Chapter 35
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Fissure
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Saved me?
Bella furrowed her brow.
Had she heard wrong?
That was because the person Blanche was referring to could only be Tristan.
Yes.
Didnt you clearly tell me you were going to the bathroom? Our Blanche.
I went, but then I started feeling unwell, so I went up to the rooftop to get some air. Thats when I got caught in the explosion, and by chance, the Count who was nearby saved me.
Hmm Is that so?
Bella looked at Blanche.
The black dress she had bought for her was torn.
As a temporary measure, she was covering her exposed skin with Tristans coat.
Yes. Im sorry. The dress you bought me for me got ruined.
That doesnt matter at all. You got caught in an explosionarent you badly hurt?
As she said that, Bella closely observed Blanches expression.
To catch even the faintest hint of agitation.
Feeling that gaze, Blanche shut her mouth.
Instead, to hide her unease, she gave a slight smile.
Im fine. Just some scratches at worst. Im ashamed to have worried you, miss.
Then Im glad. Ahem. We owe the Count one.
Bella gave a slight bow to Tristan, who was standing beside her.
With all personal feelings set aside, in a thoroughly businesslike manner.
Thank you for protecting my guard knight.
Thank-you speeches are done.
Tristan cut her off.
What? Count, I can at least say thank you.
Wendy. Call the carriage. Were leaving.
Y-Yes, yessir!
With that, Tristan turned and walked away.
Wendy chased after him but paused, politely bowed to Bella, and then followed Tristan again.
Bella watched the scene in disbelief.
.
Good grief! What kind of man is that? Blanche, lets go too. If we stay here any longer, even well seem rude.
Yes, miss. But theres something new I havent seen before.
Blanche said as she picked up the shopping bags Bella was carrying.
More precisely, the ones with the Ruelcia brand logo.
Seeing them, Bellas eyes sparkled.
That? Blanche, youve got it. Listen to this. Guess what happened today.
Count, sir, the carriage will be here soon.
When Wendy arrived, Tristan was sitting on a bench.
The wind was chilly.
His face looked dark as he kept his head slightly lowered.
Perhaps it was because the sun had set.
Wendy glanced at his expression and cautiously spoke up.
Um Count, sir?
What?
That the guard knight for Lady Bella you mentioned the tall, dignified one.
Tristan raised his head.
Blanche, you mean?
Y-Yes. Um, by any chance, are you close with her?
?
Wendy flailed her hands in panic.
N-No! I-I mean the thing is while shopping I saw you, Count, sir. Ah! Y-You probably didnt see Lady Bella! It was totally by chance that I saw you. You were going somewhere with her.
I see.
S-Sorry I didnt mean to spy.
Tristan calmly spoke to the hand-waving Wendy.
No matter. Shes an old acquaintance of mine.
Old acquaintance?
Yes. And an old grudge besides.
Grudge so youre not on good terms?
Thats one way to put it.
I see Wendy nodded.
Somehow feeling relieved.
Tristan quietly leaned back against the bench.
Perhaps from all the events of the day, he even looked pale.
Count, sir? Are you tired?
To Wendys question, Tristan replied with his eyes closed.
A bit sleepy.
Th-Then. Theres some time until the carriage arrives. If you take a short nap, Ill wake you.
Mmm.
Tristan slowly nodded as if agreeing.
Soon, his breathing grew quiet.
Wendy carefully sat down beside Tristan.
And stole a glance at his face.
The tyrant of the mansion, the notoriously infamous noble of the empire, Tristan Ruelverta.
There was no trace of that image in his closed-eyed, sleeping form.
At first, Wendy had been afraid.
That Tristan might chase her away.
That he might get angry.
That he might throw things.
She had always been on edge.
But.
Wendy felt a new emotion sprouting amid the fear, different from before.
She wanted to do better for him.
She wanted to be helpful to him.
She wanted his recognition.
She wanted his praise.
And.
She wanted to live for him.
Wendy gazed at the master she served.
Count, sir.
No response.
He must have been very tired.
Tristan seemed to have fallen asleep leaning against the bench.
Soon, his shoulder tilted toward her.
Eek!?
Tristans head came to rest on her lap.
C-Count, siir.
She called out again, but still no response.
Wendy froze in place.
It was an awkward situation for her.
Just staying still like this felt somehow off.
But moving and waking him would be even worse.
Above all, thinking about how it would look to others.
Haaa.
Blushing, Wendy looked around unnecessarily.
It was night, and no one was watching them.
It was quiet.
As if only the two of them were left in the world.
A moment passednot long by the clock.
Creak.
The carriage stopped.
Wendy felt time had been slightly cruel.
Regrettable, but now it was time to wake him.
C-Count, sir I think the carriage is here?
No response.
He must have fallen into a deep sleep; there was no answer.
Count, sir.
With no choice, Wendy placed a hand on him.
It felt warm.
Damp Huh?
Something was on Wendys hand.
Reflected in the moonlight, it gleamed crimson.
Blood.
C-Count, sir?! B-Blood!
Wendy let out a shrill scream.
The ground beneath the bench was already soaked in blood.
The source was none other than the blood flowing from Tristans lower abdomen.
It was an injury that anyone could see was serious.
When had it happened?!
In her panic, Wendy shook Tristans body, but he didnt wake.
The moment she saw his bloodless face, terror struck Wendy.
No! Nooo! Count, sir!
Ignoring the blood on her hands, Wendy cried out desperately.
P-Please wake up! Count, sir! Please!
What an affair.
Lucy Meikahel sat in the audience chamber.
In an endlessly haughty and arrogant posture, exuding the emperors dignity.
Beneath her jade throne, a tall man knelt on one knee.
Are you badly hurt, Marco?
No, Your Majesty. Im fine.
Marco replied in a stiff voice.
Lucy nodded.
Of course. Id expect no less from you. However.
She spoke in a slightly subdued tone.
The fact that youve returned empty-handed means something big happened, doesnt it?
.
Marco closed his eyes briefly.
He was carefully choosing his words in his mind.
At last, he spoke.
The Count knew. About Your Majesty being Two Names.
Lucys eyes widened.
Truly astonishing. Only the rarest of the rare should know that.
Lucy sighed.
At the crack in the loyalty of the vassals she had trusted without doubt.
Above all, at how the imperial family was shaken by that one mans words.
Is there a traitor? The imperial family can no longer rest easy.
Your Majesty. Have no fears.
Marco raised his head.
I will protect you.
Those words from you put me at ease. Youre not one to make promises you cant keep.
With that, Lucy leaned back in her throne.
Letting out a long sigh, as if she had lived for ages.
Ill keep watching him.
No. Thats enough. Halt the surveillance for the time being.
Lucy donned her mask.
The silver deer horns gleamed in the moonlight.
Soon Ill meet him myself.