Drop!! ～A Tale of the Fragrance Princess～ (LN)

Volume 1, Act 02: The Noble Girls Plan to Go Out

Translator: Blushy

Editor: SenjiQ

The memory Cordelia had, as she held the letter in her hand, was of her former world when she was in kindergartenand exchanging letterswas still popular.

She had never been good at writing them, and no one could only be contacted with a letter. That was why she didnt have any good or bad memories in regards to letters.

But now, Cordelia was very impressed by the letter shed received.

(There are a lot of different herbs !)

Cordelia paused for a moment to control her excitement and once again looked at the letter, or rather the report, which shed received from the head chef.

It was aCatalogue of Strong Fragrant Wild Grasses in other words, the herbs habitats were written down. The catalogue listed that herbs that she was familiar with, such as peppermint, sage, chamomile and lavender; and they grew in a mountain, relatively close to the Royal Capital.

Cordelia raised the corners of her lips.

(This is wonderful)

The letter, which contained information about many herbs that she specialised in, was like a treasure box filled with jewels. It felt even more radiant than real jewels and filled her with joy. If she could get her hands on those herbs, then it would be a superb start for her research.

(If I can get my hands on them, then itll be crucial for me to decide how to start my research.)

But then, she noticed a big problem.

Although she knew the place, the herbs habitat was in a mountain.

A young noble girl going to the mountain to pick wild grass Can I go?

Even though it was relatively close to the Royal Capital, the mountain was abundant with magic; thanks to that the plants grew well, but for the same reason it was a danger zone where monsters also appeared.

So even if Elvis spoiled his daughter ; no, instead she got the impression that he wouldnt give her permission to go because he loved her so much.

Of course, she could probably obtain stock if she ordered the servants to get it. However, Cordelia wanted to go there herself and confirm the state of wild growth. She might be able to discover herbs that werent written in the catalogue if she went there herself.

She was also just curious about going out of the mansion.

Ever since she was born, shed rarely stepped outside of the mansion.

It wasnt like she was directly prohibited from going outside, but, in the first place, it was probably that noble children dont usually go for strolls. She had also never been invited to go out.

She didnt think that it was prohibited entirely, because she had read novels in the library where the children would go out [accompanied by a guardian] to meet their fiancs/fiances; but it was probably difficult to go out without reason.

(I want to meet my fated plants Just kidding, that would be unreasonable.)

Now then, what should I do?

Cordelia thought it was troublesome, but she had no intention of giving up.

In her previous life, she would go anywhere and everywhere for the sake of research. That was why her instincts told her It isnt good to stay cooped up in the mansion. Besides that, she was trying to do things outside of the worlds conventional wisdom.

That was why she didnt think that she would hit success if she relied on others. It was necessary for her to go to the actual place.

However, she also understood that if she aimed to be a proper lady, she couldnt disregard trifling conventional wisdom outright. If she were to go out, she would have to figure out a solution that didnt deviate from the behaviour of a proper lady.

Moreover, she needed a reason that would not neglect her escorts, and would convince her father

Ah.

She thought to that extent and found one possibility.

If I were to accompany Isma-oniisama on his ride

The Pameradia Houses third child and second son, Isma Ismael Pameradia.

Cordelia recalled that person.

Cordelia had three siblings: eldest brother; who was fourteen years her senior; his younger twin, her eldest sister, who was already married to the second son of a Duke House, and her second older brother, who was twelve years older than her.

Among them, her eldest and second brother were both knights in the Imperial Guards.

Those brother of hers were off-duty two days out of ten. They usually lived at the dormitory, but they would return home on those days. Once back, Isma would head out to go on horse rides. To him, the best method to soothe him from his rigorous work was a horse.

Naturally, since he was a knight on duty, he didnt require an escort Nonetheless, they couldnt let him go somewhere by himself, so someone from the mansion would always follow behind him. However, she had heard that he would also frequent deep into the mountains.

Isma had playfully asked Cordelia this before, Do you want to come along too?

At that time, Cordelia had been too surprised at his unexpected question to reply, but she clearly remembered what hed said. Isma had a benign nature compared to Elvis and her eldest brother, and he was also a gentle-mannered person. He also had a friendly face.

Elvis would say something like, Im home, in greeting and Isma would entice a conversation with, What did you do today?

However, it didnt mean that their relationship was good, even if he asked her to go along with him on his ride; it might have just been social pleasantries. However, even if it were a joke, he wouldnt reject Cordelia, who he had previously invited before, outright if she wished to go.

She bet on that possibility.

Cordelia immediately pulled out some stationery and composed carefully written sentences. Writing wasnt her forte, but her letter would be reviewed. In other words, her message would be read over by someone else. As a daughter of the Pameradia House, her letters must be written beautifully.

Even if the person who read it didnt disclose the contents, it was ideal not to show any openings.

In the first place, it was her first request to her brother, so messy writing was out of the question.

(Now then, what will onii-samas response be?)

The words she wrote, full of expectations, had contained a little bit of liveliness and an easy-going feel to them.

However, a reply from Isma never came.

She had heard that Isma, being the youngest member of his unit, had a lot of tasks, so it was rash to think that hed refuse just because she hadnt received a reply.

That was why Cordelia continued to earnestly wait for him to come home. When that day came, it was inevitable that she anxiously awaited his arrival. She stood firmly at the entrance while staring outside.

Usually, she would be endeavouring in her dance lessons and studies at that time, but she was exempt from all classes for these two days, today and tomorrow, thanks to her doing her best and picking up her pace.

Regarding Elvis, she was able to persuade him three days after shed come up with the plan.

I want to accompany Onii-sama on his ride, the first time when shed said those words, her father looked reluctant and questioned in a mutter, Can you even ride a horse? But, other than that, he didnt accept or refuse her. Therefore, she kept on asking for permission.

Finally, she received the answer, Ill leave it to Isma to decide.

The reason why he was reluctant was the same reason as shed come up with before; she had also assumed that he couldnt immediately refuse her because there was a horse.

Equestrianism was also part of a nobles education. However, compared to other education practices, very few women learnt it, because it required them to be active. However in return, for example, Being one of the few who had hobbies in common with mencould be an advantage for future connections.

(Which meant that the most critical issue was safety. Im thrilled that Onii-sama is a knight.)

If Isma wasnt a knight, then it was highly probable her request would have been refused for safety reasons.

(Onii-sama, wont you come home sooner?)

Isma probably wouldnt show up in the morning if he came back at the usual time.

However, Cordelia kept waiting for him without moving, with the expectation that today might be different.

Time moved as it usually did, but she felt as if it was moving a lot slower.

In the end, Isma came home at the same time he always did, which was a little past noon. He seemed to have finished the paperwork, for when he was on duty at dawn, and his eyes, which were already red, were even redder.

Isma didnt resemble Elvis aside from his pupils; his traits were his gentle eyes and slightly lighter chestnut hair. He was tall but slender, and gave off a somewhat feeble impression; if she were to use a word from her previous life, then she would say that he looked like a flirt.

He was a genuine knight, who dressed in a knights armour and looked great with swords, but for some reason, he looked like a flirt. She didnt think that it would be surprising if he had a fan club in the Royal Capital.

However, Isma was still someone from the Parmeradia House. There were no rumours about him floating about.

On the contrary, it was worrying how there were no rumours.

Even Isma had enough strength to be a knight. Even if he looked tired, he could still move around after sleeping for about two hours. Today would probably be like that as well.

Looks like you were waiting eagerly, Cordelia.

Good work, Isma-oniisama.

Isma couldnt hide his wry smile, probably because hed guessed why Cordelia had been waiting for him.

Are you serious about what you wrote in your letter?

Isma bent down and got onto one knee, to match his younger sisters height. He looked directly at Cordelia with his similarly red eyes.

His slightly narrowed eyes nearly made Cordelia hold her breath, but instead, she said, Yes, of course!

Not to be outdone, she lifted Ismas right hand with both her hands.

Hey, Onii-sama. Please take me with you. Id like to go to Schiwiel Forest.

To think that my sister, who is attached to the library and father, would nominate me for the job. Moreover to the forest.. Did mother influence you?

Okaa-sama? Did you meet with Okaa-sama? Cordelia was surprised by the unexpected question and ended up asking Isma in return.

Does Okaa-sama like the forest? Ive never heard that before.

Isma grinned slightly because of Cordelias question.

Onii-sama?

No, its nothing. Well go tomorrow. The forest glistening in morning dew is a beautiful sight, so well leave early in the morning.

Y-yes.

Sorry but Ill go sleep for a bit. You should return to your room, Cordelia. Ismas words were a little muddled. He stroked her hair, stood up and disappeared to the upper floors, where his room was.

( As I thought, maybe it was something I wasnt supposed to ask.)

They seldom met, but of course, it wasnt like Cordelia didnt know her mother at all.

Her mother was a beauty with the same light chestnut hair as Isma and her sister. Even just one of her movements showed her elegance, and her presence was amazing.

Her etiquette tutor also taught her how to move beautifully, but compared to the tutor No, her mother was endowed with refined elegance that couldnt be compared.

However, her mother had always been a recluse. No matter how graceful her movements were, that behaviour wasnt elegant at all.

Her relationship with her mother was terrible, and her mother hadnt visited Cordelia since she was seriously ill at the age of three. Even if she walked passed her mother in the corridor, all she did was bow to her; they never spoke to each other.

Rather than being ignored, Cordelia felt as if her existence itself wasnt even recognised.

Cordelia had tried to contact her mother many times in the past.

The first reason was that she wanted to avoid her frightening future. After all, if you become a Countess, youre bound to have a strong influence at home. If she wanted Cordelia to be Queen in the future, like Elvis did, then she couldnt afford to stay in contact with her mother.

However, Cordelia had yet to have a conversation with her mother. Even if she wanted to set an appointment with her mother, her mothers maid would always come back with a refusal message. Eventually, it happened so many times that Cordelia gave up on the idea of contacting her mother.

She wasnt abandoning her future; it was just that shed finally realised that her mothers existence wouldnt have any effect on her future.

It seemed that her mother was just simply not interested in the Parmeradia House.

According to what the maid had told her when shed pestered her for information:

Her mother fell in love with Elvis, who was a knight and begged her father by marketing herself to establish their engagement.

However, Elvis, who had accepted the engagement, had no interest in her mother and thought of it as a political marriage.

To make matters worse, Elvis resigned as a knight before they married.

Even after quitting the knights, Elvis didnt act like a husband and remained aloof.

Of course, the maid spoke in a roundabout way; she spoke as if she was telling a story, but Cordelia omitted the unnecessary parts and summarised it.

Surprisingly, her mother acted as if it would be better for my husband to be troubled, so she shouldnt have been interested in things such as Cordelias marriage, which seemed to be advantageous for the Parmeradia House.

Because of that, Cordelia stopped trying to meet with her before shed turned four.

She wasnt able to get through to her mother; on top of understanding that she couldnt be a burden to herself, she was also reluctant to try to force someone to mediate between them, so that she could meet her mother.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Elvis didnt seem to care, so there was no need to get involved with her mother more than needed.

( I wonder if the selfish behaviour of the Cordeliain game was inherited from her Okaa-sama.)

Cordelia muttered in her mind while suddenly thinking of her mother.

Elvis had indeed said, You will get married to the Crown Princeand it was highly likely thatCordeliaalso thought, Of course I would.

( If this was like the story, then it seems that Okaa-sama would cheer up if Otou-sama just talked to her But Otou-sama doesnt look like he cares at all, so its hard to improve the situation.)

Cordelia secretly sighed while watching Isma retreat to brush her off. She wanted to hear about it from Ismas point of view too, but she could understand why he wanted to keep his mouth shut. No matter the reason, he was probably hesitant to tell his little sister that, Mother is avoiding you.

Although she understood that, Cordelia realised that she was somewhat depressed. She got a strange feeling; her own, or rather the real Cordeliasheart ached.

She was surprised at being depressed over someone who she only ever saw; someone who didnt even think about her And also, about the existence that was within her that wasnt her.

Still, Cordelia tightened her jaw and returned to her room without stopping.

There are times when a noble must suppress their emotionsor something like that.

She closed the door with a click while muttering one of the things that her tutor told her many times. I cant show that Im upset. I would lose my tact, and a gap would open in my heart. It would become a hindrance for when I think about my next step.

Those were words that were familiar to her, but she didnt think she could apprehend them right then.

(Im glad that there arent any lessons today.)

If someone found me right now, then I wouldnt be able to keep my composure. With that in mind, Cordelia slowly walked to the middle of her room and pulled her thin lace curtains.

I was just tired because I had been too excited this morning and thus became a little upset when Isma-oniisama brought up Okaa-sama. I didnt care about it that much.

She thought that and, although the action was terrible for a noble lady, slowly fell onto her bed.

(Its okay, my head will clear up after I sleep)

But a small voice began speaking to Cordelia from the dark world behind her shut eyes as if it was disturbing her thoughts.

Hey, it isnt like mother isnt interested in the house; doesnt she hate you?

Shut up.

Shes your mother right? Arent you lonely? Even though she met your brother.

Then what are you saying I should do?

Cordelia rolled over as if to shake off her thoughts and slightly opened her eyes.

*RUSTLE RUSTLE*

It looked as if the hanging curtains were accusing her of something.

( Thats right. I didnt think anything of it. The feelings of loneliness are a lie. Shes the best example of who not to be.

I wont become a stubborn woman just because things dont go my way. I will become a woman who can jump through hoops. Even if it was out of the ordinary of this world ; I will achieve happiness on my own.)

Cordelia surrendered herself to the long-awaited drowsiness.

( Lets quickly become a proper lady. Keep looking ahead without getting swayed by my emotions.)

She made a firm resolution in fading consciousness.