"That's Saten-san and Uiharu-san... What are they doing?"
Unlike Selene, Misaka Mikoto didn't recognize the two British princesses and was scanning the area for a certain spiky-haired boy. Then, she also caught sight of Saten Ruiko and Uiharu Kazari peeking around by the balcony.
"Sneaking around like that... Honestly, Uiharu is so ill-mannered."
Though her words were harsh, Shirai Kuroko was clearly concerned. She nodded at Selene and vanished with a flicker.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
"Seriously, what are you two up to?"
The two little sneaks were immediately caught by Shirai Kuroko.
They'd been discovered!
"Kyaa—"
To Uiharu Kazari, who had just been tugging back and forth with Saten, everything around her suddenly shifted. Hearing the familiar voice tinged with disapproval, she froze in panic, not even recognizing who it was.
"Ah! We've been caught! We're totally going to be mistaken for assassins and beheaded!"
And then, eyes rolling back, Uiharu looked like she was about to faint.
"Ah, Senpai, Shira... Uh, hey hey hey, this is the 21st century, you know? What's going on in that head of yours? Read too many medieval princess stories or what? Beheading, seriously, I don't even know what to say."
Saten Ruiko was much quicker on the uptake. Realizing the stares around them, she gave an awkward chuckle and quickly caught the collapsing Uiharu.
She was honestly impressed. Sure, you might admire the elite ladies of Tokiwadai, but reacting like this just from meeting real princesses?
"What happened to your ladylike manners? Seriously, Saten-san, that butt-up sneaking posture of yours needs work! And Uiharu, why are you goofing off too? Our guests are all nobility..."
Fixing her slightly messy bangs, Shirai Kuroko folded her arms and stared sternly at the two.
"Beheading? Who's getting beheaded?"
Misaka Mikoto immediately picked up on the oddity in Saten Ruiko's words.
"Ah, well about that..."
Before Saten could finish, Uiharu shot her hand up and exclaimed, "I know!" She turned to Selene with a solemn gaze.
Selene couldn't help but smile—was it just her, or did she see a burning spirit of determination in that otherwise delicate look?
"So... Uiharu, what do you want to ask?"
"Were those two princesses your classmates during your studies outside Academy City, Senpai? They came all this way during the Daihasei Festival just to cheer you on, right? As expected of Senpai—to have even royalty and a private garden in the School Garden... Aaah! I've decided, Senpai, please let me be your personal reporter for the duration of the Daihasei Festival!"
"...."
Saten Ruiko was left speechless by Uiharu's antics. She knew it—it was happening again. She tugged on Uiharu's collar and muttered, "Hey, what about me?"
But Uiharu didn't notice and passionately declared, "I've lifted all restrictions!"
Then, clasping her hands and gazing skyward, her eyes sparkled like stars. "Ah, to have met Selene-senpai... I'm truly fulfilled. Everything I've seen and heard here is beyond what our school could ever hope to achieve..."
Watching her glow with saintly fervor after her burst of passion, Selene's eye twitched. Nearby, Misaka Mikoto and the others also twitched in sync.
"Well, whatever... Now, how do we snap her out of this state again?"
Oh! An updraft!
Whoosh—!
"Waaah—! What are you doing, Selene-senpai?!"
Frantically pressing down her skirt, Uiharu Kazari snapped back to normal, her face turning a deep red.
"Ahem, wasn't that always how Saten woke you up, Uiharu?"
"Senpai, how could you pick up Saten-san's bad habits? This is your fault, Saten-san!"
"Huh? Why am I getting blamed again?"
Selene let out a few coughs. She'd always known Uiharu had a fascination with the refined lifestyle of elite ladies, but this was the first time she'd seen her so full of fighting spirit.
Is this the charm of a real princess? Selene looked up.
The commotion also drew the attention of Carissa and Villian on the balcony. Villian lifted her skirt slightly and curtsied to Selene with a textbook ladylike gesture.
In contrast, Carissa was far more casual. She raised the saucer and teacup to chest height, then took a sip with one hand while facing Selene.
"Selene, come here," came Katie's voice from the hall as she waved at Selene.
"Pardon me. Have fun... and may all your wishes come true."
As she said the last part, Selene gave Misaka Mikoto a firm pat on the shoulder and whispered, "Just that way. Be brave. Being tsundere is so last season."
"Uuuu—!" Selene walked off laughing as Mikoto squealed adorably. "See you in a bit."
"W-What does she mean by wishes?"
Shirai Kuroko eyed the suddenly red-faced Misaka Mikoto suspiciously.
"Ahhh, nothing! Nothing! Kuroko, Saten, let's go..."
"Oh, right, Misaka-senpai..." Having calmed Uiharu down, Saten Ruiko suddenly leaned closer and whispered, "Hey, did someone like your older sister show up here today?"
"Older sister?" Mikoto stopped mid-step, tilting her head. "I'm an only child... Eh?!"
Wait a second. Older sister?
So someone who looked more mature than her, during the Daihasei Festival's open period... Mikoto suddenly had a chilling thought.
Just as her heartbeat spiked, a familiar, hearty laugh echoed from within the European-style house—and her heart skipped a beat.
Mom?!
...
"No way. Absolutely not. Don't even think about it."
Looking over the wardrobe filled with an array of extravagant dresses—some gossamer-thin, others with lace trim—Selene flatly refused.
This dress was way too form-fitting, didn't it overly accentuate her figure? And it left her back exposed... too much bare skin, lace stockings, high heels...
This was a wolf den, and she couldn't even run in it!
Under Katie's fiery gaze, Selene shifted uncomfortably.
"Oh my, little Selene, Mom does feel guilty. I never really picked out pretty clothes for my daughter while she was growing up. Now's the time to make up for it! For a party, you should wear party attire. As the host, you can't be in sportswear. Now look at this one—what do you think?"
Sure, Katie had bought her lots of pretty clothes when she was a child. But that was back then. Things were different now that she was grown.
As she matured, Selene's wardrobe gradually aligned more with Karl and Sebas' tastes. Aside from her school uniform, her usual attire at home leaned toward black, white, or gray—serious and androgynous formal wear. While there were still glamorous outfits among them, something just felt... off. Something was missing.
Katie didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
On the bright side, Selene got along great with Karl—no awkward distance between them. On the downside... it seemed like Katie's aesthetic sensibilities were completely out of sync with the rest of the family.
Fortunately, with Ferdinand's birth, Katie finally rediscovered many of the parenting experiences she'd missed with Selene.
The Daihasei Festival was the perfect rare opportunity where Selene had willingly walked into the trap—and she'd even promised she had free time. No excuses this time.
Katie's inner makeup artist and stylist were in full swing. She had already instructed Sebas to order the entire ensemble she'd picked online—rush delivery—just waiting for Selene to take the bait!
"...."
Staring at the gown that revealed a generous portion of her chest, Selene's face stiffened. In a flash, she turned to leave the dressing room.
Only for her collar to get grabbed. "Come back here."
Katie's voice brooked no refusal. Selene froze. How could her reaction time be this sharp only in moments like this?
So that's where she disappeared to this afternoon—on a shopping mission, huh?
Knowing Katie's personality, Selene realized there was no escape tonight.
"I won't interfere with your future career or lifestyle. That's for your father, teachers, and society to teach you. I'll guide you where I can. But when it comes to the etiquette of a proper lady, that falls under family upbringing—my responsibility as your mother."
Those were Katie's exact words once.
With a resigned sigh, Selene looked at the gowns Katie had picked. As expected, her mother knew her well. These dresses merely emphasized feminine elegance—subtle, not overt.
None of that celebrity red carpet nonsense with just a few strips of cloth. Even Katie wouldn't accept that, let alone Selene.
Katie's goal was simply for her daughter to understand the dress etiquette of noblewomen at palace-style banquets, with more color and flair—not to push her into idol territory.
Seeing the hopeful light in Katie's eyes, Selene waved her hand. "Alright, Mom. No need to say more. I'll wear it—but I'm choosing which one."
"Mm-hmm!"
Truth be told, Selene had rarely worn dresses that emphasized feminine allure.
Whether as an imperial general or after ascending to empress, her attire leaned toward armor, Herrscher battlewear, or ceremonial regalia—all designed to signify power, without highlighting gender.
Like those anime and drama queens, whose evening gowns dripped with sensuality—in reality, true monarchs dressed as dignified and layered as possible, steeped in symbolism, weighed down with gemstones and significance.
In short: power has no gender.
Now, stripped of her imperial majesty and authority, Selene was expected by her mother to express her femininity. Only in front of her family would she show such bashful hesitation.
At other times? Cough cough Selene was quite the player.
On that note, Senti could definitely testify.
This body wasn't even her original one—no big deal. Just think of it as a spirit-transfer dress-up session. Selene comforted herself with that thought.
...
Meanwhile, in the banquet hall of the manor—
Intern maids from Ryouran Maid School were meticulously setting up for the evening party.
On the central stage, students from the School Garden and various dance and music academies were performing their rehearsed routines.
For students, gigs like this were a common way to earn extra income during the Daihasei Festival or similar events. For example, Ryouran's intern maids often ran booths selling bento.
Private courtyard service like this? The pay was excellent.
Even while busy, their eyes inevitably drifted toward the round banquet tables.
Look, look—isn't that Tokiwadai Middle School's ace, the Level 5 "Railgun" Misaka Mikoto? And not long ago, the sixth-ranked Shokuhou Misaki also arrived. With the hostess of the party too...
Wow! The three giants of Tokiwadai all together!
"M-Mom?!"
Seeing a woman who looked like an older version of herself, Misaka Mikoto instantly turned beet red.
"...Ehhhhh?!"
Nearby, Kamijou Touma—who'd just been rambling on—snapped to attention. He stared wide-eyed at the woman who looked no older than her twenties, more like a college student than a mom. He completely lost it.
"That's your mom from Bilibili—not your older sister?!"
Oh no. What nonsense had he been spewing just moments earlier?
It was one thing to mock a naughty little sister in front of her older sibling. But spilling dirt about someone's daughter right in front of her mother?
Kamijou Touma felt his brain go blank. Face scrunched up in dismay, he muttered, "Auntie, that's just too misleading..."
"Ara, don't call me 'auntie'~ I prefer you call me 'big sister', okay?"
The woman smiled sweetly at Kamijou, then glanced at her blushing daughter. A strange look crossed her eyes.
Clearly, Mikoto had been brought in by that sparkly-eyed, honey-blonde girl, but judging by her reactions, she also had quite the connection with this boy...
Could it be that he was two-timing? Or maybe either Mikoto or the other girl was the third wheel...
No, don't overthink it. I'll grill Mikoto about it later. But really, this girl is so innocent—totally the type to get wrapped around someone's finger.
"Hoya hoya~"
At a nearby table, Kamijou Shiina smirked teasingly at her son. Resting her cheek in her hand, she glanced over at her husband.
"Oh my, wooing a girl with sweet talk, then turning around and getting entangled with a younger one? And apparently, Academy City's top-ranked esper is also his friend? Who does that sound like, hmm?"
"Ahh! This takes me back to our student days."
Kamijou Touya turned green. Looking devastated, he exclaimed, "Honey, w-what is this?! Touma's pulling this off? I never noticed before..."
"Hm?!"
"Er, cough cough... I mean, that Touma kid! So outrageous!" Touya immediately changed his expression to scold.
"Dad, Mom, stop adding fuel to the fire," Kamijou Touma said with a tragic look. "Can't you see your son is drowning in misunderstandings?"
"Oh? Then, Touma, care to explain what's going on with this well-mannered girl?"
A dark shadow loomed over Kamijou Shiina's face. She pointed at Shokuhou Misaki, who was serving tea and snacks like a perfect lady, and said sharply, "Of all things, you had to inherit your dad's flirtatious habits."
Uhh... I don't even know her.
Sure, he felt some kind of connection to this gentle, honey-haired girl, but no matter how hard he tried, Kamijou Touma couldn't recall any actual link between them.
He wanted to say, "I don't know her," but he didn't dare. If he did, his parents might just canonize him on the spot as a heartless playboy.
Misfortune!
...
Step step~
When Selene walked in wearing a formal gown, her hair styled personally by Katie, she was immediately met with a chorus of stares—all different in expression.
Hm?
What is with this weird atmosphere...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon:
Patreon.com/DaoOfHeaven