Chapter 87 — A Secret Romance
Chapter 87 — A Secret Romance
Translation: Godtl
Meanwhile, Lute was spending a pleasant time with Princess Julianna.
The two had recently started dating, but since they hadn't officially announced being lovers yet, they were meeting secretly.
Princess Julianna made it look like she had invited him to a tea party with her ladies-in-waiting.
However, at the actual tea party location, there were only Lute and Julianna.
A small garden decorated with a pretty tea table.
Even though it was a scene that would seem to exude sweetness even without dessert, Julianna's expression was not good.
It was because of the news a servant had brought just this morning.
It was outrageous.
The story that Prince Cedric and Prince Damian took Raymond to a duel was fine up to that point.
'My brothers are on my side after all.'
Princess Julianna's brow furrowed rapidly as she listened to the story with that thought.
"Suddenly Sir Griffith appeared and offered to do a bare-knuckle match instead! But the princes were beaten to a pulp and collapsed..."
"That's absurd! How dare he wound the imperial family's bodies!"
"Of course, afterwards he personally applied healing magic with divine power and left, they say..."
The servant answered anxiously.
Even so, Julianna was dumbfounded.
It wasn't just giving disease and medicine together—does beating someone half to death and then healing them make the sin disappear?
From what she heard, this person named Griffith definitely had mental problems.
To do something only a crazed murderer would do to the imperial family.
She heard that person was also royalty, but isn't this the Auraria Empire? How dare he do such things to the princes inside this empire's imperial palace!
She was venting to Lute because she was angry about that incident.
Thinking of her brothers whose pride must have been hurt because of her, Julianna's heart ached.
Lute gently comforted her and joined in criticizing this person named Griffith.
Then the conversation shifted to 'Sir Raymond.'
Since the two had decided to meet seriously, they agreed to use honorifics even when alone for the future.
Even though she was angry, Julianna spoke firmly using honorifics.
"He's truly a person without loyalty and a coward! I thought he was a good person... but not only did he torment me, he called someone named Griffith to insult my brothers?"
"......"
She was so angry she went on and on criticizing Sir Raymond, but there was no response from Lute.
Just a moment ago, he was joining in when criticizing that Griffith person?
'Is he taking his side now?'
Julianna got a bit sulky. When she puffed her cheeks and crossed her arms, Lute got flustered.
"Ah, no! It's just... Sir Raymond probably didn't think much of it. Unlike that guy Griffith, Sir Raymond isn't that bad of a person."
"...Do you really think so?"
"Actually... I received a lot of help from Sir Raymond before I confessed to you, Princess."
At those words, Julianna's eyes narrowed.
She urged him to explain in more detail. Though flustered, Lute roughly explained the story of when they were together.
After hearing the whole story, Julianna laughed in disbelief.
Now she saw it, she had been completely mistaken from the start. Julianna's face turned red with embarrassment.
But that didn't mean Sir Raymond was a normal person.
He was a shameless playboy.
A few days ago, Julianna's maid Cecil had suddenly come to her sobbing.
Cecil had secretly had feelings for Sir Raymond since before the ball.
The reason she cried was because of a strange rumor.
She wondered if there were secret rumors circulating between Sir Raymond and Lady Grace, but it was something completely different.
Apparently, Prince Romeo of the Roseberry Empire, who was staying as a guest at the imperial palace, and Sir Raymond were in that kind of relationship.
At those words, Julianna was tremendously shocked.
At the same time, she felt creeped out. So she wanted Lute to stop associating with him.
But Lute kept taking his side, so she got angry.
Sir Raymond or herself. She wanted to tell him to choose right now, but Julianna held back.
That's when Lute spoke.
"Anyway, Sir Raymond isn't that bad of a person. I was so grateful that I even gave him my most treasured possession. I was originally going to give it to you, Princess..."
"...What is it?"
Julianna's brow furrowed. He gave something meant for her to that man?
Could it be that not satisfied with Prince Romeo, he's trying to lead Lute astray in that weird direction too?
Suddenly anxiety washed over her.
"Well... actually it's something I've cherished since childhood. It's a holy relic from the temple."
Lute began to explain in detail about the gift he had given to Sir Raymond.
As she listened to the story, Julianna's expression grew darker.
"But...! If it's a holy relic, it should be given to the temple!! How could you give a holy relic to such a person!"
"I know. But at that time, for some reason I felt like I had to give it..."
"If you had given it to me, I would have kept it precious and donated it to the temple. But Sir Raymond might sell it to some strange place. And then the temple holds Sir Lute responsible?"
"......!"
At those words, Lute's expression crumpled. Suddenly anxiety washed over him.
Julianna thought for a moment then whispered in his ear.
To think I have to take these four to the Superion Territory.
There were so many things to handle once we arrived at the territory.
First, there was grandmother and grandfather, my aunt and uncles.
And now I had to worry about these four on top of everything else.
My mind was complicated. On the other hand, my heart pounded with joy. Honestly, I was worried but happy.
The thought that I wouldn't have to be separated from my friends.
If only they would stay by my side without suspecting me until I gathered 100 billion, that would be even better.
Just then, Romeo, who had been bickering with Kalix, stopped and smoothed his clothes.
"Oh right, there's a strange rumor going around about you and me?"
"Pardon?"
Lelia asked, bewildered.
Romeo was clearly pointing at himself with his finger. A strange rumor about Romeo and me?
"That you and I are in that kind of relationship."
"……!"
At those words, her eyes went round like a startled rabbit's, and Kalix cackled with laughter.
"That's ridiculous! You two?"
"Exactly. Anyway, don't smile when you look at me for a while. I understand that I'm so handsome that just looking at me makes you beam with pleasure, but restrain yourself. Got it?"
At Romeo's instruction, Lelia nodded blankly.
Griffith also frowned as if offended.
"I don't think I'd mind either way, whether it's a man or a woman."
Just then, Oscar, who had been sitting beside Lelia, spoke in an indifferent voice.
At those words, Kalix and Romeo jumped back and slowly moved away from Oscar. Griffith also frowned more deeply and looked at him.
But Oscar smiled at Lelia with a composed expression.
"By the way, is Lelia your real name?"
"…Yes."
Kalix, who had been feigning retching, was startled and sat back down.
"What? You poor thing! Ah…! You must have had to deceive people since childhood, so your mother gave you a woman's name!"
"…Yes."
"Well, whatever. Not bad! It sounds like a man's name too, it's fine. Don't be discouraged."
Kalix reached out and ruffled her hair as if to comfort her.
When Oscar asked with his eyes what this was about, Kalix went "Ah!" and straightened his posture.
It was a posture indicating he was about to tell a story in earnest.
Lelia put her hand to her forehead in advance.
Kalix began reciting the story of Lelia's unfortunate past.
Lelia's mother had given birth to a baby, and because the imperial succession was precarious at the time, she had raised her son disguised as a daughter to protect him from harm.
The story was so long and tragic….
Looking at Kalix, who was truly without any suspicion and so innocent, Lelia couldn't help but sigh.
After finishing the childhood story, Kalix also brought up how Lelia had been suspected before the Emperor.
"At that time! When that guy suddenly did something—!"
Then he held out his forearm and began explaining in detail.
"Hey, how audacious is this guy? I don't think even I could take off my pants in front of the Emperor! Could you guys do that? Huh?"
At those words, everyone shook their heads. Lelia wanted to faint.
"Just like Leo's younger brother, truly audacious."
"……."
Throughout the story, Oscar had been laughing behind his large white hand.
Lelia grew uncomfortable with the look Oscar was sending her. Somehow his eyes seemed to see through everything.
He might have figured out the whole truth. If that were all, she would rather say to Oscar, "Thank you for recognizing me."
But she didn't feel that way at all.
Though he seemed to be hiding something, Oscar's gaze at her was faintly layered with betrayal and hatred. That was why it was uncomfortable.
"Anyway. We should leave the Imperial City as soon as possible."
Lelia stood up abruptly, avoiding Oscar's gaze. Because of his stare, she felt increasingly strangled and wanted to avoid it.
"Right, well. We could leave as early as tomorrow."
At Romeo's words, Lelia nodded and headed to her room as if fleeing.
