Chapter 213: Estelle is Smiling (4)[R-18]
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 213: Estelle is Smiling (4)[R-18]
“I want to go with just you... no one else. Just the two of us.”
Estelle’s unexpected request left me momentarily speechless.
‘I’ve endured so much until now!! I even held it in when the fireworks went off right as I was about to confess to Ian at the Summer Festival!!!’
The words Evelyn had once sobbed out flashed through my mind.
After all, spending the Summer Festival with Evelyn had become something of an annual tradition.
Though I hadn't said anything yet, Evelyn was undoubtedly certain that we would go together again this year.
But...
My gaze shifted back to Estelle.
She held my hand with a strength unlike her usual self, a desperate grip as if everything would vanish the moment she let go.
‘If Estelle is going this far... there must be a reason.’
To be honest, I wasn't entirely sure why she wanted to go with just me, but...
For someone like Estelle, who usually avoided crowded places at all costs, to be the one to suggest going to the Summer Festival meant there had to be some ‘special reason.’
“....”
For a moment, I imagined how I would feel if I were in Estelle’s shoes and got rejected.
Flinch!
It wasn't a pleasant thought.
If she were rejected now, she might never find this kind of courage again. Forget festivals—she might turn into another Poporing, refusing to even go for a simple walk and locking herself away in her room forever.
‘...I can't let that happen.’
I didn't want to see Estelle’s heart, which had finally begun to open, slam shut again.
“Phew... Lady Yuris, about that...”
I called out her name to get the opinion of Lady Yuris, whom I had originally promised to go with, but...
“If you’re looking for Lady Yuris, Frederica took her out a moment ago.”
Estelle said calmly, her hand still firmly grasping mine.
Only then did I realize the two of them had vanished from the room.
Their exit had been so stealthy and swift that I hadn't noticed at all.
“So? Ian. Your answer?”
“....”
Estelle pressed for an answer.
Though she tried to hide it, a faint tremble lingered in her voice.
That small tremor weighed heavily on my heart...
‘I’m sorry, Evelyn! I’m really, really sorry!’
In my mind, I prostrated myself before Evelyn, slamming my head against the floor in apology.
I could almost see her furious face, but I had no choice.
‘How could I possibly say no to this!’
As the old saying goes, it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission!
Prepared to take a few slaps to the face from Evelyn later, I nodded toward Estelle.
“Alright, Estelle. Let’s go together. This year’s festival... just the two of us.”
Thump—! Thump—!
At Ian’s answer, Estelle’s heart hammered against her ribs as if it might explode.
‘...I... I actually did it? The Summer Festival... just with Ian?’
She knew full well how selfish and shameless this request was.
She felt nothing but guilt toward Evelyn, and toward Yuris and Frederica, who had also wanted to go.
But...
She simply couldn't give up this chance to create one last memory.
Squeeze!
As Estelle unconsciously tightened her grip on his hand, Ian gave her a slightly bashful smile.
The Summer Festival.
Even if that day spent alone with Ian turned out to be nothing more than a fleeting midsummer night's dream...
Estelle prayed desperately that she wouldn't wake up.
The night before the Summer Festival.
Vrrr—!
The mana crystal on the desk vibrated incessantly, violently asserting its presence, but I did my best to ignore it.
“Yaaaawn... Ian oppa? The crystal keeps ringing, it’s noisy... are you really not going to pick up? Poporing is sleepy...”
Poporing, who had crawled onto my bed at some point and was rolling around under the covers, grumbled in a voice thick with drowsiness.
“...I have my reasons.”
If I picked up now, I was certain to be bombarded with questions like ‘Why did you ignore me?’ and ‘We’re still going to the festival together tomorrow, right?’
To be honest, I didn't have the confidence to come up with a proper excuse.
“Sigh. Poporing... tomorrow, while you’re home alone, don't open the door for anyone. No matter how much they ring the bell or pound on the door, don't make a sound. Just act like nobody’s home. Got it?”
I gave Poporing a stern warning.
Since I started living with Poporing, I had extracted a promise from Evelyn that she wouldn't come to the house anymore—a promise gained only after enduring her wrath and being forced to stop dozens of times right before climax.
However, given the current situation, there was a high probability she would storm over in person.
“...Ian oppa, do you think I’m a child? Yaaaawn... I’m sleepy...”
Vrrr—!! Vrrrrrr—!!!
The mana crystal began to vibrate violently once again...
‘I’m sorry, Evelyn! I’ll explain everything later. Just please, let me live!’
At the same time, in Estelle’s room.
“My Lady! How about this outfit! I think it would suit you perfectly!”
Estelle’s fashion show had been going on for hours, but Frederica’s face showed no sign of exhaustion; she was brimming with energy.
“F-F-Frederica! Isn't this... a bit too revealing!? The back is cut so low... and the bottom is... so short...”
Looking at her reflection in the mirror, Estelle lowered her head, her cheeks flushing crimson.
“Too revealing? This much exposure is standard these days!”
“...N-No! Still... this is...! I can't! It’s too scandalous to wear outside!”
“Aww, what a shame... I’m sure Lord Ian wouldn't have been able to take his eyes off you in this...!”
At Frederica’s genuinely disappointed tone, Estelle’s imagination began to wander despite herself.
‘...I-If... if Ian saw me in clothes like this, what kind of expression would he make?’
Watching Estelle with a satisfied grin, Frederica got even more excited, chattering away as she laid out more options.
“Hehe, but you’re right, My Lady. We can't have other men seeing you like this, even if Lord Ian is an exception... Then, how about this dress? The subtle yet elegant colors would look truly lovely on you!”
“...Yes, that’s a bit better. Frederica. But...”
“Yes! What is it, My Lady? Did you change your mind about the lingerie set we picked earlier?”
Frederica replied with a voice full of excitement.
She was clearly expecting things between Ian and me to finally take a step forward.
I felt terrible for potentially letting her down...
But I couldn't delay the conversation any longer.
“...After I get back from the festival tomorrow, there’s something I want to tell you.”
The day of the Summer Festival.
“Are you okay? There are so many people. If you feel uncomfortable, tell me right away.”
When I asked with a worried expression, Estelle shook her head to show she was fine.
“...I’m okay. Because... I’m with you. ...Ian, can we go over there?”
Estelle pointed toward a row of stalls lining the street.
“Of course. Is there something you want to eat?”
“No, just... I wanted to look around. Oh...?”
Just then, Estelle’s gaze lingered for a moment on a stall selling large clouds of cotton candy.
“It’s a cotton candy stall... Do you want some? Should I buy you one?”
“...No, it’s okay. I just haven't seen it in a long time, so it looked interesting.”
Estelle declined, but being quick on the uptake, I could see a hint of lingering desire in her eyes.
“Come on, it’s a festival. I’ve got a craving for some too, so let’s buy one and share.”
I bought a stick of pink cotton candy, pulled off a small piece to eat, and then handed it to Estelle.
“Mmm, it’s good. Here, you try some too, Estelle.”
“...Th... Thank you, Ian.”
Estelle thanked me and took a cautious bite of the cotton candy.
Perhaps it was the sweetness melting on her tongue, but a bright smile spread across her face.
“Yes. It’s delicious... Next... let’s go that way. It looks... like fun.”
“As you wish, Lady Estelle.”
“...Hey, really... stop teasing me.”
Estelle chuckled at my playful tone and gave my arm a light swat.
‘Ian...’
Ever since she had lost sensation in her lower body, she had avoided places like this out of fear of others' stares...
But today, strangely enough, she didn't feel the slightest bit of discomfort or fear.
In fact, she was so happy and having so much fun that she lost track of time.
...It was surely because she was with Ian.
Laughing with Ian, talking with him, and experiencing new things together—every single moment was precious.
“...Really? ...Can I really have this? Ian?”
“Yeah, I played the game specifically to get it for you.”
“...Thank you. Truly... I’ll cherish it forever.”
Especially when Ian gave her the large doll he had won at the shooting gallery, she almost burst into tears...
‘...No. I don't want to cry.’
She didn't want to shed tears.
This was the precious time she was spending with Ian for the last time.
She wanted to fill it only with happy memories, without a single blemish.
“The sun is starting to set. I think we should find a spot now if we want a good view of the fireworks...”
“...Um... Ian.”
“Yeah? What is it, Estelle?”
“...Thank you. ...For listening to my selfish request... for bringing me here. I was... truly happy.”
“Hey, it wasn't selfish. I had a great time too. Seeing you so happy made it even better. Let’s come here often from now on.”
“.......”
“...Estelle?”
Screech—! Thud—!
At that moment, a loud noise erupted from behind us.
Turning toward the sound, I saw a carriage stopped not far away.
Creak—
The carriage door opened slowly, and a middle-aged man in a suit stepped out. He was handsome, but he carried an air of profound sadness.
“....”
The man looked around as if searching desperately for something...
“...!”
The moment his eyes landed on us, he froze as if turned to stone.
“Ah... ah...!!”
Like someone witnessing a miracle right before their eyes.
The man’s pupils shook violently, and he began to walk toward us slowly, as if drawn by a magnet.
“Is it... really you...?”
The man’s gait was unstable, like that of a drunkard, and the hand he reached out into the air was visibly trembling.
“...Is it really... Estelle...! Is it... truly you?”
“Estelle... do you know him?”
“...N-No... Ian, I don't know...”
Step!
As the man reached out toward Estelle, I reflexively grabbed his wrist and stepped in front of her.
“I don't know who you are, but please don't touch her.”
“...Ah? ...Who are you.... No, that’s not it. Haaa...”
The man seemed to notice me for the first time and looked momentarily flustered...
But he soon regained his composure, placed a hand over his heart, and bowed politely.
“I am truly sorry if my sudden actions startled you, young man. That was not my intention. ...I am Jeffrey... Jeffrey Black Dahlia.”
“...Jef...frey... Black Dahlia...?”
Hearing the name, Estelle stared blankly at the man’s face.
Then, in a trembling voice that suggested she could hardly believe it, she whispered:
“...Uncle...?”