The Sword and The Dress - V3C4 PART4

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Translator: iveyra | Editor: Ms. Sheepnn
The next morning, Sofia didn’t show up like usual. Instead, another maid served me. Since the maid was selected by Sieg, she was so skilled that I didn’t feel uncomfortable, but I couldn’t help but felt uneasy deep down in my heart. But, I realized I had better get used to it.

After going to the Special Task Squad and having breakfast together with Captain Jullius, I felt a little more at ease. I would have felt even better had I not been told by the two sisters that Sofia’s cooking skills have increased. It reminded me of Sofia. Anyway, for that reason, I wanted to avoid returning home for as long as possible, so I was thinking up an excuse to loiter in the Special Task Squad, but Ortzen called for me. When I went up to his office and sat on the sofa, Ortzen, who had a somewhat anxious look, opened his mouth.

“What happened at yesterday’s banquet has already been widely rumored.”

“Because rumors spread fast in the Imperial Court.”

Moreover, like a forest fire stirred up by the winter wind, the horrendous content was worth spreading. Ortzen let out a small sigh at my words.

“Rumors are only natural since it’s about the duchy prince’s unrequited love.”

“It’s a lie.”

If it was Ortzen, he should have already gotten the wind of it, but just to be sure, I said that quickly.

“It’s something Sieg came up with without consulting anyone.”

“I know. I also know that, but a matter regarding a man and a woman doesn’t always work out the way you think it will.”

And then, he looked at me as though he was blaming me. What is it?

“Think whatever you want, but Sieg doesn’t even love me and I don’t love him either, okay?”

If I can, I’m going to marry Captain Jullius out of love. But it didn’t happen the way I wanted it to so it became a problem.

“Even if you say so, there’s no telling when a person will have a change of heart. Honestly, now that it has come to this, I wish I could pull myself out of anything related to the Count’s household.”

What?

“Why would I lie to you?! It’s just that Sieg put up a pretense to make things easier! Are you saying you don’t trust me?!”

“Yes, I know. I understand and I also think Lord Roel is trustworthy. The problem is Sir Siegfred.”

When he implied that he wanted to retract the engagement, it instantly made me swell in anger, but when he said I’m trustworthy, my anger subsided a little once again. I cleared my throat once then opened my mouth.

“Sieg is the problem?”

“What I’m trying to say is, Sir Siegfred may have feelings for Lord Roel. Since it’s common for a feeling of love to bloom in a relationship between a young man and woman who have known each other for a long time.”

“… Eii, I don’t think so.”

“But if it’s so, then Lord Roel’s opinion doesn’t matter at all.”

“Why?”

“Because he’s that kind of person.”

Uh, so……

“… So you mean like, even if I don’t like him, I’ll be forced to marry him or something like that?”

“Yes, and our poor leader will be eliminated. As expected, saying that the engagement never happened is the safe–“

“Nothing is certain yet!”

Why do you keep trying to cancel the engagement?!

“No matter how I look at it, I don’t think that’s going to happen, but if what adjutant Ortzen says is true, I’ll try to stop him by any means!”

“How?”

“I’ll ask the High Priest to ensure the safety of Captain Jullius at the very least. Well, even if I do that, it’s not like he’s going to kill me.”

If it’s the High Priest, he should even be able to stop the duchy prince. Once Captain Jullius escapes to the Church, he could get protection from there, and I’m sure he could get that far on his own with his abilities. However, Ortzen still had a disapproving look.

“I wonder if the High Priest will accept it.”

“He’ll accept it. Or I’ll go tell him right away today! Are you happy now?”

Only then did Ortzen nod his head.n
“I feel somewhat relieved to hear you say this. Please make sure you keep your promise, I beg of you.”

… What a finicky bastard. There’s nothing wrong with being cautious in everything, but this is too much. I sighed deeply and leaned back in the sofa.

“Is that why you called for me?”

“Yes, at first, but I’m worried about something else.”

“… What else?”

“First of all, it’s highly likely that many women will be after Captain in the future.”

“What?!”

What kind of bullshit is this again? I unconsciously knitted my brow.

“But Captain Jullius is not popular with women.”

“So far, it has been like that, but public opinion must have changed a lot because of what happened yesterday.”

“… Well, Sieg did tell me that Captain’s reputation would rise.”

“Yes, that’s right. At yesterday’s banquet, it was revealed that between a duchy prince and a knight squad’s leader of unknown origin, the young noble lady, Silla Epheria, chose the latter.”

“Yeah. That’s why they’ll think that Captain Jullius and I are engaged because we have mutual feelings.”

Then, doesn’t that mean that it’ll make the women distance themselves more instead? After all, he’s a man who has someone he loves.

“Of course there are some people who think that way, but there are surely some that also think that there is actually something that could be gained from the Captain for you to forsake royalty for him.”

“Uh… there’s nothing much that could be gained though. Maybe, his money?”

Thanks to Clauen, Captain has a great deal of money, so much so that he doesn’t have to be jealous of anyone. Ortzen shook his head briefly at my words.

“Can wealth be compared against the direct descendant of a country’s royal family? Perhaps, there will be some people who wonder whether that old rumor that created a public scandal is actually true.”

But most of the rumors about the Captain aren’t good. Were there any favorable rumor?

“… Ah, you mean the thing about the possibility of Captain Jullius being His Majesty the Emperor’s hidden child?”

There was such a rumor circulating where they said the emperor had personally picked up a young man of unknown origin and taken care of him, then put him in a position of commander.

“So you’re saying that some people might think that Captain is really a member of the Imperial Family, and that’s why I turned down Sieg?”

“Correct. You know it well.”

Ortzen was pleased, but I felt uncomfortable beyond words inside. What the–, that means, if they believe that kind of bullshit, it’s highly likely there’ll be nobles who try to introduce their daughter to Captain Jullius. Whether he’s a hidden or secret child, the Imperial Family is still the Imperial Family after all.

“… Can’t we disclose the fact that he’s not?”

“For now, it’s more advantageous to let him be mistaken as one. If you reveal it, others might think we’re doing that to hide the truth instead. An aggressive rebuttal could increase the credibility.”

“… But Captain won’t simply fall for those kinds of women.”

Ortzen laughed slyly at my words.

“I don’t know. He’s hungry for affection, so if someone approaches him kindly, he won’t be able to refuse them easily. Isn’t that the case with Lord Roel too?”

“I’m his fiancée!”

“Well, that’s true, but even though Sir Siegfred is merely a catalyst, it might be better just to entice a gentle noble lady with moderate influence. As long as the Captain is fine with it.”

My heart dropped when he said that. Even though we’re engaged, we promised to call off our engagement if we happen to fall in love with someone else. Damn it, this makes me nervous. I leapt from the seat and glared at Ortzen.n
“I’ll go to the Church to ask the High Priest for a favor first. So don’t even think about doing something stupid with Sieg!”

“Don’t worry. I won’t do anything first. I’m going to respect Captain’s opinion completely.”

What a smooth talker. Holding back the urge of wanting to give him a hard kick on his shameless face, I left Ortzen’s office. After meeting with the High Priest, I’ll go back again to the Special Task Squad, then wait for Captain Jullius and talk to him calmly. Let’s calm down and talk to him calmly.

Since the Church didn’t restrict people from entering, it wasn’t difficult to meet the High Priest. Normally, you would be blocked by the barrier so you couldn’t get inside, but not me. I ran into an unfamiliar cleric on my way and I thought he would ask me whether if I had permission to enter, but he didn’t pay much attention to me. Even if I got caught, it wouldn’t be a problem since the High Priest already knows who I am.

The High Priest, as always, stayed in the private prayer room. It didn’t seem like he was in a good mood because his long loose hair was light grey. His gaze also seemed very displeased when he looked at me. As far as I could see, it didn’t seem like the right time to ask him for a favor, when he’s not happy. What should I do? Should I even bother acting cute for him?

“It’s been a while since I last saw you, but was there anything that made you upset?”

I asked as politely as possible, but the High Priest sulked and pouted his mouth. What the–, what’s wrong with him?

“Did you just say ‘it’s been a while’?”

“Yes, that’s what I said.”

It’s only been a few days. I think it’s been around ten days. Well, it hasn’t been that long.

“… Sir Roel.”

The High Priest let out a long sigh then continued.

“I told you to come to play often, didn’t I?”

“Uh… you did.”

“But, you say ‘it’s been a while’? Do you think it’s right to say ‘it’s been a while’ now?”
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