Chapter Thirty-Seven: A Man and a Woman on a Summer Night (Part I)
Wolfâs POV
âWolf-sama and Victoria-sama from the Duke of Creverenz are here.â
Escorting my sister, I stepped into the Royal Palace to attend the evening party held every season.
In this country, it was a custom that those of the lower social position would enter first at evening parties, with those at the top entering last.
Although oneâs birth status could initially be low, the order may still change should the people in question rise to a higher position. However, since my family ranks second only to the Royal family, we usually come in as second or third to the last.
The last to enter was always the Royal family.
The evening party would only begin once His Majesty, Her Majesty, and Crown Prince Reinhardt had already entered and given the opening remarks.
This was true in every instance. However, the princess who was to be escorted by Prince Reinhardt, Annelier, who was already in position for the past year or so, had not appeared at any evening party since.
âShe isnât here today, too?â
After confirming that Annelier wasnât in her assigned Royal seat, I couldnât help but reminisce my childhood friendâs face, which was always somewhat out of the ordinary.
The last time I interacted with Annelier was at an evening party held when Prince Barnabas, who was an exchange student at our school, visited.
And a while ago, there was an epidemic going around in the palace, so I was a little worried when I heard that Annelier had fallen victim to it. Still, I think it was because she had recovered in the nick of time that she could make one other public appearance.
I didnât have much of a chance to talk directly with Annelier, who became the crown princess, and I could only see her face from afar, but since Iâve known her since childhood, I was sure I hadnât just mistaken her for another person.
She had always looked a little frail, so I thought it couldnât be helped if she really was just recovering from being ill the entire time I didnât see her.
But after that, Annellier disappeared again⌠Looking back on it now, maybe she wasnât fully recovered by then.
A prince was born between His Highness Reinhardt and Annelier in the spring, so I thought that was why she couldnât come outâshe was pregnant. But even after that, Annelier still hadnât shown up.
It mightâve just been that her postpartum wasnât in the best state, but then again, summerâs nearing its end.
Even now, I couldnât help but wonder if she really was doing okay.
Annelier was my childhood friend. She really was just a simple childhood friend, so I donât always think about her.
However, when it comes to evening parties, I couldnât help but think of Annelier.
Thatâs because the first dance, which was initially supposed to be between Prince Reinhardt and Annelier, had to be performed by my sister and me on his behalf, who had no partner due to Annelierâs absence.
I didnât have a fixed partner either, but at evening parties, Iâd escort my sister, who also didnât have a partner of her own. So, for the past year or more, we siblings had been dancing instead of Prince Reinhardt and Annelier.
Although, indeed, His Highness wouldnât have any problems finding another woman to dance with should I refuse to take over, but then Iâd feel sorry towards Annelier, who would have her husband dance with someone other than her.
Thatâs why Iâve accepted the role of bearing the first dance.
After the king had given the opening remarks, the music began to play.
It signaled the beginning of my role.
âLetâs go, Victoria.â
âYes, brother.â
Victoria, who used to be so nervous, now seemed to have gotten used to it.
Annelier hadnât been appearing so much that Victoria had gotten used to itâŚ
As we danced, my thoughts had to be less intrusive.
Itâd be troublesome to make a mistake while having all the attention on us.
As we finished dancing to one song on the center floor, I saw a slightly nostalgic face waiting for me when we walked back.
âOscar.â
âLong time no see, Wolf-dono!â
A man with short red hair was showing a sullen smile.
He wasnât a bad guy, just a bothersome classmate with a loud hair color, bulging muscles, and a personality.
The people from Oscarâs family had never seen the great spirit that protected the Royal family, but they did have a fire-related spiritâs blessing.
Because it didnât rain much where Oscarâs family was situated.
The Royal family of Barzal was famous for their divine protection from the great fire spirit. Itâs because when youâre under their protection, you will excel in martial arts. However, the land will inevitably dry up.
It was a problematic blessing where if one couldnât control it well, it would make it impossible for them to govern a territory.
After Oscar graduated from the academy, he was assigned directly to the frontier.
I guess they couldnât keep him close to the Royal Capital any more than they hadâŚ
âHave you finally returned?â
âItâs still summer! Itâd be okay if I do for a while.â
What a lie; itâll be a lot hotter if Oscar was here since itâs still summer.
Though since weâre already in a dry season, it shouldnât be that noticeable if it didnât rain much.
If he was coming to the Royal Capital, wouldnât it make more sense if he came during the colder seasons?
âBut Iâve been in the frontier all this time, so I felt completely out of touch with the on-goings within the Royal Capital. So? Tell me anything you have on you.â
âI donât have much to talk about either. You must have already heard about the child born from His Highness Reinhardt.â
âI did hear about that. With the birth of an heir, Cressâ future looks bright.â
âI agreeâŚâ
âWhatâs with the long face?â
âNoâŚâ
Whenever it was about this topic, I couldnât help but think of Annelier.
âAnnelier⌠It appears that Her Highness had been feeling unwell since giving birth to that child.â
âAh, so thatâs why you guys had to dance the first dance instead.â
âI hadnât seen her face in over a year. Iâm a little concerned that my childhood friend isnât feeling well. I always find myself wondering how sheâs doing.â
âPsh!â
Oscar crossed his arms over his chest.
âWhy donât you just ask?â
âWhat?â
âThat is⌠If youâre wondering how Her Highness Annelier is doing, why donât you just ask His Highness Reinhardt? If youâre curious, just ask about her!â
âŚWould it be okay to ask about her?
âYouâve known each other from childhood, so it should be fine! Hey, come! While youâre giving your greetings, just ask!â
âEh?â
Oscar went behind me and pushed me towards the Royal seats.
Since the first dance was over, Iâd have to go and give my greetings to the Royal familyâŚ