Chapter 29
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 29
Entry (1)
How much time had passed.
While continuing to wait here, the number of carriages that left for the Imperial Palace had already exceeded ten fingers.
No matter how much he waited, Aniel didn't appear.
Albert, who was waiting while grinding his teeth, couldn't endure it anymore and opened the carriage door.
'How dare she make me, a royalty, wait? Me, her partner?'
For him who had always received the best treatment wherever he went, this experience was a first.
Whether because he had no tolerance for such things, Albert became even more furious.
To see directly the pathetic face of the stupid Grand Duchess who couldn't even keep time properly.
"Y, Young Master, that is...."
"Don't dawdle and speak! What on earth is going on!"
"Ack!"
Then, just in time, the servant who had hurriedly left to check what was going on returned to the carriage.
The servant was wearing a troubled expression not knowing how to explain.
But Albert, whose patience had now completely hit rock bottom, grabbed the servant by the collar while slapping his cheek simultaneously.
The servant, who knew well how violent his master's temper was, eventually spoke it as it was without hiding.
"They say the Grand Duchess has already left for the Imperial Palace!"
"What?!"
That she had already left the Academy.
That Aniel didn't exist in this place.
"Turn the carriage around! We are heading straight to the Imperial Palace!"
"Y, Young Master! Please let me ride too! Young Master!!"
***
It was a banquet directly held by His Majesty the Emperor in name.
Figures known as prominent even within the Empire would be attending, and there was also a possibility that state guests were included among them.
Standing in such a place might perhaps be an opportunity before it is an honor.
Because by making the person called myself and my family known to them, I could form connections and make a path to enter central politics through those connections.
I had to strategize on who to meet, what conversations to have, etc.
But why is it.
'I thought she was really beautiful even usually though.'
Right now, such things didn't come to my mind at all.
"Did I make you wait long."
My gaze was just fixed solely on Aniel blankly like an idiot.
The decorated accessories and jewels were well coordinated, but they never felt beautiful.
The clothes were also the same. I felt like I knew now the reason why she said it didn't matter what she wore.
Because Aniel in front of my eyes was more beautiful than such things.
"What is it? Are you perhaps hurt somewhere."
"Ah, that is, so."
Realizing anew the fact that she is my partner, I felt my heart beating roughly.
At times like this, what words should I bring up?
More than that, I have to answer the question Aniel asked.
What's certain is that the current me was in a state of having lost composure a little.
Well, how could I maintain reason.
Perhaps that's why words popped out of my mouth as they pleased.
"You are very beautiful."
Actually, even the word beautiful is insufficient.
To the point of resenting not knowing how to express it a bit more luxuriously and elegantly.
For a moment, I was worried if she would feel it lacked sincerity.
"Do you really think so?"
"Ah."
But as if it was a useless worry, Aniel didn't feel bad.
Rather, she approached closer as if to check if those words were true.
Then my eyes reached her face.
It was a first. Not a bored expression but an appearance smiling prettily.
Unknowingly, saliva was swallowed for a moment. If a nine-tailed fox bewitched a person, wouldn't it be a situation like now.
So I put reason down gently and entirely spoke only my true feelings.
"Yes, I can say it risking my honor."
That you will be the most beautiful among the people we will see today.
When I came to my senses after bringing up those words, the thought 'Ah, I committed it' occurred.
I must be crazy. What words am I bringing up. It was already spilt water, but I tried to wrap up the situation somehow.
"I am glad."
Before that, Aniel's words came first.
"That you said so."
Why is she like this.
It's just simply words saying she's glad.
Why am I wavering this much.
But I tried not to dare reveal my emotions.
You are a noble Grand Duchess and my master.
Compared to that, I have no ability at all and am a person in a position to be expelled from the family if I get kicked out of the Academy.
Reminded that our plights are completely different, my reason returning, I smiled bitterly but still thought.
'Still, let's forget everything just for today.'
Let's forget all those things and enjoy entirely.
I knelt on one knee in front of her and held out my hand.
"Lady Aniel, will you give me the opportunity to become your honorable partner today?"
I wanted my meaning to be conveyed.
That it's not doing it reluctantly due to your request, but because I want it.
Then Aniel stared at me with a blank expression for a moment and soon took my hand.
Even while matching my lips to the warm back of her hand, I didn't know at this time.
'It was good that I dressed up.'
That actually she had no intention of decorating like this at all.
The reason she decorated was none other than.....
"The carriage for the two of you has been prepared. How about slowly making your move now?"
[The number above Aniel's head has become 36.]
***
Riding the carriage prepared by Madam Katy, we moved to the Imperial Palace.
While going, silence settled inside the carriage.
No one stepped forward first trying to break this silence. For some reason, it seemed silence was needed for each other right now.
"Ah, we have arrived."
But even that silence met its end as the carriage stopped. I carefully turned my head and looked at Aniel.
If by any chance she was in the middle of feeling motion sickness or dizziness like when we just arrived at Birtz clothing store, I intended to rest a little before getting off.
"I'm fine, so let's go out."
"That is a relief."
However, unlike that time, the current Aniel was perfectly fine.
Letting out a sigh of relief, I got off the carriage first and held out my hand towards her.
Before taking my hand, Aniel suddenly spoke.
"You will probably be the first man to receive an escort."
"Me?"
Hearing those words, I was puzzled.
Both she and I are adults.
As for me, since I completely cut off steps to high society after the debutante, it might be so, but she must have attended countless places until now.
But to say an escort like this would be a first.
As if reading what I was thinking, Aniel raised the corners of her mouth this time too and said.
"You seem to be thinking why."
"That would be so, wouldn't it."
Unless they were crazy, there wouldn't be anyone who didn't escort her.
Then Aniel grabbed my hand, suddenly approached my ear, and whispered.
"Because until now, I have rejected it from my side."
Ending with those words, Aniel got off the carriage and walked forward leisurely.
Left alone in front of the carriage, I looked at her back figure.
Then Aniel turned around, faced me, and said.
"What are you doing without coming quickly. Are you going to leave me alone?"
Only after hearing the question asking if I would leave her alone did I move my legs towards her.
'Let's not have useless thoughts.'
While struggling to calm down my excited mind.
***
"Will she really come?"
"Didn't the Grand Duke assure confidently that she would come."
"Still, we don't know if it's real. Even before, she said she would attend, but left suddenly saying she would take care of demons."
Usually when attending banquets, Aniel always wore a uniform unless it was a special case.
Although there were partners decided by the family, there was also absolutely no case where they entered together.
They were uniformly children of prominent families, but all were stood up by Aniel.
"I hear this time His Majesty the Emperor's nephew, Lord Albert Robiesh, is the partner."
The instances of Aniel attending banquets were also only a few times a year.
Perhaps because of that, when the news spread that Aniel would attend this time, people were curious.
Whether she would be absent even from a place directly held by the Emperor, and also whether she would enter with a partner this time.
"Grand Duchess Aniel Windelof has arrived!"
As the gatekeeper announced Aniel's entry, the inside of the banquet hall became quiet in an instant.
Those who were chattering as if the world would depart, the gossips, all closed their mouths firmly and were busy looking towards the entrance.
They waited. For the name of the person the gatekeeper would call out together subsequently.
"Hmm. It seems that arrogant man got stood up too?"
"Indeed, it is so. Even just yesterday, unlike other noble sons, he assured confidently that he would clearly enter together with the Grand Duchess."
"I am curious how he will carry his face around from now on."
However, no matter how much they waited, another person's name wasn't called out from the gatekeeper's mouth.
As someone among the people let out a ridicule, everyone followed and sneered.
In high society, there was no boundary between enemies and allies. It was a space where one couldn't be certain that an ally today would also be one tomorrow.
If even a little excuse worth biting was provided, they didn't hesitate to bite and gift humiliation to the opponent.
There was no one who felt sorry for Albert. Because he was also a man who went around biting countless people without hesitation when an opportunity came.
"By the way, why is the Grand Duchess not coming in?"
In the midst of slandering, someone raised a question staring at the unopened door.
Clearly, at the point Aniel's name was called out, it could be known she was standing in front of the door.
But the door didn't open.
While the question brought up by one person reddened within an instant.
".... And partner Lord Allen Wiesent has arrived!"
The gatekeeper's words continued.
That Aniel's partner, Allen Wiesent, had arrived.
Heavy silence visited the banquet hall again.
".... Who is that?"
Until someone brought up words.
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