First Arc : The Duke’s Daughter 4
Christina who went out from the party hall called her maid over, then realized her own situation.
──I don’t have a carriage……
The maid who was older than her by two years ──Etty, looked at the carriages standing by in front of the mansion with troubled face.
“I wonder what should we do, Ojou-sama”
There was a lineup of the nobles’ carriages. Since it was still early for the banquet to end, there was a lot of driver relaxing here and there.
For the invited guests of the banquet, it was common for them to use their own carriage.
Of course the Duke house had its own carriage, nevertheless Christina came by riding in Alberto’s carriage. If it was the usual, the carriage with Royal Family crest would come in front of her, however on top of not being accompanied by the owner, it was not possible for her to use his carriage as she pleased.
In addition, since there was hardly any noble who didn’t use their own carriage, there was also no passing carriage that could be borrowed crossing on the road in front of the mansion where the banquet was held.
Christina bit her lips.
She hesitated to even call his name, and she had decided to draw a line between them. The result of being filled with jealousy and spoke sharply to him, she ended up losing her way to go home and just stood there foolishly.
Etty who didn’t asked about the situation to Christina, before one knew, looked at the direction of the hall. Christina’s heart jumped and she panickedly looked at the hall’s entrance.
She held a faint hope and anxiety within her heart. If Alberto were to come running after her──I’ll definitely be happy. However, if he were to accompany Clara, she would definitely couldn’t endure it anymore.
That time, perhaps she would cry caring not about shame or reputation, and slapped Clara.
However, whether it was for the better or worse, there was no sign of people coming out from the hall.
──If I don’t leave this place soon, I’ll end up losing to the scenario prepared by this world.
Half desperate, Christina spoke out her idea.
“Let’s use a joint ride carriage”
“Hae?”
After she spoke it out, she once again thought how good that idea was. It’s fine as long as she could get home sooner.
Etty shook her head furiously.
“No, that is preposterous! To let Ojou-sama uses common people’s carriage is……”
Christina ignored her maid’s words, and started crossing the rotary (square) in front of the hall. If she went to the middle of the town, she heard that there would be a lot of carriage gathering there.
Not to mention common people’s carriage, Christina had never even had a joint ride, thus she completely didn’t understand the way to do it. She decided in her heart to asked the town’s people on her way there about that place.
“Well, it doesn’t seem to be like that, Etty. If I’m not wrong, a carriage for joint ride seems to have its seat divided fitting a person’s class, right? I’ve heard that other family’s son also use it”
“That, was about the son who didn’t want to wait for his family’s carriage, in the first place, the meaning of the class you have said before is different…… Please wait, Ojou-sama……! It was not something to be used by someone as noble as Ojou-sama……”
Christina thought to herself. Anyway, vehicle was vehicle. Moreover, she had slight interest in the big carriage where people could ride together. According to the rumor, the people who had joint ride seemed to have interesting stories. Holding a slight anticipation, Christina lightly walked as a voice mixed with laughter reached her ear.
“Well, this is such a brave Ojou-sama”
“……”
It was a voice she heard until just before, and she immediately knew who it belonged to. At the same time, her cheeks were stiffened. It seemed her conversation was heard.
When she turned around, Franz was standing there.
“Oh dear, Franz-sama. ……what a coincidence, are you already going home?”
Fearing her current situation be known, she asked him with a composed face. No matter what, it was too embarrassing to have someone knew that she didn’t have a carriage to go home with and didn’t want anyone to know about it.
Franz slightly raised his eyebrows, then put his fist in front of his mouth. His lips that was peeking out from his hand seemed to be smiling tremblingly. He pleasantly squinted his eyes and shrugged.
“That’s right. I couldn’t forget about the beautiful Moon Goddess, and when I wandered about I ended up reaching here”
“──……”
Christina was troubled by his reply and looked back at him silently.
The memory of him calling her [Moon Goddess] on the terrace was still new. However, thinking that he referred to her in this conversation was being over self-conscious. When she was thinking about what words she should say in response, Franz opened his mouth.
“──it was about you, Christina-sama”
“──“
Her heart jumped. Her eyes turned round as his eyes gently looked at them.
“Umm……, ……”
──what to do. How should I answer him?
She felt a passionate gaze within his gentle eyes. For some reason, it was similar to Alberto’s gaze that he sometimes showed, a bewitching gaze as if he was trying to eat her. However, he──Franz was different. He was not someone she could entrust her body and heart just like that.
Etty sent a gaze asking for help, and Franz, realizing the maid’s gaze slightly laughed.
“Well well, it seemed I ended up telling Duke Zariel House’s lady about my passing feelings. My apologies. It’s because, it was the first time my heart beat fast──“
“he……”
──heart beat fast……?
When Christina unconsciously leaked out a voice, Franz smiled pleasantly.
“The moment I found milady on the terrace, I thought that I had met my destined one and felt an improper feeling”
“De, destined……”
Christina was confused and couldn’t do anything but to flinch.
“Please somehow forgive this me who couldn’t control my own heart……”
Franz lowered his head seemingly to calm the maid, however it had the opposite effect. Etty’s expression was getting even more grim, while Christina’s face turned red like an apple.
──what to do. In this kind of situation, how should I answer him……?
For Christina, this situation was a problem with high hurdle. Thinking deeply, she still couldn’t find the words to respond.
In the end, Christina was on the brink of tears when he said in a gentle voice.
“……well, let’s finish the greetings from me around here”
“……a,”
──greetings……
Strength left from Christina’s shoulder. It was not seduction. When she thought about it, it was obvious. Just by exchanging words once, it is impossible for him to be attracted to me──
“You surprised me…… I’m sorry, I’m not good at this kind of thing……”
“No, rather, it was impolite of me. ──By the way, did you have a talk about using a joint ride carriage just now?”
Christina’s heart jumped, this time for a different meaning.
“……umm, once in a while I think it’s good to learn about the society”
“My my. It’s quite a spirit, but a joint ride carriage won’t send you until the front of your mansion, you know?”
“Eh?”
“Even if the Duke’s mansion located in the Royal Capital Loewe, it is at the outskirts of the west town, after all. Even if you go, you’ll only reached to Balt. You’ll be dropped off in front of the hill and then you need to walk by yourself for the rest”
Balt was the name of the town located on the hill foot where the Duke’s mansion was. If she were to go by foot from Balt, how many minutes would it take her.
Perhaps Christina’s thought was read as Franz added again.
“From Balt to Duke’s mansion, by a man’s foot, would need about thirty minutes”
“Thirty minutes……”
I’ve never walk for that long──
Maybe it is impossible──such words passed through her mind. Franz then asked.
“Besides, in joint ride carriage, there is no lady that wears such high quality dress like what Christina-sama is wearing, so you would be standing out. You may attract curious gazes from people and creating unwanted speculation”
“……that, for future reference……”
“Are you planning to explain every time to all the people?”
“That is……”
“There is also a possibility of saying thoughtless words towards the people with humble origin, you see”
“……that kind of thing”
──is it possible?
She couldn’t think of one example of that thoughtless words. Franz slightly sighed.
“In this world, there are countless words to disgrace woman that you might not know. I won’t say anything bad, so please just use my carriage”
“……aa,ye…”
Overwhelmed with the flow, Christina almost said ‘yes’, as she blankly stared at him. Franz cheerfully laughed.
“Although it can’t compare to the Royal Family’s carriage, out Count House’s carriage should be more comfortable than the joint ride carriage”
“Oh my, how could we thank you for this!”
The one who first responded was the one who until just should be glaring at Franz, it was the maid. Etty’s face was full of smile as she turned towards Franz and bowed.
“Thank you very much. If it is the Count House’s carriage, I can be at ease for having Ojou-sama uses it!”
“We, well, Etty please wait…… If you do such a thing, Franz-sama won’t have any carriage to return home with”
Even if they didn’t have any option, to trouble other people didn’t sit well with Christina. Here, it is better if I just honestly wait for Alberto, her feelings weakened.
Franz then raised his hand signaling the driver, and carefreely replied.
“Aah, that’d be no problem at all. During my work, I made a lot of close friends. I will be sent home by my friend, so please don’t worry”
“But, that──I feel guilty”
Originally, it was my fault for running out the hall without thinking. She felt ashamed for having Franz that cheered her up to even bore the consequences of her own error. In the first place, she also had friends, It might troubled them but wouldn’t it be better to ask her friends?
When she was thinking such things, the carriage came. Franz instructed the driver of the destination, the opened the carriage’s door and turned to Christina.
“There is no need for you to mind this…… But, that’s right. If perhaps, just a little, that you feel wanting to give me reward──then please come to the evening party hosted by my house next time”
He reached out his hand and urged Christina to get into the carriage, despite hesitating, she got in.
“Ye, yes…… Is that kind of thing really fine? That’s right, next time, please show your products to my house”
“That is a very wonderful idea. However, I don’t have that kind of ulterior motives at all, you know, Christina-sama”
“……ah, I……have said such a rude things……”
Christina held her mouth. Since he was a merchant, she thought that repaying with money would be the best.
“No, it’s certainly not. You are very attentive and considerate. However……if you’re going there, instead of buying, I ended up greedily hoped for you to receive it as a present from me”
“……no, that is……”
Christina hesitated to say. Passing through her mind, was Alberto.
Alberto sometimes would give dress as present to her. When she wore the presented dress, he would smile so happily. And each time, he would say only the clothes, please don’t receive it from men other than me.
Since presenting clothes has a special meaning to it, he said.
Facing this matter, the first thing that came to Christina’s mind was Alberto.
──how stupid of me…… Even though Alberto-sama no longer need someone like me anymore……
Christina’s face had a sorrowful shadow.
──I want to curse myself for being born in this world
Even though she knew that she must give him up, but her heart kept on being bound to him since the day their engagement was established when she was seven.
This fate of having him snatched away by Clara, it so sad I feel I could die──
And the me that just couldn’t give him up is so vexing, so pathetic──
Along with a painful heart, Christina shook her head.
“……no…… You’ve let me borrow your carriage, receiving present from you is something that I can’t do……”
Franz looked at Christina for awhile before casting his eye down. He softly kissed the back of her hand, then said the parting words with gentle expression.
“This evening I’ve made a truly wonderful memory. Until we meet again, please take care of yourself……His Highness Alberto’s, fiancée-sama──“
“Yes…… Thank you very much, Franz-sama”
He quietly closed the door.
As the carriage ran, the amber colored eyes, kept on staring at Christina’s figure seen from the window until it couldn’t be seen anymore.
<< Prev (Web) LN Directory Next (Web)>>
<< Prev (Web) LN Directory Next (LN)>>
KuruKuru Translation 