https://ncode.syosetu.com/n5562hc/58/
Self-Portrait
A manicured garden larger than an open field in the countryside. The dorm’s courtyard wasn’t even close to its size, and I’m sure if I were to take a look at it from the air, the whole thing would be symmetrical. This is what stood on either side of the walkway that cut through the hedges towards the Ruhuna family mansion.
The building itself stood tall and mighty enough that you could mistake it for a castle. All four corners of the building had towers that were raised far higher than the mansion itself.
For something like this to be set up so close to the royal castle, it just speaks to the power of the Ruhuna family that continues to this day.
Lily opened the heavy-looking door with ease. There were a slew of servants busy cleaning up all around inside. I would’ve assumed everyone would stand in a line in front of the door since the daughter of the house was back, but Lily doesn’t seem like the type to like that kind of thing. They probably know that and don’t bother.
One of the servants did notice us walk in and moved towards Lily on their own and bowed.
“Welcome home Lily-sama.”
“Thank you. I apologize for getting right to it, but I will be using the tower right away. As always.”
“Of course. I had thought it about that time and had it cleaned this morning.”
“Oh? That will be a huge help. No matter who asks, do not let anyone disturb me.”
The servant glanced at me but didn’t ask anything. He is either used to this sort of thing because Lily brings a lot of friends over, or he is slightly curious because Lily never brings any friends over. That look he’s giving me could go either way.
“This way Liffy.”
Lily held my hand and pulled me down a corridor. I should’ve figured, but the walls were decorated with intricately patterned wallpaper rather than the mud walls like my parents’ house. There were several portraits lining the walls–almost certainly past heads of family going by their looks. Every one of them had silver hair, just like Lily.
We stopped halfway down the corridor, and Lily turned to me.
“It makes you think about the truth of things doesn’t it? Actually, my two brothers have golden blonde and dark brown hair respectively.”
“What?”
“The hair. Silver hair has always been a symbol of the Ruhuna family. I stand the furthest away from becoming the head of the family, and yet the proof that I belong to the Ruhuna family stands out in me more than anyone else. We have portraits of my brothers hanging up as well around the house, but they are both wearing wigs to match with our ancestors. The artists were made to draw them on. I am sure many of my ancestors have done the same thing.”
“I wonder how many….”
“But this is the Ruhuna family. They care deeply about how their descendants will see them. Or more simply, they are always looking towards the future. That goes for my father and brothers too of course. That is what separates us from the other nobles. So many other aristocrats brag of what their ancestors have done without ever trying to do anything themselves. They never even consider how their descendants will one day think of them. Some still cannot get past the time someone from their family picked up the king’s helmet after he dropped it during a battle 500 years ago. Laughable.”
“W-Wow”
“Father acted coldly when you met him, but he thinks about this country more than anyone else. The Hero Audition was actually an idea my Father suggested so as to regain some of the confidence of the general populace. It was only during this third audition that he began handing matters over to Heath in order to consider next steps.”
“Wait. Really!? Wouldn’t that cause all kinds of doubts with you participating in it yourself?”
“Well…. it has. He was opposed to me participating for that very reason from the beginning, and even now he has yet to fully forgive me.”
I love learning new things about Lily, and I’m happy she’s telling me all this. I have to wonder though, why now?
“That look on your face is telling me you want to know why I am telling you this?”
“Well…. yes.”
I’ve always known that Lily comes from a splendid family. I could tell you that even if I had never heard of the Ruhuna family before coming to the capital. It’s Lily’s family after all.
“I will be leaving this house after becoming a hero, but it is not because I hate the Ruhuna family. What I hate is aristocratic life itself. I simply wished for you to understand that, and I hope, you will not come to dislike my family.”
I get it. Lily thinks I’m prejudiced against nobles. She brought me here while hoping to get rid of it.
But I really don’t think she has anything to worry about on that front. Lily is perfect, noble, and special to me. She’s always shining.
But I’ve never put that into words, so of course it never got across to Lily. It’s a frustrating relationship. It would be so much easier if I could just say this and that, but Lily has always pulled back to keep me from getting too close. Though for some reason today, she’s decided to close that distance all at once.
“It’s all right. I don’t have anything against nobles. Olive and Lily-san are both…. honest people. There might be some strange people among the nobles, but you can say that about commoners too.”
Lily smiled happily and started walking again. At the very end was a portrait of Lily’s father, Akatsu Ruhuna. There was an empty space on the other side which must be where the next family head will end up.
“It’s perfectly spaced out.”
“Indeed. Someday one of my brothers will have their portraits hanging on this wall. There is no chance it would ever be me.”
“Are there no pictures of Lily-san then?”
I never got a yes or a no to my question. Lily just smiled mischievously, opened the door to the tower, and invited me inside.
Inside was a spiral staircase that went up higher than I could see. So high I could only assume it led to the clouds themselves. This was inside the tower, the ground floor.
The space beneath the stairs had dust lining the corners and appeared to be used as a storeroom of sorts. In that space hanging on the wall was a picture. Lily’s picture.
Thinking about how she opened that door while holding back what she really wanted to brag about, I had to stop myself from outright hugging Lily as she stared at the painting next to me.
It’s too beautiful for her to not want to brag about it. A white lily blossom is being held right in front of her face as a sidelong glance from her eyes peers out at the world on the other side of the frame surrounding her. It’s a style one line removed from any portrait I’ve ever seen, but it also somehow does a perfect job of showing Lily’s personality.
It drew me in, and I ended up sitting down in front of it.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Better than the real thing.”
“N-Not at all! The real deal is…. much more….”
My mouth flopped open and closed again. Maybe I was being carried along Lily’s coy tone, but I luckily managed to stop myself before I said something embarrassing.
“Say it to the end.”
“I’d rather not. So no.”
Lily sat down behind me and started running her fingers up my side and stomach. She wasn’t going to stop tickling me until I answered her.
“Wai-! That’s cheating!”
“Are you ready to talk?”
Somehow, Lily’s face ended up right in front of mine. It was a distance where all it would take is for one of us to stretch out our neck, and we’d be kissing. So close, but I know how far away her heart still is. This short distance is still too far for me to cross.
“What if I told you I’d say it, but only if you kiss me with all your heart?”
There was a twitch in Lily’s eye.
“I would say that is impossible.”
“And the same goes for me. Shall we head upstairs?”
I stood up first and started moving out from under the stairs, but before I could get away, Lily grabbed my arm. She was still sitting on the ground, so after she gave my arm a tug, I lost my balance.
Slowly, my vision rotated diagonally. My body was gradually growing closer to the floor, but if I keep falling like this, my face will run into Lily’s. Geez, she can’t be honest. I guess without the excuse that it was an accident, she can’t give me a kiss.
Without bothering to hid my grin, I fell towards Lily. Lily was smiling too. Just a little further til our lips touch.
We were so close…. and then Lily moved her face out of the way to the side. All of the sudden all I could see was a hard-looking floor. There was no chance I could stop my momentum now. I crashed face first into the floor, all that weight and pain injected directly into my nose.
“Gu….i…. ow….”
I propped myself up on my knees and rubbed my nose. Thankfully there wasn’t any blood.
“My nose isn’t crooked, is it?”
“It’s fine. I did not mean to hurt you. It is fine to shake things up, but you just remember to be prepared when I dodge. That is all.”
Lily one-up’d me. I thought it’d be fun to press the attack and leave her behind after making her nervous for once, but I should’ve known she isn’t the type just sit back and be beaten.
After making sure I wasn’t hurt, Lily bolted up the stairs to escape. I started after her a half breath later.
Experimental Translations 