Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody

This is not from Satou’s point of view.

Correction made on September 15.

Tomorrow is finally my debut into society!

I had asked my mother for a long time, but she wouldn’t allow it because she thought I was too young. But now, finally, I have been given permission to attend the ball.

“Rina, you’re lucky, aren’t you?”

My older sister said she couldn’t debut until she was fourteen, so she seems a bit jealous that I get to debut at twelve.

But, but still…

Because the permission came suddenly, the dress I’m wearing is an old one of my mother’s from when she was a child, just altered to fit me. I can’t be selfish and ask for a newly made dress like my sister’s. If I said something like that, the whole ball invitation might be withdrawn.

◇

Wow, a castle! It really is a castle!

“Rina, watch your mouth. From today on, you’re a lady, so you must be careful not to make childish gestures.”

“Oh, Fia, isn’t that the same gesture you made when you first entered the castle? Sisters, huh~”

“Tiina, please stop that in front of Rina. There’s such a thing as a sister’s dignity—”

My older sister and Viscount Brates’ Tiina-sama are talking about something, but their words go right past my ears.

Because there are so many carriages stopped inside the castle! I wonder which family’s carriages those are. The round carriage bodies are so cute. Wow, there’s even a golem carriage! Amazing—I’d love to ride one someday.

“Now, my lady, may I have your hand?”

Outside the door that the castle footman held open, my father, who had been waiting, reached out his hand. Today, my father is my escort.

“Hey, Fia. Aren’t you going to have the future baron Etto escort you?”

“No way, Tiina. That’s a thing of the past. Today, a prince is visiting from the Royal Capital, after all.”

“If you always aim too high, you’ll end up marrying late, you know?”

“Tiina, you’re no better. More importantly, even if the prince himself is out of reach, your target should be the accompanying holy knights or promising attendants.”

Many children of influential nobles get engaged by the age of ten, but those of us from mid-ranking noble families often don’t have fiancés until adulthood. Some are still single past twenty because their ideals are too high, but I want to marry at least by seventeen. I don’t need to be handsome; I just want someone kind.

◇

Wow, this is amazing.

I feel kind of dumb for thinking so, but no other words came to mind.

The ballroom, which I entered accompanied by my father, was filled with over a hundred gentlemen and ladies in magnificent attire, chatting closely in the cramped space.

But! The surprises came quickly.

“Rina, this small room is the waiting room for debutantes making their first social appearance today.”

Even though there are so many here, they’re all debuting for the first time! I guess everyone is here aiming for the prince?

Following my father’s introductions, I greeted everyone in the small room.

Ah, I’ve never said my name so many times before.

“Out of the way. Clear the path.”

“Sorry!”

I was scolded while standing in the hallway leading to the main ballroom. The person was scary, dressed in white armor. Maybe a knight? I apologized and hastily stepped aside.

“Not bad. Did the prince speak to you already?”

“Oh, sister, no. I was just scolded for blocking the path.”

“You were blocking the path, but you’re so petite you could fit ten across the width, aren’t you?”

Now that she mentions it, she’s right. Was there some reason?

◇

“Ah, I’m tired.”

“Oh dear, let’s moisten our throats a bit.”

My older sister and the others sat on a bench at the side of the main ballroom and watched the ball. I’d wanted to come here so badly, but I didn’t realize it would be this exhausting. I couldn’t remember most of the people I was introduced to.

“That’s no surprise. I was watching from the side, and you kept looking down even though you were introduced.”

“Well, everyone was older and a little scary.”