

Even if Adela could only partially inherit Rochear’s unique magic, it would greatly benefit the kingdom. And socially, if she could integrate into noble circles, it would benefit everyone.

Since Louis’s strange lesson, Adela hadn’t been bullied, but there was no guarantee it wouldn’t happen again.

Erzebert, who hadn’t planned to join any clubs, now considered finding a suitable social gathering for Adela.

With effort, surely Adela could become a fine noblewoman.

“But Princess, I’m actually quite smart.”

“Yes, I understand. Now please just follow me without saying anything silly.”

Hoping Adela would forget about Louis and move on, Erzebert walked briskly.

***

“I’m sorry, Princess.”

It failed almost immediately, not even lasting an hour.

“It seems Lady Adela’s… qualities don’t quite align with the direction our club pursues.”

This was the tenth club rejection. Given that the request came from the Princess of Pennheim herself, it was an unbelievable outcome.

“Could you tell me why?”

“Ahem, well… during our last ‘Aquatic Plant Research Society’ meeting, she thought the seaweed and plants looked cold and… set the tank on fire…”

“I’m sorry…”

“No, it’s… fine.”

“Really, I sincerely apologize on her behalf.”

It was hopeless. Erzebert had gravely underestimated the extent of Adela’s behavior.

Her antics were not about manners or etiquette but about common sense versus utter nonsense.

Since the magic contest, Adela had been kicked out of almost every academy club.

The reasons were beyond ridiculous: making soup with research samples, drawing Satan’s door and attracting a high priest’s attention, and blowing up any club related to magic. Even in normal history or humanities clubs, she fainted at the threshold.

No wonder so many clubs closed their applications early despite having vacant spots this year…

Even after pleading, clubs preferred paying higher taxes than accepting her. Her father, King Baor III, had sent a personal letter in response to her desperate pleas for information about Louis.

[Thank you, my daughter.]

Erzebert shredded the letter in frustration. She had inadvertently proven her political acumen but gained absolutely nothing.

Watching Adela play with Phi, she sighed heavily. Was her beauty truly all she had?

Her only redeeming quality seemed to be her confidence in winning staring contests with birds.

The saying that a beautiful woman’s face brings three years of happiness rang hollow now. Debuting in society seemed utterly out of reach.

With no club accepting her, meeting other nobles seemed impossible.

A connection… no, surely not.

Then, a brilliant but less-than-ideal idea struck her.

“Adela, do you really want to work at the store?”

“Me? Yes!”

“Sigh…”

“Princess?”

“Wait quietly. I need to think.”

What if Adela worked at the store?

The new store looked quite upscale, almost on par with the Café Gourmond in Bayou Hall.

If Adela served customers there, showing her refined appearance, people would surely be amazed at the change.

Having a noble young lady work at the store might seem odd, but there was precedent.

Liv Labre de Greenwood had worked at the store without any gossip about losing dignity or being a disgrace.

Plus, store work didn’t require complex knowledge—

“Sir Everett, please stay with Adela for a moment.”

“Huh? Princess, where are you going…”

“I’m going to meet the store owner. Come on, Phi.”

After class, Erzebert headed to the store with Phi, relieved to see the job posting still up.

Louis was cleaning the empty café when he saw her and sighed deeply, which annoyed her greatly.

No one else would dare show such a blunt expression to the Princess of Pennheim—

Regardless of his prowess, Louis clearly wasn’t a noble.

Nobles didn’t show such rude expressions, no matter their true feelings.

“What is it now, Princess? Are you going to work here?”

“No? Why on earth would I?”

But she knew exactly why Louis disliked her.

Feigning innocence, she tilted her head along with Phi, causing Louis’s face to scrunch up in irritation.

Enough teasing. Time for business.

Erzebert pulled out a chair and sat down. Expecting an escort from Louis was clearly futile.

“Louis, would you consider hiring Adela?”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes, I am. I hear Adela wants to marry. But as you know, in her current state, it’s utterly impossible.”

“Well, that’s…”

Seeing his hesitation, she felt a twinge of sympathy.

There was no point in talking more. He had already faced the hardships she had only recently experienced.

“I plan to rehabilitate Adela myself. Her current state is a significant loss for both the kingdom and herself.”

“You, Princess, will rehabilitate her? How can I possibly trust that?”

From an employer’s standpoint, hiring a non-performer was incredibly risky.

But Erzebert had a plan.

“I’ll make sure she’s presentable before bringing her here. You can decide then. Isn’t this proposition appealing to you?”

“Hmm…”

Louis pulled out a cigarette, pondering deeply.

Disliking the smell, Erzebert stood up and plucked the cigarette from his mouth.

“What are you doing?”

“Don’t smoke around me. It stinks.”

“…Fine. Bring her first, then.”

For a simple test, he added, before walking out.

Probably to finish his smoke. Stubborn man.

No matter.

Their deal was struck. Erzebert hurried back to the classroom to find Adela.

To work at the store, Adela needed something basic, an essential morning routine for all academy girls.

“You’re back, Princess?”

“Adela. Do you have any servants from your family here?”

“One, but she’s quite elderly.”

“I see. Then I’ll lend you my personal maid.”

“What?”

“Go bathe first. I’ll teach you how to do your makeup properly. We also need to buy you new clothes. How long do you intend to wear that shabby cardigan?”

***

After three grueling hours of grooming, Erzebert stifled a small gasp of amazement.

Adela, usually disheveled, looked entirely different after washing up and applying light makeup.

Her hair, usually a mess of blue strands, now fell straight and neat.

She wore a well-fitting dress from the city’s top women’s store instead of her usual slovenly attire.

Her remarkable figure, previously hidden, was now apparent.

Though she seemed uncomfortable, Adela looked like she could attract numerous dance invitations at any ball.

She was truly the flower of the Northern Sea.

“Much better. Walk gracefully now, step with your toes first.”

“Got it.”

“No more ‘got it’.”

“Yes…”

Falling silent only enhanced her sophisticated image further.

Satisfied at last, Erzebert spritzed some light perfume on her.

“Surely he can’t refuse now. But just in case, don’t speak in front of him.”

“…”

“For now, it’s fine to talk.”

“Okay.”

“No more ‘okay’… Sigh, never mind. I’ll be with you to correct anything strange. Let’s go.”

“You’re coming with me, Princess?”

Surprised, Adela stared at her.

“Is that a problem?”

“If you recommend me as an employee and I fail, it’s your responsibility to him.”

“Still…”

“Is there something you’re worried about?”

“Hmm…”

Adela glanced at the mirror, then at Erzebert, her voice filled with concern.

“The Princess might fall for Mr. Louis…”

“What? Ha! Me, falling for that man?”

It was utterly absurd.

Lehel’s final words about her former engagement echoed in her mind.

Fiancé, fiancé, ex-fiancé, betrothed—

Denying it vehemently, Erzebert raised her voice.

“Never! It’ll never happen!”

“Phi—”

“Quiet, Phi! Why chime in now after being silent all day?”

“Phi—”

“Enough! Adela, stop saying such foolish things.”

Her cheeks flushed as she fanned her face and declared emphatically.

“I’ll never fall for Louis unless he defeats the Demon King himself. Understood?”