The carriage’s rocking makes me queasy. It’s that thing where you get motion sickness when you’re not feeling your best, even if you’re usually fine.
“I can’t do this anymore. I’m completely drained.”
“What happened to all that enthusiasm?”
Patrick looked dumbfounded, his attire now more formal. Only two people besides the coachman were aboard the carriage. Since the upcoming party at the palace had a strong official aspect, Eleanora stayed behind.
Around the time we finished playing hide-and-seek in the closet, Prince Edwin had left, entrusting only his greetings to Patrick. What followed was hell.
It started with Eleanora, mysteriously motivated, selecting my dress. Then came curling and styling my hair, applying perfect makeup, and spraying perfume so it would be just right by the time we reached the venue… It took several people attending to her constantly for hours. My last chance to escape was probably when I was idly thinking how nice it would be to take an early bath.
And now, as evening fell, I was suffering from motion sickness. It felt as miserable as riding a long-distance bus while feeling under the weather and eating dried squid.
“Hmph.”
“Sorry to bring up a sore point, but let’s confirm. First, we’ll renegotiate with Marquis Prynan. If that fails, we’ll consult with Count Archiam and make the case that he’s the right choice for Defense Lord… Correct?”
We’d like to strategize based on our last failure, but since we haven’t been able to consult with Count Archiam himself, we’ll just have to charge in. If we take the offensive, including the attempt to use the Second Prince as bait, even a disadvantageous battle won’t be so hopeless.
The party at the palace tonight is like a pre-celebration for the monthly royal council meeting. His Majesty the King usually doesn’t attend. They say the agenda for the next day’s meeting is mostly decided here, or so they say.
I hate owing favors to nobles, but there’s plenty to do at this party—like winning over other marquises besides Marquis Prynan. I need to buckle down. But I’m terribly nauseous.
“I’m heading to Marquis Prynan’s place to declare war, so Patrick, you handle the arrangements with Count Archiam.”
“Huh? Is it okay for us to split up?”
“We might run out of time.”
It really is a race against time. I should have met with the Count beforehand, but I wasted time getting decked out by Eleanora and the others.
I shouldn’t have said anything pretentious about the young lady’s combat gear.
The carriage arrived at the palace. Finally, I could get out.
Patrick stepped out first, offering his hand… Saying “heel” makes me picture a villain. He offered his hand, considerate of me in my forced-stretching shoes.
I took his hand and stepped onto the battlefield.
Patrick looked me over from head to toe and said.
“Yumiera really is beautiful, isn’t she?”
“What’s that supposed to mean? You mean I’m normally an undressed, funny woman?”
“That’s exactly what I meant.”
“Huh?”
“Save that fighting spirit for the Marquis.”
As I walked in the fresh air, the queasiness from the motion sickness began to subside.
Despite the event, the path to the grand hall was surprisingly empty. The reason became clear upon arrival: a large crowd had already gathered there. Though we thought we’d come early, it seemed we were latecomers.
White tablecloths covered the arranged tables, adorned with colorful dishes. Nobles chatted beside them, glasses in hand.
Some danced in the spacious middle area to the orchestra’s music. I wanna go home…
Not just the heads of households, but many ladies and young people were present. This was a place for preliminary negotiations, information exchange, gossip sessions, and probably also served as a matchmaking venue.
One person near the entrance noticed me and whispered to the person next to them. News of Yumiela’s arrival spread through the great hall.
“Is that… Yumiela Dolknes?”
“The one beside her is Ashbaton. She must be Counte Dolknes.”
Huh? Did everyone forget what I look like?
I thought being a woman with jet-black hair would make me instantly recognizable as Yumiela. I quietly ask Patrick.
“Why?”
“They’re surprised at how beautiful Yumiela looks all dressed up.”
He said it as if it were nothing. Again, Pat-san, you have such a way with words.
He’s the only one who ever calls me pretty. Everyone else treats me like a monster, you know? No matter how much I dress up, that will not change.
Suddenly, I noticed a boy staring at me openly. He was the age of someone just entering the academy. He’d been dancing with a girl around the same age, but his steps had stopped.
Then, I heard a whisper from the middle of the dance floor.
“She looked that lovely?”
No way.
But I know. If I reacted, it’d be like, “Eek~, the monster’s glaring at me~,” right?
Crushing tanks, swallowing trains, toppling towers—that’s a monster’s duty. As fan service, I wink at him.
Then, the boy’s face flushed red in an instant. …Huh?
The girl he was dancing with glared at me sharply and walked away.
No, that’s not it. I never meant to play the seductive older sister who lures young people. I never meant to tear apart a good relationship between a man and a woman.
As I silently apologized to them in my heart, Patrick said with an exasperated look.
“What nonsense are you pulling?”
“It’s not like that. I’m devoted to Patrick. What just happened was… a bit of fun, or a momentary lapse… It sounds like an excuse for cheating, doesn’t it?”
“I’m not worried about that. Yumiela’s looks might fool some, but they just don’t know your true self.”
“You mean that boy is being fooled?”
“Yeah. I’m probably the only one who can see your true self and still like you.”
Is this… something to be happy about? Or angry about?
Wondering how to react, I let my gaze wander around the party venue. It’s so crowded that finding the person I’m looking for is a struggle.
While searching for Marquis Prynan, Patrick muttered quietly.
“There are more extremist nobles than I expected.”
The incident significantly reduced their numbers, and they should keep a low profile now… But I guess they won’t be satisfied unless they go. They’ll get dirty looks and rough treatment anyway, so they could stay put.
…Oh. The Marquis is nowhere to be seen, but I found Count Archiam.
“Patrick, over there.”
“Alright, let’s go.”
“I’ll look for the Marquis. You handle the strategy meeting.”
“…I have a bad feeling about this. Can we stick together as much as possible?”
He said anxiously.
I understand why he would be worried. But I’m not stupid enough to act crazy in a place like this. The thought did cross my mind—what if I suddenly let out a strange scream?—but I can keep that enigmatic gauge under control.
“It’s fine. I’ve been behaving myself in situations like this, haven’t I? I’ll go find the Marquis.”
After reassuring the anxious Patrick, I began walking through the venue.
Immediately after parting ways with Patrick, an unfamiliar man addressed me.
“Long time no see. Count Dolknes seems to haven’t changed a bit.”
“Hello.”
I tried to pass by with just a nod, but the unfamiliar man persistently followed me.
“Last time we met, you took Miss Eleanora somewhere, so I’d been hoping to have a proper chat with you sometime. What brings you to the capital? If there’s someone you wish to see, I can put you in contact.”
His identity became clear from the one-sided rant. He was the man I’d exchanged a word or two with when invited to a previous party at Duke Hillrose’s residence. He was exactly the extremist Patrick had described.
I dealt with the man while walking.
“Long time no see. It seems you escaped that great arrest after all.”
“…Hahaha. Hillrose devised a foolish plan. How could I possibly harbor any treasonous intent toward the royal family?”
That’s definitely a lie. He only narrowly escaped disaster by chance. Even when he heard about the rebellion plot, he was like, “Yo! That’s our Duke Hillrose for you! Keep it up, puff puff!”
His dry laugh made him utterly untrustworthy. And yet, he’d been helped by Duke Hillrose. I could understand why he’d resolved to cleanse the kingdom’s nobility.
But… if he’s the type who loves to ingratiate himself with powerful people, he might know where Marquis Prynan is. I could find him by walking around the entire venue, but asking would be quicker.
“I’ve come to see Marquis Prynan. Do you know where he might be?”
“What?! Marquis Prynan?! He’s a cunning old fox!”
“I know.”
“He’s trying to take the position of Defense Lord away from Count Archiam, a man who served the kingdom with unwavering loyalty!”
“I know. That’s why I’m here.”
This guy lies all the time. Even the Minister of Defense admits he’s in no position to act.
Why don’t you just tell me where he is already? I stopped and looked at him, having been walking without meeting his gaze. The nobleman, whose name I didn’t even know, stood there with his mouth agape.
“Is something wrong?”
“Could it be… you spoke with the Marquis about Count Archiam?”
“Something like that.”
This is troublesome. He might say he has a favor to ask me, too.
Well, that sort of thing happens all the time. I can just refuse and ignore him. This is information he’ll find out eventually anyway.
Finally, the man pointed to a spot in the hall.
“Marquis Prynan is over there. He’s hidden behind people, but… he’s usually there.”
“Understood. Thank you.”
The direction led to one of the most densely packed areas at the party venue. Ah, it’s full of older men—it must be where the heads of noble houses gather. The fact that the extremists weren’t here suggests it’s packed with moderates.
I advanced with an even more serious expression than usual. Whether my anger toward Marquis Prynan was palpable or not, the crowd parted without a word.
Walking on, I soon spotted Marquis Prynan. He made no attempt to avoid my path, and our eyes met clearly through the gap in the crowd.
I confronted the marquis. He greeted me with a cheerful smile, but it did nothing to dampen my fighting spirit.
“Well, well. How unusual. To meet Yumiela again.”
“This is a public occasion. Please address me as Dolknes.”
“Hmm… Did you fail to persuade that willful child?”
“My Eleanora would never abandon a friend, no matter what anyone says. You’ve truly meddled unnecessarily. My resolve is firm. I won’t back down like yesterday.”
“Count Dolknes’s demand remains unchanged?”
“Exactly. I request the cancellation of tomorrow’s Imperial Council meeting regarding the abolition of Defense Lord.”