Who Could Have Loved the Monster Princess? - Chapter 3
The maids looked disappointed at my decision. They looked like they wanted to encourage me to wear a dress because this was a special day. But I’d rather have my day to myself because it was a special day, not to cover up and hide my curse.
“Miss…”
There’s no reason to cover my face now. If I didn’t intend to reveal my face, I would have covered it from the first time I arrived in the capital six years ago. Instead of hearing speculations and gossip from behind the veil, I thought it would be better to reveal myself from the beginning.
“I don’t want to become a laughingstock. Bring me something in the style I usually wear.”
“Yes, my Lady.”
The maids politely responded and quickly brought other clothes.
Initially, there were two sets of clothes ordered from Madame de Waal. One was a formal attire similar to what I wear in the palace on usual occasions. The other was the dress I just tried on.
Madame de Waal had always recommended dresses to me, so I took a leap of faith and commissioned this one. It was only when I tried it on that I realized it was wrong.
The maids peeled the dress off my body and started to put me in my regular formal attire—a netted white vest and pants with a faint crimson sheen. I draped the long coat over my shoulders and fastened a blue brooch.
With each additional adornment, the maids’ disappointment gradually faded from their faces, replaced by admiration. Madame de Waal had an exceptional eye. The formal attire, crafted by manipulating the hide of white lizards using magic, suited me remarkably well. It was designed after military uniforms, and its cool authoritativeness somewhat subdued the sense of unease I felt about my face and arms.
“Miss, it suits you so well!”
“You look dignified!”
“I know.”
It was an imposing outfit, unlike the beautiful dress.
I wondered what it would be like to attend a coming-of-age ceremony in a beautiful gown like the other young ladies of the aristocracy. I took a moment to recall the sensation of wearing that dazzling dress like a wave on a midsummer noon. It made me feel awkward and shy.
‘A bit…’
It felt somewhat regretful.
‘Well, it can’t be helped.’
I didn’t want to dwell on things that couldn’t be changed. I didn’t know what a life without being a monster would entail anyway.
I quickly shook off my regrets about the dress.
***
When I was dressed and ready, my parents were waiting in the hall. My father, Duke Calcioso Staedt, had his pale blond hair neatly tied back under a magician’s robe, while my mother was dressed in a modest gown.
By all accounts, they didn’t seem dressed to present themselves to the Imperial Court.
‘I guess they’re not coming with me after all.’
My parents were not keen on social activities. Still, I thought they might come to congratulate me on the one and only day of my coming-of-age ceremony.
‘Well, it can’t be helped… The Imperial Family is an enemy of the Staedt duchy…’
My grandfather, the former duke, and the rest of the Staedt family were wiped out in a demonic invasion. It was something that could have been prevented. However, the Staedt army was deployed to assist neighboring territories at the time, leaving the people of the Duke’s house with no choice but to wait for the Imperial forces.
But the Imperial Family deliberately delayed their aid.
‘They purposely abandoned the Staedts.’
My parents were war heroes at the time. As the war with the Demon King dragged on, my father played a more active role and eventually was hailed as the Archmage of Salvation. Yet, the Imperial Family sought to maintain ‘balance’ once his reputation soared.
In the end, it was the Emperor and the imperial aristocracy that drove the Staedt family to their demise.
However, after spending such a long time on the battlefield, my father desired seclusion over revenge. He wanted to return the ducal seat and the territory to the Empire once the war ended, only wishing to live quietly with my mother and me in a peaceful place with beautiful scenery.
‘But me, I didn’t want that.’
I despised the greedy Imperial Court and the nobles taking even a single penny from what was ours.
‘I never wanted what they wanted.’
That’s why I took charge of House Staedt, from the age of fourteen until now, six years later.
‘It might be a long road, but…’
While I’ve been responsible for the family for only six years, my parents spent over twenty years on the battlefield. To think that the price of victory against the Demon King was the death of the rest of our family.
‘Of course, it’s natural to not want to go to court and be reminded of that.’
Knowing all that, I couldn’t be grumpy about them not wanting to accompany me. My current attire, rather formal for my parents, would have to do. I should be content with this as a form of congratulations from them.
“Mom, Dad.”
I embraced both of them and bent down to receive kisses on both cheeks.
“Congratulations on coming of age, my beloved Yen.”
