Chapter 97
Chapter 97
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: Prelude to the Confrontation
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Arriving at the meeting spot with Princess Elizabeth, I immediately spotted her standing by the roadside with Miss Sera, who had gotten there first.
"Did you wait long?"
"No, we just arrived ourselves."
"Good, that's a relief."
I pulled the carriage up in front of the princess, opened the door to greet her, and offered my hand to help her climb aboard.
"Thank... "
But as she stepped in and started to thank me, her gaze landed on Emily sitting in the corner of the carriage. In that instant, the princess's eyes sharpened.
"Ha..."
She narrowed her eyes and glared at me for a long moment without a word, then placed a hand on her hip with an exasperated look, pursing her lips before finally speaking.
"...You really are greedy, aren't you?"
"Haha..."
"Ugh..."
I couldn't exactly deny it, so I scratched my head and chuckled awkwardly. The princess sighed, shook her head, and plopped down on the seat across from me.
Miss Sera, who boarded right after, flinched upon seeing Emily, then grinned with evident interest and sat down beside the princess.
"......"
"......"
And just like that, silence blanketed the carriage.
There was so much I wanted to say, but with the princess radiating clear discomfort, it was hard to open my mouth.
"Tch..."
I fiddled with the necklace box hidden inside my coat and smacked my lips.
The princess seemed pretty angry right now. Should I just hand it over now?
I'd originally planned to brazen it out and give it to her during the banquet, but dragging it out like this might lead to bigger trouble.
"Um..."
"The necklace."
"Huh?"
As I squeezed my eyes shut and reached for the box in my pocket, the princess—who had been keeping her lips tightly sealed—pointed at Emily's nape and spoke up.
"You prepared one for me too, right?"
"Of course! How could I not get one for my partner?"
"Ha... This is so annoying..."
The princess twisted her face into a scowl, openly showing her growing irritation.
"So, that thing you've been fidgeting with in your pocket since earlier... that's it?"
"Yeah."
"Then why haven't you taken it out? Why keep hiding it?"
"I was actually planning to give it to you at the banquet hall."
"...In front of everyone?"
"Yeah."
"......"
Her eyes, narrowed so much that her pupils were barely visible, slowly widened. Her furrowed expression softened, and a smile began to bloom faintly on her previously sullen face.
"Then why didn't you say so sooner? Why keep it all secret?"
"Surprise gift?"
"If that's the reason, I'll overlook you getting distracted by another woman this once. But from now on, you have to give mine first, got it?"
"Got it."
Her anger dissipated much faster than I'd expected.
I'd braced myself for a major scolding, but it resolved with just a bit of special treatment. If anything, it left me flustered.
Does she bottle things up and explode later?
Or is this the type who absolutely won't forgive repeats?
Either way, it's terrifying.
It'd actually be easier if she demanded a ton of things outright—no lingering resentment. But this vague resolution left me feeling uneasy.
"I'm looking forward to seeing what necklace it is."
"It's nothing special, so don't get your hopes up."
"Does that even matter? You picked it because it suits me, right?"
"Ahaha..."
I gave a meaningful smile and nodded lightly.
Oh no, this is bad.
If I say I chose it because it was safe, she'll probably strangle me.
I need to come up with a reason by dinner somehow.
"By the way, Elizabeth."
"Yes?"
"Why are you bundled up like that?"
I was mulling over excuses, but continuing the necklace talk would only dig me deeper, so I hurriedly changed the subject.
And it wasn't a forced question, either.
From the first time I saw her, she'd been wearing the white dress I'd made, but now a dark gray coat covered her from shoulders to knees. It was so baffling.
I'd wanted to ask all along but held back due to the mood.
"Sorry to disappoint you, Sir William, but the time isn't right yet."
"What do you mean, not right?"
"I wanted to reveal it at the banquet hall if possible."
"Hmm~"
I understood her intent well enough...
"At the pre-banquet, don't you enter last?"
"That's right."
The problem was that, for some reason, our entrance timings differed.
Due to some high-up's desire for dramatic flair, there was about an hour between my entrance and the princess's appearance. In the end, it meant she wouldn't show it until the very last moment.
"Tch..."
"Hehe~"
As I pulled a glum face and smacked my lips, the princess covered her mouth and burst into laughter.
It was maddeningly tantalizing, but since I'd held out this long, I'd endure until the end...
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Exchanging idle chit-chat as we entered the imperial palace where the pre-banquet was held, we headed slowly toward the hall until we reached a fork in the path.
"See you later, then."
"Yeah."
We parted ways in opposite directions, just as planned.
Now I'd have to survive solo in the wilds of the banquet hall for a while.
A slight tension rose within me.
"Hoo..."
Steadying my breath to calm my quickened heartbeat, Emily and I strolled down the corridor. Soon, the hall being used for the banquet came into view.
The main event wouldn't start for another thirty minutes or so, but the place was already swarming with people like ants.
Maybe because it had been a while since a big banquet like this, I felt disoriented.
"Whew~"
I let out a deep sigh and slowly scanned the interior of the hall.
Spotting a table lined with drinks in one corner, I headed straight there.
Everyone else was greeting acquaintances, but I didn't know anyone to chat with.
The only ones might be Princess Fanny and Prince Herbert, but I had a showdown with the Devonshire Duke's household coming up soon. Seeking them out for greetings would just cause trouble for those two.
"...Mind if I take a glass now?"
Reaching the table, I was about to grab one when I noticed a butler tidying glasses nearby. I pointed at them and asked.
"Yes, of course."
"Thanks."
I gave a slight bow to the smiling butler and immediately lifted a glass of champagne to my lips, tilting my head back to down it in one go.
The half-filled glass poured into my mouth, effervescent bubbles fizzing crisply, followed by the champagne's signature sweet-bitter tang lingering on my tongue.
"Gulp—gulp—"
Swallowing the mouthful whole, the bursting carbonation poked at my esophagus, loosening my tension-stiffened body.
Truly, the potion of courage.
Works like a charm.
"Pha~"
The glass was empty in the blink of an eye.
I set it down on the table, picked up a fresh one, and only then moved to a new spot.
"Young master."
As I looked for a decent spot near the center of the hall, Emily sidled up close and whispered softly.
"What's up?"
Wondering if something was wrong, I glanced sideways. Emily stared piercingly at the champagne glass in her left hand while poking my side with her elbow.
"Didn't Madam tell you to watch the drinking? And here you are, starting off like this?"
"Aw~, one or two won't hurt."
"You just downed that one in a single go. You get tipsy after four, Young Master."
"It was just one, anyway. I'll be careful from now on."
"Ugh... Does that mean that's your last one?"
Only two so far—that seemed too stingy.
If I got too nervous, I might need a few more...
"...Can't you let me have up to three?"
"Should I tell Madam?"
"Sorry."
Having Emily around was the real issue.
No free drinking for me.
What a tragic flaw.
"...Emily, you're not drinking?"
Unable to give up on booze in a place like this, I clung to a sliver of hope.
"No, I don't drink."
"Why not?"
"It tastes bad, and it turns me into a dog. Why drink something weird like that?"
"Ah..."
My attempt to find an opening was swiftly shut down.
If she liked alcohol, I could've persuaded her, but hating it meant no amount of explaining its virtues would sway her.
"Tch..."
I smacked my lips and lightly touched the champagne glass to my mouth.
"Sip..."
Now I'd have to nurse it until the banquet's end. Rolling only my eyes, I scanned for any Devonshire household members.
As one of the few old folks among the youths, they'd stand out...
"Ah."
Lazing about, I spotted some middle-aged men in the distance, at the hall's edge, staring wide-eyed.
Too far to see faces clearly, but they started buzzing the moment they saw me—high chance they were Devonshire people.
"Emily, get ready."
"Ah, yes."
I gave her the heads-up and turned my head.
Pretending nonchalance while side-eyeing their movements, I waited leisurely for them to make the first move.
In situations like this, the eager one approaches first.
"......"
Sure enough, after a brief wait, the men—who'd been stealing glances and muttering among themselves—started walking.
Initially skirting the hall's edge slowly, they linked up with an elderly gentleman, then bustled off in various directions around the room.
"—"
"Ha..."
Even as they exchanged greetings with acquaintances who approached, their eyes stayed locked on me, showing no sign of breaking away.
It was so blatant that I could see the greeters' smiles stiffening.
Repeating quick hellos and hurried steps, the distance between me and the Devonshire group gradually closed.
"Grandfather, isn't that guy over there the second son of the Hume Count's family?"
By the time we were close enough for their casual chat to ring clear, the youngest-looking man pointed at me with awkward theatrics.
"Hm?"
The former Duke of Devonshire turned his head with practiced ease, as if only just noticing me, and flashed a smile.
If our eyes hadn't kept meeting, it would've fooled anyone into thinking he'd spotted me right then. His acting was solid—experience paid off, better than his grandsons'.
"Haha! Who's this? Isn't it Sir William, the most famous man in the imperial capital these days?"
The former duke boomed with laughter and hurried over with short steps.
"Ah! Duke Cavendish!"
I called out to the Devonshire family's head warmly and approached them in turn.
As the gap closed, my eyes locked with the former duke's.
Smiling lips.
But eyes brimming with cold, murderous intent, devoid of mirth.
"It's been a while—good to see you."
"Good to see you too. I hope you've been well?"
Our rote, dry greetings slipped between our lips.
This was the starting bell for the petty, chest-tightening battle of glares that would drag on until Princess Elizabeth appeared.