#373
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373
While Charlotte’s departure to the empire was being decided, Helmut, Area, and Xian spent some time at the Farnese Archdiocese Mansion. According to each person’s daily routine.
Xian went in and out of the partially closed imperial palace library, Area devoted herself to magical research, and Helmut practiced swordsmanship as always.
Elaga went in and out of the mansion every day, receiving lots of love from the people of the capital who were more friendly to cats.
The capital of the Deus Empire is the largest and most luxurious of all human cities. It was enough to pique Elaga’s interest.
Everyone had a day very similar to their daily life at the academy.
However, Asuka, who was receiving various educations as the successor to Archduke Farnese, suffered from unwanted daily life.
Elaga observed him with fascination as he changed his colorful clothes every day.
[Human clothes are so useless and yet amazing. I can’t believe you made the false shell so colorful and diverse.]
And then he acted smugly.
[If you have beautiful fur like me, there’s no need for that. Hairless, uncivilized races only need artificial shells.]
“I don’t know why I wear something like this either. “It’s a strange custom.”
Asuka muttered with her face scrunched up.
“Oh my, you have a good figure and look good no matter what you wear, so it’s nice to look at. “It’s time to get used to it.”
“mother.”
Everyone’s eyes were focused on one place.
“They are Asuka’s friends. “I hope you have a good time.”
Asuka’s mother, who appeared while they were in the middle of a conversation, was a cute woman with an innocent look.
She was full of elegance, which was unusual for a woman who grew up as a commoner, and surprisingly, her atmosphere was completely different from Asuka.
Looking at Archduke Farnese and Archduchess Farnese, I wondered where on earth a person with a fierce temper like Asuka had fallen from.
“The Grand Duke also asked me to take care of the guests.”
It was said that the Archduke was also mindful of the fact that they were here.
Asuka whispered into her mother’s ear.
“Mom, can you give an alcove to someone?”
It was a remark clearly targeting Area. Whether it was Helmut’s girlfriend or the comrade who survived the Forest of Pahe together, the relationship between the two did not get much better. It was a relationship that was not compatible from the beginning.
Asuka’s mother immediately rolled her eyes.
“How can you treat a customer like that?”
“Tsk.”
He seemed to be using this opportunity to get revenge on Area in the name of being the landlord.
However, Asuka’s mother showed favor towards Areaa even though Asuka constantly cursed at Areaa.
She also thought that there was a problem with her son, and that if he was someone he disliked, he could be fine.
“Oh my, what a beautiful girl. Greta Academy’s Head of Magic Department? It’s truly amazing! “I’m jealous.”
And he gave her the best room among the group.
Asuka was displeased with his mother’s blatant favoritism, but what could he do?
However, there was a part of Asuka’s mother’s favor that was not pleasing to Area.
Asuka’s mother kept trying to talk to Area, the only woman in the group.
The landlady called out that it was tea time, and Area had no choice but to respond to her chatter.
‘Anyway, we have to get the empire’s cooperation.’
Since Archduke Farnese was his beloved wife, he calculated that it would be good to impress his wife.
Also, Area was aware that it was Archduke Farnese who could give him access to the imperial palace library.
No matter how much she was, she couldn’t risk being discovered and infiltrate the place so soon after the prince was attacked.
The problem is that Asuka’s mother did not let Alea go easily.
“Why don’t you go to the dance while you’re still here? “I’ll fit you a dress.”
“it’s okay.”
“The system’s social scene is glamorous. “It will be a good experience.”
“I don’t know how to dance. “I didn’t need to learn anything like that.”
“Oh, that’s good then. I can learn with Asuka! That kid is learning these days. Area is smart, she will learn quickly.”
“I don’t mind if I don’t learn… … .”
“I thought so too. When I was young. But I learned a lot from meeting her now husband.”
Grand Duchess Farnese’s eyes sparkled strangely. She also knew her general situation.
If Helmut becomes Grand Duke of Rinosa, what about Area?
Since the duties of a grand duchess would follow, of course she would not be able to avoid things like the ball.
Asuka’s mother was persistent, and what she said made sense.
“Helmut also learns together. It would be a good idea to learn both etiquette and dance. What belongs to the empire becomes the standard for other countries. “I’m sure it will be useful if you learn it.”
The nuance was subtle, as if it was implicitly saying that at least the Farnese family would support Helmut becoming Grand Duke of Rinosa in the future.
In any case, she is the Archduchess and Archduke Farnese has not made a decision yet.
“I will do so.”
It seems like there was no choice once I set foot in this mansion.
Suddenly, everyone, including Xian, was taking Asuka’s class together.
Once you do the area, the rest will happen naturally. It was a sharp strategy by Grand Duchess Farnese.
“Welcome, friend.”
Asuka grinned at Xian, who was in class first.
It gave off a dark atmosphere that made me happy that I was suffering together instead of having to suffer.
Xian, who had been able to purchase a robe thanks to the Grand Duchess, grumbled while wearing a neat green robe.
“What the hell is this? I am a commoner. “I don’t need this kind of aristocratic culture at all.”
“You said you like new things? When you dress like that, do you look like a human? “I didn’t order it, so if you want to blame me, blame Area.”
“I know. What kind of wish did he have… … huh?”
Asuka’s mouth gaped when Area appeared in a flowy white dress. It was never meant as admiration.
Because Asuka was the most detached person in the world due to Area’s beauty.
“Are you crazy? You wear something that gives you goosebumps. “It looks like the man is dressed as a woman.”
Area immediately responded coldly.
“shut up.”
“Uh, uh, um, ah. “It suits you well.”
The only one who showed a normal reaction was Sian.
Area, with her shiny silver hair flowing down and purple flower decorations similar to her eyes, was so dazzlingly beautiful that it instantly brightened up my eyes.
If she enters the ballroom, many people will probably take a sharp breath.
Finally, Helmut entered their location.
Helmut was neatly groomed from head to toe like a well-groomed noble master, wearing white robes that seemed to match those of Area.
Even though she was wearing bright clothes, the unique dangerous atmosphere and pressure diminished the beautiful feeling.
Because of that, Helmut looked like some kind of royal family or prince. The legitimate son of the Grand Duke of Rinosa. It was an outward display of his lineage.
From the viewer’s perspective, it felt more unconventional than when Asuka appeared in that way.
“Helmut… … ?”
Xian made a suspicious sound, and Asuka was speechless for some reason. She spoke as if only Area was insignificant.
“That outfit suits you well.”
“you also.”
Helmut also looked at Area with admiration. The two people’s eyes met.
There were four of them, but Asuka and Xian looked uncomfortable as they seemed to be alone.
For some reason, a white cat with a red ribbon tied around its neck walked in through the gap in the open door.
[The landlord gave it to me as a gift. I think this is pretty good. There is also a sound.]
Above all, he seemed to really like the sound of silver bells rattling under the ribbon.
“Oh my, the customers really like the characters. “I thought everyone would get along well.”
The Grand Duchess, who came in late, immediately clapped her hands.
“Then everyone, please study hard in class. “The cat comes out here!”
The Grand Duchess quickly stretched out her hand and picked up Elaga. Elaga was taken to her without her knowledge and had to suffer the humiliation of having her hair cut to decorate her.
The group of four received lessons all day from a strict middle-aged noblewoman.
Of course, Area was the one who learned etiquette the fastest.
“That’s right, it’s perfect! “Your gait and posture are full of elegance.”
However, it was also Area who had the least talent in ballroom dancing.
“Hold on there! If you move your body so rigidly… … ! “Leave your body to the music, relax and be gentle!”
The noble lady soon held her forehead and lamented.
“Oh my God, it really feels like I’m looking at a block of wood.”
Alea’s face became cold as she became an inferior student for the first time. My teeth clenched. For her, it was the first humiliation she had ever experienced in her life.
Area was someone who could never imagine a situation where she couldn’t do something.
However, the imperial ballroom dance involves surrendering one’s body to the male partner, and Area, who was used to doing things on her own, could not get used to that kind of work at all.
If someone is close to you, your body becomes more tense.
The best overall one was, of course, Helmut. The difficult and complex etiquette of the empire was quickly learned, and the same was true for social dancing.
He briefly commented on ballroom dancing.
“Controlling strength and weakness is like a sword.”
“It’s unfortunate that you talk as if you understand everything.”
Asuka grumbled. Asuka, who started learning a little earlier and entered the review process, followed the class well, and Sian also adapted quite quickly.
At the end of class that day, the noble lady looked at Area and shook her head.
“I need to practice a little more, but Miss Alea, I would like you to dance with Mr. Helmut as much as possible. “It seems like Helmut-kun is adjusting well.”
At least Helmut was the only one that Area trusted and entrusted herself to.
Since there was only one woman, Area, all three danced with Area, but Asuka and Xian stiffened up, feeling very awkward and uncomfortable every time they danced with Area.
As her partner does so, her stiffness doubles.
“It’s okay, Area. I can’t even dance. I’m better at it so it won’t be noticeable… … .”
Helmut’s words of consolation struck Area’s pride.
Area glared at Helmut with bloody eyes and then turned around sharply.
Xian clicked his tongue when he saw that.
“Helmut, why do you think your swordsmanship skills are improving but your intelligence is not improving?”
“… … .”
Helmut couldn’t figure out what the problem was with what he said.
And after a few days of learning etiquette and dancing, there was important news.
