Chapter 132: Why Can’t It Be Me?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 132: Why Can’t It Be Me?
“Fine, then. If the Temple gives permission, let’s go together.”
“I’m going even if they don’t.”
“Don’t talk like a child.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle as I stroked Nathaniel’s hair. Then, I flinched and my hand froze.
In that moment, I had unconsciously treated Nathaniel just as I had when we were young. But he wasn’t the little boy from ten years ago anymore.
Feeling awkward, I tried to pull my hand away immediately. However, Nathaniel suddenly reached out and caught it.
“Keep petting me.”
“Huh?”
“Why? Do you not want to?”
“Oh, no, it’s not that.”
Flustered, I had no choice but to move my hand again. I slowly ran my fingers through his snow-white hair, which was as soft as ever.
The silken strands rustled between my fingers. For some reason, my face began to heat up.
“It feels good when Dia pets me.”
“I-is that so?”
“Yes. I’ve been waiting for this. For you to pet me like this again.”
“…….”
His low whisper left me speechless. Hearing the faint trace of sadness in his voice made my heart ache once more.
Between him and my mother, it felt like everyone was conspiring against me today. Swallowing a sigh, I continued to slowly stroke Nathaniel’s hair.
“Dia.”
“Yeah?”
“Do you like petting me too?”
“…….”
Nathaniel narrowed his eyes and rubbed his head against my hand like an affectionate cat.
Is this what they call a 'beauty trap'? Or a 'handsome man trap'? Since Nathaniel leaned more toward the 'pretty' side, 'handsome man' didn't quite fit, so I suppose it had to be a beauty trap…
Wait, what am I thinking…
Startled by my own thoughts, my eyes snapped wide open.
No matter how breathtakingly beautiful Nathaniel was, I couldn't believe I was losing my mind over a childhood friend—and a boy younger than me at that.
I bit my tongue hard to snap myself out of it and barely managed to answer.
“Y-yeah. Because your hair is soft, Niel.”
“Really? I’m glad.”
The corners of Nathaniel’s mouth curled into a smile. If that smile looked strangely suggestive to me, it had to be my imagination, right?
As soon as a sense of danger flared within me, I hurriedly pulled my hand away. Just then, the maids entered the drawing room with tea and snacks, their timing impeccable.
“The Princess’s palace pastry chef made delicious scones today.”
“We also received some very high-quality tea leaves.”
The maids smiled as they pushed the tea carts forward. I gave them an awkward smile in return.
I hope no one saw that. Unlike when we were children, if Nathaniel and I appeared too close now, people might get the wrong idea.
“I see. There are chocolate scones too. You eat these, Niel.”
“Okay.”
I naturally handed the chocolate scones to Nathaniel. I was relieved that Nathaniel, who had been so affectionate today, returned to his well-behaved self the moment the maids entered.
[Look at that, just look at him. He’s a total charmer.]
[I know, right? He’s like a hundred-year-old fox!]
I heard Desmond and Bibi growling. I think this was the first time the two of them were being so negative toward Nathaniel.
Niel isn’t a charmer, and he’s certainly not a hundred-year-old fox.
[Grrr, that brat is bewitching Master!]
[Well, his looks are certainly better than most.]
[Hey, Desmond! Not you too!]
[Ahem, hmph.]
Before I knew it, Desmond and Bibi had started bickering.
Having moved on from the rabbit doll, Bibi was now inhabiting the carcass of a white cat. Philip had happened to find a cat that had been killed by a wild animal.
While the cat’s death was sad, Bibi seemed quite satisfied with the body. However, she was significantly smaller than Desmond, who was in the body of a direwolf, so she unfortunately had no way to overpower him.
In the end, after delivering a flurry of 'cat punches,' she was scruffed by the neck and left flailing. I looked away from the sight and turned back to Nathaniel.
“I’m going to leave with Mel immediately after the ball ends.”
“Okay, I’ll get ready.”
“Oh, u-uh-huh.”
Nathaniel answered as if his participation was already a settled matter. I was momentarily confused, but I nodded for now.
Well, if the Temple gave permission, he could come. My mother and Dantalion would have to agree as well.
I might go with Nathaniel, or I might be assigned other guards.
Thinking that made my heart feel a bit lighter.
“By the way, Dia.”
“Yeah?”
“Who is going to escort you to the ball?”
“Ah.”
I looked at Nathaniel with questioning eyes while eating a scone. His pale gray eyes, which had grown exceptionally dark and heavy, were fixed on me. For some reason, he looked a bit anxious.
“I don’t know. I’ll probably leave it to Abel.”
“Abel?”
“Yeah.”
I answered nonchalantly and went back to my scone. Nathaniel’s voice sounded unusual, but I didn't pay it much mind.
I had been so focused on my education that I had no idea how the ball preparations were going. It seemed my mother was handling everything, so I hadn't even considered who my escort would be.
It wasn't even a regular ball, just a simple celebration, so I had even wondered if I really needed to go with someone.
However, as an Imperial Princess, I had to maintain appearances. Therefore, I would likely have to entrust my escort to the son of a prominent family. In that sense, Abel was a great choice.
He was from a vassal family of Winston, and since we were childhood friends, we were quite close.
Dantalion had to escort my mother, and it would be awkward to ask my grandfather since he was no longer the Duke. Vincent was married, and so was Brandon.
Come to think of it, I can’t believe Brandon got married already.
Perhaps it was because I only remembered his clumsy side, but I was surprised to hear that the gentle Brandon had wed.
When Brandon visited the palace before, I met his wife—my younger aunt-in-law—with him. She was a beauty who gave off a calm but strangely cool impression.
Since Brandon had a bit of a bumbling personality, it seemed he had married well—a woman who appeared somewhat blunt but was clearly the proactive one in the relationship.
Anyway, that makes the escort situation a bit tricky.
Thinking about it again, Abel was the perfect fit. Since he was the heir to a vassal family, there wouldn't be any pointless rumors if he escorted me.
I nodded to myself in satisfaction, but then I felt that strange gaze again. I looked up and flinched.
“W-what is it?”
“Are you really going to let Abel Gideon escort you?”
“……I told you, yes?”
Nathaniel’s face contorted with displeasure. I was startled by this side of him, which I was seeing for the first time.
“Why are you being escorted by Abel Gideon?”
“What do you mean why? Abel and I are close, and…”
“Dia, you’re close with me too.”
“Huh? Well, yeah, that’s true.”
“Then why can’t it be me?”
“What?”
I stared blankly at Nathaniel as he asked the question so aggressively. Even though it wasn't the time or place, seeing him get angry made my heart race again.
I must be crazy. Calm down.
I needed to settle my heart for a moment.
Nathaniel and Abel had always been on bad terms, so he might just be reacting sensitively because of that. I tried to convince myself of that as I spoke again.
“Niel, you’re, well… you’re a priest.”
“Are priests not allowed to escort people?”
“It’s not that they aren’t allowed, but…”
The Temple in this world did not forbid priests from marrying.
Perhaps because they had fought so fiercely against demons in the past, the Temple actually encouraged priests to pass down their powerful divine power through generations to maintain an advantage in battle.
However, perhaps due to the public image of priests needing to be pure and clean, the number of priests choosing celibacy had increased since the war with the demons had quieted down.
The current Pope was also celibate. That was why he had chosen Nathaniel as his successor.
“It’s just, what if you get caught up in gossip because you escorted me?”
We weren't just children anymore. Nathaniel had become a full-grown man, and while I was growing slower than my peers, I had matured quite a bit as well.
If we appeared to others as lovers rather than friends, it might damage the image of Nathaniel, the future Pope.
“I don’t care what others say.”
“Well, you have to start caring about those things now.”
“The only thing I care about is what Dia thinks.”
“What I think?”
“Yes.”
Nathaniel nodded, his intense gaze fixed on me. His pink lips parted once more.
“Instead of Abel Gideon, won’t you let me escort you?”
“…….”
The question made my breath hitch. I couldn't tear my eyes away from his.
In truth, choosing Abel might have been an excuse or a way to look away. I felt more comfortable being with him in a place where everyone’s eyes and attention would be focused.
But with this direct request, I felt I could no longer run away.
Resigned, I slowly opened my mouth to speak.