Reed’s many difficulties
After getting out of the hot spring, I visited Farah’s room and we talked about various things. When I mentioned that I wanted to go to the town outside the castle, her proposal made me open my eyes wide in surprise.
“Princess Farah, I’m not quite sure I understand what you mean…”
“Actually, the other day, for my studies on the imperial culture, a maid prepared a Magnolia maid outfit for you to wear.”
Saying so, Farah stood up with a sparkling expression and went to fetch the costume. Her back view made even Asna look a bit dumbfounded. Soon after, Farah returned and showed me the costume in her hands. It was indeed an imperial maid outfit, and politely sized for a child.
“What do you think? If you dress up as a maid, there will be less worry about ‘Lord Reed’ being identified.”
“Princess Farah, I appreciate your suggestion, but I’m not sure about that…Also, my hair would stand out…”
Just a moment ago, I had mentioned wanting to go to the town outside the castle, but now I was taken aback by the maid outfit she had brought.
“In that case, there’s a long black wig you could use. How about wearing that?”
Oh no…I feel like my escape routes are being closed off one by one. But as a nobleman, if I were to be seen dressed like that, it would be a huge embarrassment. I have to refuse. Just as I thought that, Farah’s ears drooped down, and she looked dejected as she spoke to me with upturned eyes.
“I…actually haven’t been to the town outside the castle very often. If what you mentioned earlier about ‘what if’ were to happen, I likely wouldn’t be able to walk through the town of Renalute with you, Lord Reed. …Do you dislike going out with me…?”
Her gestures and words were quite impactful. Farah’s dejected demeanor made me want to say, “Let’s go.” But dressing up as a maid and going out would be too risky. I glanced over at Diana, seeking her help. In response, she shook her head and muttered.
“…I would advise against joyfully crossdressing as a maid, but disguising oneself as a maid could be effective in certain situations. If it comes to that, I will turn a blind eye as long as Lord Reed states that I tried my utmost to stop him.”
Well, she just passed the responsibility onto me. And the way she made sure not to take any blame was quite something. Though from her position, it might be difficult to outrightly oppose the words of Farah, a princess from another country. Contrary to my thoughts, Diana continued to drive her point home.
“Moreover, this is a direct proposal from Princess Farah herself. Even if you cannot refuse, you would not be without justification. How about saying that Princess Farah insisted on her opinion unreasonably? You mentioned earlier that you wanted to go outside the castle yourself, did you not? Might you have had something in mind?”
While stating her opinion to me, she also politely explained to Farah.
“…Diana, whose side are you on?”
“Why, Lord Reed’s side, of course.”
Diana smiled and gave me a courteous bow. I put my hand on my forehead, looked down, and sighed. At that moment, it seemed Farah had an idea, as she looked at me with a slightly nervous expression.
“…!! Y-Yes, that’s right. This is my [request] as a princess. I will be going to the town outside the castle, so Lord Reed, please [disguise yourself as a maid] and serve as my escort…!!”
Farah must have come up with this on her own. Certainly, if it’s an escort request from the princess, and I disguise myself as a maid to hide my identity, then to some extent, I would have justification if things went awry. Still, it would be quite troubling if I were found out. I didn’t answer right away, looking pensive as I hung my head at that moment.
The clear reason I had to go to the town outside Renalute Castle was to gather any information I could about the [medicinal herbs] that could lead to a cure for [Mana Depletion Syndrome]. Furthermore, if I accepted Farah’s plan, there was no doubt I could go to the town outside disguised as a maid or anything else. If I missed this opportunity, I might end up returning to the Baldia territory without being able to go to the town in Renalute or obtain any information about the medicinal herbs, which I absolutely wanted to avoid.
Apart from the medicinal herbs, as Farah said, I might not get another chance to walk through the streets of Renalute with her. If I could go outside to gather information on medicinal herbs while also fulfilling Farah’s wish, all I had to do was endure dressing up as a maid…right? After some contemplation, I suddenly looked up. Farah was gazing at me intently with an adorably hopeful expression. Seeing her cute look, I thought I shouldn’t say anything to sadden her, and I steeled my resolve to obtain information on the medicinal herbs and grant her wish.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT gadgetizedpanda.net
“Understood. I will disguise myself as a maid and serve as Princess Farah’s escort.”
“…!! Thank you, Lord Reed!!”
Asna and Diana, who had been watching our exchange, covered their mouths with their hands, looked down slightly, and shook their shoulders. Needless to say, I thought I would have to get back at them eventually. And it was at this moment that I, for the first time including my past life memories, would be putting on women’s clothing.
So after that, when it came time to change into the maid outfit Farah had brought, I…didn’t know how to put it on. I had no choice but to ask Diana for help. Of course, I insisted that Farah and Asna not watch me change. Then, Diana lowered her voice and muttered.
“…Unfortunately, this maid outfit seems a bit too small.”
“Is that so? Then disguising myself might be tough.”
Hearing that the maid outfit was too small, I felt a bit relieved despite having steeled my resolve. But Farah immediately responded after overhearing our conversation.
“It’s alright!! Just in case something like this happened, a maid prepared another maid outfit one size larger!!”
“Ah, I see…”
Farah promptly brought over the other maid outfit and hurriedly handed it to Diana. The new maid outfit that reached me did indeed seem to be the right size. I wonder what she meant by “just in case something like this happened”?
With a dejected look, I hung my head. At that moment, I heard Farah’s cheerful voice.
“Lord Reed, how is it? Does it fit? Actually, when I asked the maid to prepare the Magnolia maid outfit, she also prepared one a size larger, just in case it didn’t fit.”
“Yeah, this one seems to fit…just fine.”
While I knew the maid had prepared the larger size just in case, I still felt a little resentful towards her. After that, with Diana’s help, I was quickly dressed in the maid outfit and even given a light makeup “just in case…” Then, I was made to wear the prepared long black wig, told “There, all done,” and promptly brought before a mirror.
“Th-This is me…?”
I tried saying the usual line, but quickly hung my head again.
“Lord Reed, you look so lovely!!”
Farah seemed extremely pleased. Asna and Diana covered their mouths with their hands, looked down, and shook their shoulders again. As for my reflection in the mirror, I had become a lovely maid with long black hair and purple eyes. The maid outfit was black-based with a long skirt.
Indeed, in this appearance, no one would think I was “Reed of Baldia.” Looking at the mirror again, I suddenly realized something and muttered.
“…Now that I see it, I do resemble Mel.”
“Yes. You and Lady Meldy do bear a striking resemblance.”
I don’t look much like Father, nor does Mel. We both take after Mother more. While the future is uncertain, I felt a bit happy realizing once again that Mel and I are indeed siblings.
“…Lord Reed, if I may, who is this Lady Meldy you speak of?”
Farah seemed a bit curious about my conversation with Diana.
“Ah, Meldy is my younger sister. I usually don’t think much about it, but seeing how similar I look to her now comes as a surprise.”
“So Lord Reed has a younger sister as well. It would be nice if I could meet her someday…”
Her expression darkened slightly. I knew this marriage had already been decided, but Farah did not yet. While she likely thought it was near certain, she must have still held out some possibility of marrying into the imperial family. Seeing her reaction, I gently spoke to her.
“…[You will definitely meet her]. And when Princess Farah comes to House Baldia, I’m sure you’ll become fast friends with my sister Mel.”
After finishing, I gave her a smile. At that moment, I deliberately emphasized “you will definitely meet her” to encourage her. Farah widened her eyes, then realizing my intent, she blushed and twitched her ears before softly muttering.
“…Thank you. I look forward to meeting her as well.”
At that moment, we heard the voice of a soldier from beyond the sliding door.
“Prince Raycis has arrived.”
Also check out my friend Localizermeerkat for more LN translations!
BUY THE SOURCE MATERIAL TO SUPPORT THE AUTHOR !!!
Kindly click on the green button above and contribute to filling the green bar if you’re interested in having another LN from the request page translated. Also, every donation is being used to purchase the source material and to fund more English translations.
Please consider joining my Ko-Fi membership. By becoming a member, you’ll also gain access to 2-10 additional chapters of all of the novels from this site translated into English. Last but not least your support will also assist me in upholding the translation quality and speed. For more information, please follow the link.
Donation for faster release is always welcome
Additionally, I am now accepting translation requests.
