CH 45

Decision

Red hair was a common hair color, but it was rare to find one as bright and rosy as Sheila’s. To hide her identity, she had to wear a brown wig, which was most common among the Steitz people.

It seemed that Amy’s desire to dress up a girl was genuine, even going out of his[1] way to prepare a wig.

She hadn’t had long hair for a long time. It was heavy and felt hot on the back of her neck. Now that she was used to short hair, it even felt irritating.

Since the color of her eyes couldn’t be changed, she wore black-rimmed spectacles to change her impression. The girl in the apron dress reflected in the full-length mirror was a serious-looking girl.

“How is it?”

“Oh my, you look so beautiful! Girls are so cute, aren’t they? I want to dress you up in more outfits.”

“Eh, I’ll pass.”

Unlike village attire, it seemed that girls in the royal capital generally wore skirts. Her legs felt uncomfortable. If she kicked her skirt even a little, her underpants will be exposed.

“It looks like it has low offensive and defensive capabilities… It’s a bit uncomfortable…..”

“Fashion doesn’t need offensive or defensive capabilities. Though I think girls who can fight are cool too.”

Amy, who picked up on Sheila’s monologue, laughed as he combed her wig. To make her look more resilient and less vivacious, he made a loose braid next to her face.

“――Are you aiming to become a knight?”

She couldn’t nod or shake her head at the question that was suddenly asked. She already felt familiar enough with Amy that she couldn’t lie. Sheila knew why that was.

‘This person must also be aware that I’m enrolled in the school under a false gender identity, but he didn’t reprimand me even once…..’

Perhaps it was because Amy himself was the same as her, but it was a great relief not to be rejected because of an action that she knew was foolish.

There was no reproach on Amy’s face, and his facial expression when he looked at her through the mirror was calm. Sheila only had an older brother, but if she had an older sister, she might be like this.

“In the old days, there were women who belonged to the knighthood, but they were only servants or assistants, and no one was given the title of “knight,” no matter how much merit they had achieved.”

His words brought to mind the name of Claushezade’s mother. Mira Norstein wasn’t specified as a knight, even though she held the position of aide-de-camp[2] to the Knight Commander. Because that was the custom in this country.

“Okay, it’s done.”

Amy put down the comb.

In the mirror, Sheila, with her hair in pigtails, looked like a different person. The intensity of her characteristic eyes was hidden by her glasses, and at first glance, she appeared to be nothing more than a quiet mature looking girl.

Stroking Sheila’s cheek, Amy smiled with satisfaction.

“Doesn’t that sound interesting? You, becoming the first female knight recognized by the country.”

His words of encouragement were the deciding factor in Sheila’s decision to work there.

◇　◆　◇

Thus, work was added to Sheila’s busy schedule.

Originally, she came to the capital once a week to play, so that time could be used for working at the pharmacy.

Since the amount of time for supplementary lessons and the paperwork in the teacher’s office was decreasing, she went to the pharmacy three or four times a week.

The reason she showed up more often than she was asked was because she’d enjoyed making medicines, which was her hobby. While making the medicines, she could remember the days she spent in the village with her parents.

Of course, she couldn’t visit every day because she couldn’t afford to neglect her studies.

Two weeks into the job.

As a serious, drug-savvy newcomer, Sheila had recently become acquainted with some of the regular customers.

She wasn’t good at complicated things, so she didn’t use pseudonyms. Since it was unlikely that students from the academy, where magic was frequently used, would visit the pharmacy, she thought there was no need to be so cautious.

The heavily damaged door opened again today with a slightly eerie sound.

“Welcome. ――Ah, Thomas-san.”

“Hello, Sheila-chan.”

Thomas, who was more of an old man who spent most of his time chatting with Amy rather than being a regular, squinted at her as if he were watching over his grandchildren.

“It’s good to have more girls, isn’t it? The exterior is a bit suspicious, but the air seems to lighten up.”

“Oh, isn’t that a terrible thing to say? It’s a one-woman operation, so it can’t be helped if things are a little out of place, can it? If you say so much, Thomas-san should do the repairs.”

As expected of a regular customer, Thomas was used to Amy’s low voice and sulking.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Please don’t be cruel to this old man.”

“I agree. It’s going to be a burden on his lower back, and I’m against it.”

When Sheila interjected seriously, they both burst out laughing at the same time. It was a joke.

Even though she knew it, she kept getting drawn in by their banter over and over again. Every time she was teased, she always swore to herself that she would never interfere again.

Sheila decided to concentrate on making medicine for Thomas that would help his back pain.

There were many causes of back pain, but in his case, aging was the main reason. Therefore, the ingredients needed were: foxglove, cornelian cherry, nagaimo, water plantains, tuckahoe, and tree peony. Thomas’ hands and feet tended to get a burning sensation easily, so it was more suitable for his constitution to make it without cassia and dried aconite root.

Amy and Tomas, sitting at a table by the window, warmly watched Sheila as she proceeded with her work with an air of familiarity.

As she was wrapping up the finished medicine for each dose, she heard the door open again. Although it was a store that was tucked away in a back alley, there were surprisingly many customers.

He was a kind, droopy-eyed young man, probably in his mid-twenties.

“Welcome, is this your first time here?”

“Oh my, Norman-san. What’s wrong?”

Amy immediately stood up. Apparently, this wasn’t his first visit to the store.

Norman was surprised by Sheila’s presence and stopped at the storefront. Sheila blinked at him as he kept eye contact with her.

“Sheila, this is Norman-san. He’s a glass artisan. Last time he came to our store, he was burned on the job.”

“I see. Nice to meet you, Norman-san, my name is Sheila. How are you today?”

After she bowed without saying her family name, Norman finally came to himself. In his haste to remove his hand from the doorknob, he hit his head on the door.

“Are you all right?!”

Sheila rushed over and put her hand on the back of his head. She became increasingly concerned as Norman turned bright red and stiffened.

“How’s the pain? It doesn’t seem to be bleeding, but you might want to go see a doctor.”

“I-I’m fine! As you can see, I am perfectly healthy! I’m very sturdy!”

Norman stood up quickly, and with a bright red face, turned his back and ran out the door.

Sheila, who was left behind, was stunned. Somehow, it felt like déjà vu.

“…. Um, your medicine….”

Since he came to the pharmacy, he must’ve had something to do.

Norman’s back was quickly lost in the crowd as he furiously ran away. Sheila tilted her head helplessly as she stared at him.

Then, she heard giggles and laughter leaking from behind her.

She turned around to see Amy and Thomas laughing as if they were having a good time.

“…. Was there something funny?”

“Fufufu….. It’s nothing.”

“Ah, youth.”

She had no idea why he said that, but the two adults just kept laughing.

Amy eventually got up from his seat with a smile on his face, and then he suddenly hugged Sheila. His hair smelled like flowers.

“As expected, girls are very cute! I wish I could have a baby girl!”

She still didn’t know why Amy felt that way, but Sheila, who had seen his motherly figure for a short time, thought it would be wonderful if his wish really came true.

She huffed as she thought about that. If only there was a masculine woman who could catch his eyes, everything would be settled.

“I’m sure that somewhere out there, there might be a woman dressed as a man who will appreciate you, Amy-san.”

“That’s right, I won’t give up. Thank you, Sheila-chan.”

While saying that, the two looked at each other. Both of them had an idea of who the woman dressed as a man was.

Amy was determined not to let her go, so he grabbed Sheila’s hands tightly.

“Sheila-chan! Yes, this was meant to be! I can’t wait to hold my dream child in my arms! Once you decided, we’ll get married right away!”

“W-wait, nothing has been decided.”

Her first marriage proposal was very simple. It was simpler than a verbal promise between children because it wasn’t accompanied by emotions…

Unable to be moved or anything, Sheila quieted her excited boss.

“Amy-san, I think you’re thinking too far. I’m only dressed as a man because I have to, not because I’m interested in that kind of thing.”

As she slightly pushed his shoulder to distance herself, his scarlet eyes immediately moistened.

“Do you hate me?”

“I-I like you, but…..”

“Yay, thank you! I love you too! That settles everything!”

“I didn’t mean I like you like that…”

Sheila was once again crushed in a hug. Amy, because of his height, was pressing her against his stuffed chest, nearly suffocating her. She couldn’t escape, as she was no match in actual arm strength.

“Ideally, it would be girl, girl, boy, in that order! Sheila, I’ll make you happy!”

Sheila’s eyes turned hazy as he dropped a kiss on her cheek.

“I feel like the genders are reversed……”

She didn’t even have the energy to keep denying it.

Sheila looked on grudgingly as Thomas, who was getting carried away, clapped his hands in celebration.

Translator Notes:

1. Because it’s been somewhat confirmed that Amy’s a male, I changed the pronouns. ↵

2. An aide-de-camp is a personal assistant or secretary to a person of high rank, usually a senior military, police, government officer, or a member of a royal family. ↵