Chapter 97
Chapter 97
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: Supporter
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Supporter
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Vespa's gaze slowly turned.
Her blinking eyes slowly scanned the space between Carlyle and Gray.
And even their tightly clasped hands.
“⋯⋯.”
“⋯⋯.”
“⋯⋯.”
All three people there froze solid.
Of course, for Gray it was less freezing and more gauging both sides' reactions—but given her usual temperament, calling it freezing wasn't far off.
No, what to call it.
There's no real reason for them to react to each other that way. Everyone present knew that much.
But the strange atmosphere flowing through the air right now proved reality was anything but.
“⋯⋯.”
The silver lining was that one person there couldn't stand the awkwardness for long.
Vespa parted her lips for a moment before quickly speaking up.
“-Hello, Mr. Carlyle. Hello, Lady.”
She greeted them brightly. Just like always. As usual.
Naturally, their replies matched the tone.
“⋯⋯Yeah.”
“Yes, good evening, Vespa.”
“Out for dinner? What'd you have?”
“⋯⋯.”
Gray's eyebrow twitched for a split second at those words.
⋯⋯What to make of it.
It was like she took issue with brushing off the two of them being together as something 'ordinary.'
⋯⋯Like it was something more special.
“Not just eating something.”
“⋯⋯Pardon?”
“On a date.”
“?”
The explanation about it being 'forced' on Grand Duke Chasefield's orders was gone—who says something like that and leaves it open to misunderstanding?
Why say it that way all of a sudden? Perfect recipe for trouble.
“⋯⋯.”
Vespa kept her usual smile plastered on her face.
But her mouth snapped shut.
The slow blinking of her eyes looked like her mind scrambling to process Gray's words.
“-”
For a moment.
Just a brief moment.
Vespa blinked slowly in silence, then flashed a wide smile again.
“A date? You must've hit up some fancy restaurant! Delicious?”
“⋯⋯.”
And then.
Carlyle watched her for a beat before speaking.
“Vespa?”
“Yes?”
“You okay?”
Vespa tilted her head at his question. She beamed and replied.
“Why ask? What's got me not okay?”
She looked exactly like her usual self, from start to finish.
No trace of anything off.
Except to one person.
“No. You look dangerous.”
To someone who'd spent years with the Hero Party, it was obvious.
Who was in danger. And why. What they were thinking.
“Pardon?”
“Looks like you're holding back.”
This person.
Suppressing her feelings again.
Scared that letting them out might hurt someone. Might cause harm to someone. Stuffing down her own wants, even.
To the point where.
And Carlyle's read now put the 'danger level' of Vespa's bottled-up emotions pretty high.
High enough that not venting it soon could spell trouble.
“-”
“If you need help, say the word. Anything's fine.”
Vespa pursed her lips.
Words bubbled up to the top of her head. Threatening to spill out.
She barely kicked them back down.
It was a fleeting emotion, gone in an instant.
But plain as day to Carlyle's eyes.
“⋯⋯.”
True to someone who'd done this self-butchering countless times.
Vespa smoothly changed the subject.
“The most dangerous thing for me right now is not rushing back to the dorm! Won't get dinner ready!”
“-Vespa. Hold on. Just a quick talk—”
“Catch you later, Mr. Carlyle!”
With that, Vespa vanished in a flash.
Magic-propelled speed, too quick for anyone to grab her.
“⋯⋯.”
Carlyle stared blankly at the spot she'd vanished from.
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Elena Lindel Anastasia's days were always hectic.
Meeting tons of people. Sharing stories. Exchanging emotions.
As the daughter of the continent's top merchant house, it was par for the course. Dealing with all sorts was basically her education.
But even she sometimes ran into people she had zero clue how to handle.
Like the one she bumped into in the dorm hallway.
“⋯⋯Um, so⋯⋯”
Elena fidgeted before finally speaking.
“Vespa, right⋯⋯?”
Barely more than a passing acquaintance.
Gray's squire, probably. No deep ties, but the name stuck.
Impressive that she'd stick by that monster voluntarily.
“⋯⋯Marchioness Heiress Anastasia?”
“⋯⋯.”
Vespa lifted her head slightly at the words, and Elena's 'what're you doing here' died in her throat.
Eyes swollen. Inner arms and nape damp.
⋯⋯No need to ask what state she'd been in moments ago.
Huddled alone in a dim hallway corner screamed mental mess.
Meeting Elena's pitying gaze, Vespa flinched and flailed her hands in panic.
“I-I-I was, uh, cleaning⋯⋯!”
“Hallway's not your job.”
“N-No, but still⋯⋯!”
Elena sighed heavily at Vespa's rambling.
“Look, we're not close or anything. Haven't talked much. But I can't just walk past you like this.”
“⋯⋯.”
“If you're okay with it, wanna talk? I'm pretty good at counseling.”
“⋯⋯.”
Those words.
Brought tears welling up in Vespa's eyes again.
Elena panicked, whipping her head around.
Huh.
Huh?
Anyone seeing this would think she made her cry.
First time kindness blew up like this.
“Ah, th-thanks.”
Vespa sniffled.
“Not 'cause of you, Marchioness Heiress. Just, someone popped into my head.”
“Popped into your head?”
Vespa gave a bitter smile at Elena's question.
“⋯⋯Someone who always barges into people's hearts unasked.”
“⋯⋯.”
“Like you now—offers help no matter what⋯⋯”
Elena listened.
A bitter smile crossed her own face.
*This is that, huh~*
Social butterfly or not, Elena could read troubled folks' situations.
To her, Vespa's issue was plain as day.
⋯⋯Love troubles.
And only one guy near Vespa could trigger this.
“Carlyle, huh? That guy's story?”
“!”
Vespa jolted.
“Y-You too, Marchioness Heiress?! Enchanted by Mr. Carlyle?!”
“⋯⋯What're you on about?”
Like he was some yokai bewitching minds on approach.
No, wait.
The whole situation felt off.
*That guy the type to go around making girls cry...?*
Didn't seem like it.
Not the sort who hurt people on purpose.
“Anyway, move spots? Not great talking here.”
Later, in her room, hearing the full story.
Conclusion: Elena nailed it.
He wasn't hurting her 'on purpose.'
Just maddeningly oblivious.
“⋯⋯Sorry, but is that guy human?”
In Elena's usual vocab, it was *'Is that fucker even human?'* territory.
“Your crush on him screams. Normal people'd get it without you trying that hard!”
“⋯⋯.”
Vespa's face burned red.
“W-Was it obvious⋯⋯?”
“⋯⋯How could you not know?”
Obvious didn't cover it—like *'Please notice me already.'*
No words needed; eyes dripping honey at him? Undeniable.
Gaze aside, every move screamed wanting more time together.
To another woman, it was like yelling *'I like you!'* in his ear nonstop.
“Lady and Mr. Carlyle seemed clueless. Thought others were too⋯⋯”
“⋯⋯.”
Hmm.
In one-eyed village, two eyes are freaks.
Sandwiched between two emotionally busted people? Explains it.
Elena stared in disbelief as Vespa sniffled.
“But don't badmouth Mr. Carlyle too much.”
“⋯⋯What?”
“He's just not into that stuff⋯⋯ Treats everyone the same, not just me.”
“⋯⋯.”
“Truth is, I like him on my own. Sad when no answer comes. My fault⋯⋯”
“⋯⋯How's that your fault?”
Elena sighed, head throbbing.
This girl.
Hurt enough to appeal that hard with zero response? Fair.
Cried her eyes out from it.
Now defending the guy who did it elsewhere.
*Good she didn't snag a real asshole⋯⋯*
Born beater's wife material.
Put another way.
Decent kid like her—how's Carlyle stressing her heart this bad?
“⋯⋯Can't be helped.”
Elena cleared her throat, chest out.
“I'll help!”
“⋯⋯Pardon?”
“Told you, good at counseling! It'll work!”
“⋯⋯.”
Vespa tilted her head.
“Um, Senior Elena... experienced with this⋯⋯?”
“⋯⋯.”
Elena's pale face flushed crimson.
*Faces change that fast?* flitted through Vespa's mind as Elena stomped and yelled.
“I-I haven't done it, but! Advice—I can give good advice—!”
“⋯⋯.”
Vespa watched Elena flounder, hit dead-on.
Sane folks'd dismiss quack advice easy.
*Really?*
⋯⋯Trouble was, she lacked that judgment too. Virgin central.
“F-First! Change your appeal tactic!”
Zero dating exp combined, two virgins huddled over love strategies.
⋯⋯Quite the spectacle.
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