HPDBC Chapter 151
Chapter 151
chapter 151 – the ball (2)
“let’s have a quick talk!”
winley dragged ancelot to a secluded spot away from the ball. they encountered no further interruptions along the way.
after all, the two were officially engaged.
oddly enough, a few men who had recently learned of ancelot’s identity looked at him with a strangely sympathetic gaze.
“what are you doing?”
there were barely any people near the riverbank where marquis laksir enjoyed fishing.
stopping there, winley glared at him fiercely.
“this was the first formal meeting with other nobles. do you have any idea how important first impressions are? and you pull this kind of stunt? you should’ve just refused to attend in the first place!”
“honestly, it was satisfying to watch, wasn’t it?”
“......”
winley frowned.
“still!”
“you’re not denying it, huh?”
“ha. do you think my feelings matter right now?”
“well, even your reaction right now stems from your concern for me. am i wrong?”
“......!”
winley flinched, and spoke after a brief pause,
“ugh...... that damn silver tongue of yours......!”
she could feel her rising anger gradually subside, but even so, she couldn’t leave things be.
“i heard marquis laksir handed over that criminal, abidal.”
“he did.”
“and yet, you insulted one of his guests.”
“because the guest deserved it.”
“whatever the circumstances! you repaid the marquis’ goodwill with hostility. people will believe only what they see!”
“exactly, that’s the point.”
“......!”
winley’s eyes widened.
“my rash personality is already well-known from my time at the arsene county. after meeting me in person, the marquis likely knew i’d likely cause trouble.”
“w-wait a moment. i was there, too. marquis laksir explicitly and courteously asked you—”
“if it’s a request, it has to sound polite, doesn’t it? you think he was going to threaten me?”
“......”
winley fell silent.
“let me ask you something instead. if marquis laksir fails to get what he wants in the end, do you think he’d still behave like a gentleman?”
“that’s......”
ancelot shook his head before she could answer.
“no. at that point, he’d become a thug.”
“......”
“the more composed and formal someone appears on the outside, the more you should be wary of them. their insides are often rotted beyond belief. who knows what kind of stench will spill out once you open them up.”
winley understood this truth. she had encountered countless people whose true selves and outward appearances were as different as night or day.
however, that only added to her curiousity.
“so, what are you planning to do?”
a faint smile crept across ancelot’s lips.
“that’s up to marquis laksir. his actions will determine my response.”
* * *
reaper scans
[translator – san]
[proofreader – abstract]
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* * *
inside the building, preparations for the ball were well underway.
“this is...... my first time in a place like this.”
a well-dressed harun gaped in awe.
everything seemed new to harun, a serf’s child, but jan and kirian, born to a count, were well accustomed to ballroom settings.
“aren’t that jan and kirian?”
“......!”
at that moment, some peers who recognized the pair approached them with adults from their family accompanying them.
all of them were familiar faces to jan and kirian.
the greeting opened the floodgates, reminding everyone of winley’s original purpose.
“g-greetings, baron. i’ve sincerely wanted to meet you.”
“i’ve heard you’re exceptionally talented for your age. and i must say, you’re quite dashing.”
marquis laksir smiled faintly, his voice laced with subtle implication.
“they say baron ancelot dreams of representing our nation in the master tournament. his ambition and talent are unmatched in the kingdom.”
the crowd’s murmurs grew louder, now tinged with exaggerated praise.
“oho...... such lofty aspirations!”
“haha! i’ve heard about it, too. what an inspirational dream.”
“to become a master and return home seeking vengeance. how manly. hahaha!”
just then, marquis laksir made an ‘oh!’ look.
“have i perhaps spoken out of turn? my apologies”
“not at all. you haven’t said anything untrue.”
“haha! i knew our bold baron would respond that way.”
snapping his fingers in delight, marquis laksir’s smile widened.
“since we’re on the topic...... baron, how about joining the royalist faction? everyone here would gladly support you. i’d personally vouch for you with duke kairos.”
“i’m not sure i understand why you’ve brought that up all of a sudden.”
“well, i suppose politics might feel a bit unfamiliar for someone as young as you.”
marquis laksir smiled wryly and continued. then, as if explaining to a novice, he continued.
“as you’re aware, the master tournament is a prestigious event for the nations and the individuals involved. therefore, the two factions compete fiercely for the single spot.”
“you mean one must first make it to the list of candidates before being chosen as the participant.”
“exactly. sharp as ever.”
marquis laksir made a satisfied smile.
“i have a question, though. have the two factions ever supported the same candidate?”
soft laughter rippled through the room.
“haha! preposterous.”
“how could oil and water ever mix?”
marquis laksir’s smile faltered, his tone turning serious.
“i understand why you’d ask that.”
“pardon?”
“recently, i’ve heard you’ve been associating with duke serin, duke herman, and marquis foltaine. all prominent members of the noble faction.”
the atmosphere grew tense, hostility emanating from some of the guests.
“and yet you asked me to become your vassal?”
“it’s because i know this that i’m asking. you’re young, baron, and there’s still time. friends change quickly at your age.”
marquis laksir smiled indulgently, trying to lighten the mood.
“during youth, one might fall in with the wrong crowd. what matters is waking up to reality before it’s too late.”
“i understand what you’re asking of me, marquis.”
“good. i’m glad to hear that.”
marquis laksir took his gaze off of ancelot, as if he’d finished saying all he intended to.
only then did he approach erina, who he had been interested in all along.
“you are truly a beautiful lady.”
“......?”
“if it’s alright with you...... might i have the honor of being your first dance partner this evening?”
“......!”
kneeling before her with an outstretched hand, he spoke loudly enough for all to hear.
all eyes now openly focused on them.
“......”
ancelot watched the marquis, understanding his intentions clearly.
‘so this is what he was aiming for.’
he could make out the identity of the heat in the marquis’ eyes.
as erina’s hand began to rise, marquis laksir’s anticipation grew, the heat in his gaze intensifying.
“......!”
then, his face twisted in disbelief.
“wha—?”
instead of his hand, erina had reached for ancelot’s. she slowly parted her lips, then spoke.
“if i must choose...... shouldn’t i go with the sturdier rope?”
“......!”
this lunatic was just adding fuel to the fire.
* * *