episode_0190

Immediately after Hermel appeared in the banquet hall, contrary to the warm welcome I received, the atmosphere in the venue quickly cooled.

“What, why is the atmosphere like this?”

Hermel said that and looked around the audience. They tried to act calm and gave a polite greeting to Hermel, but no one smiled like before.

I smiled awkwardly as I brought Hermel into the banquet hall.

“I’m sorry. I think he was surprised because I suddenly moved.”

“Hmm… … . what. That’s possible.”

Even though he said that, Hermel must have already noticed to some extent. This is the atmosphere that Hermel must have felt most during his life.

―Um, hmmm… … .

―I didn’t know that the princess would come to this place.

-Oh hoho… … . I have some business to run… … .

I blinked slowly as I watched everyone who saw Hermel appear tremble and subtly distance themselves from Hermel, or stop talking and avoid eye contact.

They recited the script while wearing masks, like actors about to go off stage. As naturally as possible, without attracting attention, quietly but quickly.

However, it was not intended to bring the main character on stage and make him shine, but was closer to running away from someone who intruded on the stage.

‘It’s a mad dog, a mad dog has come.’

‘Why is she here? I wonder what the duke was thinking when he invited her… … .’

‘The banquet will become uncomfortable… … .”

If you think about it, it’s probably natural in some sense for them to react like that.

No matter how much Hermel’s mood, attitude, and personality have changed from before, that’s something only I know, and the image of Hermel they remember is still that of a ‘mad dog.’

But still. Regardless of what I understood and understood with my head, their attitude of daring to treat Hermel as if they were a snarky wild animal was quite unpleasant.

Still, it had to be done. If I were to defend Hermel now or show that I was close to Hermel… … . In the future, it could have a negative impact on Hermel.

At that time, when I was losing my anger inside, I heard Hermel’s voice.

“It’s cool and nice. The seats are spacious.”

I raised my head and looked at Hermel, and Hermel took the drink that the servant was carrying and started drinking it.

And one noble, who was watching the other nobles’ eyes towards Hermel, approached Hermel and greeted her as a scapegoat to replace the other nobles.

“Hmm, princess. It is truly an honor to meet you like this.”

“Uh, yes. I didn’t really miss you either. I know it’s uncomfortable for me to be here, but since I’m invited, what should I do? So, you guys, don’t worry about me and just have fun.”

“Uh, uh… … .”

Hermel spoke calmly as if he had no idea what your eyes, opinions, or mood were like, and put the cake he picked up with a fork into his mouth.

The appearance was so natural that if you saw it from afar, you would be mistaken as if the nobleman and Hermel knew each other.

“Fuhu… … .”

Yes, you were that kind of person. A person who never gives up on what he or she has decided on and pushes through to the end. A person who walks the path he or she has chosen without any concern for what others think.

As expected, it’s amazing. And also respectful.

I slowly blinked and looked at Hermel, then took my eyes off Hermel and looked around.

―That princess reacts like that…?

-her… … . It was said that the princess’s personality had died a lot. Was that true?

―You still have a sharp tone, but don’t you think it’s a lot better than before when people tried to kill you for making eye contact?

They talked among themselves and looked at Hermel’s thoughts, wondering if they were not getting used to Hermel’s changed attitude.

Of course, Hermel was eating orange juice and a sandwich without paying any attention to their reactions.

As he said, Hermel really didn’t care one bit about what they did, and the nobles who confirmed this began to enjoy the banquet again.

“… … .”

Although the atmosphere did not return to the lively atmosphere it had before Hermel came.

But this is it for now. For now.

‘Sorry.’

I invited you to this place where you might be hurt for me, and you can’t say anything when you are treated like this.

It’s foolish and selfish. I know.

“… … .”

I smiled bitterly at Hermel.

Still, as time goes by, they will all look up to you. wait a munite. Because I will make it happen.

After gathering myself, I managed my facial expression and walked towards Hermel, who was eating food, and spoke to him.

“Do you like the food?”

“Mmm?”

He seemed to not have thought that I would speak to him first, so he blinked and looked at me.

The sight of Hermel blinking while eating looked like a squirrel that was startled while eating, so I ended up laughing without realizing it.

“I’m glad you enjoyed the food.”

“Um, hmmm, I didn’t say anything yet.”

Was it embarrassing to be seen eating? Hermel swallowed what was in his mouth, cleared his throat, and spoke bluntly. It was very cute that the tips of the ears were slightly heated.

Is it really shameful to be seen eating while ignoring the looks and comments of other nobles?

No, that’s definitely not the case. The reason Hermel’s ears turned red was probably because fragments of memories or emotions remaining in Hermel’s unconscious stimulated Hermel.

“Hehehe, you didn’t say anything, but there’s no way you would eat food that doesn’t suit your taste, right?”

Still, there was no worry. Because I knew that no matter what I did, the memories I had carved into pieces and erased with my own hands and covered with several layers of seal would never come back.

If all his memories had come back, Hermel wouldn’t have been just eating food like this.

Because I knew all of that, I was able to laugh and enjoy my conversation with Hermel.

“What, what… … . huh. It’s worth eating.”

Hermel said that and took a stab at the cake in front of him with his fork. I didn’t want to admit it because of my pride, but I felt like I was saying that because I couldn’t bear to lie.

“Hehe, since the princess said that, I don’t know what to do.”

“… … You laugh harder than I expected.”

“It’s nicer to see a smiling face than a stiff face, right? And above all… … . Because I don’t want to have a stiff expression even on days like today.”

I looked at Hermel with a small smile, and Hermel looked at me with half-closed eyes for a moment and then shrugged his shoulders.

I guess they’re telling you to do whatever you want. Usually, when you shrug your shoulders like that, it usually means something like that.

What story should we talk about this time? As I was choosing an appropriate topic from the mountain of conversation that came to mind, Hermel, who was quenching his thirst with orange juice, spoke first.

“Charlotte.”

I shivered unconsciously at the light name being called to me, and swallowed dry saliva.

Probably not. It was Charlotte, not Charles. I quickly got my emotions together and maintained my expression, and looked at Hermel calmly.

Hermel, who was looking at me with a drowsy face, blinked a few times when our eyes met and opened his mouth.

“Do you think it would be better to call me Duke of Rochelle?”

Of course, that’s true. I smiled at Hermel looking at me.

“No. Please call me whatever you prefer. Because the princess is a princess.”

“Then Charlotte. Hey, it looks like it’s waiting for you. How about going?”

“You’re waiting for me?”

It had absolutely nothing to do with whether they were waiting for me or not, but since it was what Hermel said, I should at least pretend to confirm it.

I slowly blinked and looked in the direction Hermel pointed with his chin, and my eyes met with Seria standing in the corner of the banquet hall.

“Go. He was staring at me from earlier. Is it because I’m scared that I can’t come, or is it because I’m being watched?”

“… … I guess I’ll have to try that. Sorry, I’ll be leaving for a moment.”

“That’s it. It’s not just today.”

Yes, today is not the only day. With a faint smile, I slowly got up from my seat and turned to face Seria.

“And I’ll hear about why the commoner is here later.”

I see you are a commoner. Well, it’s even weirder that you don’t remember since we’re both students at the same academy.

“Yes. I’ll talk about it in detail later.”

okay… … . The only thing Hermel didn’t remember was me. Feeling bitter at this new fact, I smiled lightly at Hermel and walked towards Seria.

Seria, who was pretending not to be like that and secretly observing what was going on around her, brightened up as I approached her, and when she was within earshot, she took the initiative to say hello.

“Hello. Long time no see, Charles.”

Seria smiled and greeted me, and I slowly closed my eyes while looking at Seria.

“Okay… … . long time no see. Seria.”

I was planning on talking about it tomorrow, if possible. I swallowed back my words and smiled.

This reunion between me and Ceria happened a little earlier than I had planned.