How a Realist Hero Rebuilt The Kingdom

Getting Dressed by Liscia

— Late in the 9th Month, 1,546th Year, Continental Calendar — Royal Capital Parnam —

On this day, in Liscia’s room in Parnam Castle, I, the provisional king of this country, was being fitted for a uniform. It was being done in Liscia’s room because I still had no room of my own and because the outfit I was being fitted for was a military uniform.

The fight against Army General Georg Carmine, as well as the forces of Amidonia that were massed along the border, was drawing near, so I was being fitted for the uniform I would wear to the battlefield. I couldn’t stand on the battlefield in my usual casual attire, of course. That was why I was having a military uniform prepared for me, but it was an intricate uniform with all sorts of flourishes, and I had no clue how to put it on.

Originally the maids had been going to dress me, but Liscia had offered, “Let me do it. I mean, I am... your fiancée.”

So I’d decided to ask Liscia to do it instead. Even if it was their job, I felt a lot more comfortable having Liscia, who I knew well, do it for me than a bunch of maids.

“...It doesn’t look like me,” I complained.

While Liscia was helping me get dressed, I saw my reflection in the mirror, and those words slipped out of my mouth.

The uniform that had been prepared for me was similar in design to the one Liscia usually wore, but the color was mostly black with gold buttons, embroidery and belts.

It looked so... self-aggrandizing.

“I feel almost like I’ve become a king now,” I said.

“What are you talking about? You’ve been king for a while now,” Liscia said with dismay. I don’t know why, but it felt like it had been a while since we’d had an exchange like this. Liscia came back around in front of me, looking me over closely and then nodding in satisfaction.

“But, it’s true, it does make you look like a king.”

“Don’t you think it’s a little harsh to put it that way?” I asked.

“Well, the problem’s with the way you usually dress. It’s not kingly at all.”

“If you’re going to say that, Liscia, then you don’t look even remotely like a princess, either.”

Even since the time we’d first met in the governmental affairs office, Liscia had almost always been wearing her military uniform. Not once had I seen her in a frilly dress, the kind you’d expect from a princess. When I said that to her, Liscia’s cheeks reddened a bit, she crossed her arms and looked away.

“N-Never mind. This outfit is the one that suits me best.”

It sounded a bit like she was making excuses, but... it was true. For Liscia with her well-balanced proportions, the tight-fitting military uniform suited her well.

Now, what about me? I stretched my arm out in front of me, as if giving some sort of order. The golden embroidery on the cuffs gave my motions a vibrancy they didn’t usually have.

“...Yeah, I really don’t think it suits me,” I said. “It feels like I’m trying to look more important than I am.”

“I’m telling you, you are important,” said Liscia. “You can’t lead an army if you don’t look the part. Think how it would affect your subordinates’ and the troops’ morale.”

“Ludwin and his people are the ones who’ll actually be giving the orders, though,” I said.

A king’s duties were primarily to decide on goals before the war, then deal with putting things back in order in the aftermath. Prince Gaius of Amidonia would likely lead his troops himself, but a neophyte like me couldn’t hope to imitate that. When the fighting started, I would likely leave commanding the army to Ludwin and the others.

“About my only job is to be a figurehead in the main camp,” I said.

“If you’re a figurehead, then that’s all the more reason you need to be dressed properly for the occasion,” said Liscia. “You need to be the sort of magnificent king that everyone will want to carry on their shoulders, right?”

“I suppose that makes sense...”

“It does. Besides, this uniform is there to protect you, too.” Liscia moved around behind me and the optional mantle on me.

In this world there were what were called “attachable spells.” To explain it quickly, even a cloth outfit could defend you against magic and arrows if it was enhanced with magic.

However, even if you attached the same spell to two different items, the armor that was harder to begin with would see a larger effect from it. On the other hand, armor was heavy and it reduced mobility, so those who didn’t like that would stand on the battlefield in a uniform. The personal preferences of the individual and what section of the army they belonged to (horse-mounted knights would choose armor, while those in indirect fire like archers and mages would use uniforms) would influence that decision.

The mantle belonging to this uniform had an attachable spell on it.

“But you can’t get careless,” Liscia said, jabbing a finger in my face as she looked at the mantle she had put on me. “This uniform might protect you from a stray arrow, but it can’t block magic that’s too powerful or a direct attack from a capable soldier. Don’t even think about going to the front line.”

Liscia looked concerned. I rested a hand on top of her head. “I won’t go. I know my weaknesses better than anyone.”

I petted Liscia softly on the head. However, Liscia still looked uncertain.

“But, you push yourself too hard sometimes... Hey, Souma?”

“Hm?” I asked.

“Do you really have to go out on the battlefield?” Liscia asked, her face twitching with anxiety. “You’re a figurehead, like you already said yourself. There aren’t actually that many kings who go out on the battlefield, you know? There are kings like Gaius who wants to lead his troops on an expedition, but usually a king has the people serving under him go on his behalf. Can’t you leave this to Ludwin and the others?”

“...You must know I can’t do that, right?” I asked.

When I gave that response, Liscia could say nothing.

“It’s still only been a short time since I was given the throne,” I said. “On top of that, I’m still just a kid. If I don’t go out on the battlefield, even if it is just as a figurehead, the troops will look down on me. If I want Ludwin to be able to command the troops in my place without regrets, I need to be there.”

“I know that!” Liscia shouted, then buried her face in my chest. “I know that, but... still, I’m worried! When I think about what we would do if we lost you... I... no, everyone...!”

Putting my arm around Liscia as she struggled to find the words, I gently pulled her closer to me. “Thank you for your concern.”

“...Souma.” When Liscia looked up, her eyes were moist.

I tried to give her a smile. “But I think we both ought to be worried, you know? You’re planning to go out on the battlefield, too, right? And, unlike me, you plan to give commands on the front line.”

“That goes without saying,” Liscia said, nodding as if that was only natural. It made my head hurt a little.

“For my part... I wish you’d just sit tight back in the main camp,” I said. “When I think about what I’d do if anything happened to you, I’m beside myself with worry.”

“No. This country is facing a crisis. Let me do my part,” Liscia asserted herself.

Honestly... what a tomboy princess.

“...I’m definitely sending Aisha with you, got it?” I said.

“Won’t that weaken the main camp’s defenses?” she asked.

“If I had Aisha, our strongest individual fighter, stay in the rear, I’d be wasting her talents. I’m sure Aisha wants to be on the front line, too. So, please, make sure that both of you... come back home safely.”

When I said that, Liscia smiled and gave me a hug. “You, too, Souma. I don’t want to come home to find I have no one to return to.”

“Ah... This conversation is starting to sound like a death flag,” I said.

“A death flag?”

“Lines like ‘When I get back from the war, I’m getting married,’ or ‘When we get back from the battlefield, it’s your turn to treat me,’ you know?”

“...Those should be perfectly ordinary things to say, but they sound strangely ominous. Hee hee.”

We looked at each other and laughed. So that we could chase away our worries.