Chapter 13
The inside of the banquet hall was, in a word, hell.
“My goodness. Is that really Duke Chelston?”
“Of course. Where else would you find such looks?”
“I’d heard rumors he might attend, but I never thought he’d actually come. There have been so many false rumors about the Duke attending parties before.”
“Exactly. Those who dismissed it as another rumor and didn’t come will be regretting it now. By the way, if the Duke is really here, then the lady beside him must be…”
“Oh my, is she the one from the rumors? She’s prettier than I thought.”
The one from the rumors.
I bit the inside of my cheek upon hearing that title for what felt like the dozenth time since entering the hall.
*’I can hear you, so just stop talking.’*
And the doorkeeper clearly announced me as “Luka Everette” when we entered, so why do they keep using that title?
*’They’re staring so intensely.’*
Even trying not to notice, I could feel countless gazes constantly landing on me. I was starting to worry my skin might develop holes.
At least no one had directly spoken to me yet. So far, I just had to accept greetings alongside Howard when people approached him.
*’It must be because Howard has been staying by my side.’*
They probably have a mountain of questions but are keeping their mouths shut, wary of Howard’s presence.
It seemed no one at this gathering was bold enough to approach someone they weren’t close with and abruptly ask, ‘Your Grace, there’s a rumor you’re seeing someone. Is it true? Is it perhaps this lady beside you?’
Thanks to that, I was able to enjoy the banquet relatively comfortably.
Dancing was a bit precarious, but fortunately, I didn’t trip or fall.
I also managed to answer questions about the Everette barony quite flexibly.
If things had just continued like this, it would have been perfect.
“Captain!”
A voice urgently calling for Howard was heard.
Hearing that title in the banquet hall was rare, so heads naturally turned in that direction.
The person who called Howard was a man.
He was walking towards us, dressed in formal wear like the other nobles. I frowned slightly upon seeing him.
*’What? Why does he look familiar?’*
I haven’t met any nobles in Opullen besides Howard since arriving, so that shouldn’t be possible.
But no matter how much I thought about it, the face before me felt genuinely familiar. It was as if there had been a situation in the past where I had to look at him carefully.
*’The only thing I’ve been that concerned about lately was…’*
I began retracing my steps from recent events backwards: the grueling crash course in etiquette to attend the banquet, proposing the deal to Howard, and nearly having a heart attack when a sudden checkpoint started while I was out searching for my main character…
*’…Damn it.’*
I remembered.
Where I had seen that man.
*’He’s the guy who was at the very front explaining things when the Holy Knights started the checkpoint!’*
No wonder he looked so familiar. His attire was different now, and a month had passed, so I hadn’t recognized him immediately. I hadn’t anticipated this situation. What do I do?
*’Is he recognizing me?’*
At first, I was wearing a robe, and when passing through the gate, my face and hair were completely covered by Howard’s jacket, so the possibility was low, but I was worried nonetheless. Sometimes knights with sharp eyes can tell someone is a disguised criminal just by their movements, don’t they? The fact that Howard chased after me immediately after I fled the checkpoint line meant it was highly probable other Holy Knights had been watching me too.
*’Avoid eye contact as much as possible.’*
I slightly lowered my head to avoid showing my face to the man. Just then, he reached right in front of Howard and me.
“Captain, I have something to report. Sorry, but could I borrow a moment of your… Ah, you have your partner with you.”
I felt the man’s gaze land on me as he trailed off.
No, it’s fine. Don’t mind me. Just treat me like a ghost. Please, don’t look this way and continue your conversation.
I pretended not to hear and prayed inwardly.
But as always, the world was not on my side.
“Um, excuse me…”
The man, hesitating for a moment, spoke up.
“Have we… met somewhere before? You seem somewhat familiar.”
…F***.
I almost swore out loud. The best I could do was quickly curl my lips inward and bite down to prevent any sound. Howard, perhaps noticing my state, whispered softly, just for me to hear.
“Luka, hold on.”
*”Whut shu I du?”* (“What should I do?”)
“I’ll handle it. Just keep smiling.”
Ugh, whatever. If he says he’ll handle it, I guess I have to trust him.
I did as Howard instructed and immediately lifted the corners of my mouth.
Then, Howard, who had subtly moved to shield me, spoke.
“Phillip, even if you are the Vice-Captain, this is rather difficult.”
Good grief.
He wasn’t just a Holy Knight, but the *Vice-Captain* of the Holy Knights?
*’I really want to faint.’*
I gnawed on the inside of my cheek anxiously. With so many nerve-wracking things lately, it felt like there’d be nothing left inside my mouth. Meanwhile, Howard continued.
“Are you perhaps trying to flirt with her right now?”
“…”
“…with *my lover*?”
*SCREEEEEECH!*
Simultaneous with Howard’s warning, a sound akin to an animal cry echoed loudly through the banquet hall. It came from not just one, but several places. I only realized it was a shriek from the mouths of the many attendees after turning my head to look around. Wow, the impact is huge.
*’Well, it makes sense.’*
They had finally received confirmation for the question everyone was curious about but dared not ask—and directly from Howard Chelston himself, no less.
“N-no, sir! That’s not what I meant at all!”
The man, Phillip, waved his hands frantically, seemingly flustered. Judging by his tomato-red face, it seemed unlikely he’d connect me to that fugitive for a while. Howard would clearly take care of the rest.
I rolled my eyes and saw some young ladies wiping tears as they headed for the terrace. While I understand the situation that led Howard to set up a fake lover, seeing that was a bit pitiful.
“Sir, really! Please believe me!”
“Alright. I’ll choose to believe you.”
After a brief back-and-forth, Howard relented. Phillip let out a small sigh of relief and, deliberately avoiding looking in my direction, spoke again.
“As I mentioned earlier, I have something to report. However, it’s a bit difficult to discuss here…”
“Ah.”
Howard glanced my way.
It seemed to be a Holy Knight Order matter. No matter how close lovers are, having me present during important discussions would look odd to others. I also wanted to avoid staying in the same space as Phillip any longer than necessary and didn’t want to invite unnecessary talk. It would probably be more convenient for Howard if I weren’t there too.
“I’ll be back, Cap… Howard. I’ll rest a bit on the terrace.”
I caught myself almost calling him “Captain” and quickly corrected it. Howard, who had been pondering for a moment, nodded.
“Alright. We need to move to a different location anyway, so I’ll escort you to the terrace.”
Howard escorted me all the way to the door leading to the terrace before disappearing with Phillip.
*’Ah, I’m tired.’*
When can we go home? The banquet started late, and since the sky had been dark all along, it was hard to gauge the time. Howard hadn’t said anything, so I figured there was still time before midnight. I didn’t have the courage to check my watch, as that would mean directly confronting the countless stares piercing my back.
*’Let’s rest for a bit first.’*
I opened the terrace door and stepped out.
That is, until someone suddenly rushed over and bumped into me.
“Ah!”
I clutched my stinging shoulder and turned around. Standing before me was the woman who had presumably collided with me. Dark blue hair and dark blue eyes. Another familiar face. Ah, I remember.
*’Serdia Apelles. The youngest daughter of Count Apelles, who’s hosting today’s banquet.’*
I silently observed the woman before me, Serdia.
She, who had also been looking at me, opened her mouth.
“Oh my, I’m sorry. I didn’t see anyone in front of me and ended up bumping into you. Who were you again? Ah, Everette… is it? The young lady?”
Playing dumb while knowing full well. And that collision just now had an impact you couldn’t get unless you were *running* inside a banquet hall. Who walks around that fast holding a wine glass?
*’Ha, and now I see wine splashed on my dress too.’*
I swallowed the sigh that threatened to escape, annoyed. Judging by her hostile expression, it seemed Serdia was also one of those harboring a crush on Howard. I could guess what was going on.
“These things happen. It’s fine.”
I decided to end it there politely and flee to the terrace. I forced a smile.
That’s when it happened.
My eyes caught Serdia’s wrist holding the wine glass.
More precisely, the bracelet with a blue gemstone adorning her wrist.
—
*”Ta-da. Luka, it’s a birthday present. Do you like it?”*
*”I made it myself. It’s one of a kind in the world.”*
—
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
My heart pounded as if it might leap out of my chest.
The bracelet Serdia was wearing right now was an item that had once belonged to me, a very long time ago, before it was taken away.
It belonged to the person I have been desperately searching for.
