Chapter 27: Am I... That Pretty?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 27: Am I... That Pretty?
*
[The Duel of the Century! Sword Master vs. Sword Master!]
[How Did Crown Prince Dantalion and Marquis Lionel End Up in a Duel?]
[The Crown Prince’s Victory Banquet: The Truth of That Day]
The next day, following the conclusion of the victory banquet, all sorts of gossip columns swept through the capital.
It was so predictable that I didn't feel much of anything. I glanced at the newspaper the maid had brought me, then turned my head away.
“My little lady, did you find something interesting in the paper?”
“Mhm.”
Sophia asked with a smile, assuming that young Claudia wouldn't be able to read yet.
I pointed at the photo of the Crown Prince and answered brightly.
“The Crown Prince is here! He’s so cool!”
“Oh my.”
Sophia smiled at my innocent remark, clearly finding it adorable that I was looking at the paper because of the Crown Prince’s picture.
However, unlike the real Claudia, I could read the Imperial language. Even though the original Claudia was young and had been too sickly to ever learn her letters.
I suppose this is what they call a 'possession buff.' Thinking nothing of it, I beamed at Sophia.
In the end, the duel between the Crown Prince and the male lead had become a certainty. The Empress Dowager, who had looked flustered at the banquet, had changed her tune and remained silent. She had tacitly approved of the duel between the two.
‘She probably thinks Cedric will win.’
To anyone watching, it was a duel where Cedric had the advantage. Though both were Sword Masters, their levels of experience were worlds apart. Among the knights placing bets on the outcome, everyone saw Cedric as the favorite.
‘Actually, even I’m not so sure.’
Dantalion must have had something in mind to act so boldly, but...
Still, just as I received a possession buff, the 'protagonist buff' was not something to be ignored. In my opinion, Cedric was more likely to win.
‘Should I have Dantalion form a contract with a Demon of the Gem?’
There were three gems left. While it was better to give the Red Gems to those of the direct lineage if possible, the Black Gems that the First Duke had entrusted to his vassals might suit Dantalion well.
‘The problem is whether I can trust Dantalion enough to hand over a gem...’
I pondered for a moment but soon realized it was a pointless worry, considering I was already trying to set him up with Veronica.
Alright, let’s give Dantalion a gem!
Having made up my mind, I stood up abruptly, my will burning bright.
“Little lady, where are you going?”
“The office!”
“Are you going to visit the Duke again?”
“Yup!”
Fortunately, no one thought it strange that I headed to the Duke’s office without permission.
To them, I probably just looked like an innocent child going to act spoiled with her grandfather.
And so, Sophia followed me with a warm smile. I moved my feet busily, wearing shoes that made a squeaking sound with every step.
Squeak! Squeak-squeak! Squeak!
“Hrk...”
“Urgh...”
“...?”
As I passed by, the servants and knights made strange noises and doubled over.
Did they all develop arthritis from standing all day? It seemed the capital townhouse worked its people harder than the estate mansion did.
I shook my head and kept walking. Before long, I came to a stop in front of the Duke’s office.
“Grandpa!”
I swung the door open without hesitation. The Duke had never once gotten angry when I did this. That was why I could be so bold.
‘Huh?’
But an unexpected sight greeted me. There were strangers inside the Duke’s office.
“Our Dia, did you come because you missed your grandfather?”
“Yes!”
“Ho ho, come here.”
I had been hesitating because of the strangers, but at the Duke’s words, I scurried over. The pitter-patter of my footsteps echoed through the quiet office.
“You’re cute today as well, our Dia.”
“Mhm.”
The Duke reached out and stroked my head. I quietly accepted his touch while stealing glances at the others.
There were two adult men with dark navy hair and a boy slightly older than me. All of them were new faces.
“Say hello, Dia. These are the head and heirs of the Count Gideon House.”
“...!”
The Gideon House.
They were one of the vassal families of House Winston that appeared in the original novel. They were the ones who had sided with House Winston and Veronica, only to meet their downfall alongside them.
Since they were a vassal family entrusted with one of the Black Gems by the First Duke—who had contracted with an Archdemon—their ties to House Winston had been incredibly strong since ancient times.
“I, Dalton Gideon, greet the Little Lady Claudia.”
The head of the Gideon House bowed to me first. He was a handsome middle-aged man with short navy hair neatly slicked back.
“Derek Gideon greets the Little Lady.”
The man beside him was Derek, Count Gideon’s younger brother. I had heard that Derek remained with the family to assist Dalton, the head of the house.
And finally...
“Abel Gideon greets the Little Lady.”
“....”
Abel, the son of Count Gideon and the young count. Seeing as he was much taller than me, was he ten? Maybe eleven? It was impressive that he had such broad shoulders for a child.
“Yup, nice to meet you all.”
“....”
When I nodded and greeted them, none of the people from the Count’s house opened their mouths. A chilly silence settled over the office.
What’s this? Did they only greet me because they were conscious of the Duke, but they didn't actually want to deal with me?
Like the servants at the townhouse, perhaps the family's vassals also didn't think fondly of me, Cedric’s daughter.
This is a problem. Because the gem I intend to give Dantalion is likely held by these people. I need to get as close to them as possible to obtain it.
Just as I was about to inadvertently frown at the potential setback to my plan—
“C-Cute...”
“Abel.”
“I-I’m sorry.”
Abel, his face turning bright red, hurriedly lowered his head. He fidgeted with his fingers, looking like he didn't know what to do with himself.
‘Oho.’
It seemed they didn't dislike me; on the contrary, they were nervous because they were completely smitten.
I can definitely use this. I smirked inwardly.
“Ho ho, it’s alright. Our Dia is quite adorable, isn't she?”
“I apologize...”
“Would you like to come closer and see?”
“Pardon?”
Startled by the Duke’s question, Abel snapped his head up.
He couldn't hide his flushed face, which was filled with anticipation.
“W-Would that really be alright?”
“Yup, Dia likes it too!”
“...!”
When I readily nodded and gave my permission, Abel approached me hesitantly. Up close, Abel was even better-looking than he had appeared from a distance.
His dark navy hair was like a shimmering night sea. His dark blue eyes, reminiscent of the deep ocean, were the same. I beamed at Abel with a hint of sincerity and chirped.
“Abel, you’re pretty!”
“...!”
At that, Abel’s face turned even redder. I hadn't thought it was possible for him to get any redder than he already was.
I watched him with interest.
‘Wait?’
But then, I felt something strange. I lowered my gaze slightly.
‘A brooch...?’
I felt a peculiar energy coming from the brooch pinned to Abel’s chest. I stared intently at the brooch, which was set with a black gem.
‘Hey, Demon, this...’
[Yes, there’s no mistake! It’s a gem containing a demon!]
‘...!’
I knew it.
Now that I had contracted with two demons, it seemed I was starting to sense the energy of other demons as well. I gulped and barely managed to tear my eyes away from the brooch.
Then, I turned back to the Duke and shouted.
“I wanna play with Abel!”
“Hmm...”
The Duke pondered for a moment at my request. Even though Abel was the son and heir of a vassal, he wondered if it was alright to leave me alone with him since we had just met today.
“Very well, we still have things to discuss. The two of you go to the drawing room.”
“Yay!”
Of course, I wouldn't truly be alone with Abel. There would be many other servants in the drawing room, including my nanny, Sophia.
But it didn't matter. My goal was simply to get close to Abel and get that gem. I reached out toward Abel with a silly grin.
“Abel, let’s go!”
“Y-Yes. Little Lady.”
Despite his young age, Abel acted quite maturely. He took my hand and led me like a gentleman escorting a lady. Even if his whole body was stiff as a board and he walked like a robot.
“Little Lady, um...”
“Yes?”
As soon as we sat down and the maids set out the tea and desserts, Abel spoke up, his face still flushed. I looked at him curiously.
“What is it?”
“Well, I mean...”
“...?”
What was he trying to say? I tried to listen closely to Abel’s words.
Soon, Abel spoke again.
“Am I... that pretty?”
“....”
Abel asked with his eyes squeezed shut, his face having turned into a complete tomato.