Second Arc: Twenty-Ninth Chapter

"…An objection, you say?"

His Majesty the King's gaze sharpened, and its point turned from Lady Isabella to me. At the same moment, the eyes of the whole assembly gathered on me as well, and a tension that set my whole body itching took hold of the place.

Against air so heavy it made my feet want to turn about and flee, I steeled them and looked His Majesty straight in the eye.

The words had leapt from my mouth before I could think, out of sheer inability to sit still — but I didn't regret them.

…No, in truth I regretted them a little. Mainly in the sense of how I'd said it. There must have been some better way to put it, me…

I nearly clutched my head despite myself, but I was in His Majesty the King's presence now. Holding my head could wait.

"…I have been terribly rude. My name is Cosette Edelweiss. At the risk of compounding my rudeness, there is something I wish to say. Might I have leave to speak, Your Majesty?"

"…You may. Speak, Cosette Edelweiss."

After making a lady's curtsy to the plainly ill-humored King, I began.

"Then… women, myself included, are creatures who care for their appearance at any and every moment. At balls, of course — but even when riding, it is no different."

"Hmm. Even We are aware of as much. A great deal of bother, all of it."

Is that all, His Majesty sighed, looking bored to the depths of his soul. At the sight, if I may say so, I felt a flicker of pique. It's because the King is like this that women can't get anywhere in this country!

Inwardly my irritation wouldn't stop bubbling up, but I hid it away and smiled as gracefully as I could manage.

"For one who is His Majesty the King to call it a bother — how strange a thing to say."

"What?"

His Majesty's brow twitched in displeasure, but never mind that! Never mind it, I said!

"…I have heard it said: in the beginning, woman was the sun. Women are creatures who shine like the sun. That a nation shines all the brighter when its women shine is self-evident. Which is to say — it is precisely because this country is prosperous that its women are able to shine."

"Ho…"

"Under His Majesty's splendid rule, we are able to dress finely even when we ride. That this should fail to please Your Majesty would be a very sad thing indeed."

As I laid out my argument as smoothly as water down a standing board, I felt His Majesty's attitude gradually softening. This is working! All right — one more push!

"To lead a horse bearing an elegant lady is surely a joy to a man as well. There must be no end of men who would wish to lead the horse the beautiful Lady Isabella rides. And though it is called a hunt, there are not many ladies who actually hunt. Considered in that light, is not Lady Isabella's attire, too, one form of dress well suited to riding?"

"I understand what you wish to say. There is that side to it, certainly."

At His Majesty's words, I let my shoulders drop in relief. It seemed I'd been quite tense without realizing it. Ahh, my shoulders are stiff.

But His Majesty slowly stroked his chin, and with a mischievous blink of his eyes, put a question to me.

"Now then — the two of you were holding a contest of costumes. It was the Queen's notion, but you know that We are to take part in the judging, do you not?"

"Y-yes. I am aware of it."

As I looked up at him warily, His Majesty declared, sounding thoroughly amused:

"We do not care for costumes without function. Nor for those that burden a horse. And today is a hunt… In light of that, what say you?"

"…Naturally, I shall take part in the hunt."

Fixing my eyes on His Majesty the King, I gave a bold, fearless smile.