The Hero is Standing in My Way - Chapter 23

SOS!!! Hey 1STKISSNOVEL! DO NOT STEAL MY TRANSLATION!!! 

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“I don’t think that Gentleman is your ideal type.”

After confirming that Manuel had left, Siegfried spoke up.

I also noticed that his lips were redder than usual. (T/N: Oy, where you looking at?)

“I’ve never looked at Sir Manuel like that.”

“Is that so? But he’s looking at you with that look.”

“How do you know that?” I asked Siegfried.

But he opened the terrace door as if he hadn’t heard me and went outside, so I chased after him. I had a reason not to leave him alone.

“Have you been drinking Your Highness?”

“No.”

If he can only spit it out and tell me. 

No wonder when Siegfried approached me, the scent of alcohol got stronger.

“You really drank, even your lips are red.”

“It has always been like that.”

That is correct though. Because his skin was so white that the veins on his lips can be seen, it looks redder.

But it’s obvious now that he’s drunk; Siegfried’s face was flushed red as if he had a fever and his eyes were out of focus.

Then he flopped down on a chair he placed on the terrace, and beckoned me to come closer.

“You are still a minor, Your Highness. Who gave you a drink?”

“…your younger brother.”

Milliard this p*nk.

I stopped approaching Siegfried and thought that I should’ve kept my eyes on Milliard even when I was talking with Sir Manuel.

“Wait a minute, I’ll have Milliard…”

“Don’t go.”

I flinched when Siegfried grabbed the ribbon behind my dress as I turned around. He was looking at me with pitiful eyes with his lower lip sticking out as if he was acting like a baby.

“Alright I’m not going, so can you let go of what you’re holding now?”

“No, then you will go.”

“Didn’t I already say I won’t go?”

“No, I think you are going.”

Hmm, what to do. 

Well, I’m really on the verge of running away from him right now but I don’t know what to do anymore. I slowly walked back and went to his side.

He blinked his eyes sleepily but didn’t let go of my ribbon.

“I am here. Will you let it go now?”

“And if I don’t?”

Siegfried’s face was suddenly full of playfulness. Looking at him, he really was still no better than a child.

“That Gentleman earlier was completely far from your ideal type.”

“You already said that a while ago.”

“Did I? Anyway, he’s different.”

I ended up sitting beside Siegfried because he gave more strength tugging on the ribbon he was holding even though I was already close.

The dress I’m wearing now was one of my favorites. Siegfried’s grip should not be overlooked.

If I tried to forcibly get my dress from his grasp, I’m afraid it would tear apart.

“That Gentleman isn’t your ideal type.”

“That’s the third time you said that.”

“Ah, that’s right.”

Siegfried shrugged.

It seemed like he didn’t know what he was talking about.

“That Gentleman wasn’t…”

“Yes, not my ideal type. I am not interested in Sir Manuel.”

“Thank God.”

I thought that finally he was saying something different but Siegfried rubbed his sleepy eyes. He bent his upper body back and leaned against the chair.

Naturally, I had to lean over to follow his hand. Just when on earth will you let go of my ribbon? 

“…why am I so tired?”

“Because you were drinking. And Your Highness, don’t be friendly with Milliard.”

Anyway, these two little kids secretly drank alcohol. I’ll tell Abbysion about it.

“Did you get along with the nobles who attended today?”

I asked Siegfried, whose eyes were already half-closed. He tilted his head.

“Not too much, but because you’re with that Gentleman …”

“Because I’m with him?”

“…I was annoyed.”

I didn’t ask about that.

Our conversation was subtly misaligned; it was all about Sir Manuel. Does he hate Sir Manuel? 

“Don’t be friendly with that man.”

“Pardon? I’ve been close with Sir Manuel since I was a child.”

“Then starting now, don’t be close with him. If you don’t…”

I turned my head back at the feeling of being pulled. I heard the sound of even breathing and looked at Siegfried.

Otherwise what? No, wait a minute. Are you sleeping now?

I’m curious so it’s better to finish talking first before sleeping. Other than that, he shouldn’t sleep outside even if it’s summer now.

I grabbed Siegfried’s shoulder and shook him.

My ribbon was still in his hand, so if I didn’t wake him up, I had to stay here.

“If not then what? Please get up, Your Highness, it’s already morning.”

“……Uh, no, it’s not.”

Siegfried turned his body and slept, and even in this situation, he caught my lie.

I sighed and relaxed my shoulders. It was no use trying to pull my ribbon away and whining by myself.

Siegfried was ignorantly strong. Then I just have to wait here until someone comes.

I raised my head. Only the night sky that was filled with stars were the only ones shining brightly and beautifully.

…but how long do I need to stay like this? Anyone know? 

Abbysion, who had sent all the nobles back, was the one who found me and Siegfried.

Had it not been for him, I would have stayed up all night sitting on the patio.

It was almost dawn when I returned late as I changed into pajamas and took off my makeup.

Manuel offered to go for a walk before, but it seemed impossible now.

I went to bed and closed my eyes. I guess I was pretty tired too, so Suma came to me quickly. (T/N: Suma refers to our eternal enemy – drowsiness/when you’re sleepy, that you can’t fight it and just let it lull you to sleep.)

* * * * * * * * * * * *

It was already lunchtime when I opened my eyes again. I woke up just in time to start preparing dinner.

I hurriedly washed my body and changed clothes then I went to the kitchen to make sure that a sufficient amount of food was being prepared.

Time flew by, and soon it was time for dinner to be enjoyed.

I changed into a dress that fluttered like a butterfly and headed to the dining room. Most of the nobles had already gathered there.

Siegfried also came down early and greeted the guests.

Siegfried, Abbysion and Millard were sitting by my side, occasionally laughing at their jokes.

He seemed to have gotten to know them quite a bit while staying in the mansion. That’s why he must have had a drink with Milliard yesterday.

It’s good for our family to make friends with the male protagonist if possible then it will be easier for me to escape the danger of becoming Eisa’s fiancée.

But I also don’t want to go anywhere beyond friendship with Siegfried. I know the young male lead, and that’s all he is to me; I hate complicated things.

“Lady, please sit next to me.”

Apparently, there were only men in the restaurant, and I was the only woman, so their gaze was naturally focused on me.

I sat down next to Abbysion, rejecting the proposals of nobles my age.

Sir Manuel also sat next to me, but somehow I couldn’t move my feet towards him.

It wasn’t because of what Siegfried said yesterday that I shouldn’t have that relationship with Sir Manuel.

However, since Sir Manuel said that he sees me that way, I thought it would be better to keep some distance.

The last person who came in was seated, and the dinner began in earnest.

As we drank several glasses of wine, everyone started to raise their voices with a slightly flushed face.

“… so this year will be over soon. Last year, there were many people who did not even show up.”

“I have no choice but to take care of the estate. Fortunately, I have time this year.”

“Wasn’t it because you wanted to impress the Crown Prince?”

After all, Siegfried was popular with both men and women.

The nobles who attended the dinner each approached Siegfried to share a word with him, and Siegfried dealt with them as if he was familiar with them. Even though he had been restrained by Eisa, a prince was still a prince.

And from time to time, I happened to meet Siegfried’s eyes, which were also quietly staring at me.

(T/N: I quite liked this drunk Siegfried xD)