Just a Moment
“Hah.”
“Stay still.”
Inside the carriage heading for the Grand Duchy, I let out a small sigh and adjusted the collar around my neck. Having grown used to wearing loose clothes at all times, being dressed up so formally felt uncomfortable. Seeing me like that, Father frowned.
“Yes.”
The sky was such a brilliant blue. I gazed at the azure expanse beyond the carriage window and swallowed back the sigh trying to slip out. Under normal circumstances I should have been lying on the family lawn, basking in warm sunlight and enjoying a long, lazy nap. Never once had I imagined I would be stuck inside this cramped carriage with my father.
“You know what you’re supposed to do when we arrive, correct?”
“Smile brightly, keep my mouth shut, and stay quiet?”
“Excellent.”
It was the most sarcastic reply I could manage, yet it seemed to be exactly what Father wanted to hear. I exhaled softly, gave a small nod, and turned my gaze back out the window.
God, I just want to sleep the whole day away.
The loud, grandiose entrance announcement nearly made me frown, but I quickly smoothed out my expression upon remembering that Father had eyes in the back of his head. Smile brightly. Unless I wanted to be sold off to an aunt twenty years my senior.
Recalling his words, I began walking slowly one step behind him. I had only attended a banquet once when I was very young, so almost no one would recognize my face. Besides, right now every eye in the room was locked on Father, except for a few fleeting glances from children my own age.
It was only natural. The next head of the Helios Marquisate had long been decided as the eldest son, so there was no reason for anyone to waste attention on me. Other young lords or ladies might have felt slighted, but I found it rather pleasant.
Please, just keep ignoring me like this.
I intended to linger like a ghost and then slip away unnoticed. That aside…
It makes sense Father came in person.
For most banquets or parties there was no need for the family head to attend personally. My older brother would usually go instead. But this event was different. It was hosted directly by the Grand Duke’s household, and the scale was far from modest.
“This is the family’s second son.”
“...I am Kallion del Helios. It is an honor to meet you.”
Trailing behind Father and playing the part of a polite puppet offering greetings, I began to discreetly scan my surroundings. I should slip away soon, find a quiet corner, and disappear. Grab some decent food and a drink, hide until the party wound down, then reappear at the very end. Getting greedy and drawing unwanted attention would only bring trouble.
I watched absently as Father began conversing with familiar faces. He must have noticed me moving, because his shoulders twitched unnaturally, but he offered no objection.
As long as I don’t cause any incidents, he won’t interfere.
It seemed that if I stayed quiet and hidden, he would leave me alone. I gathered a few dishes and a drink I had eyed earlier while wandering the hall and headed for a dim corner. Since everyone else was busy circulating through the brilliant main area, no one would spare a glance for the shadows.
This is the coziest spot.
Anyone who came to a corner like this—unless they were a good-for-nothing like me—would only be here for one reason: a secret rendezvous between man and woman. Leaning against a splendid pillar and quietly nibbling my food, I let out a small sigh. Everyone else got to sit comfortably at tables, yet here I was.
In truth, I wasn’t particularly bothered by the stares of others. People had been whispering about me for as long as I could remember, and if I cared about such things I could hardly call myself a proper good-for-nothing. What I actually minded was the possibility that Father might overhear those murmurs.
They grumble even when I stay still, so it’s better to stay completely out of sight.
Any unpleasant talk would only come back to bite me. Still, the food was delicious, which was a relief. I had also taken in plenty of sights while walking around, so I decided to be satisfied with that.
Just as I was quietly savoring the flavors with those thoughts, an unfamiliar voice reached my ears and made me frown.
“...There’s nothing to be gained by dragging this out any further.”
“I’m aware.”
Why did they have to come this way? I could understand wanting a private meeting, but why choose this particular spot? There were terraces that were far less frequented, and it wasn’t as if this was the only pillar in the hall.
“You know time is not infinite. It is not running faster only for me, is it?”
“...No.”
From their exchange I could tell their relationship was far from pleasant. The voices belonged to a middle-aged man with a rather oily tone and a woman who sounded around my age. Even so, I had no desire to involve myself. There was nothing I could do for them, and nothing I wanted to do.
I would simply remain hidden in the shadows until they left.
Maybe I should have gone to the terrace instead.
No, that place looked like it would drag me into something troublesome at a glance. Though this spot didn’t seem particularly safe either.
“I shall await Lady Serena’s wise decision.”
“Yes, Count Silik.”
It seemed this rather unsavory secret meeting was drawing to a close. Thankfully it had not taken long. I had just begun to grow bored when the sound of departing footsteps reached me. I quietly slipped out from behind the pillar and started to leave the shadows.
As I passed, I glanced back. A pot-bellied man was walking away, and beside the pillar stood a golden-haired woman with her head bowed. Her brilliantly shining golden locks and the glimpse of stunning beauty made me quickly avert my eyes.
As expected.
Let’s not get involved. I still didn’t fully understand what kind of world I had been thrown into, but anyone possessing a face like that was obviously the protagonist of some story. Getting entangled with her would bring zero benefits.
With that thought, I quickened my pace.
“Whew.”
Since she was clearly the heroine, the main event of this banquet had most likely already occurred. I therefore retreated to the terrace. Fortunately, it was empty.
There were other reasons, of course, but this was exactly why I hadn’t wanted to attend parties like this. Why should I have to hide in a corner and still be unable to rest comfortably? A sigh escaped me, but the cool night breeze helped improve my mood somewhat.
Leaning against the terrace railing, I sipped the drink I had brought with me and stared blankly at the sky.
“When is this going to end?”
It had only been a few hours since I arrived, yet I was already missing the comfort of home. As I muttered to myself and drank, I let out a deep breath and hung my head.
I had done nothing but bow like a marionette the entire time, so why was I this exhausted? Well, even that was probably too much labor for a NEET like me. Good work today, me.
I was busy comforting myself when—
“...Ah.”
The terrace door opened and someone stepped out.
Of course.
I should have locked it after all. I had debated whether to lock the terrace door, and it seemed I had made the wrong choice. I had left it unlocked because I feared it would look like I was having a secret meeting. Apparently someone else had come for exactly that.
I clicked my tongue inwardly and turned my head, only to involuntarily frown.
It’s that woman from earlier.
Brilliantly shining golden hair and blue eyes deep enough to drown in. Skin so pale and translucent that veins could be seen beneath it. An appearance so radiant it would draw every man’s gaze just by walking past. And those slightly reddened eyes somehow stirred a person’s protective instincts.
“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t realize someone was already here.”
“...It’s fine.”
I answered softly as she bowed deeply in apology, then continued to watch her while leaning against the railing.
Aren’t you going to leave?
Since she knew I had arrived first, she ought to withdraw, yet the woman who had entered the terrace simply stood there hesitantly. The way her eyes darted about made it obvious there was someone outside the door she desperately wished to avoid.
So one incident wasn’t the end of it?
Her behavior reeked of further complications. Quickly assessing the situation, I moved to extricate myself.
“I’ll take my leave first.”
I hated nothing more than dragging out explanations in situations like this—claiming I had noticed the atmosphere or whatever. Once I decided to avoid something, I needed to avoid it completely. With that in mind, I offered a short bow and turned to leave the terrace.
“W-wait just a moment...!!”
She grabbed my sleeve with a lowered voice and stopped me.
...Why?