Chapter 61 - Volume 2 (1/2)

Fernan, you, what kind of face are you making?」

I muttered, having returned my brother’s gaze, which had been staring this way, and seeing that expression.

His face looked as if he had something sweet, or maybe bitter, but something strange-tasting in his mouth. My inner thought, 「What a waste.」 whether or not he could sense that, he clenched his fists and ground his teeth, bitterly saying, 「It’s exxxtremely irritating, but that man’s selection looks very good on you. Today, you look even more lovely than usual.」

「Thanks. That makes me happy to hear.」

Although his complement might have been thanks to his sister complex filter. Yes, the reason that, after all this time, my brother had not had any stories about girls, was the because he always had a sister complex. My former self had been an only child, so when first got a brother, I thought he was unbearably cute, and spoiled him terribly, and this was the result. I felt a stinging sense of guilt. It was about time he got over it though, and found a girl who would become my younger sister-in-law.

「It’s been a long time, hasn’t it, since I served as your escort.」

He said in a high-spirited voice, completely unaware of that wish of mine. Then I realized,

「You, did you not receive any other invitations from any noble girls?」

If you disregarded his complex, this brother of mine was the son of the esteemed Adina bloodline. He was handsome, with a gentle character, thanks to my training him to treat girls with kindness when we were younger. Even if he wasn’t escorting me, he should have gotten invitations from at least two or three noble girls. His eyes, the same color as mine, blinked, as if in surprise.

「Why would I want to escort any girl other than my sister?」

I had no reply. To say that so plainly, he was already beyond saving. I only wished that, if possible, some girl would appear that would knock some sense into him.

「It’s about time. Well, then, shall we be off?」

「Yes. I’ll be in your care, Fernan.」

Taking his proffered hand, we headed to the carriage stopped outside the entranceway. Our mother and the wet nurse said their goodbyes, and my brother helped me into the carriage. Our destination was the Purple Peony Court, which was the home of the royal castle.

Inside the carriage, my brother repeated over and over again, to not overdo it, enough to make me start to feel uneasy. Each time, I simply nodded in response, and in what felt like no time, we had arrived.

「Sister, are you okay?」

My brother had exited first and extended his arm to help me out. I nodded silently. Having come this far, I couldn’t turn back now.

The second my new shoes, which were comparably comfortable to wear, hit the ground, I felt as if all eyes had turned simultaneously turned our way. I could sense those glances sizing me up, from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. Then, some talk furtively worked its way through the crowd, and I began to feel ashamed. The sensation of being an outsider was unbearable. While some of it was simply me being overly self-conscious, there was definitely a part of it that wasn’t just in my imagination. As proof, my brother, pulling my hand, and looking very proud of himself, laughed and whispered into my ear,

「Look. Everyone is enthralled by your beauty.」

「Fernan, I think it is just the fact that this dress is so unusual.」

「That’s not true. Even if it were, the only one who could pull off such a dress is you.」

As he continued, telling me to be confident, I smiled wryly. He really was a good brother. I was glad that I hadn’t come alone. Thanks to this brother of mine, I was able to stand in this place.

The large doors, carved with an intricate image of a peony, opened wide, and the crowd began to migrate into the reception hall. The light from the chandeliers, intricately made from magical gemstones, was dazzling. The spacious reception hall was already filled with a large number of the aristocracy. It looked livelier than I had expected.

The interior was loud with boisterous conversation. Slipping through the gazes that seemed to traverse my whole body, I settled down in a corner. I hadn’t seen the princess’s figure yet. Although, it was natural for the host to make her appearance late.

After talking with my brother for a little, the orchestra’s music suddenly changed. My brother grabbed my hand.

「Sister, since we’re here and all, for once song at least, would you…」

「Sir Fernan」

At that moment, a cute voice cut in. A petite girl wearing a light pink dress was looking at us. There was no need to ask what she wanted. Her cheeks were flushed red and her moist eyes stared at my brother. But my brother, not appearing to notice her intentions, blinked in puzzlement. His thick-headedness made my head hurt. Looking at the girl curiously, I lightly pushed my brother toward her.

「Have fun, Fernan. Don’t occupy yourself with just me.」

I pushed my brother, who looked like he wanted to say something, once more, more firmly than the first time. He finally rose, and took the girl’s hand, heading to the ring of people dancing to the music.

Watching them leave, I breathed a sigh. Since the music had changed to be danced to, the gazes fixed on me had abated somewhat, although I still couldn’t calm down. If this kept on, maybe I’d better stick to the wall and wait for a good chance to escape. Having decided that, I watched the group of dancers.

「Filmina?」

A familiar voice called out my name. I stood reflexively, and turned to see a familiar group of noble ladies, who crowded around me at once.

「It was Filmina after all! It has been such a long time. You must tell me about that dress.」

「It is so beautiful. Which dressmaker made it?」

「The shape is lovely, and this cloth has a wonderfully curious hue. As if it was cut out of the sunset!」

「It looks very good on you. It makes you give off a completely different atmosphere than usual, at first I didn’t even recognize you.」

I was overwhelmed by the barrage of complements. Feeling extremely embarrassed, I hung my head, and my friends giggled good-naturedly.

「I don’t know how to put this, but you always wear conservative dresses, so I was worried.」

「And here we are at this wonderful party, and you’re acting like a wallflower again.」

「Everyone agrees that it’s such a waste.」

No, but that’s because I’m already married, and I’m not good with standing out at this kind of affair anyway. I hadn’t considered that that might make my friends worry.

I smiled vaguely at their teasing faces. Suddenly, one of them said, 「Come to think of it, did everybody hear?」

「Hear what?」