Kays Translations

Chapter 34: A Moment on a Moonlit Night, a Story of a Man and a Woman

“Please really reflect, your Excellency! Causing such a commotion from the very first day! To get out in the first place is outrageous!”

“I said that I’m sorry, Heinrich. I was bored.”

“It’s childish to disappear just because you’re not busy!!”

Heinrich’s sermon did not stop even after returning to the mansion, and Lute cowered his shoulders. The trouble that occurred at the place where he was on his errand has already been solved by his prerogative as a man of power with “do it well”…..

He was not satisfied with that, or perhaps he could not get over it. In spite of his casual behavior toward the Lord, his seriousness in the fundamental part was peeking through.

“I don’t want to be a nag either. I know your Excellency’s personality. But this affects not only you but also your fiancée, Liselotte. What would you do if rumors spread throughout the house that the two of you do not get along?”

“Knock out the disloyal people who spread strange rumors just like that. The Duke’s household probably doesn’t need them. I know. …… I know, that’s not the point, is it?”

“Yes. You know exactly what I mean.”

“Don’t worry. This is all necessary. Let it be that way.”

“Your Excellency. Your Excellency is certainly thoughtful and intelligent. I am also very aware that there are times when Your Excellency’s words and deeds conceal speculations that people like me cannot conceive. ……, but I have a feeling that this is not the case this time, or am I mistaken?”

“I don’t think you’re mistaken.”

“Your Excellency!”

Heinrich, appeals to Lute to at least try to deceive him, and Lute stands up with a chuckle. It should be added that up to now he has been receiving Heinrich’s sermon while lying on the couch in his room.

“If you insist that much, I have no choice. I’m going to go see Lieselotte. If I visit her at this time of the day, they won’t say we don’t get along.”

“Now? Isn’t that a bad idea? The hour is late. I think she is  already resting.”

Dealing with the commotion and Heinrich’s sermon. The time was already midnight. Some people might have gone to bed at this time of night, and I can’t complain even if I am accused of being insane for visiting without an appointment.

That was why the suggestion was made, but Lute was lightly dressed as if to say it was no big deal.

“The fact that I visited is what matters. If you’re asleep, that’s it. Oh, and just so you know, don’t follow me, okay? She won’t want to be seen slumbering, even if you’re my attendant.”

“I think that’s fair enough. I think it applies to your Excellency as well. You’re being aggressive to the point where it doesn’t suit you, but what’s the point… Please wait a moment. Your Excellency, are you trying to make me cut off the sermon out of confusion?”

“Correct.”

“So at least try to fool me, your Excellency!!”

“I’m going. You get some rest too.”

“… uh, huh. Have a good day.”

Heinrich, who had probably swallowed all his complaints, saw him off, and Lute left his room, waving one hand in the air.

It took a while to move around the mansion. Lute finally arrived at his destination, although he was a little lost because he did not know Liselotte’s private room.

Based on the possibility that she might be asleep, I knocked moderately. If she was asleep, I intended to turn back immediately. I had learned the location of the private room from a maid I passed in the hall, so it was as if I had halfway accomplished my goal. In fact, I even thought it would be less trouble if she had gone to bed. Of course, I am aware that this is selfish.

“What is it?』

However, fortunately or unfortunately, Liselotte was still awake.

However, from the voice heard through the door, you can sense a slight sense of disbelief. This is probably because she has no idea who would come all the way here at this time of the day.

“It’s me. I’d like to talk to you for a bit. Do you mind?”

“Husband? Please wait a moment. I’ll get myself ready.』

A voice mixed with surprise. However, she didn’t seem to have any intention of refusing, and after a faint rustling of clothes, the door opened.

Lieselotte’s glossy hair is pulled back in a loose braid, and she wears a high quality silk nightgown with a unique luster. The lightly wrapped blanket was probably the source of the rustle of clothes I just heard.

Seeing her clearly on the verge of going to bed, Lute scratched his head as if it was rather a bad time.

“Sorry about this time of night. Was it just before going to bed?”

“No. I was just admiring the sea in the moonlight. Can I help you?”

“It’s not a big deal, but Heinrich is smug. What kind of idiot would leave his fiancée alone on a day that marks the inauguration of the duke’s family? That’s why I thought we should have a bit of a friendly get-together.”

“Oh, my. So my husband is bold enough to visit at night.”

“Please stop. I understand that it is not polite to visit a lady’s room at this hour. But I have no other intention. I really just want to talk. If you don’t want to, you can refuse.”

“Fufufu. I know my husband is not like that. But I was surprised, so this is just payback……. just to get to know each other better as husband and wife, which is something I would never expect. Come in, my dear.”

“It really doesn’t suit me.”

Prompted to enter the room with a mischievous smile, Lute followed with a wry smile.

The room is not so much gorgeous as it is lined with furnishings of solid quality. It would be fair to say that the room is appropriate for the head of a duke’s household, but it seems a bit dull when considered as a private room for a young girl, perhaps because Lute’s sensibilities are too close to those of the common people.

“Please have a seat.”

“Oh. Excuse me.”

“What can we talk about? About political affairs? Or is it about what happens after we go our separate ways? …… or do you really want to move on to conjugal relations? I know you have no intention of doing so, but I don’t mind at all if it’s my husband’s wish.”

Liselotte, with a charming smile that is unbecoming of a young girl, lightly pulls off the blanket she is wearing. Her neck is slightly exposed. Her skin is as soft as light snow without a single stain. It is too voluptuous to be described as a mischievous provocation.

“Pfft. Growing tall is a child’s privilege, but it’s a little too much, young lady. Liselotte, you are a little young for that kind of charm. I think you’re attractive.”

But Lute, on the other hand, was also more adept than his age at such topics. A dimwit who was not accustomed to women would have been taken in by Liselotte’s bewitching charm, which even masked her childhood. However, she is in front of a boy grand duke, who is regarded as a delinquent by his subordinates. To put it simply, he is a playboy. No matter how attractive Liselotte may be, she is not a good partner for Lute, who is popular among the girls at such establishments as a top customer.

“You may be brilliant, but you are still a child in that area. You are usually mature, but if you try to be seductive, it will look like a child growing taller to someone who is used to it. You should be a little more relaxed, a little younger, a little sweeter. It makes you feel more special, and that will shake a man’s heart.”

“…Haa. It was just a little prank as a maiden. I am at a loss for what to do if I am so successfully evaded and even instructed as to what to do. Danna-sama is mean.”

“That being said. When they offer a chair across from them in the first place, it’s obvious that they don’t really want to do it. I mean, I wouldn’t, but even if I would, I wouldn’t be tempted by a girl who didn’t want to, would I?”

“……”

The two sat facing each other. For Liselotte, it was because she felt that sitting next to him was rude, but Lute laughed that it was a manifestation of her true feelings.

“I guess you unconsciously gave priority to common sense as a lady, but a girl who wants to shorten the distance as a woman is a little more aggressive. Even if they try to mend their attitude so as not to be seen as immodest, they will at least show a moment of conflict. If you don’t even have that, it’s just a quirk.”

“…… I see. You are absolutely right.”

Lieselotte’s shoulders slump in surrender. In fact, she had been secretly excited that she should test the results of one of the lessons she had received as a gifted young woman when she was a princess, namely, the lesson on the game between men and women. When it was pointed out to her that she had made a mistake at the stage of setting the scene, she realized that she was still inexperienced.

“Don’t be so depressed. I said many tactless things from a superior standpoint. It’s the worst thing for me to treat a lady who showed courage like a child.”

Liselotte naturally understood that this was Lute’s follow-up. At the same time, she understood that he was really scoring his words and actions.…and at the same time, she was stunned. It seemed like the other party is too familiar with the situation.

She felt a slight irritation deep in her heart. It was not against Lute, who behaved like a womanizing expert. It was a small irritation at her own inadequacy, having her innermost feelings so brilliantly revealed.

And as if he even saw through that, Lute’s mouth arcs slightly.

“Liselotte, you should now understand. We are really at the stage of getting to know each other. Even though we are engaged to be married in the future, we are not yet ready for a sexual relationship with each other. So for the time being, let’s exchange words like this and get to know each other. Then you can start making fun of me.”

“…That’s right. The first step as a couple. If you put it that way, even I can’t say no.”

“Oh. Okay, well, how about what you said earlier about talking about what we did when we went our separate ways? You’re probably wondering about the city and all that stuff over there, too, right?”

“That’s right. Then please, go first.”

So begins a moonlit chat between the two of them alone. First, they take the first step as man and woman. The new head of the family, a former princess, and the grand duke, a boy who is a demi-god and a delinquent, talk to each other with the aim of building a good relationship between themselves.

This night time compromise will be held regularly from now on.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter