Volume 5 Chapter 2.1 (1/2)

Translator: Mar

Editor: Jacinta

The solemn atmosphere of the day had completely changed. The great hall of the Purple Peony Court was decorated with flowers and magical gems, which made it look even more grand. A celebration was being held. Delegations from countries from all over the world were present. They were all dressed up in fine clothes, and I could watch those beautiful garments to my heart’s content. Of course, I also wasn’t wearing the daytime formal dress either. I put on a gorgeous orchid-pink dress which suited the occasion, as I was standing next to the man playing one of the leading roles in Valgentum. He was wearing deep purple garments. People around us were looking at him but he stood silently without meeting anyone’s eyes, occasionally sipping on bubbly white wine from a flute glass he was holding. He didn’t wear his usual black robes. This look was quite refreshing to my eyes, but I was so flustered that I wasn’t really aware of what was being said to me.

I couldn’t help it, though, could I? It might sound like an excuse, but I had always had a soft spot for uniforms and suits. Incidentally, I also loved how the dressed up ladies looked, of course.

For those reasons, the great hall was a boundless sight for sore eyes. In my heart I thought it was a good thing that no man of valor approached my husband, as I continued to watch other people.

All around the spacious hall, the royals were surrounded by ambassadors and different members of the delegations’ entourage. The Princess smiled radiantly, as she was used to doing. The Head Knight of the Chivalric Order was chatting and cracking jokes, making people around him laugh. The Hero looked a bit perplexed, but he had an invigorating smile on his face. I only felt a bit sorry for Widnichol. He was surrounded by women taller than him and even from a distance I could clearly see how flustered he was. I wanted to somehow help him, but in this situation I would merely be an addition to the party and if I tried to awkwardly interrupt a conversation, I might somehow make our state of affairs worse. In this situation all I could do was to silently send him my support and cheer him in my heart.

Except for the man standing next to me, all of Valgentum’s dignitaries were still unmarried, so there were no other wives present. I heard that not only the aristocrats from our country, but also ones from other countries were aiming for formal marriage interviews. This evening was a great chance for them to catch other people’s attention, as it was impossible for the authorities from other countries to overlook them here.

I instantly thought that this celebration could be called a Grand Formal Marriage Meeting Party. If I didn’t exist, the man next to me would probably also be approached by other nobles and flooded with offers of marriage meetings. It’s… no, frankly, this picture wasn’t funny at all.

「What is it?」

「Huh?」

「There’s a frown on your forehead.」

「Oh.」

I shouldn’t have, it’s no good. I had scowled just now. He was looking at me as if about to ask if I was tired. He started to get closer but I stopped him, as I shook my head「It’s nothing.」. It’s not like I could tell him that I selfishly got jealous by imagining him being surrounded by people wanting to talk about marriage.

The people who knew us well often said that this man was keeping me to himself to the extent of wanting to bind me with a rope, but from his own point of view it was nothing of the sort. I, as much as anyone, felt the desire to monopolize and couldn’t help but feel jealous. He probably didn’t think about such things too much.

He didn’t look fully convinced, but he sensed that I didn’t feel like saying anything more, so he simply said 「I see.」and withdrew. I was satisfied, as I could go back to looking around the room. People around us were chatting pleasantly and occasionally looking in our direction, like I mentioned before. Nobody was approaching him not because I was with him but as expected, because of his black hair, his jet black hair. Sometimes, when somebody turned towards us or secretly looked at him, they lowered their voices and talked between each other. Even if they were saying something flattering, I wouldn’t say it was a pleasant feeling.