If they could invite Aria, whose quality was guaranteed, to their soirée, they could greatly increase the satisfaction of the participants.
In other words, it would be like adding prestige to their house.
Moreover, from the duke’s family’s perspective, they could both curry favor and strengthen relationships.
It was easy to imagine how much Aria and the others were contributing to the duke’s family.
(I understand the logic, but maybe my values are off… I don’t know…)
If Aria was doing this because she liked it, he wouldn’t think this way at all.
But he had heard it.
[Someday I might not be able to do it anymore, you know~ What I’m supposed to do.]
[In my household, I can’t voice my opinions~ It’s all about power first.]
Although her tone had been too light, she would know herself best.
And what would happen if she continued this life.
(I don’t know Aria-sama’s family circumstances, and I don’t know if what Luna told me applies, but if it’s true and someday we won’t be able to hear this song anymore… I hope they don’t get caught up in short-term gains…)
Feelings overflow from the depths of his heart, but the other person’s position is higher. It’s also a family matter. There’s nothing he can say about this.
“Hey, Byleth. Aria-sama’s singing… Not for you?”
“Huh? Why do you say that?”
Just as Byleth was lost in thought, a small voice called out from beside him.
Byleth turned to see Elena with her eyebrows lowered.
“B-because unlike everyone else, you’re the only one with a stern expression.”
“Ah.”
Byleth realized it when she pointed it out. His brows had been furrowed.
“Haha… It’s not that it doesn’t suit me. I just get this look when I’m entranced.”
“Well, if that’s the case…”
“I’m sorry for causing a misunderstanding.”
Elena is part of the organizing side.
It’s natural for her to worry if she thought Byleth wasn’t enjoying myself.
Reflecting on the strange misunderstanding He caused, Byleth relaxes his face as if switching gears.
“Thank you so much for inviting me today.”
“I-it’s not like I invited you because I was thinking about you… Don’t misunderstand.”
“Yes, yes.”
As Elena returns to her usual self, Byleth brush her off lightly, and Aria’s song comes to an end.
One by one, the applause grows, and Byleth also joins in with enthusiastic clapping.
It was at that moment.
“…!”
Was it by chance? Aria’s head moved—and their eyes met.
“Huh? What’s wrong? You suddenly flinched.”
Elena, who had been watching Byleth, seemed unaware of what happened.
“I think I might have disturbed Aria-sama… Was my voice too loud…?”
“Isn’t it because you were giving her a stern look? Your voice was well-controlled.”
“I-I’m sorry about that too…”
Byleth accept it because there’s the fact that Byleth is feared by those around me.
“Sigh. Anyway, focus. If you have time to smile at me, that expression of yours is… well, you know. What if Aria-sama loses concentration while singing because of you? How will you take responsibility?”
“Well… That wasn’t even a fake smile earlier…”
Byleth returns Elena’s glare with one of his own.
“Was it really that strange?”
“…”
“Y-your silence is affirmation, I guess…”
Just as Byleth mutter those words, Aria’s second song begins, but Elena is right about these things.
For now, Byleth decide to immerse myself in the precious time of listening to Aria’s singing.
About thirty minutes later,
as the last song was about to begin, Elena leaned close to Byleth’s ear.
“Hey, about our promise… Is 9 PM good for you…?”
It was to convey those words.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
After [The Beautiful Songstress] Aria’s performance ended and the servants finished cleaning up the venue, the participants who returned to the hall wore expressions of contentment.
The venue was filled with an atmosphere of lingering emotion as people shared their impressions of the wonderful songs they had just heard.
“She’s really amazing, isn’t she? I wonder how Aria-sama can sing such beautiful songs… I’m sure she puts in a lot of effort, but it makes me envious.”
“Yes! I wish I could hear more too!”
“I feel the same way. Thank you again for the invitation, Miss Elena. We were able to spend such a precious time.”
“No need for thanks. We’re just happy that you enjoyed yourselves.”
These three have grown closer throughout the day.
As they chat, Byleth seizes the opportunity to ask a question.
“Um, there’s something I’d like to know. Do you know where Aria-sama’s lady-in-waiting, Sonya-san, is right now?”
“Huh? At this time, I think she’d be with Aria-sama in the room arranged by her father.”
“Ah, I see…”
We had just listened to a song of such high quality.
It was only natural that they would be taking a break to recover from fatigue.
“Do you have some business with her, Lord Byleth?”
“W-well… it’s not really business, just… various things, you know.”
“Various things?”
“S-something like that.”
“Something like that, huh?”
As Elena, Sia, and Luna exchange words in turn, their expressions change like falling dominoes.
Great suspicion. Pure curiosity. Skepticism.
Such gazes are conveyed from each of them.
In reality, it’s understandable to receive such reactions.
Byleth hadn’t clearly answered why hr asked or for what purpose.
“As one of the organizers, I’d like to confirm… You’re not planning anything bad, are you?”
“Of course not! I just want to have a little chat, that’s all.”
“Well, if that’s the case…”
Elena raises an eyebrow as she continues speaking.
“Well, Aria-sama should be arriving with her in about ten minutes or so, so just wait patiently, okay? If it’s not Aria-sama you want to talk to, you’ll surely get a chance to speak with Sonya-san.”
“Thanks for letting me know. I’ll just wait near the entrance then. I think it’ll be easier to approach them that way.”
“You want to talk that badly even though we’re here?”
“Just a little bit. Just a little.”
Byleth leaves the group with a wry smile, raising his hand and saying, “Well then.”
“…I wonder what he’s really thinking. He seemed quite eager to talk about something.”
“I can’t guess either. It’s strange that he doesn’t want to speak with Aria-sama herself.”
Elena wears a displeased expression, while Luna looks puzzled as they watch Byleth standing alone near the entrance.
“Maybe Sonya-sama is actually his type. Perhaps he’s trying to establish some kind of relationship with her.”
“He did seem concerned about her, so that’s a possibility.”
As the two exchange opinions, their beautiful doll-like faces turned towards each other—
“Um… if I may say something, I don’t think Lord Byleth has such intentions…”
Sia interjects, clasping her hands together.
“Huh?”
“Why do you think that?”
“Because when Lord Byleth left us, his profile changed to a very serious expression.”
She adds, “It was as if he had switched his mood entirely.”
“I noticed that too, but it could have been nervousness about approaching them…?”
“He might be trying to come up with words to invite her somewhere.”
“Your opinions are valid, but I think he wants to talk about something he’s concerned about. …That expression was similar to the one he has when he’s worried about me.”
Sia’s words are based on intuition, but they come from an excellent lady-in-waiting who serves Byleth on the front lines.
Because her words carry weight, neither Elena nor Luna could argue against them.
“A-and if I may add one more thing, Lord Byleth is quite shy, so I don’t think you need to worry about the kind of things you’re imagining…”
“Oh!”
“Ah.”
This statement struck a chord with Elena and Luna.
“W-well, I suppose that’s true.”
“Yes.”
“…”
“…”
A moment of silence falls.
The two look at each other, then turn to Sia with embarrassed expressions.
Understanding that she had seen through various things.
“Luna, when should we punish Sia? As long as Byleth doesn’t find out, we won’t get scolded.”
“We’ve been teased, haven’t we? I’m in for that idea.”
“W-wawa…”
Surrounded by an intimidating aura, Sia trembles nervously.
“U-um… I just remembered I have some greetings left to make, so please excuse me!”
And with that, the lady-in-waiting chose a swift retreat.
“Hehe, she’s as cute as ever.”
“She didn’t take us seriously, did she? It would be troublesome if she actually got punished.”
“Don’t worry. She should understand the nuance of our joke. I’m sure she had another motive for leaving the scene.”
“…You mean because her master left, it’s only temporary?”
“Yes. I think she was being considerate of how others might perceive the situation.”
Byleth waiting alone. His personal attendant casually chatting.
To avoid creating such an awkward situation.
“As expected of her.”
“Hehe, that’s just like her.”
Luna’s eyes narrow, and Elena smiles softly.
Their exchange clearly shows the good relationships they’ve built.
“Now then… With our bodyguard gone, things are about to get busy for a while.”
“Busy?”
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