69-69 Morning of the ball (1/2)

When I woke up, I could see the city of Mithra outside my window, pale and white in the blue early morning light.

The moment before sunrise, when dawn is breaking and the city is about to wake up. ──── I like this time as much as anywhere else.

It gives me the feeling that the day is about to begin.

From a distance, I can see people coming out of buildings here and there.

Last night, I minimized my daily training, such as swinging the black sword, and went to bed early.

The room I stayed in had the luxury of having hot water at my disposal, so I was able to wash and refresh myself after working out. There were large bowls of fruit in the room that I was told I could eat freely, so I took some and ate it to moisten my throat, then went to bed feeling good while looking out the window.

Thanks to ────, I'm feeling great now.

All right, let's get you dressed.

I quickly changed into the clothes that Leanne and the others had prepared for me and went out into the hallway.

It seemed a little early, but it was getting light and I wanted to take a look around since I couldn't go out at night.

Leanne and the others were probably still asleep, so I went out quietly so as not to wake them.

Inez was standing in front of the door of the room where they had stayed. You're early.

Oh, Inez is early too. You're up already?

Are the ...... leaners still sleeping inside?

Mr. Linneburg is in the middle of changing his clothes.

She's in the middle of changing her clothes with Rollo, doing final checks on her outfit.

I see. I see you're all up early.

Since you went to bed early last night, are you all dressed and ready to go, Lord Noor?

Yes, I thought it would be best to change as soon as possible.

Inez is still dressed as she was yesterday, are you going to change now?

Inez stood in front of the door in her usual silver armor and skirt.

No, I'm going to stay like this. No, I'll stay as I am. This will also serve as my formal attire as a guard.

This is also my formal attire as a guard.

”Oh, that's very kind of you to prepare.

I don't know what to wear by myself.

The black dress you prepared for me looked tight at first, but when I put it on, it felt very comfortable and I soon got used to it.

It was the perfect size for my body, but I could still move my arms around and it didn't get in the way at all.

The fabric was smooth and thin, yet it seemed to be strong.

I'm sure this dress was made especially for you to measure, right?

...... Wow, this is amazing.

I've never worn this kind of clothing before, but it's very comfortable.

It's a very good product, made by the best craftsmen in King's Landing.

It's woven with silver threads of mithril, which should make it quite strong, but if you handle it too roughly, it will break easily. Be careful with it.

”Yes, I will. I'll be careful.

By the way, it's still early for you to be awake. What are you doing here?

I wanted to take a look at the paintings and sculptures in this building and in the corridors.

I wanted to take a look at the paintings and sculptures in this building and in the corridors, because I know I won't be able to see them until I get back to the kingdom.

”I see. But you shouldn't go too far.

It's not good to get lost.

Oh, I'll try not to go too far, it's okay.

I'm going to try not to go too far, I'll be fine. I don't need to see too much of the art stuff, I'll be satisfied with what I see.

I'll be happy to see a little.” ......

You should be back before the guide arrives.

If you can't make it to the ball, you're screwed.

It's a good idea to take a look at the website to see if you can find any useful information.

...... Are we supposed to be dancing too?

No, ...... only the honored guests will dance.

We are the guards, and our job is to make sure that Mr. Linneburg and Rollo are safe.

We will not be dancing unless we are specifically asked to.

”Well, that's a relief to hear. I've never danced with anyone before. ...... I don't want to be asked to dance all of a sudden. 　Can ...... you do that?

No, ...... me neither. I'm not very good at that sort of thing.

Is that so?　That's surprising.

I've always thought of him as a multi-talented man who could do anything.

Surprisingly, ...... I basically handle everything on my own. I'm not very good at mixing with others.

Inez has some useful skills, like that glowing shield. She seems to be able to do everything by herself.

...... Not everything. There are many things I'm not good at.

...... Dr. Noll, are you there?

As Inez and I were having our casual morning conversation, a voice came from inside the room.

”Yes, I'm here.

Ines, may I ask you to open the door?

Yes.

When Inez opened the door, Leanne appeared from inside.

She was dressed in an unusual white dress.

No, white was not quite the right word.

Just as she came out of her room, the dim corridor became brighter and brighter.

”I see you've already made your preparations. It looks good on you.

”Oh. Is that what you're going with?

It's a very white dress. It's a little bright.

”──── Yes.

It's mostly woven with holy silver thread, so depending on the angle, it should look silver or white.

It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your money.

──── Isn't that weird?

Yeah. I think it looks good on you.

I don't know how to say this, but ...... you look like a princess from some other country.

...... Do you think so?

I'm not too sure about that, but if you say so, it makes the new look worth it.

I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it.

...... Good. It seems that she has more energy than yesterday.

”Oh yeah, ──── Rolo looks great!

Leanne walked briskly into the back of the room and came right back out again.

Her hand was holding the hand of the person at the back of the room, who was forcibly pulled out into the hallway.

The person was about the same height as Leanne, wore the same kind of men's clothes as me, and looked to be a little younger than Leanne.

It's ────

It was ──── a boy I didn't know.

There was a boy there, a stranger.

”──── who are you?

”No, it's me. Noll.

The boy looked at me puzzled.

”Yes, it's Rollo, sir. ............ Don't you recognize him?

It's true, his hair is whitish and his eyes are red.

That's definitely Rollo's features.

But he's definitely not the Rollo I know.

”Is that really Rollo?　You look very different. ......?

”Hmm, isn't that right?　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I've done a lot of work on his hair. ──── Yes, it's nice.

I think you'll be very popular in aristocratic society with this.

Lean proudly looked at the boy who looked like ──── Rollo, or used to be Rollo.

I also took a closer look at the boy and ...... still couldn't believe he was Rollo.

I'm sure you'll agree.

I'm still skeptical.

I'm still skeptical, but ...... I'll pretend it's Rolo and talk to him.

...... Yes, it's true that if you think of Rollo, you might think of him.

There is a face.

But really, I didn't know who he was at first.

The Rollo I knew was more of a ──── gloomy, insecure, slightly frightened, very dark boy with a very weak feeling. ──── Now he looks like a strong-willed, respectable boy.

I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear that.　You look different.