Dual Life ~Hiru wa Yuusha Party, Yoru wa Maou Gun~

Chapter 34 – Reunion at the Capital (2) 

“Princess Aurelia, I don’t know how you managed to find this place, but please don’t leave the palace without an escort. It would be too late if something were to happen,” Farsa tried to reason with Princess Aurelia, though he secretly believed it would likely have no effect. 

Princess Aurelia, while intelligent, had a mischievous side and often caused trouble for the palace guards by sneaking out of the palace. She knew the ins and outs of the palace, and she claimed that the security was full of holes to create a sense of tension among the guards. In reality, she mostly used these excursions as a form of entertainment. 

Moreover, these outings also served as inspections of the capital city, allowing her to witness the lives of the common people firsthand and implement new reforms. This made it difficult for those around her to admonish her. 

The responsibility of guarding the female members of the royal family fell on the shoulders of the White Lily Knights, led by Zenobia. When Princess Aurelia returned to the palace after an escape, the guards would undoubtedly receive a lecture about their security measures. 

“Farsa-sama, please refrain from calling me Aurelia. In moments like this, when we are in a private setting, call me Aura. Didn’t we promise each other that on that night? Or do you dare to claim that the vows you whispered to me were nothing but lies?” Princess Aurelia pleaded, her eyes welling up with tears as she threw herself into Farsa’s embrace, displaying an affection akin to that of lovers who had pledged their love. 

With an embarrassed expression, Farsa met her gaze, looking up at him. It was not difficult to imagine how the two would appear to an outsider. 

“Hey, Princess! Don’t cling to Far-nii like that! Besides, even if you speak so provocatively, I see through your little act! Now, come on, get away!” Julia interrupted, forcefully trying to separate Princess Aurelia from Farsa, even as she herself clung to him. 

Such behavior toward a person of royal status was undoubtedly disrespectful, even for the hero, Julia. However, the people surrounding the two, including Farsa, had expressions that seemed to say, “Here we go again.” 

The two of them were both sixteen years old and had been at odds with each other over Farsa on numerous occasions. Princess Aurelia, who used the honorifics even when addressing those of lower status, had a particular fondness for Farsa. Not only had she appointed him as the court mage, but she had also chosen him as her personal tutor. 

Normally, a tutor for a royal family member would be of a certain social status and possess extensive knowledge. However, Aurelia’s circumstances were slightly different. She had been hailed as a prodigy since childhood, and by the time she surpassed ten years of age, she had driven several tutors to resign with her dismissive attitude, as if she had nothing left to learn. 

It was during that troubled period that she met Farsa, who was traveling within the kingdom at the time. Recognizing his exceptional magical skills and vast knowledge, she appointed him as the court mage, partly against his will, and even made him her personal tutor. 

Farsa had his own reasons for accepting the princess’s proposal at the time, reluctantly complying with her wishes. However, before he knew it, he had become the head court mage and was now referred to as Princess Aurelia’s right-hand man. 

In the midst of political struggles within the court as the foremost Aurelia faction with the right to succeed the throne, it seemed as if the ongoing conflict before their eyes had no effect whatsoever. 

” It’s fine, isn’t it? Julia-san was pampered during your journey, was she not? I have been eagerly awaiting the moment when I can reunite with Farsa-sama. It would be best if you learned some restraint.” -Aurelia  

“Nah, that’s a separate matter. Besides, you can never let your guard down when it comes to princesses like you who’re always trying to remove the obstacles in their way. Rest assured, while I’m still on this Earth, I’ll never allow it!” -Julia 

“Now, please refrain from being rough! To stand beside someone as wise as Farsa-sama, a lady like me is the most suitable. I wonder if the monkey should return to the mountains?” -Aurelia 

“Argh! What makes you, the scheming princess, more of a lady! Being by the side of someone like Far-nii, it’s the hero who can fight together with him that is the most suitable! I am more deserving!” -Julia 

Recently, Farsa couldn’t help but feel like he had seen this scene of childish quarrels somewhere before. He found himself caught between Julia and Aurelia, escaping into a world of his own. 

There was no other choice but to let the two of them carry on since interfering unnecessarily would only fuel the flames. Based on his experience, Farsa knew this all too well. He silently observed the quarrel between Julia, the village-born hero, and Aurelia, the princess raised in the royal palace, which unfolded at an equal level, concealing their contrasting upbringings. 

Unable to do anything when it came to the princess she pledged her loyalty to, Zenobia was left helpless, while Palmina wore her usual smile, as if amused by the situation. 

“Oh, Palmina and Zenobia, you should go take a bath first. The bathroom is over there, feel free to use it. Towels and everything you might need are prepared,” Farsa said, pointing toward the direction of the bathroom. Zenobia and Palmina quietly left the scene. 

Julia and Aurelia noticed the others leaving but seemed to have silently agreed that whoever left first would be considered the loser. They continued to cling to Farsa as the stalemate persisted. 

“This is it! Since we’re here, why don’t we all take a bath together, Far-nii? Of course, it might be too much for a well-bred princess, but I’ll be fine with you, Far-nii.” -Julia 

Even if Julia was fine with it, what about Zenobia and Palmina? Moreover, Julia herself was already sixteen, so there were various issues with the proposal, and Farsa couldn’t help but point that out in his mind. 

Julia smirked and glanced at the princess, seemingly intent on presenting her with an impossible task. She seemed to have overlooked other issues at present. 

However, Aurelia responded to Julia’s words as if she had been waiting for them, with a cunning smile on her face. 

“Oh, I don’t mind at all. If you thought I would admit defeat over something like this, you’re sorely mistaken. Now, Farsa-sama, please guide us to the bathroom,” Aurelia said, taking hold of Farsa’s right arm. 

While Julia seemed taken aback, never expecting Aurelia to genuinely accept, her expression displayed astonishment. 

However, it seemed like an act of conceding defeat to pretend as if it wasn’t his idea in the first place, and despite his inner turmoil, Farsa couldn’t bring himself to refuse Julia. 

Although they were close, it should have been extremely embarrassing for Aurelia, a young girl coming of age, to reveal everything to a member of the opposite sex like Farsa. Yet, Aurelia showed no signs of agitation whatsoever. 

Farsa already found himself in a state of resignation, thinking that it would be futile to say anything to Aurelia. Thus, he obediently led the two of them toward the bathing area. 

“This is the changing room, isn’t it? Well then, Julia, let’s undress.” -Aurelia 

“Hold on, are you seriously planning on mixed bathing? Even if you two are close, I think it’s inappropriate for a princess like you.” -Farsa 

As Aurelia reached for her own dress to start undressing, Julia hurriedly tried to stop her. 

“Oh? Are you saying that you don’t want Farsa-sama to see your body, Julia-san? I, on the other hand, would rather have Farsa-sama thoroughly observe mine. And if you lack confidence, you’re free to run away from this place,” Aurelia provocatively taunted. 

Although Julia’s expression showed her frustration, she glanced back at Farsa once, then twice. With each glance, her cheeks turned a deeper shade of red. Finally, with determination, she grabbed her own pants and made a declaration to Aurelia. 

“E-Even I wouldn’t mind if it’s Farsa-nii! Farsa-nii, you better take responsibility!” 

Saying that, Julia closed her eyes and attempted to pull down her pants eagerly. However, Farsa, unable to bear it any longer, grabbed her arm and stopped her. 

“Julia, it’s not right for a girl to easily expose her skin in response to such provocation. Aurelia, let’s stop teasing her like that,” Farsa reprimanded in a firm tone. 

“Oh my, so you noticed. I thought you were simply keeping silent because you wanted to see our indecent forms.” -Aurelia. 

“Huh? What do you mean?” -Julia. 

Farsa scolded Julia and Aurelia with a reproachful tone, but while one of them showed no signs of remorse, the other seemed to be oblivious to what he was trying to convey.  

As Julia compared the faces of Farsa and Aurelia with a puzzled expression, Aurelia grinned mischievously and suddenly began removing her dress. 

Startled by Aurelia’s sudden action, Julia’s expression shifted from surprise to a frustrated one as she quickly grasped the reason behind it. 

“Ugh! It’s unfair to wear a swimsuit underneath! I was mentally prepared to take a gamble, and yet you pull something like this! Ugh!” -Julia 

Indeed, as Julia pointed out, beneath Aurelia’s dress was a custom-made swimsuit from a renowned tailor exclusive to the nobility. 

In the Valois Kingdom, the prevailing trend for swimwear was a tunic-like top that reached just above the knees, paired with trousers resembling cropped pants. As a result, very little skin was exposed. 

Although it resembled more of a pajama ensemble, it was expected that individuals of noble standing would maintain modesty when frolicking at the beach. The dresses worn at parties, on the other hand, were becoming increasingly revealing for young noble ladies. Even so, baring one’s midriff or thighs was considered vulgar. 

“I anticipated such a situation, so I prepared swimsuits for Zenobia and Palmina in advance, along with a note,” Aurelia explained. “Now, Julia, please change into this one as well. Let us enjoy mixed bathing with Farsa-sama. My apologies, Farsa-sama, but please wait a moment until we finish washing.” 

Saying that, Aurelia retrieved a different swimsuit from a bag near the changing room wall and handed it to Julia, performing an exquisite curtsy—a gesture commonly employed by high-class women. Graciously accepting the swimsuit, Farsa exited the changing room and stood in front of the door, gazing absentmindedly at the ceiling of the corridor. 

“I already took a bath,” Farsa thought, feeling somewhat indifferent. “This is just extra trouble.” He sighed, aware that if such sentiments were to reach the ears of the men residing in the capital, or even within the kingdom, he would be torn apart without a chance to complain. 

Though dressed in swimwear, it was unheard of for a mere commoner to engage in mixed bathing with the likes of a princess, saintess, and even the heiress of a marquis, let alone someone not belonging to the royal family. 

After enduring approximately thirty minutes of waiting, the voices of Aurelia and Julia finally reached his ears, and with an expression of exasperation, Farsa made his way into the bathing chamber.