Chapter 146 - Chapter 145: I'm Going to the Commemorative Party
The first day of the first week of the month of Earth.
The morning after the meeting with the Marquis, Mika, looking utterly exhausted, approached Cleiria as soon as he entered the classroom.
"Good morning, Cleiria. Sorry, but I have something I'd like to consult you about..."
"Good morning, Mika. Yes, I understand. You mean we are to have lunch at the Noble's Dining Hall across the way today, correct?"
"I-I'm begging you..."
It was quite rare for Mika to consult someone.
Everyone in the Leventein Group exchanged glances.
"Good morning, Mika-kun. Is something wrong?"
"Eh, ah, no, it's just..."
Rimliche spoke up, but Mika flustered and stammered in a panicked manner.
Really, seeing Mika like this is rare.
Rimliche tilted her head, looking between Mika and Cleiria.
"Tell me, Cleiria. I want to know the Marquis's true intentions. Yesterday he said 'You must participate,' but what does the Marquis intend for me to participate in?"
During lunch break, Mika went to the Noble's Dining Hall with Cleiria and asked as soon as he sat down.
This is something that cannot be discussed in front of ordinary academy students.
"Calm down, Mika. Judging by the flow of conversation, you should have an idea of what this relates to."
Flow of conversation?
Back then, there was no flow at all; it felt like he suddenly threw it at us at the very last moment.
What did we talk about right before that...?
"...It was something like, 'Do you know about the celebration for His Majesty's twentieth year on the throne this summer?'"
"Yes, that is correct."
Cleiria nodded solemnly.
The celebration for His Majesty's twentieth year on the throne.
Even for Mika, he knew the name of the King of the Kingdom of Ektrem.
Kernils Ektramze.
He is the one hundred and seventh king since the founding of the Kingdom of Ektrem.
The reason Mika knows such a thing is because this is a national magic academy.
You see the King's name quite often in various places.
More importantly, it is formally stated that "His Majesty" summoned Mika and the others to this magic academy in the capital.
In reality, officials probably just issue orders one by one from the roster.
"I was also surprised when my father told me yesterday. He said, 'Teach Mika various things, and I will handle the arrangements so Mika is not troubled on the day.'"
Cleiria seemed confused as well.
"Mika is participating in the commemorative party. I originally planned to go to the party as well. My mother and brothers also plan to come from Sarbengeal to convey congratulations to His Majesty on that day."
It seems the Leventein family had already decided to attend that party more than a year ago.
Well, of course.
They are a Marquis's house.
However...
"And how does that connect to telling me to participate? No matter how you look at it, that's impossible!?"
"Even if you say that..."
It wasn't just Mika who was confused by the sudden news.
Cleiria was the same.
"In any case, on the day, nobles from all over the country will gather to congratulate His Majesty, and a grand party will be held at the castle. Since my father said so, it is decided that Mika will participate in that party."
Mika felt dizzy and collapsed onto the table.
Why would Mika, a commoner among commoners, participate in a party where nobles from all over the country gather?
If they wanted to hold a party so badly, they could do it anywhere they liked, even in the clouds within the castle.
Somewhere unrelated to Mika.
"Sorry, Cleiria. I'm going to die first..."
Still collapsed, Mika muttered in a voice devoid of spirit.
Seeing Mika like that, Cleiria looked at him with sympathy.
"I get nervous even when greeting His Majesty, so it must be even worse for you, Mika..."
At Cleiria's mutter, Mika sat up abruptly.
"Wait a minute. Greeting? What...?"
"Of course, conveying congratulations to His Majesty. That is why we are going to the party."
Not only the Marquis of Leventein and his wife, but even Cleiria and her brothers were to convey congratulations directly to His Majesty, even if just a few words.
Only Dukes and Marquises do such a thing.
For the other Counts, the head of the house and his wife are sufficient to convey it.
"Surely... am I supposed to say it too?"
"Since my father is taking you, I think you will likely convey congratulations to His Majesty as well."
He collapsed onto the table, limp and weak.
"Just kill me already..."
"Don't say such ominous things."
Saying that, Cleiria glanced at the servant.
Soon, a servant came pushing a cart.
Mika forced down food with no taste and somehow finished lunch.
(My stomach hurts...)
No, I feel like I'm going to vomit.
Mika was already in a near-death state for a story that was still about half a year away.
■■■■■■
Thanks to Cleiria's arrangements, he was to get measured at a tailor's shop that very day.
It seems academy robes won't do.
Although it is still far in the future, he was advised that if he doesn't order it now, he will be in quite a panic later.
So, Cleiria instructed the escort knights to contact Captain Mustajif.
It was decided that the measurement would take place at the Leventein family's villa after school.
"But I refuse!"
"...Yes?"
When told that the measurement would take place at the Leventein family's mansion after school, Mika immediately refused.
"Um, Mika...?"
"No, getting measured is fine, but why at Cleiria's mansion?"
"Why do you ask? Then where should the measurement take place?"
"Just go to a tailor's shop."
"............?"
Ah, she really doesn't get it.
Mika felt a headache as Cleiria tilted her head.
She probably has never set foot in a tailor's shop in her life.
Or rather, it seems she has never gone out to buy anything herself.
"Is that tailor's shop in District 1? District 2?"
"............?"
Now she tilted her head the other way.
Cleiria didn't even know the location of the tailor's shop.
If they come to the mansion, it doesn't matter whether it's from District 1 or District 2, I suppose.
"Ask Mustajif-san where that tailor's shop is. And, instead of coming for measurement today all at once, if possible, confirm the tailor's schedule."
So, Mika gave instructions to the escort knights.
Normally, Cleiria's escort knights would never listen to Mika's orders.
But Mika has a secret agreement with Mustajif.
Though slightly confused, the escort knight went to confirm with Mustajif.
"Um..."
Cleiria spoke to Mika with an anxious look.
She probably remembered when Mika refused her reservation for a shop before.
Maybe she thought she had done something wrong again.
Mika smiled brightly.
"There's more than just measurement, right? I can't keep intruding on Cleiria's mansion every time. I'll go to the tailor's shop myself."
"You don't need to worry about that. Please use my mansion if you wish."
I hate it.
(Being invited to Cleiria's mansion in District 1 every time, please spare me.)
If invited to Cleiria's mansion, naturally, it wouldn't end there.
They would invite you for tea and other things, requiring much politeness.
So, even if it is a bit further, going to the tailor's shop myself is far more relaxing.
Seeing Mika, who showed no sign of changing his mind, Cleiria puffed out her cheeks and made a "mou" sound.
Rumble, rumble, rumble... the wheels creaked.
The Leventein family carriage, which Mika had ridden many times already for meetings with the Marquis (old man).
But he didn't expect to ride it two days in a row.
Sitting opposite Mika was Cleiria.
And next to her sat Knight Captain Mustajif.
(Why does it always turn out like this...?)
The tailor's shop location Mustajif had taught him was in District 2 of District 2.
It was a super prime location shop right in front of the East Main Street, just before the First Gate.
Mika's house is in District 3, sandwiched between the East Main Street and the Southeast Main Street.
Moreover, prioritizing safety, it is relatively close to the First Wall.
In other words, the tailor's shop was surprisingly close to Mika's house.
The direction is different, but it might be closer than going to the Adventurer's Guild.
"What? It's much closer than going to Cleiria's mansion. It seems best for me to go myself after all."
When Mika said that with a big smile, Cleiria got angry and said such a thing.
"Then I cannot express my opinion!"
"Why does Cleiria get to give an opinion...?"
If he told them he was going to the commemorative party, the tailor's shop (across the way) would choose a suitable style and color of clothes.
There is no room for either Mika's opinion or Cleiria's opinion there.
At best, he would just convey his wish as "Please make it as understated as possible."
But Cleiria, apparently dissatisfied, brought out the seal (dot) and the cage (dot).
"My father instructed me to take good care so that Mika is not troubled. Are you telling me to disobey my father's orders, Mika?"
"Guh..."
The Marquis (old man) said so.
This is a magical phrase that Mika absolutely cannot disobey.
Well, in reality, it would be the same for most people in the kingdom, not just Mika.
Thus, it was decided that Cleiria would accompany him for the measurement.
The tailor's shop was a very magnificent establishment, and the interior was overflowing with luxury in every detail.
"Oh my, oh my, Lady Cleiria. Thank you for your continued patronage. We have received your message. Please, this way."
Saying that, an elderly man came out with more than ten employees.
"We were surprised by your sudden visit. If you had called, we would have come to you."
"I said the same thing..."
Yes, Cleiria glanced at Mika.
(Eh? Is it my fault?)
Following Cleiria, who walked alongside the elderly man, came Mika and Mustajif.
Then, the employees followed behind in a long line.
(Why does buying a single piece of clothing, or rather, just coming for measurement, turn into such a grand procession!?)
Something is wrong.
It wasn't supposed to be like this.
It is too different from the clothing stores Mika knows.
They were led to a spacious room.
It was also filled with magnificent furnishings.
Mika and Cleiria sat on luxurious sofas as they were urged.
(...Why does a tailor's shop have such a room?)
Moreover, being led there is strange.
We just came for measurement...
"We heard you are here for formal wear for the commemorative party. Is that correct?"
"Yes, that is correct."
Hearing Cleiria's reply, the elderly man signaled to the employees.
Immediately, the employees moved, carefully standing Mika up and guiding him to the side of the sofa.
Then, all at once, they began to strip Mika down with meticulous care.
"Excuse me." "Excuse me."
"Excuse me." "Excuse me."
Their speech and manner were polite, but several people stripped Mika of his clothes in an instant without giving him a chance to object, completing the measurement in a blink.
"Excuse me." "Excuse me."
"Excuse me."
And then, they dressed him again.
While Mika was stunned, the measurement was finished.
(...Is this how measurement works?)
I remember being told to stand straight, extend my arms, and do things one by one...
It shouldn't have been like a pack of wild dogs swarming to devour prey.
(They measured with such force as if saying "Just say excuse me" was enough.)
Without waiting for Mika's response, they raised his arms, straightened his back, and left him with nothing but fatigue despite doing nothing.
He felt as if a storm had just passed through.
"This summer's trend is..."
"Rather than that color, I prefer this one..."
And so, the elderly man and Cleiria were earnestly consulting while looking at some samples.
They didn't even try to ask Mika's opinion.
"............"
He had thought he would leave it to the tailor's shop, but this attitude was enough to make him snap.
The elderly man had not looked at Mika even once since Mika arrived at the shop.
Mika silently turned toward the door.
Mustajif, who had been watching Mika, spoke up.
"Where are you going, Mika-kun? The toilet?"
"I'm going home."
"Eh!?"
Noticing Mustajif's voice, Cleiria and the elderly man looked up.
"Wait, wait, wait! What's wrong, suddenly!"
"What is the matter, Mika?"
Cleiria came over there.
"Nothing much. Cleiria, please continue. I have to rush to find another tailor's shop, so I'm busy. Bye."
"Eh!?"
Cleiria panicked at Mika's sudden action.
"P-please wait, Mika! If it's a tailor's shop..."
"Yeah. Maybe Cleiria should just get measured here? I'll look for another one."
Sensing something serious, the elderly man hurriedly came down to Mika.
"I apologize. Did we do something wrong?"
However, the elderly man was asking Cleiria.
It seems this person still hasn't noticed Mika's existence.
Well, of course.
He probably thinks of a commoner who just came by introduction from the Marquis's house as nothing more than an accessory to Cleiria.
"That is, I don't quite understand either..."
Cleiria's expression showed more anxiety than confusion.
Well, she probably wouldn't understand unless Mika explained it.
"Cleiria, what did you come here for today?"
"I was going to give various advice so that Mika would not be troubled..."
Cleiria seemed to realize she had done something, but she still didn't understand.
However, Mustajif seemed to realize why Mika was angry.
He clearly had a "oh no" look on his face.
Yeah, you're slow to notice.
"That's not troubling. Because I decide nothing. If I'm not asked, I can't even be troubled."
When Mika said that, Cleiria looked startled.
"...Could it be? You don't intend for the Marquis's house to pay for the clothes either?"
"Eh, ...t-that is."
Cleiria made a troubled face.
It must be a very expensive shop.
Normally, it would be a shop that Mika couldn't afford.
"I don't know how much it will be, but is the budget a hundred? Two hundred? You're not thinking of five million, are you?"
"Yes, surely not that much..."
"Then I'll pay for that much myself. So, I'll go buy it myself. I'll choose it myself."
"...Mika. I'm sorry."
Cleiria bowed her head.
Seeing that, the elderly man was startled.
He probably had never seen a Marquis's daughter bow her head before.
Mika smiled at Cleiria.
"I'm not angry, Cleiria. But I don't like being forced things. I'd be happy if you remember that."
"Yes..."
Mika was not angry at all toward Cleiria.
Because she is a friend.
However, the tailor's shop.
You are no good.
Your luck ran out because you were dazzled by the Marquis's title and didn't check who was paying.
Mika was completely offended.
If he had come to buy by direct introduction from the Marquis (old man), he would have endured any rudeness.
But this time, he was only told about the Marquis's exclusive shop, and he originally intended to come alone.
So, naturally, Mika cancelled.
There is no way he would buy at a shop that doesn't treat customers as customers.
Comforting the somewhat dejected Cleiria, Mika parted ways with her in front of the tailor's shop and walked home.
Later, Cleiria introduced another tailor's shop of equivalent level to that one.
This time, she accompanied him again, but she did not speak directly to the shop staff, instead giving advice to Mika.
And the measurement method was still like a pack of wild dogs.