“‘Heart is tired’… I think that might be the first time I’ve heard that phrase… Ah, but there are times when I don’t feel refreshed even after resting my body.”
“Oh, in that case, could it be that you’re feeling more anxious?”
“Oh! That’s amazing… How you could guess that. I’m really surprised now.”
“W-well, it’s just a kind of intuition.”
When he first had juniors at his workplace, he listened to many of their concerns. Of course, he can’t mention that this experience is coming in handy now.
“Is this anxiety something specific to nobles?”
“Yeah~ I think this is the same for everyone, but if we don’t meet our mother and father’s expectations, we can’t contribute to the family, so failure is not an option, and since everyone misunderstands me, I have to keep up appearances even when I get engaged.”
“I see……”
In this world, the words of parents with power are stronger than anything else.
Moreover, there’s a common understanding that everyone must combine their strengths to increase their power.
For nobles, falling from grace is like [death].
“From what you’re saying, you must be in a high position, right?”
“Actually, not really. What about you?”
“I’m not really in a high position either.”
“Oh, I see~”
This is the extent of their mutual probing.
Even if they feel the other is [lying] from their relaxed words, they don’t pursue it.
The reason they can talk so easily now is because they don’t know each other’s positions or backgrounds.
If those became clear, this relationship would crumble in an instant.
“But I can empathize with those feelings. It’s tough to be misunderstood by others, isn’t it?”
“Isn’t ‘failure is not an option’ the biggest issue?”
“Of course, that’s tough too, but with failure, you can reflect on it, make a comeback, and there are people who will encourage you, right? But being misunderstood by others feels like there’s no end in sight.”
“Hehe, actually, I have the same opinion. In my case, I can’t let my true self be exposed. Absolutely not.”
“Well, you are creating quite unique songs.”
“D-don’t bring that up again……”
“Haha.”
Byleth is making light conversation, but it’s not such a simple problem.
For someone like her who is thought to be [flawless], her true self would create too much of a gap.
Any deviation from perfection would reflect poorly on the duke’s family’s education and end up tarnishing the family name.
“I hope you can solve that problem well. If you can find someone who understands you, your future will surely become easier.”
“Pft, hehehe. That’s true, but I’ve already given up on that~ I’m really sloppy, so there’s no way anyone could like me for who I really am……”
“That much?”
“Yes, that much~ To be specific, on my days off, I lie in bed, wrapped up in my blanket all day~”
“…Huh?”
—Somehow, this sounds familiar.
“Oh, the other day, I was even called a ‘caterpillar’!”
“Wha-!? I… I see……”
The moment Byleth heard these words, a shock ran through his head. Goosebumps rose on his skin.
It was something he had heard before from Sonya, who had come to greet him at the venue…
“B-But… if you’re doing what you’re supposed to do, you shouldn’t be criticized… right?”
“Your speech is getting polite even though you’re backing away~”
“I-It’s just a little joke! A joke!”
Even as he said this, the identity of this person was becoming clear.
It was also related to what this person had been singing earlier.
The reason he quickly reverted to his normal speech was that he didn’t want to reveal the possibility that her identity had been discovered.
“But what I said earlier was sincere. ‘If you’re doing what you’re supposed to do’…”
“I’m happy to hear you say that, but someday I might not be able to do it anymore. The things I’m supposed to do.”
“Huh!? Why is that?”
“Hmm. To put it roughly, it’s like… I’m being overworked more and more. Because I’m using consumables, when the schedule gets busy, it puts a strain on me… you know?”
“You should definitely have your schedule reviewed. Absolutely.”
“But it’s rare to be able to get that opinion across, isn’t it?”
“…”
Faced with this calm rebuttal, he couldn’t raise any objections.
“That’s right. In my position, I can’t voice my opinions. It’s all about power, you could say. That’s why I want to get engaged quickly and leave my family… I really hate the idea of my strengths no longer being strengths.”
“…It’s only natural to want to slump down after hearing that.”
“Thank you. I wish… I had known earlier that there were people like you… in a different place.”
“Huh?”
Softly, as if.
A heartfelt voice, as if a whisper from the heart, reached his ears.
“Well then! I should be heading back now. My eyes should be adjusting by now, and I’ll get scolded if I stay too long.”
“Ah, yeah. Okay, I understand.”
As if she had been calculating the time, the woman in the darkness stood up from the bench.
“Thank you so much for today~. I feel so much better somehow.”
“Thank you too. If we have another chance…”
“But we can’t see each other, can we~? We can’t see, so… glance glance“
Mindful of the fact that they couldn’t see each other’s faces, she conveyed her gaze through her voice.
“Haha, that’s quite poetic, isn’t it?”
“…I see. You’re often called dense, aren’t you?”
“Wha- That seems like quite a leap…”
“Fufu, I thought so.”
These were her last words.
She melted into the darkness, returning to the venue with small steps.
“…”
Byleth, watching her go, wasn’t surprised.
When she stood up from the bench, she was as short as Sia.
Her silhouette had a large swell to it.
It also matched the “Beautiful Songstress” Aria.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
How many tens of minutes had passed since Byleth had disappeared from this venue?
(Ah…)
Luna, noticing him return to the venue, approached him quickly with small steps and called out to him.
— To be able to interact with him before anyone else. To not let any other person take him away.
“Where have you been?”
“Oh, Luna. Just went outside for some fresh air. Embarrassingly, I was feeling a bit at loose ends.”
“It seems a bit late for just being alone.”
“W-Well, I was still alone. It would be bad manners to invite someone outside during greeting time.”
“But I would have liked to be informed. I know it’s a bit clingy to say this, but…”
Although Luna had never participated in a soirée before, she understood the common courtesies.
She also understood that he had been considerate because it was during the greetings.
However, she had wanted him to at least say something. Just by being called, she would have been able to converse with him.
“S-Sorry. I’ll be more mindful next time.”
“Please don’t apologize. I’m the one being unreasonable.”
“No, no, that’s not true at all.”
Despite their difference in status, he kindly followed up as usual.
She was allowing herself to be swept away by that kindness.
(I never thought I’d become such a troublesome person…)
Although Luna could view herself objectively, she hadn’t felt settled until she had spoken like that.
By expressing her feelings, she had wanted her selfish desires to be heard.
“Hey, Luna. There’s something I’d like you to tell me honestly.”
“Yes?”
“Did anyone perhaps bother you strangely during the greetings?”
“…”
Nothing made her happier than him worrying about her.
On the other hand, she had a frank opinion of [Why would he think that?]. A sly thought also arose.
“I won’t deny that I was bothered in a strange way.”
“!”
(Please pay more attention to me…)
To fulfill just one desire, she tells a lie that doesn’t exist.
In the past, she had never done such a thing. She had never even thought of it. She once again realized how much he had changed her.
“I-I’m so sorry about that! I had considered the possibility, but I couldn’t intervene…”
“Even if that were the case, you wouldn’t be at fault at all.”
To alleviate some of the guilt of deceiving him, she offered a big follow-up.
“But if you have any concerns at all, please pay attention to me. The greetings seem to be winding down now.”
“Is that really all you want?”
“Of course.”
Once again, she indulges in his kindness.
This kind of thinking isn’t right. Even though she knows that, she can’t help it.
“Thank you, really. In fact, I should be the one asking for that.”
“I’m the one who should be thanking you.”
“I understand you were being considerate. Because I said I was ‘at loose ends’.”
“That’s not really true, but you can think of it that way if you like.”
“Then I’ll take you up on that.”
“Understood.”
Although it was just a self-centered thought, it resulted in a pleasant misunderstanding.
Normally, this kind of thing wouldn’t happen.
After all, Luna’s status as the third daughter of a baron family is considered low by other nobles.
From the perspective of the surrounding nobles, she’s not in a position where it’s natural to be shown consideration.
However, in his case, it’s different.
Despite his high status, he doesn’t think it’s natural to ‘be shown consideration’. He truly doesn’t think so.
Luna thinks this is really amazing and challenging.
Except in cases like the songstress who has grasped fame on her own, such behavior can be a cause for being looked down upon. It can also make one easily underestimated.
He must understand this too, yet he doesn’t act accordingly, which is proof that he’s ‘laying down his own rails and walking on them, believing it’s the right path’.
He’s truly a person worthy of respect.
“…Um, I’m sorry for saying this so suddenly, but I… I’m really glad I got to know you.”
“Ahaha… That really is sudden. Did something happen?”
“Yes.”
“I see. I’m glad I got to know you too, Luna.”
“…”
Glancing at him from the side, she sees him smiling slightly, looking somewhat embarrassed. Because of this, she finds herself at a loss for words.
“H-Hey, Luna. At least give me some kind of response…”
“In your case, you’re putting too much feeling into it.”
“Even if you say that…”
“At least do it when we’re alone. When there’s no one else around. Then, I’ll respond properly.”
(I can’t let others see my embarrassed face…)
Only to those she trusts. That’s Luna’s thought.
“Isn’t it more embarrassing when we’re alone…?”
“As long as we’re alone, it’s fine. Even if embarrassing things happen.”
“W-Well…”
“I’m sorry. I said a bit too much.”
As a result of her feelings getting ahead of her, she had confused him.
She needed to hold back a little more… Just as she was reflecting on this from the bottom of her heart, that moment came.
“You two look like you’re having fun flirting~”
“!”
“Gah! Don’t scare us like that, Elena…”
Perhaps just as the reception was ending, she called out to them with her eyebrows twitching.
“Creating such an intimate atmosphere. It’s your fault for not noticing me approaching, you know? At least wait a little longer.”
“Lady Elena. I am the victim here. The perpetrator is next to me.”
It’s important to convey what you think.
Luna raises her hand slightly and appeals with her gaze.
Although he has a look on his face that says [Why!?], she doesn’t let that expression deceive her, and it gets across clearly.
“…Sigh. So it’s his fault, huh. I thought as much.”
“Hey, that’s a bit one-sided… At least hear me out…”
“Isn’t it more likely that you’re lying than Luna? Judging from your reputation.”
“W-Well, that may be true, but that’s not… I mean, I didn’t do anything wrong…”
“Hmm. Then I’ll believe you just a little bit. Just a tiny bit.”
“That’s practically not believing me at all, isn’t it?”
“It’s the result of your daily behavior. Don’t be greedy.”
She looks this way, making eye contact as if to say,
[He created a weird atmosphere, didn’t he? As usual.]
In response to this prompt, Luna nods greatly. And one more thing.
“…Lady Elena.”
“Hm? What is it?”
“I said the same thing, but I’m really glad I got to know you, Lady Elena.”
“W-What’s with that all of a sudden…”
“She’s blushing, she’s blushing– Oof!”
Instead of stopping there, he teased her and received a swift elbow to the side.
She made sure no one around noticed by briefly pressing close to him and creating a blind spot.
Not only that, but she also put on a good act, asking [What’s wrong?] to him as he bent over in pain.
“Fufu…”
If his personal maid were here, how would she have reacted?
Luna suddenly thought as she imagined this.
It was more comfortable than reading in the library as usual.
Still, she can’t help but aim higher.
(I’m no longer satisfied with maintaining the status quo… I’m not.)
After all, she had already made up her mind when she decided to participate in this banquet.
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