Chapter 88: Lucas “Domain En–“
After that, I somehow managed to deceive His Majesty the King. …Well, I can’t deny that he let me off the hook. With His Majesty and the Prime Minister leaving the room to prepare for the Night Soiree, I let out the biggest sigh of relief in my life and slid off the sofa.
“S-Sorry, Hugh!”
“No, it’s fine. I somehow managed to keep my head…”
It wasn’t a metaphor, I really almost lost it.
“Hey, have you forgotten that I’m still here?”
Prince Lucas was looking down at me with a smile while holding a cup of tea. Certainly, that wasn’t the attitude to show royalty… I sat back on the sofa.
“Well, in any case, I’m glad my father approved. Now, if I become king, your wish will be as good as granted.”
“It’s because you use such vague wording that I can’t completely trust you.”
“Please bear with me on that. It’s my nature.”
Prince Lucas shrugged and made a playful face.
Honestly, this older brother of mine…
“Hey, Hugh. What did you ask Lu… Prince Cas to do?”
As usual, Rogue stumbled over Prince Lucas’s name, making it sound like she was saying something terrible, and asked me. Well, I can’t tell her that wish in front of him…
“Fufu, I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you. It’s a secret between me and Hugh, a secret between men.”
“Ehh! It’s not fair that it’s just the two of you! I’m a boy now too!”
Prince Lucas laughed, “Ahaha,” at Rogue, who puffed out her cheeks. It was the first time I had seen Prince Lucas laugh so genuinely.
…Marquis Puridi was right. Prince Lucas is just a normal boy. I might have finally seen a glimpse of that.
“Well then, shall we start preparing too?”
“Ah, that’s right. Prince Lucas, I actually have something to discuss with you.”
I consulted Prince Lucas about the problem of Lecty’s dress being too beautiful. I told him that if things continued as they were, there would be an endless stream of marriage proposals from nobles, and Prince Lucas gave a wry smile, saying, “I think you’re exaggerating a bit?”
“But well, it’s also not good if Lady Lecty stands out too much. Understood, leave the matter to me. I have a special idea.”
With that, Prince Lucas stood up from the sofa. He didn’t tell me the details of his idea.
After that, Rogue and I were led to the dressing room and put on the tailcoats that Lily had prepared. Alissa-san and Merry, who knew the situation, helped us clumsily, and we somehow managed to get changed.
We joined Lily, who had finished changing into her dress, and headed to the Great Hall, which was the venue for the Night Soiree. By the way, Lecty was going to enter the Night Soiree with His Majesty the King and Prince Lucas, so we were going separately.
“Come to think of it, it’s my first time attending a proper Night Soiree…”
During Prince Slay’s Night Soiree, I was planning to destroy it from the start, so I didn’t care, but I don’t know anything about the manners and rules of a Night Soiree.
“Tonight’s Night Soiree is attended by many lords from the outskirts of the Royal Capital, regardless of their faction. It’s best to avoid making any mistakes. Also, we’re just escorts for Lecty. It’ll be fine if we stay in the corner of the venue and don’t stand out.”
“Ah, but isn’t there going to be a dance time? His… His Majesty the King likes music and stuff.”
“So there is going to be something like that after all.”
When you think of a noble’s Night Soiree, you think of dancing. Actually, I learned a little bit about it from my mother. In my hometown, we used to dance to music during festivals. I doubt it would work in the Royal Capital’s social circles though…
“Ah, come to think of it, there was such an event…”
Lily, who is known for her poor athletic ability, sighed with a very depressed look on her face. It seems she had forgotten about it because she disliked it so much.
“Well, you can just refuse if you’re invited. You can say that both of your legs are fractured.”
“That means your legs aren’t okay, are they?”
Well, it’s a response that would make the other person understand and hold back…
When we stepped into the Great Hall, the venue was overwhelming. It was probably twice the size of the Great Hall at Duke Lecherie’s Mansion.
What was most striking was the height of the ceiling. It reminded me of the gymnasium of my previous life’s school. Several chandeliers hanging from the ceiling shone brightly, making it impossible to feel the darkness of dusk.
In front of the stage where the thrones were lined up, there was a wide open space, and in the back, there were tables decorated with various dishes. And next to the stage, there were musicians with various instruments, already playing elegant music.
The level of splendor was completely different from Prince Slay’s Night Soiree, which also had the meaning of a rally.
Many nobles had already gathered at the venue and were chatting among themselves. We spotted a familiar face among them, and we decided to head towards that person for the time being.
“Father!”
When Lily called out, Marquis Puridi, who had been looking at the scenery outside the window, turned around and beamed.
“Lily! I’ve been waiting for you to come. Hugh-kun, and that person over there is…”
“I’m Rogue Vect! Nice to meet you!”
“Ah, nice to meet you. I’m Yuri Puridi, Lily’s father. Please treat me well.”
Marquis Puridi bowed his head in response to Rogue’s bow. Judging from his current reaction, Marquis Puridi seems to know Rogue’s true identity.
“The Night Soiree is about to begin. His Majesty the King will give a toast, so you should get a drink too.”
“Understood.”
Urged by Marquis Puridi, the three of us headed to the table where drinks were prepared. There were two tables, one for alcoholic beverages and one for soft drinks. I felt like drinking wine for the first time in a while, but I held back and took a glass of apple juice.
“Huh? Hugh, aren’t you drinking alcohol?”
“You never know what might happen.”
“That’s true… I’ll refrain too.”
Lily also took a glass of orange juice. Probably because I and Lily chose soft drinks. Rogue hesitated for a moment, then took the same glass of apple juice as me.
“By the way, did you consult Prince Lucas about Lecty?”
“Yeah. He seems to have a special idea.”
“A special idea… I wonder what kind of plan it is…?”
Lily put her fist to her lips as if she was thinking.
Right after we returned to Marquis Puridi, a loud fanfare sounded.
“That’s the signal that His Majesty the King is coming.”
At the same time as the fanfare stopped, the door to the stairs leading to the stage opened, and His Majesty the King appeared, escorting a middle-aged woman in a dazzling dress. That must be the Queen.
The nobles who had gathered at the Night Soiree welcomed the King and Queen with applause. When the King and Queen sat on the thrones prepared on the stage, Rosalie appeared, escorted by Prince Slay.
The appearance of the Holy Maiden of the church caused a stir in the venue along with applause. The ones who were applauding the loudest were probably the nobles of Prince Slay’s faction.
“It’s finally time…”
Prince Slay and Rosalie sat down on the chairs on the stage, and next it was Lecty and Prince Lucas’s turn.
Prince Lucas’s special idea…
I thought it might be possible, but—I knew it.
The nobles who had gathered at the venue were in an uproar at the appearance of Prince Lucas and Lecty. It wasn’t because Lecty’s dress was beautiful. The shock that overshadowed Lecty’s beauty was because of the existence next to her.
Prince Lucas was not wearing a blindfold and his eyes were wide open.