The plain and unnoticed me is no more
93. Reaching for salvation
There were several open doors leading to the terrace facing the garden.
As we watched the people around us, we walked through the door in front of us and went out onto the terrace where the pleasant night breeze was blowing.
Some couples were already out in the garden walking around the fountain or dancing to music leaking from the venue in the corner of the terrace.
The large and splendid fountain in the middle of the garden was dazzling with magic lights, which were very beautiful and common in previous lives, but now my eyes in this world are fresh and moved by its beauty.
"I wonder how beautiful it is... to see such a dazzling light at night..."
"Fufu... if you like the fountain, I'll show you slowly later"
"Yes, please."
Speaking of world nights, moonless days are particularly dark, and most streets in King's City are lit with gas lights, but there is no brightness so far. In this country, where electricity is not yet widespread, it would have been unlikely to be bright had it not been for a magical instrument using a rare luminescent stone.
Looking around, I moved to a place on the large terrace where no one was yet, and Fred and I took a breath.
"Hmm, I'm fine here. Isn't it cold, General? I know Daria's dress is state-of-the-art and sophisticated. I know, but, um... I was wondering if I should tell you, but honestly, I'm having trouble with my eyes. No, it suits me very well. There's no doubt about that...."
That's what Fred said. He took off his jacket and put it on my shoulder. He could see his thin cheeks stained and illuminated.
This is the second time I've borrowed this jacket. I was afraid I had to give it back, but someone in the house gave it back to His Highness.
"Um... thank you."
"No, I can see your face now."
When I first saw this figure, it was said that I was different, but the expression remained the same and there was no reaction, so I wondered if Fred felt anything at this level of exposure, but it seemed that he was only controlling his emotions well in that situation.
I'm so jealous of the poker face.
"Nevertheless, has the General ever learned to dance anywhere? I've never really met anyone so easy to dance with.... no, a second time. When I was a child, there was a girl who practiced with me several times, but I felt like I was dancing with her, and I had the illusion that that was why I was dancing with her several times along the way. I never broke up with her when she was grown up without dancing, but I'm sure it was like that...."
Fred laughed with loneliness and stared at the distance.
Oh, that's why you showed me a melting smile on the way to the dance... think of the girl. I almost thought it was meant for me. Speaking of which, I think he said he knew someone like me from Platinum Blonde. Maybe that girl is.
Does that mean that Fred broke up when he became His Majesty's Shadow Warrior?
But it seems better not to ask any more. As far as his expression is concerned, I think it was a sad goodbye.
"I learned how to dance. But it's been a long time, so I was a little worried. Fufufu"
"I wonder how much that taste... that taste for dance is, as Liam predicted, still quite a home. The general is a strange woman. I wonder why and want to know more. But it's useless to pry too much."
Fred gave me a sweet smile, and I leaned away without knowing what to do. I'm sure Fred is seeing a girl I'm familiar with.
I'm glad we found out why before we mistook this for ourselves. Because he is really two melons with His Highness, and even if he meets his eyes, he will be surprised.
Excuse me, Your Highness.
Hubert appeared in his evening clothes from the door where we came out.
What happened? He wore a leather patch on his right eye and saw a scratch on his cheek.
I don't know, but didn't he heal the wounds he sustained when he was thrown by His Highness Wilfred without resistance that day?
At that time, I heard a blunt bang on my head and got up on the carriage, and he was flabbergasted and worried about having a concussion. Do you remember bleeding badly, but maybe you lost your right eye?
Even if he couldn't heal himself, his father was the head sorcerer, so what would have happened?
Fred was overwhelmed by Hubert-sama's whispering and looked tired of what she heard.
"I'm sorry, Daria. Just hold on a second. Hubert, I need her until I get back."
I was afraid.
As Fred walked back to the venue, remembering that he had rented a jacket, I hurried after him, taking off his feathered jacket.
"Please wait, Your Highness, you forgot your jacket. It's a public place, so you should dress up properly."
"Oh, I forgot.... when it gets cold, it's inside."
Yes, I'm waiting for you.
Fred wears a jacket and fits a button, then returns to the venue with freshness.
Leave Master Hubert instead.
How far does Master Hubert know? You know enough that I'm acting for Daria.
When I looked at Hubert, he smiled and talked to me as if he had felt my gaze.
His gaze is drawn to his right eyelid.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Hubert and I am close to His Highness Wilfred. Do you care about this?
Hubert pointed to his right eye patch and tilted his neck.
"Nice to meet you, Master Hubert. Um... excuse me. You've seen too much. It looked like you were injured, so I wondered what happened...."
"This is a commandment to yourself. My shallow thoughts have greatly changed one's life, so I don't want to erase the injuries I sustained at that time."
Ah... it's still a wound from that time.
You wanted to use me to make His Royal Highness Prince Wilfred. That's all.
I am glad that the future of His Highness Frederick as King is gone. He couldn't do it. Instead, you made me happy, so I want to tell you not to worry about it...
"Is that so...?"
Can you fix his eyes somehow? It must be a matter of his feelings not to be cured, but I'm not unhappy, and the commandment is too harsh.
"By the way, I heard you're a relative of Lady Elaine Norris, but you still look alike."
Didn't you tell Master Hubert that Daria couldn't make it? Surely it may have been a sudden story, but isn't it natural to know that you've replaced someone else if you're close? I wonder if His Majesty has not yet forgiven you.
"... is that so? I don't know for myself."
When I lay my eyes down and said so, Master Hubert suddenly grabbed me by the shoulder, even though he had been smiling until then.
"... no, no. The reaction... is the same as Elaine-sama's habit, which I've often seen in times of trouble. Besides, if you look closely, are you Elaine herself...? Isn't it? Why are you doing this? How long have you been with His Highness...?
"Um, please let go. I'm Daria Kenzit."
When Hubert noticed me and thought I'd take a break while turning my face, I heard the voice of someone I knew well from behind him.
"What's the matter? Dear Daria, it's been a long time."
"Dear Uncle...! It's been a long time. Uncle, how are you?
"Neither I nor my family have changed. Dalia-sama seems to be well, above all."
The Lord of Voices is my grandfather.
Hubert let go of Pat and me and looked alternately at my grandfather and me who were approaching behind him without knowing.
I didn't think my grandfather had been invited to this evening's party. I was really upset, but I took great care not to put it on my face and decided to let him take advantage of the situation.
Hubert seemed confused when his grandfather called me Daria.
"Ah... this is... rude. I'm sorry I made a mistake, Dalia-sama. I'm on the side, so if you need anything, please let me know."
When Hubert said that, he confessed to me and my uncle and moved to a moderately remote place, he turned around and stood there as if he were an escort.
When my grandfather saw that Hubert was gone, he exhaled and stared at me.
"What are you doing?"
"Um...?
"Hah... didn't you expect this to happen with your face out here? Sure, that thick makeup will be hard to spot, but someone who knows you well might. You want to come back here after all the freedom you've gained? Regardless of the son of the chief magician Balmore, I'm sure he met the Findley kid at the inn. You can't fool others who look like you over and over again. At least that kid isn't at peace with you in the inn now."
My grandfather is convinced that I am Elaine. Or what, huh? Grandpa, how do you know what I do after I leave the Mansion?
"Since when did you... know Grandpa? I... um..."
"In addition to the people you've always been with, you have a guard you've been secretly wearing since you were a kid. So, I also know that I disguised and bought rice balls and ate them, and I also know that I started a business. I'm telling you, I wasn't watching you. Until I found out from the escort you gave me. If you are not willing to let go of your present happiness, stop approaching the royal palace for today."
My grandfather said that and gently smiled at me.
My grandfather always showed only a harsh expression.
I wonder when I stopped laughing. Looking back when I was little, I remember my grandfather laughing a lot, but it was normal to have a creased face between my eyebrows from one point on.
"Yes, I'll give you one piece of advice, but if you disguise yourself, be careful at your feet. He said that the first disguise was due to the shoes staying intact halfway through, and the guards realized it was you. But my disguise would have been perfect, I stayed at your place once, but I didn't notice at all."
"Eh!?
I was told something unexpected and unexpectedly shouted out loud. He hurried to shut his mouth, but he wondered what had happened to Hubert.
I deceived him with a nice smile and an attitude of nothing.
"When did that happen?
"I don't care about that. If you talk too long, you'll catch the eye. From now on, you will live as you please. Soon I'll disguise myself and go eat your delicious food. I'll see you later."
When I saw Grandpa wandering away, I felt something different. I realized that Grandpa was not dragging his leg. He had his usual wand, but his steps were light and he didn't seem to have one foot paralyzed.
"You really stayed at my place...."
At this time, I clearly realized that my grandfather was really a very loving person.
I was so loved.
Tears began to accumulate in my eyes and I was about to cry. I pretended to look up at the starry sky and waited for the tears to dry.
"Daria, would you like to come inside? Your body will get cold."
Yeah, that's right.
Having heard Hubert's suggestion, which came to my attention after some time, I decided to return to the venue at Hubert's escort. The place was a little steamy and I felt the air was worse than before.
When I entered the venue, Fred looked at me casually.
And I soon learned why he had returned to the venue earlier.