【Chapter 19】
“Come, Miss Minuelle. Please sit over here.”
Lafesch smiled sweeter than usual and gestured between herself and Theodore.
“Ah, no. If I’m in the middle, it would make it uncomfortable for you two to talk.”
Ignoring Lafesch’s suggestion, I lightly skipped over and sat in another seat, speaking as if nothing had happened.
“Come to think of it, Sir Tregosnan, Lady Celeste has something to say to you today.”
“Oh, really?”
Both I and Theodore’s gaze were fixed on Lafesch. Lafesch looked momentarily taken aback, as if she didn’t expect me to be so direct, before opening her mouth to speak.
“Um, I think I was rude when we first met. I’m sorry, Sir Tregosnan.”
“No, I was the one who surprised you. I apologize.”
“Yes…. I don’t often talk to gentlemen, so I think I was a bit defensive.”
“If that’s the case, may I approach you slowly?”
Oh wow, the male protagonist indeed. Theodore showed his straightforwardness in an unexpected moment. In this exciting moment, like background music, an overture began to play.
‘Oh, my.’
I was curious about Lafesch’s answer, but I had to suppress my curiosity and straighten up. And a little later, as the prelude of a poignant atmosphere was coming to an end, Lafesch whispered something to Theodore and then opened the separate door and went out.
‘Was she in a hurry to go to the bathroom or something?’
However, after that, the actual play began, and Lafesch didn’t come back even after the end of the first act. Something seemed strange.
“It’s strange. She said he left something in the lounge and went out, but….”
Is something wrong?
The sound of Theodore’s worried voice passed through my head like a dull thud.
‘You were tricked!’
Like me, who was trying to connect her and Theodore, Lafesch had a similar thought.
‘However, why did you do it knowing that I have a fiancé?’
The face of Lafesch, who had been lost in thought while looking at Esadien, came to mind. At the same time, an uneasiness rose up in my throat as if I was about to vomit, but I managed to suppress it.
‘Let’s calm down. I’ve warned her. Lafesch accepted it too.’
I still haven’t got any evidence. I can’t just interrogate someone recklessly.
“First… I’ll tell the servant to look for Lady Celeste.”
“Understood.”
And by the time this act is over.
We heard from the doorman that a woman who resembled Lafesch had left the opera house, but we had no concrete evidence.
Coincidentally, the leading lady was singing a poignant aria.
Despite the increasingly intense atmosphere of the drama, Theodore spoke in a subdued voice.
“I’ve never been rejected like this before.”
It seems that even Theodor was taken aback. He approached Lafesch, thinking that the atmosphere had improved after her apology, but then she ran away as if startled. Feeling sorry for him, I patted his arm a couple of times.
“After this act, let’s leave. “
“…Yes.”
Theodore’s head drooped with a gloomy expression.
💧
It was still a time when it wasn’t completely dark, as it came out in the middle of the play. As I breathed in the slightly chilly air, it felt like I was coming back to life.
Theodore still had a gloomy face.
“I’ll give you a ride.”
“Ah…thank you.”
I couldn’t refuse because I felt sorry for him. However, a little later, I deeply regretted this decision.
“Am I really that bad?”
It seems like he was really hurt. Even though he didn’t drink, Theodore repeated similar complaints like a drunkard.
“I understand that I am not particularly attractive. I look in the mirror every day. However, I thought that I could at least win some favor if I made an effort. But…”
“No, no. Wait, Sir Tregosnan.”
I couldn’t bear to listen anymore. It’s unforgivable to belittle someone’s appearance, especially using Flendena’s name, even though Theodore is quite good-looking.
‘What did Ramande say.’
“All Flendena children are beautiful. So stop talking like that.”
“La-Lady Karinen?”
Imitating the priests by speaking solemnly, I suddenly noticed that Theodore’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Are you saying that I look exactly like the prince?”
Ugh. That’s not what I mean!
“Excuse me!”
“Look at that.”
As I frowned, half angry and half dumbfounded, his shoulders, which seemed to be three times as long, drooped sullen.
‘He doesn’t seem like that type, but he’s actually paying attention to those things.’
I let out a deep sigh and tapped his knee.
“I like the Prince, so he can only look the best to me.”
“……”
“Appearance is important, but it’s not everything. Surely, someday, someone will appear who will value you as the most precious person in the world.”
“Do you think so?”
“Of course.”
Even a pair of straw shoes have a match. But for some reason, it seemed like Lafesch was not meant to be Theodore’s match.
‘What could be the reason for the original story being twisted?’
Although I fell in love with Esadien instead of Theodore, that has nothing to do with Lafesch. In the first place… Lafesch should have been living a difficult life in the desert border area by now. It was strange that she was suddenly adopted by another household and brought to the capital.
“….Lady. Lady Karinen.”
I arrived home while thinking about Lafesch, which was not pleasant.
‘I didn’t mean to, but I left it unattended.’
There was still a trace of sadness on Theodore’s face as he escorted me. Although it was less than before, I couldn’t bear to leave him like this.
“Sir, have a meal and then go.”
“What?”
“If you leave like this, you’ll probably drink at least three bottles of alcohol.”
Theodore rubbed the back of his head with an awkward smile. He fell in love at first sight, but it seemed like he had genuine feelings for Lafesch, even if it was only for a short time.
‘I understand him.’
I also fell head over heels for Esadien as soon as I saw him, so I understand how he feels.
“I know, sir.”
“Yes?”
“Should we become friends?”
“Yes?”
A deep, rumbling voice echoed, “Eeee!” and trailed off. If this were a mountain, there would surely be an echo.
“My ears hurt, Theodore.”
“I-I’m sorry… but what did you say?”
I tilted my head and raised one corner of my mouth on purpose.
“Would it be better to just call you Theo?”
“…….”
After a moment of silence, Theodore’s face gradually returned to his usual smile. It was a playful yet friendly expression that made him look like a likable person. This was the Theodore I knew.
“Wait, did you just ask, ‘shall we be friends?’ and then immediately confirm without even waiting for an answer?”
“Do you not want to be friends?”
“Well, I didn’t say I didn’t want to.”
Yes, this is how we could become friends. We walked in, laughing like mischievous early teenagers, and the servant greeted us, saying,
“Did you enjoy your outing, My Lady? The Prince is waiting for you in the library.”
“Oh, really?”
It seems like Esadien has developed a habit of visiting without prior notice. But I didn’t mind, since I hadn’t informed him in advance and went to visit the Imperial Palace myself. As I was lost in thought, Theodore asked cautiously.
“Perhaps it would be better for me to just go back, wouldn’t it?”
“Why would you say that? You and Esadien are close friends.”
“Even so, wouldn’t he want to be alone with you?”
“It’s fine. Come on, this way!”
Theodore reluctantly followed along, looking somewhat awkward as I led the way with an impromptu plan. Even though he was a strong knight, he seemed to feel like he was being dragged along like a mouse.
💧
Esadien’s unexpected visit to the Grand Library was simply to return a borrowed book. Since the previous night, when he had finished reading the book and gone to bed, Minuelle’s voice had been echoing in his mind.
“I’ll lend you the book. Please make sure to return it.”
He couldn’t get Minuelle’s voice out of his head, even in his dreams, while swinging his sword in the early morning hours, or even during breakfast. Later on, he even started to recall her sky-colored eyes gazing at him from a close distance. It was almost as if the book contained some kind of magical device that only Esadien couldn’t comprehend.
“Haa...”
The attendant looked at Esadien with surprised eyes as he let out a sigh.
‘Even though the meal was fine, why are you suddenly grabbing your head like that?’
Despite serving the prince for a long time, it was the first time he had seen the prince like this. He seemed to be on the verge of trembling with nervousness. As someone who served the imperial family, he was a nobleman, even if he was from a minor aristocratic household. It was natural for him to be able to read and write.
Esadien glanced at the book that seemed to be staring at him as if it could devour him, but it was just an ordinary history book.
『Captured Euneas』
Judging from the title, it is probably a story about the rise of the Preseria Empire, so there should be no problem with the book. The attendant gave up guessing and asked straightforwardly.
“Is there anything on your mind, Your Highness?”
“….it’s getting caught.”
After staring at it as if he had just woken up from a dream, Esadien closed his mouth tightly after a moment. How could he say that he kept thinking about Minuelle? Contrary to what he had thought, trying to maintain a moderately dry relationship, Minuelle was really a difficult person to deal with.
“I like you, Your Highness!”
Her innocent smile and gift-like affection were stronger than any siege weapon. Who would have thought that the walls that were firmly built up would crumble so easily under the unreserved confession? However, there was a presence that kept Esadien’s sanity intact until the very end.
“My dear son. I hate you.”
His mother had a secret lover, whom she met as a princess. It wasn’t just a one-night fling, but a sincere love. However, it seemed that the man was not her equal. When she announced her pregnancy, he disappeared without a trace.
Around the same time, his mother was banished from the palace by the order of the enraged Emperor, who had learned the truth. Although she did not fall to the streets due to her noble status, the shock of being abandoned by her loved one drove her crazy.
“Esadien, my little angel. It would have been better without you.”
He vividly remembers the days when he felt sad while watching his mother, who looked pale and lay on a sickbed, struggling to speak with difficulty.
“He said that he loves me.”
However, even now, Esadien still does not know who his biological father is.
“My Dein, if someone ever confesses their love to you.”
Even in her final moments, his mother spoke with a voice as soft as fresh milk.
“Remember that love dissipates faster than the mist before the morning sun.”
Remember me. Always…
“Your Highness?”
“Ah.”
At the voice of the attendant, Esadien blinked his previously fixed gaze. Light gradually returned to his cloudy eyes.
“Are you tired? Would you like to have some herbal tea? I have prepared the bedroom for you.”
Esadien shook his head quietly. He seemed unable to fall asleep like this.
“Prepare the carriage.”
💧
Thank you for reading!
