●
The nobles who belong to the Presbyterian Church are, to put it mildly, children of prestigious families with a long tradition of dignity and formality.
To put it worst, they are discriminatory people steeped in true elitism.
You will do the same just by listening to the conversation coming from one table right now.
“Do you know what the Marquis Bogart said the name of the man he personally invited this time, sir?”
“I don’t quite remember, but… did you say Campbell? “I heard she comes from that family.”
“…It’s a family whose name I’ve never heard of. “Do you have a title…?”
“I heard you are a self-author.”
Although dignity was barely maintained, a sneer that could not be hidden appeared on the faces of the men who were talking.
Children of other prestigious families sitting near the table also showed their ridicule in their own ways.
Among them, there were even some who expressed feelings close to contempt.
“If you are a self-author… you probably come from a family engaged in an industry such as agriculture or mining. “The social world… I’m not used to it.”
Someone said something like that.
Of course, there was a wry smile on his face that did not match the sentence he spoke with an expression of concern.
As if he was going to show what would happen to a country bumpkin if he stepped into a place like this without even knowing how to use water.
“Lord Bogart is very kind of you for inviting someone who doesn’t know such etiquette. It would be nice if I didn’t get embarrassed. “I’m worried.”
“Isn’t it true that people grow through trials?”
One of the men spoke softly.
The next sentence was one that kicked away even the dignity that was barely maintained.
“Even though he is a self-made writer, he doesn’t know anything about fractions and hangs around with his Majesty and the Prime Minister, so he must think he can do something.”
“…You sound somewhat annoyed, huh?”
“well. When it comes to political insight, I often think that I can’t be with His Majesty or the Prime Minister… but I admire them both as people. “Aren’t these two women who support the empire?”
“That… I can’t deny it. “The beauty of the two of you has truly reached a state of beauty.”
“Your Majesty has the beauty of a rose blooming on a cliff, and the Prime Minister always has the cool-headed nobility of an ice sculpture-”
As the topic shifted to the prime minister and the emperor, the atmosphere instantly changed, as if a group of grown men were gathered together and talking about their first love.
I guess what they just said, ‘I adore you,’ is not really a lie.
The conversation praising the two beauties continued like that.
The author’s self-control.
Until he appears with two women on his arms, who enjoy the most powerful power a human being has ever had.
“…”
“…”
“…”
The emperor and the prime minister.
Those two people.
Hanging on a man.
As if I won’t let those around me steal it. As if claiming ownership.
“…your majesty?”
“…Prime Minister?”
That voice suddenly fell. With an expression of disbelief.
They seemed to be even more shocked because they were the group that had just been talking passionately about the beauty and noble purity of the emperor and prime minister.
The emperor, who always exuded a noble aura like an expressionless glass doll, was now hanging on the man’s arm with a flushed face.
The two women whom they had just praised for their overwhelming beauty.
Dogs are clinging to one man.
As if trying to gain some favor.
“…”
“…”
While the men’s expressions harden with an inexplicable sense of defeat.
“How are you doing, members of the Presbyterian Church?”
In the silence, where even the sound of someone swallowing dry saliva seemed like thunder, the emperor’s voice, created through a voice synthesizer, softly rang out around the surroundings.
“I came here because my ‘best friend’ told me he was making his social debut for the first time. “There is no need for unnecessary formalities, so please enjoy a nice dinner.”
“…”
“…”
Me, what?
The surroundings were once again filled with silence at the remark that made me doubt my ears.
The fact that an empress of marriageable age uses the expression ‘best friend’ to a person of the opposite sex suggests a lot.
It was an act no different from announcing to those around me that I was a de facto ‘candidate for national office.’
That must have been the influence of the frost-like voice interjecting.
“…your majesty.”
Sullivan, who felt an unbearable cramp in his cheek, opened his mouth in a voice as if he was suppressing something.
“Please choose some words. “Please.”
“Is there something wrong, Sullivan?”
“This situation itself is the problem.”
No matter who saw it, it was clear that he was on guard.
“I was the one who ‘marked the dots’ first. Isn’t that very misleading?”
Astonishment spread again to the surroundings.
Even the Prime Minister?
You put a dot on it?
“…Hmm.”
After hearing those words, the emperor stroked his chin for a moment.
“What kind of misunderstanding do you mean?”
“…”
“It means exactly what you heard, Sullivan. “This man is my best friend.”
At the same time, Sullivan’s expression hardened rapidly.
Around me, people began to appear one after another, their faces turning pale.
One sentence was on everyone’s mind.
With the emperor.
Prime Minister.
About one man.
‘…scramble?’
Absolutely.
It was a topic that shook up the imperial social and political circles.
●
“…”
“…”
“…”
I feel very burdened by the stares from people around me without saying a word.
There are people with enlarged pupils, mouths that won’t close, and even people who slap their cheeks because they wonder if they are dreaming.
They are all nobles who belong to the Council of Elders.
The hoped-for goal of ‘suppressing the momentum’ appears to be working extremely well.
the problem is.
“…Do you really need to do this?”
I ask that question first to His Imperial Majesty, who occupies my left arm.
Honestly, I’m breaking into a cold sweat.
The shape of the person holding the arms is not at the level of hugging, but almost like clinging.
If you see them leaning their heads on their shoulders, it’s safe to say they’re a couple on a date.
“Aren’t you the one who asked to do it first?”
“…”
“Why do you have this much? “It is the first ‘order’ to commemorate.”
“…”
I feel it again.
This person seems to be secretly picking on me and enjoying embarrassing me.
“…Prime Minister. “At least the Prime Minister…”
“It’s not possible.”
“…”
I close my mouth again at the answer that comes back in less than a second.
Even as you answer that question, seeing that you are glaring at the emperor with a twinkle in your eye makes me think that what you are saying will be even more meaningless.
In fact, neither of them were at this level before they came in.
‘My goal was just to appear with a bit of dignity…’
Originally, when the emperor and prime minister entered first, I wanted to follow behind them or sit next to them and take the position of ‘someone who knows both of them.’
At first, everyone just stood next to me and walked.
It started with the emperor gently holding my hand.
-…your majesty.
-Something, Sullivan?
-What are you doing?
-My hands are cold. When your body is in this state, you miss the warmth of people.
-…
The Prime Minister followed suit, holding hands as if he could not lose.
The emperor took another drink and crossed his arms. The Prime Minister also follows.
It gradually develops like that, and eventually, it sticks together so well that you don’t even think about letting go.
This is already a long way from my intention.
Majesty and sleeping.
This is just.
[The woman’s furi is a ghost. Even heads of state are mesmerized.]
‘…mister.’
[Try to refute it.]
‘…’
I have nothing to say.
While I kept my mouth shut after being rebutted by Caliban, whispering voices began to rise one by one from those around me.
“…Devil…”
“… hanged…”
“…crazy trash…a cancerous entity to the nation…”
“…”
What should I do?
I’m just breathing, but it feels like the enemies are increasing one by one.
“Actually, if you look at it from the outside, it might not be so wrong.”
The emperor seemed to be aware of the atmosphere, as he smoked from the pipe in his mouth and spoke.
“Someone might come out soon who really wants to harm you.”
“…”
As I kept my mouth shut, the emperor continued speaking with a grin.
“Don’t worry. My luggage will protect me then. Then I can completely capture your heart-”
The emperor, who was about to continue speaking, closed his mouth.
Maybe it was because he felt what I was feeling too.
This energy flowing out from the other side of the emperor.
“…Sullivan. Just kidding. “There is no need to exude life like that.”
“Are you kidding? your majesty?”
“…”
Sullivan’s expression became even more crumpled when he saw the emperor not answering, just smiling and puffing out smoke from his pipe again.
Confused.
I’m confused.
I walk into the banquet hall, dripping with cold sweat.
exactly one table
And, inside it.
“Of course, it’s you! “I deserve to be your number one fan!”
Despite all this mayhem.
There was the Marquis Bogut, clapping without changing his expression.
“…”
He doesn’t even look embarrassed.
It’s as if they expected ‘this would be a given.’
“However, I am sorry in a situation where such distinguished guests are present, but-”
Marquis Bogart’s eyes rested on the emperor and chancellor respectively. Then towards me.
As if I was more important than these two people.
“Right now, there’s something I want to talk about alone. “Can you please give me some time?”
“…”
“…”
When Marquis Bogart said this with a wink, the expressions of Sullivan and the Emperor turned serious at the same time.
It looks like they’re trying to figure out what’s going on.
“…your majesty. “Prime Minister.”
I stop him first.
“are you okay.”
I don’t know why.
Right now, I have to deal with this guy alone.
I had that feeling.
The way this guy looked at me conveyed a feeling close to certainty.
●
“Wow, this surprised me!”
When I came outside the terrace, those words were the first thing that came out.
“When did you two do it again, Dowd Campbell! Truly terrifying.”
“…What are you talking about, Marquis Bogart?”
He cuts off the sentence of a guy who is trying to speak cheerfully and spits out something like that.
I can feel it slowly.
I heard that this guy, the emperor, has always been interested in me.
Beyond that, something is at stake.
I keep feeling a strange sense of anxiety. It’s as if this guy knows something I don’t.
“Ahaha, wouldn’t it be a bit wrong to get to the point too casually? “Let’s start with some minor personal matters and-”
“…If you’re going to say something strange, I’ll just leave.”
so.
If you don’t continue to let out your true feelings, it’s not worth dealing with.
I turn around and take my steps back into the banquet hall. This is my strongest expression of intention.
but.
“…Armin, are you doing well?”
To those words.
The footsteps stop.
“…”
This guy.
What did you say just now?
He looked at the Marquis Bogut, who was sweating like that with a stiff expression.
Although this was only our second meeting, the grinning smile that had been on the entire time we were looking at him had fallen from his face.
Instead, what is on that face is a smile that is almost benevolent.
As if I was recalling ‘happy memories’.
“…you.”
but.
As soon as I met that face, an eerie feeling ran down my spine.
A growling sound comes out without me realizing it.
“Do you know your father?”
“I don’t know.”
Marquis Bogart grinned.
“How could I forget my dearest friend in the world?”
A sentence like that.
“They are lovers who competed over one woman.”
Then it fell.
●
fantasy,
