Chapter 182, Meeting of the Lords (aka Drinking Party)_1

Translator: Xini

Proofreader: Silavin

 

I was fretting over the current state of affairs as I was tossed about in the carriage ride to the next town over.

 

“Why should the meeting be held now of all times…”

 

Yes, I’m en route to the meeting at the moment.

I may call it a meeting, but it’s just a gathering of Lords who convene to share information. It happens once a year and there’s no drama created by Lords butting heads. We share any problems we may be facing and look for a solution together but only a handful of Lords governing the surrounding regions participate in the meeting.

 

“Do you hate it that much? The meeting or whatever it is.”

“Well the meeting is one thing, where sharing news about Shiki is just plain depressing, but the drinking party that follows is a whole other thing.”

“Ah, I see. The new year is just another excuse to meet up and get sloshed.”

“Exactly.”

 

The meeting itself is conducted in a proper manner, but once it’s brought to a close, everyone brings out their regional or foreign specialty drinks or foods under the pretext of getting to know your neighbor better.

I, being one of the youngest Lords, always have to walk on eggshells whenever that happens.

That said, I’ve got a bigger headache…

 

“Gray might fall into the clutches of the academy Principal…”

“I’ll investigate to the best of my abilities. You’ve already paid half of my fee up front. Rest assured, I’ll complete my task no matter what.”

“Thank you, Ms. Schwarz.”

 

The problem is, I feel like Principal Noel has set his sights on Gray in more ways than one. I entrusted Ms. Schwarz, who was swaying along with me in the carriage to the capital, with investigating the matter as I couldn’t possibly send Gray off to the academy until it’s certain he will be safe.

 

“Anyway, you’re wondering if it’s the same situation as… Bligh, right? Does it warrant so much concern?

“Even if they were to have the same preference, he may not practice Mr. Bligh’s ‘No touch’ policy. Violet and I couldn’t ship our Son off to a predator as live prey.”

 

If Principal Noel happens to have a ‘Yes Touch’ policy, then I have no idea what could unfold.

Knowing Gray, if the Principal were to tell him, “This is part of academy rules,” Gray might just believe him and fall victim to the Principal’s schemes. Gray is so gullible that the possibility frightens me.

 

“I see. So Bligh is confirmed to look at boys that way which is a matter of concern, huh. But who would have thought that the legendary blacksmith of the Empire liked little boys… I had always pictured him as this legend whose superior weapons were still being used everywhere.”

 

Come to think of it, Ms. Schwarz and Mr. Bligh are both citizens of the Empire.

They do seem to have run across each other in Shiki before, but if there were no boys present during their interactions, I suppose there’s no way for her to find out his preferences. It is true that he’s an excellent blacksmith though.

 

“Oh right, Ms. Schwarz. Could you refrain from blurting out that you love that I have a harem in Lady Violet’s presence? I’ll have you know I’m a one-woman kinda guy.”

 

I had to remind her because I suddenly recalled how she shouted, ‘Look! It’s a harem,’ upon noticing Lady Violet and Ms. Mary together with me.

I don’t mind her teasing me when it’s just us, but I’d like her to not talk about it in front of Lady Violet at the very least.

 

“You know I wasn’t just talking out of my ass. I mean Violet obviously likes you, but that Vert lady also likes you, doesn’t she? Albeit in a weird way?”

“Yes, that’s true. Are you sure you don’t like me too?”

 

Ms. Schwarz’s harem remark while boarding the carriage had Lady Violet desperately asking her what she meant by that. She was so insistent that she almost got into the carriage with us but as she still had some work to take care of in Shiki, she relented and tearfully bade us goodbye.

 

“Well, I don’t hate your personality. It’s not revolting like most Nobles despite being the Lord of a territory filled with weirdos, you don’t flat out deny their existence but accept them and rule them with an iron fist. I respect and like that about you.”

 

Wow… being told all that to your face is certainly making me blush.

But I don’t think she means she likes me romantically…

 

“That said, I don’t have any feelings for you. Besides, I sadly don’t plan to marry and spend the rest of my life with one person.”

 

So, she doesn’t like me that way after all.

But what does she mean she doesn’t want to marry? Surely, she’s not gonna say, ‘One needs to be alone in order to preserve one’s beauty,’ or something like that, right? Honestly… I wouldn’t put it past her.

 

“Is that so?”

“Yep. Also marriage is not for someone like me. But I’m sorry for teasing you. It was just so amusing to see you surrounded by so many women fawning over you.”

“I mean it’s fine…”

 

She said something I would not expect from someone who has complete confidence in their looks.

While it certainly takes time to warm up to her, her beauty quite literally makes her stands out and yet she speaks as if she has nothing to offer.

 

“Also, I wanted to talk about Mary.”

 

Seeing as how she hurried to switch the subject, I decided I’d better not probe any further.

I’m sure she has feelings of her own and her pride to protect.

 

“Right. Earlier, you made it sound like Ms. Mary also likes me. I’d appreciate it if you could please stop saying that. She isn’t aware of it herself, but she probably has feelings for someone back at the academy.”

“Hmm. Really?”

 

To be honest, Ms. Mary did not make it clear if she had feelings for any particular student, but I don’t think I’m one of the candidates.

I think her feelings towards me are one of camaraderie as someone who shares knowledge of another world. We sure have a good time talking with each other, but it isn’t anything… romantic.

 

“You may be right but there’s something I’ve been curious about.”

“What is it?”

“Well, the last time I saw her she felt like an empty shell, but now she feels so completely different that it caught me off guard. I thought it may have been your influence on her that brought about such an effect.”

 

That’s probably because Ms. Mary thought she could figure out Ms. Schwarz’s character as long as she stuck to the plot.

But the fact that she noticed that it could be the effect I’ve had on Ms. Mary, makes her quite sharp or she may have simply taken a shot in the dark.

 

“We barely had a conversation. What kind of influence could I have possibly had on her in such a short time?”

 

Well Ms. Mary tends to be a little too self-conscious but our talk earlier really drove home the reality of our current circumstances so I’m sure that did affect her to some extent.

 

“Still, she’s become prettier than before. And the reason being…”

 

Ms. Schwarz stroked her chin, racking her brains on how to put in words the difference she felt in Ms. Mary’s appearance.

After a few moments of pondering, she proposed her theory.

 

“This could be a wild assumption, but…”

 

Her theory made me question her sanity.

But… the more I thought about it…. What if… no… no way… but it was starting to sound plausible.

 

…What am I to do, if she’s right?