episode_0026
by fnovelpiaIt was the perfect moment for Rahilt to engage in a conversation with the Empress. Lodec, who had regained his freedom, intercepted Eshutiel, who was wandering around aimlessly.
“Kid, I know you’re excited, but let’s take a moment to look at people.”
Eshutiel immediately rejected Lodec’s suggestion.
“I’m busy…”
“If you go back now, you’ll get a day off from studying.”
“Ugh.”
Eshutiel grumbled discontentedly. Lodec then offered an enhanced benefit.
“I’ll give you two.”
“Ughhh.”
“Three.”
“Ughhhhhhh.”
“Kid, if we go any further, I’ll be in trouble too.”
“But it’s not my problem.”
Eshutiel stubbornly crossed her arms. While another child might have been dismissed as simply being cute, Eshutiel was different. Rahilt’s level of education was higher than expected, so Lodec knew he had to be careful in his approach.
Above all, when it came to ‘work,’ Eshutiel was an absolute expert. Even though he was the strategist and elder of the mercenary group, Lodec couldn’t afford to treat Eshutiel lightly.
“Sigh…”
In the end, Lodec managed to negotiate on the edge of the line.
“Four.”
“Yay!”
Eshutiel cheered triumphantly. She quickly left her mark and stuck close to Lodec.
“Those who are interested in you and me will come soon. Before that happens, teach them ‘good’ and ‘bad.’ Got it?”
“Okay.”
As Eshutiel nodded decisively, Lodec began to observe people around them.
“What about that person?”
“Good.”
“And that one?”
“Bad.”
“How about that old man who looks grumpy?”
“Double bad.”
“And the muscular man with a rough look?”
“Many goods.”
At first glance, the conversation might seem difficult to understand. This was because only Lodec knew Eshutiel’s true value.
Four years had passed since the mercenary group recruited Eshutiel.
There was plenty of time to observe her. During this time, Lodec realized one important fact about Eshutiel – her ability to judge people.
Those with kindness and goodwill were ‘good,’ while those hiding malice and ulterior motives were ‘bad.’
Initially skeptical, Lodec soon became convinced of Eshutiel’s accuracy in judging people. After solidifying his trust in her, Lodec would occasionally consult Eshutiel when he needed help in discerning people. This was Eshutiel’s special talent that even Rahilt was unaware of.
“Hmm, that person is…”
Eshutiel left brief comments on each person Lodec pointed out. This was a great help to Lodec. However, in the middle of it, Eshutiel suddenly exhibited unusual behavior.
“Huh? What’s wrong, kid?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never seen that person before…”
Suddenly, Eshutiel narrowed her eyes and stared intently at a spot. Then, the young girl, who had reached her limit, quickly disappeared into the crowd.
“Hey, kid! Ugh.”
It all happened so quickly, and with several people approaching, Lodec couldn’t stop Eshutiel.
And so, as they reached the grassy field, drops of sweat fell from Eshutiel’s forehead.
“Huff… huff…”
Breathing heavily from running with her short legs, Eshutiel looked around outside the banquet hall. The target she had clearly spotted had suddenly disappeared, as if blown away by the wind.
“This is strange… There were so many, many ‘goods’ among the people…”
While not as intense as Serinial’s treatment of Rahilt, there was still a considerable amount of ‘good’ energy. Eshutiel, at an age where curiosity often overpowered reason, was determined to find out. It was frustrating to give up the search just because she was a little tired.
“I just need to find a little more…”
Eshutiel had never anticipated this turn of events.
How her naive persistence had completely altered her own future.
◇
Have I ever been as flustered as I am today?
No, I can assert confidently that today will be the most densely packed day of surprises in my entire life.
The incident where Rashera and Rahilt were seen together was a misunderstanding that ended abruptly. However, it was impossible to dispel the misunderstanding that Rahilt waiting for me while conversing with his mother.
“Why is my mother engaging in conversation with my husband?”
I was seized by unnecessary anxiety. It’s not like she’s going to splash water or throw money envelopes to order me to leave like a scene from a drama, right?
As I cautiously approached, my mother, who had spotted me, smiled wryly.
“You’re late, Seriniel. Very much so.”
“I-I’m sorry… Mother.”
“If you had been a little later, you wouldn’t have even been able to announce the start of the banquet.”
“Even so, to that extent…”
“That’s right. You were supposed to dance the opening dance with Rihardt.”
As soon as my mother’s words hit my ears, my mind went blank.
The opening dance?
With Rahilt?
And at my mother’s urging?
Is that even possible?
In the first place, the opening dance was a procedure where the highest-ranking man and woman at the banquet would announce the start of the event with the first dance. Therefore, logically speaking, my mother’s suggestion was an unreasonable and forced situation.
So, in other words…
‘Well played, Mother!’
I couldn’t fathom all the reasons behind it. But one clear thing was that my mother had acknowledged Rahilt. Without that, she wouldn’t allow her daughter to dance the opening dance with him.
And my indulgent father wouldn’t go against my mother’s wishes.
‘I had no idea the formal engagement was unraveling like this behind the scenes.’
Indeed, Rahilt. He was the perfect prospective fiancé I had picked out. Now, the only task left was for Rahilt to come out with the truth that he was a noble’s son.
I approached him, hiding my impatience behind a smile.
“Have you been waiting long?”
“We just finished our conversation.”
“Thank goodness. It would be burdensome to keep the guests waiting any longer…”
I extended my hand. In a place where everyone’s eyes were on us, I politely requested his escort. To no one else but you.
“Shall we go down?”
“I would be happy to.”
“Oh…”
I expected him to be embarrassed, but his response was surprisingly firm and gentlemanly. I couldn’t help but notice a side of him that seemed different from his usual carefree demeanor. Oh, my heart is strictly prohibited from joining the labor union.
However, despite my excitement, not everyone’s gaze was as kind.
“A commoner and a noble dancing the opening dance together. Is there any precedent for this?”
“Currently, His Majesty and Her Majesty are said to have a broad-minded view, but even so, this is…”
“Could it be that Rihardt is not a noble? After all, Lord Roderick is acquainted with the Empress.”
“Oh…!”
Considerable interest was drawn to the last speculation. Since Rahilt was a noble, it was the correct deduction. Of course, those who were unaware of the situation constantly produced various gossips about whether Rahilt was a child of a certain family, or a hidden child, and so on.
“You know, Lian. I have a question I want to ask you, is that okay?”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“I sent you an invitation without consulting Lian’s opinion. I was worried if that was presumptuous of me. Could it have been an inconvenience?”
“Not at all. Thanks to you, Eshutiel had a great time, so I was satisfied.”
“Not Eshutiel, but Lian?”
“I…”
When I posed a specific question, Lian responded after a brief silence.
“I don’t know… No, um. I think it was good.”
“Really?”
“I don’t lie.”
“Thank goodness.”
At that moment, Rahilt gracefully turned his body. Faint admiration seemed to cascade around the ballroom.
As a princess, Rahilt’s lead was not just a skill practiced a few times. He displayed movements reminiscent of a dancing automaton with a touch of elegance. Even his mask seemed too splendid to be overlooked.
Perhaps it was the atmosphere that led me to casually voice a question I had long ignored.
“Rian.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“Do you remember when we parted ways in front of the palace?”
“… I remember.”
“Well then.”
I barely managed to squeeze out the heated question.
“Could you tell me why you kissed my forehead at that time?”
Squeak!
As soon as I asked, Rahilt’s steps abruptly faltered. It was inevitable that his center of gravity shifted outward. If it weren’t for the physical abilities inherited from his father, the tilt would have been enough to make us both fall.
As I guided his body back on track, I stole a glance at his trembling eyes. Did he feel pressured by my question? Rahilt hurriedly opened his mouth.
“I don’t know” is a forbidden answer. It’s a rule set by Roderick and me. But… I’m sorry. This time, I really don’t know.”
Rahilt’s head bowed close to a right angle, as if acknowledging his lack of dignity.
“It was an unforgivable act. If you seek compensation, I will earnestly fulfill any request. I apologize once again.”
“Hmm…”
It was sincere.
Rahilt would accept whatever I demanded straightforwardly. Unless it involved revealing his true self or confessing to being a pawn of the enemy, he would comply without hesitation.
It would be easy to exploit this situation for my desires. Using the forehead kiss incident as leverage, I could even force an engagement. It was close to coercion, but Rahilt would nod his head regardless.
Of course, I had no intention of going that far.
“Heh, ahaha. Really?”
I chuckled at his sincerity and took a step closer to him.
“I liked it.”
“Serin?”
“I, liked it.”
“…”
Silence.
A good means to maintain control… but I see through it.
Rahilt’s warm, familiar earlobes were strikingly elegant.
“Anyway, you’re the cutest in the world.”
I unconsciously stroked Rahilt’s golden hair.
It was softer and brighter than grass swaying in the wind, outshining the grand chandelier’s radiance.
The outcome was dramatic.
The onlookers erupted in whispers, as if witnessing a scandal that would be rude to ignore.
Of course, their gossip was playful.
Finally, the sighs of approval from my father and mother, who were watching us from the throne, reached my ears.
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