Finding the Hidden Cinderella - Chapter 7

He had already known from her voice that she was a woman, but… She looked astonishingly young.

Twenty? Twenty-three? How old could she possibly be?

There wasn’t a single wart on her face nor even the faintest wrinkle. Far from grotesque, her features were delicate and charming, her face slender and graceful. Her long, dark eyelashes quivered with embarrassment, making her look almost irresistibly adorable.

Why had she been hiding a face like that beneath such a dreary robe? No… before that… How could a wizard be this young and beautiful?

Weren’t wizards supposed to be old, sinister, and unsettling?

And she wasn’t just any wizard. She was the Grand Archmage, the greatest mage in the entire kingdom. How could someone so young hold that title? Or was she only making herself look young with magic?

“Lady Daisy?”

Aaron called out in astonishment.

Startled, she hurriedly pulled her hood back over her head, but it was already too late. He had seen her face.

“L-Let’s go.”

She hastened forward before he had the chance to ask another question.

Left with nothing but a growing list of mysteries, including why she was helping him so wholeheartedly, Aaron simply followed after her.

As they walked, one thought lingered in his mind. Daisy… It suits her perfectly.

What had the daisy flower symbolized again? Modest beauty? Innocent beauty?

‘The name suits her…’

It suited the face that had flushed crimson with embarrassment.

Whoever had given her that name had chosen well.

◇ ◆ ◇

“The first young lady you’ll be meeting is Miss Dolores, the second daughter of Viscount Alonzo. According to the records, she attended last night’s ball.”

“The woman I remember had blonde hair and wasn’t particularly well-endowed.”

At Aaron’s remark, Grand Archmage Daisy Freyan nodded.

“Miss Dolores is said to be blonde… and rather modestly endowed.”

“I see.”

Modestly endowed.

Aaron stole a glance at Daisy.

Her robe concealed her figure completely, but wasn’t this adorable little wizard probably rather modestly endowed as well?

Noticing his gaze, Daisy looked back at him. Their eyes met.

She was the first to speak.

“Aren’t you leaving?”

“Huh?”

“You don’t happen to not know where Viscount Alonzo’s mansion is… do you?”

“Of course I know where it is. But surely you’re not saying I’m supposed to go by myself?”

“Should I accompany you?”

“You said you’d help me find her.”

“And I did. I used magic to create the slippers for you. I also found the list of unmarried young ladies who attended the ball last night. At this point, shouldn’t you be able to manage the rest on your own?”

“No, but since you were involved from the beginning, couldn’t you stay with me until this is all over…?”

“Sir Schmidt.”

Daisy looked at him with an expression of quiet exasperation.

Seeing that, Aaron clasped his hands together.

Summoning every ounce of charm he possessed, he looked up at her with the most pitiful expression he could manage, like an abandoned kitten pleading for mercy.

“I honestly don’t think I can do this by myself. Even if I find a young lady whose foot fits the slipper, you’re the only one who can confirm whether she’s really the woman I’m looking for.”

“And why should I be the one to verify that?”

“Because I can’t remember her face. But you’re a wizard. I’m sure you can use magic to uncover the truth.”

“……”

“Please…”

“Be honest, Sir Schmidt. You’re simply embarrassed to go around doing this on your own.”

She had hit the nail on the head.

Daisy was absolutely right.

Going from house to house by himself and saying, “Would you mind trying on this slipper?” or, “Were you the young lady who spent the night with me at the ball?” was mortifying.

After all, when someone had to do something utterly embarrassing, it was always easier if there was someone standing beside them.