MMLC 65

Chapter 65

“…Hmph.”

Mia and Karlin continued trading barbs for quite a while longer, only finally closing their mouths around the time I grew bored enough to yawn.

Since the exchange was completely lacking in substance, the nobles gradually lost interest in us and split off into small groups, forming their own little worlds.

“Today’s meeting was pleasant. Lady Silia, Lady Mia. I believe I should be on my way now—I have other matters to attend to.”

Karlin, who was clearly an attention seeker, fluttered her fan lightly and spoke in a coy tone. In response, Mia also waved her fan elegantly and gave a small nod.

“I enjoyed it as well, Lady Karlin. Didn’t you, Silia?”
“Ah, yes. I did too.”

While gently patting Axion’s back as he began to nod off—apparently just as bored as I was—I gave a half-hearted reply.

I thought I saw Karlin’s eyebrow twitch, but I didn’t really care.

Once she and her followers retreated in a cluster, the area around us became remarkably quiet.

Did Mara get mixed up with this place or something? Why do incidents keep happening right here?

This corner seat was where I had hidden myself to calm down, but the thought crossed my mind that perhaps the location itself was cursed.

As I sat there with a serious expression, deep in thought, Mia whispered to me in a cautious voice.

“Um… I-I’m sorry, Lady Evanroir. I overstepped and interfered, didn’t I…?”

“Huh?”

The bold woman who had stood her ground against Karlin earlier was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Mia shrank back with a timid expression, her shoulders hunched.

“I just couldn’t stand by and watch. You’re someone who gave me such an important realization…”

Had I really given her something that profound?

Feeling a bit burdened, I quickly shook my head.

“No, not at all. It’s nothing like that. And I’m really fine. If anything, I’m grateful. Thank you for helping me.”

“R-really…?”

Mia smiled shyly and lowered her head slightly. Her cheeks were flushed pink like ripe peaches, as if she were embarrassed.

“Of course. Thank you, Lady Mia.”
“N-no, it was only natural.”

She fidgeted with her hands and shook her head, then subtly pointed toward Axion.

“The baby is really cute. May I take a closer look?”
“Oh. Yes. He’s asleep right now, so you might not be able to see him very well.”

Mia clasped her hands together and leaned in to examine Axion. Then she let out a small squeal.

“He’s so cute and adorable. Those chubby cheeks!”

Axion’s rice-cake-like cheeks really were his biggest charm point.

After that, Mia chattered on endlessly, praising Axion. By the time I was grinning foolishly, my shoulders puffed with pride as a mother, she suddenly said—

“But still, I had no idea you had such a story, Lady Evanroir.”

“…Pardon?”
“That’s why you said those things to me earlier.”

Mia suddenly bowed her head deeply as she spoke.

She seemed to be experiencing a surge of emotion—her voice and shoulders trembled noticeably.

Why was I suddenly being turned into some woman with a tragic backstory?

Well… considering even the head of the household didn’t know about her son’s existence, it wasn’t an unreasonable assumption.

“Where is this child’s father…?”

After asking, Mia seemed to realize it might be rude and hurriedly waved her hands.

“Ah—no, never mind. You don’t have to answer.”

“I don’t know either.”
“…What?”

I shrugged.

I didn’t really think her question was inappropriate.

“I mean Axion’s father. I don’t know where he is either.”

“…Ah.”

I didn’t know what button my answer pressed, but Mia suddenly covered her mouth with one hand and turned away quickly.

I thought I saw moisture glimmering in her eyes just now… maybe it was my imagination.

“I-I see.”
“Yes.”
“You’re truly a strong person, Lady Evanroir.”

Hmm.

I looked down at my proud iron arms and iron legs—the very ones that had hurt Mia earlier.

Physically strong, at least.

When I nodded without protest, Mia spoke carefully.

“Next time… would it be all right if I sent you a letter? And if there’s an opportunity, I’d like to meet somewhere more comfortable than a place like this.”

“Uh…”

Was this… a signal?

A signal that she wanted to be friends—with another woman?

Feeling a little happy, I nodded without hesitation.

“Sure.”
“Really? Thank you so much. Then I’ll go check on my father for a bit. He’s been worried about me since earlier…”
“Okay. Take care, Lady Mia.”

Mia nodded shyly, then turned to leave—only to hesitate and stop.

“Um, earlier… I’m sorry for calling you by your name so casually. I was just focused on dealing with Lady Karlin, so I—”

Ah. It really wasn’t a big deal.

I waved my hand casually.

“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”
“You really have a heart as vast as the sea!”

I wasn’t sure what was so moving about that, but Mia left with an emotional expression on her face.

“……”

Whew. Now I finally feel like I’m alone.

People had been coming and going nonstop, so even though I was sitting in a corner, it felt like I was right in the center of the banquet hall.

“Axion’s really been through a lot.”

He had been peacefully playing with a sword in a quiet place, and now here he was, dragged into such a noisy environment.

It must all be because of his useless mother, I thought.

I brushed his soft hair back and sat down on a chair placed nearby. With the storm finally over, I started to feel hungry.

“These sandwiches are really small.”

I grabbed some finger food from the table and stuffed it into my mouth at a rapid pace.

Suddenly, I felt someone’s gaze and looked up. In the distance, I saw Dazar staring at me with a sulky expression.

What? What is it?
Nothing. Just…

When I mouthed the words back at him with an equally sulky face, he shrugged.

Just thinking you eat really well.

The way he added that silently and snickered was still annoying as ever.

Honestly.

Just then, another noble approached him, and his attention shifted away from me.

Hmph.

I had been thinking of thanking him since he seemed to have looked out for me earlier—but that feeling vanished completely.

While I was pouting and diligently inhaling sandwiches—

Pwooo—!

A trumpet sounded through the banquet hall, and the waiting attendants all began to move at once.

Huh?

An attendant approached me and spoke in a polite voice.

“Excuse me. His Majesty the Emperor will be entering shortly. Before that, the young lord must be taken to the nursery.”

“Ah…”

So it was almost time for Letty to appear.

Recalling the schedule Cedric had given me, I nodded and carefully handed Axion over to the attendant.

“I will remain by the young lord’s side in the nursery so that he may sleep peacefully.”
“Thank you. My steward will be coming there shortly.”
“Understood.”

Once Axion was gone, I was truly alone.

A little lonely…

…Or not.

My heart fluttered at the thought that I’d soon get to see Letty’s true form.

Is this how it feels to be friends with an amazing female best friend?

Seeing the nobles all straighten their attire, I unconsciously squared my shoulders and grinned.

“His Majesty will be entering shortly.”

And right at that moment—

I nearly jumped out of my skin at the voice that came from right beside me.

What—when did he get here?

As I stared at him with wide eyes, he gave me that familiar, angelic smile.

“It’s been a while, Silia.”
“Uh… Morocanil?”
“Yes.”

Bathed in the light of the glowing light orbs illuminating the hall, his golden hair sparkled brilliantly. Seeing him smile so gently made me feel like I’d stepped into heaven.

“Where were you? I didn’t see you at all earlier.”

Instead of answering, Morocanil simply smiled.

“I wasn’t far away. I don’t particularly enjoy drawing attention.”
“Ah…”

That made sense. Even now, the moment he appeared, he was drawing the gaze of every noble in the room.

Being handsome must be exhausting.

Having to endure everyone’s stares like this.

If it were me, I’d be hiding somewhere.

As I shook my head, Morocanil whispered softly.

“You must be tired. A lot happened today.”
“Uh… I’m fine. This is nothing.”
“You’re strong, Silia.”

Without thinking, I once again looked down at my iron arms.

So everyone really did know how strong I was.

As I nodded awkwardly, Morocanil chuckled softly and continued.

“About the stone I left behind last time.”

Ah. That stone?

“I wanted to thank you properly for returning it to me.”

So he finally noticed.

“Oh, it was nothing. I was just returning it to its owner. Thinking about it now, you probably would’ve found it on your own even if I’d left it there. I might’ve done something unnecessary.”

After all, he was the only one who ever reserved that shop—he would’ve come back anyway.

In a way, I had just caused extra trouble.

Morocanil shook his head.

“No. Thanks to that, I won’t be going to that shop anymore.”
“…What?”

Huh? What did that mean?

Don’t tell me he had a fight with the shop owner because of me…

As I looked at him with worried eyes, a loud trumpet blast rang out, followed by a proclamation.

“His Majesty the Emperor enters—!”

All the nobles bowed their heads as the doors connected to the stage opened.

I lowered my head as well, and beside me, Morocanil whispered—

“Did you know that after His Majesty gives the opening address for the ‘Hall of Rest,’ there will be a ball?”

“Ah, yes.”