97 – Preparing for the Coming of Age Ceremony (2)
The number of members of each family invited to the coming-of-age ceremony hosted by the Loveheim family this time was quite large.
Coincidentally, there were many people who were the same age as Ariel.
Thanks to that, there wasn’t a day that wasn’t busy recently in the castle of Loveheim where they were preparing for the coming-of-age ceremony.
The servants were busy wandering around every day, and there was no difference between the members of the family.
About a month after the invitation was sent, wagons from various places began to sneak up on this cold northern land.
Of course, compared to other northern regions, Hespania was a land with a mild climate, so the expression was just that.
On the other hand, Ariel was also dressing up early today to welcome them.
Normally, only Shuri would be by her side to help, but today, other servants of the family also clung to her and helped.
“Sylvia is arriving soon too.”
“yes? You come pretty early.”
Edgar, who was watching Ariel being decorated from the side, told him the news he had heard, and Ariel tilted his head in a curious reaction.
Because her friend Sylvia, unlike her lively personality, liked to flirt.
Obviously, the coming-of-age ceremony had not yet been held, and since it was scheduled to start the day after tomorrow, it was assumed that it would only appear at that time.
However, it is already on the verge of reaching the castle.
Perhaps tomorrow the sun will rise in the west, Ariel thought of a silly delusion.
“My lady, you can’t talk now. It ruins your makeup.”
“… The clothes are nice, but can’t we use less makeup? I mean it’s cramped.”
When Ariel moved her lips to the story that started with Edgar’s topic, Shuri, who was decorating her next to her, spoke with a puzzled face.
However, even for Ariel, it was unfortunate that she didn’t like makeup very much in the first place.
At least, when Edgar and the two of them went somewhere, they decorated it to look pretty, but they wondered why they had to go through such troublesome things when they were standing in front of people they didn’t even know.
As she painted things that could be simply done at the level of her usual routine, she wondered if this was how she became a drawing paper.
“Write it, no. That’s why I get scolded by my hostess.”
“Ugh… … .”
Even today, Shuri did not easily give in to Ariel’s whining.
In the past, if I felt that I had offended her, I would have immediately corrected my behavior, but now, in many ways, I have accumulated years of experience.
That’s why, when she sternly cut off her words by mentioning Helen, which could be seen as her weakness, Ariel had to dress up in a respectful manner even though she was crying.
“Then you follow slowly. I was called by His Highness for a while.”
“Father… ? Why?”
“Okay.”
Edgar shrugged his shoulders and left the room after saying that he would take good care of Shuri.
Ariel, who had been staring blankly at the spot where he had disappeared, quickly took her eyes off her.
I guessed to myself why Yulken suddenly called him at this point, but nothing came to mind.
* * * * * * *
It was a fairly sudden call, but Edgar headed for the office without question.
Yulken would call him from time to time and chat about nonsensical things.
Just three days ago, he called because he had good wine, so there is no doubt that he likes him quite a bit.
“Well? Bocchan, what are you doing?”
“Lord Elfelt, I’ve been told many times, but can’t you treat me comfortably?”
As they approached the office, Edgar caught sight of Elfelt, who had just closed the door and left the room.
Contrasting with his stout body, Elfelt greeted him very politely and asked him about his business.
That attitude was quite burdensome for Edgar.
“That’s not going to happen. I will be beaten by Your Highness if I treat your lover like that.”
“How can I… … .”
Edgar felt that this respectful attitude was rather heavy, as they were still just ordinary lovers, not knowing if he had even been married to Ariel.
In any case, Elfelt was a person who could be said to be the number one person in power in this castle, excluding the Loveheim family, and his prestige was by no means low.
It was uncomfortable to receive such an extreme courtesy from such a person just because he was Ariel’s lover.
“Uh-huh, if you keep doing that, I’ll get in trouble.”
“It’s okay, then it can’t be helped.”
However, it wasn’t that Elfelt’s position was not understandable, so Edgar was in a situation where he had no choice but to back down despite always giving words like this.
“If you have something to do with Your Highness, please go in at once. We will guide you.”
“Isn’t Sir Elfelt also here for other official duties?”
“It’s not a busy job, so you don’t have to worry about it. ruler.”
Elfelt immediately opened the door and led Edgar into the office.
The reason why he didn’t even knock wasn’t because he was rude, it was just that Yulken made an exception, saying that he could come in without a message, since he had a lot of things coming and going.
Besides, given the nature of the owner he serves, Elfelt thought that he could exercise this level of flexibility, as it was clear that Edgar would come out anyway.
“Oh, I see you just arrived. I’m sorry to come so suddenly.”
“No, Your Highness.”
As if to prove that Elfelt’s guess was correct, Yulken left the office desk without a single frown and came out to greet Edgar with both feet.
After guiding, Elfelt left the room as he had other business, and only the two men were left in the office.
“Oh, you called the guests and didn’t even prepare tea.”
“I’m not the big fan of tea, so that’s okay. Isn’t His Highness the same?”
“hahahaha, yes. Both you and I are more comfortable with alcohol.”
If I had to argue, Edgar didn’t really like alcohol too much, but it was true that alcohol was better than tea, so he nodded in agreement.
“The reason I called you was none other than this coming-of-age ceremony.”
“Looks like you have more to keep in mind.”
“Well, I think it will be a lighter story than before. I just called you to give you a word of advice.”
Edgar noticed that the previous story was about the oath of subordination and the position of Ariel’s aide.
If it was lighter than that, there would be no need to be so nervous.
However, you can’t just sit with a frivolous mindset, so you’ll have to control your mind in moderation.
“As you know, starting with this coming-of-age ceremony, more will be known about you. Even if we haven’t officially celebrated it yet.”
“Yes.”
Edgar was also aware of it.
Although he is in the position of Ariel’s lover, they did not formally have a clear relationship.
The wedding ceremony was a matter of course, and the common engagement ceremony was not even held.
Therefore, those who knew for sure that the two were deeply related were only those related to the Loveheim family, but there were many cases in which the surrounding families did not even know this.
However, it is a fact that cannot be hidden forever.
If you see the two sticking together on the day of the coming-of-age ceremony, it will be revealed anyway.
If so, no matter what Edgar’s personal reputation may be, it would be enough to quickly rise to their cuba.
Whether it is in a positive direction or a negative direction.
And Yulken was concerned about this.
He seems like a big-hearted guy who doesn’t seem to have any worries on a regular basis, but Yulken has learned well through the past that he is more thoughtful than anyone else.
That’s why I wanted to give you a word because I didn’t want to worry about useless.
“But I wanted to tell you that there is no need to feel pressure about it. Since you are intelligent, you might be thinking a lot.”
“Please don’t worry, Your Highness. It just so happens that Ariel told me something similar.”
“A daughter?”
“Yes.”
Unexpectedly at the unexpected news, Yulken opened his eyes wide.
At least he would have understood if Helene had given him advice, but it was surprising to hear that it was Ariel, not anyone else.
A heartwarming smile appeared on his lips as he wondered if he was the one who took care of his lover the most.
“Anyway, I’m relieved that you don’t seem to care too much. Oh, and this is what my wife was going to ask, but I’m asking instead… … .”
“Please tell me.”
If he had already heard similar nuances from Ariel and put his mind together, there was no reason for him to argue anymore, so he wanted to change the topic immediately.
It was borrowed from Helene’s name, but what I’m going to say from now on was a question that Yulken also had in mind.
I was going to talk to you once in a while, but thanks to the delay, I ended up coming this far.
“Are you thinking of hiring a lady-in-waiting?”
“… Yes? Are you talking about the maid?”
“yes. Apparently, they’ve never had a seed, so if you want to help Ariel in the future, shouldn’t you have someone by your side to help?”
If Edgar helps Ariel with her official duties, she will inevitably neglect herself.
Helene also cared about this, so she asked Yulken indirectly, and he also had similar thoughts, so I decided to take this opportunity to ask him.
Edgar, who heard this, did not regard it as completely out of the blue. It’s a story I’ve heard several times before.
However, the problem was not even ‘seed’, but why she bothered to say ‘lady-in-waiting’.
Edgar opened his mouth cautiously, feeling the anxiety that suddenly overtook him.
It wouldn’t matter if his guess was wrong, but if it turned out right, it could have turned into a pretty complicated story.
“Your Highness, is there anyone you have marked?”
“Well? how did you know It’s nothing else, I’m looking for someone to take in a child Sheppy was teaching this time.”
“… … .”
As soon as the prediction came true, Edgar kept his mouth shut.
It was because the conversation I had with Ariel about a month ago suddenly played clearly in my head.
‘It’s good to plant seeds. Instead, no woman.’
‘How far can your jealousy go?’
‘Ah, if it doesn’t work, then it won’t! Even if they come in, I know it will be stamped on me.’
‘Okay, okay.’
Thinking that he should have a deep conversation with Yulken, Edgar let out a deep sigh and lifted his head back.
It was because he thought that it was not the only way to save the life of the lady-in-waiting whose name he did not know, even if he put his own safety aside.