SWDYHTITYDHMP Chapter 176

Characters in this chapter:

1. Sapphiras Perfectio, former 2nd son of the Earl of Aldridge

2. Percival Belisario, 3rd son of Margrave of Vanderwall on the Eastern Frontier

3. Aurora Steinfeld, daughter of the Duke of Bloomfield

4. Adeline, Margravine of Vanderwall, Percival’s mother

5. Dylan, 4th year student, Percival’s paternal cousin and childhood friend

6. Melchior Astra Solmontana, Crown Prince of Solmontana

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“You both look so wonderful!”

Aurora-jyou’s eyes lit up as she clasped her hands together.

Today, I’m wearing matching white formal wear with Percival. It feels really nice against the skin, and the collar and hem of the jacket are decorated with delicate and intricate embroidery using silver thread. The buttons are gold, and the jewels adorning the collars are the colour of each other’s eyes. It’s not as flashy as the other clothes made for me before, but I can tell that it’s extremely high quality. After all, Madam Adeline was extremely particular about the fabric she chose. In short, it may not be flashy, but she put a lot of thought into it so that it wouldn’t be underestimated. Choosing the fabric and taking measurements took a lot of time.

Thinking back to the day we decided on the outfit, I had a slightly distant look in my eyes. From morning to evening, I was really just a doll to be measured and covered with fabric.

“Thank you. Aurora-jyou is also dressed beautifully. You look like a violet spirit.”

Today, Aurora is wearing a simple pale purple dress that matches the colour of her eyes and an amethyst hair ornament. Her outfit was probably designed to be less conspicuous than us, the main characters, but it couldn’t hide the brilliance of the earthy glow.

“Well, thank you, Sapphiras-sama. You both look very nice. As expected of the margravine of Vanderwall. You are dressed as the main characters of today’s show. I’m sure everyone will have their eyes glued to you both.”

The main character……I glance at Percival, who stands next to me.

Percival is tall, has a nice face, and has a nice posture. His white clothes and blonde hair also shines.

“……Knight of the Sun.”

Percival’s expression slackened as he muttered involuntarily at his appearance that did not betray that second name.

“Then today’s Sapphiras is just like the Spirit of Moonlight.”

“!”

Mo-moonlight!  That’s new again!

“It’s true. The sun and the moon, that’s exactly the right word to describe the two of you.”

The two of them are smiling peacefully, but I’m so embarrassed that my back is starting to itch.

The unveiling party began peacefully, with my back still itching. Sandwiched between my guardians, the Duke and Duchess, and Percival’s parents, the Margrave and Margravine, it was announced to the assembled nobles that our engagement had been established some time ago. The people gathered here are those who are close to both families or have some connection with the title of earl or higher.

The atmosphere is generally warm and congratulatory, and people who are close to the Margrave and Duke came to greet us. I just stood there smiling, as usual, and Percival mostly greeted guests by himself. The only people I spoke to properly were Dylan-san, my classmates who were attending this occasion, and the ladies of the tea party.

Incidentally, His Highness Crown Prince Melchior’s closest aide is also in attendance. Although he himself cannot come, he is implicitly telling people that this is an engagement that the royal family approves of. It seems that the nobles who correctly understood the meaning of his attendance refrained from doing unnecessary things, but there are some nobles who understand, but interpret it as meaning that they are not being told not to interfere, and that it would be better if they were to marry a more profitable family. In that case, the benefit seems to be me having a child who will inherit my magical powers. But my magic isn’t blood, so that’s where you can’t expect it.

I’m getting tired of greetings that never end, and my attention is now directed towards the table where food and drinks are being prepared. Of course there’s meat. What else is lined up? I don’t think we’ll run out of food……? I want to go over there soon, but it seems like the guests are still greeting each other, so it would be a bad idea to leave this place at my own convenience.

“Percy, leave this to us. You can show Sapphy to that table over there.”

Madam Adeline quietly tells Percival. Madam Adeline seemed to notice that I was completely distracted and fidgety.

“Excuse me, please. Sapphiras, let’s go.”“Mm.”

I felt a little embarrassed as everyone sent me off with a smile on their face, but I had no regrets since I was finally able to sit at the food table. All of these look delicious. Now, where should I start?

“Sapphiras-sama,nice to meet you.’

While I was thinking about food, one of the ladies greeted me. After that, several sons and daughters gathered together.

No, wait, wait, if they gather, I won’t be able to choose the food!

“I’m sorry, Sapphiras is a little tired. Could you please refrain from greeting him?”

“Percival-sama, Sapphiras-sama, we are sorry to have kept you waiting. The resting room is ready. Both of you, this way. We apologise, everyone. Please excuse us.”

As if by design, Aurora-jyou appears and Percival and I are led out of the hall in a fluid motion.

“Eh, eh?”

Eh? No, I’m not tired. I mean, what about the food?

“Don’t worry. We have prepared the food here so that you can enjoy it at your leisure.”

In the other room to which I was led, the same dishes as those lined up in the hall were being prepared.

“Oh!”

“Our chef has done a wonderful job. Please enjoy it to your heart’s content.”

“Thanks, but are you sure?”

“It’s all right. The people who approach you in a straightforward manner are doing so at the behest of their parents. There is no need to deal with them right there.”

In short, they were told to go and insert a horizontal spear¹To interfere/meddle into the situation. It’s tough for them too.

Apparently, they had anticipated that something like this would happen and had prepared a separate room in advance.

In any case, thanks to the consideration of both families, I was able to enjoy the food without any worries. All the dishes were delicious, and there were many types of desserts, and it was a great reception, to say the least.

***

“Sapphiras-sama! I see you’re here as expected.”

“Yes?”

After the unveiling, I was developing a new technique at my newly found place to practise wand spinning, when a young lady I didn’t know at all called out to me.

I mean, why is this young lady here? Moreover, she’s alone, without any friends or companions.

I’m at the back of the fourth dormitory building. It’s a slightly dimly lit place that doesn’t even get any sunlight. Normally, people don’t come to places like this. It would be impossible for the lady to come to such a place alone.

The only person who knows that I am waving my wand here is Percival. How does this young lady know that I am here waving my wand here?

“My name is Grace Edmond of the Marquess Clementi family. I was not able to greet you at the engagement announcement the other day, so I thought I’d come and say hello to you again.”

“……Well, thank you for coming all the way.”

Really, why did she go to the trouble of greeting me in the shade with no one around? Even if it wasn’t now, there would have been plenty of opportunities to call out to me. Isn’t it as if she was aiming for the moment when I would be alone?

“Well! So that’s the rumoured wand of Sapphiras-sama! How wonderful! Please let me have a good look!”

The young lady suddenly approaches me. I immediately tried to step back, but my right hand, which was holding my wand, was already being held by the young lady with both of her hands. I was surprised at how quickly she moved, but also surprised at how easily the daughter of an aristocrat touched the opposite sex.

“……Sapphiras-sama.”

The young lady kept holding my hand and making eye contact with me, as if peeking at me from below. I sensed that something was wrong with her, and as I hurriedly tried to shake her hand away, my arm was pulled forcefully and something soft touched my hand.

“Ugyah!”

Fear ran through my entire body, and I screamed as I transferred to the training ground and jumped at Percival, who was swinging a sword.

“Sapphiras!”

“A-a scary thing is here! On-on my hand, something squishy! So-something disgusting was shoved at me!”

Since I suddenly appeared, clinging to Percival and screaming, the surrounding area was noisy, but that’s not the point. I just had a really scary experience!

“Sapphiras, calm down. What the hell happened?”

“Th-there’s a strange thing here, in the shape of a lady!”

“……Let’s go back to the dormitory for now. You look pale.”

Percival hugged me, who remained clinging to him and didn’t let go, horizontally. While I was confused and muttering incoherent things, I was being transported to my room in the dorm. Percival sat me down on the edge of the bed and made me a cup of tea. After taking a sip of hot tea scented with lemon, the fear finally subsides.

“Have you calmed down?”

“Yeah, I’m fine now……Sorry, I was distraught.”

To be honest, I wasn’t in a situation where I could maintain my appearance. It’s uncool, but I can’t help it.

“What on earth happened to make Sapphiras so distraught?

Percival sits on the edge of the bed alongside me.

I told Percival, with gestures, about the terrible thing I had just experienced.

Even though I have no love experience, I have at least touched a woman. If you go to a bar at the end of the street, there are plenty of girls who will sit next to you with the intention of inviting you out for the night. I’ve received invitations with similar meanings before, so I wasn’t particularly surprised by the invitation itself. No, I’m surprised that a noble lady would let her her own breasts be touched. Anyway, that disgusting feeling wasn’t normal. There was a strange feeling about it.

“Do you know who it was?”

“……I think, Clementi or something?”

“The daughter of Marquess of Clementi’s family? That family is a magic nobles. They want Sapphiras’ magical power so desperately. They’ll probably create a situation where Sapphiras will take responsibility and marry the daughter. Maybe she was trying to do it.”

“Ugh, that the worst……”

I finally understood what Percival meant by the worry he was talking about. I have to be more careful from now on, or I don’t know what they’ll do to me. If this happens carelessly, isn’t it more dangerous than when I was an adventurer?

Even so, I still feel an unpleasant feeling in my right hand. As I was rubbing my hand against my uniform pants, trying to get rid of the persistent discomfort, Percival grabbed my hand.

“If you’re uncomfortable, I can make it go away.”

“Heh!?”

Percival’s lips repeatedly touched my fingertips and the back of my hand. The soft feeling pressing gently against me makes my whole body feel like it’s going to lose its strength.

“…..Is the discomfort gone?”

“I-it’s gone……”

 

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melon: Happy new year everyone! 🎆🎉🥳🍻

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  To interfere/meddle