I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess – Chapter 150

After the grand ceremony in the Hero’s Room, Edgar attended a modest banquet that followed with his companions.

Initially, Edgar had declined the invitation, thinking there was no need to create such an event just for him.

However, due to the traditional schedule that opens up when a worthy new presence appears in the Hero’s Room, he ended up attending anyway.

The silver lining was that, while he felt like the protagonist, he could engage in conversations with the guests in a natural atmosphere instead of being forced to be the center of attention.

Had they insisted he deliver a speech on the stage, his stomach would have flipped, and he would have collapsed right there.

“Are you planning to send everything you receive back to the family home?”

“I guess so. I have no use for it anyway.”

When Ariel, who was sipping wine, asked about the whereabouts of the awards he received today, he responded as expected.

After all, he already had a pile of rewards he got from Yulken during the merit distribution earlier, so he had no immediate need for any riches or treasures.

Therefore, rather than letting them go to waste, he hoped sending them back would help its development, even if it was just a small territory.

“Pfft, something’s sprouted on your chest.”

“Don’t laugh. I feel awkward too.”

“So what? It looks good!”

Ariel pointed at his left chest, where a platinum badge was displayed, featuring a striking design of an eagle with its wings spread and a shield in the center.

This was the Equenor badge, indicating he had his name engraved on the Hero Stone, which could be interpreted as ‘one who has upheld the honor of knights.’

“It has the same pattern as Father’s.”

“True.”

When Ariel murmured this in a low voice, Edgar replied with a faint smile. As she pointed out, this badge was something Yulken had worn when he first appeared in public after having his name engraved on the Hero Stone before Edgar.

Since it was a rare item, Ariel had not seen anyone else besides Yulken who had received this honor, making Edgar feel proud that it was the second instance for her, and even better because it was his beloved.

“How do you feel?”

“I still can’t grasp it. But I’ll get used to it gradually.”

Edgar said as he fiddled with the badge resting on his chest. While the weight of the badge felt somewhat heavy, the real weight felt heavier with his position sitting next to the head of the Archducal family.

Yet, it wasn’t a burden that pressed down on him; rather, it felt like a manageable amount of weight he could enjoy.

As they chatted pleasantly, Silvia and Hagel, who had been absent for a while, approached the two.

“Edgar, you were great today. It was impressive!”

“Congratulations, Edgar. Having your name engraved on the Hero Stone… I’m so proud as your friend.”

Silvia was her usual self, but Hagel, as a descendant of a noble martial family and one who understands honor, looked at Edgar with genuine admiration.

He wished he could have his name engraved there at least once in his lifetime, making him proud of Edgar’s achievement.

At first, he thought Edgar was just a cheerful friend with a playful side, but the more he observed, the more he believed Edgar was the real deal.

“Thanks. Honestly, if I had been alone, I would have been much more nervous… but thinking you guys were watching made it a bit easier.”

“You also get nervous unexpectedly, huh? Just like at the inheritance ceremony.”

“Wouldn’t you?”

Reflecting on past events, Silvia asked, slightly surprised, causing a chuckle to escape Edgar’s lips.

The mere fact that many were watching was bound to make one nervous, and given the nature of the occasion, the tension was magnified even more.

He felt that being able to pull it off so skillfully was a testament to his ability.

“By the way, what are you going to do? Head directly to the villa once the banquet ends?”

“That’s the plan. Since it started pretty early, we should have enough time.”

In truth, Ariel had been secretly considering just staying at the Imperial Palace for the night if it got late.

However, after hearing Edgar mention Albrecht, she felt uneasy about staying at the palace and decided it was better to head to the villa, even if it was a bit tiring.

Silvia and Hagel simply nodded, showing it didn’t matter to them.

After all, even if they stayed an extra night at the Imperial Palace, they’d have to go outside again the next day, making it pointless.

Moreover, when it came to sleeping, a comfortable place was always better than a luxurious one.

“Your Highness, so you’ll be staying at the villa.”

“Ah… Marquis Bertus. Yes, that is the plan. But I must say, eavesdropping on someone else’s conversation is a bit rude.”

As Albrecht approached with his signature languid voice after overhearing the conversation, Ariel subtly twitched her eyebrows, expressing her displeasure.

Engaging in conversation was acceptable given the circumstances, but butting in after eavesdropping was undeniably uncomfortable.

In response, Albrecht lowered his head and excessively apologized.

Even though a figure of his standing, a marquis, was addressing the head of the Archducal family, Ariel found it odd that he didn’t even flinch after being reprimanded.

“I apologize. I happened to overhear while dropping by….”

“…It’s fine. We might have raised our voices a bit too much. But why are you asking about our stay at the villa?”

“I thought since you were visiting the Imperial Palace after a long time, it might be nice to stay for a day. It seems His Majesty might be hoping for that as well.”

So, the Emperor is hoping for that?

Ariel frowned at this seemingly contradictory statement compared to what she had heard from the guide earlier.

The guide had said that Bartheus had anticipated she wouldn’t be staying at the Imperial Palace.

Of course, predictions could differ from actual intentions, but even after meeting several times since then, the Emperor had never expressed that opinion.

Why then was Albrecht suddenly bringing this up like a spokesperson at this late hour?

It was quite perplexing.

“Forgive me, Your Majesty, but let’s save a visit for next time. After all, today I came to follow my beloved.”

“Is that so? That’s a shame. Oh, and if it’s not too rude, about what I asked earlier…?”

What he previously asked would likely relate to hosting a banquet to celebrate her taking on the head of the family position, inviting her to visit the Bertus family.

While it was a rather straightforward tone, Ariel remained composed.

She had suspected that this might be his goal since he had come here from the start.

It was almost surprising how predictable his behavior was.

“I appreciate the thought, but I’ll have to decline, Marquis Bertus. Unfortunately, since I’ve only just inherited the position, it’s time for me to focus on the family.”

“There’s no need to apologize. However, witnessing your hard work for the family makes me feel rather ashamed of my own shortcomings.”

“……”

Despite Albrecht’s adept responses that avoided embarrassment for the declining party, even Silvia couldn’t suppress her admiration for him, but Ariel couldn’t go that far.

Perhaps it was a prejudice formed from hearing those words from Edgar earlier, but she found nothing but emptiness in what he said.

He was neither a villain nor a hero.

If anything, he didn’t seem to fit anywhere in that spectrum. At least that was how Ariel felt.

“I would be grateful if you could visit once you have some free time. Oh, and speaking of which…”

As if he had just remembered, Albrecht reached out to Edgar.

But Edgar could tell this was a calculated move.

That was only natural, as Albrecht had been subtly observing Edgar while pretending to look away.

It was a fleeting moment that an ordinary person might not have caught, but Edgar’s keen perception couldn’t let it slide.

“I’m late in offering my congratulations. Please continue to dedicate yourself to this country, Sir Edgar.”

“I shall, Marquis Bertus.”

“When we meet next time, just call me Albrecht. Until then.”

With those parting words, Albrecht departed, and Edgar absentmindedly tilted the wine glass he was holding.

It was bitter. For some reason, the fragrant scent of grapes and violets that had wafted from the wine just moments ago now felt like nothing but the bitter taste of ash.

“Edgar, what’s wrong? You don’t look so good.”

“…It’s nothing.”

Seeing this, Silvia tilted her head in confusion, while Edgar discreetly gazed at Ariel, who was silently holding onto his arm.

She seemed to be feeling something odd as well, her expression not being one of displeasure, but rather, a sense of strangeness lingered.

It felt just like the first time he had met Albrecht Bertus.

“Ed, let’s go back to the villa and rest. I really don’t want to stay here any longer.”

“What a coincidence. I feel the same way.”

Fortunately, the atmosphere was shifting toward the end of the gathering, and the party left the Imperial Palace without further incident, climbing back into the carriage and heading to their intended destination—the villa.

On the way, Silvia and Hagel noticed that something felt off and asked for details, but the two decided to keep quiet until they could explain more at the villa.

Even though it was such a joyful day, something felt off today.