Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 477: When the Misunderstanding Is Cleared Up
Saint Matilda felt confused and irritated.
Marquis Donaissun, the Kingdom of Luwan’s representative and the man responsible for supervising her, had praised Aeris—Matilda’s romantic rival.
The Crown Prince had told Matilda that Aeris volunteered, without being asked, to serve as her decoy and caused severe casualties among the local soldiers. Matilda assumed this blunder would damage Aeris’s reputation and give her an advantage in the contest for Prince Fleue’s affection. Contrary to her expectations, however, even Marquis Donaissun—who should have been her greatest ally—and the other Luwan nobles openly praised Aeris and her companions.
Only the high-ranking nobles of the Kingdom of Sart criticized Aeris, leaving Matilda increasingly uncertain about what had truly happened.
“According to the Crown Prince, Lady Aeris and her group made a terrible blunder. Why, then, are all of you praising them?”
Matilda naturally directed the question to the members of her Luwan entourage, who had always been her most loyal supporters.
“Saint Matilda, the account you received is heavily distorted. It bears little resemblance to the truth.”
“Distorted?”
“Yes. Five of our knights joined Lady Aeris and Lord Tauro on the decoy mission, so we received accurate firsthand reports from the scene. They faced enemies far stronger than anyone anticipated, yet fought bravely, defeated the enemy commander, and forced the survivors to flee. Most of the captured soldiers committed suicide, but several were taken alive despite their grave wounds. The operation was a great success. Calling it a blunder would make us nothing more than ungrateful fools. Those who died gave their lives to thwart a plot against you, Your Holiness.”
One of Matilda’s attendants, who had always supported her sincerely, calmly explained the situation.
Matilda was taken aback. This account differed completely from what the Crown Prince had told her.
Aeris was supposed to be her romantic rival. Why would such a person risk her life for Matilda’s sake?
Why would someone like that risk her life for me? Matilda couldn’t understand it. In some respects, the Crown Prince’s version still seemed easier to believe. Yet the people before her insisted that it was false, and their information came directly from Luwan knights who had witnessed the battle. This only deepened her confusion.
“Your Holiness, perhaps you should meet Lady Aeris and speak with her. Our knights say the enemy was unimaginably strong. Anyone willing to face such foes to protect you deserves your thanks. You should express your gratitude to Lady Aeris, Lord Tauro, and all their companions.”
“Yes, Your Holiness. Before leaving this region, you should also offer your condolences and gratitude to the local soldiers who gave their lives. Otherwise, people may accuse you of ingratitude.”
Despite the advice from her entourage and Marquis Donaissun, Matilda continued to hesitate. She didn’t, however, want others to see her as ungrateful. At the very least, she decided to do what was necessary to prevent that misunderstanding.
A few hours later, Tauro, Aeris, Ragune, Ankh, and Zion were invited to a spacious reception room prepared by Viscount Musai for a meeting with Saint Matilda.
“(Why were we called here too?)”
Ankh whispered to Ragune, who was standing next to him behind Tauro and Aeris as they took their seats.
“(Marquis Donaissun says the Saint wants to thank us for what we did.)”
Ragune whispered back to Ankh and Zion.
“(But didn’t the Saint hate Aeris? What could she possibly want now?)”
Zion, clearly not fond of the Saint who disliked her friends, muttered irritably.
“All three of you, keep your voices down. The guards across the room can hear you.”
Tauro warned Ragune and the others after overhearing their whispers.
Just then, the door to the reception room opened and Saint Matilda and Marquis Donaissun entered.
“I apologize for keeping you waiting. Saint Matilda wishes to express her gratitude personally, so we arranged this meeting.”
Marquis Donaissun quickly explained the purpose of the meeting, hoping to prevent Matilda from saying anything unnecessary.
Matilda appeared slightly dissatisfied that he had spoken first, but she composed herself and sat down. Marquis Donaissun took the seat beside her.
“Now, allow me to begin. Without the efforts of Lady Aeris, Lord Tauro, and their companions, we couldn’t have thwarted the plot to abduct the Saint. You have my deepest gratitude!”
When Marquis Donaissun finished, he gently prompted Matilda to follow his example.
“…It seems you served as decoys in my place, lured the enemy away, and then defeated them. I… thank you.”
Matilda said this while deliberately avoiding eye contact with Aeris.
“…Lady Matilda, did you summon us merely to offer such half-hearted thanks?”
Aeris answered bluntly, dispensing with noble formalities.
“W-What!?”
Matilda flared up at her words and glared at her.
“I’m not asking for your gratitude. But I resent being misunderstood and treated as an enemy because of a convenient rumor when I’ve done nothing wrong.”
Aeris met Matilda’s angry gaze head-on and continued:
“I don’t care whom you love. That’s your own affair. But don’t lose all sense merely because of a false rumor that I have feelings for Prince Fleue. Do you understand how many soldiers died in this incident? You’re a Saint visiting this country as the representative of the Kingdom of Luwan. Please act like one.”
Aeris stared directly at Matilda and firmly reprimanded her.
Matilda instinctively tried to say something in response, but no words came out.
“Lady Aeris, please, that’s enough. The Saint doesn’t yet fully understand the situation. As the person responsible for her, I also bear some blame. I sincerely apologize.”
Marquis Donaissun bowed deeply on Matilda’s behalf.
“Marquis…!? I-I was wrong as well. Lady Aeris, and all of your companions, I apologize for the trouble I caused. And thank you… for taking my place. Also, you like Prince Fleue, don’t you—”
Matilda apologized, then hesitantly continued.
“I don’t.”
“So you truly have no feelings for—”
“None.”
Aeris repeatedly cut her off, denying it without hesitation.
“…Then perhaps you like the boy sitting beside you—”
“…T-That’s none of your business!”
Realizing what Matilda meant to say, Aeris blushed and hastily cut her off.
“…I see. Then there’s no problem. In that case, perhaps we can get along after all.”
Matilda agreed with a mischievous look on her face.
“…Whatever! Tauro, we’ve heard what she wanted to say. Let’s go!”
“Huh!?”
From the exchange between the two girls, Tauro realized that something significant concerning him had just occurred. Before he could understand what, however, Aeris dragged him from the room.