Althea: The Legendary Saintess [Shoujo]

The next morning, as Althea prepared for her long-awaited ride with Adrian after two years, Rohmund paid her an unexpected visit.

"Good morning, Althea. Without delay, please wear these clothes today. His Majesty prepared them for you," Rohmund said, handing her a box containing neatly folded garments.

Althea arched an eyebrow. "But Uncle, are we really going riding today? Even if I wear a dress... Does His Majesty expect me to ride side-saddle?"

In this world, noblewomen typically refrained from horseback riding, particularly without the constraints of a side-saddle. However, Althea, unlike most noblewomen, preferred to ride astride, much like her father and brothers.

"Well, let's see first," Rohmund replied cryptically.

Curious, Althea cautiously opened the box to find a surprising ensemble: a white shirt, navy vest, navy and light blue culottes, and brown boots. Delicate ribbons and frills adorned the vest and culottes, adding a touch of elegance to the practical attire.

"Wow... it's cute... But it's still a skirt after all..." Althea muttered, her initial excitement fading at the sight of the skirt.

As she reached for the clothes, she realized with astonishment that the skirt was actually a cleverly designed wrap-around, concealing pants underneath.

"No way, is this...?" Althea gasped, turning to Rohmund, who smiled softly in confirmation.

"Do you think I would misinform you? His Majesty was surprised to learn of your preference for riding astride, but Madame Precious gladly provided this outfit. She was thrilled to offer something both lovely and practical for Althea's adventures. You truly have admirers everywhere," Rohmund explained with a hint of pride.

"Is this made by Madame Precious?... I should thank her..." Althea murmured gratefully, clutching the gifted clothes tightly.

"Now, don't take too long. Althea, hurry up and change. I'll take my leave now. Regalus will be waiting for you in the corridor since you might not know the way to the stables. Prepare as quickly as possible," Rohmund urged before quietly exiting the room.

After swiftly changing into the outfit and tidying her hair, Althea emerged into the corridor where Regalus awaited her.

Upon seeing Althea, Regalus, her usually composed brother, momentarily froze, his eyes widening in surprise at her transformed appearance.

"Sorry for the wait, brother... Brother??" Althea said, breaking the silence, puzzled by his reaction.

"Uh, um... Althea, you look even more beautiful today. But that outfit..." Regalus stammered, struggling to find his words amidst his astonishment.

"Hehe, thank you. I never thought I'd wear such a cute outfit for riding... I must thank His Majesty properly..." Althea chuckled, noticing her brother's flustered state.

"Right, from His Majesty... Yeah, I should thank him too. Let's not keep everyone waiting and go," Regalus replied, finally regaining his composure.

"Yes," Althea agreed, taking her brother's hand as they made their way to the stables.

As they walked, Regalus couldn't help but ponder the newfound challenge of keeping his charming sister safe from any potential admirers.

Siegfried hasn't met Althea, right? And he said he's not good with women, so it should be okay... But Althea's charm is exceptional... Plus, she looks even cuter today... I must protect Althea myself!... Alright.

 

Regalus and Siegfried had been deepening their friendship since two years ago when they went for a stroll in the city after the magical power measurement. Regalus respected and trusted Siegfried as a friend, but when it came to his precious sister, it seemed to be a different story.

Upon reaching the stables, Adrian was engrossed in conversation with a boy about the same age as Regalus.

When Adrian noticed Regalus, he halted the conversation and turned to address him.

"You've arrived at last."

"Yes, my apologies for the delay, Your Majesty, Prince Siegfried. Allow me to introduce her once more... This is my sister, Althea."

As Regalus stepped aside, a girl dressed in what seemed to be a dress inclined her head in a bow.

"I apologize for the delay. My name is Althea... Your Majesty, thank you very much for the lovely clothes you've provided."

With her head still lowered, Althea greeted them, prompting Adrian to intervene, "Regalus, Althea. Today, I'm not 'Your Majesty,' so there's no need for formality. Lift your head. ...And Siegfried, today you're not 'Crown Prince' either, so let's relax and enjoy ourselves."

Given the permission, Regalus straightened up and offered a smile, saying, "...Understood. Thank you for your consideration."

"And Althea, that outfit suits you well. I'm glad you like it."

"Yes, thank you very much. I was pleasantly surprised by the cute design for riding clothes. If more riding attire like this becomes available, surely more girls will find joy in riding. I'm not only excited to ride more but also to enjoy the attire."

As Althea responded with a radiant smile, Siegfried remained frozen, observing her beside Adrian.

Noticing Siegfried's gaze, Althea turned to him to offer a proper greeting, but his silence left her unsure of her next move.

"Siegfried? Is something amiss?"

When Adrian addressed him, Siegfried snapped out of his reverie and responded.

"Y-Yeah, welcome... Please raise your head. As my father said, I want you to feel at ease. And I've heard about you from Regalus... so, um..."

As he spoke, he turned slightly aside and muttered softly, "...Beautiful."

Though uttered quietly, Althea caught his compliment clearly.

"Thank you very much. I'm delighted."

Witnessing Althea's smile, Siegfried's cheeks tinged with a faint blush.

Unaware of this, Althea continued speaking.

"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to go on a long ride with His Majesty and His Highness today. I'll do my utmost not to lag behind, so please look after me. And also..."

Sensing a hint of hesitation, she inquired, "Is something troubling you?"

"Um... I'd appreciate it if you could tell me how my brother and His Highness are spending their time together..."

Regalus couldn't help but adore his sister, and it seemed the feeling was mutual.

"Oh... Uh, certainly. Please feel free to ask me anything."

With a slightly flushed face, Siegfried nodded.

Adrian observed the interaction with a knowing smile.

Regalus observed the scene with a mixture of emotions flickering across his face.

At that instant, Curio, their ever-watchful companion, interjected.

"Lord Adrian, it's time to depart..."

"Ah, yes. Althea, you'll be riding this horse. Regalus, take this one."

Althea's mount was a small grey mare, while Regalus was assigned a sturdy brown horse. Siegfried's steed was a pristine white, and Adrian's a sleek black.

"Um, Adrian, could you please tell me this one's name?"

"Name? Ah... It's 'Fur.' ...She's a filly born right after His Majesty made a promise with Lady Althea two years ago."

Curio offered support to Adrian, who seemed to stumble over his words.

"That's right, I remember now. We named her 'Fur,' Siegfried and I..."

As Adrian spoke, he glanced at Siegfried, continuing, "Fur... She's a girl, right? ...Fur, please take good care of Althea today."

Althea enveloped Fur in a tight hug around the neck. The horse responded by nuzzling against her affectionately.

"Hehe, ticklish. Can you understand me? ...Oh, maybe..."

"Yeah, it's me. I'm conveying Althea's words to Fur and also asking her to take care of Althea on my behalf."

In response to Ciel's words, Fur let out a soft neigh.

With that, they mounted their horses and set off for the hills of Acrocorinne on the outskirts of the capital.

After a brisk ride and a brief rest for their mounts, they arrived safely at the rolling hills of Acrocorinne about two hours later.

While Curio tended to the horses in the shade, Jean and Laila laid out a sheet on the grass and prepared tea. Once everything was ready, they settled down and began chatting over tea.

"Althea, I had heard rumors, but you truly are skilled at horse riding... Keeping up with our pace and urging the horses to gallop."

"Thank you for your kind words, Lord Adrian."

"As expected of Senior Thomas's daughter... And it seems Siegfried can't surpass Regalus in swordsmanship either."

"I am deeply honored."

"Yeah... When we return, why don't we all engage in some training together with Curio and Jean? Such opportunities are rare. ...What do you say, Althea? Would you like to join me in observing?"

Adrian extended the invitation with a smile, but Althea surprised everyone with her response, "Um... If it's training, I'd like to participate as well."

"Huh? Participate??" Siegfried, who had been sitting a little apart, looked taken aback by Althea's unexpected declaration.

Ignoring Siegfried's surprise, Althea eagerly continued, "Yes, I'd like to! I've been learning swordsmanship in my domain..."

"Wait a moment..."

"Yes?"

"Swordsmanship in your domain?? You did express interest before, but... Did Thomas permit it?"

"Oh, yes."

"Why? Even though he's a border count...? But for a young lady to learn swordsmanship..."

Adrian trailed off, lost in thought, only to be brought back by Althea's concerned inquiry, "Lord Adrian? Um... Is it truly not acceptable for a young lady to learn swordsmanship?"

Seeing Althea's crestfallen expression, Adrian hastily responded, "N-No... It's not that. Um... It's not unacceptable, I believe... But young ladies typically... It could be risky if you were to get injured... Right, Althea, have you ever sustained any injuries while learning swordsmanship?!"

"Oh, yes. Before swordsmanship, I learned self-defense techniques, so I'm quite adept at avoiding injuries!"

Althea replied confidently, her smile radiant.

"Self-defense techniques..."

Adrian and Siegfried's voices overlapped with disappointment.

"Um... Your Majesty... I mean, Lord Adrian, and Siegfried, I understand it might be surprising, but... Do you know why Althea triggered her magic?"

Regalus, who had been silently drinking tea, raised his hand and began speaking.

"Oh, I know about that. I was there when her magic was sealed... If I recall correctly, she was almost attacked by some ruffians, right?"

Adrian said.

"Yes. Because of that, she activated her magic, was sealed, and couldn't leave the mansion afterward... Many outsiders come to the border regions. In order for Althea to go outside, learning self-defense techniques was necessary. Only after learning self-defense was she allowed to go out from the mansion to the territory."

"...I see... So self-defense techniques were the key for Althea to gain her freedom."

Adrian muttered, and Regalus and Althea nodded.

"But, was it really necessary for her to learn swordsmanship?"

Adrian asked, looking at Althea with a simple question.

"...Well... Yes... Um... When asked why... Maybe because I saw Father and Brother practicing and thought it was cool? And... The decisive factor was hearing about my mother's heroic deeds."

"Heroic deeds??"

"Yes, Madam Precious told me about it."

"What kind of...?"

"Mother defeated the son of a duke."

"Oh... I think I heard something about some son losing to a young lady during school... Was that Miss Clara?"

"Yes, that's right. So, I also want to become strong enough not to lose to men..."

As Althea squeezed her hand tightly, Siegfried, who had been staring at her with surprise until a moment ago, suddenly burst out laughing.

"Haha... Then, Miss Althea, let's train together."

"Yes, please don't mind me! I'll do my best not to get in the way!"

"...Is it really okay?"

When Adrian muttered this, Regalus, who had been wearing a surprised expression, said with a wry smile, "It's okay... Everyone in my family has already given up."