Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 453: The Truth Behind the Rumors
The day after Tauro’s tense encounter with Saint Matilda in Prince Fleue’s private chamber, strange rumors began spreading through both the Luwan delegation and the Sart side of the Saint’s entourage.
The first rumor claimed that Matilda and Prince Fleue were romantically involved. A second, older rumor was then revived within the Kingdom of Sart: that Aeris was engaged to the prince.
“People at the palace have been talking about an engagement between Prince Fleue and Marquis Van Dyne’s daughter. Now that the Saint has appeared, they say it’s become a love triangle.”
“I heard the engagement talks were canceled because the prince chose the Saint instead.”
“That can’t be right. The rumors about the Saint only began a few days ago. The timing doesn’t make sense.”
“It’s still possible that the prince made his choice yesterday or today.”
“At the very least, the Saint appears to be infatuated with Prince Fleue. I heard that directly from someone in the Luwan entourage.”
“Then Lady Aeris must be terribly anxious.”
The gossip made it sound as though Matilda and Aeris were fighting over Prince Fleue.
“What’s this absurd rumor?” Aeris asked after Zion’s sharp hearing picked it up.
“Ah… I may know how it started.”
Tauro told her what had happened when Matilda entered Prince Fleue’s chamber and mistook him for Aeris’s messenger.
“So Matilda truly believes that she, Prince Fleue, and I are caught in a love triangle?” Aeris sighed.
“That explains why she’s been ignoring my greetings. Wait, Tauro. Could this be our chance to leave the Saint’s entourage?”
“Possibly. But if we raise the issue now, Haku may be removed as well. It may be better to wait until the Saint finishes her activities in the Royal Capital.”
The entourage was scheduled to leave on its provincial tour in only a few days.
“You’re right. Haku should use this opportunity to form relationships with the other nobles and talented young people of his generation.”
During the previous several days, Tauro and Aeris had accompanied Haku as he introduced himself to the other participants. He had already begun forming several promising friendships, so abandoning the gathering immediately would waste a valuable opportunity.
“Then our immediate problem is correcting the rumor that Aeris is involved in this nonsense,” Tauro said with a troubled expression.
“Why not fight rumors with rumors, Brother?” Haku suggested.
“What do you mean?”
“Lady Aeris can deny the story, and we can explain the truth to the people we have befriended. If enough people hear that the engagement never existed, the correction may spread.”
“I understand the idea, Haku, but will it really work that smoothly?”
“Let us try, Lord Tauro,” Zion said eagerly. “I’ll help spread the truth.”
“What do you think, Aeris?”
“I don’t mind. I’m one of the people named in the rumor. Still, even if I tell the truth, some people will assume I’m lying to protect myself.”
As the daughter of a marquis, Aeris had probably experienced malicious gossip before. Her weary answer suggested that she didn’t expect reason to defeat an entertaining scandal.
“We’ll do what we can,” Tauro decided.
Tauro, Haku, and Zion began using the connections they had made during the ceremony to explain that no engagement existed.
“Have you heard the latest rumor?”
“The love triangle? Everyone has heard that.”
“No. Apparently, Prince Fleue and Lady Aeris were never engaged.”
“What do you mean?”
“They were only friends. There was no romantic relationship and no engagement to cancel. In that case, this isn’t a love triangle at all. It’s merely a misunderstanding involving the Saint and Prince Fleue – and the prince is denying that relationship as well.”
“Naturally the people involved would deny it. The story about Prince Fleue and Lady Aeris is also being repeated by members of the Luwan delegation.”
“The Luwan side is saying it too?”
“We can’t know which version is true, but does their sudden attempt to deny everything not seem suspicious?”
“Then perhaps the relationship between the prince and Lady Aeris really does exist.”
“Exactly. That would explain why the Saint became involved.”
“The correction isn’t a lie,” Tauro said, stepping into the conversation.
“Lord Tauro! Count Graunewald’s son!”
The young people who had been gossiping froze when they recognized him.
“Lady Aeris and Prince Fleue are friends. Someone misunderstood that friendship, and the rumor grew from there. I’m also one of Prince Fleue’s friends, so I can assure you that no engagement exists.”
Tauro drew his royal-crested shortsword from [Magic Storage] and displayed the crest on its hilt.
“Prince Fleue authorized me to carry this as proof of his trust and friendship.”
“The royal crest…”
“That should be sufficient evidence. As the prince’s friend, I’m deeply troubled by rumors that damage his honor. Some people connected to the Saint appear to have misunderstood the situation, but what I’ve told you is the truth. Please don’t accept entertaining gossip without question.”
“W-We understand, Lord Tauro. Please tell His Highness that we believe him.”
The gossipers hurried to place themselves on the prince’s side. Anyone carrying a royal crest clearly possessed far more influence than an ordinary noble’s son.
“I’ll tell him. His Highness is exhausted by these rumors, so I’m certain he’ll appreciate your support.”
Tauro smiled and left them behind.
“Lord Tauro, they’ll surely believe us now,” Zion said as she followed him.
“I didn’t want to use the crest this way, but Prince Fleue’s honor is at stake.”
With a wry smile, Tauro asked Zion to use her sharp hearing to locate the next group spreading the rumor. They continued their campaign through the gathering.