Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 449: The Saint’s Ceremony, Continued
The ceremony gathered promising young people from throughout the Kingdom of Sart so they could become acquainted with Saint Matilda. A few, such as Marquis Halagoura’s grandson Suguro, had already formed tightly knit groups, but most began by speaking with whoever happened to be nearby and gradually expanding their circle of acquaintances.
Because Aeris was Marquis Van Dyne’s daughter and stood beside Tauro, Haku, and Zion of House Graunewald, the four were naturally regarded as a faction of their own.
“We aren’t part of Suguro’s group, but perhaps we should join the line and greet the Saint,” Tauro suggested, indicating the line of young attendants waiting before Matilda.
“We’re only supposed to accompany her while she remains in the Royal Capital, are we not? Is a formal greeting truly necessary? I think Haku would benefit more from meeting the other participants.”
Aeris believed they should use the time to establish useful connections for House Graunewald’s future heir.
“You have a point, but this is a ceremony held in the Saint’s honor. We should at least observe the minimum courtesy.”
Tauro understood her practical reasoning, but because they had already met Matilda in private, it seemed wiser to greet her before she noticed them herself.
“Very well. Let us finish quickly, then concentrate on introducing Haku to the others.”
Aeris took the lead, and the four joined the line.
They hadn’t been waiting long when Matilda noticed them.
“Lady Aeris? You’re here too!”
Ignoring the young person currently greeting her, Matilda beckoned enthusiastically.
Tauro and the others hesitated. Officially, this was supposed to be their first meeting.
The members of Matilda’s Luwan entourage immediately began murmuring.
“Who are they? Does anyone recognize them?”
“No. I’ve never seen them before.”
“Then the Saint shouldn’t know them either. We investigated everyone who was permitted to meet her.”
The young people selected by Sart were equally confused.
“Is that not Marquis Van Dyne’s daughter? Is she already close to the Saint?”
“How strange. My father reviewed everyone received by the Luwan delegation, and I don’t remember seeing Lady Aeris on the list.”
“Marquis Van Dyne leads the largest neutral faction. Perhaps they met secretly.”
Speculation about House Van Dyne’s influence spread through both groups, some favorable and some suspicious.
With Matilda still waving to them, Tauro and the others left the line and approached her.
A sharp glare followed them.
Suguro and his followers had apparently been next in line. Matilda’s single gesture had caused their turn to be skipped. For the grandson of Marquis Halagoura, leader of the kingdom’s largest old-noble faction, the public slight must have been deeply humiliating.
“Lady Aeris, you came to see me!”
The moment Matilda spoke Aeris’s name, the Luwan officials hurriedly consulted the documents in their hands. They relaxed after confirming that Aeris was Marquis Van Dyne’s daughter and had been recommended by the Sart royal family, with an established connection to Prince Fleue.
Matilda had been born a commoner, so Luwan was extremely cautious about her relationships. Once she became famous, distant relatives, forgotten acquaintances, and complete strangers claiming friendship had appeared in great numbers.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Saint Matilda,” Aeris said formally on behalf of the group.
“There’s no need for that. We’ve already met, remember? Since you’re here, we can spend time together, can’t we?”
“I would be delighted.”
Aeris deliberately avoided promising anything beyond their assigned stay in the Royal Capital.
“Martha,” Matilda called to one of the noblewomen attending her, “can Lady Aeris and the others accompany us when we tour the Kingdom of Sart?”
Martha listened to an official behind her, then relayed the answer.
“Marquis Van Dyne’s daughter, the two sons of Count Graunewald, and the half-beastman girl were recommended by the royal family. Their assignment, however, covers only your stay in the capital.”
“What? Only the capital? Tell them I can’t tour the kingdom unless Lady Aeris and the others remain with me.”
“Lady Matilda, that would be—”
The Luwan delegation fell into confusion and immediately began consulting its Sart counterparts.
Aeris had feared precisely this outcome, which was why she had answered so carefully. Her caution hadn’t helped.
Members of the royal family were also present at the ceremony. Prince Fleue was nowhere to be seen, but the change in atmosphere made it obvious that something troublesome was developing.
“Lady Aeris, may I speak with you?”
The speaker was the Crown Prince of Sart, one of the ceremony’s principal hosts.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Highness. How may I assist you?”
Aeris became tense at once. Tauro felt the same pressure. Haku and Zion understood only that the situation had become serious, but the Crown Prince’s presence left both of them frozen.
“Please be at ease. Saint Matilda appears to have taken a great liking to you. For the sake of our kingdom, would you accompany her not merely in the capital, but throughout her tour?”
His wording was polite, but the force behind it left almost no room for refusal.
Aeris could hardly reject a direct request from the Crown Prince. Tauro and the others had even less standing to do so.
“We have several obligations of our own, so the request is difficult,” Aeris answered carefully. “Nevertheless, I understand. I’ll accompany her. My companions are extremely busy, however, so I ask that they be permitted to serve only during the stay in the capital.”
She tried to shield the others by accepting the burden alone.
Tauro couldn’t allow that.
“Please wait, Lady Aeris. My younger brother Haku can’t leave the Royal Capital while his adoption procedures are being completed, so I must decline on his behalf. Zion and I, however, will accompany you.”
Tauro faced the Crown Prince without wavering.
“I see. That’s a relief. You’re among those recommended by Fleue, are you not?” The Crown Prince turned toward Matilda. “Lady Matilda, does this arrangement satisfy you?”
“Yes. I’m very pleased!”
Matilda smiled innocently, delighted that Aeris would remain at her side.