A bright dress, glowing cheeks, a skip on her step.
Anyone whoâs experienced the joys of first love would understand that image.
In a low voice, Joseph warned.
Joseph: âDonât talk about things youâre not sure about, Curric.â
Curric: âBut I heard it from the butler. It seems the lady is planning to attend social events. Why else would she suddenly want to become socially active?â
The other knights also added valid points.
âI overheard the maids a while ago. They said they didnât expect Lady Keira to enjoy reading romance novels.â
Joseph: âBut thatâs not substantial evidence. Your loose lips might spread a deadly scandal. Watch your mouth.â
âItâs not just that! When the Grand Duke asked her what she would say if people questioned the familyâs neutrality if she attended social gatherings, she told him sheâd say she was looking for a husband!â
Joseph: âAn excuse is just an excuse.â
The knights were talking about unverified allegations.
Joseph gave his men a disapproving look and turned to Arthur. He looked like he had a lot to say.
Joseph nodded his head, waiting for Arthur to speak.
Arthur: âV-vice Captain.â
Joseph: âWhat?â
Arthur: âIt doesnât seem like the knights are catching clouds[1].â
Joseph: âWhat do you mean?â
Arthur: âWell, the truth is, I went out with the lady last nightâŠâ
Arthur trailed off, afraid to speak further.
How do you say that the lady of the Parvis family may have been tempted by a serpent?
To make matters worse, the cause of the disaster was, to some extent, him.
He was worried about Sir Josephâs reaction if he told the truth.
Joseph: âIf you have something to say, say it now.â
Arthur had no choice but to reveal everything.
Josephâs eyebrows twitched ominously as he listened to Arthur talk about the situation.
Joseph: âSo you just let the lady and an unidentified man talk alone? You let her spend time with a mysterious man in a place like that without a decent escort. Are you out of your mind?â
Arthur: âHe was a weirdo! He didnât look trained in anything. Heâs like a guy who only knows horseback riding and sex. We let her go because we thought she could control him with one hand!â
Arthur shouted as if he was being falsely accused.
But the root cause of the disaster was him, so it was not at all convincing.
As Joseph glared at him with his fists clenched, Arthur hurriedly added an excuse.
Arthur: âH-hold on, sir. Donât blame me now. Shouldnât we tell the lady the truth about that snake? They already have plans to meet tomorrow!â
Joseph: ââŠwhat did you just say?â
Arthur: âT-the lady made plans to have lunch with the snakeâŠâ
A shocked silence fell.
âWow, so itâs serious enough that the lady set a date?â
âWell, thereâs no law that said Saintesses couldnât marry.â
âThatâs true, but I heard the guyâs a well-known playboyâŠâ
Only whispered chatters could be heard.
It was Josephâs dreary voice that broke the strange silence.
Joseph: âYou said you were there. Why didnât you do anything to stop it?â
Before Arthur knew it, he was no longer addressed as âsirâ, but âyou.â[2]
Arthur: âSo youâre saying she agreed to go out on a date with him because I didnât stop them?! Itâs not fairâack!â
Arthur yowled, gripping his shin.
Joseph kicked him.
Someone murmured anxiously.
âI heard he has a bad reputation. What if heâs trying to do something terrible to the missâŠâ
Reina: âIâd rather he have the bad reputation, to be honest. It would be easier to show the lady his flaws, then sheâll certainly lose her infatuation for himâŠâ
Reina continued.
Reina: âThe problem is the snake is a sweet-talker⊠Iâve recently learned that our lady is a bit naive even if she doesnât look like itâŠâ
Arthur: âFortunately, it didnât seem that he recognized her. But, it would be impossible not to if you knew her family.â
If one becomes the son-in-law of the Parvis family, he will be able to live his life in luxury.
It would be a great rise in status for the youngest son of a Viscount who only had money. As the youngest son, it would be impossible to inherit a title or a large fortune, so he would not miss such a golden opportunity.
âIf she really gets marriedâŠâ
Everybody gulped.
Since her father is the Grand Duke, she is destined to inherit the title.
The Parvis family was an elite in their own way.
Even Arthur, free-spirited as he was, was proud to be recognized for his skills by the family.
Then what, theyâll serve a blondie, flower boy snake as their superior?!
It was a blow to their pride.
Aside from that possible predicament, it was basic principle to stop an acquaintance from being seduced by a casanova.
Joseph: âSo, what time is the date?â
When Joseph asked, the knights made eye contact with each other.
The same thought came into their heads.
This needed to be stopped.
Time passed, and the day of the date came.
Keira woke up early in the morning, took a bath, and went on to choose clothes.
Keira: âIs pink too childish? Red might be too freshâŠâ
Rose: âDidnât you say you were pretending to be a poor noble lady from the countryside?â
Keira: âYes. What about it?â
Rose: âNormally poor noble ladies donât wear such expensive clothesâŠâŠâŠ.â
Keira: âWellâŠâ
âNo matter how poor you are, wouldnât a nobleman wear this kind of clothes?â
Keira thought so, but decided to follow Roseâs advice for now.
She had no idea how a poor noble lady really lived.
Keira: âThen what should I wear?â
Rose: âFor now, all the clothes in this dressing room are not allowed. Letâs wear the best clothes the maid has.â
Keira bit her lips as if she was sad.
I wanted to show you the prettiest side of meâŠ
But she didnât want him to know her real identity.
Eventually after much consideration, she decided to borrow a white dress. Rose forbade her from wearing many accessories, so they settled with a pink corsage.
Rose: âDonât worry. Youâre still beautiful.â
Rose tried to comfort her, but she still felt down.
In front of the main gate, a carriage that had been borrowed hurriedly was waiting for her.
Compared to the family carriage, this one was shabby enough to be more appropriately called a cart.
Riding the carriage, Keira mumbled.
Keira: âIâve never ridden a carriage like this before⊠Itâs not gonna break, is it?â
A person like this was about to ride a public airship, Rose thought, but wisely decided against saying it out loud.
Keira looked back at her and waced.
Keira: âSee you later, Rose. Iâll be back safely.â