Chapter 59- Sei Bruno – The Wager’s Result

On the day of the Advent Festival, I met with Missouri at the front of the statue fountain of the first saintess. Many people seemed to have chosen this place for their meetings and as a result, the plaza was crowded by a great number of people. Even the stalls that took it as a business opportunity had quite the customer traffic.

The chosen Saintess representative was above the wooden stage built by the sacred church. She was wearing a loose sacred robe and offering a prayer. The brown ponytail she had stood out from the veil she worn on her head.

　I was told that the one performing the role of the Saintess today was Chaco Brown. As one would have expected, the academy newspaper that she released had apparently angered Prince Leddorio. Thus, Prince Yello had suggested having the lady attend in Lady Momo’s place, considering that she wouldn’t be able to attend the festival and perform her duty.

Well, Advent Festival is just a mere annual event held for the festivity of the populace and offers no help in averting the real crisis. This is probably the reason why they deemed that a substitute would be fine, which is also the same for my role as his highness’ representative today.

“Thank you for waiting, Sir Sei.”

As I watch over the ceremony from a far, I saw Missouri wearing her academy uniform, running towards me.  Because I was always with his highness and Lady Momo during my academy days, I have never spent a single time with Missouri at the academy. Never would I have expected that I would be attending the advent festival with Missouri in this attire.

“Lady Chaco looks quite seductive today, don’t you think? Do you want to see her up close?”

“Not interested.”

Whether it was the one performing at the festival ceremony, or the one to spend the whole festival with, both would have been better with Lady Momo. Last year, we only had a few moment to spend together at the same festival. I wonder if the she is currently in the dungeon with his highness and Dai. Trying to console myself, I tried to change Lady Missouri’s figure to that of Lady Momo with my mental image instead.
 

When the evening came, all the aristocrats headed towards the reception hall of the castle. The festival’s dance party starts at night. Seeing the figure of Lady Missouri who changed her attire to a dress had left me astounded. The lady has been wearing clothing with low skin exposure and colder color tones giving her the impression of maturity.  However, tonight she was wearing a light pink dress that reminds me of Lady Momo’s hair. Her back and shoulders are boldly exposed, and her skirt spread widely like a blooming flower. Yet, she didn’t look childish at all which I presume is largely thanks to the accent brought by the accessories within it.

Corundum Kingdom is known for its jewelry and the lady of the House Ricum must’ve been the perfect walking advertisement to showcase them.

 “Lady Canaria’s dress looks wonderful, isn’t it?”

Missouri muttered as she watched the Prince Yello and his fiancee hand in hand, dancing in the middle of the reception hall. If only Lady Momo was the one wearing them or so I thought, but I asked Missouri for a dance without showing that on the surface.

“You too. I almost failed to recognize you. I’m sure all the patrons of this party must have mistaken you for a fairy too.”

“Thank you for the flattery sir. I am also quite hoping to hear the impression of other gentlemen other than yourself too.”

Her response was truly not cute at all and yet her words caught my attention. Did she just said all the gentlemen other than me?

“Have you forgotten, sir? We will be canceling our engagement soon so I must find a new prospective partner. That being said, you are free to go wherever you wish after the first dance, sir.”

My face crumpled at the cold gaze she had. So her unusually seductive attire was to fish for other men… No, I don’t really have any right to call her out on it. The one who placed the cancellation of our engagement on the table was me.

However, I feel like that’s a little early. We are currently still both engaged with each other, after all.

“I did tell sir that this is his chance to show his love for Lady Momo, didn’t I. All of the nobilities attending this party are all aware that our engagement is falling off.”

“What…!?”

As she slipped out of my bewildered grasps, Missouri was immediately surrounded by countless gentlemen who offered their hands to her. As I reflexively reached out to her disappearing figure, I was also consequently swarmed by countless ladies obstructing me.

“Sir Sei, would you please dance with me?”

“No sir, please dance with me instead!”

“So that Lady from House Walter was just brought by a forced engagement! Sir’s earnestness in attempting to pursue a forbidden love nonetheless is wonderful.”

“Even if you were to end up alone, I will always be on your side, sir Sei!”

The ladies all quarrel in an attempt to take the seat of my next prospective partner for their own, endeavoring themselves in such selfish rambles. They try to pose themselves as having understood me and yet they flock to my side with the assumption that my love will fail. They all make me vomit in disgust.

“It appears that all of you are quite well aware of the circumstances regarding our house.”

“The academy newspaper has written all about it, sir. As well as the assumption of who Lady Momo might pick.”

“All the male students were betting on whether your engagement will stop or continue, sir. They are quite awful, aren’t they?”

The ladies are trying to curry my favor by buttering me up through tattling. However, I was utterly shocked by what they said and was at loss for words. All those who reside in the academy take our romance with Lady Momo as a mere laughing matter, and of all things, even had the gall to use it for betting.

Seething in anger, I retreated towards the table to calm my nerves down, and with a perfect timing, one of the waiting staff handed me a drink. The bubbles on its surface tells me clearly that it’s an alcoholic drink, but a glass alone wouldn’t be enough to make me drunk so I gulped it all down in one swoop.

 (I need to leave this stupid banquet fast.)

　Prince Keith was publicly declared as the new crown prince in the middle of the party and although the entire venue was engulfed in excitement, not a single person looked for the 2nd prince’s presence. That being the case, there’s no need for me to act as his representative anymore.

“Well if it wasn’t the son of the minister to the left. You sure are drinking yourself so bad.”

Fool, this much alcohol is just like water to me.

“Still, that’s quite a shame. From I talked to the lady from the House Walter but she’s quite a knowledgeable person. An immensely beautiful one to add. Are you truly sure about canceling the engagement?

Nothing will change between us even if we’re no longer engaged. She’s an excellent business partner after all.

“I disagree. You see, my son has always had his eyes on her… so he’s gotten quite motivated seeing this as a chance to waltz in.”

Has Missouri always been that popular? I would understand if it’s Lady Momo but, that doll… though she’s less of a one recently. As I turned my eyes towards her, Lady Missouri was dancing with one of the gentlemen with such a dazzling smile on her face. The man who danced with her had quite the dull face and sported a disheveled hair in his head, just like that guy loitering around lady Chloe who claimed himself as—

 “….!!!”

　The world surrounding me shook and my entire body felt flaming hot. What on earth is happening… the surroundings is making so much clamor it’s starting to feel irritating.

 “Sir Sei, what’s the matter? If you feel unwell I… Oh,”

 

　I can hear Missouri’s voice from a distance, and yet I can feel her slender fingers in my grasp. I didn’t know how but it appears I was already in my room with her. Missouri laid me down on the bed and loosen up my chest. The way she goes about it looking professionally was irritating. Preventing her from trying to leave, I pulled her arms towards me but her appearance made me catch my breath.

 “Please refrain from showing such behavior to anyone else.”

It was Lady Masumi. I felt horrible for pulling her towards me thinking she was Missouri. Wait, so it would’ve been fine if it was Missouri?  I’m trying to annul my engagement with her and her main condition was exactly not to see her as a woman.

 “If you fell for her, it can’t be helped.”

　Lady Masumi’s hair color had turned from black to pink and her appearance changed to that of Lady Momo. So it was really you, Lady Momo. I’ve always dreamt of holding you within these very arms like this. I want to make you mine alone. As long as you’re with me, I don’t need anything else…

“Sir Sei.”

Raising her head, this time she was Missouri again. She had tears in her eyes and was seemingly gazing at me in appeal.

 (Just who are you really…?)

　My head is too dizzy. The hair of the lady within my grasp kept on changing. How strange. I must’ve been really drunk. It can’t be helped. Besides, this fragrance is…

“Am I not enough, sir?”

“Do I not have any appeal at all?”

“Am I really just a dull woman?”

“Whether it’s Sir Sei who loved Lady Masumi, the Sir Sei who loved Lady Momo, the Sir Sei who played around with other ladies, and even the Sir Sei who would never love me. I have always been yearning for sir, all this time.”

“But even I get hurt, sir. I am not just a doll, I’m a woman. I am just a woman who fell in love with you…”

As I heard the lady’s voice, my body wrapped around hers. My hands started moving by instinct alone and my consciousness faded.

The next day, I woke up caressing my head which was still fuzzy. As I faintly turned my gaze around the room, my face slowly turned pale. Reluctantly, I tried to make sense of the situation.

I…am not wearing a single piece of clothing.  All the clothes that I shed were scattered all around the bed and alongside them was a fairy-like pink colored dress.

 (What happened last night!?)

Everything after the first dance was hazy. If I recall correctly, I was outraged by the articles of the newspaper club who wrote as they pleased, as well as the students who made fun of our romance. I remember receiving an alcoholic drink to calm myself down. Other than that, I remember smelling something…

“Ngh…”

The lump of bed sheet next to me moved which startled me. Last night… with this person.. I…

From the gap within the folds of the bed sheet, a dazzling sky colored hair peeked through.
 

I honestly still think Sei need to fall off from a cliff to be somewhat deserving of Missouri. She’s too good for him.

Anyway, that’s the last of Sei perspective chapters.

Chapter 59- Sei Bruno – The Wager’s Result

On the day of the Advent Festival, I met with Missouri at the front of the statue fountain of the first saintess. Many people seemed to have chosen this place for their meetings and as a result, the plaza was crowded by a great number of people. Even the stalls that took it as a business opportunity had quite the customer traffic.

The chosen Saintess representative was above the wooden stage built by the sacred church. She was wearing a loose sacred robe and offering a prayer. The brown ponytail she had stood out from the veil she worn on her head.

　I was told that the one performing the role of the Saintess today was Chaco Brown. As one would have expected, the academy newspaper that she released had apparently angered Prince Leddorio. Thus, Prince Yello had suggested having the lady attend in Lady Momo’s place, considering that she wouldn’t be able to attend the festival and perform her duty.

Well, Advent Festival is just a mere annual event held for the festivity of the populace and offers no help in averting the real crisis. This is probably the reason why they deemed that a substitute would be fine, which is also the same for my role as his highness’ representative today.

“Thank you for waiting, Sir Sei.”

As I watch over the ceremony from a far, I saw Missouri wearing her academy uniform, running towards me.  Because I was always with his highness and Lady Momo during my academy days, I have never spent a single time with Missouri at the academy. Never would I have expected that I would be attending the advent festival with Missouri in this attire.

“Lady Chaco looks quite seductive today, don’t you think? Do you want to see her up close?”

“Not interested.”

Whether it was the one performing at the festival ceremony, or the one to spend the whole festival with, both would have been better with Lady Momo. Last year, we only had a few moment to spend together at the same festival. I wonder if the she is currently in the dungeon with his highness and Dai. Trying to console myself, I tried to change Lady Missouri’s figure to that of Lady Momo with my mental image instead.

 

When the evening came, all the aristocrats headed towards the reception hall of the castle. The festival’s dance party starts at night. Seeing the figure of Lady Missouri who changed her attire to a dress had left me astounded. The lady has been wearing clothing with low skin exposure and colder color tones giving her the impression of maturity.  However, tonight she was wearing a light pink dress that reminds me of Lady Momo’s hair. Her back and shoulders are boldly exposed, and her skirt spread widely like a blooming flower. Yet, she didn’t look childish at all which I presume is largely thanks to the accent brought by the accessories within it.

Corundum Kingdom is known for its jewelry and the lady of the House Ricum must’ve been the perfect walking advertisement to showcase them.

 “Lady Canaria’s dress looks wonderful, isn’t it?”

Missouri muttered as she watched the Prince Yello and his fiancee hand in hand, dancing in the middle of the reception hall. If only Lady Momo was the one wearing them or so I thought, but I asked Missouri for a dance without showing that on the surface.

“You too. I almost failed to recognize you. I’m sure all the patrons of this party must have mistaken you for a fairy too.”

“Thank you for the flattery sir. I am also quite hoping to hear the impression of other gentlemen other than yourself too.”

Her response was truly not cute at all and yet her words caught my attention. Did she just said all the gentlemen other than me?

“Have you forgotten, sir? We will be canceling our engagement soon so I must find a new prospective partner. That being said, you are free to go wherever you wish after the first dance, sir.”

My face crumpled at the cold gaze she had. So her unusually seductive attire was to fish for other men… No, I don’t really have any right to call her out on it. The one who placed the cancellation of our engagement on the table was me.

However, I feel like that’s a little early. We are currently still both engaged with each other, after all.

“I did tell sir that this is his chance to show his love for Lady Momo, didn’t I. All of the nobilities attending this party are all aware that our engagement is falling off.”

“What…!?”

As she slipped out of my bewildered grasps, Missouri was immediately surrounded by countless gentlemen who offered their hands to her. As I reflexively reached out to her disappearing figure, I was also consequently swarmed by countless ladies obstructing me.

“Sir Sei, would you please dance with me?”

“No sir, please dance with me instead!”

“So that Lady from House Walter was just brought by a forced engagement! Sir’s earnestness in attempting to pursue a forbidden love nonetheless is wonderful.”

“Even if you were to end up alone, I will always be on your side, sir Sei!”

The ladies all quarrel in an attempt to take the seat of my next prospective partner for their own, endeavoring themselves in such selfish rambles. They try to pose themselves as having understood me and yet they flock to my side with the assumption that my love will fail. They all make me vomit in disgust.

“It appears that all of you are quite well aware of the circumstances regarding our house.”

“The academy newspaper has written all about it, sir. As well as the assumption of who Lady Momo might pick.”

“All the male students were betting on whether your engagement will stop or continue, sir. They are quite awful, aren’t they?”

The ladies are trying to curry my favor by buttering me up through tattling. However, I was utterly shocked by what they said and was at loss for words. All those who reside in the academy take our romance with Lady Momo as a mere laughing matter, and of all things, even had the gall to use it for betting.

Seething in anger, I retreated towards the table to calm my nerves down, and with a perfect timing, one of the waiting staff handed me a drink. The bubbles on its surface tells me clearly that it’s an alcoholic drink, but a glass alone wouldn’t be enough to make me drunk so I gulped it all down in one swoop.

 (I need to leave this stupid banquet fast.)

　Prince Keith was publicly declared as the new crown prince in the middle of the party and although the entire venue was engulfed in excitement, not a single person looked for the 2nd prince’s presence. That being the case, there’s no need for me to act as his representative anymore.

“Well if it wasn’t the son of the minister to the left. You sure are drinking yourself so bad.”

Fool, this much alcohol is just like water to me.

“Still, that’s quite a shame. From I talked to the lady from the House Walter but she’s quite a knowledgeable person. An immensely beautiful one to add. Are you truly sure about canceling the engagement?

Nothing will change between us even if we’re no longer engaged. She’s an excellent business partner after all.

“I disagree. You see, my son has always had his eyes on her… so he’s gotten quite motivated seeing this as a chance to waltz in.”

Has Missouri always been that popular? I would understand if it’s Lady Momo but, that doll… though she’s less of a one recently. As I turned my eyes towards her, Lady Missouri was dancing with one of the gentlemen with such a dazzling smile on her face. The man who danced with her had quite the dull face and sported a disheveled hair in his head, just like that guy loitering around lady Chloe who claimed himself as—

 “….!!!”

　The world surrounding me shook and my entire body felt flaming hot. What on earth is happening… the surroundings is making so much clamor it’s starting to feel irritating.

 “Sir Sei, what’s the matter? If you feel unwell I… Oh,”

 

　I can hear Missouri’s voice from a distance, and yet I can feel her slender fingers in my grasp. I didn’t know how but it appears I was already in my room with her. Missouri laid me down on the bed and loosen up my chest. The way she goes about it looking professionally was irritating. Preventing her from trying to leave, I pulled her arms towards me but her appearance made me catch my breath.

 “Please refrain from showing such behavior to anyone else.”

It was Lady Masumi. I felt horrible for pulling her towards me thinking she was Missouri. Wait, so it would’ve been fine if it was Missouri?  I’m trying to annul my engagement with her and her main condition was exactly not to see her as a woman.

 “If you fell for her, it can’t be helped.”

　Lady Masumi’s hair color had turned from black to pink and her appearance changed to that of Lady Momo. So it was really you, Lady Momo. I’ve always dreamt of holding you within these very arms like this. I want to make you mine alone. As long as you’re with me, I don’t need anything else…

“Sir Sei.”

Raising her head, this time she was Missouri again. She had tears in her eyes and was seemingly gazing at me in appeal.

 (Just who are you really…?)

　My head is too dizzy. The hair of the lady within my grasp kept on changing. How strange. I must’ve been really drunk. It can’t be helped. Besides, this fragrance is…

“Am I not enough, sir?”

“Do I not have any appeal at all?”

“Am I really just a dull woman?”

“Whether it’s Sir Sei who loved Lady Masumi, the Sir Sei who loved Lady Momo, the Sir Sei who played around with other ladies, and even the Sir Sei who would never love me. I have always been yearning for sir, all this time.”

“But even I get hurt, sir. I am not just a doll, I’m a woman. I am just a woman who fell in love with you…”

As I heard the lady’s voice, my body wrapped around hers. My hands started moving by instinct alone and my consciousness faded.

The next day, I woke up caressing my head which was still fuzzy. As I faintly turned my gaze around the room, my face slowly turned pale. Reluctantly, I tried to make sense of the situation.

I…am not wearing a single piece of clothing.  All the clothes that I shed were scattered all around the bed and alongside them was a fairy-like pink colored dress.

 (What happened last night!?)

Everything after the first dance was hazy. If I recall correctly, I was outraged by the articles of the newspaper club who wrote as they pleased, as well as the students who made fun of our romance. I remember receiving an alcoholic drink to calm myself down. Other than that, I remember smelling something…

“Ngh…”

The lump of bed sheet next to me moved which startled me. Last night… with this person.. I…

From the gap within the folds of the bed sheet, a dazzling sky colored hair peeked through. 

I honestly still think Sei need to fall off from a cliff to be somewhat deserving of Missouri. She’s too good for him.

Anyway, that’s the last of Sei perspective chapters.