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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: The Pretty Lady
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“Oh, my. I’ll be more careful. It was just so fascinating, I acted without thinking. I meant no harm, so please don’t misunderstand.”
“…”
“Getting on the wrong side of the Marquis means getting on the wrong side of the Valliats, and I couldn’t possibly do that. I merely wanted to exchange greetings, but it seems today is not the day.”
The turtle-like old man, sweating profusely, made his excuses about having other business and quickly left.
He kept a smile on his face the entire time, but it was a deeply unsettling one.
It seemed he had fled from my uncle’s imposing aura.
Once the old man was gone, my uncle’s fierce presence subsided.
“Uncle, I think I’ve heard that grandpa’s voice somewhere before.”
I murmured, my arms wrapped around my uncle’s neck as I dangled from him.
“Where would you have heard that man’s voice? You’ve never been to a place like this.”
“It’s true. I’m sure I’ve heard it before… Where was it?”
“You must be mistaking it for some other old man’s voice.”
“No, Grandfather’s voice is deeper and cooler! I really have heard it somewhere…”
People’s voices are all different, even if they sound similar.
The differences are really subtle, you know?
I insisted several times, but my uncle didn’t believe me.
“Uncle, you have to be careful of snakes and turtles.”
“…”
“You know that, right? Mommy told me.”
“You don’t need to worry about things like that.”
As we moved quickly, I glanced around, and in an instant, all eyes were on us.
Some people looked incredibly happy, while others looked terrified.
It seemed that whatever my uncle and I did, we drew attention.
I decided to endure it, since I had a sturdy shield.
It was full of strangers, but there was also delicious food and nice music.
Come to think of it, there wasn't a single person my age.
“Uncle, are we going home now? Aren’t my friends coming here?”
“What friends?”
“Is Ruspe not coming?”
“Only a disobedient kid like you would come. He won’t.”
Hmph. I pouted pointedly.
Even though my uncle wasn’t heading toward the center of the ballroom, ladies appeared from all over to greet him.
But he never once looked at them or returned their greetings.
He just forged ahead as if there was nothing in front of him.
I wanted to greet them on his behalf, but my uncle was moving too fast for me to do even that.
“Oh my, Marquis. Hello.”
Just as we rounded a corner in the hallway, a pretty lady with her yellow hair coiled into a bun appeared before us, fluttering a fan.
She had dimples in both cheeks and eyelashes as long as a bird’s tail feathers.
“…”
My uncle walked right past her.
“Ah, ah, you can’t do that.”
The pretty lady, as if used to this, swiftly turned and blocked our path again.
She was incredibly fast.
“The young ladies have been especially loud today, so I came to see what was going on, and it’s true. You’ve made a rare appearance. Surely you’re not leaving already?”
“…”
“My goodness, who comes to a party meant for fun just to take care of business? His Grace the Duke even provided expensive liquor today.”
A sigh full of annoyance escaped through my uncle’s teeth.
“What is it?”
“I tried not to bother you, I really did.”
Most people who approached my uncle would flinch and leave when his eyes turned sharp, but this lady was different.
I watched her and my uncle with curious eyes, and my gaze met hers.
The pretty lady smiled sweetly, as if trying to lure me in, and extended her fluttering fan toward me.
I reached out my hand as if hypnotized, but my uncle blocked me.
At the same time, the fan was swiftly pulled away.
“I came all this way to find you because I have some information you need. If you send me away today, you’ll probably regret it immensely, you know?”
Then, she winked at me, not my uncle.
I tried to wink back, but I just ended up squeezing my eyes shut.
“Pfft. Ah, how cute.”
Embarrassed, I buried my face in my uncle’s neck, pretending not to notice.
“Gerard, watch the kid. I’ll be quick.”
“Yes, my lord.”
But my uncle, who I thought was on my side, unceremoniously handed me over to Gerard.
“Uncle, you’re leaving?”
I grabbed his clothes before he could get far, and he pressed down on my head.
“I’ll be right back, so be good.”
“Okay.”
I took the hand Gerard offered me.
As the pretty lady followed my uncle, she fluttered her fan at me once more, as if saying goodbye.
Gerard said my uncle didn’t have a girlfriend.
Still, what if…?
“Gerard.”
I wiggled my fingers, motioning for Gerard to bring his ear closer.
Gerard bent down deeply.
“Yes?”
“Is that lady Uncle’s friend? His girlfriend? She’s so pretty. She has yellow hair and she’s wearing a yellow dress!”
Gerard burst out laughing.
“Absolutely not.”
“She’s not?”
“No, she is not. They just share a common goal, so they’re heading in the same direction. Shall we find a quiet table over there?”
“Umm… The fountain over there!”
Instead of where Gerard was pointing, I pointed to the outdoor area connected to the terrace.
It was quieter than the main hall, and there were many small, glowing lanterns, so I’d wanted to go there since I’d caught a glimpse of it earlier.
Honestly, I also wanted to escape the stares that followed my every gesture.
“Very well. It’s not cold at all at night anymore, so it should be fine.”
“Wow, Gerard! Can I climb on top of the fountain?”
The falling water droplets sparkled because of the lanterns hanging above.
“You can’t go on top of the fountain, my lady. Your dress and hair will get wet. How about the table next to it?”
*And if you climb on the fountain, His Lordship will kill me.*
Gerard added as he stopped me.
Well, if that was the case, I couldn’t.
I dusted off my dress and sat in the chair Gerard led me to.
It had a direct view of the fountain.
I watched, mesmerized, as the water sparkled and cascaded down the large fountain.
I could feel water droplets misting my face, not enough to get me wet, but enough to feel cool.
It would be fun to jump right into that water.
Disappointed, I stretched out my hand to catch the droplets bouncing off the fountain.
Then I turned my head and saw that many people had come out to the terrace.
There was a group of them glancing in our direction.
It felt like a long time had passed, but my uncle hadn’t returned.
He said he’d be right back. Uncle is a liar.
Maybe because I stopped eating earlier, I felt like my food had all digested. And I was done looking at the fountain. Hmph!
“Uncle must be busy.”
“It seems so. He should be back soon. Shall we wait in the carriage?”
“No, I want to wait here. Gerard, can I have some of that?”
People were carrying a cake taller than me into the ballroom.
I also saw an old man wearing a chef’s hat, just like Sophie.
Everyone’s attention was drawn to it, and gasps of admiration erupted from all around.
The cake was so white, it looked like a wedding dress was walking into the room.
“That giant cake?”
“Yeah! When I was little, I always wanted to be buried in a huge cake like that and eat my way out.”
Gerard’s lips twitched.
“Heh, and how little were you then, my lady?”
“When I was five? No. I think I was four!”
“…That was a very long time ago, indeed. I will get you some. Ah, but. Hmm, I should have called for Zenda.”
Gerard started to move, then hesitated.
“I’ll be good and stay right here!”
Fortunately, a servant attending the banquet was passing nearby.
“Then I will ask that attendant to bring some. My apologies, my lady.”
“Okay! It’s okay!”
Gerard was back in less than a minute.
Swinging my feet next to him, I was filled with anticipation for the sweet cake.
A loud burst of applause and cheers came from inside.
They must be cutting the cake!
Another round of laughter followed.
Soon, a servant brought a large slice of cake.
“There was a cake-cutting ceremony, so it took a little while. But I told them it was for the little princess, so they gave me the prettiest part from the top.”
The cake was covered with all sorts of fruits.
There were also pastel-colored chocolate pearls.
It was the kind of food Zenda would scold me for eating at night, but there was even a candle on top of the cake.
“Thank you.”
“Thank you!”
I followed Gerard’s lead and thanked him.
The servant looked surprised, then gave a warm smile.
“Not at all! It’s my job. Please enjoy your time.”
After the servant bowed and walked away, I quickly grabbed a fork.
“Gerard, here.”
