The Birthday Celebration of the Duke of Fritillaria 5
The next day started with a late breakfast.
That said, last night’s birthday party seemed to have lasted until almost dawn, so perhaps it was a reasonable time.
My brother, who was supposed to be indisposed in the morning, probably felt sorry for me for missing the birthday party, or perhaps he just wanted to tease me, but he looked in good spirits as he chattered about what happened last night.
Thanks to him, I only had to keep quiet and listen to him during breakfast.
“”No, Luciana. Lakash-dono is just a statue, not a person anymore.”
… I wondered what he’s talking about right off the bat. Of course, Lakash is a person.
I pondered, but silently took the bread in front of me to my mouth.
“Last night was amazing. Even though half of the audience was male, all the women were drawn to Lakash-dono alone. There must be a mysterious substance oozing from Lakash-dono’s body that attracts only women. But what’s even more amazing is that Lakash-dono shows no interest in women whatsoever. There were so many beautiful ladies, young girls, everything! Nope, he’s a real statue. If he were human, he would find it irresistible and reach out… Kekeke, at any rate, men, including me, are so dumb…”
My brother happily kept the conversation going with plenty of stories alone. Normally, I would have argued with him, but today I couldn’t bring myself to do so.
I felt as if a stone was stuck deep in my chest and didn’t want to open my mouth.
However, time was moving forward without regard to my mood.
Finally, it was time for the hunt to begin, so I changed into a day dress for some socializing and left the room.
It was explained to me that the hunt would be held in the woods on the property.
When I heard about it, I thought, “I see.”
Outside the walls… demons usually dwell in most natural forests.
That was why I was impressed that high-ranking nobles among the high-ranking nobles maintain a forest inside their walls for hunting.
… Indeed, how luxurious game hunting is.
Substituting it in the context of my own family’s circumstances, I felt confronted with the wealth of the Dukes of Fritillaria once again.
My family was a Marquis family, but of course we didn’t have a forest inside our walls.
Probably, it really was the highest level of adult entertainment that only a handful of high-ranking nobles were allowed to enjoy.
Next to me, Lady Yulia was awestruck and mumbled, “I’m so weak,” like a fool. Of course, in line with a lady’s manners, I pretended not to hear her.
To be honest, I was tempted to stay in my room and not participate in the hunt, but I had just missed the birthday party last night. I couldn’t keep thanking Yulia-sama for bringing me here, so I decided to observe the hunt with her.
Today’s hunt was an orthodox one, with gentlemen on horseback hunting with hounds to drive out prey in the forest.
I silently walked behind Lady Yulia and arrived at a resting spot built in the forest.
As you would expect from a duke’s resting spot, there were several stylish tables set up, and each table was equipped with a sunshade umbrella.
I sat down in a vacant chair which Lady Yulia led me into.
From this spot, we could see the gentlemen hunting in the distance.
As soon as I sat down on the chair, a maid served me a cup of hot tea.
I wasn’t in the mood to enjoy anything, but I put on a happy face for Yulia, and we chatted.
After a while, Yulia left her seat, and I watched the hunt unfold with my teacup in hand.
Then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a figure move and took a seat on the chair where Yulia had been sitting, so I looked up to see if she had returned.
However, the person sitting in front of me was not Yulia, but Lakash’s younger sister Celia, who had a belligerent expression on her face.
As soon as I saw Celia’s impudent but lively face, I couldn’t help but burst out smiling with relief.
But when Celia saw me smiling, she grimaced, as if she thought I was mocking her.
“Nice to meet you, I’m Celia of the Duke of Fritillaria.”
Celia’s mouth contorted a bit, and she introduced herself with an expression that could not be called friendly.
“…Nice to meet you, Lady Celia. I am Luciana of the Marquis of Dianthus.”
I told her my name, thinking that this was the first time I had formally greeted her.
I couldn’t help but chuckle wryly at the fact that I had been thinking about Celia for such a long time but had never even introduced myself to her. Celia misinterpreted my response and raised her eyebrows in displeasure.
“Lady Luciana, I know this is the first time I’ve spoken to you in person, and I know I’m being rude to someone a year older than me, but I really wanted to approach you to say something… Let me be blunt. Please stop trying to win my brother’s heart with your despicable means.”
“Win Lakash-dono over… you say?”
I have no idea how much it would cost, but I didn’t think I could afford it.
With that in mind, I echoed Celia’s words.
I have no idea if there was a price tag attached to Lakash’s favor, but I didn’t think that was possible for me to deal with a statue with an immovable heart.
As I muttered this inwardly, I pictured Lakash’s distorted face as he stared at me in displeasure.
Nevertheless, upon hearing my reply, Celia glared at me sharply.
“Yes, that’s right! I heard that you advised my brother to be careful because I’d be attacked by a demon. Big Brother…Big Brother has been worried for years that someone would actually murder me. It’s not nasty to take advantage of Brother’s concern!”
I looked at Celia in surprise, wondering if she had any specific reason to be worried, but she quickly looked away and mumbled, “My brother is just a worrier.”
Lakash was a worrywart? That was a surprise, but I changed my mind when I saw about half a dozen guards behind Celia.
Celia was indeed the daughter of a duke, but she has too many guards with her within the confines of her own castle.
If Lakash-dono had deployed such a batch of guards based only on an unfounded suggestion from me, then it must be true that he was a worrier.
I raised my head and looked at Celia seriously.
“I understand, Lady Celia. I promise you that I will never approach Lakash-dono again.”
“E-Eh?!”
Celia looked at me as if amazed that I promised so easily.
Leaning forward, I looked into Celia’s eyes up close and continued to speak with all my best.
“In return, Lady Celia, you must promise me one thing. Just for a few days from today while I’m here in the Duke of Fritillaria’s territory, never do anything dangerous. Please promise me that you will never go near the forest outside the walls or any other place where demons might be lurking.”
When Celia heard my condition, she mumbled inaudibly, “Why…” and then tightened up as if in a huff.
“…Oh, that was a close call! My brother warned me that you aren’t a straightforward woman, but you almost drew me in… Fine, I get it. That’s a simple promise. I promise that I will never do anything dangerous while you’re in our territory, so you properly stay away from my brother!”
“Okay, I promise!”
After seeing me nod, Celia left her seat and headed back towards the castle.
Behind her, a number of knight guards followed.
Celia’s back was full of life and grace, and I hoped that my fears were unfounded.
Peek-Aboo 