(123) What are you (1)
"If we banish him far away, Duke Obelius will be unable to think about anything else for a long time. If we leave him alive, neither you nor the Little Lord will be hurt."
Ariana looked back at Shini with a slightly refreshed feeling.
When did Shini, who couldn't even speak properly, start thinking about so many things?!
“That’s admirable. I knew you could think like that.”
“I hope my master is not sad.”
“I won’t be sad if I kill Duke Obelius.”
"The death of Duke Obelius isn't sad, but the suffering of the Eastern Lord must be. That's what family is like."
“...”
"When the master is sick or in a bad mood, the master's family all wear sad expressions. If Little Lord is suffering, the master and your family will also feel sad."
Ariana didn't think of that.
She only thought about her own feelings, not how her family would perceive Geor's suffering.
I see. If the Obelisk family is destroyed, the White family will have to watch Geor's every move. They'll be in an awkward position, unable to reject Geor, whom they've already accepted as family, but unable to treat him the same way they used to.
“Shini, I’m such a selfish and mean kid.”
"No, Master. It's a beautiful day today, Master. Really."
Autumn of 211 AD.
A perfume boom occurred on the continent.
The first to set the trend was the Princess, considered the most beautiful on the continent. Her favorite perfume, "Peonica," became a hit among the nobility. While expensive, the nobles spared no expense in purchasing this long-lasting, exquisite perfume.
And even among the common people, a perfume called 'Eribel' became popular, which was cheaper than 'Peonica' and had a similar scent but with a shorter-lasting power.
The nobles showed off their wealth by using 'Peonica' as an air freshener, and the commoners also sprinkled 'Eribel' on important occasions.
Investors in the perfume business screamed with joy at the money pouring in, and the business owner, Count Gabion, went around throwing large sums of money around to announce his success.
As the fragrance of Helon flowers filled the entire continent, the wedding of Crown Prince David Blenwit and Yuria, daughter of Marquis Marelin, took place.
“The perfume smells terrible.”
Cyrus, who visited the palace to attend the Crown Prince's wedding, frowned at the scent of peony that filled the palace. Andrei clicked his tongue.
"The Princess's popularity is truly remarkable. Her single word has sparked such a trend. The streets are filled with this scent."
Thanks to the Third Prince's ability to lure the Princess into using Peonic, Cyrus didn't have to exert any effort to popularize the perfume. While the Third Prince held no lingering feelings, this incident would have dealt him considerable damage.
'Everything is going exactly as Ariana expected.'
Since Ariana left the North in April of this year, Cyrus hasn't gone a single moment without thinking about her.
When he opens his eyes in the morning, when he eats, when he walks in the garden or trains, when he washes, when he works, and even when he jokes around with Isaac or Andrei.
Ariana was there at every moment.
When their bodies grow distant, so does their hearts, and when they can't see each other, they think less. But why does her scent grow stronger as the days go by?!
Memories that followed him so much that it was annoying, things like her smile and her lighthearted tone made Cyrus suffer.
“Is the Princess Consort here too?!”
His heart sank as Andrei muttered while looking around.
Yes, maybe Ariana was at this party too. The thought made his jaw and hands tense. Cyrus felt nervous. Then, realizing how nervous he was, he burst out laughing.
Are you nervous? Why on earth? It's just meeting the Princess of the East. What could possibly go wrong?
Rather, he should have sharpened his nerves and faced her.
Ariana possessed an unknown power, perhaps derived from Paganus. Her thoughts were entirely focused on herself, perhaps because she had used the power of blood. They had discussed working toward a common goal, but perhaps she hadn't originally intended to do so.
In short, she is a target of caution.
There's nothing easier than being wary of others. Ever since his parents died when he was five, Cyrus had always been wary of everyone. Trusting, in fact, was even harder.
So, as always, all he has to do is be wary of Ariana, judge her as an enemy, and watch her every move. If necessary, he can even send someone to the East to keep an eye on her.
Instead of doing that, he just sits there dumbly, tense enough that his palms start to sweat.
It's pathetic and funny.
“Oh my, Your Excellency.”
Cyrus came to his senses at the sound of a thin voice coming from behind him.
While thinking of Ariana, he sharpened his nerves, which had become dull, as usual, and turned around with a faint smile on his lips.
People were standing there whom he didn't want to meet.
The Duke and Duchess of Bronte.
Helena's expression was almost breathless as she saw Cyrus. The Western Lord spoke first.
“You treated our granddaughter well while she was in the North?”
For a moment, Cyrus quickly considered whether or not it would be helpful for Ariana to confront the Western Lord at this point.
Then he laughed self-deprecatingly.
Even at this point, when he should be suspicious and wary of Ariana, he's still contemplating which side would be better for her. This way, even if she were to slit his throat while he's asleep, he has nothing to say.
"I treat her well. It's just a shame that I don't have much time to show her everything I want to."
When Cyrus, who had been arrogant when they had met before, became respectful, the Western Lord smiled with satisfaction.
Helena stared at Victoria with wide eyes. She had no idea Victoria would meet Cyrus in the North.
Victoria spoke to Cyrus in a friendly manner, smiling brightly as if she was looking at Helena.
"It was a short time, but Your Excellency, your kind consideration broadened my horizons. By the way, Your Excellency, are you using the handkerchief I gave you?"
He burned it on the spot.
But he couldn't say that. He was more cautious now, thinking that his attitude might affect Ariana's plans.
So Cyrus remembered the handkerchief Ariana had given him. The eagle-emblazoned handkerchief was still tucked away in the depths of Cyrus's desk drawer, waiting to be used.
“I felt bad about it, so I couldn’t use it and put it in a drawer.”
“Oh my. If it gets old, I’ll make another one for you.”
"I can't make you do that kind of work. Then have a good time."
Cyrus bowed slightly in greeting and turned around quickly.
Helena's sharp voice reached Cyrus's ears as he walked.
"Hey, Victoria. When on earth did you meet the Northern Lord? Grandfather, did you really send her to the Northern Territory? You just told me she was on an urgent errand."
Andrei whispered softly.
“It seems the Bronte family isn’t all that harmonious.”
"If they were a harmonious family, they wouldn't have treated their stepfamily so badly. Just look at the White family. They cherish their stepchild, who isn't their own."
“Right. The Eastern Lord and the Little Lord are truly... Ah, there you are.”
Andrei pointed somewhere.
He could tell immediately who he was referring to.
Eastern Lord, Lord Russell White, stood out for his size and height. Standing beside him, Eastern Little Lord, Lord Geor White, was slender but possessed a striking appearance that captivated the eye.
This was Geor's first visit to the Empire, and the ladies and gentlemen who didn't know him were looking at him with a mixture of curiosity and interest. Of course, Cyrus was the one receiving the most attention.
Cyrus didn't want to talk to Russell, but their eyes met.
Blue eyes just like Ariana's. Infinitely clear and pure.
Even though Russell and Ariana didn't look all that similar, Ariana's face overlapped his. Cyrus heart sank.
“The Northern Lord. The Little Duke of Hern.”
Perhaps because he had a keen eye for detail, Russell called out to the two men from a distance. Cyrus nodded.
“Your Excellency.”
Throughout their brief exchange of greetings, Cyrus searched for Ariana, who might be somewhere within his field of vision. The thought of seeing her soon made his heart pound and his breathing difficult.
Then Andrei asked.
“But didn’t the Princess come with you?”
It was Geor who answered the question.
"Our Ariana is weak, so it's not good for her to travel long distances. I'm blaming God for giving her such a frail body."
Our Ariana.
He really didn't like that title.
He frowned, then met Geor's eyes. Geor gave him a sharp gaze that seemed to pierce Cyrus' mind.
Cyrus didn't like Geor.
It was like that from the moment he first saw him, but it got even worse the moment he called Ariana "our Ariana." It's not just that he doesn't like him; he really hates him.
"Is the Princess feeling unwell? At least she seemed a bit better when she was in North..."
Geor smiled at Andrei's words.
"Of course, thanks to all of you taking such good care of Ariana, she's gotten a lot better. But for some reason, she couldn't even celebrate her birthday properly, and she came back in a hurry, which seems to have caused her to get sick."
His heart sank.
Andrei glanced at Cyrus accusingly.
Cyrus wanted to ask.
Is she feeling better now? Was it really bad? Is she eating well? Has she gained some weight? What is she up to these days? Does she smile a lot when she's in the East? Does she still have that sweet, radiant smile she showed me in the East?
A lot of questions were swirling around in his mouth.
Andrei tried to make excuses for Ariana's sudden departure, but he was too worried about her condition to understand what she was saying.
While the Eastern Lord was talking and the little Lord was babbling, Cyrus only thought about Ariana.
Soon, the Eastern lord left first, and Geor, who remained behind, spoke.
"The birthday story was just a joke. Thank you for taking such good care of our Ariana for so long. I hope she won't be a nuisance to the North again for so long."
Cyrus didn't like the way he spoke, as if he were anything like Ariana.
Who are you to decide whether or not to bother me? Shouldn't Ariana decide whether or not to bother me? And since when has Ariana been your Ariana? Who are you to call her by her name?
"If we banish him far away, Duke Obelius will be unable to think about anything else for a long time. If we leave him alive, neither you nor the Little Lord will be hurt."
Ariana looked back at Shini with a slightly refreshed feeling.
When did Shini, who couldn't even speak properly, start thinking about so many things?!
“That’s admirable. I knew you could think like that.”
“I hope my master is not sad.”
“I won’t be sad if I kill Duke Obelius.”
"The death of Duke Obelius isn't sad, but the suffering of the Eastern Lord must be. That's what family is like."
“...”
"When the master is sick or in a bad mood, the master's family all wear sad expressions. If Little Lord is suffering, the master and your family will also feel sad."
Ariana didn't think of that.
She only thought about her own feelings, not how her family would perceive Geor's suffering.
I see. If the Obelisk family is destroyed, the White family will have to watch Geor's every move. They'll be in an awkward position, unable to reject Geor, whom they've already accepted as family, but unable to treat him the same way they used to.
“Shini, I’m such a selfish and mean kid.”
"No, Master. It's a beautiful day today, Master. Really."
***
Autumn of 211 AD.
A perfume boom occurred on the continent.
The first to set the trend was the Princess, considered the most beautiful on the continent. Her favorite perfume, "Peonica," became a hit among the nobility. While expensive, the nobles spared no expense in purchasing this long-lasting, exquisite perfume.
And even among the common people, a perfume called 'Eribel' became popular, which was cheaper than 'Peonica' and had a similar scent but with a shorter-lasting power.
The nobles showed off their wealth by using 'Peonica' as an air freshener, and the commoners also sprinkled 'Eribel' on important occasions.
Investors in the perfume business screamed with joy at the money pouring in, and the business owner, Count Gabion, went around throwing large sums of money around to announce his success.
As the fragrance of Helon flowers filled the entire continent, the wedding of Crown Prince David Blenwit and Yuria, daughter of Marquis Marelin, took place.
It was November of the 211th year of Ratan.
Cyrus, who visited the palace to attend the Crown Prince's wedding, frowned at the scent of peony that filled the palace. Andrei clicked his tongue.
"The Princess's popularity is truly remarkable. Her single word has sparked such a trend. The streets are filled with this scent."
Thanks to the Third Prince's ability to lure the Princess into using Peonic, Cyrus didn't have to exert any effort to popularize the perfume. While the Third Prince held no lingering feelings, this incident would have dealt him considerable damage.
'Everything is going exactly as Ariana expected.'
Since Ariana left the North in April of this year, Cyrus hasn't gone a single moment without thinking about her.
When he opens his eyes in the morning, when he eats, when he walks in the garden or trains, when he washes, when he works, and even when he jokes around with Isaac or Andrei.
Ariana was there at every moment.
When their bodies grow distant, so does their hearts, and when they can't see each other, they think less. But why does her scent grow stronger as the days go by?!
Memories that followed him so much that it was annoying, things like her smile and her lighthearted tone made Cyrus suffer.
“Is the Princess Consort here too?!”
His heart sank as Andrei muttered while looking around.
Yes, maybe Ariana was at this party too. The thought made his jaw and hands tense. Cyrus felt nervous. Then, realizing how nervous he was, he burst out laughing.
Are you nervous? Why on earth? It's just meeting the Princess of the East. What could possibly go wrong?
Rather, he should have sharpened his nerves and faced her.
Ariana possessed an unknown power, perhaps derived from Paganus. Her thoughts were entirely focused on herself, perhaps because she had used the power of blood. They had discussed working toward a common goal, but perhaps she hadn't originally intended to do so.
In short, she is a target of caution.
There's nothing easier than being wary of others. Ever since his parents died when he was five, Cyrus had always been wary of everyone. Trusting, in fact, was even harder.
So, as always, all he has to do is be wary of Ariana, judge her as an enemy, and watch her every move. If necessary, he can even send someone to the East to keep an eye on her.
Instead of doing that, he just sits there dumbly, tense enough that his palms start to sweat.
It's pathetic and funny.
“Oh my, Your Excellency.”
Cyrus came to his senses at the sound of a thin voice coming from behind him.
While thinking of Ariana, he sharpened his nerves, which had become dull, as usual, and turned around with a faint smile on his lips.
People were standing there whom he didn't want to meet.
The Duke and Duchess of Bronte.
Helena's expression was almost breathless as she saw Cyrus. The Western Lord spoke first.
“You treated our granddaughter well while she was in the North?”
For a moment, Cyrus quickly considered whether or not it would be helpful for Ariana to confront the Western Lord at this point.
Then he laughed self-deprecatingly.
Even at this point, when he should be suspicious and wary of Ariana, he's still contemplating which side would be better for her. This way, even if she were to slit his throat while he's asleep, he has nothing to say.
"I treat her well. It's just a shame that I don't have much time to show her everything I want to."
When Cyrus, who had been arrogant when they had met before, became respectful, the Western Lord smiled with satisfaction.
Helena stared at Victoria with wide eyes. She had no idea Victoria would meet Cyrus in the North.
Victoria spoke to Cyrus in a friendly manner, smiling brightly as if she was looking at Helena.
"It was a short time, but Your Excellency, your kind consideration broadened my horizons. By the way, Your Excellency, are you using the handkerchief I gave you?"
He burned it on the spot.
But he couldn't say that. He was more cautious now, thinking that his attitude might affect Ariana's plans.
So Cyrus remembered the handkerchief Ariana had given him. The eagle-emblazoned handkerchief was still tucked away in the depths of Cyrus's desk drawer, waiting to be used.
“I felt bad about it, so I couldn’t use it and put it in a drawer.”
“Oh my. If it gets old, I’ll make another one for you.”
"I can't make you do that kind of work. Then have a good time."
Cyrus bowed slightly in greeting and turned around quickly.
Helena's sharp voice reached Cyrus's ears as he walked.
"Hey, Victoria. When on earth did you meet the Northern Lord? Grandfather, did you really send her to the Northern Territory? You just told me she was on an urgent errand."
Andrei whispered softly.
“It seems the Bronte family isn’t all that harmonious.”
"If they were a harmonious family, they wouldn't have treated their stepfamily so badly. Just look at the White family. They cherish their stepchild, who isn't their own."
“Right. The Eastern Lord and the Little Lord are truly... Ah, there you are.”
Andrei pointed somewhere.
He could tell immediately who he was referring to.
Eastern Lord, Lord Russell White, stood out for his size and height. Standing beside him, Eastern Little Lord, Lord Geor White, was slender but possessed a striking appearance that captivated the eye.
This was Geor's first visit to the Empire, and the ladies and gentlemen who didn't know him were looking at him with a mixture of curiosity and interest. Of course, Cyrus was the one receiving the most attention.
Cyrus didn't want to talk to Russell, but their eyes met.
Blue eyes just like Ariana's. Infinitely clear and pure.
Even though Russell and Ariana didn't look all that similar, Ariana's face overlapped his. Cyrus heart sank.
“The Northern Lord. The Little Duke of Hern.”
Perhaps because he had a keen eye for detail, Russell called out to the two men from a distance. Cyrus nodded.
“Your Excellency.”
Throughout their brief exchange of greetings, Cyrus searched for Ariana, who might be somewhere within his field of vision. The thought of seeing her soon made his heart pound and his breathing difficult.
Then Andrei asked.
“But didn’t the Princess come with you?”
It was Geor who answered the question.
"Our Ariana is weak, so it's not good for her to travel long distances. I'm blaming God for giving her such a frail body."
Our Ariana.
He really didn't like that title.
He frowned, then met Geor's eyes. Geor gave him a sharp gaze that seemed to pierce Cyrus' mind.
Cyrus didn't like Geor.
It was like that from the moment he first saw him, but it got even worse the moment he called Ariana "our Ariana." It's not just that he doesn't like him; he really hates him.
"Is the Princess feeling unwell? At least she seemed a bit better when she was in North..."
Geor smiled at Andrei's words.
"Of course, thanks to all of you taking such good care of Ariana, she's gotten a lot better. But for some reason, she couldn't even celebrate her birthday properly, and she came back in a hurry, which seems to have caused her to get sick."
His heart sank.
Andrei glanced at Cyrus accusingly.
Cyrus wanted to ask.
Is she feeling better now? Was it really bad? Is she eating well? Has she gained some weight? What is she up to these days? Does she smile a lot when she's in the East? Does she still have that sweet, radiant smile she showed me in the East?
A lot of questions were swirling around in his mouth.
Andrei tried to make excuses for Ariana's sudden departure, but he was too worried about her condition to understand what she was saying.
While the Eastern Lord was talking and the little Lord was babbling, Cyrus only thought about Ariana.
Soon, the Eastern lord left first, and Geor, who remained behind, spoke.
"The birthday story was just a joke. Thank you for taking such good care of our Ariana for so long. I hope she won't be a nuisance to the North again for so long."
Cyrus didn't like the way he spoke, as if he were anything like Ariana.
Who are you to decide whether or not to bother me? Shouldn't Ariana decide whether or not to bother me? And since when has Ariana been your Ariana? Who are you to call her by her name?
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