𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲
“Okay, Luke, you can come in now.”
ㅤ
“Hey, hey Sicily, I’m not ready emotionally yet. . .!”
ㅤ
Before Alma’s voice finished, the door opened in front of Luke.
ㅤ
“Sorry for the wait, let’s get going. . .”
ㅤ
There, Luke’s words stopped.
ㅤ
Alma, dressed in a gown, stood in front of him.
ㅤ
Her calm navy dress was accented with golden embroidery in places.
ㅤ
Alma’s long, lustrous hair was neatly arranged, held together with gold and jeweled hairpins.
ㅤ
“H, How is it. . .? I don’t look weird, do I?”
ㅤ
“. . .”
ㅤ
As Alma asked shyly, Luke could only stare in astonishment.
ㅤ
“Luke, are you listening?”
ㅤ
“S, Sorry. I was just mesmerized.”
ㅤ
At those words, Alma’s face turned bright red.
ㅤ
“Come on, you don’t have to flatter me.”
ㅤ
“It’s not flattery, you look really beautiful. There’s no doubt you’ll be the most beautiful at the party tonight.”
ㅤ
“R, Really. . .?”
ㅤ
“Absolutely. I don’t even want others to see you. Everyone will surely be captivated by Alma just like me.”
ㅤ
“Luke. . .”
ㅤ
ㅤ
Luke and Alma looked at each other, both blushing.
ㅤ
ㅤ
“Hey, you two, are we good to go now?”
ㅤ
Sicily sighed as she spoke.
ㅤ
“I, I’m sorry, Sicily.”
ㅤ
“Well, it’s alright. So, what do you think of thre outfit? Quite a transformation, isn’t it?”
ㅤ
“Oh, it’s truly amazing. Sicily, you could make a career out of this once you retire from being a guard, couldn’t you?”
ㅤ
“Well, I did consider that at one point, but you know, I really prefer business in the end.”
ㅤ
“By the way, Sicily, aren’t you attending the party tonight?”
ㅤ
“Well, someone like me from the lower ranks doesn’t receive invitations, you know.”
ㅤ
Sicily then patted Luke on the shoulder.
ㅤ
“Well then, I’ll leave it to you to be the princess’s escort.”
ㅤ
“Oh, sure, leave it to me.”
ㅤ
ㅤ
ㅤ
ㅤ
◆
ㅤ
ㅤ
ㅤ
ㅤ
The party was taking place in the hall of St. Arrogas Royal Castle.
ㅤ
Adorned nobles and influential people gathered, engaging in lively conversations.
ㅤ
As Alma and Luke arrived at the venue, waves of surprise and admiration spread among the crowd.
ㅤ
“Look at that, what a beautiful woman.”
ㅤ
“Isn’t that the daughter of Rampart Margrave, Alma-sama? It’s rare to see her at parties.”
ㅤ
“Who would have thought the only daughter of Rampart Margrave was such a beauty. . . Why don’t you go and talk to her?”
ㅤ
“No, she’s too beautiful, it’s almost intimidating to approach her.”
ㅤ
ㅤ
Everyone was casting surprised, admiring, and envious glances at Alma.
ㅤ
“Ugh. . . this is embarrassing.”
ㅤ
“It’s okay, it suits you well.”
ㅤ
Luke took the arm of a nervous Alma and proceeded through the hall.
ㅤ
“Well, well, Alma-sama, you have become so beautiful.”
ㅤ
“The last time I saw you, you were still so small. You’ve changed so much.”
ㅤ
“Alma-sama, where did you buy that dress? Please tell me.”
ㅤ
Influential nobles and their daughters flocked around Alma, quickly forming a crowd.
ㅤ
A portly middle-aged man made his way through the crowd.
ㅤ
ㅤ
“Isn’t that Lady Alma! It’s been a while!”
ㅤ
ㅤ
Upon seeing that face, Luke’s expression subtly tensed.
ㅤ
The man who stepped forward, pushing people aside, was none other than Luke’s uncle and the current lord of Narejji, Greed Surberry.
ㅤ
“Do you remember me? I am Greed Surberry, the one who rules the neighboring Narejji domain.”
ㅤ
Greed approached Alma with an insincere smile on his face.
ㅤ
He didn’t even bother looking at Luke, who was dressed as a servant.
ㅤ
Watching this, Luke strangely realized that his own heart wasn’t stirred.
ㅤ
He had wondered countless times what would happen when he met Greed again.
ㅤ
He had dreamt of smashing his fist into that face many nights.
ㅤ
But in reality, none of those feelings surfaced.
ㅤ
What he felt was simply an acceptance of the fact that this man was still the same.
ㅤ
At the same time, Luke realized that the matter concerning Greed was already settled within himself.
ㅤ
ㅤ
On the other hand, Greed, completely oblivious to Luke’s presence, continued talking to Alma.
ㅤ
ㅤ
“Ah, you’ve become even more beautiful. I apologize for not thanking you for attending Luke’s funeral. How about we have a leisurely chat. . .”
ㅤ
“Lord Greed, I’m sorry, but could you please refrain from touching Alma-ojousama?”
ㅤ
As Greed tried to take Alma’s hand, Luke stood in his way.
ㅤ
Greed momentarily contorted his face in anger but forced a smile and continued talking to Alma.
ㅤ
“Lady Alma, it seems that this servant lacks proper education. A servant is said to be a reflection of their master. This could reflect poorly on your name. If you wish, I can provide some guidance on such matters.”
ㅤ
ㅤ
Luke sighed.
ㅤ
“It seems you haven’t changed either. One should only take a lady’s hand when she offers it, as etiquette dictates.”
ㅤ
“Hey you! What’s your problem? Even if you are Lady Alma’s servant, I won’t tolerate such disrespect towards a noble like myself!”
ㅤ
Finally, Greed lost his temper.
ㅤ
With veins throbbing on his forehead, he confronted Luke.
ㅤ
“And what’s with that hair! Dyeing it white despite being so young! Such a frivolous person. . .”
ㅤ
Greed’s tone, filled with anger, suddenly changed.
ㅤ
“A noble’s. . . servant. . .”
ㅤ
Gradually, his speech became uncertain, and his face showed a mix of fear and astonishment.
ㅤ
“Could it be. . . you, no. . . you are. . .”
ㅤ
Luke smiled and bowed in front of Greed.
ㅤ
“Long time no see, Uncle Greed. It’s been five years, hasn’t it?”
Translator’s Blog
Blog
- Lost in Translation: When Your Brain Goes on a Tangent While Reading Light Novels
- Your Crush is With Someone Else? Channel Your Inner Samurai, Not a Sad Puppy Dog.
- Should You Return To That Dropped Novel? The Light Novel Comeback Arc
- That Cringey Anime Obsessed Kid In Your Class: A Guide to Not Being That Guy (Or Gal)
- Kakashi Hatake: The Ultimate Husbando? A Deep Dive into the Sharingan of Our Desires
Leave a Reply