Chapter 173, New Year’s Uproar Brought by White_2 (: Fake)

Translator: Nonon

Proofreader: Silavin

 

POV: Mary

 

I wanted to know what love was.

That is all.

Because of love, Mr. Clo is able to oppose people with higher status than him, like Vermillion, Ash, Char and Ecul.

In a sense, I have also spoken out to the people of higher status than me without worrying about consequences, but in my case, it was only done at the ‘perfect time’, so it was different from what Mr. Clo had done out of his love for Violet. So I thought that if I could learn the principle behind his behavior, I would be able to face some things myself.

 

“That’s why, I’m sorry. This is not an affair or anything like that, Violet.”

“… That better be true.”

 

I was pleading my case in front of Violet, whose voice was unusually flat.

Normally I would have been careful to not be overheard by anyone, but I could not see my surroundings and did not notice Violet approaching the room.

 

“When I came home after taking care of some business and went to check on Gray… I heard that you were here and came running, only to find you closing in on my Husband, asking him to teach you about love. Moreover, you were so close that it looked like you were about to hold his hand.”

“I am truly sorry about that.”

 

Violet’s expression and voice reminded me of when she was at the academy, so even I sensed the danger and apologized profusely.

Yes, from the side it must have looked like I was trying to steal away the person Violet loved again. This could have become a bloodbath if Violet had not calmly grasped the situation.

 

 

“Please calm down, Lady Violet. It’s not like Ms. Mary meant any harm.”

 

Although Mr. Clo was flustered by the situation, he backed me up and tried to calm the situation.

Mr. Clo was initially worried about us being the only ones in the room, and he was kind enough to talk with me since we both had memories of our past lives, but as expected, it was too rash of him…

 

“… If you say so, Lord Clo.”

 

Violet’s face, which had been expressionless until now, changed after hearing Mr. Clo’s words and she let out a small sigh.

…The fact that she could calm down at this moment once again made me think that she had really changed. Before, even Vermillion’s words wouldn’t have helped her calm down…

Did she calm down because her beloved Mr. Clo told her to? But at that time she also loved Vermillion, so maybe it’s really…

 

“Is this the work of love?…”

“… By the way, why did you suddenly start talking about love, Mary?”

“Well, I was thinking about what love is. We talked about it a little when we became friends but I had an opportunity to change my mind and ended up bumping into a wall called love,”

“So you came all the way from the capital to Shiki because of that…Okay, I understand that part, but why were you asking Lord Clo to teach you love?”

 

When I muttered softly, Violet asked me with a puzzled and complicated look on her face.

I could be honest with Mr. Clo, but I can’t tell her everything. I guess I’ll try to tell her by covering up things here and there.

 

“Well, he discovered my shameful past (my previous life) and he forcefully made me reveal it (in a match). I turned Mr. Clo into damaged goods (in a sense that I injured him after he head-butted me and activated my magic barrier) and revealed various things (about my past and the way of this world) to him in the infirmary. As a result, the only man I could talk to about my secret (previous life) and who remains so kind to me (even though he disliked me)…”

“Lord Clo?”

“Um, I’m sorry. I also don’t quite understand what she’s talking about.”

 

Huh, that’s strange. I hid the important parts while talking…, but why is Mr. Clo also confused? Also, was it just my imagination that Violet’s voice returned to how it was earlier?

 

“In another words, Mr. Clo is the only person who can pour out (you two’s) love to me!”

“Ms. Mary, is your new year’s resolution breaking up our Family?”

“Huh? Why would you say that?”

“I’m surprised you didn’t have problems at the academy until now…”

 

Huh, why would Mr, Clo put his hand on his forehead now?

 

“If Mr. Clo can’t do it, I’d be happy with Violet doing the showing too…”

“Me?…”

“Yes, love can also have another meaning: platonic love. I think taking another step with you will lead to love, Violet.”

“Hm?… Ah, so that’s what you meant. I understand it now…”

 

Hmm, why is it that when also Violet looked at my expression and then at Mr. Clo, she looked as if she was looking at a loser and thinking ‘Oh, that’s the strangeness I felt before…’ No, that can’t be. There’s no way they, who are clumsy at love themselves, would think of me like that.

 

“But even though I call them my friends, Kriemhild, Ms. Cyan and Apricot were the ones to approach me first and I was mostly passive… so I don’t know what to do.”

 

Even after hearing it again, it still feels weird that she’s good friends with Kriemhild… though I know that thinking this way is wrong.

 

“What about you, Lord Clo? You look like you have a lot of friends.”

“”I do have quite a few, but I’m not really sure about how to make friends or deepen friendships, and I understand even less about platonic love. Besides… I don’t think the love you’re talking about can be understood in that way, Ms. Mary…”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, that’s why…”

 

After answering Violet’s question, Mr. Clo looked troubled. After a short pause, he looked at me and continued speaking.

 

“… I think you’ll be able to find out if you interact with the people of Shiki.”

 

 

—-

Author’s note:

Violet’s point of view:

– After receiving some troublesome messages right at the start of the new year, she came home tired

– When she went to check on her Son, she found out that Mary (who had stolen the person she loved in the past) had come

– Wondering about the reason of her visit, she went to the room and heard a voice pleading for love

– After rushing into the room, she found Mary creeping in on her Husband

 

Conclusion: One wrong move and it would have been a disaster.