Chapter 40: The Imperial Soiree (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 40: The Imperial Soiree (2)
After excusing herself to the other nobles, Frillite left the soiree with Cloud.
No matter how high-ranking the other nobles were, none of them could raise their voice at her—the daughter of the Ferdiac family and a Hero of the Empire.
Thanks to her, Cloud was able to leave the gathering without any trouble.
After the two departed, the soiree once again grew boisterous. However, the topic of their conversations had changed significantly.
“What was that you were saying? That he’d lose to your family’s rookie knight? Your family’s knights must be incredible, to be able to so easily defeat a Hero like that.”
“…”
Some were simply in awe of the martial prowess Cloud had displayed.
“Is that really the Incompetent Hero? What in the world happened to him over the past few months?”
Others were curious about what had transpired in recent months.
“That was only possible because it was a surprise attack. Besides, Gis didn’t even have a weapon.”
“Cloud wasn’t armed either, was he?”
“Come now, do you really think Cloud could beat Gis in a proper fight with weapons? Considering everything we’ve seen from him until now?”
“Perhaps he trained himself to the bone, fueled by a desire for revenge. I’ve seen many such cases—people who change completely once they find the right motivation.”
“Then shall we make a wager? I heard you bought a rather fine Beastman slave recently…”
“…Never mind. That child is mine. Do not mention her again.”
And some simply treated it as interesting gossip.
The reason those who had been so negative toward Cloud were now showing such an attitude was simple.
Frillite herself had led Cloud away from the soiree.
That meant Cloud and Frillite were close.
They didn’t want to stir up trouble by speaking ill of Cloud.
While the nobles chattered, Lorian replayed the scene he had just witnessed. Frillite had taken Cloud’s arm and left the soiree.
I knew they were acquainted.
But he hadn’t realized their relationship was close enough for her to help him in a situation like this.
Cloud… so you’ve decided to ignore my warning after all.
After tricking Eri and taking her away, Lorian hadn’t paid Cloud any mind.
He wasn’t worth the effort.
Not anymore.
The price for ignoring my warning…
…will be steep. Lorian vowed to himself.
Meanwhile, Lorian wasn’t the only one staring at the entrance of the hall where Cloud and Frillite had departed.
Eri and Neria.
They, too, stared with forlorn eyes at the spot where Cloud had been.
Watching them with pity, Ophelia let out a sigh.
*
In a bar with a dark, clandestine atmosphere.
A middle-aged bartender was wiping a wine glass behind a long central table, and seated before him were a handsome man and a beautiful woman, both with the same red hair.
“It was quite noisy when I was about to enter the hall. I thought Gis was causing a ruckus again. I never imagined you’d be the source of it all. I was surprised, in more ways than one,” said Frillite, the woman with her long hair tied in a ponytail.
She was wearing the same formal suit she had worn at the previous soiree.
“Let’s set aside how you managed to defeat Gis. That’s not what’s important to me right now.”
Frillite’s red eyes turned to Cloud.
“What happened?”
“Why do you ask?”
“You just look that way.”
“What kind of answer is that? So half-hearted.”
Cloud let out a small laugh.
He swirled his glass, watching the wine slosh around.
“I just keep thinking about the old days.”
“The old days?”
“Yeah. Back then, things were so hard I thought I was going to die, but looking back, I find myself missing those times.”
“…”
“Someone once said that whenever they close their eyes, they see their past glory. I really resonated with that. It’s the same for me. I try not to think about it, but the memories come back anyway. Sometimes I even dream about it—a dream of breaking through danger with my companions.”
“…”
“I figured if I can’t forget it for the rest of my life, I might as well try to imitate it. But… even that didn’t go as well as I’d hoped. So, well… I was just a little disappointed.”
Cloud shrugged as if it were nothing.
Frillite gazed at him with a wistful look. She recalled an incident at a tavern in the past—the words Cloud had mumbled in his sleep after getting drunk.
—I’m sorry…
—If only I had been a little better, you all…
Right… even back then, you couldn’t forget those three. It seems your nostalgia has only grown stronger.
Frillite’s fine lips pressed together.
She felt that any rash words of comfort would do more harm than good. But no matter how hard she thought, she couldn’t come up with anything effective to say.
A brief silence fell between them.
It was Cloud who broke it. He glanced at Frillite and asked.
“Frillite, can I ask you just one thing?”
“Ask me anything.”
“Um… let’s say something happens, and I need your help. But it’s an incredibly dangerous task, so much so that even you might not make it out alive. If I asked for your help in that situation, would you come?”
“I would.”
Her answer came without a hint of hesitation.
Cloud chuckled.
“Right, that’s the kind of person you are. Thanks. For answering.”
He turned his gaze from Frillite and began to pour new wine into his glass.
Frillite tilted her head.
“I believe you’re misunderstanding something.”
“Hm?”
“Did you think I would promise to risk my life to help just anyone?”
“No, not just anyone. But you follow the code of chivalry, so…”
“As you say, I am a knight. I am also the sole heir to the Duke Ferdiac family and a Hero of the Empire. I know my position, my role, and my responsibilities.”
Cloud wore a puzzled expression.
He still doesn’t get it, even after all that?
Frillite sighed and said, “I have never promised anyone that I would risk my life for them. You are the first person I have ever made such a promise to.”
Cloud stared blankly at Frillite for a moment. Then, he suddenly burst out laughing like a madman.
A faint blush crept onto Frillite’s cheeks.
“Wh-what is it! Why are you laughing after I went out of my way to tell you that! Are you making fun of me?!”
Clutching his stomach, Cloud desperately tried to stop laughing. He looked at Frillite, his face still full of mirth, and said, “No, it’s just… I feel like such a fucking idiot. The answer was right next to me this whole time, and I couldn’t even see it. I’ve really lost my touch.”
His amused expression gradually softened into a warm smile.
“Frillite, can I borrow your shoulder?”
“My shoulder? I don’t mind, but…”
Why does he suddenly want to put his arm around my shoulder at a time like this? Frillite wondered.
But she soon realized her assumption was wrong.
“Cloud?”
“Yeah?”
“I thought you were going to put your arm around my shoulder, but why are you resting your head on it?”
Instead of putting an arm around her, Cloud had leaned his head against her shoulder.
“I never said I was going to put my arm around you.”
“Cloud, even if I don’t know much about friendship, I do know that this is something lovers do.”
“So what? It’s not like it’ll wear out. Besides, you just said I could borrow your shoulder, didn’t you? Surely you wouldn’t go back on your word?”
“You and your words… Huu, do as you please.”
In the end, Frillite let Cloud’s head rest on her shoulder.
To be honest, it didn’t feel bad.
Just as a resigned Frillite was taking another sip of wine, Cloud muttered under his breath.
“So there was one, after all.”
“What did you say?”
“I said thank you. And that your shoulder is soft.”
“Is that so? I thought it would be hard because of my muscles.”
“Not at all, it’s really comfortable. I might just fall asleep like this.”
“I’d rather you didn’t. If that happens, I’ll have to carry you to your bed, and I don’t know where that is.”
“Should I tell you?”
“No, thank you. Just drink your wine.”
“You’re no fun.”
The two drank again in silence.
When another bottle of wine was empty, Cloud asked quietly, “Traveling with you would be difficult, wouldn’t it?”
“It would be. Setting aside whether you could even keep up with my schedule, the other kingdoms would protest. They’d ask if the Empire was siding with the Prona Kingdom instead of remaining neutral.”
“True, it would look that way even if that wasn’t the intention. That’s a shame. I wanted to travel with you at least once.”
“We can travel after we defeat the Demon King.”
“After defeating the Demon King, you’ll have to succeed your family. Where would you find the time to travel?”
“There’s always a honeymoon, isn’t there? How about we do something grand, like a tour of the entire continent?”
Cloud’s eyes widened. Then he started to chuckle.
“Wow, I didn’t see that coming. You’ve gotten pretty bold, haven’t you?”
“Have I? Well, if you say so. In any case, the fact that you’re even talking about wanting to travel with me suggests your companion problem is quite serious. How about it? Why not accept the Empire’s talents as your companions, as I suggested before?”
Cloud waved his hand dismissively.
“No, thanks. It seems like everyone here is the same, except for you. I’ll just find people I know well.”
“People you know well?”
“Yeah. People I know well and can trust. And I need to go back to my roots. I’ve been too sentimental lately. Maybe it’s because I got a whiff of old nostalgia after so long?”
Cloud scratched his head.
“Well, I’m glad to see your spirits have returned. But your roots… what are your roots?”
At Frillite’s question, Cloud gave a faint smile.
“It’s a secret.”
Frillite’s brow furrowed deeply.