Chapter 30 Late Bloomer

All the ladies wish to go shopping for clothes, but… I don’t really want to…

But on the same note, it’d be odd if I didn’t join everyone after coming all the way here with them…

Reluctantly, I follow them as they whir this way and that. Passing through shop after shop, raising a whirlwind of commotion of lace and cloth, bead and receipts.

The bags piling onto the guys is starting to look scary… Even if they’re Kindred, this might be… I look towards the lofty sun hanging at its highest peak.

Then I look towards the boys. Vali doesn’t stop complaining. Even Hel is doing his best to assure himself of his knight’s blood and strength. Sól is as impassive as ever, with the exception of his eyes glazing over. Actually, that’s a bit worrisome… Only Nott doesn’t seem to be having a problem.

I haven't bought a single thing, because!

Earlier this week, I found out you could simply order things from a catalogue and have them delivered to your dormitory!

How convenient!

To be honest, I wanna just go into a bookstore or something… My feet hurttt. My throat feels parcheddd. But the worst part about all this, is that my ears hurt the most from Vali’s complaining! Feeling wobbly, a steady hand suddenly reaches out to stabilize me.

“Are you okay, miss? You’re looking quite pale.”

Peering over, I see a dazzling glare of white from the sun. It obscures my vision for a moment as I try to make out the figure.

“Hmn? Why if it isn’t Lady Aeriea Newlyn.”

“A-Ah. Prince Mercurius…?”

T-That’s right…! I was trying to find him and Princess Ceres! I completely forgot after being caught up with these dolts!

“I have to ask you something!” Turning the situation on its heels, I firmly grip his shoulders with both my hands.

“Uh, L-Lady Aeriea?”

Everyone in our group suddenly stops what they’re doing to turn and look at us.

Instinctively, I glance at Nott. Hmn? He looks a little surprised, but other than that, he looks perfectly fine. W-Whew…

Ah no, he’s walking over. “T-This isn’t-”

“Merc, it’s been a while.”

He called him Merc…!? I let go in confusion.

“Nott! How have you been? I heard you’ve enrolled in the University, you scoundrel! Why haven’t you visited me earlier?”

“Hmph, what are you saying. Isn’t it you who is too busy to come see me.”

“Ahaha, of course I always have time for a childhood friend.”

That idiot actually has another childhood friend!? I reel from the shock.

“Sól! You’re here as well, how have you been?”

Sól nods his head once in recognition, his eyes still glazed over from the weight of carrying all those shopping bags.

“Prince Mercurius.” A chilling voice rings throughout the courtyard.

"...Lady Linette.” His smile is still the same amounts of brilliant radiance. However, I feel his tone loses its gentleness from when he was talking to us.

Nott and Sól must notice the same, for they take a step back.

“My, it seems you have much free time on your hand to be out in town. I thought you would normally be hard at work and studying at this time of day.” Margot flashes her signature elegant smile, but I see her eyes are much harder and colder than I’ve ever seen them before - It’s truly terrifying.

“What are you saying, I too need fresh air once in a while.”

“Of course. I did not mean this as insult, rather I say this because I’m quite glad to see you finally able to take a break. A future King’s health is of utmost importance after all.”

“Haha, you flatter me so. I am nothing compared to my elder brother who will be the one to inherit the crown.”

“You are much too humble.”

To any bystander, this would look like a simple conversation. Rather, these two are so beautiful, a blinding light is emitting from them. However, from my intuition, I can sense they’re actually on really bad terms.

Speaking of which… I see Astrid swooning to my right, “Those two would be the perfect power couple…! How absolutely stunning they are together!” and Veronique nodding proudly on my left. But all the while, I can only see flashes of tension spark between the two.

“Erm… So Lady Margot and Prince Mercurius know each other?”

“Know each other!? Lady Margot has always been the prime candidate for Prince Mercurius’ fiancee!”

“Imagine our Margot as the Princess of the nation. It suits her quite well, don’t you think?”

I glance at Margot’s cold countenance as she continues speaking… Somehow I have a feeling she doesn't want to just be a Princess, but to be the Queen. I look towards the other party and get a feeling that Mercurius doesn’t want to be the King.

How complicated.

Good thing this has nothing to do with me…

Suddenly, the two look in my direction.

Eh?

“Actually, Lady Aeriea is the one who is amazing. She overtook me as first place during the aptitude exam. Compared to my elder brother, Juler, who was first place throughout his schooling career, I am ashamed to say that I am no match for him.”

P-Please don’t drag me into this.

“What are you saying? Losing a rank or two once in a blue moon does not prove you inferior. Raise your head, for you have many other good qualities as a man who will one day look after this nation and its citizens!”

Wow, what a remarkable counter attack! Even Mercurius’ dazzling smile looks strained now.

“Ahhhh! Lady Margot is the perfect noblewoman! I forgot recently because of all her weird talk on Lady Leila, but she will truly make the perfect wife to the second Prince!”

“You’re right! How could we have forgotten our respect for her!? If you discount her weird obsession with Lady Leila, she is someone with my utmost admiration!”

…You two. Even if your eyes are sparkling, you know you’re insulting more than complimenting her, right?