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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: An Uninvited Guest
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Karayan, standing there bewildered, was utterly flabbergasted.
As he stood there dazedly, unable to even lift his glass, Huxley swaggered over.
“Young Master. This is what the world of adults is like.”
Karayan frowned.
His displeasure was blatant.
But whether he had forgotten that Karayan was a Legion or had simply grown a death wish…
...Huxley pestered Karayan as if he had completely forgotten the hellish training of the past.
“Young Master. Should I pass on my secrets to romance? I don't just tell anyone. I'm only offering because it's you, Young Master.”
“I don't need it.”
“I may not look it, but I have the most dating experience in the knight order. I may not be married yet, but I know the hearts of women like the back of my hand. You won't find a better advisor than me.”
“I said I don't need it.”
Karayan pushed Huxley away.
As he did, he glanced over at Lumina, who was sitting beside him.
Fortunately, Lumina was too busy giggling at some ridiculous toast to have noticed their conversation.
The banquet proceeded smoothly amidst the boisterous atmosphere.
It was then.
The clamorous banquet hall fell silent in an instant.
As soon as the brief silence ended, a stir of whispers went through the crowd.
It wasn't the same excited and joyful atmosphere as before.
Wariness and curiosity. And astonishment.
It was due to the appearance of an uninvited guest.
None other than Nora Klein.
Madame Klein, who was said to be unable to walk properly due to dizziness, had made an appearance.
Had she simply shown up, people wouldn't have been so wary.
“Her dress…”
“…I know, right?”
The pink dress, adorned with frills and ribbons, would have suited a woman with a much cuter impression.
Unfortunately, Madame Klein had a stern appearance, making her clash with the dress.
To make matters worse, she had recently lost weight and was stick-thin, so it looked as if the dress was swallowing her whole.
*‘Besides, that style was in fashion about ten years ago.’*
It was an outdated style, the kind of attire a young lady just debuting in high society would wear.
No matter how you looked at it, the combination was as incompatible as oil and water.
Since Lumina was the only one here who would welcome her, she rose from her seat.
“Lord Karayan. Madame Klein knows no one else here but me. Would it be all right if I moved seats?”
“Who is that woman?”
“She's my private tutor. She collapsed due to health issues and is staying at the mansion for a while.”
“Throw her out.”
Lumina tilted her head.
Karayan was normally prickly, but even considering that, this was an extreme reaction.
The mystery was soon solved.
“…That thing she's wearing. It's similar to the clothes Mother used to wear often.”
She stiffened.
Lumina, who had stiffened for a moment, relaxed her expression. Then, she soothed Karayan with her usual bright smile.
“It'll be all right.”
*‘Because I'm going to step in.’*
Turning her back to Karayan, Lumina's eyes went cold for an instant before she quickly changed her expression and approached Madame Klein.
“Madame. What brings you here?”
“I heard a knight of the ducal house became a Sword Master. I thought it was an occasion worthy of celebration, so I came.”
The madame said politely.
Lumina suddenly felt a chill run down her spine.
But without showing it, she led the woman to a secluded spot.
*‘Even the servants who worked here when the duchess was alive immediately noticed that Madame Klein was dressing like her.’*
Pushing down the discomfort welling up from within, Lumina naturally steered the conversation.
“I've never seen that dress before.”
“I heard there was a banquet, so I had it urgently brought from my home.”
Madame Klein replied with a light laugh.
*‘So when she said she sent a letter home… it wasn't to say she'd be late, but to have them bring her clothes.’*
She had no intention of leaving the mansion until she achieved her goal.
And indeed, she kept looking around as if searching for someone.
Lumina said, feigning composure.
“The doctor said you're malnourished, Madame. Do you not usually eat well?”
“Malnourished? It must be a misdiagnosis.”
In fact, Lina, who was assigned to watch her, had reported seeing no signs of an eating disorder in Madame Klein.
And yet, she was malnourished.
*‘The doctors here are competent. It can't be a misdiagnosis. In that case, the only remaining possibility is…’*
Having gotten a sense of what she was plotting, Lumina offered the madame some food.
Like the etiquette teacher she was, Madame Klein brought the food to her lips with an elegant posture.
“Speaking of which, Young Lady Lumina, your own cutlery hasn't moved at all.”
“I don't eat food that someone else has touched.”
For a moment, Madame Klein's smile vanished.
“The maids here seem to have loose lips. To think they'd blabber on when all I did was take a wrong turn.”
“Hmm? What do you mean by that?”
“…”
“Did something happen with the maids?”
Lumina played dumb.
Madame Klein had to force a smile.
“No. Nothing happened at all. It was nothing important, so please pretend you didn't hear it.”
Growing slightly anxious, Madame Klein fidgeted with her glass.
As if her patience had reached its limit, she hastily got to the point.
“It seems the Duke has not arrived yet. I thought I had timed my arrival perfectly.”
“My father?”
Lumina's eyes widened.
“Oh, dear. Father said he wouldn't be attending the banquet today…”
“That can't be.”
Having heard the rumors spread by the maids, Madame Klein was certain.
Lumina swallowed a sneer and whispered in a small voice.
“He only told me in secret, so no one else knows. You know how Father dotes on me.”
Madame Klein's gaze wavered.
*‘This woman. She must have been half-awake when Father picked me up.’*
In that case, things just got easier.
“Hmm. Should I go get Father? Come to think of it, I'm sure he would enjoy being here too.”
Without further hesitation, Madame Klein nodded.
If she didn't seize this opportunity, she would likely never have another chance to meet Duke Heart.
So this was no time to be picky.
“Then please sit here and wait!”
Lumina stood up cheerfully.
As she left the banquet hall, a hairpin fell from her hair in the process.
Huxley, who happened to be nearby, immediately picked up the hairpin to return it to her.
But Lumina's steps were so quick that she was already out of sight from the banquet hall.
Huxley hurriedly followed her and managed to catch up to her in the quiet hallway, empty because everyone was at the banquet.
“Little Mistress! Little Mistress! You dropped your hairpin.”
“Oh! I would have been in a pickle if it weren't for you, Sir. Thank you.”
“I only did what's natural for a knight. By the way, Little Mistress, please speak comfortably.”
Lumina looked up at him.
He was a man with golden hair and hazel eyes. Among the bear-like knights, he stood out with his slender physique.
And with his thick, dark eyebrows, deep-set eyes, and a sly smile…
*‘The impression of a typical playboy.’*
Lumina and the Dark Moon Knights' paths rarely crossed, so aside from Ash, she had never gotten a proper look at any of them.
So she didn't know much about this man, but there was one thing she could tell right away.
And that was…
“You're Sir Huxley, right?”
“Gasp! To think you know my name! I'm touched!”
It was impossible not to know, with people calling out ‘Huxley!’ from all over.
“Say. Are you close with Sir Ash?”
“Yes! I am!”
The sociable Huxley could confidently say he was close with everyone.
“Perfect! As it happens, there's something I'm preparing in secret…”
“What is it?”
She had only just started, but Huxley was already interested. Facing him, Lumina grinned.
Sociability and a mischievous streak.
He was exactly the kind of talent Lumina was looking for.
***
Originally, Lucius had planned to show his face late in the evening, just for a moment, so that Karayan could enjoy the banquet comfortably.
However, the appearance of a certain small girl meant that plan would remain just a plan.
“Father! Hurry, hurry!”
Unable to resist Lumina's urging, Lucius left his office earlier than planned.
Whatever was so urgent, Lumina kept rushing him.
It was quite amusing to see her achieve such incredible speed with those short legs of hers.
“Everyone is waiting for you, Father!”
He knew it was a lie.
Why would the mansion's staff, all gathered in one place, be looking for their employer? It would only make them uncomfortable.
“Let's go, let's go.”
But, unable to refuse the cajoling of a child who only ever spoke pleasing words, he quickened his pace.
When he entered the banquet hall with Lumina, everyone briefly stopped what they were doing.
But when he gave a nod to signal they shouldn't mind him, everyone quickly resumed the festivities.
Karayan was among them.
In the past, he would have left the room, but this time Karayan didn't, merely keeping his distance.
That alone was enough to satisfy Lucius.
“Father. Let's sit over there! There's lots of food I like.”
Lumina said, her eyes sparkling.
Lucius let himself be pulled along by Lumina, rather listlessly.
It was a table that was, for some reason, filled with the food he usually enjoyed.
“You must have skipped another meal. Let's eat first.”
“Alright.”
Lucius did as Lumina, who sat beside him, said.
He was looking for a glass to have a light drink before the meal when someone took the other seat beside him.
It was a pink dress.
