“From now on, people will be free to leave or spend time as they wish, so the nighttime invitations will increase. Even those we’ve refused before will try again persistently.”
“That sounds tough.”
“You’re talking as if it’s someone else’s problem, but you’ll probably be the main target, you know? Be careful of those who try to sweet-talk you into accepting.”
“Thank you for your concern. But I’ll be fine. I’ll just tell them I have an important promise with him.”
“Indeed, if you mention his name, they probably won’t pester you too much.”
“Yes. Elena-san should try it too.”
“Hehe, maybe I will. It’s a good opportunity, after all.”
“I think that would be best.”
It’s not a lie, but a legitimate excuse to refuse. And they can also make their relationship known to others.
The two women exchange knowing looks,
and even after Aria arrives at the venue, male nobles continue to appear before them one after another.
Meanwhile,
at the end of the wide corridor outside the hall, another conversation was taking place.
“I was quite surprised, though. Your sudden question about ‘how Aria-sama takes care of her throat’ caught me off guard.”
“Haha, I’m really sorry about that. I know it doesn’t sound convincing, but I didn’t have any weird intentions…”
“Of course, I understand. In my opinion, there must have been some trigger for this, wasn’t there?”
Sonya adds, “In that case, it would be better if we talked privately.”
(Wow, it’s amazing how perceptive he is with so few words… He shouldn’t have heard anything from Lady Aria…)
This is the kind of maneuvering that even the talented Sia would do.
“W-well, it’s not like there was a specific trigger…”
“I see. Let’s leave it at that then. It seems you have some circumstances you’d rather keep hidden.”
“Th-thank you very much.”
Despite Byleth best acting, they saw through to his true feelings, but that’s not surprising.
After all, such questions wouldn’t be asked without some reason.
“Shall we return to the main topic? You wanted to know about Lady Aria’s vocal care routine, correct?”
“Yes.”
“It’s quite standard. Warming up before singing, staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water, avoiding coughing, gargling, and getting enough sleep.”
“Is there… anything else?”
“No.”
Upon hearing that answer, Byleth thought:
[So that’s how it is.]
These are common care practices in this world. However, from the perspective of someone from a world with advanced science, technology, and medicine like Byleth, this care seems insufficient.
Even someone not well-versed in music could say that much.
“Um…”
“You want to say ‘that’s still not enough care,’ right? I can tell from your expression.”
“…”
“I appreciate your concern. So, as thanks, let me give you one piece of advice.”
With this preface, Sonya fixed me with a sharp gaze while maintaining her dignified attitude.
“The area you’re about to step into concerns our domain. Are you prepared to stake the name of Saintford and your title of Marquis?”
“Prepared…?”
“Yes. Currently, what Lady Aria is doing is the correct method of care. If her condition were to worsen after incorporating your advice, you would face pressure and persecution from many nobles, including the Duke. Of course, I, who allowed Lady Aria to follow incorrect care, would have to pay with my life.”
“!?”
What surprised me wasn’t the threat of persecution.
It was that even Sonya would have to take responsibility.
With her irreplaceable life…
“U-um… Is there any way I could take responsibility for Sonya’s life with my own…?”
“Fufu, so you have that much resolve and confidence.”
“Y-yes.”
If Byleth didn’t, he wouldn’t have interfered like this.
Byleth wouldn’t do something that carries such risk.
“…In that case, would it be acceptable if I were to hear the care methods from you, examine them, and then implement them?”
“I understand. Let’s do that.”
Byleth can sense Sonya’s thoughtfulness in trying to minimize the risk as much as possible.
“Just to be clear, if worst comes to worst, shall we end our lives together? That way of taking responsibility shouldn’t lead to the worst outcome for the Saintford family. Also, it might be a bit easier with two people.”
“Ha-haha… Y-yes, I suppose so.”
She must have made up her mind about everything…
Byleth showed a strained smile, desperately trying to suppress the tremor in his voice, while Sonya smiled confidently with a dignified attitude.
Now that there’s no turning back, he steels himself with the thought that [There’s no way I could be wrong].
“Well then, could you please tell me about these methods?”
“Yes.”
The fear ends here.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
Switching to a serious expression, Byleth takes a breath before explaining the care methods.
Placing a damp towel by the pillow to humidify the air would be good.
Warming the neck area before sleeping would be beneficial.
Drinking tea mixed with honey would be helpful.
He carefully explained these three points while counting on his fingers.
As soon as he finished speaking, he was immediately questioned.
“Um, can placing a damp towel by the pillow really humidify the air? We already have her drink plenty of water to keep her throat moist, so that idea seems like it could be effective.”
“If the room is large, you might need to prepare more, but it can humidify the air.”
“I see. Then, why does warming the neck area help with throat care?”
“…”
“Additionally, why is honey effective? I’ve never heard of mixing honey with tea. Is it actually palatable? Honestly, it seems even more unorthodox than adding milk.”
“…………”
This knowledge is from his previous life.
Without that information, it shouldn’t be so easily accepted.
(Wh-what should I do…? I didn’t think about that… I don’t understand the logic at all…)
Even if you know something is effective, many people can’t answer “why it’s effective.”
Byleth is one of those people.
He furrowed his brow, maintaining a troubled expression while racking his brain for several tens of seconds.
Sonya was the first to speak.
“I apologize. I’ve been asking such undignified questions. If I were to answer these, it would result in me taking all the credit for your contributions.”
“!?”
For some reason, she said something incomprehensible.
“You’re not only young but also of high status, yet you have enough confidence to risk your life. You must have done something and obtained concrete evidence. Moreover, the information you’ve shared isn’t yet common knowledge in this world. In other words, it’s undoubtedly valuable information.”
“Th-thank you…”
It seems that risking his life had led to great credibility. Thanks to her reading deeply into the situation, she accepted it.
If he hadn’t risked his life at that time… just thinking about it makes him break out in a cold sweat for a different reason.
“Um… I don’t intend to spread this information, so if it proves effective, you’re welcome to use it as you see fit.”
(Even if I have this information, I can’t explain why it works…)
That’s his true feeling.
If they had questioned [How do you know this if you can’t explain it?], there would have been no way to cover up his situation.
“…I don’t mean to doubt you or make you uncomfortable, but it’s often said that if something sounds too good to be true, there’s usually a catch. Would you mind explaining why you’re willing to hand over this information?”
“That’s a fair question. …Although my reasons are quite personal, I really don’t want to lose the chance to hear Lady Aria’s singing in the future. I had such a wonderful time today that it made me feel that way.”
“Is that your reason?”
“Yes!”
He smiles, trying not to appear insincere.
(I want to help, but this is all I can do…)
Although it pains him that he can’t solve the root cause, he strongly hopes that if they follow the care methods he shared, it will at least make things a bit easier for her.
“Thank you. However, you speak as if you know Lady Aria’s circumstances quite accurately. …Almost as if you’ve heard it from someone.”
“Ah, haha… That’s just my intuition. I can imagine she must have a demanding schedule, so I thought there might be days when her throat gets strained.”
That encounter in the darkness was dreamlike. It’s not something to be made public, and Aria would probably keep it to herself as well.
With that, he had said what he wanted to say. The main topic should be over.
Just as Byleth was about to conclude with “Sorry for taking so long,” he heard unexpected words.
“Her throat gets strained… you say. How useless I am, truly.”
“Huh?”
Sonya bit her lip.
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