Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: Cornered by the Princess
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"I'll find a way to save her somehow!"
"Hmm..."
"Er..."
I answered with all the sincerity I could muster, but all I got back were looks of doubt and worry.
"If we leave it all to that kid, we're doomed."
"I think so too."
"If we all search diligently, shouldn't we come up with something?"
"......"
Unlike my sister-in-law, whose gaze was closer to concern, my brother and mother eyed me with pure suspicion, which hurt even more.
"Sigh—"
Mother turned her head away from me with a deep sigh, then looked at my brother and sister-in-law with a grave expression.
"Edward, do you have anyone suitable around you by any chance?"
"I don't think so. Everyone around me is either taken or too young..."
"How young? Even if young, as long as she's a woman..."
"The oldest among them is five."
"Oh..."
I'm still a minor myself, but five is seriously no-go territory.
Meeting a sixty-five-year-old would draw less flak.
At least that person would be an adult.
You might get accused of gold-digging, but not of abandoning your humanity.
"Too young."
"That won't do."
"Right?"
When Mother and I both showed clear disapproval, my sister-in-law awkwardly shrugged, obviously agreeing it was a no.
"What about you, Edward?"
"I don't have anyone around William's age either."
"Hmm..."
"Should we call Caroline?"
"Mother, even so, our aunt wouldn't be appropriate."
"What can we do when no one's available? Do you think I'd drag that poor girl out leisurely for fun?"
"It's not ideal, but we have some time left, so let's keep that as a last resort."
My brother's face darkened at the mention of our long-absent aunt, and he calmed Mother down before turning to me.
"William, no one you know? Like the people at the Atelier..."
"Absolutely not."
"Pardon?"
"Mother, William's not in a position to be picky right now. If it's urgent, we use coworkers."
"I said no. William, even commoners are fine—just not that. Got it?"
"I-I'll do my best."
"Not your best. You must."
"Yes."
Mother gripped my hand tightly, pleading earnestly with her eyes.
My brother and sister-in-law looked baffled at Mother's vehement opposition, but I knew why, so I nodded and squeezed her hand back.
"......"
"B-By the way, isn't the young master's birthday right after Founding Day? October 23rd, right?"
My sister-in-law, who had been fidgeting awkwardly amid the heavy mood, broke the tension.
I often forgot because it's around Founding Day, but she remembered it perfectly.
"Ah, yes."
"Then shouldn't we prepare for the young master's birthday too?"
"Prepare what? He's the type who'd insist on keeping it low-key with family since it's burdensome."
"True... But he's been going out a lot lately, so maybe he's changed?"
"Hmmm..."
All eyes turned back to me.
"William, any plans?"
"None."
"See?"
"......"
The fragile thawing of the icy atmosphere refroze into something lethal.
My sister-in-law, realizing her best efforts had failed, bowed her head in quiet resignation.
"Haah... Let's eat first and continue this tomorrow."
We all silently picked up our forks and knives.
I don't know about the others, but that night I suffered indigestion and had to down bitter digestive medicine to fall asleep.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The next day, I headed to the Atelier with a heavy heart.
Honestly, I should be out hunting for a partner right away, but I couldn't just abandon the busy workshop, so I came in, planning to leave midway if needed.
"If anything comes up, tell Elizabeth. I have business elsewhere today, so I'm counting on you."
"Understood."
After confirming no issues, I gave instructions to the staff and left everything to Princess Elizabeth.
She could handle most things on her own anyway.
"Sir William?"
"Hm?"
As I casually left the workshop to exit the Atelier, Princess Elizabeth followed and beckoned me closer.
"What's up?"
"Can we talk for a moment?"
"About what?"
"Something about the dress."
"Hmm..."
It was tricky.
Time was tight, but this was important too.
I bit my lip, thinking a dress discussion wouldn't take long, and nodded.
"Sure."
"Then to the break room."
"Okay."
We headed to the break room, and as the princess and I entered first, Miss Sera followed with Emily, closing the door behind them.
"So, what did you want to ask?"
I shuffled to a chair in the center and plopped down, eyeing the princess demurely seated nearby, and cut straight to it.
"Have you found a partner, Sir William?"
I immediately furrowed my brow and narrowed my eyes.
The question was off.
Didn't she say it was about the dress?
Why bring up partners?
"That question's weird. Can you repeat it?"
"Have you found a partner to accompany you to the Founding Day event, Sir William?"
"......"
The question had gotten more detailed for my sake, but the intent was the same.
"Elizabeth, what does this have to do with the dress?"
"I haven't heard you'd found one. I want to proudly introduce you as the one who made my dress, but attending without a partner would be awkward."
"Umm..."
It was a bit forced, but not entirely unreasonable.
Honesty might be best, but something off in her tone made me reluctant.
I could find someone later and avoid embarrassing her.
Better to lie for now.
"I already have one, just didn't mention..."
"Who?"
She cut me off and leaned in close.
Her wide eyes were fierce.
Someone inadequate as a partner but unknown to her.
Someone to escape this moment.
"Sir Rachel..."
"Liar."
Her aura turned menacing at the name.
"It could be true..."
"Ha, Sir Rachel is on duty that day, and through the weekend. How could she be your partner?"
"Ah, ahaha~"
My excuse fell flat from the start.
This was unfair, right?
Not like she'd check later—she knew Rachel's schedule inside out already. That's crossing a line.
Who tracks a low-rank knight's schedule like that, short of being vice-captain?
"I-Is that so? Must've been mistaken."
"No sane person mistakes their partner, but I'll let it slide once."
It was a dumb excuse even to me, but she smirked, arms crossed, daring me to keep going.
I subtly glanced at the door.
There, Miss Sera stared right through me.
"M-Miss Sera, why grab my arm so suddenly? And the door..."
"Just go with it for a sec."
"Y-Yes...?"
She locked the door and held Emily hostage in a flash, leaning against it with a smirk, as if challenging me to try escaping.
Damn.
It was a trap from the start.
My eyes twitched as I looked at Princess Elizabeth.
"No one?"
"W-Well, actually, Fanny..."
"Princess Fanny is already partnering with Prince Herbert."
"What?"
Good for the staff getting along, but I was stunned.
When did that happen?
Only two months working here, right?
"Really? When?"
"Prince Herbert asked two weeks ago. You didn't know?"
"No idea..."
Two weeks ago—right when I started clashing with the Former Duke of Devonshire, Herbert was steadily prepping for Founding Day.
Ugh... Thought Herbert was like me, but he's solid blue blood.
"Anyone else?"
"Hayes..."
"She's working at the Magic Tower that day too. They're swamped lately—she's thrilled."
"How do you know? Even if busy, that day..."
As I pushed my weak excuse, she pulled a thin envelope from her bosom and waved it.
"I asked."
"Ugh..."
It was a standard Magic Tower letter envelope, labeled "Elizabeth" and "Haini Bailey" in Hayes's handwriting.
"Last one. Anyone else?"
"Uh..."
"The mid-level mage from the forge is married, and the Imperial Knights' captain is too. Most knights are on duty anyway—His Majesty's attending, so they can't slack. Hmm~ Who else? Other Atelier staff? You'd ask Emily first. And a commoner to a big event... Bold move, takes guts."
"Y-Yeah..."
She said one more, but listed every woman around me, blocking all paths.
No one left.
Nowhere to run, and even if I did, Emily was hostage.
Wait.
One.
One left.
"A-Actually, there's someone I was planning to ask."
"...Who?"
Her gaze sharpened.
I squeezed my eyes shut and named the absolute last resort.
"Lady Caroline."
"First time hearing that name. Who is she...?"
Her momentum softened for the first time.
I steeled myself and added.
"Our widowed maternal aunt."
"......"
The room chilled instantly, silence prickling my skin.
I cracked my eyes open, twitching lids, and saw Princess Elizabeth glaring murderously, arms crossed.
"Sir William."
"Yes..."
"Funny coincidence—I don't have a partner either. Should I ask first, or will you?"
The aunt shield failed utterly.
Knowing I'd never choose her over a commoner (less scandal), she gave a final ultimatum, letting me save face.
"Can you give me a moment to think?"
I leaned back, buying time.
She silently held up five fingers.
"Phew..."
No real thinking needed.
Options exhausted, outcome was fixed: with the princess.
Attendance confirmed, no partner exposed—no refusal rights.
Unless declaring "I truly despise you," etiquette demands acceptance.
I'm just denying reality, stalling.
Her mercy gave a final pride-saving chance.
Dragging it makes me the coward who made her ask, but formally, I'm first.
Could say I didn't expect this.
But with a week left, recall my family’s reaction to no partner.
Not even debutante season, yet that fuss—for a newbie to high society with none next week?
Insane.
"Time's almost up."
"Ah..."
Lost in thoughts, her last finger curled.
Fist formed, she lowered her hand.
"Your answer?"
"......"
I smiled, meeting her eyes.
Answer predetermined; denial futile.
"Founding Day event—want to go together?"
The die was cast.
All sides one—total bust.
But cast nonetheless.
She nodded with a satisfied smile.
"Hehe~ Great answer, but not enough."
"Huh?"
"Here."
Content with my surrender, she rummaged and handed me something.
"Ah, this is..."
I took it—a high-society anonymity seal.
"Your letter, Sir William. I'm waiting~?"
"Ah."
Not verbal—written proof via letter.
"Got it?"
"Y-Yes..."
Deny, and I'd stamp "William Henry Howard acknowledges as Elizabeth's partner." I nodded fast.
"Ufufu~ That's all I wanted to ask. Thanks for the good answer."
"Uh... yeah..."
She rose with a pleased laugh.
I stared blankly at her back, then up at the ceiling.
"Ha."
Mother, sorry...
Broke the promise in one day...