Chapter 24
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 24
Banquet (2)
Did we stay in the dormitory cafeteria for about 20 minutes.
Wondering if she smoked one before coming, Aniel appeared cleanly changed with the scent of herbs wrapped around her body.
"I tried to come quickly, did I make you wait long?"
"I didn't wait that long."
"Still, sorry for making you wait. Next time I will come a little faster."
It's something I always feel, but after training, Aniel's expression felt softer and slightly milder.
Look at her now too.
"If there is something you want to eat, choose."
"Until when do I only eat on the Grand Duchess's dime, my conscience is pricked."
"You say funny things well. At times like this, others don't stop at snapping up what is given."
"That is because those people have no manners."
"I wouldn't know about that."
When I say I will buy with my money, she snatches the wallet. Even if I try to resist, it's useless.
How could I not have it snatched dealing with Aniel.
"You spent 2,000 Rupees just to hang out with me."
"I have a little bit of money left."
"Forget it. Rather than struggling eating meagerly, eat to your heart's content and pay back later."
After snatching it like that, Aniel ordered picking only the foods I ate deliciously before.
That 150 Rupees comes out every time we order just brings out a hollow laugh.
Since before Aniel bought, I didn't exceed 20 Rupees for one meal.
Anyway, a debt arose again unintentionally like this.
'Following the banquet hall partner, how will I end up paying back next.'
Perhaps later she might take me home and tell me to act as a fake son-in-law?
While imagining such things, I laughed it off.
Asking if she would really do that. Because we are in this Academy, we are at least exchanging words.
To speak bluntly, after graduating, we won't even meet.
First of all, I myself am a child of a Noble Faction family. On the contrary, the opponent is Imperial Palace Faction people.
'It's completely Romeo and Juliet level.'
Of course, it's not like there are old feelings or deep history between the Wiesent and Windelof families.
First, I thought certainly it's a relationship that will be cut after graduating from the Academy.
Right after sitting at the table waiting for the ordered food, I opened my mouth.
"Ah, there is one thing I want to ask the Grand Duchess."
Still, while attending the Academy, there were overflowing things to care about in various ways.
Aniel stared at me quietly and gestured with her eyes. Meaning to speak comfortably.
With the thought that permission fell, I asked immediately.
"What kind of relationship do the Princess and the Grand Duchess have."
About the relationship between the two.
I recall Lucia I encountered in the cafeteria before Aniel came.
She recommended sharing a table this time too, and since it didn't particularly matter to me, I intended to accept.
'Aniel doesn't seem to like eating with Lucia that much though.'
However, the attitude Aniel showed before weighed on my mind.
Aniel who blatantly sent a gaze mixed with hostility.
Seeing Lucia not making a big issue out of it as if familiar, maybe it could be an expression that can be seen among friends.
Because officially, the relationship between the two was said to be an intimate relationship beyond simply friends.
But there were parts that continuously bothered me.
So the thought occurred. If they are not friends with each other....
"Friends."
"You were friends indeed."
"Yes. Since the opponent is saying so."
Aniel asserted. That they are friends. Hearing those words, I felt relieved.
'Then there will be no problem meeting with Lucia.'
When I encountered Lucia, I proposed meeting separately at a cafe instead of sharing a table.
The opponent also seemed to have something to say to me.
Thinking that I will meet Lucia when today's class ends, I felt fatigue rushing in already.
"Ring."
Meanwhile, Aniel pointed to my finger with a slightly harder expression than before and said.
"Wherever you go, absolutely don't take it off. Especially more so when you meet the Princess or someone else."
Don't take it off. I tilted my head and tried to ask why I should do so, but Aniel got up from her seat to get the food.
"Let's go together, Grand Duchess!"
Looking at Aniel who got up first, while feeling puzzled, I followed suit and followed behind her.
***
Today as well, I am in the middle of hell-like training under the Professor's guidance.
Thanks to Aniel, I am no longer falling behind, but still, my stamina is very lacking compared to others.
Right now, while others are shedding about a drop of sweat, I alone am gasping for breath unsightly while sitting down.
Like sweet rain before a drought, break time barely arrived, and I was resting alone.
Around this point, wondering if I reenlisted in the military, when such doubts arose, someone approached me from the side.
"At this rate, you'll be last place ten thousand years until graduation."
"Ugh. It's you again? Why did you come next to me in the first place."
It was none other than Iris. Why is this kid here.
Unlike me who acts alone, didn't she have a group she hangs out with separately?
While sending a puzzled glance, I asked with a thought of just in case.
"You, do you like me?"
Then Iris frowned unpleasantly and said.
"I didn't come because I wanted to either!"
As expected, no. Her appearance of throwing a fit like a person scratched by words I threw just as a joke felt quite amusing in its own way.
Should I tease her one more time, I thought, but I declined it spreading to a bloodshed situation by scratching firmly, so I did it moderately and moved on to the main point again.
"Then what did you come to do."
Why she came to me. Same during the previous class, clearly there would exist a reason.
So I am asking, but the opponent was just opening her mouth wide open and couldn't bring up any words.
Is that kid really okay.
".... You don't need to know that, and I came to brag."
"Brag?"
While avoiding the answer, she brings out a new topic. Considering it wouldn't be a big deal anyway, I concentrated on the words Iris brought up.
What is she bragging about? Wondering if she has anything to brag about to me particularly, I waited for the words she would bring up.
Then Iris answered confidently with a proud face.
"That I received an invitation to the banquet His Majesty the Emperor holds in person!"
It felt like Iris was confirming that I didn't receive it. Of course, it was a fact that I really didn't receive it.
'But is that something to brag about.'
First of all, being invited to a banquet directly held by the Emperor is special indeed.
Especially if one thinks of it as a place for the unity of the Imperial Palace Faction, it is officially recognizing that the Teira family exerts considerable influence to that extent.
But why brag about that to me. If she's going to brag, do it to other people.
As I stared quietly because it was absurd, the opponent, perhaps taking this reaction of mine as envy, kept chattering.
"You won't be able to see the Grand Duchess's beautifully decorated appearance there."
So that was the part worth envying.
Certainly, if I wasn't able to go, it would be a little, very little worth envying.
'Because no matter who looks, Aniel is a beauty.'
Charismatic appearance and attractive decadent beauty, recalling her appearance seen at the Birtz clothing store, I had no choice but to acknowledge it intact.
"That is enviable indeed."
So I acknowledged it.
"Because the Grand Duchess is pretty. Thinking you can't see her beautiful aspect, it would be very regrettable."
In the first place, I could retort that I am also attending that place, but if I did, she would probably tackle me saying 'Why is someone like you there?!'.
Because I declined troublesome things as much as possible, I obediently acknowledged it.
That I am envious. Then I thought Iris would say something triumphantly here now.
"Ah...."
"What is it."
But the reaction is somewhat unenthusiastic.
Did she perhaps get heatstroke? With a worried mind, I examined Iris's face.
As our gazes met, Iris spoke with a sour expression.
"Yes, right. Because the Grand Duchess is very beautiful."
..... At Iris who looked somewhat dejected, thinking she is unpredictable, I still imagined for a moment.
Iris will also attend the banquet, then will she wear knight clothes, or will she wear a dress.
The imagination didn't last long. A pleasant wind blew gently, cooling down the sweat coldly while simultaneously messing up my bangs.
Even though her own bangs were getting messy, I saw Iris staring blankly at the sky for some reason.
Naturally, I reached out my hand and tidied her bangs and said.
"I am curious about you too."
Of course, what clothes she would wear. I couldn't answer the following words.
Because the Professor announced the end of break time and shouted to gather quickly.
"A, ah? Aah?"
And similarly, I couldn't check Iris's following reaction.
Even the gaze staring at me from far away right now.
'By the way, what words is Lucia going to bring up to me.'
The appointment time with Lucia was gradually approaching.
***
Ending training, I went to a cafe run in the Academy.
High-ranking children including the Imperial Family could be assigned specially private private rooms.
As soon as I arrived at the cafe, I was led by Lucia's person and headed to a private room.
"Princess Your Highness. It seems I must go to the infirmary for a moment."
"Oh my, why are you doing that. Allen Wiesent?"
And what was waiting upon arriving at the private room.
"I apologize, it seems my ears are wrong."
"If it's the words I just brought up, you didn't hear wrong at all."
Was one proposal.
"Allen, I will offer you an honorable proposal. The opportunity to become my partner."
And a proposal to become Lucia's partner at that.
'If I bite my tongue now, can I wake up from this dream?'
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