The Sleeping Devil

"How have you been?" Owens, with a refreshing smile more princely than any prince, casually swayed his blond hair as he peered in with his upper body.

Our gazes, aligned with my height, perfectly met, creating a reassuring sense of kindness in his response.

"I want to thank Professor Julius, but do you know what he'd appreciate?"

Honestly, it's about discussing a gift. Not wanting it to be something too precious, I added, within what I can prepare.

"Well, I think Sheriel-sama herself would be the best gift."

Owens narrowed his eyes and smiled. He had mentioned that Julius had been in a good mood lately due to progress in magical studies, but is that really enough?

"Julius-sama has been isolated from outsiders since before baptism. Interacting with someone, sharing meals, and exchanging knowledge like this is the most valuable experience for him."

"Aren't you inconvenienced by taking him around?"

Owens nodded and added, "Keep this conversation mainly between us," with his index finger against his lips.

Julius, who had been talking to Didier, noticed and approached. His seemingly gentle smile had a somewhat chilly undertone as he asked, "What were you talking about?"

"Just expressing gratitude for your usual help. Right, Sheriel-sama?" Owens smiled as he looked towards me.

Well, it wasn't entirely wrong, but Owens' gaze insisted that our stories aligned.

So, I said, "Yes, umm, just expressing gratitude for the usual help..."

"Well, never mind. Sheriel, make sure to craft the staff by the next class. Have a good night."

In the end, I couldn't figure out what would make Julius happy. For now, I decided to return to my room with the idea on hold.

I want to prepare materials for remodelling the closet starting tomorrow. Not quite detailed blueprints, but I wanted to have something like a simple sketch prepared.

Though it's called a closet, it's a square room about ten tatami mats in size, so most of my belongings should fit. 

Since the room used to be small, I used a plain wooden box without much decoration to store things, but apparently, in a spacious dressing room, rounded treasure chests are the trend.

They say they are crafted with gold and embed gemstones for aesthetics, but since I have the opportunity, I want to prioritise functionality. Decorating a simple storage too much might not be ideal...

The next day, after finishing the morning lecture, I summoned the craftsmen who worked on the interior of this room. The castle has its own craftsmen who live in the lower town, treated similarly to gardeners and seamstresses.

Two craftsmen were summoned---no blood relation but appeared like a parent and child, with the elder as the master and the younger as the apprentice. They stood beyond the opened door, trembling and pale-faced.

"Please, come in."

"Uh, um, excuse us!"

They moved their stiff limbs desperately, making their way to the centre of the room where I waited. It seems they are nervous, probably because they usually interact with maids and aides.

"Was there any inconvenience?"

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They bowed with their eyes tightly closed, and maybe... my hair colour scares them. Anyway, since they seem to think there's a complaint, I'll proceed with the request.

"No, thank you for the lovely room. I was told to decorate it to my liking, but I'm not very good at it. So, I want to remodel the dressing room. Could you help me?"

The two visibly relaxed.

"Please feel free to ask anything," they said, lifting their faces.

I showed them the makeshift blueprint I created yesterday.

I presented it to them, but honestly, it was doubtful if it could be called a blueprint; it was a rough memo. Frankly, it was poorly done. However, I supplemented it with words.

"I want to turn wooden boxes into shelves and make them pull-out. Adding rails might be difficult, so we may need to polish them for smoother sliding."

The two scrutinised the rough sketch I had drawn. It depicted a chest of drawers from a diagonal view, with only the top drawer pulled out. I wonder if they would be able to understand.

I had never seen drawers in this world. Whether it's gemstones or documents, important items seem to be secured physically or magically, often in lidded boxes.

"Noble-sama, your garments are all precious. But... these won't have locks, is that acceptable?" Asked the elderly looking man.

"The room itself has a lock, so it's fine. Besides, we have excellent gatekeepers."

Glancing behind, I saw Ciel curled up sleeping in a sunny spot. The two craftsmen froze again at the sight. Ah, they must have been surprised by the dragon.

I then explained to them that Ciel was a harmless and cute dragon child. Only then did they let go of their apprehension.

They say that the most common thieves are servants, but by the time the dressing room is completed, Ciel's presence will likely be well-known.

Even if someone manages to steal something, I don't know what Didier might do if it's discovered. I don't have anything valuable enough for the thieves to go to such lengths.

"Now, about this bow..."

"This is called a hanger, a tool for hanging garments. Pull this metal piece from the collar, hook it onto the wall-mounted rod, and it won't wrinkle, making it easy to see, right?"

Hangers also don't exist in this world. Ordinary commoners buy fabric and sew their clothes, sharing children's clothes within the neighbourhood. There are only second hand clothing stores, and merchants and relatively affluent commoners have all their clothes custom-made.

Thus, while there are mannequins to showcase several model outfits, there isn't a custom of displaying ready-made clothes outside.

Of course, nobles have everything made from scratch. Dresses worn at evening parties, balls, and tea parties are dismantled and given away after wearing them once, so there's no need for storage.

Since they put together parts for dressing in the first place, there isn't much advantage to using hangers. However, I still don't like to wear overly complex outfits, and I plan to have relatively comfortable clothes made even as I grow.

"This is... magnificent!"

The one who exclaimed was the young craftsman named Darl. He seemed to be skilled in furniture making, and he mentioned that the long bench I usually sit on was also crafted by him.

"Place the higher garments within reach with a rod. This way, you can utilise the room more efficiently, right?"

Perhaps, from now on, I'll have an increase in men's clothing. With baptism done, I can't keep wearing Didier's hand-me-downs forever.

As I pondered the headache of arranging that, I continued explaining the blueprint. While looking at the actual room that would become the dressing room, I added supplementary details like placing a chest here and a full-length mirror there.

Seemingly having grasped the overall idea, the two craftsmen efficiently took measurements. Detailed blueprints were transcribed onto thin wooden boards, with numbers being added one after another.

On the back, prices and customer seals were noted, apparently serving a role similar to an estimate.

"We'll start the work right away! Decorations aren't necessary for the chest, correct?"

"Yes, I'd be pleased if it's finished to a degree that isn't visually unpleasant."

The two left with smiles on their faces... a very different sight from when they arrived.

Usually, I would have swordsmanship practice after this, but today is a day off since Sergio is busy. I had promised to have Licht taste the chocolate I'm working on, so I asked Sarah to fetch him.

Sara said, "Sheriel-sama, since Licht isn't a fully-fledged Guardian Knight yet, he can't enter the room, you know?"

"Ah, right... Then, how about having a tea party in the garden? Can you arrange that?"

"As you wish," Sarah bowed and departed.

Feeling a bit tired, I laid down next to the sleeping Ciel. A carpet was laid so that I could lie on the floor.

When Sarah returned, I put on my coat and left the room. Next to the door, Licht was waiting with his back against the wall.

"Licht, sorry for calling you suddenly. Weren't you busy?"

"Yes, but there's nothing more important than Sheriel-sama's orders."

The timid Licht, who used to always bow and look down, was long gone. He cut his hair to avoid interference during battles, and he seems less concerned about people's gazes now.

Though he still speaks little, he appears slightly more shy.

I'm slightly concerned about his somewhat biased beliefs, but being around the knights will likely help temper that.

Upon reaching the gazebo in the garden, I infused magic into the heating spell. Normally, maids and aides do this, but I want to consume as much magic as possible, so this task falls on me.

Once chocolate and tea preparations are done, it marks the beginning of an elegant afternoon tea time.

"Is it really okay for someone like me to join you?" Licht asked shyly.

"Neither Mary nor Sara will keep me company. Wouldn't it be lonely alone?" I pouted.

"But..."

I understand what Licht wanted to say. Having tea with subordinates, no matter how close, was allowed only before baptism. I might get scolded for doing this, but I think I'll be fine since I've already prepared some excuses.

"Anyway, try the chocolate. It has improved quite a bit."

I offered him the chocolate, and Licht didn't hesitate to taste it. Instantly, his cheeks blushed, and he seemed to savour it slowly.

I made the chocolate specifically for melting in warm milk, even though there's heating magic, it seems ideal for warming up.

"It's amazing!" Licht exclaimed.

Though I didn't personally research it, I proudly shuckled, "Hehehe."

In reality, there's still room for improvement in the melt-in-the-mouth texture, but it's more delicious than commercially available chocolates from my previous life.

With a strong cocoa aroma, I think it could reach the level of a high-end chocolatier with some adjustments.

"Try this hot chocolate too,"I offered.

And Licht seemed to prefer this one more. Holding the cup with both hands, he drank it slowly and carefully.

While occasionally refreshing the overly sweet mouth with tea, we talked about his journey. I had heard a bit during Hermes' diagnosis, but the landscapes of unknown lands and the lives of people were a series of shocks.

As Licht earnestly explained things to me, flute music begane to emanate from somewhere.

Licht immediately reacted, drawing his sword and standing up as if to shield me, causing Mary and Sara to tense up.

"Sheriel-sama, it seems like an intruder. Please prepare to return to the castle immediately!"

Could it be the escaped prisoner? Although I thought it unlikely, I had a vague premonition.

Shouts of "Surround them!" and "Encircle them!" were gradually getting closer.

As I pondered whether it's better to cast a barrier around this gazebo or to escape into the castle, the sound of swords clashing was heard beyond the hedge.

"It's close. I'll cast a barrier," I quickly went around the gazebo, setting up a barrier.

As soon as the last magic circle was in place and the barrier was erected, a soldier came flying through the broken hedge.

On the other side of the broken hedge, a man resembling a large bear was walking straight towards us with dishevelled hair and torn trousers. Due to the effects of battle, his upper body exposed muscular armour-like muscles.

"Sheriel-sama, behind me!" Licht shouted.

"At this rate, only the knight order can stop him..." Sarah was worried.

It seems like the one facing the prisoner now is an ordinary soldier. He's attacking with a sword, but he's quickly grabbed and thrown away. The bear-like man, without any weapons,  simply headed straight towards us.

Is he targeting me?

"Swish!"

Just then, a trajectory of magical energy headed towards the prisoner.

It seems the knight and the mage had arrived. However, the prisoner flexed his chest muscles and effortlessly deflected the magic.

No, no, what kind of training results in such a robust body...

Magic was cast from a distance to surround him, but the man ignored such attacks, deflecting them all while alternating the muscles of his left and right chest.

The mage's attacks didn't hinder him, and when the knight attempted to strike, he'd already reached our vicinity.

"Are you Sergio-sama's daughter?"

With his large body came a loud voice. His thunderous roar shook the barrier.

One of the knights slid his sword beneath the prisoner's legs. However, the man stepped on the sword and kicked the knight away with his other leg.

The prisoner picked up the sword and charged towards us, slashing with determination.