Chapter 102
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Chapter 102
"W-what? A conversation just for adults?"
As all eyes turned toward me, I instinctively shrank back.
There was something laden with meaning in everyone's gaze... I felt like a herbivore thrown before a pack of predators.
"We didn't get to talk properly that day."
"Talk about what, exactly...?"
"Oh, come now."
The noblewoman seated across from me patted my shoulder gently.
"What else? Obviously, we're talking about Marquis Agris."
"Despite Miss Rilprey's claim that you two are nothing to each other... the way the Marquis looked at you was far from ordinary."
I had no words to offer in response. I already knew that Claude's gaze upon me was different from how he looked at others.
And besides...
'I merely stated that I wanted to see you because I wanted to. Is there a problem with that?'
'I already told you as well. It's not a misunderstanding.'
'What you're thinking, Young Lady—it's not a misunderstanding at all.'
I had just come from hearing Claude speak words that bordered on a confession. In such circumstances, denying suspicion was far from easy.
"You two are dating, aren't you?"
"No. Of course not!"
I shook my head vigorously.
Just because I knew Claude's feelings didn't make us lovers. I hadn't even heard him ask me to date him.
"You're not?"
At my answer, confusion bloomed across the faces of those surrounding me.
"But you two went to the Balcony together, didn't you?"
The Balcony was where those wishing to escape the Banquet Hall for a moment of respite would go.
It was a place where whispered conversations about politics and business transpired, and in most cases, when a young man and woman entered together, it was to indulge in a secret rendezvous.
"The Marquis simply took me there to rest because I appeared to be struggling. As you all know, the atmosphere that day was rather... unpleasant."
"That's true..."
The atmosphere grew solemn in an instant. Everyone seemed to recall the Duke of Bellomen's outrageous behavior.
"So nothing happened on the Balcony?"
"...What exactly is supposed to happen?"
"Oh, you know. The sort of thing that happens all the time in romance novels."
"I swear, nothing like that occurred."
"What a shame."
What was so disappointing about that?
I stared at the people openly displaying their disappointment with bewilderment. They all wore the deflated expressions of punctured balloons.
"So there's no chance of you and Marquis Agris developing into lovers?"
"Lovers? As I said just now, there's absolutely no way that could—"
No way?
Could I truly say with certainty that it would never happen?
I couldn't even be sure myself, so the words caught in my throat.
"Both of you clearly have feelings for each other. So why are you so certain that nothing will come of it?"
"F-feelings for each other?!"
I quickly waved my hand in denial.
"I've never harbored any romantic interest in Marquis Agris. So naturally, we could never develop into that kind of relationship."
"Then the Marquis must be nursing an unrequited love for Miss Rilprey?"
"That's...."
I couldn't easily open my mouth—such an admission would come across as arrogant.
Acknowledging it would also be disrespectful to Claude.
"I doubt that's the case. Our bond is closer to comradeship than romance. We've been through life and death together, so it's only natural that we look out for each other."
I had no choice but to deny their speculation.
"Hmm."
The eyes of those around me narrowed. They clearly didn't believe my words.
"Well, that would only be true if what Miss Rilprey says is genuine."
As a subtle glint passed between the eyes of those at the table,
one of the young ladies seated at the far end spoke up—the one who had introduced herself as Elena Dimen moments earlier.
"May I approach Marquis Agris?"
At her words, the attention that had been focused on me shifted to Elena.
"Pardon?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Surely not?"
At the questions that followed, Elena nodded with a bashful expression.
"That's right. The truth is... I'm in love with Marquis Agris."
At Elena's confession, the jaws of those watching her dropped.
"You're in love with Marquis Agris?"
"Since when?"
"Have you two had any connection?"
The questions now poured toward Elena instead of me.
"As for a connection, the only time we've met was at the Imperial Capital's New Year's Banquet two years ago. Of course, I fell head over heels for him that very day."
"And since then?"
"Naturally, nothing at all. As you know, I'm based in the Capital, and the Marquis doesn't visit the Capital very often."
"So you've been harboring an unrequited love for the Marquis all this time, from two years ago until now?"
"Embarrassing as it is, yes."
"My goodness."
The noblewoman who had posed the question covered her mouth with her hand. The faces of those around us were filled with affection for Elena and keen interest in this unfolding situation.
Only I seemed uncertain how to react.
'Miss Dimen is in love with Marquis Agris?'
When I thought about it, it wasn't really that surprising.
Claude was the head of a prestigious house, exceptionally handsome, possessed a gentle temperament, and was highly capable.
'In the original story, there were quite a few noble ladies vying for Claude's affections.'
So it was hardly remarkable that Miss Dimen harbored an unrequited love for Claude.
But why couldn't I laugh like everyone else?
"Um, Miss Rilprey."
"Yes. Please go ahead."
At the sound of Elena's voice calling me, I forced the corners of my mouth upward.
"If the two of you truly have no connection as you say, would it be alright for me to approach Marquis Agris more actively?"
"I don't think you need to ask me about that. Liking someone is a freedom given to everyone."
"Still. If Miss Rilprey harbors feelings for the Marquis, then my heart might feel uncomfortable about it, wouldn't it?"
Elena, having said that, carefully opened her mouth while gauging my reaction.
"You've only denied your connection with the Marquis all this time, but you've never revealed what your own heart truly feels."
"...."
I couldn't open my mouth easily. Elena had touched upon the very truth I had been avoiding all along.
She took a sip of her tea before asking in a more serious tone.
"Setting aside Marquis Agris—what does Miss Rilprey's heart truly desire?"
* * *
Lucian surveyed the children seated around the circular table. Five pairs of curious eyes fixed their gaze upon him.
'If I misbehave... she said she wouldn't let it slide.'
Lucian recalled what Lucella had said moments before and felt his shoulders tremble slightly.
My kind and gentle aunt occasionally revealed such a frightening side of herself.
"Prince of Bellomen, are you cold?"
"No. ...yes."
Lucian, who had unconsciously begun to speak informally, hastily added a syllable to the end of his words. It was because the other person had first addressed him with formal speech.
'If they're not someone of lower status than you, start with formal speech first. Drop the formality only after you've grown close. Understand?'
This was the moment Lucella's teachings bore fruit.
"I thought you were cold because you suddenly shrugged your shoulders."
The young lady who had spoken to me cupped her cheeks and laughed shyly.
Lucian watched the young lady squirm and asked what had been on his mind.
"But how did you know I'm the Prince of Bellomen... yes?"
I hadn't even introduced myself yet.
"Well, you're quite famous, after all."
"That's right. Among the people who came to that banquet, there wouldn't be anyone who doesn't know the Prince of Bellomen."
The young ladies who had only been staring at Lucian began to chime in one by one. Their faces were all flushed a deep red.
"Why am I famous... yes?"
At Lucian's question, the children's eyes gleamed as they opened their mouths.
"You're such a magnificent warrior who defeated that terrifying monster in one blow!"
"I heard that thanks to you, the monster subjugation that had continued for years ended quickly."
"Everyone was full of praise, saying you were brave and remarkable."
At the flood of compliments, the corners of Lucian's mouth began to twitch upward.
"Really?"
This wasn't a question seeking verification of facts.
'Praise! I want to hear more!'
Praise from my peers felt entirely different from anything I'd heard before.
I couldn't quite explain it, but my heart soared with an indescribable joy.
As if I were flying through the heavens!
"Yes, truly."
"And that's not all..."
The endless stream of words suddenly faltered.
After Lucian's abilities came an even more extraordinary compliment.
"You've also garnered considerable attention for your remarkable beauty."
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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