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And so it was our next break, the appointed day of our outing with Princess Leshimiiya. After our meeting, we had some back and forth with Mia to iron out the details, with the general agreement being to meet in front of the academy gate and then leave the rest to the princess.
The princess wanted to come pick us up at first, but, as expected, having a nation’s princess do that wouldn’t be a good look.
While the princess doesn’t find it an issue since she knows that we’re Central’s princess-ish figure, only a small few should know that information.

Based on how she always makes her servants leave, the attendants and bodyguards she has at the academy, at the very least, likely aren’t in the know.

If it looks like we’re calling her to get us, the number of people who don’t think well of us will increase. And there should be a good number of them already.
On the other hand, the princess apparently finds it unacceptable for us to go and pick them up as well.

Because of that, we decided to rendezvous. Personally, it feels very student-ish of them. Still, meeting in front of the school gateーagainーfeels really date-like.

Ciel’s outfit is the image of an incognito disguise. A pea-green one-piece like those usually worn by commoner girls, but with excessive ornaments. It’s adorned with frills, ribbons, and gems, made to suit Ciel wellーand I do think it looks cuteーbut it really makes you question the status of the one wearing it.

A commoner wouldn’t wear something this over-the-top. Children from prominent merchant families or fairly wealthy commoners would choose one with a more elaborate base design, and nobles wouldn’t wear this to begin with.
It’s as if the outfit is screaming *”I’m a noble in disguise.”*

There’s actually some logic behind it: if you wear the exact same clothes commoners wear, then people might start an altercation without knowing you’re an aristocrat. While it might not be intentional, that can possibly escalate into real trouble.
That’s why nobles wear such extravagant clothes, ostensibly displaying their status; so that the people keep their distance. And since our intention this time isn’t to completely blend in with the people but to enjoy commoner pleasantries as nobles, this was the end result.

While there are also people who’d target disguised nobles instead, there’s no need to hold back against them, making the bodyguard’s work easier.

「And that’s the last of it.」
「Really? Thank you.」

All preparations were entrusted to Mia, and now she just announced the completion of her task with satisfaction. Mia will be carrying our luggage, so Ciel will only be carrying one magic pouch, the one that only we can use due to my tampering.
It has money inside, but Mia will be paying in most cases. We’ve already handed her money for that purpose, so it should be alright.

The remainder becomes Mia’s pocket money. Mia is our employee, after all, so we pay her wages. In that case, I guess it’s more bonus than pocket money?

「Mia, are you fine going like that?」
「I’ll change into something more appropriate. It won’t take too much time, so no need to worry. Please excuse me for a moment.」

Seeing Mia off to change, Ciel sat on a chair.

「Come to think of it, isn’t it rare for us to wear a hat like this?」

Saying so, Ciel caressed the hat on her head.
It’s like a short-brimmed sun hat, tawny in color and woven from plant fibers. We usually wear a hood, so a hat certainly is unusual.

『It looks great on you.』
「Is that so?」
『Anything looks good when you wear it.』
「Is that meant to be a praise?」
『Ahー, uhhh…』

Depending on the interpretation, it can sound like I’m saying that what Ciel wears doesn’t matter to me, which can then be taken as me not caring about whatever she’s wearing.
That’s what got me choked for words, but I quickly responded, 『It’s a praise.』 Ciel chuckled in response, so I’m sure she understands my intent, I think.

「I think you also look great in anything, Ain.」
『Really? My eyes and hair are black though.』
「You say that, but my hair is white. If I wear a white one piece dress, I’ll be white all over.」
『A completely white Ciel is cute, in my opinion. And your blue eyes would accent it greatly.』
「A completely black Ain is sure to be adorable.」
『I’d probably seem gloomy.』
「You think so?」

Ciel tilts her head, but unlike her bright colors, dark clothes combined with my already black hair would only make me exude a gloomy aura. My eye color can’t accent it like Ciel’s eyes can either.

『Well, in conclusion, there are clothes that would suit us better than others.』
「Let’s leave it at that for now.」

Since it was turning into an unproductive discussion, I forcefully ended the topic, and Ciel teasingly giggled in response. Yep, I’m glad I ended it early.
As this happened, Mia had returned. Her outfit looks easier to move in than the average feminine garb. It’s casual wear but looks quite snappy. She’s wearing pants, so she gives off the impression of an occupational fighter.
Skirts are the standard ladies’ bottoms in this world, after all.

That reminds me, even female hunters were mandated to wear skirts in the past, weren’t they? I’m not sure if it was only an Estoque custom or continent wide one, though.

On that note, we also wear skirts a lot. We’re generally fine with wearing whatever, and I’m doing my best so that the skirt stays down even with extreme movements. These days, I can even create a field of darkness within our skirt if I want to.

「Sorry for the wait.」
「So you’re going with that attire?」
「I do also play the role of bodyguard, after all.」

Mia doesn’t sound convinced of her own words, probably because she’s generally the one being protected. While this may sound insulting, she should serve the role of a scarecrow well, and that’s something to be proud of.
Having an adult along will lead to less trouble than if it’s only us children, and if trouble that we can’t handle ever occurs, that’s already an existential threat for the Royal Capital Ausente.

For example, disasters at the level of an impending meteorite collision or the arrival of a Tur-level threat.
That reminds me, Princess Leshimiiya did previously talk about the kingdom’s prophecy of destruction: that since one with the Hero Job appeared, a powerful monster might attack the kingdom or something.

If the threat is at the level that the current Juerd can handle, then there’s no need to worry about it.

「Now then, it should be about time for us to leave.」
「Yes, I’ll be depending on you.」

Cheering up, Mia extends her hand to escort Ciel, which she naturally takes.