Chapter 91: Chapter 2, Episode 16
Translated by KaiesV
Edited by KaiesV
「Well, Noah-sama!」
「Good. I thought I was looking in the wrong place. May I join you?」
「Yes, I’ll be happy to.」
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As I answered, my father’s words about not following strange men suddenly flashed through my mind. But that was only for a moment. Noah-sama is not a strange man, so there was no problem.
「Did you come to take a break, Noah-sama?」
Perhaps it is because he’s not in his usual civilian attire, but the atmosphere is strange and different from that of Noah-sama whom I met at the royal palace.
「No, I came looking for you.」
「Me?」
What business did he have with me, the Goodwill Ambassador as diplomatic secretary?
「Yes, I was wondering if I could ask you to the dance.」
「Huh?」
I sounded dumb at the unexpected line.
「Is it really that surprising?」
I was so surprised that Noah-sama let out a giggle. No, but I should be surprised. Who would have thought that he would go out of his way to find me and ask me to dance.
「Should I not be tempted to ask Marsha-dono to dance?」
Noah-sama said so shyly that I was caught up in the excitement and felt the heat on my cheeks.
「No, that’s not true… you know?」
Uwah, what’s with this atmosphere? No, no, this is itchy, but!? Hey, Father, what are you doing there! Hurry up and come back!!
My brain was in a panic because I was in an unfamiliar, or rather, itchy atmosphere for the first time. I want to punch myself for thinking that I had gotten used to it through Ryniel-sama’s training!
「Then…」
Just as Noah-sama was about to continue, I heard the door open with a click.
Thank God! And I was quite relieved. I had thought for sure that Father had come back to me, or so I thought.
「There you are. I’ve been looking for you, Marsha-san.」
「Your Royal Highness the Princess…」
“Why?” I thought to myself. And it was not the Royal Princess alone. It was Raul, of course, who appeared from behind her.
「Hey, Marsha. You’re in a different mood today. You look different.」
「…That’s appreciative.」
That’s because I’m not dressed as a lady-in-waiting. It is natural that the atmosphere is different. It’s not like I’m used to seeing them. But I’m not at all happy to receive compliments. And unfortunately, today’s attire was not well-received by Myra-sama, Mary, Ryniel-sama, Douglas-sama, and even His Majesty. It seems to『look tight』somehow. I intentionally made it look that way so that I wouldn’t get licked just because I was a woman, but they complained about me. I was so sad that I cried inside.
But the fact that I looked so good in such a guise shows how Raul sees me.
「I’m sorry for interrupting your pleasantries. I hope I’m not interrupting anything.」
Upon finding Noah-sama, the Royal Princess tilted her head, hiding her face with her fan, and said so.
「No, not at all.」
Noah-sama replies without a trace of the air he had just shown.
「Well, that’s good. I was afraid you two were alone on the balcony and I thought you were having a secret meeting.」
I was about to go up to my throat to say, “What the hell are you talking about?”
「That is disrespectful to Noah-sama, Your Royal Highness. Please don’t misunderstand me.」
I have a sarcastic rebuttal, saying, “Please don’t put me in the same situation as you.” Besides, if I were to have a secret meeting with Master Noah, what would it have to do with the royal princesses? I would appreciate it if you would keep out of it.
「Don’t be so angry, Marsha-san. I was just checking in for Raul.」
「Priscilla-sama.」
「Ah, ugh. Don’t look at me like that, even Raul. I know I’m meddling.」
What confirmation, what meddling, what is the point? Mind your own business, you bitch.
「Hey, Marsha-san. Do me a favor. Would you please talk to Raul again?」
「This talk again…」
「Is that a no?」
The Royal Princess with a tilt of the head and an upward glance. I’m sure many men are struck by this gesture, but it doesn’t get through to me. It’s making me guffaw.
「Excuse me, but is that an order?」
Noah-sama said so before I could refuse.
「I don’t like being ordered around. I’m just asking for a favor. And you… errm.」
「My apologize. My name is Noah Reggtart.」
「So, Noah. This is none of your business. I’d appreciate it if you’d stay out of it.」
I was struck by the cacophony. It is true that this is none of Noah-sama’s business, but it is also none of the Royal Princess’s business. No matter how much the Royal Princess want me as her lady-in-waiting, what happened with Raul is already done.
「Hey…!」
I was so angry that I tried to argue with her, but Noah-sama held up his hand to stop me. He glanced at me with a smile, and I was taken aback. I wondered how open minded he was to such rudeness.
「However, I was the one who talked to her first, so I think the first thing you should do is to tell me no. Besides, isn’t it a little too pathetic to ask a woman out without the help of the Royal Princess?」
However, Noah seemed to be firmly angry. The evidence of this was his snickering. He didn’t actually laugh, but I think Raul could tell that he was being made fun of. His face was contorted in frustration.
「You said earlier that you weren’t in my way.」
「Yes, I’m not in the way. But that is if you don’t try to get rid of me.」
“You wouldn’t be so rude, would you?” Noah-sama said.
「…So you are saying that you have no intention of giving Marsha-san to us.」
「I can’t just give her to you. She’s not a thing.」
Strong. You’re strong, Noah-sama. The way he talks to Princeton Priscilla, even if she is royalty. Any other nobleman would have easily backed down.
「Aren’t you a little rude to Her Royal Highness?」
Finally, Raul could not take it anymore and came forward to reprimand Noah-sama.
「And Marsha. You are you, as well. The Princess is begging you so much, and you are not willing to listen to her!」
I don’t have the slightest intention of doing so!? What are you talking about!?
「Or what? Are you saying that you want to ignore the request of Her Royal Highness and myself to enjoy your meeting with Reggtart-dono?」
What a stupid thing to say. This is exactly what I mean when I say that I can’t keep my mouth shut.
How much more can he humiliate me by calling me a slut, whether it be for what happened with Douglas-sama or what happened this time? I’m so frustrated and disappointed that my eyes are soaked with tears. I’m so disappointed and frustrated, I have tears in my eyes. I’m not going to cry in front of these guys. My pride would not allow it. Crying is just like losing.
Take a deep breath and calm down. Don’t get in the same ring with them. I can’t fall to the same level. No matter what they say, I am me. I am the first lady-in-waiting to the Queen of Gran Kingdom and now I am also the Special Goodwill Ambassador representing Gran Kingdom. My value is not something that can be lowered by these people.
「Whatever you say, I have nothing to say to you. Please return.」
I said straight out, with the intention of never backing down.
「Does that mean it is an affirmation, Marsha?」
「I told you we have nothing to discuss.」
He probably won’t believe me even if I deny it here anyway. Then there is no use in denying it. He can be as wrong as he like.
「Marsha!」
Raul yelled at me, but I just took one look at him and didn’t respond.
「Let’s go, Noah-sama.」
If they would not leave the balcony, we would. I didn’t want to deal with them or even breathe the same air.
「Right. Shall we?」
Since Noah-sama is on board with my opinion, let’s leave the fools behind without a care in the world.
I took the long way around the narrow balcony to the door leading to the hall. The reason was I wanted to get as far away from Raul as possible. I don’t care that doing so inevitably seems to avoid even the Royal Princess. I don’t care what they think of me now.
「Oh, let me say one thing in her honor, I am the Chief Diplomatic Secretary accompanying this Special Goodwill Ambassador. What’s the problem with her being the Special Goodwill Ambassador and befriending her?」
Noah-sama said this just before he left the balcony, and the door closed without waiting for them to say anything.
※※※
And well, this is what happened.
Just remembering it rekindles my knotty feelings, and even Noah-sama’s face turns bitter.
In other words, he offered to escort me and dance with me, a Special Goodwill Ambassador, as Chief Diplomatic Secretary. So everything that he has been doing is part of his job. Understanding, understanding.
At the time, I felt itchy because I was so conscious of it, but once I understood that it was part of his job, it didn’t matter. I am rather ashamed to say that I was overly self-conscious.
「I haven’t thanked you for what you did for me. Thank you very much. It was a big help.」
The only reason I was able to avoid being disfigured at that time was because Noah-sama stood up to the arrow. I am constantly being saved by Ryniel-sama and Noah-sama.
「Now then?」
I had no choice but to be prepared for Noah-sama’s hopeful gaze. Even Ryniel-sama couldn’t do it at first. But I managed to learn how to dance, so I’m sure Noah-sama will be fine too. It’s just my spirit. You have to get into the spirit. You heard what Ryniel-sama said. Conquer what you are not good at. That’s the ironclad rule.
「Yes, I’d be happy to.」
Guuuuuuuuuuuhhh!!
「…Brother.」
The sound of my stomach was so loud that it drowned out my reply. I was too dumb to relax my body. I was all fired up and ready to accept the dance application, but now I’m screwed.
「…………I’m sorry.」
No offense was taken, and in defense of my brother, who looked away, who erupted first, followed by everyone’s laughter that echoed around the place.
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