Kays Translations

Chapter 236: The End of the Social Season

We returned to the townhouse, changed clothes, bathed and slept like the dead. Apparently, I had been more nervous than I realised. In my dreams, Lady Fabienne accused me of being unfaithful. Please, let no strange rumours reach her.

After a sound night's sleep, we rose at the usual time and went to the washroom. Nero helped me prepare for the day. I felt guilty, as he must have been tired after the party too.

“Now that we have done our part, we can finally return to ordinary life.”

“That is true. It was difficult, but we enjoyed ourselves in the end.”

“Thank you, Axel, Ijidol. I had a good time because you were there. The etiquette lessons were hell, though.”

“Yes…”

“They certainly were…”

They exchanged distant looks. The dreadful training had produced results, but it had still been dreadful. Manners were clearly something one should practise little by little every day.

“Do not forget what you learned. Otherwise, you may have to endure those lessons all over again.”

“I know. I will review them from time to time after I return home.”

“So will I.”

“Only from time to time? I suspect another round of lessons may be necessary.”

“Your towel, Lord Julius.”

“Thank you, Nero.”

Their faces tightened. We reached the dining room, where fried eggs, bread, salad and ham were waiting—a perfectly ordinary breakfast.

I greeted Brother Alex, who had arrived before us, and sat down to eat.

“This will be our last breakfast together for now. Thank you both. Had Julius been alone, I am certain he would have escaped.”

“You honour us. We are the ones indebted to House Heine.”

Axel and Ijidol bowed. They truly had supported me. I did not know whether I would actually have fled, but without them the etiquette course would never have succeeded.

“I will attend several more social gatherings. When convenient, perhaps the two of you could accompany Julius and me again?”

“Of course.”

“We would be honoured.”

They answered like accomplished gentlemen. They had grown so much… I felt like a proud father. Nero quietly handed me a handkerchief. When had I started crying?

Once my sentimental mood passed, the formal clothes prepared for Axel and Ijidol were given to them. They looked extremely expensive, though I had no idea of the actual price.

“I would like to thank you both. Is there anything you want?”

“A reward? You have already given us so much, Julius.”

“Exactly. We feel as though we have finally repaid a little of what we owe you.”

“Is that how you see it?”

They had returned to their usual manner of speaking. It was useful that they could switch properly when circumstances required it. As for what I had given them—did they mean our sword and magic training? They could have trained without me, surely. Their gratitude left me oddly conflicted.

“Very well. If either of you ever has a problem, tell me. I will help however I can.”

“All right.”

“And if you need anything, Julius, tell us.”

With that, the two left the House Heine townhouse. It felt lonely, but Nero and Lelie were here now. I went to the royal castle and prepared for work in the compounding room.

Over the following days, I attended several more gatherings with Axel and Ijidol, taught the royal magic pharmacists how to sweeten their medicines, and inspected the new icehouse being built inside the royal castle.

I also practised swordsmanship with Nero at the townhouse. As expected, he was strong. When I taught him magic, he learned that quickly too. He was the perfect all-round attendant.

When I became carried away and nearly taught him assassination techniques, Brother Alex stopped me. Asked where I had learned such things, I lied that I had read them in an old book. He scolded me furiously for reading harmful material. But surely an attendant who knew assassination techniques was a classic trope?

While those days passed, the social season came to an end. I encountered Lady Carolina several times, but because of Princess Chloe and the political considerations surrounding us, we could not speak as freely as before. It was lonely, but unavoidable. However pampered we noble children might be, we were still pieces in our parents' political games.

Axel made the most of the opportunity instead. Perhaps he liked Lady Carolina; he always seemed delighted to speak with her. I was glad his etiquette training had paid off. Whatever had first caught his attention, his 'Carolina sensor' was certainly working.

“What is it, Julius? Are you sad to leave the royal capital?”

“A little. I am sad to leave everyone I have grown close to.”

“Heh. I never expected you to say that. I thought you would declare that you never wanted to visit the royal capital again.”

Brother Alex laughed. Perhaps he had summoned me to the royal capital expecting exactly this. Father had probably sent me for the same reason. Their plan had succeeded.

Even so, I had gained a great deal. Nero and Lelie would accompany me back to the territorial capital as planned. Having a personal attendant and maid would be useful, though Lelie was still in training.

Once we returned, I might be able to move more freely than before. Then again, with Nero and Lelie watching me, staying up all night or shutting myself in the library or compounding room would probably become harder, not easier.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter