Interlude 2
“Lady Aria, your singing was truly wonderful!! I was completely mesmerized!!”
“If there’s another opportunity, I’d love to hear you sing again.”
“Thank you for your kind words. I’ll do my best to meet your expectations next time as well.”
As Aria exchanged greetings with a pair of nobles, a man and a woman, she caught sight of Byleth’s back in the corner of her eye.
He was leaving the venue, holding Elena and Luna’s hands.
(How nice… They’re all so lucky…)
At this time, she always thought the same thing.
It wasn’t just that others were enjoying their free time unlike her—what struck her most was seeing well-matched couples pairing up, or lovers preparing to go home together.
Seeing them leaning against each other, looking affectionate, or showing trust in one another always stirred something within her.
“What are your plans for the rest of the evening?”
When she asked to keep the conversation going, it seemed they were heading to the gentleman’s residence.
They both looked a bit embarrassed.
In other words, they were probably going to spend a passionate night together.
(Ah, I’m so envious!!)
While putting on a smile and saying, “I shouldn’t have asked such a personal question,” this is what she truly thought.
To be honest, it would be easy for Aria to find a lover or a fiancé.
With her great fame as the “Beautiful Songstress” and her status as a duke’s daughter.
However, even if she did, it would only be for appearance’s sake.
She couldn’t feel the same way as everyone else.
The price of continuously playing the role her family demanded was that she had to keep up this facade.
It would be the same even if she had a lover or a fiancé.
She would have to make sure not to disillusion them and tarnish the family name.
There’s no way to find happiness in a life of deception.
(These two are gazing at each other again…)
Aria was also a young woman of marriageable age.
She was very interested in romance. She was confident that she was more interested than anyone else.
Of course, that was because it was a world beyond her reach.
(And that person who accepted my true self is nowhere to be seen…)
Although it had been an enjoyable banquet, this incident left a lasting impression.
(I really should have at least asked for his name…)
Taking a cue from his comment about “having nothing to do,” she had been searching for him, but so far without success.
With more participants leaving at this hour and still no leads, it was unlikely she’d have any luck now.
(I really wanted to talk to him again…)
She thought this again while engaging in light conversation with the two.
Someone whose values aligned with hers, someone she could have become as close to as Sonya.
It was the first time she felt such regret at one of these gatherings.
“Well then, Lady Aria, our carriage has arrived, so we’ll be taking our leave.”
“I understand. Until we meet again.”
(I wonder if I’ll ever meet that person again…)
After finishing the few minutes of farewells with these distracting thoughts, Aria turned her gaze to Sonya, who was standing by the wall before the next round of greetings began.
The fact that Sonya noticed with just this glance showed how attentive she always was.
“What is it, Lady Aria?” she asked, approaching.
In a small voice, Aria said,
“Everyone’s being all lovey-dovey. It’s not fair…”
“This again? Is that all?”
“It’s not fair, so stay by my side.”
“But I’m a woman.”
“That’s fine.”
“It would be more efficient for greetings if we split up.”
“It’s fine.”
Although she understood logically, she wouldn’t yield. At this time, distraction took priority.
“Sigh. You seem to have been more affected than usual today.”
“…Mm.”
She nodded.
(If only I could have met that person again, or at least found out who he was, I wouldn’t be feeling so conflicted.)
She drooped her shoulders inwardly, reflecting on the choices that led to her regret.
However, it wasn’t all negative.
Today’s banquet had truly been enjoyable.
There had been a very positive outcome.
To know that there was a gentleman who accepted her true self.
To know that there were gentlemen who, like her, didn’t hold typical noble thoughts.
This was something to be truly happy about.
Something she could genuinely feel pleased about from the bottom of her heart.
“…Hehe.”
“What’s the matter? You suddenly started laughing.”
“Oh, it’s nothing~”
“I find that hard to believe.”
As Aria brushed off Sonya’s retort with a smile, new participants approached to bid farewell.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
(I’m sure I’ll have a really nice dream tonight.)
The fact that she could switch her mood so quickly was because she was in such high spirits.
(I hope I can really meet him again someday…)
With these thoughts in mind, Aria’s eyes softened.
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