episode_0189

The banquet hall where I came down after changing clothes was so cool that I couldn’t believe it was the middle of summer. No, to be honest, it was so cold that skin grew on my arms.

But perhaps I was the only one who felt a little cold, and the faces of those waiting for me in the banquet hall looked gentle.

No, maybe it’s because everyone feels like they’re not cold because they have someone to protect them.

I slowly looked around, trying to suppress the bitter laughter that was about to burst out. As expected, Hermel was nowhere to be seen.

‘Duke.’

‘Yes, I know.’

Riev, who was standing behind me, seemed worried that I wasn’t saying anything, but gave me a quick look. I nodded and opened my mouth.

“Thank you for attending the banquet today despite your busy schedule. I am truly happy that the stars that shine across the kingdom have gathered in one place. Since I am not good at speaking and this is my first banquet, I would probably end up spewing out rambling words if I gave a long welcome speech, so I will take this opportunity to say just one more thing.”

I lightly grasped the wine glass Riev had prepared and lifted it toward the front.

In the same posture as the head of the family did before.

“Thank you to the pillars of the kingdom who allowed me to lead such a peaceful life, and for the peace of those who left.”

The start of the banquet was announced with words similar to those given by the head of the household.

Those who were holding glasses at my words raised their glasses with me, thunderous applause poured in, and the orchestra began to play.

I returned the cup to Liev and slowly walked down the stairs, and the heads of several families came around me.

“It is an honor to meet you like this, Your Excellency Duchess Charlotte. I am a member of the Count Berg family who runs the Woodberg Company――”

“I am Viscount Sieert――”

“I am――”

They approached me with a smile to impress me, the new owner of the dukedom, and subtly revealed their true feelings, and I smiled at them.

They were all meaningless and boring. What kind of regret do we have for a country that is about to be uprooted and turned upside down anyway to accept their rude greetings and share our thoughts?

However, since it was still a time when I needed to prepare, I calmly accepted what they said. Of course, by making sure to break off and conclude.

“Anyway, it’s truly amazing that you can stay so cool in the middle of summer. How was this possible? Do you dare ask?”

While they were talking like that, the head of a count family, who was looking around, spoke up.

“It’s thanks to the air conditioner attached to the railing on the second floor. This is a strange work that I created while wondering if I could stay cool even in the summer.”

“Hehehe, you’re being too humble when you say it’s a monster. To me, it only seems like a masterpiece of the century that can change the world.”

The other heads of households around me who were listening to him either nodded their heads in agreement or even added a word to praise me.

Haha, the sound of those bugs rolling their tongues is so… … . My stomach was twisted and twisted, but I had no choice but to endure it for now.

“Hehe, I really appreciate your words, but unfortunately, it is a monster. The intention is good, but the maintenance costs are too high.”

“Maintenance fee, how much maintenance cost do you need to say that?”

“It costs about one horse per hour. I had no idea it would cost this much before I designed it, but when I tried it out, it was like eating up a magic stone.”

I didn’t even think about saving energy and just hit everything, so it’s bound to cost that much.

No, there’s no way I could think of something like energy saving when I don’t even know the principles of air conditioning in the first place.

Well, money doesn’t have any meaning to me anymore anyway, so it doesn’t matter if I play around with it.

“Huh, that’s right… … . The maintenance cost is definitely quite high.”

“Well, it’s still a special monster that’s perfect to play on a special day like today. Huhuhu.”

They laughed at what I said, and I drew a smile on my face when I saw them.

I really hated this time. Although I was the one who held the banquet, it was only out of necessity, so this place was not only uncomfortable, but disgusting.

I hated their dirty talk, and the thick insides and glimpses of desire literally made me feel twisted inside.

“――. ―――!”

“―――, ―――.”

But I knew this was absolutely necessary, so I suppressed all emotion and just recited the script I had prepared and put on a fake smile on my blank face.

“I heard that the Duke of Rochelle’s garden is beautiful, but now that the Duke is here, even that garden seems to be fading.”

“Hehe, is that so. I’m embarrassed, but thank you for saying that.”

Although it was different, I talked to them, repeating the same words. Again and again, and again, until they were exhausted and dropped.

The ears that listened to their words of fishy desire rotted and fell off, the eyes that met them were distant as if molten lead had been poured into them, and the smell of their terrible perfume seemed to melt my nose.

Let’s not feel it. I let go of all my senses and smiled like a doll as I dealt with them. Perhaps they liked my friendly attitude, but more people came.

“Duke, a traveling circus troupe came to my territory not long ago, and they performed some really strange acrobatics. Performing tricks with a bear the size of a house, hitting an apple placed on its head with a bow, etc.――”

“That’s really surprising. I hope I can see you next time.”

Every time I heard their stories, my will wavered. it’s bothering. I also felt like I wanted to kill them all.

The twisted human mind was such a terrible thing. I smiled bitterly and faced them.

“Thank you very much, Duke, for hosting such a wonderful banquet. A prom in the middle of summer. What a romantic banquet this is.”

“Thank you for saying that. This banquet will last for two days, so please enjoy it comfortably.”

Still, I endured it. I endured it with great effort. Because I promised to do everything for Hermel.

“Hahaha, it would be great if we could meet like this at the next banquet as well.”

“Yes. sure. Of course.”

If there is a next time. I quietly swallowed the words that were about to escape and smiled brightly.

How many more humans did he deal with after that? Just when the corner of my smiling mouth was about to twitch.

I shivered at the strong citrus scent that penetrated my terrible perfume and looked around.

The people I was talking to looked at me as if they were surprised by my sudden reaction.

“Why are you doing this all of a sudden?”

The author’s matriarch asked a question on behalf of the surprised people, and I smiled at the question.

“I think a special distinguished guest has arrived. Please excuse me for a moment.”

“Ah, yes… … . That’s right.”

Are they saying that they are not special and are not VIPs? Perhaps because of such an expanded interpretation, everyone who heard me showed signs of discomfort.

But to me, their inconvenience was really a nice little thing.

From the beginning, to me, they were special, nothing more than stones on the street with nothing to do, and I didn’t even think of them as guests, let alone VIPs.

Just a stage setup to make one person shine. Because they were just that.

“… … .”

As I took a step closer, the scent of citrus became stronger. I could feel you nearby.

Ta-bak-ta-bak――

As I approached the door a little closer, I heard light, cheerful footsteps. Even though it was just the sound of footsteps, I knew you were coming.

-Oh, it’s hot, so get out of the way!

―But princess… … . Putting the message inside first… … .

-Would you like to get out of the way, or should I break in?

“Hehe… … . It’s still the same.”

He is reckless and has the personality to go for something when he wants it. You really are still the same.

For the first time since standing here, I smiled sincerely and approached the tightly closed door of the banquet hall.

Click――

I opened the door that had been closed to prevent the cold from escaping from the banquet hall.

When I opened the door, the cold that had filled the banquet hall naturally escaped, and the driver, startled by the cold, turned to me.

“Go, Duke.”

“It’s okay.”

As I said that, I made the driver step aside and took in the sight of the last guest of honor.

Blonde hair that shines even more beautifully in the midsummer sun, and straight golden eyes that no longer show any hesitation. Cheeks that are slightly reddish, perhaps due to the heat, and even a refreshing citrus scent.

I saw the person I wanted to see so much. you were there

“Am I a little late?”

I shook my head as I watched her speak while stroking the back of her neck.

The main character always arrives one step late, so it’s not that he’s late, he’s just arrived on time.

I squeezed out everything I wanted to say and told her.

“No, I was waiting.”

Princess Hermel.

I smiled brightly and welcomed her.