Chapter 23
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 23
Banquet
Thump, thump thump.
"Who on earth is next door to be so noisy."
"I apologize. Princess Your Highness."
Lucia frowned. Soundproofing magic only blocked people's voices to the end.
Because it didn't block all noises, it couldn't be helped, but the loud noise was annoying.
Usually, she would have said a word about doing a nuisance action in a space used together.
But Lucia didn't do so.
'What should I say for him to accept my partner proposal.'
She didn't have time to use on such things. She had to hurry up and think of words that could persuade Allen.
So that he wouldn't run away from her this time, and would follow her will properly.
'To do so, with what words should I appease him.'
Even if I give a vast fortune, he doesn't seem like he would give it a glance at all.
Because he is a person with so much suspicion, he surely wouldn't try to listen easily either.
She thought of various methods while trying on the dress, but none were satisfactory.
'Shall I try using domination magic.'
Unable to think of a suitable method, the conclusion headed towards domination magic again.
That day, when Aniel took Allen and escaped, what she warned came to mind vividly still.
Saying absolutely not to touch Allen.
But Lucia had absolutely no mind to keep that from the start.
She continuously polished and polished domination magic since that day.
Because only ancient magic books remained and even the people teaching were extremely few, the transmission was practically cut off, but it didn't matter.
If there isn't any, she just has to create it directly herself.
'It will be soon. If I complete it fully, then she will have to be prepared.'
She was slowly approaching the completion of the ultimate domination magic that absolutely couldn't be avoided.
But there was something she didn't know.
"Shall we return now."
That the Allen she was searching for so much was in the fitting room right next door.
"Yes."
And that Allen wasn't the only one inside it.
***
In the returning carriage, I asked exactly how much it was.
No matter how I looked at it, it was certain it would definitely exceed 2,000 Rupees.
Otherwise, how could they place that expensive soundproofing magic in every fitting room.
'Because setting up soundproofing magic once costs about 5,000 Rupees.'
Even that is only when doing it once, and the magic must be set up again on a 1-year basis.
They also have to manage it in the middle.
Doing thorough security to protect customers' privacy meant it wasn't a place just anyone could go.
So I am asking. To repay somehow.
"You don't have to care. Because it's a repayment for agreeing to a troublesome matter."
But Aniel stubbornly refused. That it's a compensation for accompanying her in a troublesome matter.
Saying just going to the banquet together is enough, that it's not that expensive, and now she declares she just won't teach me.
'I should go to Birtz clothing store again later.'
If she herself won't teach me, I have no choice but to visit directly again.
It will be at a level incomparable to being treated to meals. Anyway, realizing the answer wouldn't come out even if I asked, I changed the topic and asked.
"When is the date?"
I was curious about the exact date the banquet would be held.
Since going is practically confirmed now, the problem was when to attend.
When Aniel showed it at first, the problem was that I didn't look carefully thinking it was a place with no connection to me.
"The day after tomorrow."
"... Yes?"
Aniel spoke indifferently as if she didn't care much, but for me, I was greatly flustered.
Who would have expected that it would be right two days later.
"Since it was a situation where you only needed to bring your body, they must have informed me after everything was decided."
In the insignificant answer, I was puzzled.
'Even so, isn't it something they could inform separately? She's the only successor of the Grand Duchy.'
While in my house there existed another child who could succeed the family lineage even if it wasn't me, Aniel was the only one in the Windelof Grand Duchy.
It is self-evident that she, who is outstanding in all aspects, is the successor of the Grand Duchy.
But to deliver it to such a successor only a few days ago. It was absurd, but wasn't I like that too.
Meaning I was notified that I would enter the Academy a week ago.
'Your situation and mine were similar.'
While feeling sympathy, I continued the conversation again.
"Is there anything I should do? Or things to be careful of."
First of all, it's a place attending as Aniel Windelof's partner.
I was curious if there were parts to be careful of, or things I had to accomplish.
Then Aniel was silent. What is it? Is there some problem?
In the midst of worrying whether an important role would be entrusted to me, Aniel broke the silence and spoke.
"Just stick next to me."
".... Other than that?"
"Not particularly. Nothing to do."
"If an important person speaks...."
"I will deal with them."
Saying that, does Aniel's words mean I just have to stand still next to her like a folding screen?
I was relieved. If some important mission was given down, I would have been tense not knowing what to do.
What would be difficult about just being next to her. Tension was released at Aniel saying she would take care of all other things herself.
Like that, my role looked like an insignificant matter.
But going later, I realized this thought was a big mistake.
"Who is the person next to the Grand Duchess?"
"A figure I have never seen in high society even once."
"I don't know who it is, but he doesn't match the Grand Duchess at all."
That the Grand Duchess's partner is absolutely not an easy position.
"Who on earth are you to dare snatch away the Grand Duchess who would become my partner!"
***
After Allen got off the carriage and returned to the dormitory, Aniel fell into thought for a moment.
She just realized in the carriage the fact that she was so focused only on making him a partner that she couldn't examine other parts.
"What problems will there be."
While smoking a cigarette, Aniel looked at the setting sunset.
Probably the Grand Duke couple would have informed the majority of people that she would attend with Albert Robiesh.
Even if she says she will change the partner now, the Grand Duke couple will absolutely not permit it.
And also how others will view Allen was a problem.
'He hasn't shown his face even once since the debutante.'
Probably the majority of nobles wouldn't even know properly who he is.
At a banquet for Imperial Palace Faction nobles, what would happen if a child of a prominent Noble Faction family appears, it was truly something to look forward to.
Besides that, various problems like Lucia came to mind, but Aniel only sighed and didn't feel any particular worry.
In the first place, isn't there no case where a human listens carefully to an ant chattering.
"If a problem arises, I have no choice but to show what happens then."
Isn't it enough to just make sure they absolutely cannot touch Allen.
As long as she is next to him, Allen will be safe.
If there is anyone to make an issue, she just has to tell them to make an issue as much as they want.
To Aniel, she didn't care about family, Emperor, honor, power, wealth, or anything.
The only thing she cared about was just one. It was only Allen.
"Standing side by side in front of everyone, huh."
On the other hand, Aniel imagined the moment she would attend with Allen.
The moment of putting Allen next to her in front of everyone watching.
At the thought that she could show off to others that they are a special relationship, the corners of her mouth went up for some reason.
In the slowly delaying time, Aniel waited for the moment to meet Allen at the training ground when dawn breaks.
***
Two days later is two days later, and until then, I thought I would spend ordinary daily life at the Academy.
No, I thought exactly.
[Aniel's ?ability has increased by 1]
[Aniel's ?ability has increased by 1]
[Aniel's ?ability has increased by 1]
[Aniel's ?ability has increased by 1]
[Aniel's ?ability has increased by 1]
"How about stopping, here....!"
"Not finished yet."
"P, please stop...!"
Unlike the expectation that ordinary training would resume ending with the previous spar, training continued through sparring with Aniel continuously.
Aniel said she would end the spar if I land one proper attack, but at my current level, that was close to impossible.
"It's already the fifth time! At this rate, I will collapse before even going to the banquet hall!"
At this rate, I felt like I would collapse from exhaustion.
Whether my plea worked, Aniel, whose eyes shone like a beast, also licked her lips and felt regret as if recalling that part.
"That is also true. Then we have no choice but to do more next time."
Wait, why are you licking your lips scarily. More than that, more severely next time?
My spine chills. Just when I was seriously agonizing over cutting the master-disciple relationship with her, Aniel handed me something.
"This is..."
"A ring."
A ring? Why is she handing over something like this suddenly. While staring blankly at the ring in bewilderment, Aniel explained subsequently.
"Protection magic is engraved, so keep wearing it."
Hearing Aniel's words, I couldn't understand even more.
Would a dangerous moment requiring the use of protection magic come at the Imperial Palace.
I tried to return it telling Aniel to wear it. But Aniel shook her head.
"When, where, and what will happen is something no one knows."
Saying where would there be a use, I wore it right now following Aniel's will.
"The jewel is exactly the same color as the Grand Duchess's eyes."
I looked at the jewel shining like ash color. Although it's not a color that stands out distinctly like sapphire or emerald, I liked this color quite a bit.
"Thank you this time too. Grand Duchess."
Conveying gratitude, Aniel answered looking elsewhere, not at me.
"I have a place to drop by for a moment, so let's meet again at the cafeteria."
Before, we went to the dormitory cafeteria together, but these days she says let's meet at the cafeteria after dropping by somewhere for a moment.
I was doubtful where on earth she was going, but for now, following that will, I headed to the dormitory cafeteria first while thinking about the ring.
'Will a dangerous moment really come?'
While thinking this ring would be more suitable for another person than me, I changed that thought before long.
"We meet here again. Allen."
Exactly by meeting Lucia.
"Is it okay to eat together this time? Just in time, I also have something to tell you."
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