Illsosch Atelier

“Glory be upon Her Royal Highness, Princess Hiraya!”

The crowning ceremony came to a close amid the jubilant acclamations from the people of the kingdom.

The Anointing was successful, and Princess Hiraya was crowned. Regrettably, Aya was too exhausted to savor the moment. After casting several complex illusions all at once, she’s nearly depleted of mana. It had been some time since she’d last pushed herself this hard. Even before starting the performance, she’d already worn herself out with the additional preparations.

While the crowd saw a poised and dignified princess on stage, behind the scenes was a weary, disheveled girl doing her best to make it all possible. 

Only Romina and Cassian knew the truth—so did Gallahan. She hadn’t planned on telling him, though. If it weren’t for her retainers’ insistence, she would’ve never dared divulge such a precarious and underhanded scheme to the king, of all people.

It only so happened she needed somewhere with a full, unobstructed view of the Grand Hall. The king's throne was the most ideal—tall, high, far from the other seats, but close to the dais. Romina had readily agreed to inform him. Cassian had then secretly delivered her message. With that, she'd entered through the back door and positioned herself behind Gallahan's chair while their entourages served as a partition.

Despite how unnerving the situation was, it had been prudent of her to seek his counsel, and besides, he would still learn of her plight sooner or later.

A noble had inflicted harm upon a Divine Vessel. This was treason, and the royal family would certainly take action. Maruscha was the only suspect as of now. It could mean ruin for House Sorovia once she was proven guilty. 

Those were concerns for the future, however. Aya had just about enough now, having been afflicted by an ailment and thereafter forced to perform.

It wasn't a reward, but it might as well have been when Gallahan permitted her to rest and not attend the banquet. She'd been dreading socializing for the longest time. Fortunately, the king had been so benign as to cover for her with the excuse, “She is of frail health.” Those who knew her personally had reacted incredulously. It was true she was ill, though Calixtus and the princes weren't aware of that.

“Aya is…?”

“How could someone frail be so barbaric-?!”

“Not here, Drystan.”

Aya, or rather Hiraya, had made a point of faking a cough. “Woe is me~ I fear I may not last long.”

It mattered not if her sublime acting failed to convince them. Now in the comfort of her chambers in the Diamond Palace, she had no regard for their qualms or the merriment taking place nearby. The guests were having the post-ceremonial feast in the banquet hall. Meanwhile, she’s lounging in bed with a book.

‘The ceremony is one thing, but the banquet? Nope. Nu-uh. No more.’

“To think the high and mighty Princess Hiraya could be quite a slacker.”

Aya pouted at Calixtus, who came to visit, though not without permission from Gallahan and Romina. “Give me a break. I’ll just mess up at some point. Better to be cooped up in here.”

“I was kidding. You do need rest. His Majesty told me what happened.”

“Oh…” She met his concerned gaze and suddenly felt abashed. ‘He’s only talking about the makeup, not the princess. Nobody else has to know. I don’t want to lie to him, but…it might be for the best.’

“You don’t deserve that. You’ve worked so hard. You ought to be celebrating with everyone right now.”

“I-It’s okay… I don’t mind not going. Honestly, I'd rather read novels here. I haven’t done it in a while.”

A look of disappointment crossed his expression. “I see. I was looking forward to introducing you to my friends.”

“ F-Friends?!”

“...Why are you so surprised?”

“Ah, yes, of course. Someone like you can easily make friends.” She wasn’t jealous—not at all.

“Oh, I remember. You mentioned you never had friends before. So, I’m the first, huh?” He’s proud of that, it seemed.

“Aren’t we boasting?” she harrumphed, crossing her arms. “Well, then, go on and have fun with them. I’ll be fine on my own. You don’t have to worry. Shoo, shoo.”

“You wound me, my lady~” He clutched his chest in feigned hurt. “How could you not perceive my sincerity? My desire is only for you to indulge yourself in the company of our peers.”

“Stop that. Who are they, anyway?”

“You met already. It’s the princes-”

“No, thank you.” She quickly turned away. “I’m good.”

He let out a mirthful chuckle, then drew closer to her and cupped her cheeks. “I know Your Highnesses got off to a rough start. It doesn’t have to stay that way. They simply haven't seen your true charms yet. I hope to show them that.”

“With this face?! I have rashes!”

“Such a thing makes you no less pretty.”

She blushed, flustered. “S-Seriously, stop that! I can’t go out like this, and people are supposed to think I’m sick.”

“Hmmm… Then, shall the two of us go on a late excursion instead?”

“Huh? How did we go from meeting your friends to that?”

“I just think you should at least hear them singing your praises over there. Come and look where your efforts have gotten you.” He offered a hand, smiling.

After much coaxing from Calixtus, Aya eventually relented.

He let her borrow a set of clothes that he said he had by chance. It’s a lie, of course. From the start, he’d been plotting this evening escapade—a truly incorrigible boy. She put up with it and took on the disguise he was thoughtful enough to bring.

In the end, roaming around the castle at night and sharing laughter under the stars had been much worth humoring this whimsical friend of hers.

---

Months passed, and Aya found herself on an errand to return those borrowed clothes to Calixtus after getting caught sneaking around in them.

Yesterday, she hosted a tea party for the first time—or rather, Hiraya did. She didn't even show up. Her illusion took all the spotlight, as it always did in social gatherings. She’d be hiding somewhere each time.

To date, she has orchestrated acts in formal receptions and charitable events. From transforming the sky into a kaleidoscope of colors to conjuring a labyrinthine forest that stretched into infinity, her extravagant spectacles placed her among the most promising young prodigies of her generation. With every performance, she has achieved astonishing feats.

For the recent tea party, she cast spell after spell in secret while the fake princess entertained the guests on her behalf, and needless to say, those in the know were far from pleased.

Romina had another concern, though. “Under no circumstances should you dress up as a boy again, Princess, which is why I implore you to dispose of those garments.”

“N-No! They're not mine!”

“What?!”

“I’ll give them back, I promise!”

Cassian had looked rather amused. “I think Miss Romina means to ask whose it was and how you got it. You seem to be keeping quite a few secrets. Oh, how you have grown~”

Aya wasn't sure what the fuss was about.

In any case, she planned to deliver the package today, if only to placate the head maid. Lately, however, she'd been meeting Calixtus less often. He's away all the time. Even though she'd been in and out of the Royal Palace, where he resided, she hadn’t gotten a chance to talk to him.

“...If I may ask, Princess Hiraya?”

'Huh...? Oh!'

Suddenly, Aya was reminded where she was and what she was doing.

She’s at Illsosch Atelier in the main palace, where royalty took private lessons together under an official's tutelage. Its name was derived from the Ensign of Wisdom, a transcendent form of the God of Light, Apolchsolis.

It’s an imposing, dome-shaped structure designed like a council room. The students sat in upholstered chairs and tables around the perimeter. At the center was a broad teaching space with a podium for the professor.

“When factions are unable to resolve their differences peacefully, tensions may escalate into confrontation, like what happened with The Great Regional Conquest from decades ago. Do you mind sharing your thoughts on why else a war might happen?”

‘Ermmm…’ Aya, seated in the middle, tried not to shrink from the instructor's attention. “I believe wars happen…because people are bored.”

A cough could be heard from the southern seat, where Drystan was. Enzo, who's at the western seat, had a blank smile on his face. On the eastern seat, Gabriel looked either uninterested in the subject or disoriented by what it became. Aiden watched in silence from the northern seat, his expression inscrutable.

“Bored…?”

“I-I am not saying that alone causes war. Most are likely due to conflict of interest or power. This is merely another perspective,” she clarified. “Humans tend to seek a sense of purpose, and wars can give that. People fight sometimes to find meaning in a plain, mundane life. Glory, adventure, triumph, excitement—it all sounds shallow, but the power each holds on a person is anything but insignificant.”

There was Aya herself, for one. She learned illusion magic because she felt bored. While she had other motivations, she did it for fun first and foremost—for the thrill. She enjoyed day after day, making the most of her ability.

The idea didn’t quite align with the topic being discussed, but from the faint smile on the professor's face, the seemingly thoughtless answer appeared to pass nonetheless.