The Villainous Young Lady Would Even Risk Her Life for Her Beloved ～ Her Fiancé, the Prince? By All Means, Please Be Happy with the Heroine! - Chapter 1.22

“I don’t want to go to consort training anymore.”

“I see.”

Eliza continued preparing my outfit as if she hadn’t heard a word I said.

“I mean, is it really necessary? I get along well enough with Prince Leonhart as it is.”

“That’s true.”

She said this while calmly brushing my hair.

“I can just study at home instead.”

“You’re being quite stubborn today.”

Maria showed a bit more concern, but like Eliza, she continued making preparations for my departure.

“Waaahhh! Lord Finley is gone!”

The reason I had been sulking all morning was that Lord Finley had finally returned to his family’s estate. This meant 98% of the enjoyment I found in the royal castle had vanished overnight. His brother, Fred, had fully recovered, and a celebration was being held in his honor.

Apparently, Fred had been hovering on the brink of death, which was why his recovery had taken so long. If they had just told me, I could have gone myself! I wanted to see my beloved’s family estate!

“You don’t have to be so upset. I’m sure he’ll return soon.”

“Geoffrey… you’re so kind! Unlike the rest of you!”

During our usual tea time, there were only four of us today—excluding Lord Finley.

At first, Geoffrey had been completely bewildered by my behavior toward Lord Finley. But at some point, had he grown used to it? Had he simply given up? Or maybe he just accepted it since Prince Leonhart did? Or perhaps he had come to the mistaken conclusion that this was just how the world worked? Whatever the reason, he was now the one most sympathetic to my emotions.

“Lydiana, stop whining about things that can’t be helped. You’ve been going on and on and on and on and on—”

“Was that six ‘on and on’s?!”

“I’ve spent the whole week consoling you! I’m sick of it!”

“Prince Leonhart, Luca, you’re both so heartless! I need kindness! Be nice to me!”

I knew this was my own fault—I had acted like a spoiled brat before regaining my memories—but the world had been treating me so coldly. I at least wanted to be pampered by those closest to me!

More than anything, I deeply regretted not preparing for this. I had always known that Lord Finley would eventually return to his estate, but I had done nothing to prepare for it.

“I need a camera.”

Luca’s eyes gleamed with interest. I would have preferred something as convenient as a smartphone, but even with magic tools, that seemed like a far-off dream.

According to Luca, he had never heard of a magic tool similar to a camera.

(But even a pinhole camera is something kids can make for a summer project. If I look hard enough, I should be able to find something like that, right?)

“A camera? What is that?”

Geoffrey reacted to the unfamiliar word.

“A camera is—!”

Surprisingly, it was Luca, not me, who eagerly answered.

“A device that creates an exact image? And instantly at that? The possible applications are endless.”

“I’d prefer video, actually.”

“Video…?”

Oops. If I kept explaining, we’d never get anywhere. I’d let Luca and Geoffrey discuss it later to their hearts’ content.

“Do you know of any magic tools with similar functions?”

“Are you referring to what we discussed after the New Year’s party? I looked into it, but no such thing exists.”

Prince Leonhart had researched it? Because he knew I wanted it?

“I haven’t heard of anything like that either. Our country doesn’t deal in magic tools much to begin with.”

If Geoffrey didn’t know, then it must not exist.

“Merchants won’t sell what they can’t profit from. That’s why they don’t carry magic tools here.”

Luca had apparently asked the merchants who visited our estate several times, but while there were books on magic tools, actual products were hard to come by.

“What kinds of magic tools do exist?”

Now that I thought about it, Luca and I had mostly talked about technology from my previous life. The only magic tools I was familiar with were the ones mentioned in the original story and the bracelet I had been forced to wear by the church.

I had long since given up on this world’s technological advancements (or rather, magical advancements). The only things I knew about were guns and crossbows that didn’t require reloading, and large-scale cannons.

“There are all sorts, but weapons are the most common.”

“Are there any used for daily life?”

“Of course. But weapons far outnumber them.”

So that’s how it was… Since Luca talked so much about household appliances, I had assumed there were more. It seemed I needed to adjust my understanding.

“I’ve heard that other countries have fewer means of repelling monsters with magic, so they must rely on such tools.”

No wonder our country looked down on magic tools. It must be because they held the belief that if you can’t fight monsters with your own magic, you’re pathetic.

“Magic tools have advanced rapidly over the past thirty years, so perhaps something like what you’re describing, Lady Lydiana, will be developed in the near future.”

“The near future, huh…”

Ideally, I wanted one ready before I saw Lord Finley again, but it seemed that wouldn’t be possible. …Or was it? There was no way I’d give up so easily!

“Is there anyone in the royal palace who is knowledgeable about magic tools?”

“As far as I know, the most knowledgeable person is Luca.”

“Wait… Are you saying my little brother is the leading expert in this country? Is that really okay?”

“Hey!”

Prince Leonhart scolded me bitterly for my remark, while Geoffrey chuckled at our exchange.

Still, if this country refused to invest in magic tools, that meant they were aware of the decline in individual magic power yet had no plans to address it. Or perhaps they had some other kind of strategy in place?

“Well, importing weapons is a delicate topic.”

“Our country takes great pride in individual strength. It’s only natural they would hesitate.”

“…But if magic tools were available in areas beyond the knights’ patrol routes, monster subjugations would become far easier.”

It seemed Prince Leonhart understood the usefulness of magic tools. In the original story, he had opposed their use, arguing that weapons in the hands of the inexperienced were dangerous. He had insisted that it was the duty of the royal family to protect the people, not to arm them.

“But if commoners gain access to such tools, they might use them to rebel against the nobility.”

I posed the question playfully, wanting to see how he would respond.

“It is the duty of the royal family to govern in a way that ensures that never happens.”

His unexpected answer left me speechless.

Everyone turned to look at him.

“It must be unbearable to be slaughtered without even the means to fight back.”

His eyes were unwavering.

A heavy silence settled over us. I knew that the gap between the capital and the outlying regions was vast, but was the disparity in safety truly that severe?

Most magic users left the countryside for well-paying jobs in the city, leaving the outskirts vulnerable. It was no wonder their defenses were weak.

“I’ll make a camera!”

“Huh?”

“A present for my adorable sister!”

Luca suddenly announced.

“I’ve always wanted to try making one. This is the perfect opportunity!”

“May I help as well?”

“Count me in!”

Geoffrey and Prince Leonhart both joined in.

“Then I’m counting on you! The deadline is before Lord Finley returns to the capital!”

“What? At least show more appreciation and excitement!”

“If you really manage to make it, I’ll cry tears of gratitude.”

Luca and I had recently resumed our late-night chats.

It was proof that his magic capacity training was progressing well.

“Do you actually know how to make one?”

I had no knowledge of cameras or their inner workings. And Luca knew that.

“Taking an idea from a world without magic and recreating it here using magic sounds like fun, doesn’t it?”

Magic tools required magic to function. That much was obvious—after all, they weren’t machines, but magic tools. However, what set them apart was that they could produce effects beyond the user’s own magical capacity.

“The problem is, our world lacks ideas. Maybe in a world without magic, people were forced to invent things to compensate for the inconvenience?”

“Or maybe it’s just not the right time yet.”

Hearing him describe a world without magic as inconvenient was surprising. I had never thought of it that way in my past life.

“Well, just wait and see. I promise it’ll be worth it.”

Luca grinned mischievously—just like Mother.