“For this banquet, don’t just rely on Elena, but also on me. I’ll always be there to help.”
“Um, please don’t say such things with a smile.”
(……Please don’t suddenly say such flattering things.)
This is why He’s truly, incredibly troublesome…. You……
“S-Sorry about that? But I’m just being honest.”
“……”
“By the way, is there anything you want me to do for you at the dinner party? If you let me know in advance, I can get right to it.”
“There is something, but given my position, I cannot make such a request of you.”
I state the facts.
Though it may deviate from the type he prefers, my request is rather…excessive in content.
I cautiously convey the reality. But you, with your kindness, will surely—
“If you’re going to say something mean like that, should I break the promise with Luna too? The promise to go to the Royal Library together.”
“Do you remember?”
“Haha, don’t be so surprised. So, about the library schedule, let’s make plans on the day of the banquet. Can you tell me what you want me to do? I won’t get angry or think it’s rude no matter what you ask.”
“Um, thank you…”
(…I was left speechless…)
I never thought he would bring up plans.
Today, only good things are happening… Just with this, I can feel good about deciding to attend the banquet.
With this feeling in mind, I’ll convey it.
“Well then, I’ll take you up on your offer, but about the favor, I want you to help me repay the favor to Miss Elena.”
“Oh, that’s an important role…”
(This is a really important role.)
Though Miss Elena should also be attracted to him, she gave me a chance to get closer to him even though I’m her enemy.
I must repay this favor.
“Um, just to clarify, I’m not attending the banquet to repay Miss Elena’s favor. I’m attending of my own volition.”
“It’s okay, I understand. You’re not the type to say ‘Attend the banquet to repay the favor!’ Miss Elena isn’t like that.”
“Yes.”
(I feel somewhat jealous… That you and Miss Elena are so understanding of each other.)
It’s like he’s confident in his words, which makes me feel envious…
“So about how to repay the favor, did Miss Elena specify? Or are you going to come up with it yourself?”
“No, she gave instructions. She said to enjoy this banquet.”
“Haha, I see. In that case, I’ll cooperate fully. What should I do?”
“I want to be alone with you. If possible, outside.”
“Alone outside!?”
(It’s not surprising he’s shocked. But, this is something I need… I can’t let Miss Elena win. I don’t want to be… left behind.)
Because it’s you that I’m wanting.
But I want to say just this.
Because of the significant difference in our status, no one will believe it, but I’m not blinded by your position.
Even if you were lower in status than me, I would still say the same thing.
“Well, what Luna’s saying is that she wants to take a break in a quiet place… like, for going out at night.”
“Yes. I hope we can talk while feeling the night breeze. I want to experience it because there was a description like this in the book I read.”
You won’t know. This is a means to an end.
I just want to be alone with Byleth. If possible, outside.
If it’s not outside, I can’t do what I’m thinking.
“This is my request, can you grant it?”
“Of course. Honestly, I thought you’d ask for something bigger.”
“For me, it’s a big request.”
(Really, being with this person makes me feel numb…)
Normally, I’d be told to be polite. Because it’s not a request he reluctantly accepts.
It’s unthinkable for someone from the baron’s family like me to make such a request to someone from the marquis’s family…
“But, I have plans with Elena too, so sorry about the time.”
“I don’t mind. Thank you.”
(I’m happy… Now I can think about it…)
All that’s left is to prepare mentally. I just have to gather the courage…
“But hey, is it okay to take a break with someone like me? Various problems might come up, you know?”
“What kind of problems?”
“Luna might not get it, but sneaking out of a party alone with a guy might lead people to think we’re dating, right…?”
“I’ll be fine. Even if such rumors were to arise.”
“Really? What if someone comes to verify the rumors, and we can’t relax and read quietly?”
“If I can enjoy taking a break with you, it’ll balance out.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
(Even if rumors were to spread, I don’t think they’d think I’m dating him…)
Even if rumors were to spread, I’d be happy to be able to spend time with you. I’d be even happier.
“Then feel free to call on me anytime. I’m usually alone.”
“Alone?”
“Haha, nobody approaches me because of the bad rumors.”
“Um, won’t Sia-san join us? If she participates, she can sit next to you, can’t she?”
“Sia’s popular, so she’s pulled in various directions by people…? So she doesn’t have time for me.”
“As the master, you have to do your best not to lose to Sia-san.”
“W-when Luna calls me master, it feels weird…”
“I also feel a little embarrassed.”
“Haha, what’s that?”
“Because you’re making jokes like that…”
Just because you said “weird”, I interpreted it as a special way of calling.
(It’s not “what’s that”…)
“Well, let’s not touch on that anymore… I want to ask Luna one thing about the banquet dinner, is that okay?”
“It would actually be helpful. I’ll be attending an unfamiliar event.”
“Okay, here’s the thing, when you get an invitation like, ‘Wouldn’t you like to spend time alone?’ I just want to ask you not to agree right away. Because some people might have ulterior motives.”
“I won’t go outside with anyone other than you, so it’s okay.”
I’m not in the mood for it.
“Okay. That’s a relief.”
“Um, can I bother you with something too?”
“Hm?”
“Kindness is a wonderful thing, but it’s better not to accept invitations for breaks from just anyone. You’re the eldest son of the marquis’s family, and you hold a high position. You might get involved in strange troubles.”
“Thanks for your concern. But, like Luna, I’m fine with it. I decided to take a break with Luna because I wanted to, and I choose my company properly.”
“Th-that’s…”
(…I feel like my lips are about to loosen…)
Heat gathers on my cheeks…
I can’t let him do as he pleases anymore… I don’t want him to see my red face…
“I’m sorry. Looking back on it now, we’ve been standing here talking for a while even though we’ve reached our destination.”
“Haha, yeah, you’re right. Did Luna find any recommended books?”
“Yes. Here are the ones I recommend to you.”
“Wow!”
“Of these two books, please make sure to finish reading only this one by the ‘day before’ the dinner party. The words of confession are written in a roundabout, romantic way, so I’d like to hear your thoughts on it.”
“Really!? I’m looking forward to it.”
“… “
Seeing him look forward to it, I feel so embarrassed that I want to look away…
The book I specified to be read by the time of the banquet describes a love story where a confession leads to a relationship between a man and a woman sneaking out during the banquet…
If he finishes reading it and remembers the lines at that time, the description in the book will align with reality…
With this, surely my feelings will be conveyed…
Even though it’s still in the future, my hands tremble with nervousness…
But there’s a certain clarity in my mind.
Surely, because I’ve made up my mind to [do it].
“Byleth-Saintford… be prepared.”
“Yeah! Thanks a lot for recommending such a great book.”
“… “
“(I didn’t mean it like that).”
In truth, these words suit you best, you oblivious fool…
“… Baka.”
I committed a terrible rudeness, but he just chuckled and said, “[Huh?]”
Perhaps my voice was too soft to hear clearly, but his gentle smile felt unfair.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
After school that day.
Luna was not in the library, but in a certain empty classroom.
Not alone, but with Elena.
Just a few minutes ago, Elena had come to the library and informed her that they should move to a place where they could talk alone.
“Thank you. For indulging my selfishness. You couldn’t refuse because of the invitation, could you?”
“No, I was actually thinking of talking to you too. I’m sorry for not coming to you first.”
“Hehe, don’t worry about that.”
“Thank you.”
The two exchanged apologies as if understanding each other.
And since they both understood what they were going to talk about this time, they quickly got to the point.
“It’s about what happened at lunch, right?”
“Yes. I wanted to confirm with you what conclusion you reached with Byleth. Did things progress?”
“…Uh, before I answer that, can I ask you something?”
“What is it?”
“If hypothetically I said ‘yes,’ would you not feel uneasy?”
Looking up at him through half-lidded eyes, Luna prefaces her words with “consideration,”
although the one she has feelings for is the same.
But Elena covered her pink lips with her hand and smiled warmly.
“Well, saying I wouldn’t feel uneasy would be a lie, but I could accept it as the result of your efforts. By bringing up the hypothetical words, it seems it went well, right?”
“Yes. Thanks to you, I was able to arrange to take a break with him during the banquet. Thank you so much.”
If Elena hadn’t told her about that story before meeting Byleth, she wouldn’t have been able to arrange the promise.
She would have ended up taking a break alone during the banquet.
She bowed deeply to express her gratitude.
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