Chapter 4
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Possessed by a Romance Fantasy Novel. (3)
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Elena and I stepped out from the balcony together, drawing every eye in the room straight to us.
Well, sure, my looks are a cut above average... I entertained that brief delusion, but sadly, that wasn't the reason.
Anyone standing next to Elena was doomed to look like a squid from the start anyway.
'They're probably just wondering who I am.'
The birthday girl, who'd been stone-faced the entire banquet, had suddenly appeared with red-rimmed eyes.
And if someone was standing right beside her? Even a blind man might regain his sight in that moment. It was that curiosity-piquing.
'And you lot should feel ashamed of yourselves.'
Among those gazes were Elena's three suitor candidates—no, the idiot trio. Their mouths were still smeared with food, like they'd been chowing down right up until then.
They were acting their age, sure, at nine years old. But knowing the original story, it was frustrating as hell.
This was prime time to rack up points with young Elena, and they were blowing it? Good luck to you clowns.
Of course, even as I thought that, my own eyes were glued to the floor. I couldn't bring myself to meet the stares of those three, who carried the full intensity of their blue blood.
What if they picked a fight? It was the last thing I wanted to imagine.
Shrunk down in full turtle mode, I walked alongside Elena for a bit until we arrived before the Frozenheart Duke. My father was there too, so it looked like they'd been chatting while Elena and I were out.
The duke's gaze turned to Elena.
"Elena, where have you been?"
"I just stepped out to the balcony for some air."
"We were worried. In the future, at least let someone know before you go."
"I'm sorry, Father."
Elena clasped her hands politely and bowed her head.
And with that, the moment ended. Lingering by the duke any longer would have been weird, so Father and I exchanged brief greetings and moved on.
'Finally time to eat...?'
Being from a barony meant I'd never gone hungry, but the lavish spreads at a ducal banquet were on another level.
What even was a banquet? Stuffing yourself with delicious food and drinks while chatting and laughing, right?
As a proper guest, I deserved to indulge in that luxury too...
"Lordman Count, it's an honor to meet you. I'm Luke Nineheart, the youngest of the Nineheart Barony."
"Marquis Garan, it's an honor..."
"Viscount Persia..."
A baron held the lowest rank among noble titles. That meant scurrying around to greet anyone higher up.
What kind of nonsense was this? But in the noble world of flattery and fabrication, it was a must for a baron's survival.
The absolute weakest link in noble society! And among them, the baby of the family!
That was my position right now.
In the end, it was quite a while before I got a bite of food in my mouth.
It was meat that felt like it'd been braised in stew—melt-in-your-mouth tender even though it had gone cold.
'High nobles eat this hot, huh...?'
My stomach hurt so bad. So I kept eating until the pain faded.
Surprisingly effective. With a full belly, my happiness quotient overpowered the discomfort.
'A glass of cold water would hit the spot right now...'
As I glanced around, a large shadow fell over me, and a cup brimming with water appeared before my eyes.
I didn't know who it was, but at least a thank-you was in order...
I turned to find none other than the Frozenheart Duke standing there. He offered the glass with a kind smile.
"You looked like you wanted some water, so I brought it over. Or did I misread that?"
"N-no, sir! I did want water! Thank you!"
I snatched the cup in a panic. Then, hiding it with one hand so he wouldn't see, I downed it in one go—like gulping down a shot from the boss at a company dinner.
Habits were scary, huh...?
"Glad I could help."
"Thank you so much."
"Then, as thanks, may I ask you one question?"
I could guess what was coming without him saying it.
A duke seeking out not a baron, but his son? Only one reason.
"What did you and Elena talk about?"
Predictable. He was curious about what happened on the balcony.
His daughter's eyes had been all puffy when she returned, so it was only natural as a father.
'Tell him...?'
This wasn't just anyone—it was the duke his father served. And I'd taken a bribe of cold water to boot. No real choice here.
Yeah, normally I would have.
"...I'm sorry. I can't answer that."
It was a hard-won secret friend pact. I wasn't about to spill it for a glass of water.
"Is there a reason you can't say?"
"Well..."
"No, never mind. I shouldn't have asked."
The duke said that and promptly walked away.
I watched his back and let out a sigh of relief. I'd been racking my brain for an excuse anyway.
'From here, it's between Elena and the duke.'
Still, I hoped it worked out well. It'd be good for both her and me.
Time passed, and before long, it was time to head home.
Father sought out the duke before we left. I stood by Father; Elena stood by the duke.
"Your Grace, thank you for inviting us today."
"I'm the one grateful you came all this way. Next time, let's share a cup of tea."
"Call on me anytime, and I'll come running."
Father then greeted Elena and bowed politely.
Now it was my turn. I followed suit, offering proper respects to the duke.
Glancing sideways, I saw Elena beside him. Her red eyes seemed back to normal.
"Grand Duchess, happy birthday once again."
"Thank you."
The words were the same as before, but the vibe was totally different. Elena wasn't shutting down the conversation anymore.
Too bad we didn't have time to chat.
"I look forward to seeing you next time."
I bowed courteously and turned to leave with Father.
One step, two steps, three...
"Take care...!"
A faint, trembling voice called from behind.
I spun back toward her and bowed once more.
That ought to soften her future vicious streak a bit, right?
With that thought, I resumed walking.
It would be far in the future before I learned she'd secretly waved goodbye to my back.
Elena Frozenheart. The moment she returned to her room, she summoned a servant.
"Bring me the gift from the Nineheart Barony...!"
"Right away, miss."
The Nineheart Barony—home of her secret friend, Luke.
She'd check gifts from other houses eventually, but they could wait. She could even have the servants open them if needed.
But one from her secret friend's family? She wanted to see it herself.
She couldn't say exactly why. She just did.
How much time passed after the servant left the room?
"Two gifts?"
"Yes, miss."
Two boxes sat before Elena. One was modest-sized; the other rivaled her torso in bulk.
Unable to contain her curiosity, Elena dismissed the servant and opened them.
'A brooch...?'
The smaller box held a brooch, exuding luxury—like real thought had gone into it.
A letter was inside too, penned by Baron Nineheart.
Elena carefully set them on the table and eyed the remaining gift.
'The baron's letter only mentioned the brooch...?'
Her curiosity turned to action.
She opened the box and found a massive bear plush—and a letter.
From...
'Luke Nineheart.'
Her secret friend.
It was a few days after the banquet.
'Has she checked the gift by now? Or with so many, it'll take longer?'
I'd personally gifted Elena the bear plush. Birthday cheers, plus a bribe of sorts—please take good care of me going forward.
A bit lacking as a grand duchess's toy, maybe, but any nine-year-old girl would love it. No such thing as a kid who hated bear dolls.
"Luke—! Your mind's wandering—!"
Crack—!
Lost in thought, Father's training sword nailed my side.
No aura, just plain wood, but plenty to snap a nine-year-old's focus.
I endured the stinging pain in my ribs and hauled my dirt-caked body up.
Elena, Elena's better.
Hooray for the army, hooray, super hooray...
'Wait, that's not right.'
The rib pain must've scrambled my brain.
Abandoning thought, I charged at Father—but...
A carriage in the distance halted me. Frozenheart Ducal crest blazed large on its side.
"Dad, a carriage from the Frozenheart Ducal Family—!"
"Trying to distract me with chit-chat? No chance—!"
In the end, I took one more hit from his sword.
I'm so wronged I could die.