Chapter 21
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 21
Repayment (2)
"They say His Majesty is holding a banquet in person."
"Ah, I see."
The Emperor held a banquet.
Aniel thrust the invitation in front of me and spoke.
Since I hadn't heard anything from the family and an invitation didn't come either, it was a story I didn't know at all.
Thinking about it, maybe he only sent it to people of the Imperial Palace Faction families who follow the Emperor?
I tried to treat her, but this is an unavoidable problem.
It's not something else but an invitation sent from the Imperial Palace, so she can't ignore it without reason.
"That's unfortunate. I wanted to treat you with much effort, then shall we postpone it to next time?"
It can't be helped. So that Aniel wouldn't be troubled, I stepped forward first and said.
Asking how about postponing it to next time.
But Aniel shook her head.
"Didn't I just say. That I have one proposal."
Mm? Certainly, it seems she brought up such words, but what does this have to do with now.
With a puzzled mind, I stared at Aniel quietly, but.
"Can you attend as my partner."
Thinking about it now, at this time I should have said let's talk next time and run away.
"Just in time, I need a partner."
But I am not an invited person? I tried to refuse once out of formality.
"I don't have clothes to participate in a banquet right now. So it's regrettable, but how about finding another person?"
Since I didn't go out to high society either, it was true that I didn't have clothes to participate in such a banquet.
"Then we just have to get clothes."
"Grand Duchess?"
"Follow me."
"Ah?"
But to our Grand Duchess, it seemed something like that didn't even become a problem at all.
Aniel grabbed my hand and dragged me somewhere.
"Because I know a place that does well."
As if putting a leash so I couldn't run away.
The partner originally decided by the family was Albert Robiesh, the Emperor's nephew.
The intention was clear. That Windelof would gain greater power in central politics by forming a marriage engagement with the Imperial Family.
Unexpectedly, the Emperor didn't dislike this intention of the Windelof family.
The era valuing lineage and honor was ending and changing into a new era valuing power and skill.
This was also the reason for cherishing Lucia over the legitimate eldest son. Because there had to be a powerful person to represent the Imperial Family.
Because mutual interests coincided, he could be selected as a partner.
But they couldn't fathom the part they should care about most.
"Is it really okay?"
"Why?"
They proceeded as they pleased without examining the will of Aniel, the person involved.
Aniel had no intention of becoming a tool following obediently according to their will.
Partnering with Albert Robiesh was even more declined.
So Aniel intended to no-show regardless of the family's notice. Until Allen came to find her saying he wanted to repay the favor.
"Well, because an invitation didn't come to me. Whether it's okay for someone like me to attend this place...."
Currently, the two people were out in the city center, not the Academy.
Aniel preferred not to wander around crowded places unless there was a special occasion, but since Allen tried to refuse saying he didn't have clothes to attend, she took him to a clothing store.
Since they just have to go there and buy clothes worth attending the banquet.
Having come this far, does he dislike attending with her that much?
While arriving, Allen kept making this and that excuse saying it seemed impossible, and Aniel was slowly getting annoyed.
So Aniel stepped up a bit more radically.
"Do you not trust me that much."
"Grand Duchess?!"
She pushed Allen against the wall. In a fit of temper, she could have done it roughly, but if she did, this fragile man would get hurt badly, so very gently.
"You are participating as my partner, not anyone else's."
As the partner of me, Aniel Windelof, not anyone else.
Who dares to argue about her partner?
And a partner she chose herself at that.
"If there is anyone stepping up without knowing their place, I will show directly what happens on that spot."
Allen, who heard the words right under his nose, could know.
He could assert that there was absolutely no lie or bluff mixed in her eyes.
And one part he pledged was that he must absolutely not have Aniel as an enemy.
She stays still because it's annoying, but if she really makes up her mind to kill, probably that person would meet death without lasting a day no matter how much they run away.
But what Allen is concerned about is right now. In a state pushed against the wall, Aniel kept sending her gaze to his face.
What is it? Are there still words left she wants to say? If not that, is there something on my face.
"Grand Duchess? Is there something on my face?"
"....."
Towards Aniel staring piercingly, Allen asked.
If perhaps there is something strange. But Aniel was silent, examining his face persistently unlike her usual languid eyes.
Is it a misunderstanding if I say that gaze looks like a fierce beast looking at prey for some reason.
Swallowing saliva, he examined the situation. A situation like being trapped unable to escape, Aniel in front of his eyes didn't look like she would remove her arm at all.
Around the time he was thinking such things, just in time the Madam appeared.
"Grand Duchess. I intend to check measurements for a moment, would it be alright."
"I, I understand the Grand Duchess's will clearly! Then I will go with peace of mind!"
"....."
At the Madam's words which were no different from a savior, thinking now is the golden opportunity, Allen avoided the seat quickly.
For some reason, if he stayed at that spot even a little longer, he felt he wouldn't know what would have been done to him.
She simply intended to scare him and fall back.
So that words of refusal couldn't come out of his mouth anymore.
Coming to now when Allen disappeared as if running away, a slight reality check came.
Strange. Unlike herself. If it were the original her, when the opponent said they disliked it, she would have told them to do so and left leisurely without forcing.
This process of scaring and receiving assurance like now was unnecessary.
If he says he won't go, it's enough for her not to go either.
But why does she bring him this far and insist on attending the banquet with him.
While seeming to regain composure slightly, Aniel's gaze was heading towards the place where Allen left again.
The thought occurred whether he disliked going to the banquet with her, but Aniel denied it soon.
What Allen cares about is solely the part that he wasn't invited. If he disliked it, he is someone who would have said he disliked it.
"Greetings to the Grand Duchess."
"Madam."
While immersed in thoughts, Aniel stared at the Madam who appeared in front.
The young owner of this Birtz clothing store, Madam Katy. She was an acquaintance of Aniel.
"Sorry for visiting suddenly without contact."
"It is fine. Because our Birtz always welcomes the Grand Duchess's visit."
The skill of Madam Katy, the owner here, was outstanding enough to be counted in the Empire.
Everyone designated Birtz clothing store enough to have to wait for reservations even if they were royalty, but there was one person who was the sole exception, and that was Aniel.
"If it weren't for the Grand Duchess back then, I wouldn't have been able to return alive, let alone with the Eastern fabric."
Hearing rumors that Eastern fabric, which is difficult to obtain, arrived at a certain port, she moved her steps directly to obtain it but was attacked by demons.
Although she brought considerable escort knights, because they were quite strong demons, she was almost annihilated helplessly as is.
When Madam Katy was also prepared for death at that spot, she was saved by Aniel who was passing by just in time.
"It is all past work."
"Yes. But I think I will remember it for a lifetime."
You who saved my life.
Since then, whenever she went out to high society, Aniel became Birtz's number 1 priority customer.
"However, I have something I am curious about to the Grand Duchess."
"What is it."
Madam Katy asked wearing a bright smile.
Still Aniel's gaze was in the direction Allen left.
"Is that person the one who will become the Grand Duchess's husband?"
However, hearing those words, Aniel's gaze was directed straight to Madam Katy.
Husband, for Aniel who had never thought about marriage, she lost her words for a moment.
Because she had never imagined marrying someone until now.
Partners she met until now including in high society all looked only at Hero Aniel, Monster Aniel, not herself.
Because thoughts occurred that only suffocating days would continue if she lived with such people, she didn't even think about things like marriage in the first place, but for some reason Allen felt different.
Looking at Katy waiting for an answer, Aniel chose words to say.
"Not, yet."
"I see. It is 'not yet'."
Aniel couldn't say it flatly.
She had doubts.
Whether this answer was said towards Katy, or towards herself.
In such a situation, suddenly Katy spoke.
"I am in favor. Although I don't know yet who that person is, which family's person he is, or what kind of person he is, still, he looks quite kind."
As Katy smiled mischievously, Aniel asked what that meant.
"Before entering, he called our employee first. wondering if he had any requirements, he held out money."
"Money?"
Even while avoiding as if running away, Allen tried to calculate first saying he didn't want to make Aniel spend money.
Allen, who lived in the Wiesent territory and had no particular interest in decorating, didn't know how much the unit price of Birtz clothing store was.
"He was truly a naive person. It seems he gave it in advance fearing the Grand Duchess would pay."
So for now, he presented 2,000 Rupees to Katy and brought up words to solve it here.
Hearing this, Aniel laughed because it was absurd.
Because the clothes of this Birtz clothing store started from a basic unit price of 50,000 Rupees.
"Sorry but accept that money. Since he might feel burdened if you tell him the price for no reason."
Saying she would take care of the remaining money herself, Aniel wanted to protect his self-esteem.
If it were another person, they would like this opportunity and accept it, but for some reason, if it's him, she felt he would feel sorry for making her pay even the clothing price as well as feeling burdened hearing the real price.
Katy, seeing Aniel like this for the first time, was curious while nodding her head.
"For now, how about the Grand Duchess also try changing? There is an outfit prepared for the Grand Duchess."
As Aniel nodded and withdrew, Katy smiled.
Because there was a masterpiece of conversion she made looking forward to only her coming.
As much as it was made solely for her, while hoping it fits well, something suddenly came to mind.
"Come to think of it, Princess Lucia will also visit soon."