WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Haruto

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◈ The Pushover Young Lord in a Romance Fantasy Won't Take It Anymore ◈

Chapter 15: Romance-Fantasy Heroines Are Exhausting

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-Neighhh!

The horse snorted powerfully.

House Cardenos was the imperial family's sword and the grand ducal house that ruled the west.

I had expected them to send a particularly special carriage, even by imperial-capital standards.

A spirit carriage, with a pale blue breeze curling between its spokes.

Humans weren't the only ones who could form contracts with spirits.

Animals could form contracts with spirits too, and this carriage was proof of that.

It was pulled by horses contracted with low-ranking wind spirits.

"It is two to three times faster than an ordinary courier horse. It will run rugged mountain paths as though they were flat ground, so three days should be enough to reach the imperial capital."

I nodded at the coachman's respectful report and climbed into the carriage.

Celine hurried after me, her face bright with excitement.

"Courier horse, spirit horse. In Korean, their names differ by only one tiny sound, but they're completely different, aren't they?"

Celine waited expectantly for my reaction, but I pretended not to hear. I had no immunity to that sort of joke.

Swoosh-

The carriage glided into motion. Thanks to the spirits' blessing, the ride was remarkably comfortable.

"Nom nom-"

Celine eagerly devoured the refreshments stocked in the carriage.

I glanced at her, cheeks puffed out like a hamster's, then lazily leaned back against my seat.

The most important thing at the Founding Festival was managing connections. I had to set my hard-won reputation right and shake off the accusation that I'd assaulted a young lady.

Lucia was secondary.

Meeting her was already inevitable. What kind of stance should I take when we met?

If I won Lucia over, it would be like gaining an army at my back. Should I just seduce her? She wanted that too, didn't she?

Easy to say. I was hopeless when it came to seducing women.

Even in my previous life, I'd devoted myself solely to training, training, and more training. As a result, I'd spent more time around other men.

'Even if I can seduce her, the consequences would be enormous.'

Building a good relationship with Lucia would help me in many ways, but...

The Founding Festival would gather the Empire's major figures in one place.

While they were actively pursuing Lucia, what if I joined in?

I would instantly become a romantic rival to the head of a major merchant guild, the northern grand duke's second son, the deputy tower master, and the crown prince.

Of course, if I was going to seduce her, now was my only chance. At this point, Lucia was probably burdened by their feelings rather than accepting them.

'The problem is, she'll probably hate my guts.'

Azelin, that woman, was the obstacle.

Weren't the two of them best friends?

With Azelin's sly nature, she had surely spent this whole time badmouthing me to Lucia. She must have twisted her own faults and mixed in lies, painting me as an assaulter.

So a tiresome battle of nerves was waiting for me from the moment we met.

"Ha."

Just imagining that headache-inducing farce made my temples throb.

No wonder I was craving something sweet.

I casually reached to the side.

"Celine. Give me a macaron too."

"Eek-"

Celine's constantly moving jaw froze.

She looked down at her lap in dismay. The three-tier tray was empty, leaving only cookie crumbs.

This brat had already eaten everything.

"Um, ah, uh, well..."

Celine stammered, her eyes darting about as cold sweat trickled down her face.

"You're at that age when you crave sweets. It's nice to see you eating well."

Contrary to my words, my hands showed no mercy.

I grabbed her plump, soft cheeks and pulled them wide to either side.

"Eeeek! That huwts, bwother..."

Celine struggled, but I didn't let go.

The feeling of her cheeks stretching so elastically was incredible. Like a squishy little rice cake.

* * *

The Founding Festival.

It was the center of high society, where the Empire's vested interests and the nobles' vanity converged.

"I wonder if that brat will manage."

Valdemar muttered to himself as he reviewed documents in his office.

He had almost no worries about Celine, who had gone with her brother.

She was a mature, well-behaved young lady for her age.

The problem was Astin, his direct heir.

It was true that he had changed completely lately.

From his attitude when holding a sword to the way he regarded his subordinates, everything about him had changed from the roots up.

There was no trace left of the hopeless wastrel he had once been.

That did not mean he had become docile.

Astin was walking the right path, but he stomped down it.

No matter how right a person was, if they were loud and rough about it, the world saw them as violent.

The romantic scandal with House Rosenthal a few days ago was proof enough.

Astin hadn't said a single wrong thing, but his blunt words and actions had made the situation worse. How much cold sweat had Valdemar shed while cleaning up after him?

He couldn't help worrying whether Astin would make it through the events there without trouble.

Creak- Bang!

The office door suddenly flew open without so much as a knock.

What bastard dared enter without knocking-

Valdemar's mouth snapped shut before he could rebuke the intruder.

A shabby-looking man stood in the doorway, leaning onto one leg. It was Hendrickson, his former master.

"More run-down than I expected. It's a terrible place for someone as important as me to stay."

Valdemar stared at him for several seconds.

Hendrickson paid him no mind and strode over. Then he dropped onto the finest leather sofa in the room.

"What brings you here?"

"What do you mean, what brings me here? I decided to come on my own two feet. Why, does that bother you?"

Hendrickson snapped at him.

Valdemar couldn't bring himself to respond and closed his mouth.

An awkward, heavy silence filled the office between the old master and his grown disciple.

After some time passed, Hendrickson, who had been leaning back crookedly, suddenly spoke.

"A black lion came from beneath a wildcat."

He was referring to Astin.

It was out of the blue, but Valdemar had no choice but to agree inwardly.

Anyone would acknowledge the growth Astin had shown in such a short time.

No, they wouldn't believe it even if they saw it. Valdemar, his father, had been the same.

"The illegitimate child too."

"...You mean Celine?"

"Yes. She has talent that rivals the direct heir. I thought she was a Cardenos, rotten to the core, but she hasn't rotted at all. She's ripened nicely instead."

"......"

"You raised your children damn well. I only came to tell you that, you pathetic bastard."

Hendrickson brushed off his knees, rose, and headed for the door.

"Master."

Hendrickson stopped dead.

"Some good liquor from the north arrived recently. If you don't mind, would you like to share a drink with me?"

"Do I look that free to you?"

"Yes."

"I am free."

Smack. Hendrickson smacked his lips.

"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm staying because I like the liquor, not because I like you."

"Should I just put a bottle in your hand and send you off?"

"You insolent brat. I can see exactly who your son learned that from."

* * *

The grand ballroom of the imperial palace, where the Founding Festival was held.

It was packed with hundreds, perhaps thousands, of nobles.

Beneath magnificent chandeliers scattering brilliant multicolored light, young ladies moved busily, each harboring their own ambitions.

The Founding Festival could be called the largest social event in history.

Behind the lively laughter hung a sharp tension.

The young ladies flocked to great nobles of count rank or higher, people whose names alone were enough to command attention. There was especially no room to step near four men.

"That tailcoat suits you so well! Is it made with the new fabric you imported yourself? What a feast for the eyes, hoho!"

"Guild Master! I heard you opened a new southern trade route. I hope you will visit our family's territory too."

"Is this part of the new clothing line you have launched? House Roxfelt has something to discuss with you about garment distribution as well. Would you spare us a moment?"

A handsome young man from the Patrian Merchant Guild, which controlled the economy of the Empire's east.

Well-dressed young ladies openly threw themselves at him.

"Ahaha. Thanks for the compliments, but I don't talk unless it's about making money."

The response they received was lukewarm.

The situation on the other side was much the same.

"Deputy Tower Master! The theory you presented at the last conference was so astounding. When might you grant me some private instruction?"

"Hehe, I am a young lady interested in magic as well. I would love to discuss your knowledge with you, Deputy Tower Master."

"I saw the magical crafts you made yourself. They were so beautiful! How wonderful it would be to receive a gift like that from the Deputy Tower Master..."

A genius mage who effectively led the Sirius Mage Tower.

Young ladies crowded around him too, trying to make an impression by showing off their intellectual appeal.

"What would flower-brained young ladies like you know? You wouldn't understand even if I explained it."

Even at his harsh words, the young ladies laughed behind their fans.

"As mischievous as ever! Hohoho!"

"Young Master Raven's heroic tales have spread even to the imperial capital. Seeing the man behind those rumors in person feels like a dream!"

"After seeing nothing but slender men all my life, looking at you makes my heart pound... Can you hear it? The sound of my heartbeat?"

"You cut down a pack of magical beasts all by yourself. That is truly incredible!"

The second son of the northern grand ducal House Winterhardt, the Giant of Perpetual Snow.

The young ladies, captivated by his enormous build and rugged charm, had set their sights on him.

"Mm..."

He only grunted without saying a word.

Even that came across as quiet charm to the young ladies.

"His Highness Zenon! You are so noble...!"

"I greet the Empire's next sun."

"Your Highness Zenon, would you grant me the honor of sharing the first dance with you? If only I could match steps with Your Highness, I would not mind if tonight never ended."

Ordinary young ladies could not even approach the crown prince.

Only the great nobles of the central region fiercely vied with one another as they showered the crown prince with affection.

The young ladies' attention was concentrated solely on those four men.

They did not even spare the other young lords a glance, making things quite awkward for them.

By coincidence, all four men had firmly shut the young ladies out. Without even offering polite smiles, they openly made it clear that they did not want to exchange a single word with them.

"......It's Lady Lucia!!"

Someone shouted. All four men turned their heads at once.

A gorgeous, colorful dress that seemed embroidered with the Milky Way. A captivating beauty that stole the gaze of men and women, young and old alike.

The flower of the Imperial Academy and the star of high society, Lucia von Elzerna.

The mood in the ballroom changed in an instant with her arrival.

The four men, who had stood rooted in place like nails, hurriedly stepped forward. The same four men who had ignored countless young ladies' advances.

"Lady Lucia. You are as beautiful as ever today!"

"I have been waiting for you, my noble star."

"Lucia, there is something I wanted to discuss with you alone..."

"Miss Sia, would you come over here and pop some champagne with me?"

The four men quickly surrounded Lucia. Forgetting their dignity, they began ardently courting her.

Jealous looks from the surrounding young ladies poured toward her, but Lucia swallowed a deep sigh.

'This is suffocating...'

It was beyond burdensome. She was starting to get irritated.

The advances of so many men? It should have been something to enjoy.

Being loved by even one person was not easy. She was undeniably more blessed than most.

But this was too much. Far too much.

It would be one thing if they were moderately influential nobles. These four were figures whose names alone made anyone take notice.

Lucia, on the other hand, was the daughter of a fallen baronial family on the frontier.

Even if she became engaged to one of them, it would not be a mismatched marriage between nobility and commoners, but the difference in their status would still be enormous.

"Thank you all for welcoming me."

Lucia gave a graceful nod, keeping her smile intact. Her chest felt so stifled that it was hard to breathe.

"I appreciate the warm welcome, but I have not yet recovered from the journey. Could we save dancing and long conversations for later?"

"Of course. Why would that not be possible?"

"Fatigue from travel? Please take this medicine. I brought it just in case."

"What a shame. Still, if you are unwell..."

"Don't be ill, Miss Sia. When you are hurt, my heart hurts too."

Ugh, goosebumps.

"Thank you, everyone."

Lucia drew a polite boundary and naturally slipped away.

Even afterward, the men did not give up easily.

They trailed after her while keeping a strange distance, and they stared at her while looking for a chance to speak.

It was driving Lucia mad. Couldn't they just leave her alone?

Then it happened.

"Isn't that the eldest son of Cardenos?"

"Yes, it is Young Master Astin."

"He certainly has some nerve. How can he show his face after laying a hand on a delicate young lady's face..."

Lucia's sharp gaze turned toward the entrance.

A blond young lord was striding confidently into the ballroom.

He had handsome, sharply defined features and roguish eyes. The neat uniform he wore bore the black lion emblem of Cardenos.

The violent wastrel who had left her close friend Azelin in that state. Astin von Cardenos.

'So that's him.'

The man who dared lay a hand on my friend.

Lucia had never met him before, but she could tell what kind of man he was at a glance. A wastrel, nothing more and nothing less.

She walked straight toward him with quick steps.

She hadn't even decided what she would snap at him. Her emotions came before reason now.

All she wanted was to make him take responsibility for what he had done.

The moment Lucia blocked Astin's path.

Astin stopped short as well. Perhaps he had guts, because he showed no sign of being flustered.

The star of high society and the wastrel of Cardenos stood face-to-face.

Whispers spread in every direction with the two of them at the center.

Lucia was a fellow student of Rosenthal's cherished daughter, while Astin had brutally assaulted that very classmate.

It was a confrontation no noble who knew the circumstances could help watching.

The four men, meanwhile, watched Astin closely with the eyes of birds of prey.

Their four pairs of eyes held not a shred of interest, only hostility and killing intent. They braced themselves, ready to spring into action if things turned ugly.

"You..."

With everyone watching, Lucia spoke first.

"......."

Her lips closed helplessly before she could continue.

The murmurs only grew louder.

Those who did not know the situation watched the pointless commotion.

Those who knew Lucia and Azelin's relationship waited for Lucia to speak.

The four men watching from a distance glared fiercely at the pair.

Lucia's lips opened and closed repeatedly. For some reason, a shadow fell across her face.

After a brief moment, Lucia placed her clenched hand over her chest.

"Have we met somewhere before?"

Author's Note

The series goes Plus tomorrow. I plan to have consecutive releases on about two days this week, though I haven't decided which days yet. I'll also try to slip in extra updates from time to time after that!

Footnotes:

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