5
朝食後、リリアが自室へ向かうと、部屋の前でアリサが立っていた。リリアに気が付くと、すぐに恭しく一礼する。リリアはそれを無視して、アリサを素通りして部屋に入った。
「お嬢様。学校はどうされますか?」
ぴたり、とリリアが動きを止めた。
この国には上級学校と下級学校の二つがあり、上級学校は貴族や名のある商人たちが通うものだ。学ぶものは文字の読み書きは当然で、国の歴史や数学果ては簡単な魔法なども含まれる。人の上に立つ人材を育てる学校だ。対して下級学校は最低限の文字の読み書きを学べば終わりというもので、少しの金を払えば誰でも入学することができる。
リリアが通うのは当然ながら上級学校だ。王子と共に入学し、常に上位の成績を修めている。だが正直、今はあまり行く気になれない。
「行かない」
リリアがそう言うと、アリサが短く息を呑んだ。
「いけません、お嬢様。もう一週間もお休みになっています。旦那様はまだ何も言っておられませんが、このままでは......」
「このままだと、なに?」
目を細め、アリサへと向き直る。アリサは泣きそうな顔をして、うつむいてしまった。リリアは小さくため息をついて部屋の奥へと進む。見るからに高そうないすに座ると、目の前のテーブルを指先で軽く叩いた。
「はい......。畏まりました」
それだけで意図を察したアリサは小さく一礼すると部屋を出て行く。リリアは安堵のため息をつくと、いすに深く腰掛けた。
――リリア。学校には行かないとだめだよ。
――分かってるわよ......。
このままではいけないとは分かっている。だが学校に行けば、見たくもない顔を見なければならないし、王子からはきっと軽蔑の眼差しを向けられることだろう。それだけは耐えられない。
――さくら。貴方に従ったら、王子を取り戻せる?
――ごめん。断言はしないけど、多分無理。
予想していた答えだったが、改めて聞くとどうしても落ち込んでしまう。今まで王子は笑顔を向けてくれていたのに、今後はきっとそんなものは一切見せてくれないだろう。そう思うだけで、自然と涙が溢れてきた。
――リリア。貴方の気持ちも分からなくはないけどさ。
――なによ......。
――身から出た錆。自業自得。それ以上でも以下でもないよ。
リリアが大きく目を見開き、そしてその瞳には怒りの炎が揺らめいた。リリアが口を開き、叫ぼうとしたところで、
――手段が悪い。
言葉を止められた。
――貴方には婚約という事実があった。いくら王子といえども、その事実をなかったことにできないし、簡単に破棄なんてこともできない。腹に据えかねるものはあったと思うけど、王子の一時の気の迷いだと見守っておけば良かったんだよ。
――そんなの......。できるわけ、ないじゃない......。
――そうだね。それに、そんなものはもう過去の出来事だよ。
さくらの物言いに、リリアは思わず眉をしかめた。確かに、今更起こった事実は変わらない。だがそんな言い方はないだろう。
――今は今の最善を尽くすしかないよ。
そんなことは分かっている。それ故に学校に行かなければならないことも承知している。だが、どうしてもあの女と王子に会いたくない。
――だからさ、リリア。あの王子に、リリアを選ばなかったことを後悔させてやろうよ。
――そんなこと......。どうすれば、いいのよ......。
確かに王子を見返すのは悪くないと思う。もう手の届かない人なら、せめてあちらが手を伸ばさなかったことを後悔させてやるのもいいかもしれない。しかしリリアには、そんな手段は思い浮かばない。
だがさくらは、簡単だよと笑った。
――知識を深めればいいよ。誰からも認められるぐらいに、あらゆるものに詳しくなればいい。誰からも敬われる人になればいいよ。いろんな人に優しくして、けれど時に厳しくして。万人に、とは言わないけど、多くの人を味方につけよう。
――夢物語ね......。
――そうかもね。でも、目指してみるのも悪くないでしょ?
さくらが言うのは全て理想だ。どれだけ勉学に励もうと、専門で勉強した者に勝てるはずがない。だがそれでも、ここで腐るよりはましだとも思える。リリア一人ではまず無理だと思うところだが、幸か不幸か、自分にはこのお節介もいるのだ。
――そう言うからには、当然協力してくれるのよね?
リリアが問うと、さくらは楽しげな笑い声を上げた。
――もちろん。私は天使様だからね! リリアを賢者様にしてあげるよ!
――天使? 悪霊の間違いでしょう?
――ひどい!
憤慨したかのように文句を言ってくるが、リリアはそれを無視。するとさくらは急に黙り込み、そして小さな声が聞こえてきた。
――いいよいいよ。悪霊でいいよ。ふんだ......。
いじけたようなその声に、リリアは思わず笑ってしまう。ごめんね、と謝ると、すぐに機嫌を直してまた笑った。単純だな、と思ってしまうが、さすがにそれは口にしない。さくらと話していて自分も少し元気づけられた。
だから。
――まあ当たらずも遠からずなんだけどね。
さくらのそのつぶやきを、リリアは聞かなかったことにした。
「アリサ。申し訳ないのだけど、昼食は何か簡単に食べられるものを私の部屋に運んでくれる? それと、何か書くものを今すぐ持ってきて。ああ、学校? 来週から行くから」
リリアの指示にアリサは怪訝そうにしていたが、すぐに指示通りに動いてくれた。屋敷のコックにリリアの要望を伝え、念のために屋敷の主であるケルビンに報告。そのままケルビンから紙とペンを借りて、リリアの部屋まで戻ってきた。
「お父様に報告したの?」
「いけませんでしたか?」
「そんなことないわ。むしろ私が言っておくべきことだったわね」
リリアの指示がなくとも、自分で必要だと思って行動してくれるのは有り難い。リリアの想定外の動きをすることがいずれあるかもしれないが、今は気にする必要はないだろう。リリアはアリサからペンと紙を受け取り、退室するアリサを見送ってからいすに座った。
テーブルに紙を広げる。少し大きめの白紙の紙だ。
――いい紙だよね。これが無料で配られてるってのがすごい。
「そうでしょう。これはお母様の努力の結晶よ。紙を作る魔法を作り上げたのはお母様なんだから」
材料さえあれば、詠唱と魔法陣だけで紙を大量生産することができる。これはリリアの母、アーシャが作り上げた魔法であり、数年前まで紙はとても貴重品だった。母の魔法のおかげで、庶民でも紙を簡単に手に入れることができるようになっている。
もっともこれはいいことばかりではなく、今まで紙に関わる仕事をしていたものが路頭に迷ったりと問題も多かったらしいが、今は概ね落ち着いているらしい。
「それで? どうすればいいの?」
――うん。リリアには私が勉強を教えてあげる。作法や魔法とかその辺りは分からないけど、勉学だけならこの世界では誰にも負けない自信があるから。
ずいぶんと大きく出たものだ。はっきり言ってその言葉の全てを信じることはできないが、それでもリリアよりはきっとできるのだろう。
「まあ、期待しておくわ」
適当にそう言っておくと、さくらは、任せてと嬉しそうに言った。
もっとも、さくらの言っていることがあながち間違いではないとすぐに知ることになるのだが。
一週間、リリアは再び引きこもっていた。ただ今回は自室にずっと引きこもるというわけではなく、食事時には必ず食堂には行っている。食事のたびに両親から心配されたり、兄からは軽蔑の視線をもらったりしたが、それら全てを無視してリリアはひたすらに勉学に取り組んだ。
食事。就寝。そして勉学。一日のほぼ全てがこのどれかに使われている。唯一の例外が、早朝にできた日課だ。
「まだ芽は出ないの?」
「植えたばかりですから」
屋敷の裏の、リリアとアリサの二人の花壇。リリアは水をやったばかりの花壇を、飽きることなく見つめている。その様子がおかしいのか、アリサはいつも笑っていた。
「リリア様。ずっと見つめていても早く育ったりはしませんよ」
いつからか、アリサはリリアのことを名前で呼ぶようになっていた。特に悪い気はしないのでそのままにしている。
「分かってるわよ。気にしないで」
「ふふ......」
アリサは微笑ましそうな笑顔だが、実際のリリアの考えは少し違う。
この息抜きの時間を、少しでも長く取りたいだけだ。せめて、さくらに言われるまでは......。
――リリア。そろそろ勉強しようよ。まだまだ先は長いよ。
案の定、さくらが勉学へと促してくる。リリアは小さくため息をつくと、重たい腰を上げた。
「リリア様。今日も勉強ですか?」
「ええ。まだまだ教わることは多いから」
「教わる......?」
アリサが怪訝そうに眉をひそめ、リリアは慌てて咳払いをした。こっちの話よ、と首を振り、逃げるように自室へと向かう。
「あとで簡単につまめるものを持ってきて」
屋敷に入る前にアリサへと言うと、アリサはかしこまりましたと一礼した。
Haunted Duke's Daughter Chapter 5
After breakfast, when Lilia went towards her quarters, Alisa was standing before her room. Before Lilia knew it Alisa was already in a respectful bow. Disregarding it she went past Alisa and entered.
"Mistress, what shall we do about school?"
With a start, Lilia stopped her movement.
In this country there existed the Upper Academy and the Lower Academy, with the upper level school being for n.o.bles and famous merchants to attend. On top of, obviously, learning to read and write, the lessons there consisted of such things as history and math, with even simple magics being included in the curriculum. It was a place for nurturing the talents of society's elites. On the other hand, the lower level school simply taught the bare minimum of reading and writing skills, and anyone could enroll here simply by paying a small tuition fee.
The one Lilia attended was of course the Upper Academy. Enrolling in the same school as the prince, she had competed consistently in the top rankings with her superior grades. However, currently the prospect of returning to cla.s.ses was not appealing in the least.
"Not going."
At Lilia's words, Alisa suppressed a sigh.
"That won't do, Mistress. You've already been away for a whole week. The master has yet to say anything but, at this rate..."
"At this rate, what?"
Narrowing her eyes, she turned to face Alisa. Looking about to cry, Alisa lowered her eyes to the ground. Lilia gave a small sigh and continued further into her room. Sitting down in an expensive looking chair, she tapped lightly on the table before her with a fingertip.
"Yes... I understand."
Recognising her master's intention from that action alone, Alisa gave a small bow and left from the room. Lilia let out a breath of relief, and sank deep into the chair.
--Lilia. You can't just not return to school you know.
--I know, I know....
She knew that she couldn't keep going like this. But, if she went back to the school, there would be no avoiding all the faces she didn't want to see, and the prince would definitely be looking towards her with scorn. If nothing else, that would not be able to endure.
--Sakura. With your instructions, would I be able to win back the prince?
--Sorry. I can't say for sure, but it'd probably be impossible.
Though the answer was to be expected, actually hearing it Lilia couldn't help but feel down. Even though up until now the prince would show her his smiling face when they met, from now on that would certainly be impossible. Just thinking about such a thing, tears naturally spilled from Lilia's eyes.
--Lilia. It's not like I don't get your feelings but.
--What now...
--It's your just desserts. The consequences to your actions. It's nothing more, nothing less than that yeah?
Lilia's eyes shot open, a flickering anger burned in her pupils. She opened her mouth, about to yell out.
--It was the way you handled it that was wrong.
The words made Lilia come to a halt.
--It was a fact that you were engaged. Even if he's a prince, he couldn't erase that fact, or easily cancel your engagement. Even if it was infuriating, you should have just watched over him, and treated it as a temporary infatuation on his part.
--Isn't it obvious... That I'd never be able to do such a thing...
--That's right isn't it. Besides, such things are already done and in the past.
At Sakura's reasoning, Lilia reflexively knit her eyebrows. Certainly, nothing can be done now about the things that happened. But she didn't have to put it like that.
--Right now, you can only do you best in your current reality.
She already knew that. Lilia also accepted the fact that she couldn't continue her break from school. It's just that, no matter what she didn't want to meet that girl and the prince.
--That's why, Lilia. You just have to make that prince regret his decision in not choosing you right?
--Something like that... How in the world, am I supposed to do that...?
Getting back at him didn't seem like a bad idea. Against an untouchable existence like the prince, making him regret his own actions was the next best thing. The problem was that Lilia couldn't think of any way to actually accomplish this.
Sakura however smiled, as if saying it was quite simple.
--You can do it as long as have the know-how. Become familiar with everyone, a person recognised by all, respected by all. Show kindness towards various people, while staying unrelenting at times to prove your reliability. I won't tell you to garner the admiration of ten thousand fans, but you must be able to win the support of the majority of people.
--Sounds like an empty dream to me...
--That may be so. But, there's nothing to lose from aiming for this goal, right?
Everything Sakura had said only amounted to an ideal, a dream. No matter how much one strives in their pursuit of knowledge, they still couldn't hope to succeed over someone who had studied to become an expert. But even so, it was probably better to struggle than simply rotting away in defeat. Alone, such a thing was probably impossible to accomplish for Lilia, but for better or for worse right now she had this meddlesome being beside her.
--Since you're saying all this, I take it that you will be lending me your strength, yes?
To Lilia's question, Sakura gave her cheerful response.
--Why but of course. 'Cause I'm an angel after all! I'll be your guiding sage!
--Angel? Isn't this just the delusion of an evil spirit?
--Meanie!
An indignant complaint came aimed at her, but Lilia ignored it. At being disregarded, Sakura suddenly fell silent, then spoke in a tiny voice.
--Fine then fine then. I'm just an evil spirit. Hmmph...
At the voice growing so timid, Lilia couldn't help but let out a laugh. If she were to apologise, Sakura would probably immediately cheer up, laughing. Though she thought about what a simple person that girl was, Lilia didn't put that into words. After all, chatting with Sakura did cheer her up a little.
That was why,
--Though it really isn't too far off the mark huh.
Lilia pretended to not hear this muttering that came from Sakura.
"Alisa. Could I trouble you to have something easy to eat delivered to my room for lunch? Also, could you bring me something to write with right now. Ahh, school? I'll go starting next week."
Alisa was somewhat perplexed at Lilia's instructions, but she immediately moved to carry them out. Pa.s.sing on Lilia's request to the cook, just to be safe she also went to report to Kelvin, the Master of the estate. Thus borrowing from him some paper and a pen, she returned to Lilia's room.
"Did you report to Father?"
"Should I not have?"
"No such thing. In fact it was something I should have included in my instructions."
Though eventually she might act outside of of Lilia's intentions, for now there was nothing to be worried about. Receiving the pen and paper from Alisa, Lilia saw her off before sitting down in a chair.
Spreading the paper on the table, it was a slightly large piece of white parchment.
--That some nice paper. It's amazing how you can easily obtain such a thing here.
"Indeed. This is the materialisation of Mother's efforts. The magic to make paper was developed by Mother after all."
As long as you had the materials, with just the chant and the magic formation you could ma.s.s produce this paper. This was the magic that Lilia's mother, Ascha had pioneered, which completely had overturned paper's status as a super valuable commodity just years prior. Thanks to her mother, even commoners could easily obtain and make use of paper these days.
Although it wasn't a good thing for everyone; there was the problem of rendering the jobs of most people who were in the paper making industry obsolete, at this point things have generally calmed down regarding that.
"And so? What should I be doing?"
--Right. I will teach you the way, Lilia. I have no idea about things like etiquette or magic, but I am confident that my wealth of knowledge won't lose to anyone else in this world.
It was certainly big talk. She could not completely believe in such grand words but, even so Sakura seemed more capable than Lilia herself.
"Well then, I'll look forward to it."
At receiving a suitable response, Sakura enthusiastically declared to 'leave it to me'.
Though, they'll soon find out that Sakura's words might not necessarily prove to be as flawless as they seem.
For one week, Lilia again remained shut in her room. Just, this time it couldn't truly be called that, as she never failed to show up in the dining room for meals. Every time she appeared she would receive worry from her parents, and scornful eyes from her elder brother, but ignoring it all Lilia remained completely focused on tackling her studies with Sakura.
Eating. Sleeping. Learning. Every day would roughly consist of a constant cycle of these things. The only exception was in her morning routine.
"It still hasn't sprouted?"
"It's just been planted after all."
At the back of the estate, there was the flowerbed that Lilia and Alisa were taking care of together. Simply watering the soil, Lilia always gazed at the flowerbed without ever getting tired of it. Perhaps thinking such a thing was quite unusual, Alisa would be smiling beside her.
"Miss Lilia. You know, even if you stare at it so much it's not going to grow any faster."
Without realising when it began, Alisa had started to call Lilia using her name. Since there weren't any bad intentions behind it, things simply continued like that.
"I know that of course. Don't worry about it."
"Fufu..."
Though Alisa watched on with a pleasant smile, the reality was a little different from her thinking.
Lilia was doing it simply to lengthen this break of hers, as much as possible. At the very least, she would continue until Sakura said something about it...
--Lilia. It's about time to get back to studying. We still have a long ways ahead of us you know.
As she expected, Sakura urged her to continue with her studies. Lilia let loose a small sigh, and sluggishly lifted herself up.
"Miss Lilia. You will be studying today as well?"
"Yes. There are still many things I must be taught after all."
"To be taught...?"
Alisa frowned in doubt at such words, while Lilia hastily cleared her throat. Shaking her head, as if to say she was just talking to herself, Lilia hurriedly escaped back towards her room.
"Bring me something to eat that's easy to hold later on."
At the request sent towards Alisa right before disappearing into the mansion, the maid conveyed that she understood, seeing her master off with a bow.
Haunted Duke’s Daughter
取り憑かれた公爵令嬢
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/haunted-dukes-daughter/
Comedy Fantasy Romance School Life Shoujo Slice of Life Supernatural
Broken Engagement Character Growth Determined Protagonist Different Social Status Female Protagonist Friendship Hard-Working Protagonist Heartwarming Loyal Subordinates Maids Nobles Otome Game Possession Royalty Second Chance Servants Sharing A Body Sword And Magic Unrequited Love Villainess Noble Girls
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n5708cr/
龍翠