467 – When spring comes, even newlyweds melt – 5
As soon as the banquet started, we exchanged minimal greetings and entered Dark Templar mode. It is justifiable that this banquet is aimed at promoting friendship among the white people of the empire. If you go through the banquet hall to protect this cause, the red light on Erich’s love life – no, the traffic light itself will disappear.
‘That won’t work.’
Moreover, it is right that she should hold her breath, at least for the sake of Zenobia, who only had time to spare. If the invited imperial white moves actively, the visiting imperial white also has to match the rhythm with me.
Therefore, after greeting the vassals of the Crasius family whom she had not seen in a long time and the vassals of the Hiden family who visited with Zenobia, she stayed in her corner and kept an eye on Erich.
“I think this is my first time seeing the banquet host hiding.”
Mar, who suddenly hid in the corner with me, giggled.
It is certainly rare for the person holding the banquet to be hiding in the corner of the banquet hall. And when she went to the banquet, where would Mar have ever experienced such a quiet banquet, as she received attention as the youngest daughter of Lord Iron Blood?
“I’m sorry. This is my first banquet as hostess, and I ended up writing my first banquet like this.”
She kissed Mar’s cheek and apologized. This banquet is for Erich, Sarah, and Zenobia, and is also the first banquet held by Mar since she became Countess Tyglehen. She is doing this in a situation where it is not enough to show off the dignity of a countess. If she is not sorry, he is not her husband.
“It’s okay. You can hold a banquet for me sometime later, but we can’t schedule a banquet for you unless it’s today, right?”
“…That’s true.”
When she saw Mar gently shaking her head and answering, she couldn’t help but smile bitterly.
I am truly grateful, both as Erich’s older brother and as Mar’s husband, that he stepped down with a compassionate heart for Erich’s sake. But did she, Mar, who was well-versed in social circles, give up her first banquet? This means that Erich’s condition is that serious.
‘Ugly guy.’
As she looked at Erich standing alone and silently, she let out a small sigh. How many people in this banquet hall are worried and considerate of that guy? If those people hit Erich just once, she’ll have to lie down in her hospital bed.
‘Huh?’
Just as I was about to drink the champagne I was holding to soothe my slowly burning stomach, I noticed something strange.
Erich was clearly standing alone, but her vision was fixed on one place. Her body was so stiff that not even her fingers could move. As if she was surprised to see something.
I turned my head to follow Erich’s gaze, wondering what on earth I was seeing.
“Oh.”
I let out a short exclamation. Where Erich’s gaze was directed, there were Sarah and Zenobia.
A subtle sense of anticipation stirred at that sight. Even as someone who is ignorant of fashion, I can see that Sarah and Zenobia are full of energy.
Sera in an innocent white dress, Zenobia in a passionate red dress. In addition, it was decorated with flashy accessories that were not excessive, so if it were to appear at a banquet where people of the same age gathered, it would immediately become the center of attention.
And fortunately, Erich seems to be one of his peers.
‘It was eaten.’
A slight blush appeared on Erich’s face as he looked at the two blankly. I don’t have a hobby of seeing boys blush, but right now, I couldn’t be happier. Does this mean that Erich feels some, just a little bit, rational feelings for those two?
Then it is enough. ‘We’re friends!’, Like something out of an old romantic comedy. As long as we get out of the meta, there is a lot of hope. If you recognize the other person as a member of the opposite s*x rather than a friend, the rest is solid.
Honestly, both Sera and Zenobia were too much, but not too much. If you start seeing someone as the opposite s*x, your crush will quickly build up. It must be so. If this doesn’t lead to a crush, it’s a real pity.
“Hey, but the knife…”
“Huh?”
In the meantime, Mar pulled my sleeve weakly and placed her mouth next to my ear.
“It’s best to get married out of love, but isn’t there a way to build affection after an arranged marriage?”
Her mouth closed in a whisper that seemed to contain a bit of doubt.
In fact, Mar’s words are valid. Among nobles, political marriages are more common than love marriages, and the partners in those political marriages are often friends who have known each other since childhood. In other words, Erich, Sarah, and Zenobia have all the conditions in which there will be no problem even if it leads to an arranged marriage.
Nevertheless, the reason why I support love marriage with all my teeth is simple.
“If she gets married through political means, she will only treat the other person with a sense of obligation.”
“Ah…”
He is a person who does not understand his own feelings and will be trapped in that frame forever if he gets caught in the frame of politics. Affection may be shown as a husband or as a childhood friend, but affection for the opposite s*x will never be shown.
That is a terrible thing. It’s no different from your current childhood friend relationship, just like a married couple.
“Fortunately, my mother is not in a hurry to get Erich married, so she will have to go through a love marriage somehow.”
Saying that, her mother turned her gaze towards her presence. The mother is talking to Trixie while receiving help from the nanny, and the mother is smiling as she receives food from Rize and Lynn.
I hope that mother’s patience is stronger than Erich’s ability to act.
Thinking that his father might also be curious about the progress of the banquet, he went out to the terrace for a moment and took out a communication tool. Fortunately, I was able to obtain information that my father would be happy to hear.
Of course, there was no situation where her stomach was full after her first drink, but when Erich saw Sera or Zenobia, she subtly looked away and then tried to look back several times. She is a side that cannot be seen if she was seen as a simple friend like usual, and it is too close to think that she avoids it because of the pressure of receiving a confession.
Yes, we are now at the proper starting line. It’s enough to proudly convey the good news to my father.
-If Erich also becomes aware of her partner, she will eventually lead. Don’t they already know each other well and have no shortcomings?
It will definitely happen.
– Now Georg, that guy won’t bother you.
When my father heard my report, his complexion looked rather gaunt, contrary to what he said.
– …Oh, I’m sorry. I was a little worried because the work was more complicated than expected.
My father must have sensed my doubts and muttered bitterly.
It’s unexpected. Although Zenobia was so overwhelmed with her work that it was difficult to find time for her, she was the youngest member of the Imperial Council.
As the youngest child, the workload itself can be considerable due to the limited amount of time available. She said that was the fate of the youngest child. Still, the difficulty level of the task itself must be acceptable, right? What kind of crazy organization would entrust a high-ranking position to a recruit or a first class private?
– When I told him I would take over the job, he handed me all kinds of documents.
“Ah.”
However, I was convinced by the words that followed. New recruits and private first class personnel are disappearing, and veteran sergeants are filling the void. So, it seems that other lawmakers decided that this was the time to do the work.
Thanks to this, my father, who took on the role of pinch hitter with a light heart, is now waging a battle with documents for the first time in a long time. This is truly a sad thing.
‘Even if I die, I shouldn’t go to the National Assembly.’
I made a decision after seeing my father like that. If I ever retire from the administration, I will definitely pass on the title of Imperial Count to my children before then. There should be no room for me to act as a member of the Imperial Diet.
It is enough if a person goes to the minister. There is no need for him to become a member of the National Assembly.
***
When the atmosphere of the banquet had passed its peak and was entering a lull, she and Sarah entered a small room near the great hall. The terrace is a place where people often visit, so a room is the best place to have a private conversation.
“How was it?”
“It was good.”
And as soon as the door was closed, a short question and immediate answer came.
“The way they looked at us was different. That’s for sure.”
Sarah, with her flushed face and clenched fists, said while nodding her head repeatedly. The way Erich looks at us has changed from before, and there has been a change in Erich’s heart.
I agree. Erich usually smiled with a calm face. After we confessed, we awkwardly looked away or distanced ourselves.
Erich looked at us without avoiding us. Sometimes she would look away, but she would quickly look at us.
‘This is my first time.’
The corners of her mouth went up without me knowing. That face, those eyes. Even though I had been watching Erich for a while, it was my first time seeing him. It’s probably Sarah’s first time.
She covered her mouth with her hand and took a deep breath. Because if I didn’t do this, I would still be grinning even after leaving the room.
‘It started well.’
Finally, she put aside her joy for a moment and thought about her future.
First of all, it started well. It was a success in itself to make Erich recognize us as members of the opposite s*x rather than as her friends. We are no longer ‘close childhood friends’ to Erich.
If there is one thing I regret, it is that I only got this good start right before school started. Of course, without Karl’s support, we wouldn’t have even started, but it’s a shame that we can’t keep up the momentum.
“…Please take care of me until the expo. I will contact you as often as I can, but it won’t be as good as being right next to me.”
“Please leave it to me.”
After finishing her thoughts and opening her mouth again, Sarah nodded with determination.
Fortunately, unlike me, Sarah can stay at the academy with Erich. Therefore, she plans to continue this momentum and shake Erich by her side, and in the process, she will mention my name from time to time.
If the physical distance is long, this is the best option. By combining Sarah’s support and my contacts, we will be able to somehow minimize the effect of the gap.
***
As she returned from the terrace to the banquet hall, she saw Erich looking around her.
When she saw that, she felt uncomfortable for no reason. When you have time to look for something, you should at least see Serana or Zenobia.
“Ah, bro.”
Erich and her made eye contact.
“Have you seen Sera and Zenobia by any chance? She was there a while ago, but she suddenly disappears.”
Her unpleasant mood quickly melted away at those words.
‘I can’t believe this kid has reached the level of finding someone first.’
I was moved. This may be a small step for Erich, but it will be a great leap forward for her love affair with Erich.
“There he is. I guess he was resting for a while.”
At that moment, he spotted Sarah and Zenobia coming out of the room, so he pointed at them with her finger, and Erich’s face turned red again.
‘A great leap…’
She prayed in her heart as she watched Erich naturally distance himself from me.
Please watch over my brother, Neil Armstrong.
From noble mtl dot com