Final Preparations

After finishing their tea, Aya headed to the castle garden with Drevazio and Romina for a change of scenery.

This was the first time she’d be in this part of the palace. Maruscha’s stringent curriculum had her constantly occupied, leaving her with no time to explore the whole place. There were even days she’d be in her study from morning to evening.

Drevazio smiled from beside Aya. “Have you not been out here before? You look excited.”

“I’ve only seen it from my bedroom. I know it’s wide and big, but I didn’t think it’s this beautiful.”

“Well, the ones above may see farther, but the ones below definitely see more clearly.”

‘...That’s like a line from a novel. He really is a cool grandpa.’

The garden was especially lively in summer, filled with the sound of chirping birds and buzzing insects. Warm sunlight shone through the trees and over stone pathways. Beds of flowers wound around the fountain at the center. Surrounded by high stone walls, it offered an inviting peace and quiet, away from the bustling castle.

“I assumed you’re the one who personally sent the maid to serve me that day.”

Aya looked up at Drevazio. “The servants only listen to Lady Maruscha, and Lady Romina is your daughter, so it doesn't feel right to ask her either.

“You didn't have to go that far for such trivial matters. Besides, it's enough that I get to visit.”

“Erm… We, commoners, always prepare drinks and snacks for our guests back at home. I'm not sure about those politics stuff, but… I don’t get why you, who're still a noble, shouldn’t be accommodated just because of that.”

His gaze softened at her words. Behind them, Romina smiled quietly. Neither spoke for a moment, a silent understanding seemingly passing between them. As they continued walking, Aya felt unusually comfortable. It's different from when she's with Maruscha. She didn't feel pressured to act properly or think carefully about what to say, even as she still expected to receive corrections if she misbehaved.

“In any case, this is quite the dilemma. The crowning ceremony is the day after tomorrow,” Romina said.

‘Ah… I completely forgot.’

“Of course, I’m in favor of relieving the head maid of her duties, but I also can't deny she's efficient in her work.”

“You need not worry about that.”

Drevazio stopped all of a sudden, causing Aya and Romina to do the same. Ahead of them, two familiar faces appeared. Aya gasped in surprise as she saw Calixtus and Cassian. The former was dressed in formal attire, no longer in the cloak he'd disguised himself with whenever he sneaked in, while the latter wore the same uniform as the palace guards.

“L-Lord Cassian?!”

“Princess! Long time no see!”

“Why are you with Calix?!”

“I saw him at the gate and guided him inside.”

“H-Huh? Why were you there, to begin with?”

Romina blinked. “Calix? As in, Lord Calixtus? But why…Calix?”

“Seems like you two have gotten rather close,” Drevazio chuckled.

“How long have you known each other, Your Highness?”

“Well, well!” Cassian smirked teasingly “This is an interesting development.”

“Aya.” Calixtus made a sulky face. “You didn't greet me.”

“Aya?!”

“Oh, dear.”

“Well, well, well!”

“H-Hang on! I don't understand anything!”

With that, Aya found herself at the garden’s pavilion, listening to Calixtus and Cassian while Romina served tea.

It seemed Maruscha had hidden yet another piece of information. Rather than remaining on Aerowenlore Isle, Cassian had returned to the Diamond Palace under Lorenz’s orders, where he was to serve as Aya's knight guard. The island’s chief had recommended him, reasoning that she would likely prefer someone familiar within her entourage. All that was left to do was to secure Maruscha's approval and give a formal introduction.

However, the head maid kept postponing the appointment, insisting that Aya needed to devote her attention to her studies for the upcoming crowning ceremony. Cassian temporarily worked as a palace guard. He had no choice but to wait for a summons, being lower in rank and having no official authority. Curiously enough, every post assigned to him was far from the main building where Aya was.

“I even had to guard the stables for five consecutive days,” Cassian complained.

Aya tilted her head. “There's a stable…?”

“The head maid doesn't want you to see each other, obviously,” Drevazio noted.

“So, I informed Lord Lorenz, and he informed the king. Then, the king sent Lord Calixtus.”

“...What?”

“Oh, has Lord Calixtus not told you, Princess? I help him get in whenever he goes to your room at night.”

“What?!”

“Excuse me, but that is very improper. I do not condone such behavior,” Romina muttered, glaring at both Calixtus and Cassian. “Her Highness is a lady. She may be young, but if it becomes a habit…”

“I know. I apologize,” Calixtus replied to Romina before bowing to Aya. “It was indecent, but I did it to conceal my identity. Lady Sorovia wouldn't allow me to enter the palace unless ordered, and she'd suspect something if she learned the king was involved.”

“I-It’s alright, Calix. I appreciate all your efforts. Why didn't you mention Lord Cassian to me, though?” Aya questioned.

“I didn't know you're acquainted.”

“Apologies. I didn't know either.”

Cassian huffed, indignant. “Do I look like someone who's unlikely to have connections with royalty?”

“Therefore, His Majesty has everything under control,” Drevazio said with a calm smile. “Now then, let us set these aside and focus on the princess's crowning ceremony.”

‘Oh, no. I'd rather talk about this all day than be reminded of that.’

Without Maruscha leading, Romina reckoned that they could only achieve the barest minimum standard for a crowning ceremony.

The event required meticulous preparations, ideally beginning several months in advance, with every detail coordinated by the royal household. Although the main palace would assist in facilitating the event, the princess’s retinue was the one directing it from planning to execution.

Invitations had been sent a while ago, and the official guest list included the royal family, foreign dignitaries, and nobility from all over the country. Multiple fittings had been conducted as well, though a complete dress rehearsal with the ceremonial regalia was yet to be done. Other required paraphernalia would likewise be inspected by the officiating temple figureheads.

Calixtus turned to Aya. “Have you memorized the guests’ names along with their noble houses, as well as the oaths and pledges? That seems difficult to accomplish in a month.”

“...I did it in one week.”

Everyone reacted with surprise, except Romina. “Her Highness has an exceptional memory. We never have to worry about her in that regard. My concern lies elsewhere.”

‘If I can follow protocol, that is.’

Memorization was different from enactment, after all, but familiarizing herself with the event’s setting would probably help her become more accustomed to the proceedings.

The venue was the Grand Hall at the main palace, where historic coronations took place. The program would open with the guests' arrival, then the royal family’s procession, and then the much-awaited presentation, the Anointing. As for the reception afterwards, it would be at the banquet hall at the Diamond Palace. Catering, decorations, music, and security had to be arranged thoroughly, as pertinent to the occasion.

“However you look at it, one month is just not feasible, especially considering our manpower. The king’s entourage may be contributing, but that can’t be enough for a gathering of this scale,” Cassian commented.

Romina concurred. “Truthfully, I myself am not confident. The head maid’s scrupulousness helped us finish on schedule, but even at our best… I’m afraid it can never be on par with the previous crowning ceremonies.”

“For what it’s worth,” Calixtus interjected, “the nobles don’t expect much, in the first place. Rumors have been circulating in the main palace. At least, people are sensible enough to acknowledge that the allotted time is inadequate.”

“So, they think it’s a failure already,” the knight groused.

“If only I were more capable,” the maid bewailed.

“...That’s not what I’m trying to imply.”

“Isn’t that preferable, though?” At that, everyone turned to Aya. “The lesser the expectations, the easier they are to meet! If they think we’ll serve them lobster and salmon, but all we have are clams and sardines, then we’re in big trouble.”

“Princess, that’s…”

“Lobster…? Sardines…?”

Strange as it seemed, knowing that people expected nothing from her put her at ease. In fact, it motivated her to work harder. She’d forgotten what that felt like somewhere along her pursuit of perfection. Maruscha had convinced her that any other outcome was unacceptable, which, ironically, made even succeeding seem impossible.

But as her stepfather used to tell her, “A fish does not swim farther because it is expected to. It swims farther when it is free to.”

“So, we’re gonna swim not to prove we can swim, but to cross the ocean and reach the shore!”

“Are you craving seafood, perhaps?”

“There’ll be fish at the banquet. Don’t worry.”

Drevazio smiled at Aya. “You are right, Your Highness. A crowning ceremony isn’t remembered by the floral arrangements adorning the dais or the gourmet food lining the buffet table. Do well enough during your Anointing, and it is done.”

And that’s precisely what Aya planned to do.