Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Cluster of Stars (2)
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Elysia Rosenet.
The girl who introduced herself that way seemed utterly lacking in confidence.
Moreover, the clothes she wore didn't suit a social gathering at all.
Young ladies her age should have their heads filled with thoughts of grooming themselves.
Yet Elysia seemed to shy away from all that, dressed in a plain and simple gown.
'Hmm.'
My intuition was kicking in.
This girl was an interesting one.
My senses were screaming not to let her slip away.
"How did you end up coming all the way here?"
"Huh? Uh, y-yeah?"
"There must be some reason you came here without mingling with the other nobles."
"Ah, haha. Well..."
"Could it be that you took a liking to me?"
"Ah, no?! It's not like that?!"
"You don't have to deny it so vehemently. You're hurting my feelings."
"N-No, that's not what I meant. I wasn't targeting you or anything. Please don't misunderstand."
"Haha. That's a shame. I thought I'd found a dance partner."
"...Huh? Really?"
Suddenly, Elysia's eyes flew wide open.
Whatever happened to that awkward demeanor? She sidled right up to me.
As she drew closer, a sweet fragrance wafted over.
Oh. This wasn't perfume.
It was her pure, natural scent.
This girl was a beauty.
"D-Do you not have a dance partner...?"
"Yeah. Unfortunately not."
"I-Is that so. Um, well... if it's fate and all, would you... like to dance with me...?"
"Sure?"
I hummed thoughtfully.
I hadn't met every young lady yet.
But I had a feel for it by now.
All the other young ladies were nothing but girls scheming political connections with me.
Not a single one piqued my personal interest, even if I scoured with wide-open eyes.
If I sifted through them...
'Adelheit and Elysia, about it.'
I'd originally planned to dance with Adelheit.
Didn't she say it herself? Come to her if no one else.
It wouldn't do to jump at it too eagerly, but honestly, I was stumped for a decent partner.
So I'd been leaning toward Adelheit.
'Elysia might work too.'
Adelheit was fun in her own way.
Dancing with this one might be enjoyable as well.
Still, no hasty decisions.
Always deliberate carefully.
Decide boldly, but mull over the process thoroughly.
"I'll consider it positively."
"That sounds like a polite no..."
"I didn't say no. Just that there's one competitor."
"Ah, didn't you say earlier you didn't have a partner...?"
"I thought about it, and turns out I do. One."
"Wow..."
Hey.
Why the horrified stare?
No idea why, but her glare irked me.
I wanted to flick her forehead.
"Who is it?"
"Her Highness Adelheit."
"Wha-what?! The princess?!"
In an instant, every gaze in the hall turned our way.
Elysia gasped and clamped her mouth shut, shrinking like a sea star under sunlight.
Once the stares pulled back, she prodded me.
"Y-You didn't mention that...?! Her Highness Adelheit dancing with you...?!"
"It's not set in stone. I was mulling whether to go for it."
"Ah, aha. Right. Um, rude as it is to ask now... which house are you from?"
"Ah. Kline Leonhart."
"...Guh."
Oh.
What was that pigeon-struck-by-lightning squeak?
Elysia groaned and shook her head vigorously.
"N-No. I'm not worthy to be your partner. I'll pass. I don't know you. Sorry."
"Why the sudden stranger act? You're breaking my heart."
"It's not that...! I'm just a viscount's daughter...! How could I dance with a ducal scion...! Especially when the princess has her sights set?!"
"What does it matter? We dance if we dance. I don't care about that stuff."
"B-But I do...?"
"That's a pity."
Ah.
This was fun.
Teasing her was satisfying.
Elysia's eyes spun dizzily before she bowed her head deeply.
She was seriously shy.
How did she plan to survive noble society like this?
"So why'd you come here?"
"Huh?"
"There must be a reason you came all this way. The nobles are all clustered over there chatting."
"Ah. Well..."
Elysia wriggled like a rain-soaked worm before answering timidly.
"...Strangers scare me."
"Huh. Saying that in a place meant for befriending strangers is a problem."
"I-I know...?! ...But I can't help it. It's just who I am."
"Hmm."
A friend sorely lacking in confidence.
I listened quietly, then tilted my head.
But seriously.
Why was I so good at this conversation?
"Then why do you chat so easily with me?"
"Huh? ...Good question?"
"Were you lying? You've wounded me deeply. Take responsibility."
"N-No! It's just... for some reason, with you, Kline, it flows easily... That's probably it."
"Am I that approachable?"
"O-Of course not!"
"Then are you seducing me?"
"No! ...Gasp."
Gazes swiveled our way again.
Elysia shut her mouth, face on the verge of tears, head bowed low.
Ah.
Better not push it.
Time to soothe.
"Well, I'll head out then. Enjoy."
"Ah, haha. Y-Yeah. Sure..."
Elysia saw me off without lifting her head.
Hm.
Secured one interesting young lady.
The terrace outside the hall gleamed under a bright yellow moon.
Stars floated near the moon, casting light on the ground below.
Truly a fantasy world.
Stars twinkling so vividly in the night sky.
Hence the name, Cluster of Stars?
And above all, no fantasy world lacked one essential figure.
The imperial princess.
Adelheit leaned against the terrace railing, gazing vacantly at the sky.
No attendants nearby. Utterly alone.
She looked profoundly bored.
As if the entire social itself was tediously dull.
That was intriguing.
Even royalty were nobles at heart.
A young lady her age should be thrilled at a social.
Why the utter lack of interest on Adelheit's face?
"What're you doing out here alone?"
"Hm?"
Adelheit's pink eyes turned my way.
She blinked at me, then continued.
"Acting familiar."
"Yeah. You told me to."
"Good job. Keep it up."
"Does this count as joining your service, Your Highness?"
"What nonsense? I don't have a faction."
Hmph. Adelheit snorted.
Yet she seemed subtly pleased.
Her earlobes flushed pink again.
I wondered at the nuance in Adelheit's words.
No faction.
As Third Imperial Princess, shouldn't admirers flock to her?
"Surprising. I figured you'd have lines of admirers."
"Really? Hmph, you don't know the palace well."
"Obviously. First time here."
"...People usually pick up on the rumors. You're the odd one."
"So I get the honor straight from the source. Score."
"Ha. Jeez."
Adelheit grumbled, fanning herself.
She covered her mouth—her go-to when embarrassed, it seemed.
"...I'm the Third Princess. Know what that means?"
"Unlimited power, right?"
"No. ...Kinda. But annoying duties pile up too."
"Then what?"
"It means I'm totally out of the succession race. It's between brother and sister. No one's backing a late bloomer like me."
"Aha."
That explained it.
Made sense. The Third Princess was far younger than the First Prince or Second Princess.
Sidelined in the race naturally.
No faction would stick.
"Sounds ideal. Privileges without the hassle."
"Hah? Can't let that slide."
Adelheit snapped her fan shut, fuming.
She jabbed it at my nose, lips pursed.
"Duties dumped on me are endless. Even this social? Begged to 'uphold dignity as princess.'"
"No kidding. Such honor. Meeting Your Highness here—family pride."
"Ugh... Think 'honor' spam makes me happy?"
You look happy.
Drop those smiling corners then.
"...Sigh."
Adelheit lowered her fan, leaning on the railing.
Night breeze tousled her pink locks.
"What if you got ordered to do something you hated?"
"Huh?"
"If the vibe demands it despite hating it. Would you?"
"Yeah. Whatever."
"...For real? You don't strike me as that type."
"Dunno how you see me, but that's me. Hate the hassle, but do it no-complaints if needed."
"Liar. Can't buy it."
Adelheit pouted, stung.
The 'no-complaints' bit grated.
"Your face screams 'noble BS sucks.' But no complaints?"
"Yep."
"Ha! Fine. I'll watch. See how you handle it."
"Oh? Marriage proposal now?"
"Wh-what idiocy?! No! Dream on! Think I'd stoop?!"
"No need for such fire. Heartbreaking."
"N-No. Hold on. That's not..."
"Heart's shattering. From admired Adelheit... Diary entry for sure."
"...You're teasing me. Right."
Knight orders departing the palace held their rite.
As Cluster of Stars began, the grand parade 'Eight Wings.'
All four imperial knight orders assembled, nearly every force mustered to circle the capital.
The palace was effectively defenseless now.
Even the emperor absent, it brimmed with Third Princess and nobles.
No guardians for Cluster of Stars attendees, it seemed.
Yet no one fretted.
The palace's built-in wards were extraordinarily potent.
Plus direct-link magic to the four orders launching the rite.
Just as all deemed it worry-free.
Crackle—
A crack spiderwebbed the wards encircling the palace.
Unnoticed by any, vampire power seeped in, bit by bit.