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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Volunteer
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Sophie explained gently.
Uni leaned in, her eyes twinkling.
“So, there are two handsome, capable boys from good families, right?”
“Two?”
“Yes! Who do you prefer? His Majesty the Emperor? Claude Continell? If you ask either of them, they'll surely agree unless the sky falls.”
Jusie felt a flicker of doubt and tilted her head.
*Even if the sky were to fall, would they really agree?*
That was a bit of an extreme metaphor.
Besides, neither Ekiel nor Claude was fond of parties.
She had never heard of either of them escorting anyone.
She had been preparing for the day she would humanize, not knowing when it would come.
As part of that, she had learned etiquette to maintain her dignity as a princess.
It was something she'd learned from her etiquette teacher through various stories.
*Then again, they're both young. Since they aren't adults, they wouldn't have an obligation to escort anyone.*
Jusie thought.
However, they were also at an age where they could certainly do so, if they volunteered.
“You should try asking them.”
“Hmm… I don't know.”
Feeling awkward, Jusie scratched her cheek.
*Well, they probably would if I asked.*
Jusie readily admitted her maids had a point.
The two boys were certainly especially lenient with her.
Claude, who had graduated early from Berk Academy, would visit Jusie whenever he had a chance, trying to teach her Rilberg's history and various general knowledge.
Or he would follow her around like an attendant-like friend, telling her amusing stories.
Besides, he was so easygoing, he seemed likely to grant such a request.
He was on the birthday banquet invitation list anyway, so it wouldn't be too much trouble for him to escort her while he was there.
Plus, both of them were of high status and would have perfect etiquette.
Jusie wanted to present a perfect image at her birthday banquet, her first official appearance in human form.
It would be nice if her escorts were of Ekiel's or Claude's caliber.
*Hmm, I suppose I should ask.*
Having decided to take her maids' advice, Jusie furrowed her brow as she thought of how to persuade Ekiel and Claude.
*I should ask Claude first. Ekiel is the Emperor, so it's a bit much. People might think of me as a candidate for Empress.*
Of course, her maids thought it would be fine for Ekiel, the Emperor, to do it, especially since Jusie was a princess from the Eastern Continent.
But Jusie found that a little burdensome and decided to ask Claude first.
“Haaah.”
A sigh escaped Jusie's lips.
Of course, Jusie knew they were good friends who would grant such a request without her having to beg.
That wasn't why she sighed.
It was a grumble of fatigue, born from the realization that more and more troublesome things were piling up.
*Is this the beginning?*
Now that she had succeeded in humanizing, the communication problem was gone.
As a white tiger cub, the beastmen around her would get the gist of what she meant when she yipped.
But it was literally just ‘the gist’; she couldn't communicate perfectly.
It had been frustrating, but frankly, it had its advantages. Thanks to that, she was free from her royal duties.
But now she could converse not only with beastmen but also with humans.
This meant that her happy days as a white tiger were over.
“Your Highness, you now have to sign the party invitations yourself. Would you like to try holding a fountain pen?”
“Mmm.”
At Sophie's call, Jusie trudged over to the desk piled high with invitations, sat down, and slowly began to sign them.
Humanization certainly had many conveniences, but it also meant she had to fully take on her responsibilities and duties as a princess.
Sophie smiled brightly, saying this was the weight of the crown.
Though her words were instructive, she handed Jusie the invitations for easy viewing and sorted the signed ones to be sent out immediately.
Unable to take her frustration out on the kind aunt-figure helping her, Jusie patiently continued to sign. Then, on impulse, she grumbled under her breath.
“Maybe I should just attend this birthday party as a white tiger one last time.”
The tasks ahead—getting a party dress fitted, choosing accessories—felt overwhelming.
“That is not possible, Your Highness.”
Having somehow heard her quiet murmur, Sophie came up behind Jusie and spoke in a low voice.
“Gah! You startled me.”
As Jusie turned in surprise, Sophie gently patted her small shoulder and smiled softly.
“Feeling overwhelmed and wanting to run away?”
Stung, Jusie let out a bright, sheepish laugh. “Hehe.”
“Of course n-not. I was just saying. Hahaha.”
“I thought so. I, too, can't wait to show everyone our princess's pretty, confident, cool, elegant, gorgeous, graceful, beautiful, pure, charismatic, and wonderful self!”
“…Oh, I… see.”
“Of course! Your Highness is my pride and joy.”
Sophie's usually gentle, clear eyes glittered with a manic light.
She was like a mother who had dolled up her well-raised daughter to take her to the temple for Sunday service.
*S-scary.*
But for Sophie's sake…
Jusie thought of Sophie's devotion in caring for her all this time and laughed. “Haha.”
Then again, if she thought about it, Sophie was right.
Rumors that Princess Jusie, the white tiger, had become human must have already spread widely throughout Rilberg's high society.
Her birthday parties had always been held modestly in the garden of her Stella Palace.
But this time, because it was her first birthday since humanizing, the scale had grown a little larger.
Those receiving invitations to this birthday party would be expecting not a white tiger cub, but the humanized Princess Jusie.
The nobles of the Rilberg Empire didn't know much about beastmen.
In fact, there had been many incidents and accidents due to their ignorance.
It was just that Jusie hadn't pointed out their every rudeness.
The questions they held were like this:
*Can that Penterin white tiger princess really take on a 'human' form like us?*
*Is she truly an intelligent being like us, and not an animal?* And so on.
With her excellent hearing, Jusie could overhear all their secret conversations.
She'd let it go in one ear and out the other, but she had to show those Rilberg nobles who doubted her and looked down on beastmen.
Because I am a princess.
*I'll have to put them firmly in their place this time.*
Jusie was originally of a generous disposition.
But that was with the premise of "for a Penterin tiger, a top-tier predator."
Fundamentally, she was a predator, so she had a formidable personality.
*Still, getting dressed up is a pain. All the different etiquette and ceremonies are annoying too.*
Jusie yawned.
Birthday parties where she would sit on Ekiel's lap, yipping half-hearted replies to those congratulating her.
Then she'd run around the garden, be adored, wave her paw, and the guests would squeal, and that would be the end of it.
*Now that I'm human, I guess I should put in some effort.*
Jusie decided that after choosing her escort, she would memorize the names of the guests and properly learn the Rilberg style of etiquette.
Because she wasn't just 'Jusie', but Princess Jusielia Brianna Penterin.
Her appearance would represent the Penterin Empire itself.
Jusie rested her chin on her hand and nodded.
And she praised herself, acting haughty, thinking what a true patriot she was.
Then she muttered to herself without realizing.
“But for the escort, do I have to pick just one? They're both my friends. I have two hands. Can't I just go in with both of them?”
At Jusie's words, the expressions of Sophie and Uni, who were standing nearby, changed strangely.
“Oh my.”
“Gasp, Your Highness.”
Uni covered her mouth, stifling a laugh as she replied.
“W-well, you could, but… wouldn't that look like… polyandry?”
“Huh? Polyandry?”
Jusie, who had no such intention, widened her eyes in bewilderment.
But suddenly, from the other side of the room, a damp and gloomy aura began to emanate.
What's this?
“Just now…”
Everyone turned in surprise to see Xaviet Skoten, who had been quiet until now, glaring with wide eyes.
He gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his eyes blazing fiercely.
“I've listened to this long enough. Now, who did you say is escorting whom…? When I… am right here?”
*Huh?*
