He gave me and Anastasia, who was behind me, a stern look, then raised his gaze once again.
Then, my heel clattered and let out a sound. My free hand, which was no longer being held by the man, was suddenly dragged away. Surprised by the unexpected action, I looked back, and it was Anastasia who pulled my hand.
Huh? Anastasia muttered with an unusually cold demeanor. As if she were attempting to answer the question marks above my head in the incomprehensible situation.
Her golden eyes, which always felt warm and soft, were now cold. Though, her gaze wasnât directed at me. It was towards the man in front of me, which was very strange.
Who would have thought that a day would come weâre I would see Anastasia being hostile to other people.
Puzzled, I lowered my gaze and stared at her hand. Just as she said, there was an invitation with my name on it.
I canât believe that I had an invitation. What the hell is going on?
âOh, is that so?â
I heard the manâs voice next to me as he answered. Before I knew it, he had come all the way next to me. Anastasia tightened her grip on my wrist.
Iâm not sure whatâs happening, but I know for sure. That Anastasia hates this man.
I tried to recall whether she also hated this man in the original story, but my memory was a bit fuzzy.
Though, one thing is for certain. Based on her personality, Anastasia would not openly express her dislike for someone without good reason. I know just by comparing this to how she treated me.
I wondered what the hell must have happened between this man and Anastasia, and why she had so much hostility towards him.
The man spoke in a very calm voice.
âBut even if thatâs the case, thereâs no rule that she cannot accompany me, right?â
âRight.â
âThen the problem is solved. Will you let go of her hand? I want to go in now.â
Please do not repost our translation. Read only at Pink Muffin Translations.
âI canât do that. BecauseâŠâŠâ
Anastasia, who was in mid-conversation with the man, pulled me in tight again. At that moment, the smell of her body pierced the tip of my nose. It had a fresh and comfortable scent.
Am I the only one who was surprised by her words? And the fact that she will be accompanying me? No one else but me?
Anastasia was so kind as to offer to accompany me. Even though I hit her on the cheek just a few weeks ago!
âIf thatâs the caseâŠUnfortunately, thereâs nothing we can do about it.â
Unexpectedly, the man gave up quickly and let go of my hand. As the firmness and warmth that I felt from his hand dissipated, my pulse suddenly slowed down. My body seemed to be regaining strength.
Looking up at the man, he didnât even glance back at me as he took his steps without any hesitation. For some reason, he was headed in the opposite direction from the banquet hall.
Huh? Wasnât he just acting as if he wanted to enter the banquet hall right away?
Looking at him as he walked away, I could see that he had a stout build with broad shoulders. Well, that wasnât surprising. Heâs the only one capable of killing a dragon as if he was cutting up his food. Itâs natural for him to have a good body.
Instead of answering, Anastasia took my hand and walked towards the door. I was a little more perplexed at the proactive gesture than I thought.
âWait, Anastasia. Didnât you have to check the invitations here?â
âItâs fine now, since most of the guests have already arrived. I donât need to do it anymore.â
Then what are you doing now?
I wanted to ask her, but I couldnât say a word. Iâm afraid that Anastasia may not like it if I asked her.
And of course I had no problem with it. Come to think of it, Iâm going to the banquet with my favorite person in this world! I suddenly thought that it would be great if I could go straight back home and drink tea with my favorite person.
After a momentâs thought, the door to the banquet hall opened. Then, as if the transparent membrane that was blocking me had disappeared. A loud noise hit my ears.
The banquet hall was spacious and luxurious. It was as if various jewels were being poured out to the people. Seeing this dazzling and lively place, I felt overwhelmed.
I didnât know that⊠I must have had a fantasy about an event called a banquet.
I didnât know either, but I⊠I guess I had a fantasy about a banquet event.
It was then. As if a candle was lit in that daunting sight.
Ting !
It was none other than the sound of the mission notification window. However, unlike usual, the sound did not stop and rang a little longer.
Wait, this isnât the mission successful sound.
Of course, I thought the mission would have been successful, so the sound I heard now made me feel very uneasy.
Mission Failed!
âSince you got an invitation to enter the banquet, you did not force yourself in.â
It was said that anxious premonitions are never wrong.
My mind suddenly stopped due to the warning like a (*)bolt from the blue, as my head cooled down. After I stopped for a while, my anger rose in an instant.
Are you kidding me right now? I even lied! And still, I failed the mission?
It wasnât just that. Another beep sounded, and a new window popped up below the mission failed window.
Penalties for the Failed Mission are Given
-Penalty: High fever-
-Time: Half day (11 hours 59 minutes)-
âThis crazyâŠ..â
Just as I was about to spit out double curse words, I remembered Anastasiaâs presence beside me and kept my mouth shut. At the same time, my head became dizzyingly heavy and painful. It was as if someone was constantly pressing my head.
Seriously, am I really going to die because of this?
Reden looked at the Count, who smiled meaningfully and walked away, with sharp eyes. To be precise, he was looking at the black cane held by the count.
For a moment he blinked slowly as if he was tired, and turned his head while drinking alcohol. Then he frowned and stared intently at a certain place.
âSigh.â
As he inhaled, his eyes then caught the people who had just entered the banquet hall.
Horaisha, who had previously handed the letter to Reden the other day, muttered indifferently.
Just like usual, she was wearing an exquisite dress and her long purple hair was braided skillfully.
Reden continued to look at the two of them with disapproving eyes, without giving a single glance whether Horaisha was muttering by his side or not.
Please do not repost our translation. Read only at Pink Muffin Translations.
No, to be exact Reden was only looking at one person. She was dressed in an unusual dress and for some reason she looked very pale.
âShe said that she isnât coming. And that I donât have to worry about it.â
He muttered grumpily to himself and licked his tongue, then he gave the cup he was holding to a passing attendant. Horaisha, who was drinking alcohol at that sight, asked.
âAre you going to go there?â
âYes. If she does something crazy here, then I wouldnât be able to fix it.â
âIf she intended to do something crazy, then she would have already done it. For example, slap Anastasia on the cheek.
âWhat he said made sense. However, for some reason, the two came in together. Not only that, they are holding each otherâs hands.â
It wasnât unfamiliar to him. But it looks ridiculous. What does she want now?
âYou never know whatâs inside that kidâs mind. Itâs too early to be relieved.â
Reden was about to walk towards them, then suddenly stopped at Horaishaâs words.
âIâve never seen a person with such a pale face. I heard that she collapsed recently. Hasnât she recovered yet?â
âThat canât be true. She wasnât that pale this morning. Seeing that the bruise is gone, she probably put on heavy make-up to cover up the traces of her foolish self-harming.â
Reden made a reasonable judgment.
âWait. She seems to be sweating too. Is Anastasia helping her now?â
ââŠâŠâ
âLook at that. She seems to have stumbled.â
âBut why does it look more painful the more I listen to it?â
While staring at Horaisha for a moment, who was talking uselessly next to him, he finally let out a sigh. Horaisha then took another step.
âOh, why? Are you worried that your only sister is getting beaten up by someone?â
âWhat does she mean âIâm worriedâ?â
Reden laughed in vain, perhaps it was funny to think about it himself.
âYou should be worried.â
ââŠâŠâ
âNot about that kid, but Solen.â
He mumbled as if no one could hear the last words, then he hurried to move his feet when he saw the two move. In the end, he canât help but to go towards the two of them.
Please do not repost our translation. Read only at Pink Muffin Translations.