Aristocratic Daughters Volume 2 Chapter 5 part 1

“Chapter Five: Secret Exchange”
 

 
And two days later, on a weekday after the holiday.
 
The bell signaling the end of the fourth period rang, and it was now lunchtime.
 
“……”
 
Luna checked the clock repeatedly while reading, skipping meals.
 
She imagined Byleth’s arrival, nervously spending every minute and every second.
 
It lingered in her mind.
 
[Luna-sama. The more wonderful a gentleman is, the more likely others will make their moves on him. Of course, if you remain passive, your desires for Luna-sama will be crushed.]
 
[You should know in your heart that it’s important to muster your courage and take action.]
 
[In this competitive world, you ought to act on your feelings. So as not to let a wonderful gentleman slip away.]
 
Those were the words spoken by the servants.
 
Their argument certainly may not be wrong. However, if one could simply execute it directly, no one would struggle.
 
“…I’ve thought about it endlessly, but is this really alright? If I become disliked, it would be putting the cart before the horse…”
 
If one were of a higher status than him, or if one were the same like Elena Leclerc, there would be no problem in moving freely without restraint.
 
However, Luna’s status is lower noble. Taking similar actions would lead to indiscreet behavior.
 
What Luna wants to protect is simply, [not wanting to be disliked by Byleth].
 
“Haa…”
 
She lowered her gaze, touching the bookmark he had given her.
 
“I’m stagnant, aren’t I? Just me. Compared to Elena, who…”
 
She knew they would spend time alone after the meeting.
 
Because nothing had progressed for her alone, she couldn’t help but think in a negative direction.
 
Luna expressing her anxiety in the quiet space.
 
──It didn’t take long for her to realize that her voice had been heard.
 
“Oh, did you call for me?”
 
“!”
 
It was sudden.
 
Without any indication, the person appeared from behind the bookshelf… Elena, with a relaxed expression and purple eyes.
 
“Good day. You seemed to be deep in thought, so I was waiting for the right moment to speak.”
 
“I-Is that so? Thank you for your consideration. It’s been since that time that we met.”
 
“Yes.”
 
There was a slightly tense atmosphere, but it was natural.
 
“That time” referred to when Luna visited Byleth’s classroom and accepted his invitation for a date.
 
“I was surprised, though. I didn’t expect you to use this place.”
 
“Did I disappoint you a bit? I could tell from a distance that you were waiting for Byleth.”
 
“…No, that’s not it.”
 
How much does she understand about Luna… It’s a question that arises from such a remark.
 
“Hehe, let’s leave it at that. By the way, Byleth will be here in about twenty minutes. I apologize for intruding on your time, but I requested it that way.”
 
“…You want to have a personal conversation with me In the meantime?”
 
“You catch on quickly. So, could you spare me a little time?”
 
“Understood.”
 
Luna, who prioritizes reading, knows she can’t avoid being talked to about something.
 
She nods slightly, meeting Elena’s sleepy gaze.
 
“Sorry, let me be frank first.”
 
“What is it?”
 
“I know. I know how you feel about Byleth Saint Ford.”
 
“Hmm.”
 
Elena does not falter at all. She shows an impenetrable smile.
 
“And I understand the reason you’ve come to this place. It’s a warning for me not to go any further with him, right?”
 
“Eh? I don’t intend to issue any warning. Isn’t it unfair for you to only try to understand my feelings?”
 
“…”
 
With the truth spoken, there are no words to return.
 
“Please listen to me for now. I’ve come to thank you.”
 
“Thank you… for what?”
 
Luna includes that in her words, raising an eyebrow slightly.
 
She can interpret it this way because she knows she has feelings for Byleth.
 
What are they?
 
“First, Byleth told me. That you tried to help my brother and that if anything goes wrong, you’ll help him.”
 
” …… “
 
Luna gave a hostile look at this gratitude. Although her expression is expressionless, her eyes were filled with anger.
 
Because this is a phrase that someone of higher status would say to a lower status.
 
By being put forward using Byleth as a shield, she can no longer say [I will stop cooperating] so as not to give him a bad impression.
 
Additionally, she cannot make an enemy of an influential Count family.
 
With her escape route cut off, she will be maximally exploited. That is the only path left for Luna.
 
“Secondly, I want to thank you for what you did for Sia. That child and I are close.”
 
“I don’t recall doing anything worthy of gratitude.”
 
“I heard this from Byleth too. Did he inform you in that manner that Sia harbors goodwill towards you?”
 
“…I won’t deny it.”
 
“Thanks to you, Byleth has had his eyes opened. It seems Sia will be able to live her happiest life.”
 
“……”

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With the second expression of gratitude, Luna is made aware of the gap between [herself being obstructed] and [the other party walking a happy life].
 
As expected, the gratitude was sarcastic. Sarcastic enough to disrupt her usual calm.
 
Assailed by inexpressible feelings, Luna clenches her tiny fists.
 
What dominates her heart is vexation.
 
At this moment, she realizes the servants’ words reflect reality.
 
Lowering her head, she enters a dark world alone. What roused Luna from this was–
 
“…Hm? You’re not getting a bit too full of yourself, are you?”
 
“Wha!?”
 
The sensation of a hand gently placed on her shoulder.
 
When Luna looks up with wide eyes, Elena tilts her head as if peering into the depths of her heart.
 
“What I just said is a heartfelt gratitude. Not some form of sarcasm”
 
“… “
 
Her logical construction collapses in an instant.
 
To Elena, Luna, who turns as white as a stone and freezes, seems absurd.
 
“Well…… I feel a little hurt to think you saw me as someone who would say such things. Haven’t I helped you once before?”
 
“S-Sorry. Given the circumstances, it seemed natural…”
 
The suspicion that it was Elena’s sarcasm has already cleared from her expression and tone of voice.
 
Cringing at the realization of her rude misunderstanding, Luna shrinks.
 
“By the way, judging from the anger you directed at me earlier, you also have feelings for Byleth, right?”
 
“I-I’ll remain silent. But, It’s just that I feel like I’m dancing in the palm of your hand.”
 
“It’s originally your own fault, isn’t it?”
 
“…Please forgive me. There’s nowhere else to vent this embarrassment…”
 
“Hehe, what’s that?”
 
Two people who express their true feelings. Thanks to that, a relaxed atmosphere begins to pervade.
 
“Now that the misunderstanding is cleared up, can I talk to you about the main topic I came to discuss? Time is of the essence.”
 
“Of course.”
 
“Thank you. So, to get straight to the point, there’s something I want to give you.”
 
“Something you want to give me?”
 
“Yes.”
 
What Elena takes out of her breast pocket is a letter sealed with the emblem of Leclerc.
 
“This is an invitation to a dinner party at my mansion next week.”
 
“… “
 
“I’m sure you’re wondering. I don’t think there’s a single shred of doubt that you’ll turn me down.”
 
“Yes.”
 
“Because Byleth will also be attending.”
 
“Really…?”
 
“I promise.”
 
Elena nods at Luna, who eagerly responds with raised eyebrows.
 
“Uh, why am I invited to the dinner party…? You don’t have any connections with my family. I don’t seem to have the qualifications to participate.”
 
“I told you during the first expression of gratitude, didn’t I? That you would help Alan when he’s in trouble. That’s enough. Of course, father also kindly gave his permission, and I want to get to know you better personally.”
 
“… “
 
“Of course, if you don’t want to participate, I won’t force you.”
 
Elena’s feelings are consistent. She decides things with her own will, without trying to read people’s minds.
 
“Even without those words, there’s an implication that [it would be better to participate], isn’t there?”
 
“If you don’t mind being hurt, I’ll tell you.”
 
“Then please.”
 
Luna responded immediately. To her, who did not hesemble a hint of hesitation, I answered without holding back.
 
“Byleth, you see, only thinks of you as ‘just a friend.’ He hasn’t even sensed any romantic interest from you.”
 
“Is that so?”
 
“Why such a calm response…? Are you really okay with how things are? That guy is so dense it’s maddening, so if things stay like this, nothing will ever change. If you want to give up, I won’t say anything more. But that’s not what you want, is it?”
 
“…”
 
Having gained certainty, I was able to choose words that struck right at her heart, one after another.
 
It was also a coincidence that overlapped.
 
Elena’s words, the same as the servant’s, strongly shook Luna’s heart.
 
“By the way, I’ve arranged to slip away with him during the dinner party.”
 
“Wha-“
 
“I-I’m not apologizing for sneaking out. I did my best in my own way. So… if you’re not going to do anything, I’ll just keep the gap between us.”
 
This final blow breaks Luna’s closed shell.
 
“If… that’s the case, I’ll do my best not to let the gap widen. Me too.”
 
“So you’re going to attend the dinner party?”
 
“Yes, I will show my face. Thanks to you, I realized that if I continued on like this, it would be no good. If I hadn’t been half-hearted, those words from earlier wouldn’t have had any effect.”
 
Luna, who had been declining invitations from everyone, expressed her intention to participate at this moment.
 
“Well, that’s good… but please don’t push yourself too hard. I understand it’s daunting to join an unfamiliar gathering, so if you run into any trouble, feel free to rely on me.”
 
“Thank you. Um, may I ask you something?”
 
“What is it?”


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