077.
Contrary to expectations.
Sinarth seemed to have adapted to her old lifestyle much earlier than anticipated.
The familiar house, the familiar people—though not everything was familiar, Sinarth’s personality had long been known to all.
Whether someone approached her first or not, once they became entangled with her, they inevitably became friends with Sinarth.
Of course, Sinarth found it exhausting to learn the duties of her role as the head of the house.
Even with the assistance of Blamia and the senior retainers, the name Drannus was not something easily shouldered.
There was much to learn, and many situations that required flexible responses.
Exiting the head’s quarters made it difficult for her to run around freely. Moreover, she had to pay more attention to etiquette and formalities than before.
Thinking back to the days she spent learning magic from Blamia in the small cottage, it wouldn’t have been strange if Sinarth had run away or collapsed on the floor claiming she couldn’t handle it.
However, she didn’t.
Sinarth may have grumbled about how difficult everything was, but she didn’t give up on learning her duties as the head.
By now, she had grown into a young lady deserving of everyone’s wholehearted applause and tears.
“Whew, Kalen, today was especially tough.”
“Didn’t you say yesterday was also especially tough?”
“No no, today was even more difficult.”
“I see.”
But beneath all this, there was an accomplishment no one had anticipated.
Well, no one except Blamia and Seline.
The boy who was always by Sinarth’s side, asking if she was doing okay, helping her with things outside her head-of-house duties — the efforts of this boy who was appointed as Sinarth Drannus’ bodyguard couldn’t be ignored.
“Too much!”
“What?”
“Lately, you’ve been playing only with sister Seline.”
“What can I do if you’re busy? Besides, you’re always there next to me when I’m doing head duties.”
“But you can’t really play during head duties, can you…”
“That’s obvious.”
Had Kalen not been there, Sinarth wouldn’t have been able to endure.
Sinarth herself knew this fact better than anyone.
Even though it might have been bothersome, Kalen stayed by her side all the way.
Whenever Sinarth complained about how difficult her duties were, he quietly offered her his embrace.
And every time something bothersome was reported as resolved, it was always because Kalen had taken care of it.
How could she not rely on him?
In fact, Sinarth had been Kalen’s from that day onward, and now it was impossible for her to imagine life without him.
“Hey, so you have to stay here with me until I fall asleep today. That’s a head’s order.”
“Abuse of power is the starting point of all rebellion and revolution.”
“I don’t understand those difficult words…”
“Seline will be looking for you…”
“I care more about you… y-yikes!!”
“Go to sleep quickly.”
Kalen, who had calmed down Sinarth’s tantrum, left her as she fell asleep, only to find Seline waiting with Ortis, Puttre, and other maids.
“Is the young mistress at rest?”
“Yes. She fell asleep quickly because she was tired from her duties.”
Time had passed since Sinarth returned and Kalen came to live at Drannus Mansion.
Though Kalen used formal language with the staff at first, he gradually shifted to informal speech as he spent more time with Seline.
Seline saw this change as a positive development, and the relationship between the two grew stronger over time.
“Do you have plans to rest, my lord?”
“I should.”
Sinarth goes to sleep the latest in this house.
Aside from Kalen, who has to put her to sleep, and the maids who assist him, everyone else retires earlier.
And this fact does not seem to bother anyone. After all, Blamia would not allow her granddaughter to be overworked this way.
“So, what do you think?”
“I might have trouble. Without you, I will have to handle other chores.”
“Shame.”
“And to attend such an event… someone of humble origins like me…”
“Don’t say that.”
“…Forgive me, my lord.”
The grand banquet was nearing.
Kalen intended to bring Seline, but the maids said she couldn’t attend due to her lowborn status.
But refusing was one thing; belittling oneself was not advisable.
Kalen himself being a bastard child, asked Seline not to speak such words.
“Alright, I understand.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Kalen didn’t insist further.
That might be disrespectful, and most importantly, Seline herself didn’t want to go.
Then, just as Kalen was about to nod in agreement, Seline smiled warmly and spoke softly.
“If we are lucky, we might meet, wouldn’t we?”
“Huh?”
“Never mind. Good night, my lord.”
“…Good night, Seline.”
“Thank you.”
“If we’re lucky, we’ll meet.”
With those words echoing in his mind, Kalen entered his room while scratching his head in confusion.
Seline remained standing there, smiling softly all the while.
*
Banquet.
Just hearing the word sends shivers down your spine.
Exquisite food, vibrant spectacles, lively interactions among the influential elite. The benefits that could emerge from such an event are beyond words.
When the host is of Drannus stature, there’s no need for further explanation.
All the powerful individuals in the world would surely gather, and even the prince of Claire Empire expressed his intention to attend this banquet.
Though the reason behind his decision might be unclear, there will surely be no one willing to pass up a banquet attended by a prince. Reputable houses eagerly awaited the event.
And today, the much-awaited banquet was finally beginning.
The most prosperous street in the fief, the largest cathedral in the area—all sacred grounds transformed into the banquet hall.
A gesture to ask for blessings for Drannus’ future endeavors, as well as a display of recovered might—Drannus was now strong enough to use the cathedral for a banquet.
Located in the central part of the empire, a large number of visitors gathered for the banquet, and when the enormous golden carriage symbolizing the royal family arrived, the grand ceremonial opening officially began.
Somewhere in a small area at the back of the banquet hall, Kalen and Sinarth were quietly conversing.
“I’m nervous… Kalen…”
“Just say a few words, come down and enjoy the banquet. Speak as casually as you do to me.”
“That’s impossible. What I say to you, I can only say to you.”
“…”
“Heh.”
Pointless as it was, their conversation was appropriate for relieving tension.
As Sinarth gradually felt the anxiety subside, she nodded her head firmly.
“Are you ready to take on the role of the head of the Drannus family?”
“Yeah. Dad’s position, which should have gone to my older brother, it’s my turn to continue it.”
“Then it’s settled. Go and relax. I’ll wait for you downstairs.”
“Kalen…”
Sinarth solemnly called out to Kalen.
“Will you protect me?”
Uncertain yet sure, her voice resonated.
Kalen stared at Sinarth for a moment and awkwardly smiled.
“Of course, my lady.”
“I’ll be back.”
“See you.”
Answering his smile warmly, Sinarth took steady steps toward the banquet hall, her most determined gait thus far.
Kalen watched her retreating figure and silently turned around.
This is the stage where the girl who will lead the Drannus family in the future will shine.
A place where he couldn’t stand.
He hoped only that the girl would move forward unscathed.
Pushing her toward the light, the boy quietly stepped back into the shadows.
Kal len slipped out from the small space at the back of the cathedral and quietly entered through the grand entrance of the banquet hall.
Fortunately, because the prince had already entered, his name wasn’t announced as he stepped in.
Looking ahead, he saw Sinarth standing confidently.
That seemed oddly fitting, and he couldn’t help but smile unconsciously at the sight.
“…Kalen?”
A quiet, composed voice.
Turning toward the sound, Kalen saw a beautiful young lady standing there, staring at him in surprise, her face illuminated as if the clouds had parted to reveal the sky.
“Lady Eliana.”
“Ah…?”
Still, wouldn’t it be more natural to converse with an acquaintance than to stand there awkwardly?
It looked like Sinarth’s welcoming speech was proceeding well, so he could focus on Eliana.
Approaching Eliana with that thought in mind, she suddenly stepped back.
“Just… please don’t come any closer…”
“What?”
“Ah…”
Eliana was equally surprised.
Because she failed to find Kalen at the banquet, she had been idly staring at the entrance in frustration when she suddenly noticed him entering.
Not only that, but due to his attire for the banquet, Kalen looked so unfamiliar she couldn’t face him properly.
Moreover, it wasn’t easy to maintain eye contact.
She wanted to speak about how lonely she felt without him and seek his comfort, but the sight of him in banquet attire made her lower her eyes repeatedly.
Had Drannus done something?
The subtle makeup and the care taken with his hair made Kalen seem otherworldly.
Even if all the young lords present were lined up, none could compare to him.
Eliana tried to suppress her heart’s palpitations and slowly raised her head.
And as soon as she did,
“Your face is red. Are you really alri—”
Before Kalen could finish,
She impulsively hugged him.
Thump, thump, thump, thump.
Her heart was beating uncontrollably fast.
She tried to hide her wide-open eyes and flushed cheeks by lowering her head over her shoulder.
Could he hear the rapid pounding of her heart?
If he could, it would be embarrassing.
Despite her thoughts, as the embrace she had fervently longed for became a reality,
Her body began to cling tightly to him, determined never to let go.
“…Lady Eliana.”
“C-could you stop… your face… so close…”
“Huh?”
“…”
Did Drannus arrange this for him?
With just a touch of makeup and a well-attended-to hairstyle, Kalen seemed otherworldly.
No young lord present could compare.
Eliana, suppressing her heart’s beating tightly, slowly raised her head.
As she did, she found Kalen very close to her, matching her eye level. Without a word, she embraced him.
Thump, thump, thump, thump.
Her heart’s beats were uncontrollable.
She wanted to hide her widely opened eyes and the redness of her cheeks, resting her head on his shoulder.
Could he hear her heart pounding? If so, it could be embarrassing.
She held him closer, not wanting ever to let go.
“… Lady Eliana.”
Crack.
The strap of Kalen’s glasses fell over her shoulder. Eliana, glancing at the three family insignias hanging there, quietly spoke.
“I’ve been holding back in Ecllesia, but… I’ll say it now…”
“…”
“I’ve missed you, Kalen…”
Eliana felt warm in his embrace, to the point that tears threatened to fall.
