A Princess Blessed with Virtue
The people of this nation are truly blessed.
After all, their royalty are undeniably superior to others.
The First Princess, excelling in [Martial Arts], who surpasses mages capable of turning battlefields on their own and moving entire nations with just a few of their number, and who made significant contributions during the recent North-South War.
The Second Princess, excelling in [Intelligence], who wields her vast knowledge, masterful rhetoric, and the ability to control others, always dominating the negotiating table.
And then, there is the Third Princess, excelling in [Virtue].
A small girl loved by the majority of the nation, supported by the majority of the nation.
Charisma? Symbolism? Manipulation? Oppression? She needs none of that.
Without needing any of it, people are naturally drawn to that girl and begin to open their hearts to her. It may sound ridiculous, but the fact is that since the Third Princess appeared on the public stage, not a single internal conflict has occurred.
As time moves forward, it will be the First Prince who sits upon the throne.
However, rumors circulate in the streets—if this nation were a democracy with a voting system, it would undoubtedly be the Third Princess who would occupy that seat.
She naturally makes allies and fundamentally creates no enemies.
That Third Princess—has come to this estate.
Phil was informed late by Illya and hurried toward the reception room in a panic.
“Hey, Kahlua? Why do you think the Third Princess-sama came all the way to a place like this? How about we play a quiz game until we reach the reception room!”
“We might find out the answer when we meet her, but… well, normally speaking, wouldn’t it be sightseeing? You know, the rumored [Hero of the Shadow] is here after all.”
“Have I job-changed into some kind of rare spectacle attraction?”
If that were the case, he’d essentially be treated as a tourist spot.
This is exactly why I didn’t want to be known as the [Hero of the Shadow], Phil thought, his eyes tearing up at this invasion of his freedom that had forced its way in.
“Huh, now that I think about it, when did Illya disappear?”
“As punishment for not doing her job properly, I assigned her the shopping I was supposed to do.”
“Ha! Is it really okay to let her go alone!? You prepared someone to watch over her, right!?”
“That statement really reveals what position that girl holds in your mind, Phil.”
She’s somehow similar to Milis-sama. Phil scratched his cheek nostalgically.
In truth, the cute, younger, and good-at-acting-spoiled aspect did give off little-sister vibes. She sometimes showed a prickly attitude, and though she was a mage, somehow she stirred up his protective instincts.
“…Jealousy, I suppose.”
“A new word just flew out, hey.”
“I’m feeling jealous.”
“Thanks for rephrasing. But I kind of got the meaning anyway.”
Phil patted Kahlua’s head as she walked beside him.
Then, she rubbed her cheek against his hand affectionately. The one who’s really good at acting spoiled is you, Phil thought with a wry smile at his partner.
While this was happening, the two arrived in front of the reception room.
Since Illya had forgotten, they were currently in a state of having kept their guest waiting.
The fact that their visitor was royalty suddenly made Phil’s heart feel heavy. His mental state was taking a beating right from the start.
“Now then, did she really just come for sightseeing? Somehow, I feel like a kid who’s about to open a surprise box right now.”
“Relax, if you were a kid, you wouldn’t be making such a desperately unpleasant face.”
Of course not. A member of royalty had come to visit Phil, a mage who idealized freedom.
Was it trouble, or perhaps an urgent matter?
Phil was finally pushed forward by Kahlua and opened the door to the reception room.
It felt as if a gust of wind had blown through.
His eyes dried up, and Phil rubbed them for just a moment. When he opened them again, a single girl appeared in his vision.
Peach-colored hair cut to semi-long length at shoulder height. Small in stature, with a lovely yet refined face and gem-like jade-green eyes.
Young. That was his first impression.
Her age and physique seemed similar to Milis, the saint he had once traveled with.
The one difference was—he experienced an illusion as if his heart had been stolen away.
“(I’ve met her face-to-face several times before, but…)”
“(But?)”
“(…Honestly, I’m not good with her.)”
Kahlua sent such words through eye contact from beside him.
“(For all that, I don’t see any disgust on your face? Don’t underestimate me—I can easily tell when my partner’s expression changes.)”
“(It’s not such a simplistic emotion as dislike. Rather, it troubles me that I can’t dislike her. It’s like… the sensation of being entered into my heart.)”
“(I see…)”
Phil understood what Kahlua was trying to say.
After all, the troublesome feeling he had just been thinking about had disappeared before he knew it.
In other words, she was an existence whose very being appeared favorable.
Phil had never actually met the girl before his eyes. That was probably because he was a slacker who prioritized his own freedom and never showed his face at social gatherings.
That’s precisely why, at this very moment, he came to understand.
Charisma, social skills, beautiful appearance—none of that is necessary.
The existence itself is an innate talent that attracts people.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT gadgetizedpanda.net
So this is the Third Princess who excels in virtue—Lily-Lilac.
Phil walked toward the girl while suppressing his feeling of “this is going to be difficult.”
Then, confirming that Phil had started moving, the girl stood up.
“I-I apologize for visiting so suddenly… Phil-Salemabart-sama.”
“(You got that right.)”
“(Hey.)”
Kahlua poked Phil’s side as he began staring into the distance.
Receiving that, Phil cleared his throat once and bowed with his hand on his chest.
“I don’t mind. Also, it’s nice to meet you—my name is Phil-Salemabart.”
“I’m Lily-Lilac. And you must be Kahlua-Scarlet-sama, correct?”
“It’s been a while, Lily-sama.”
Kahlua bowed her head as well.
Perhaps because they were acquainted, while not as much as with Nicola, her manner was also quite casual.
“So, what brings you here today? If it’s sightseeing, I’ll presumptuously prepare a beautiful carriage for you?”
“N-no! It’s not like that…”
Phil suddenly felt something was off.
After all, there were no guard personnel behind Lily.
Even Milis had knight escorts behind her, and when Nicola came, she apparently had them wait near the entrance. That said, there was a possibility Lily also had them waiting at the entrance.
It would be unthinkable for a princess to travel to a distant location without bringing guard personnel, and thinking about it more carefully, there’s no way those around someone who excels in virtue would just let her go alone.
It’s needless worry, Phil thought, shaking his head inwardly.
“Well, it’s awkward to keep standing and talking, so please, have a seat.”
Phil prompted Lily to sit, and he himself lowered himself onto the seat across from her.
Meanwhile, Kahlua picked up the tea set that had been placed in the corner and began brewing tea to serve.
Lily began sitting down with a timid manner, saying “I-I’m honored.”
Was it simply because Lily as a person was humble, or perhaps because of the nature of what she was about to bring up?
At the very least, it didn’t seem like the conversation would proceed in a light-hearted manner.
(Come on, at least prepare some comedy… This is making it seem like I’m seriously entertaining her. Doesn’t this princess know that having some laughs would make things easier?)
Normally, comedy wouldn’t occur with royalty, yet Phil grumbled anyway.
If Kahlua had heard this, she’d probably be angry.
“Lily-sama, if you would.”
Saying this, Kahlua placed the finished tea in front of Lily.
Additionally, a rich variety of tea sweets that were rarely served were arranged.
“That’s unusually lavish, isn’t it, Kahlua?”
“It’s a special occasion.”
“I see, I see.”
And in front of Phil, the leftover tea leaf remains were placed.
“What a difference in treatment.”
“Is something the matter?”
Kahlua tilted her head as if playing dumb.
Since she was showing it somewhat coquettishly, thinking it was cute was a secret.
“‘Is something the matter,’ my foot, Kahlua-san. Have you finally begun viewing your master as a pig for garbage disposal?”
“…T-that’s making me a bit excited.”
“Kahlua-san!?”
Kahlua’s bullying me, Phil began crying pitifully as Kahlua gently patted his head.
Seeing this, Lily showed a slightly surprised expression.
“Um, you two get along well, don’t you…”
“Of course we do. Right, Phil?”
“Though I’ve been downgraded to a pig!”
“Men who hold grudges are disliked, you know? Girls always fall for men with big hearts—that’s how it goes.”
“…Don’t you know the basic rule that any deal expecting the master to put up with a pig can go to hell?”
Though he was grumbling about such things, the only word reflected in Lily’s eyes was “harmonious.”
Phil sulking, Kahlua looking amused.
Rather than master and servant, they were good partners. Trust could be glimpsed where hearts connected and even trivial matters were mutually understood.
“So the engagement between you two really is true, isn’t it?”
Lily showed a dejected appearance for some reason.
Finding this strange, Phil voiced it honestly.
“Are you talking about what Kahlua said at some party? That was just an improvised lie to get through the situation.”
“I-is that so?”
“At that time, there was all that noise about the [Hero of the Shadow].”
I’m not the [Hero of the Shadow], Phil appealed casually as he shrugged his shoulders.
Then, Kahlua sent eye contact with a teasing smile.
“(Oh my, you never know about the future, right? It’s approved by the family, so maybe we’ll get engaged?)”
“(What’s important is the present, not the future, Kahlua-san. That way of thinking is the same as a sucker’s thinking in gambling that ‘I’ll be rich someday.’ Even if you say you’re out of money, I won’t lend you any~)”
“(Is that a roundabout way of saying you’d dislike being engaged to me?)”
“(…No comment.)”
What meaning did that reaction hold?
Kahlua, who was by his side every day, somehow noticed the meaning of that reaction… and blushed just a little.
(Then it’s okay… yeah, it’s okay, right?)
Meanwhile, Lily, who hadn’t cultivated such advanced techniques as eye contact, looked down while gripping the locket hanging at her neck.
What suddenly came over her? Just as he was thinking that, Lily suddenly looked up with a snap!
“Phil-Salemabart-sama!”
And then—
“W-will you… get engaged with me!?”
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.
