Vol. 3 Chapter 78: The Bird's Taste of Flight (Patreon)

It was time to go back home. Mizia looked at me with teary-eyes, holding my hand as if she didn’t want to let go.

“I still have a few more dresses for you to try out.”

Stop it! I have already tried more than a dozen!

I bet those few more dresses were just dresses she found locked up somewhere and just thought it would look good on me. When I considered the circumstances, if she pulled me into her room to play dressing dolls on me, I attempted to postpone it as much as possible.

We go there, let’s play around there, let’s talk about something, let’s try planting, feeding fishes. I managed to save some time. But those things, those distractions, could only take me so far. Therefore we inevitably ended up where I became the dress-up darling. Although the dresses were nice, but come on, taking off and slipping into complicated clothes every five minutes was just tedious.

I was beautiful too in my old life, but even that time fashion shows, photoshoots, didn’t tempt me that much — ignoring that part where I would not be allowed to, anyway. Okay, they may have tempted me for a while, just a little… okay not just a little, maybe average… Ahem. But even I knew how tedious wearing dozens of clothes in a day.

Hm, Mizia’s fashion gallery might be more intense than that. Who knows…

“I am satisfied with the amount you have given me, cousin. Please, don’t overspend on me.”

She gently rubbed her eyes. “I’m going to miss you, Estelia.”

She’s so dramatic, so adorable.

“It’s not like I’m going far away. I’ll be in the palace as always.”

“I enjoyed our time together. Visit us again, okay?”

“Of course. I had a very fun week because of you. See you soon, Mizia.”

She nodded. “Prepare aptly for your debut, alright?”

“Yes.”

She gave me a tight hug, and I involuntarily smiled. My ever sweet cousin. I hugged back. Once she slowly let go, I turned to face her mother.

“Thank you for your hospitality, aunt. Until next time.” I bowed my head.

“Of course, Estelia. Take care.” she bowed her head.

“Goodbye, you two.”

After I said that, I headed for my carriage waiting for me. I glanced at the knights in position. Alzen was there. Of course with his one hand. Oof. I wonder how his combat potency was now. Which reminds me, was he right or left-handed? I mean, if he lost the hand he used all of the time, it would be a struggle to ja— ahem, ignore that.

What? Sometimes you just wonder about that kind of thing!

Moving on, I caught in my little pretty eye the person I had some interest in, Elson. The dagger wielder, one who throws daggers and puts some magic in them, causing a pseudo explosion in a small area. So fascinating, imagine what I could do with that. Not only will a person be stabbed, but he would be so fucked up a moment later, flesh all shredded beyond repair. And the pain he would suffer. Makes me feel all fluffy inside.

Rogan now stood before me, keeping the door open for me.

I entered and he followed. Once the door was closed and everyone ready, the carriage shook a little as it moved. I leaned on the window, looking at the outside view as usual.

“Did you tell the men where we’ll be stopping?”

“Yes,” replied my knight. “But of course they expressed their concerns about safety risks.”

“I’ll only be sightseeing for a short amount of time. If I am well guarded, there will be no harm.”

“Of course… You really want to do this, huh?”

“... I want to experience more in life… I want to feel the sensation of grass from another place, to breathe in their air. Just something new. My life has been surrounded by four walls, I will take whatever chance I get to step away from it.”

“Aren’t you exaggerating?”

I closed my eyes. “I suppose. But I’ll do what I wish, even with the smallest amount of freedom. I don’t care if enemies are threatening me now.”

“... I see.”

“I just want to do something joyful.”

“No worries, I’ll be there for you. You’ll be safe.”

I nodded. At least I know if an enemy suddenly pops up out of nowhere, Rogan would go head first to protect me.

“Always thinking of bad things is tiring me out. I apologize if I’m being too demanding at the moment.”

“It’s no trouble, princess. But now that your vacation has ended, do you feel better now?”

“Hm, at least forgot about work most of the time. So yes, I feel better than before.”

“That’s good. Don’t want you exploding your magic on everyone so suddenly.”

I chuckled. “You’re still hung up on that? It’s getting old.”

“Heh, it’s a reminder to chill sometimes.”

“I don’t know about that. Maybe next time I’ll direct my magic only at you.” I smirked.

“He-he, please no.”

I shrugged. “Your loss. I have plenty to throw at you.”

“I would rather accept that loss. By the way, just how much mana do you have, princess? I’ve been curious.”

“A lot, I guess?”

“A lot is not exactly an… exact measurement. And to be honest, you might have more mana than your father. As one might expect from royalty.”

“Is that so?”

Do we have more mana because we’re royalty? But wasn’t royalty still from the line of nobles? Then all nobles have the potential to be as powerful as royals. So it might all just fall down to one’s access to magical knowledge and special training. The king has the grimoire. Imagine if anyone just had access to it… perhaps that’s precisely why it’s only accessible only to monarchs, so they’ll have an edge.

I’m special because I was a goddess. Heh. “My mana pool… is a secret.”

“Aaaw.”

“Keep guessing, Rogan.”

“Fine. But using your mana has some terrible drawbacks, right? You get tired easily.”

“Indeed. So regardless of the amount of mana I have, I’ll still get beaten in a drawn out fight.”

“Don’t you fear any long-term effects? It shouldn’t even happen like that.”

“... I… I think the more I use a substantial amount of mana, the more I easily get weaker.”

“The more mana you use, the less mana it takes for you to get tired?”

“Tiredness, sleepiness, weakening…”

“Strange.”

“Indeed.”

“So that’s why you stopped your magical training.”

“Yes.”

“Then it’s for the best. Don’t want you dying out suddenly on us.”

“Will you cry if you die?” I smiled teasingly.

“I think I would. I’ll be doomed by your family. Scary to think what would happen to me.”

“I’ll prepare a letter saying not to condemn you.” I giggled.

“Just don’t die and I’ll be alright.”

I’m not going to die.

I’m going to live forever, nothing beats that. ‘But Estelia living forever is a curse, you will live a life of pain, seeing everyone you know and love age and die.’ What the fuck? Tell me that and you’re a fucking pussy.

Some time passed, and we came across a familiar sight that I had been interested in the first we passed by. It was a grassy landscape, with a few trees sprouting about. The mountains and the blue sky merged finely in the far distance — a glimpse of a never-ending discovery, as anyone would say.

Our carriage slowly stopped. Rogan, my knight, exited the carriage and presented his hand. I received it gracefully and stepped out. The pleasing sensation of the gentle heat and fresh air touched my skin.

I took in a deep breath as I looked at the mostly green expanse before me. The view, the freedom surging within me, it almost made me shed a tear. I looked down, the green grass blades touched my boots. Oh no, I’m getting emotional. I just didn’t expect it would feel this good.

I stepped forward, letting go of Rogan’s hand, smiling so widely. My protective detail spread out. But I disregarded them. They were not in my interest right now.

I walked forward, slowly, still looking at the endless view in front of me. The grasses danced, the varied numbers of small flowers bloomed beautifully. Birds flying above me. All things were giving me their greetings. I closed my eyes.

This is it.

So beautiful. When was the last time I experienced something like this? Now that I think about it, there was a similar experience in my past life, but merely a brief moment, so short it was forgettable. Where the thought of me running away crossed my mind. But I disregarded that thought, of course, it was impossible. The thoughts of running away always come, like a temptation from a devil, to commit a sin. And like a sin, I acted against it.

Using my sleeve, I rubbed my eyes. I was wearing a blue, white blouse, dark pants, and a short skirt reaching at the knees, and dark boots. A product of Mizia’s shenanigans. So stylish, though. Ultimately, it was a fitting outfit on the current occasion.

There was a bug on the grass. Some sort of ladybug? But it’s red and white, red was still the dominant color. I crouched down. Surprisingly, it crawled to my finger. Animals do like me, huh.

I blew it away. It flew.

“Princess, like the view?” Rogan approached and asked me.

“Yes… I want more time.”

“Of course. Take your time. I will send someone in advance to keep your parents from worrying.”

“Alright. Thank you.”

Wind shifted around me. Rogan curiously stared. “Uh, princess, what are you doing?”

“Don’t worry, I won’t be out of your sight.”

“Oh no, it’s happening again—.”

I propelled myself up in the air with my winds, going into the landscape. I flew above the grass, they swung and snapped in my wake. I moved at a fast speed all around the plain, going up and down. My guards panicked. This part was never mentioned. I didn’t plan it either, it was just out of impulse.

But who cares about them? All that mattered was me. And I freely flew in the beautiful field. With wind at my feet propelling me forward, I lowered my hand and touched the grasses in my way.

I giggled in utter genuine happiness, all kinds of positive intense emotions swirled in my heart. If only life could be like this forever.

I landed far away from everyone. Just me in this beautiful place.

“What a wonderful world indeed!”

Because of my emotions, I forgot to keep my mana in check. It leaked out from all over my body. I immediately put a stop to it. Still, even though it was for a moment, it was a bit of a lot. I frantically looked around, no effects whatsoever. Well, that was only plain mana.

Oooooh, I could splash around colorful magic!

I have so much mana I could practically throw them away! Let’s goooooo!

Wind swirled around me, a stream of blue, red, and white colors followed my motion. I danced. Almost like the one I showed my father and mother once. The mana sprinkled all over the place, landing on the soil and plants. I could imagine myself looking like fireworks.

But I don’t care!

I’m going to enjoy this moment! Don’t disturb me! I’ll blast anyone who does!