Book 9: Chapter 4: A Dull Play (1/2)
After parting ways with Barney, Monica headed for the school gate area. When arrived, she soon found Lana standing there, accompanied by a well-dressed middle-aged man. He must be Baron Colette, Lana's father.
”Monica! Over here!”
Monica trotted over to Lana, who began to introduce her to her father cheerfully.
”Monica, this is my father. And father, this is the girl I always mention in my letters, Monica.”
”Oh, so you're Monica. Nice to meet you. I'm Baron Collete, Lana's father.”
Baron Colette smiled amiably at Monica while playing with his mustache.
He was a well-built, middle-aged man, and much like Lana, he's also got flaxen hair. He dressed in luxurious but strangely not looked crude. Perhaps he has a knack for matching outfits. Just like his daughter, he's got a sense of style.
Monica was nervous, but she tried her best not to sound rude.
”Um, I've been in Lana's care until now…”
”Please don't be. It's also my pleasure to have you as my daughter's friend… hmm.”
Baron Colette stroked his chin and looked at Monica with narrowed eyes. The expression on his face was very similar to Lana's when she examined Monica's clothes and hairstyle.
”I see…she's just like the person I imagine when I read the letter…indeed, I can picture the bright green colored dress that you wore at twelve would perfectly fit for her. Oh, right, I have already delivered the tailored dress to your room, Lana. You can check it out later.”
Apparently, Lana had asked her father to tailor a dress for Monica to wear to the ball tonight.
Baron Colette looked at his daughter and gave her a rather proud look.
”The ruffles around the shoulders of that dress were too childish for a girl of her age, weren't they? So I had the seamstress remove the sleeves to give the upper body a sleek design. But in exchange, I added a large ribbon at the waist and made the ruffles and drapes flow diagonally from there to give it more substance.”
”Right, right! Dresses with elaborate drapes are more popular these days…”
”I know right? I think I've done a good job for myself. You can expect a lot from it.”
”I expect no less from my dad!”
”By the way, I've made a ribbon out of leftover fabric. I think that would be lovely to braid it into her hair.”
”That's a wonderful idea! I'll definitely do that!”
Monica could hardly understand the conversation between Lana and Baron Colette, but it seemed that Baron Colette had made various changes to Lana's second-hand dress.
Nevertheless, the excited look on their face when talking about this kind of topic showed that they really are father and daughter.
The way Baron Colette looked at her daughter was very gentle. Just by being near him, she can feel the deep affection that Baron Colette has for his only daughter.
…father.
Monica's father, who was unfashionable and socially awkward, might be different from Lana's father. But, the gentle look they gave at their daughter was similar.
Monica felt nostalgic yet melancholy as she watched the father-daughter exchange quietly.
＊ ＊ ＊
It was decided Monica would watch the outdoor play with Baron Collete and his daughter together. As the play was the main attraction of the festival, most of the chairs were occupied, though there was still some time before the curtain went up. Some of them even were watching from the balconies and windows of the school building.
As Monica sat down in an empty seat, she heard Lynn's voice, who was keeping an eye in disguise as a little bird.
”The Second Prince has taken his seat. He is seated diagonally in front of you.”
Monica checked Felix's position, moving only her eyes enough to not be incongruous, and saw Felix had seated in a special seat up ahead along with a group of nobles who seemed to be guests of honor.
But Lynn's words didn't stop.
”Also, about Lord Louis who'll be mingling with the common people as planned…”
What about Louis?
”He's sat right behind you, Miss [Silent Witch].”
”Eh!?”
Someone kicked her chair from behind when she let out a strange yelp. Monica gulped and turned around in horror to find that, just as Lynn had said, Louis Miller, the [Barrier Magician], was sitting cross-legged right behind her. His wife, Mrs. Rosalie, was also sitting next to him.
Louis gave her a beautiful smile when Monica met his eyes.
”Pardon me. I seem to have bumped my foot on your chair.”
”N-No, it's okay…”
When Monica turned awkwardly forward, Lana poked Monica's arm and whispered in her ear.
”Hey! Wasn't the person sitting right behind you Louis Miller the Seven Sage?”
”…uh, well…”
”He's known for his title as the dragon slayer, you see! Oh, my God. Oh, my God. I never thought I'd see him in person…”
Lana's voice bounced with excitement.
Louis had been a remarkable magician in the kingdom even before he became one of the Seven Sage because of his outstanding achievements in defeating dragons.
In addition to his ability, his beautiful appearance is said to have attracted the attention of various women.
If you ask people to name all of the Seven Sage, the first or second name that would come up would be Louis Miller. Incidentally, Monica Everett, the [Silent Witch] had the least presence among the Seven Sages to even get questioned, ‘who's the Seventh Sage, again?'
And Lana, who kept saying ‘oh my God' excitedly, had no idea that the person who was sitting beside her was Louis' colleague and also one of the Seven Sages.
Ugh, why was Louis sitting right behind me…
As Monica held her hurting stomach, she heard Lynn's voice.
”Incidentally, Lord Louis had arrived first.”
Ugh…!
In other words, the kick on her chair earlier was a message from Louis, ”Why are you sitting in front of me of all people, you stupid girl?”
I'm sorry, I'm sorry. It was a coincidence. I didn't notice iiiiiiit…
Monica stroked her hurting stomach and waited for the play to start.
Eventually, the curtain rose on the stage.