Lord of Disease (JP-GL) 382

382: EX2. Ordregalia of Memories

In the year minus nine of the Listrean calendar.

A third princess was born in the elven nation of Ordregalia.

Rebecca Stagnet, the third princess of Ordregalia.

‘She’ was loved by everyone in the country.

A kind-hearted and innocent personality. As the youngest princess, she was doted on, and she grew up straight and true, showered with affection. When she was given a tiara at the age of six, everyone who saw her joy smiled.

…‘I’ remember that.

—‘I was happy.’ ‘I was happy.’

My memories began there.

Without even dreaming of the day when all those gentle memories would be painted black, just seven years later, I had carved all of it into my being.

In the year four hundred and twenty-three of the Listrean calendar.

The third princess of the elven nation was no more.

The country of Ordregalia was nowhere on this continent.

Even the elven race.

Was nowhere in this world anymore—

“Princess, please wake up.”

“Mmm…” With a gentle voice, I was lightly shaken, and I opened my eyes a little.

Standing by the bed was an elf in a maid’s uniform, her black hair tied back. A familiar sight. Daisy, who had been my personal maid and my tutor since I could remember, had not changed since the first time I had met her.

“Rebecca-sama? If you’re such a sleepyhead, the tiara will laugh at you.”

“Yes… I’m getting up.” She was kind, but not soft.

I—Rebecca Stagnet—sat up and sighed.

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“A tenth birthday is a special occasion. It can’t be helped.”

“Mmm… I’m going to wash my face.”

The royal castle of Ordregalia was equipped with a plumbing system that combined rainwater and [Cleansing]. It was much less of a burden than creating water, and since it didn’t disappear after a certain amount of time, there were few problems. Once it was installed, the burden was not so great. But considering the magical technology required to install it, even for the elves, with their high magical aptitude, it would be some time before it was widespread among the common people. For the beastmen and the humans, it might be difficult to install, let alone use on a daily basis.

This technology would continue to grow.

Though a princess, I was the third. It might be a good idea to think about supporting the country in that area. Even in Ordregalia, where both men and women could stand at the top, the right of succession was in order of birth. If there was an egregious behavior, the order of succession could be changed or revoked, but there had been no cases of revocation in Ordregalia. And a change in the order—at least in the remaining anecdotes—was said to have been a peaceful transfer, in consideration of aptitude.

And my sisters were kind and excellent. Unless I was very unlucky, my turn would probably not come.

“Phew…”

My face, reflected in the mirror.

My silver hair, which had been praised as being like the snow on the Lital Mountains, inherited from my mother, and my blue eyes, which were common to all my family. But I couldn’t help but think that my features were a little childish for a ten-year-old. And my figure, too. It was age-appropriate. But my mother and my sisters were all well-proportioned. And I had heard that their good figures had been so since they were children.

I decided to place my hopes on my future growth.

“Princess, your clothes.”

“Thank you, Daisy.”

What was handed to me was a pale green dress with white frills. The overall design was sweet, and it emphasized my childishness—or was that just my paranoia?

Well, for the long-lived elves, a young child was like a treasure. And they could only be a child for a short time. So, while I secretly wanted to wear something chic, like black, for my everyday clothes, I obediently accepted the sweet, pastel-colored, frilly outfits.

Especially today, a special day. I knew that there was a certain attire that was appropriate for a princess.

She helped me with the buttons on the back, and as I put on the dress, I sat down at the vanity and combed my hair. And I took the silver tiara that Daisy had offered me. Intertwined vines, with a small, teardrop-shaped blue gem hanging from it. An accessory given to a child to wish for their growth. For the royal family, it was a crown.

At the age of six, it had been a little big, like a normal crown, but now that I was ten, it was just right.

I placed the tiara in my hair and, after standing up from the chair, I turned to Daisy.

“…Does it… suit me…?”

Daisy’s smile deepened.

“Yes. As your tutor, I can say with certainty. It suits you perfectly. You are my… no, the pride of all the people of Ordregalia.”

“…Thank you.” I said, a little embarrassed by the straightforward praise.

Today was a special day. My tenth birthday, and the day of the coronation ceremony.

“Let’s go, Daisy.”

“Yes, Princess.”

As we left the room, my stomach rumbled.

“By the way, the ceremony is going to be tough, without breakfast.”

“It is a custom to attend the ceremony with a pure body.”

For a growing child, to skip even a single meal was a little tough. I decided to be glad that I hadn’t had to fast from the day before.