第１３４６堀：訓練の後 (Part1)
Chapter 1346: After the Training
Side: Stasia
The shower beats against my skin, washing away the lingering heat of the day. It is strange to call it "cooling down" when I am standing under hot water, but there is no denying how soothing it feels.
In the mirror before me, the familiar scar on my face stares back. I grew up in a world where a woman’s facial scar was considered a mark of shame. I had once thought that after losing my status as a princess, I would live out my days as a general, a warrior. Life, however, is full of surprises.
"To think there is someone who would call me cute..."
I trace the line of the scar, a faint smile touching my lips. Just then, Arge appears in the reflection behind me.
"Sister? Is something wrong? Is it the scar?"
She stares at me, her eyes filled with genuine concern.
"No, it’s nothing like that. I was just thinking about how much I’ve changed."
As I say this, Arge looks me over, her gaze lingering on my body.
"Ah, I see your breasts have gotten bigger lately, haven't they?"
"Have they?"
I lift my chest with my hands, though I don't really feel any significant difference. They are certainly larger than Seraria’s, but they don't quite reach the proportions of Rurua or Samantha, so I wouldn't call them particularly noteworthy.
"You’ve been having Brother massage them for you, haven't you?"
"Yes. It makes him happy, and that is all that matters to me."
To know that my rugged, battle-worn body can stir such excitement in him—there is no greater joy.
"...I didn't expect you to brag about your love life so casually."
"Heh. Jealous, are you?"
"Yes. I’m glad you and Brother are getting along so well. But why are you training with Seraria and the others instead of being with him?"
"I felt like I’d been slacking off lately because I’ve been too happy, so I decided to get back to proper training. Besides, Hiiro and Riel took me down in our last match."
"Ah..."
Yes, I lost to Hiiro. I knew she was a talented girl, but I never expected her to charge in at that exact moment. I was left stunned by a full-force shield bash, only for Riel to grab me and toss me out of the ring.
"More than anything, we rarely get a chance to take a break together like this. It’s nice to be able to bathe with everyone."
I say this and look toward the bath area, where I can see Seraria and the others soaking, their expressions melting into pure bliss.
"...Sister, do you remember that you are a princess, after all?"
"Of course. Seraria, Deryu, and Fiora are princesses, too."
"That’s right..."
For some reason, Arge’s shoulders slump.
"Still, I didn't think you would actually come when I called."
"What are you saying? If you call for me, Sister, I will come at once."
"Even though you were angry about the parfait?"
"That’s because you were enjoying it all by yourself. So, is it training again today?"
As we chat and step into the tub, it is Deryu who answers her question.
"No, today we are returning home for a meal. You should come too, Arge."
"Thank you. That’s a relief. If you’d said you were training for all three days, I would have had to punch you. But are you all sure you don't want to be with Brother?"
"It’s fine. My husband is currently occupied with his subordinates."
It is Seraria who answers Arge’s question...
"Subordinates? Ah, you mean Orelia and the others?"
"Oh? Do you know them?"
That is unexpected. I hadn't realized Arge had a connection to Orelia’s group.
"In Weed, I hold the position of an instructor for the nobles of the Haiden region, so I’ve been training Orelia and the others. In more ways than one, of course."
"Ah, I see. So that’s how they passed your examination, Arge."
"I wouldn't call it a 'pass.' It was all quite improvised, so I’m still instructing them whenever I have the time."
"Well, it’s not as if one can learn noble etiquette so easily. Especially since the fine details vary from country to country."
"Exactly. So, for now, it’s just a thin veneer. That said, etiquette with other countries should ideally be about showing respect through one's attitude."
"That may be true at first, but if you keep making the same mistakes, that excuse won't hold up for long."
"You’re right. If they had the time to learn but didn't, it’s inevitable that the other country will look down on them."
As Arge and I get carried away discussing Orelia, Seraria, who had been listening nearby, joins the conversation.
"That’s exactly why it’s so troublesome, and why my husband is trying to establish a universal set of etiquette rules."
"Oh? I’ve heard something about that, but how is the progress coming along? Haven't you heard anything, Jessica?"
"No... Ah, I do recall hearing talk of gathering instructors from various countries to standardize the rules, but I don't know who is coordinating it. Have you heard anything from your end, Quar?"
"No. If that were the case, wouldn't it start with Lady Jessica or Lady Fiora?"
At that, Fiora, who had been relaxing, turns toward us.
"I haven't heard anything of the sort, either. This is the first I’ve heard that Yuki-sama was considering such a thing."
"It’s probably because Fiora deals with the smaller nations. The major powers have to align first; there’s no way the smaller nations will unify their etiquette if the big ones don't."
"That’s true. The etiquette in my homeland of Dafaio follows the flow from Roschur."
Indeed, many small nations were originally separated from larger ones, or exist under their protection, so they often inherit the cultural flow of the major powers. In that case, it would be much easier for the smaller nations to accept the rules if the major powers unified them first.
"I see, so that’s the stage we’re at. But once it’s decided, I would certainly love the opportunity to provide training."
"Yes, of course. We wouldn't want to waste a versatile talent like you, Arge."
"Leave it to me. But really, why aren't you with Brother? I thought you all loved spending your days off as a happy couple?"
To Arge, it must seem unnatural for us to be without our husband. But there is meaning in this, too.
"We certainly love him, but that doesn't mean we have to be joined at the hip twenty-four hours a day."