| Author: Sasaki Ichiro | Original Source: Syosetu |
| Translator: Mab | English Source: Re:Library |
| Editor(s): Silva | |
Set against a backdrop of cattleyas, a woman draped in a white robe beamed with a serene, affectionate smile in the painting—though the strokes were so precise and intricate, it felt as if the figure was alive. Upon flipping it over, the artist’s signature was revealed.
‘Otto Keaton.’
I later learned that Otto was renowned as an uncompromising realist. In other words, there was no embellishment in his paintings. Despite still being at the forefront of the art scene, it was rumored that he stopped painting portraits after this piece. Speculations in the streets suggested, ‘Perhaps he found the perfect subject and lost the drive to paint anything else.’ That seemed to be the prevailing opinion.
It seemed he primarily painted botanical pieces nowadays, and indeed, the cattleya depicted in this painting was a magnificent one.
The cattleya, alongside the rose, was often called the ‘Queen of Flowers.’ A flower that combined beauty and dignity, its flower language signified ‘graceful woman’ and ‘noble beauty.’ The Cattleya of the Livitium Imperial Kingdom didn’t feel inferior being set against such a flower as its backdrop—rather, she flourished at the center. Her appearance exuded a regal aura worthy of a queen.
My impression of it must’ve slipped out before I realized; My etherealized, self-proclaimed Guardian Spirit—Bartholomew the Death Knight—burst out into a laughing fit from the shadows under my feet.
“—GAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! How ridiculous to the high heavens! There was once that dirty little specter who called herself the name Rose, but the only one worthy of the name Rose is my revered Princess of the Crimson Empire, and none other! She is the one supreme flower, her beauty and prestige unparalleled throughout heaven and earth, grace be her name for eternity in the entire universe and more! To compare the Princess with a mere evanescent glory, how shallow in judgment and knowledge, like a frog in a well trying to discuss the ocean…nay, like a man peeping at heaven through a straw, ignorant in every meaning!!”
“…” While I knew he wasn’t talking about me personally, it was my biological mother he was slandering. Of course, it would leave me feeling uneasy, especially now that my friends had likened my appearance to hers.
“Once I have the honor of laying eyes on the Princess, I must certainly present this trifling tale to her. —Hmm, speaking of which, it’s been over 80 years since I received the task of guarding the Teleporter by imperial decree… It’s a bit regrettable that, as long as I’m here, I cannot have an audience with the princess to admire her floral countenance.”
Why don’t you rest in peace already then, or just go back to wherever you came from—I sighed after listening to Bartholomew’s impassioned rambling.
Besides, if it’s already been 80 years, then his Rose Princess whatever must’ve either withered old or become a resident of the netherworld already. I have a feeling Bartholomew would just say ‘My idol doesn’t age!’ if I told him that, however.
“…now I wonder how she looks,” I muttered in morbid curiosity. I was convinced Bartholomew didn’t catch that.
♢♦♢♦♢
In the chairman’s office of the Cilento Imperial Academy—
“HUACHOOH—damn it!” The loud sneeze, like one you’d expect from an old man, came out with a cool voice akin to a silver bell from the pretty mouth of the girl in front of her.
“…I wonder if I’ve gotten a cold. I also banged my pinky toe on the corner of a drawer before. Something isn’t right. I need to be more careful.”
“You, of all people, wouldn’t get a cold.”
“Is it the thing? You know, certain groups of people don’t get colds, that kind of thing?”1
Being attacked by her stare, the master of the office lightly shrugged. “Besides that, you’re the best Healing Art practitioner the world has ever seen. The devil himself would get a heatstroke before you get a cold,” she spoke unhesitantly. When she brought the coffee on her table to her lips, a slight frown formed. “—it’s gotten cold.”
Before that sentence was finished, the coffee in her hand began to boil. At the same time, the coffee in the cup that the girl was holding also bubbled up as though it had just been brewed.
The corner of the girl’s lips lifted.
“That’s the world’s best magician for you; boiling the liquid inside a cup without changing the temperature of the cup. —Speaking of which, you may have Regina’s disciple enrolling as an exchange student next year. I guess that makes her your direct grand-disciple?”
“Huh, that Regina is taking up a disciple. Doesn’t get any rarer than that.”
“I heard she’s pretty brilliant. There’s nothing else Regina can teach her, so she’s sending her your way in the hope she’ll reach greater heights.”
“Well…that sounds exciting. I’ve been seeing nothing but mediocre students in the past 100 years, not much satisfaction teaching them.”
“Don’t overdo it. I plan to teach her the basics of Healing Art too.”
The chairman stared at the girl who chuckled dryly.
“As far as I know, this would be the first time you’ve decided to take a disciple. Not to mention, it’s here, where the you-know-what church is influential. …Have you converted faith?”
“Well, this is just the cleanest way to tidy up the mess. Besides, I need to line up with the circumstances too.”
“Circumstances?”
“Hm? Ah, it’s nothing biggie. She just happens to be Clara’s kid, you know. I used Farsight to take a peek when she was in Uranus’ place, and from what I see, she’s at least a few steps above the rest in terms of potential and appearance. With enough polish, she’ll be good enough to be the next Saintess.”
The chairman almost spewed out her hot coffee with how casually the girl brought up that serious matter.
“—WHAT?! Are you out of your mind?! Clara is, it’s that Clara, isn’t it?! That Black Belly, that Bold-Faced Brick, that Impostor, the one you hate so much, and you’re saying you want to teach her daughter…wait, since she’ll be a Saintess, it’s a girl right? Aren’t you risking too much?!”
“Her mother aside, she’s pretty funny, you know? Unlike Clara and her excessive self-consciousness, this girl is pretty content being called Ragweed Princess.”
The girl cackled in joy, earning a light reprove.
“…first you, then Regina. If you both want to toy with the future of this child so much, then I have my own plans too.”
“Come on, that’s not what I mean. This is for her own good. Regina believes in this girl, that’s why she set her up to brave a thorny path. Locking her up in some far-off tower isn’t the only way to protect her, no?”
Without denying nor agreeing to the girl’s words, the chairman sighed.
“—your education is as extreme as ever.”
“You, on the other hand, have grown a bit overprotective. Not that it’s a bad thing.”
The Board Chairman, Chief Executive of the Imperial Academy, snorted at that, finishing the rest of her coffee.
“Like it or not, I’m an educator myself. …Well, regardless of your plan with her, I’ll provide Clara’s kid with an education that suits her ability. —Speaking of which, isn’t the Ragweed Princess the daughter of Count Aulanthia, Syltianna?”
“You do as you like. Also, right now she’s not Syltianna but Julia. Make sure not to make the mistake.”
“…what the hell?”
The board chairman furrowed her brows, inviting a mischievous smile from the girl. Her cup was empty as well.
“It’ll be a long story.”
“…Fine, I’ll brew some more coffee.”
The chairman tossed her robe in displeasure, standing up from her chair and taking the cups with her. As she was watching this without turning her head around, the girl recalled the words of her friend, Regina the Witch, also known as Empress Oliana of the Graviol Empire.
It’s ironic that the daughter of Cattleya is a Ragweed. Did you know what the floriography of Ragweed is? A Blessed Love; compared to a queen or noblewoman or whatnot, I like that one better.
