Third Arc: First Chapter

"Milady, which dress will you wear?"

"Hmm. What do you think, Sissi? Is this one too showy for a wedding?"

Sissi had laid the dresses out on the bed. I stood in front of them and wavered for a while. Both had been made to order just for the wedding.

One was a bright royal-blue silk, a striking dress. An indigo ribbon wrapped the waist, and the lace set here and there made a lovely contrast of colors. The skirt was cut so it didn't flare much, which gave it a grown-up look.

The other was a warm orange dress. The skirt was made to look like flower petals, with many petal-shaped pieces of cloth layered over each other. The color grew deeper toward the hem, so it made the waist look slim and the legs look long. I was proud of it. Next to the blue dress, it was sweeter and more girlish.

"Let me see. Both would suit you, milady, but for the season the orange one might be the better choice."

"Mm, true."

It was winter now, but the wedding would be in early spring. The orange dress left the arms bare, so it might feel a little chilly, but by the calendar it would be spring all the same. Even in my past life, the autumn and winter clothes went on sale in the middle of the sweltering summer. And the other way around too. So I had come to understand something. Fashion means putting up with a bit of suffering. It was a shame there were no disposable hand warmers here, but there was nothing to be done. Darn it.

"The secret to being stylish is to wear the season before it comes. Cold or not, I should wear spring colors."

"As you wish."

"And lay out my woolen underpants, would you."

"...As you wish."

The corset kept my belly warm, but my bottom was cold. A girl mustn't let her hips get chilled.

Out of the corner of my eye I watched Sissi leave to put the dresses away, and I picked up the letter I had read over so many times already. Flowing handwriting danced across the pretty cherry-blossom-pink paper.

"To my dear friend Cosette,

Cosette, it has been a while. Are you well? Knowing you, you are surely full of energy. The other day I received the letters from you and Julia. A lot happened and my travel plans went astray, so I am sorry it took me so long to get them. I never thought I would have a letter from Julia as well as from you, so it made me very happy.

Lumelica is an easygoing place and a very good country. It is full of new sights, all kinds of people and things I have never seen before. I found myself wishing you could see it too.

By the way, it will be in early spring, but I am going to be married. I would love for you to come to the wedding, though it is far, so I won't press you. If you do come, ask my brother for the details..."

This was a letter from Lady Remie, who had gone to Lumelica. The letters Julia and I sent in autumn had reached her safely, it seemed, and now a reply had come.

Her dear, familiar handwriting stirred my heart, and when I read what she wrote, an even greater joy was waiting.

Lady Remie, getting married! Whoever her partner was, I thought they had very good taste.

The moment I finished the letter I decided to go to the wedding, no question about it. I wrangled permission out of my parents and then descended on Remias. As a result, Remias of course, and then to my surprise Lady Julia, Lady Emilia, and Lady Marietta too, were all able to come to Lumelica with me. The parents of the three traffic-light ladies balked at first, but once they heard I was going, permission came easily, it seemed. A mystery.

After that, I couldn't stop bouncing with excitement. It was my first trip since being reborn, after all. And to Lumelica, the place I had wanted to see! I was so excited I caught myself skipping without meaning to.

"Lumelica is famous for its meat! Ahh, I can't wait! I can't wait at all! Steak! My steak!"

Sissi had come back without my noticing, and she whispered into the ear of my giddy, dancing self.

"...Milady. Re-bound."

"...........Gah."