The Hero is Standing in My Way - Chapter 24

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But today was ‘the first time we met’, so Siegfried turned his eyes away when I was about to say hello. I was like ‘What?’ the first time, then ‘What’s wrong with him?’ the second time, but I can see why he was acting that way the third time.

It must’ve been difficult for him to wave his hand and say he was happy to a person who already drew a line between them. I didn’t know I would be shunned this much, I was just seriously doing this for Siegfried.

I have no regrets; I didn’t want to go back, I only felt a little bittersweet.

While I was holding the wine glass in my hand trying to get over my subtle feelings, nobleman 1 was sitting nearby me and trying to talk to me.

“This dessert really tastes good, did Young Lady make this?”

“No, of course the chef.”

“…Haha, of course it was. I meant that Young Lady chose the menu selection.”

“Yes, I did.”

I smiled reluctantly.

Nobleman 1 started talking nonsense when he said that he was blinded by my bright smile. As if he felt that I was getting bored, he suggested that we  go out.

“Would you like to take a walk with me, Young Lady? There were many beautiful stars to look at tonight.”

His suggestion wasn’t as bad as I thought, because I was also feeling full and wanted to take a walk around the mansion.

“Yes, I need an escort.”

I stood up putting my hand on the arm of the nobleman I don’t know the name of.

In the middle of a heated discussion about subjugating monsters, Abbysion suddenly raised his head.

“Where are you going, Ariel? The old saga of Viscount McCariel is about to begin.”

“Ugh, I was tired of hearing that.”

I shook my head profusely but they just laughed though it wasn’t that funny. I was really treated as a princess to the point that it was uncomfortable, I can’t wait to get out of here.

“We will be right back. Please don’t stay up too late as you need to go right away after a day’s rest.”

“Young Lady is very worried about us, so it seems like we don’t can’t stay up all night.”

Whose mouth was spouting such nonsense? 

I left the dining room pretending to listen to their talks.

There were countless twinkling stars when I got out. The sound of the grasshoppers and the hot summer air brought me peace of mind.

“……I heard that Young Lady turned 20 last spring.”

(T/N: My, so Siegfried is only 15? Waah the age difference (quickly slaps myself) anyways, the age doesn’t matter in love 😉)

That’s correct, I nodded back but got lost in thought again. The unknown nobleman 1 sneakily talked to me who was quietly watching the stars.

“I felt like we were fated the first moment I saw you. Please marry me.”

“Yes? All of a sudden?”

I was startled so I took off my hand on the arm of nobleman 1. Some men were also like this since last year, and I’ve been trying to make excuses, but this nobleman in front of me comes right in.

“You may feel like it was very sudden, but I’ve been waiting for this time to come all day long.”

I don’t know what on earth you are talking about.

As soon as we reached the garden, nobleman 1 suddenly knelt on one knee and proposed.

“Young Lady, will you give me permission to kiss the back of your hand?”

I bet nobleman 1 would kneel here all night if I don’t answer. I’m in trouble, how come I never noticed the insidious nature of this man? No, I didn’t even have time to notice because he never showed it at all.

“Have you ever heard of my ideal type?” I asked carefully.

In the South, my criteria for a groom was quite well known. Some scoffed asking me where on earth I will find that kind of ideal type, some cheered, and some met the criteria, confidently sending me a proposal.

“I’ve heard of it, but I’m confident that once we have a conversation, I can change your mind.”

Then don’t be proud, I muttered to myself.

Nobleman 1 didn’t look that bad, but I don’t feel that fate he was talking about. He looks like a kid from a rich family, seeing that he wasn’t just shamelessly asking for my hand in marriage.

“It would be difficult, I have to leave tomorrow.”

First of all, I told the nobleman 1 to stand up.

It wasn’t that I hated being proposed to, I’m old enough to think about marriage seriously. However, I didn’t like this thing to be done out of the blue, and above all, he wasn’t 190cm tall.

His face…. Well let’s just say it was average. Ever since I’ve seen Siegfried, I don’t see other men as I did in the past.

“I ask you to take it seriously. I’m already planning to have a baby girl, a daughter and two sons…”

I don’t want to have children yet. 

No, isn’t this guy going too far?

How can I refuse him so there won’t be any mishaps in the future? That was then, slide, the curtain was pulled back and Siegfried appeared on the terrace protruding in the garden, as if he had only been waiting for this moment.

“… Your Highness?”

Nobleman 1 called to Siegfried in surprise. I also looked up and happened to meet his purple eyes, glowing like an angel in the night.

“It would be very difficult, Count Paresa.” Siegfried said without looking at me.

“What… did you hear of our conversation?”

“I didn’t mean to do that on purpose.”

That was obviously a lie otherwise, why did he suddenly appear on that terrace?!

I couldn’t take off my suspicious gaze at Siegfried, but he continued talking without even paying attention to my gaze.

“Count Paresa, will you please withdraw your proposal?”

So this nobleman 1 was Count Paresa. I just found out now because I didn’t pay much attention to the people around me.

“Your Highness, this is very personal…”

I’m fact, it was rude to dump cold water on such an important conversation such as this. However, Count Paresa can’t continue when Siegfried lowered his eyes and cut off the Count’s words.

Soon after, he made a remark making the both of us (Ariel and Count Paresa) to drop our mouths wide open.

“Ariel said she liked me.”

“What?”

“What?”

The Count and I asked at the same time.

What nonsense is Siegfried talking about now?

“My apologies, Count Paresa, but Ariel said I am the prettiest and most handsome that she can’t take her eyes off me.”

When did I? No, of course I said that but that’s not what I mean! And is that what you should say in this situation? 

I stomped my feet, but Siegfried ignored me and continued talking without even glancing at me.

“So I said wait for me until I grow up.”

And now I was like ‘Is that so? I think… I did….’

I felt like my memories were fabricated because Siegfried spoke in such a convincing tone.

“You-Young Lady, did you really?”

With shaking lips, the Count asked me. I shook my head and hands at the same time hurriedly.

“No! Never, I swear, I never…!”

“Ariel, didn’t you say you liked me? You said that in front of your brother. There were already witnesses, are you trying to set a man’s heart on fire and then trying to get out alone?” Siegfried asked with a pitiful expression on his face.

He covered his eyes and acted like he was trying to hide his overwhelming emotions.

“No, wait a minute.”

“I’ll have to bring Milliard and confirm with the Count. We’re both waiting here…”

“Pardon me for my rudeness! Please forget my proposal!”

“Count Parrera! Wait!”

I hurriedly reached out to the Count.

However, the Count had already run away from the wounds of his broken heart.

All alone in the garden, I looked up at Siegfried in vain.

He raised the corners of his lips.

“By the way, it was Count Paresa.”