Chapter 19: 19

The hell class race has now been going on since that day. My mother, in particular, harshly trained my sister in case the Princess caught her.

Basic etiquette and magic; as well as history, literature, geography, etc. The busy days continued.

Despite the fact that I am constantly busy, I learned how to play the piano formally after speaking with Alex.

My mother was overjoyed when I told her the story first because I had never asked for anything before.

“I didn’t know that Ciel would be interested in playing the piano.”

“I want to learn, even if I’m not good at it.”

As the idol of the Valentine’s family, when I started learning piano, there was a sudden craze for musical instruments among the children.

Theo split his busy time and began to learn the flute; Isaac and Louis fought over who would choose the bigger instrument.

Through the teacher’s mediation, strong Isaac took charge of the cello, and Louis decided to learn Viola. And Clara.

“I want to learn how to play the violin.”

She took the courage to ask Mother. When the timid Clara first brought it up, my mother readily agreed.

“Sure. Sooner or later, Mom will get you a good violin.”

For reference, a “good” violin for the Valentine’s would have been at least a Stradivarius[1] or the finest Guarneri[2] instrument.

Clara’s face lit up when she heard her mother’s suggestion. If you have any wishes, you should express them, silly sister.

I buried myself in my sister’s skirt and looked back at my brothers who were still babbling.

For the time being, everybody is a beginner, and the mansion would be filled with unfamiliar and strange noises, but I wonder if we’ll be capable of playing more plausible indoor music in a few years.

While I was enduring the arduous tutoring, my sister began socializing in earnest. In fact, I haven’t heard much from Alex in a while.

“I’m tired.”

“But you said you were following me well. Our Ciel is really amazing.”

Only Clara, who could hear the inside stories[3], told me how Alex was doing.

“He must be very involved in political affairs, that must keep him quite busy. Isn’t that amazing?”

When you put it in that way, Alex was great. Even though he’s the main character, there’s nothing he can’t do.

The seasons and the years changed. I used to think of Alex, who, despite his busy schedule, seemed lonely at times.

“What should I do about this?”

I know he’s the one who will take my life if I get involved recklessly, but I couldn’t help but worry when I remembered his grim expression the last time I saw him.

I lifted my head and looked at my sister. Clara, who, according to the original story, should’ve had a difficult time, said that she had many friends her age after making her social debut safely.

“Did you enjoy the tea party?”

“Yes. When Ciel makes her debut, let’s go together. My friends want to meet you, too.”

“Invite them home later. I want to meet Clara’s friends too.”

That’s a good thing, but on the other hand, I don’t want to lose my sister to her friends. Perhaps it’s because it has become a habit, but I hope Clara always likes me the most.

I snuggled up in my sister’s arms and lusted for exclusivity. My lovely, sweet sister. She is still my older sister, and she is the person who loves me the most in the world.

Seeing me acting cute for some reason, Clara held my hand and suggested first.

“Ciel, would you like to go to the Garden with your sister today?”

“Should I?”

It’s not bad to go on a date with my sister alone after a long time. I smashed my sister’s love flag to get rid of my death flag. Since it’s like this, then I should focus on finding a new brother-in-law.

After quite a while, I arrived at the glass greenhouse, holding my sister’s hand. Despite the fact that most of the flowers withered during the winter, the magical greenhouse remained green.

“There’s a lot of great people at the social gatherings, right? Anyone you like?”

“What kind of person do you like, Ciel?”

I can’t believe you came at me like this. I’d never considered it, and my sister even intentionally dismissed my only maid, Merrill, to keep things private.

“I…”

I just want to live for now. The moment I tried to say that, I saw someone beyond the greenhouse.

Dark navy blue hair. Straight arms that fall at right angles and a stiff shoulder line. How can I forget that back?

“I invited him because he’d been looking forward to seeing you.”

I haven’t seen him since that day, but Alex visited Valentine’s in person. When he heard the voices, he looked back.

He hasn’t changed a bit since the last time. My sister welcomed Alex with a smile on her face.

“Lady Clara, thank you for accepting my request.”

“Don’t mention it. We’re friends.”

“Friend?”

I thought everything was ruined because there was no contact between you two, but that wasn’t it?

“Mhm. We decided to be good friends.”

My sister’s bright smile hit me straight in the face. When did you two start secretly getting to know each other? Alex and Clara had a pleasant conversation with me standing next to her.

“I’m really sorry about that. His Majesty seems to have misunderstood.”

“It’s okay. I have asked a lot from you, too.”

How did you get so close? No, it’s good to be close, but please don’t just talk to each other and let me in.

Clara and Alex were laughing with one another, and my pupils were shaking uncontrollably in the middle.

“His Majesty asked me that day, if His Highness, Alex, had feelings for me.”

Because I was struck and carried away, I had forgotten something. To be honest, I’m intrigued. So, are you two dating or not?

“That’s why I said no. We just decided to be good friends, right, Your Grace?”

Friends? Can men and women be friends with each other? Even when I was staring at him, full of doubts, Alex’s expression remained unchanged.

“Yes, I just wanted to get some advice on herbs.”

“Would you like to come here for a moment?”

Apparently, there were more stories between the two, as well as my problems.

Clara led Alex to the Roenthal seedling she saw last time while I stood far away.

“The leaves in the letter you sent me are correct. Roenthal, it’s a dangerous poison that works even if you eat a little.”

Right, this was it. My sister and Alex talked about poison while using terminology that I didn’t know.

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“As expected.”

“The leaves of Roenthal are poisonous, but the roots are detoxifying. If you eat this, the amount mixed with the tea leaves will be detoxified.”

It seems that the Princess, who was in control of the Imperial Palace’s affairs, was pushed to the edge[4], and she will now use whatever methods she could find.

This is too harsh for him, who is still young. Clara looked at me while handing him the antidote.

“Then I’ll excuse myself first. Ciel, I’ll wait outside.”

“Sister!”

Why are you suddenly doing this? Maybe she’s finished talking, but Clara abandoned me and left the greenhouse.

This was clearly a deliberate attempt to get us to be alone, and his awkward demeanor clearly revealed what he was thinking.

What’s the matter with you? Alex approached me, fidgeting.

“I want to say something.”

“But Your Highness, I’m.”

“I didn’t give much thought to the previous proposal.”

I stopped trying to run away at Alex’s claim. I turned around, and he continued calmly.

“I thought it would be best to have a marriage to form an alliance with Valentine. That’s why I said that.”

Alex was truthful about his actions. It wasn’t strange at all. He clearly agonized over his marriage to Ciel for the legitimacy of the Crown Prince’s seat in the original story.

It was like that, wasn’t it?

You don’t like me, do you?

I was sincerely relieved.  So, you mean you’re just going to use me?

“That’s how it was.”

“Yes, it is.”

With a sigh of relief, I stood up straight. Whatever the intention, the proposal had many additional effects.

Maybe my persuasion worked, or maybe after the last incident, my father secretly began to use wizards to track the Princess’ faction’s every move.

In front of me, my father is incredibly embarrassing, but hearing about Alex’s situation, the atmosphere seemed serious.

And at the end of last month, Dad formally made a recommendation to congress about Prince Alex’s coronation. So there will be good news soon.

“My father was very angry with Her Highness. Now that we have a common enemy, Valentine will definitely be on your side.”

“But I don’t think it’s just about the Duke of Valentine.”

Isaac. I thought of him, but Alex told me an unexpected story.

“It’s been rumored that Lord Theo has recently been attracting young talents. And only those who held grudges against the Princess.”

“Brother Theo?

“You didn’t know. The young master also seemed very angry about the last incident.”

Well, if rumours only circulated among the Knights, they would not have spread so quickly, and it is unlikely that dad would have talked about it.

Louis is supposed to specialize in that, but he’s too young right now. Then, did Theo really come forward for me?

PR/N: He likes to gossip lol

“I didn’t know that. I thought Theo hated me.”

“He’ll be disappointed if he hears you.”

Why do you look even more upset saying that?

For a little while, there was an awkward atmosphere. Neither I nor he found it easy to speak at first. Because I hated the uncomfortable air, I spoke first.

“I recently started learning to play the piano. I was very impressed by the violin that Your Highness played last time.”

“I’ve heard from Lady Clara. I was the one who recommended the violin to her.”

When I heard this, the relationship between the two seemed odd, but it appeared to have a positive influence, so I nodded.

“Really? Thank you. I was actually worried that she might be the only one who wouldn’t play.”

All the others are biological children, so they can freely say anything; but for Clara, who is not related by blood, she is bound to be careful.

When Clara said she wanted to learn how to play the violin with her own mouth, I was very proud of it.

I guess that’s the male lead for you. He seems to be doing his job properly.

“I know.”

“What?”

“I’m getting along with Lady Clara. As you asked.”

Yeah, well, I did encourage them to be close. I’m telling you to do well, so listen carefully.

“I told you. My sister is a really nice person.”

“So now, what I’m trying to say.”

After taking a chance, silence came again. What do you want to say to me? I don’t know what makes you so nervous.

He held his head for a while and then sighed. Hesitated a few times, and then barely opened his mouth.

“Wouldn’t it be okay if we get a little closer?”

“Like being friends?”

“Yes.”

 

PR/N: IT’S A TRAP!

QC/N: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) >⌐■-■ (⌐ ͡■ ͜ʖ ͡■)

Oh, I mean, you’ve become friends with Clara and you want to keep your friendship with the Valentine’s family, so you want to be close to me.

Alex’s face turned red and blue all by itself; why are you making such a fuss out of something so insignificant?

 

Notes:

[1] Stradivarius is a string instrument built by an Italian family, Stradivari, mainly Antonio Stradivari, in the 17th and 18th centuries

[2] Guarneri is a string instrument made by Bartolomeo Giuseppe “del Gesù” Guarneri, whose instruments rival Stradivarius’.

[3] Basically the inner gossip in the Palace

[4] To the point of feeling like there are not many options

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