Chapter 58 (2/2)

Even though I remembered that, even though I pictured him as an expert at handling women, it didn’t fit at all with this weakness against being wooed.

It was just such a surprise to hear.

Feeling like I’d gotten a peek at another of Leon’s secrets, my mood was unexpectedly chipper.

“Hahaha, I understand. At any rate, today is a happy day. Please, this way.”

Leon’s att.i.tude just rolled right off him. Chuckling, Croteaux opened the large double doors.

“Wow… — ahem.”

The moment they swung open, dazzling light escaped from within.

The chamber was s.p.a.cious, luxuriously appointed from floor to ceiling. Lights burned in every possible place; it was a lone island of radiance in the night, like the corner of a different world. Then there were the people, wearing a rainbow of suits and dresses. It was a dazzling scene in more than one sense.

I hastily swallowed back the noise of admiration that inadvertently came out of my mouth.

As I stiffened, overpowered by the spectacle, old man Croteaux whispered in my ear.

“Lady Christine, your arm.”

His voice abruptly breaking me out of my stupor, I grew fl.u.s.tered as I took charge of my heart, then lightly grasped the arm Leon was holding out to me with a natural ease.

That was dangerous. I almost slipped up. Hardly surprising, considering the rush job my whole act was.

While I was loaded down with the feeling that I’d messed up right off the bat, Leon caught my eye and smiled slightly, before he stepped forward into the party proper.

As soon as we entered the hall full of friendly conversation, the area around us grew quiet, and I found myself the target of many curious gazes. The diffident and presumptuous mixed together, and I lowered my face in response.

— Straighten the back, draw back the chin slightly. Eyes, directly ahead.

Karen’s words echoing in my head, I straightened my posture, mindful of my breathing.

I’ve come this far. Am I not going to see this through to the end? A strange spirit of self-control budded in my heart. Flimsy as this veneer was, I put a d.a.m.n lot of effort into it. It’d be a waste if I didn’t show it.

Following Leon, I took a graceful step forward.

I couldn’t be tense. I revealed my face. Softened my expression. Throwing out my chest, I moved my feet forward.

Now that I get a good look at them, this sure is a bunch of big-shots. Gradually, I came to take a kind of pleasure in advancing confidently under the weight of such people’s gazes. Not by myself, but together with Leon.

Of course, I knew to correct for the weight of Leon’s standing as a prince, but as a former adventurer — and slave, to boot — walking with the eyes of the aristocracy on me was something I never would’ve even dreamed of.

What’s more, those weren’t looks of reproach or scorn, but admiration, wonder, longing — they were all affirming in nature.

Even if it raises my spirits, what can I do?

“Prince Leon. You’ve arrived early today.”

“Lord Silverbark. When did you get back to the capital?”

Suddenly, a voice broke through my reverie.

It wasn’t for me, but for Leon.

Just based on looks, the man gave the impression of a heavily bearded grandfather. Like Leon, he was dressed in a military uniform. Slightly overweight, the roundness softened his features, but one of his eyes was covered by an eyepatch, and there was no hiding the large scars running down his face.

A long-time military man. He was probably no ordinary person.

The man was accompanied by an elegant older woman. I bet you ten-to-one that she’s Gramps’s wife.

“The day before yesterday. I find this season unbearable in the south,”

Lord Silverbark remarked with a laugh. Not a bad guy, don’t you think? If I had to describe the atmosphere around him, it had a relatively working cla.s.s feel to it.

Though there was a III visible on his uniform. Probably the general of the Third Division, or something along those lines. In any case, this was a party in the heart of the imperial capital. No matter who showed up, it wouldn’t be weird at all.

“Prince Leon. This lady is?”

Surprisingly soft-spoken, the older woman looked at me as she addressed Leon. That is, well, I guess people would be curious.

Like Croteaux said, it seemed that Leon usually attended late, and alone.

“Ah, Lady Silverbark. And General Silverbark, as well. Allow me to introduce you. This is Christine Rouelle Felmiran. A personage with whom I have a long-standing acquaintance, who is now in my care.”1

‘Personage’, is it? Don’t make it sound so fancy.

Finding a strange nuance in words as I listened to him describe me, slightly red, I gave the couple a slight curtsy.

“Felmiran, is it… Of the Marquis family?”

The ‘personage’ part aside, it was my name that the two of them reacted to. A slight tremble ran through my body on instinct.

That’s right. Here, there are sure to be people who know me… well, [Chris]. There’s nothing unusual about that at all. But if I run into them, won’t it blow my cover?

Slightly fl.u.s.tered, I s.h.i.+fted my gaze, and just my gaze, over to Leon. He was… completely composed.

“That’s correct. However, it’s a bit of a long story…”

No kidding.

Inwardly, I felt like giving Leon the stink-eye, hearing him speak so shamelessly.

“Is that so? We all have our circ.u.mstances.”

Madam Silverbark took his meaning with a genteel grace. She looked at me with kind eyes.

Somehow I felt like I’d committed a great wrong without even doing anything, but I swallowed and inclined my head in affirmation.

“That aside, Prince. You were dispatched to the north? How was the situation there? What — ”

“Goodness. Despite the presence of such a lovely woman, that man… Miss Christine, it seems the men want to have a dismal discussion, so if you like, why don’t we keep each other company? I would like to hear your story. As would the onlookers, I’m sure. I’d also like to introduce you to everyone. Along with your adorable attendant, of course.”

Noticing the general quickly lose interest in me and strike up a conversation with Leon, Missus, no, Mistress, uh, Lady Silverbark made that proposal to me.

She was speaking with the best of intentions, I’m sure. I hadn’t the slightest doubt about that.

But would it be okay for me to separate from Leon? Me? That’s too nerve-wracking.

I glanced over at Leon. He gave me a nod. No, that’s not it. Save me.

“I am Claritte. Call me Clare.”

While my pulse was running a mile a minute, she continued with the conversation.

It was like Leon was pus.h.i.+ng me into a bottomless abyss. After that nod, he didn’t look my way once, but instead immersed himself in talking about something with the general. How’s the war and so on. Filthy traitor.

“…Then, please feel free to call me Chris, Lady Clare. This is my attendant, Palmira.”

It can’t be helped. Resigning myself to the impossibility of escape, I bowed my head to Lady Silverbark.

As thankful as I was that I invited Palmira to come, now I’d gotten her wrapped up in this mess. Honestly, I was worried about being alone in the trenches.

“Chris it is. Shall we take that table over there? Oh, and cute Miss Attendant. How old are you?”

“Fourteen, Lady Silverbark.”

Telling the truth would’ve been more trouble than it was worth. Palmira sidestepped the issue on the spot.

…Hey, that’s the actual truth, right? She’s actually fourteen, right?

“To be young and yet so proper is quite admirable. But there’s no need to stand on ceremony. I wouldn’t mind if you called me Clare as well, you know?”

“Thank you very much, Lady Clare.”

Exceedingly shrewd, Palmira was somehow incredibly reliable.

Even though she should have received just the bare minimum of training. What did that make Aira and me?

Occupied by such thoughts, I began to walk after Clare while listening to the already rapid succession of topics flying between her and Palmira.

Author’s Notes

Thinking of the schedule, I churned out one chapter.

Sorry…

Footnotes

1. 故あって、私が保護しているひとです — Chris repeats ひとです like it’s got some special nuance to it, but I don’t get why. ↵

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