Chapter 27
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 27
Banquet (5)
"Is it really okay to leave it like this?"
One of the servants of the Windelof Grand Duchy who entered the Academy following Aniel opened his mouth and spoke.
No one was stupid enough to ask what he meant.
Because they were all people specially selected directly by the Grand Duke in the Grand Duchy.
"If the Grand Duke knows this fact, he will be greatly furious."
And currently, the Grand Duke repeatedly requested the servants earnestly.
Saying that they must definitely form a relationship with the Imperial Family this time, so somehow do well without variables.
One word that if things go wrong, they will take responsibility and be abandoned from the Grand Duchy was also included.
"Then why don't you go to the Grand Duchess and say it."
"Do you think we don't know?"
But others' reactions were only cold.
It's not that all of them didn't receive the murderous threat sent by the Grand Duke.
If things even go awry, they would be chased out of the Grand Duchy.
To not be chased out, it was right to try everything.
"Have you already forgotten what happened when someone previously stepped up without knowing their place and told the Grand Duchess she should follow the Grand Duke's words well?"
"Their head almost flew off on that spot right there. Although she didn't cut it in the end."
"Isn't it rather better to die? In the end, that person got dragged to the front line fighting demons."
But the opponent was Aniel.
The person who will become the future Grand Duke.
Getting marked by going against her mood right now was the same as selling off the future to escape the immediate situation.
Especially Aniel didn't even listen properly to things she wasn't interested in.
There was no way she would listen properly, and above all, seeing blood by going against her mood was declined.
"But we can't just let go of our hands either. We must do something somehow."
They had choices.
Either let go of their hands like this and get fired by the Grand Duke.
Or go to Aniel like crazy as a group and dissuade her saying she shouldn't, and then migrate to the front line as a group.
If not that...
"Either an unfortunate event occurs where the partner cannot leave together for some reason."
"Does that mean we should aim for Allen Wiesent?"
If they couldn't follow the Grand Duke's will nor persuade Aniel, the answer was one.
Aiming for Allen Wiesent.
"The time is evening. We must move before then somehow."
Anyway, he was from a Noble Faction whose line was different from them, who are Imperial Palace Faction.
Sparks of controversy could bloom, but it would suffice if they make it look like an accident as secretly as possible.
Although they didn't have any grudge against him.
Rather, they should have a grateful heart. Because Aniel, who was on edge, becoming milder recently might be thanks to him.
"If we break one leg, he wouldn't be able to go even if he wants to, right."
However, apart from a grateful heart, shouldn't they themselves live first.
If they didn't want their families to end up on the streets by getting fired, they had to move.
"Let's aim for the moment he is alone as much as possible."
But there was one unexpected part for them.
"Why is the Grand Duchess continuing to stick to him?"
***
As His Majesty the Emperor held the banquet in person, those invited could be specially exempted from classes.
Because it is a place attending the Imperial Palace, they had to adorn themselves as stylishly as possible.
Since Madam Katy said the outfit was scheduled to be completed today so come pick it up if I had time, I also got exempted from classes today and headed to the Birtz clothing store.
"Is it okay if the Grand Duchess doesn't prepare?"
But a completely unexpected situation occurred.
The moment I tried to step out of the Academy, Aniel coincidentally appeared and said she would take me.
Because I wasn't familiar with the capital yet, Aniel saying she would guide the way was very welcome to me, but I was slightly worried.
'Usually don't women wake up at the crack of dawn and continuously dress up until lunch?'
Until possessing, I didn't have an older or younger sister, so I didn't know well how much time it takes to decorate.
However, unlike before, after possessing, I could know thanks to having a younger half-sister.
That here, when women attend important places, they decorate for at least half a day.
So I asked Aniel. If it's right to be leisurely like this now.
Aniel, who was looking at the window, heard the question and turned her gaze towards me.
"Do I look like I need to do such preparations."
Her gaze looked languid like usual, but on one hand, a smile peeked out a little, very little.
But thinking it must be a misunderstanding, I bit my tongue.
Wake up, the opponent is Aniel Windelof.
Who am I for her to smile.
Thinking let's not make the opponent uncomfortable by misunderstanding for no reason, I looked at Aniel to answer her question.
Exactly Aniel's face.
"Certainly, it seems the Grand Duchess wouldn't be lacking even if you attend the banquet in your current appearance."
"Hmm?"
Among the women I've seen, would there be people of this level.
An alluring figure and skin shining like white jade were truly beautiful like a jade bowl crafted by a god with utmost sincerity.
And how is the face.
Let alone blemishes, the skin was also so good that not even a trivial freckle could be seen.
Usually she wears a cynical and sardonic expression, but even that was reminiscent of a cold beauty and suited the atmosphere.
"Probably wouldn't there be no person more beautiful than the Grand Duchess?"
It was an honest thought. That there wouldn't seem to be a person more beautiful than you at that place.
Of course, there is a feeling of exaggerating a bit to make Aniel feel good though.
Nevertheless, if discussing beauty among those I've seen, I thought she would be within the top three fingers.
"..... Nothing drops even if you flatter me."
To check if the answer was satisfactory, I examined Aniel's face.
But Aniel was in a state of turning her head towards the window.
"It's not flattery, I am telling the truth."
Flattery, I pointed out again that I told the truth as it is.
Then Aniel let out a sigh and said.
"You, do you do this to other women besides me too?"
If asked if I do that to other people too, I shook my head.
"I have never said it to other people."
I have no particularly close people, and there wasn't much occasion in life to bring up words like beautiful, cool, pretty.
Then Aniel does a dry face wash with one hand this time. Why is she like that, is she perhaps motion sick?
With a worried gaze, I kept looking at Aniel.
So that I could stop the carriage immediately if she seems like she would vomit by any chance.
***
It was just words brought up to tease.
'Why on earth am I like this, I've heard such words countless times.'
She was Aniel who had received evaluations about her appearance continuously since birth.
Wherever she went, whoever she met, people all discussed her beautiful appearance.
But regarding that kind of thing, Aniel was indifferent.
Because her principle was to live without caring whatever others chattered about.
So she thought it would be nothing whatever Allen chattered.
However, Aniel was firmly feeling now that it was a clear misjudgment.
'I cannot face him.'
She couldn't understand. It was a word she heard to the point of being sick of it.
A hundred words, a thousand words, countless times. But why is she shaking this much at that one word Allen threw indifferently.
Biting her lip, she recalled the eyes she faced just now. Those serious two eyes staring uprightly at herself, where absolutely no ulterior motive could be found.
She could notice as much as she wanted that it wasn't flattery.
'It's hot.'
It was hot as if right after finishing a spar.
Even though it wasn't midsummer, she felt her face burning hotly.
She wanted to check through a mirror, but Aniel was busy covering her face.
"We have arrived, are you okay."
"......"
Before she knew it, the carriage arrived in front of the Birtz clothing store, and Allen asked her with a worried voice.
Hearing his voice, she felt like she knew somehow how she was being reflected in his eyes.
For a moment, it was absurd so a hollow laugh came out inwardly.
Herself asking if he goes around saying these words to other women too came to mind.
What if he goes around saying it? If it were the usual her, it would have been a matter to just let it be, but why did she for a moment....
'Why do I shake this much when this man is next to me.'
Shaking. She can feel the person called herself changing somewhat differently from usual.
Like throwing a stone into a calm lake creates ripples and sways.
If she disliked it, she could widen the distance as much as she wanted. But Aniel didn't dislike this change, this wavering.
Partners decided by the family all just got off first and held out a hand without even caring how the opponent was.
"I apologize. Grand Duchess."
"... Why are you apologizing."
But Allen was different.
After taking a deep breath for a moment, Aniel removed the hand covering her face and properly faced Allen.
Aniel was curious what kind of expression he had.
"You are struggling a lot because you came out following me. We could have stopped the carriage in the middle and rested a little, but I couldn't be considerate of the Grand Duchess."
As he spoke, Allen was wearing an expression mixed with apology and worry.
Who is considerate of whom, the strong person here is herself and the weak person is him.
Recalling that they are a master and disciple relationship right now, it was so.
Even in front of the worry received for the first time in her life, Aniel didn't dislike his words.
"If you are that sorry, hold my hand."
"Yes?"
"Hold it and support me."
"Ah, yes!"
It was difficult to be certain, but right now this moment seemed good somehow.
[The number above Aniel's head has become 35]
2,020 words
78 views