Author’s Note:
Fetish depiction below. There are some parts that require thinking. Please proceed with caution.
Translator’s Note:
Sorry for the delay (had various IRL circumstances ><), here’s an update! Hope you’re still looking forward to this novel’s development as much as I do! Also, if you’re not reading this from CreativeNovels, then you’re reading this from a site that steals the translation. Please support this translation by reading it on CrN.
Anyway, happy reading and don’t hesitate to comment 🙂
Since both of my arms were restricted from both sides, my movement range was restricted. I seriously thought that I could definitely trip him up if he were to get a little bit closer, but the offender in question didn’t move away from the safe zone where my legs couldn’t reach him.
“—What amazing eyes. It feels as if one can get killed if one were to carelessly approach.”
Furthermore, Duke Rumsfeld said provocatively.
He lightly brushed his blackish brown hair that fell to his forehead up as his sharp green eyes were turning towards me. There was nothing more aggravating than his smile that seemed to contain contempt and his rashly intense and well-regulated face. They got on my nerves.
“What a great princess. Not satisfied with using seductive techniques to get what you want, this time you’re planning to bewitch even the women in this castle by putting on airs as a beauty, huh? …Certainly, it suits you a lot. You look like a popular crossdressing entertainer. And publicity stunt is your forte, huh?”
Such a rash remark!
“Hey, Duke Rumsfeld! …”
It was totally intolerable!
I strongly wrested my body in attempt to unfasten the restraint on my both sides.
However,
“Riviere.”
“Riviere-sama.”
Restraining voices were raised at the same time from my left and my right.
Although they could be said to be gentle voices, they possessed enough strength to restrain me, the anger that was about to boil my brain in a moment cooled down in one go. Physically, my arms were still seized, though.
But, it was frustrating.
Why would he say anything as he liked like this so suddenly in our first meeting?
What did he take me for?
I felt humiliated by his insults, but since my position was unstable and I was being taken care of by Leon-sama, I must endure this. My background story was splendid, but I understood it more than anyone else that it was all a made-up story.
In this world, I am [doing nothing]. I haven’t made anything out of my own effort nor experience. I was certainly living off an influential person’s pity. I was helpless in this part. I was once more reminded that I had spent everyday thoughtlessly because I hadn’t thought of it.
I naturally understood that it wasn’t something to cry over to, but it was quite damaging to receive such remarks from an influential person who was at the same rank as Leon-sama, I hung my head down as I bit my lips.
“—Julias, what’s the matter?”
The gentle voice belonged to Duke Odile.
“Just accept Leon’s judgment. Wasn’t it something that wouldn’t spare no cooperation?”
Was it something they talked about during the morning assembly?
“It doesn’t mean she is going to borrow Leon’s authority and misuse it. I think that she is a woman with attitude.”
“I’m going to cooperate. I was only teasing her a bit because I wasn’t satisfied with it.”
“—Julias.”
Leon-sama’s calm voice interrupted Duke Rumsfeld’s self-assured words.
“I should have already said it before. I forcibly prepared to let you guys meet because you said that you wanted to meet her. I did it without her knowing. I did it so I would gain your cooperation. Although I didn’t want you two to meet her for the time being.”
I reflexively raised my head and ended up looking hard at Leon-sama’s face.
The golden pupils seemed to be indifferent, and yet they didn’t waver.
“Since it’s you, I told the whole story about how she appeared. It isn’t so you can disdain her. It goes without saying that it isn’t so that you can hurt her as well. If your earlier remark was meant to tease her, then your taste is bad.”
–Leon stopped talking there.
“Take it back. Apologize.”
Leon-sama shortly said.
“My bad. It wasn’t my true intention.”
Looking away, Duke Rumsfeld immediately replied. I could tell that he obviously didn’t put his heart in his words, but it was not worrying about.
Moreover.
How, how cooool……!!
I fell under a trance.
My brain would usually go numb due to his amorous voice, but as for now, the content of his words were too cool that my brain was full of its refrain. “It isn’t so you can hurt her.” “Take it back, apologize.” ……
Wow!
I really, from the depths of my heart, thought that Duke Rumsfeld’s perfunctory apology didn’t really matter.
I see Leon-sama’s kindness and coolness in a new light now! He stuck up for me! How wonderful!
It’s all thanks to the situation. Julias-sama, thanks for stating such a rash remark…!
“…It seems to be all right now.”
Leon-sama who seemed to have seen through my habit that could be called as [silently daydreaming] in such a short period, said with a bitter smile as he kissed a strand of hair in my back.
The two dukes’ jaws were open.
Orgueil was calm. In the first place, his expression rarely ever stirred.
“Now then, we still have work to do until night. Orgueil, you still have plans in the afternoon, right?”
“…Yes. After lunch, we’re going to the horse-riding grounds and the soldiers’ training grounds.”
“I’m relying on you.”
“I understand. Please be rest assured.”
They talked over my head, so Leon-sama’s sweetly shining golden pupils were turned towards me.
Finally—up until now, my waist and my arms were restrained, but—now they were set free, but I stroked my waist in a regrettable manner. I would pardon this because he was cool, but I still think that this person is relatively perverted.
“You need to feign friendliness again after this, go and do the afternoon schedule. Again, don’t act recklessly.”
“I understand.”
“…Don’t expect too much.”
I should be enduring it and showing an adult’s reaction without shouting in return, but such an assessment…
“Well then,” Leon-sama raised one of his hands and departed. Duke Odile also bowed and left after saying, “Please excuse me”. Duke Rumsfeld turned his face away in a huff and took his leave. He was behaving rudely up until the end.
It was such a short chance meeting, but I strongly think that dukes’ personalities, each of the three has his own way.
Leon-sama is cool, Duke Odile is taciturn, and Duke Rumsfeld’s personality is bad.
…This is an useless addition, but all three dukes possess good looks that are on par with one another.
Rather than meeting them in a tense ceremonial dinner, perhaps I was even more glad to meet them informally like this. I caught a glimpse of them au naturel. Let’s keep it positively.
I completely restored myself and urged Orgueil for a lunch break.
Author’s Note:
Thank you for reading.
