The Hero is Standing in My Way - Chapter 36.1

Chapter 36 part 2

“Would you like to dance with me?” Killian moved his arm slightly.

It was as if he’s telling me to put my hand on his arms. I looked around to see if the villagers had brought grapes by now. Fortunately, I haven’t noticed anything that resembled grapes yet. I put my hand on Killian’s arm.

–Clatter!

Then there was the sound of a glass hitting the table. Startled, I removed my hand from Killian’s arm.

“Killian.”

Siegfried, who had only been surrounded by a multitude of people, squirmed between the two of us. His lips twisted as he looked at the outstretched arm of Killian towards me, and my hand lifted in mid-air.

“One gold coin when you lower your arm.”

Siegfried has made an outrageous offer.

Not understanding what he was talking about, Kilian and I blinked.

Siegfried talked again, “I’ll add another gold coin if you step back.”

“Are you… talking to me now?” Killian asked, slightly perplexed.

Siegfried nodded. “Then, is there any money-crazy guy here besides you?”

“I will do it. So, will you give it to me?”

Here it is.

I raised my hand. I don’t know what game Siegfried was going to play so suddenly, but I was willing enough to participate. One gold coin is equal to 100 erks, so I will have enough to buy a new dress. I can buy a bag for two (gold coins).

“……Don’t joke around.”

Siegfried furrowed his eyebrows as if he was dumbfounded. It was like his expression was telling me he doesn’t know which part of him looks like joking.

By the way, are we finally talking? After two days?

I smiled slightly because I was more than happy to see Siegfried bet money.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but I seemed to have disturbed Your Royal Highness.”

Killian said as he fiddled with his silver hair resembling that of a dewy spider web at dawn. He quickly followed his swords as if he thought  it  would be better for him to leave his seat.

“I need to go get some more drinks. It was a pleasure talking to you, Ariel.”

“Ah yes. Me too.” I replied bewildered.

Soon after, Killian lowered his arm and took a step away from me.

“You said two gold coins.”

How are you being meticulous in getting your money in the middle of all this? I should learn from him.

“Take it in moderation from my room.”

Siegfried said nothing without looking at Killian. Thanks to you, he was now only looking at me. 

“You can’t do that! What if Killian takes three?”

“Ariel, what should I do if you say that?”

Killian clicked his tongue in regret. I guess he really thought so. Anyway, Killian was no ordinary person. It’s good that I told Siegfried about him beforehand.

“Two or three are the same.”

No it’s not…!

I almost threw a tantrum at Siegfried.

No matter how rich you are, do you have no care for someone like him? You have to save money to get richer. 

But for Siegfried, there is no such thing. Since he  will inherit the diamond mine and become Emperor.

“It’s fine, so go now.”

Siegfried raised his hand toward Killian as if he was annoyed. Killian looked at me with a bit of resentment and left.

“It looks like money can be used at times like this. Can I show off my wealth like this? Or should I have tried raising the amount a little more?” Siegfried asked me with a serious face.

He very naturally opened up a conversation as if the past two days were blown away.

“Wasn’t Your Highness angry with me?”

And I couldn’t understand him. There is a cold war going on. So was it only me who thought that we were having a cold war? In just two days, Siegfried was treating me as if he was fine after I rejected his confession.

“What does it matter if I am angry?”

“Yes?”

“You never came to me first. It has always been like that. We’ll have a little bit of argument and you will completely ignore me.”

Siegfried was very calm.

Come to think of it, I was shocked by his manner when he rejected Count Paresa’s proposal for me. So, I vowed that I won’t get involved with Siegfried again. I would have been able to keep him away until recently, if only he hadn’t approached me with his pitiful face as he tried to reconcile with me.

I hurt him. 

This time as well, it was Siegfried who bowed first whenever this happened.