Book 7: Chapter 11: Based on Chess (2/2)
”How deplorable!”
Benjamin shook out his flaxen hair and gazed up at the ceiling.
”Love is supposed to be a more passionate and emotionally stirring affair! There is no beauty in it! That proposal is not musically beautiful! Not even close to being a bad piece of music!”
Benjamin expressed his sorrow with his whole body and started to talk about his own theory of how love was supposed to be. The situation was about to get out of hand when Elliot, the group leader, got the role of mediator, took over.
”Oh, you know what? Music and all that aside, now… what kind of proposal was that? I'd let it a slide if it was a normal engagement, but an engagement based on chess, this is my first time hearing of it.”
”I apologize for my lack of words! Let me explain my thoughts now, and I hope that Miss Norton could give it positive consideration!”
Roberto continued to speak in an upright position and in a ridiculously serious manner.
”I was struck by Miss Norton's chess. She is the first person of her age who has been able to overwhelm me. If I could, I would love to play more chess with her…but we are from different schools and have nothing in common. However! Being engaged would give us a reason to meet on weekends and during long vacations! We can play chess there to the fullest! Therefore, I would like to ask you to propose you to become my fiancée, Miss Norton!”
Indeed, the meant of ”an engagement based on chess” were true to its words, and the explanation was foolishly honest.
”Wow… he's so selfish, it's almost refreshing.”
”…it's not so musical… not even beautiful…”
Even though Elliot and Benjamin's faces were scrunched up, Roberto continued to speak with no concern for them.
”I am the fifth son of a baron in the Randall Kingdom. Perhaps, I won't be able to inherit the title, but I plan to join the Randall Knights eventually. Those who excel in chess can become candidates for the commander of the knight order. I pride myself on the fact that my future is quite secure! And my family, the baronial family, is free of debts! Both of my parents are upstanding! I'm on good terms with my brothers! I also have three dogs! Please feel free to consider marrying into our family at ease!”
The situation has gone too far.
A-A-Anyway, I have to decline…
In the first place, Monica Norton was her temporary identity. Her true identity was that of one of the Seven Sages who was infiltrating school as the second prince's bodyguard. The engagement was not possible.
”I-I'm sorry! I… I-I can't…!”
”Why? Do you already have a fiancé?”
”I-I don't, but…”
What a stupidly honest answer, Elliot thought as he looked at Monica in amazement. However, Monica was not skilled enough to tell an appropriate lie in such a situation. When Monica fidgeted around, Roberto urged her further.
”If you are worried about marrying into another country, please rest assured. I will do my best to support you in every aspect of your life: lifestyle, language, and social circles. I want you to feel comfortable in your own life and let you focus on chess.”
”No, I mean, I'm… I'm sorryyyyyyyyyyy!”
Unable to stand it any longer, Monica flew out from behind Elliot's back and ran towards the hallway. Despite her shabby and pathetic running style, it was Monica's way of running as fast as she could.
”Miss Norton! I haven't done talking…”
When Roberto tried to follow Monica, a pair of hands suddenly pressed on both of his shoulders. Felix had his hand on his right shoulder, and Cyril had his hand on his left.
It looked like a slight tap on the shoulder to the casual observer, but if one looked closely, the pressure was strong enough to cause wrinkles on the clothes.
”Excuse me, she's a member of our student council. Why don't you talk to me about it first?”
”You're behaving inappropriately in an exchange gathering. As a student council member, I can't overlook this.”
Felix was smiling, but his eyes weren't. On the other hand, Cyril has a cold, indifferent expression on his face, spreading cold air. And Elliot, his face tightened at the sight of impending chaos.