EWH Chapter 173

Elphinesse tapped the armrest as she gazed down at the scene below. Finding her target among the crowd proved easier than expected – the wide berth people gave them made them stand out conspicuously.

A man for whom the Archmage volunteers to be guardian, and in whom Azar shows interest.

The former alone was fascinating enough. When someone who hadn’t taken a disciple for centuries suddenly does so, it’s only natural to wonder what wind brought about such change. Moreover, he was someone who had captured Azar’s fervent attention.

Elphinesse found herself intensely curious about this Nathan Nover.

“Azar, does Lord Nover have a fiancée?”

“…Pardon?”

“Hmm? Why aren’t you answering?”

“…He probably… doesn’t.”

Azar answered reluctantly, unable to read his sister’s intentions.

“…Why do you ask?”

He asked sullenly, feeling strangely uneasy. But the next words made him freeze like stone.

“If he doesn’t, I was thinking of asking him myself.”

“…What?”

His blank expression gradually transformed into shock. Azar gaped in astonishment.

“…No, that, what do you…?”

Then he suddenly cried out before he could stop himself.

“Sister!”

The tapping on the armrest stopped abruptly. Her gaze finally turned from below to Azar.

“Lower your voice.”

“But you’re saying something completely absurd…!”

“Absurd? Azar, I’m serious. Everyone’s been making such a fuss about me getting married. They’re so persistent. I’m starting to get tired of it. So I thought if I must marry, it should be to someone beneficial to me. And well…”

Elphinesse paused briefly before continuing slowly.

“Seeing him today, Baron Nover doesn’t seem bad at all.”

Azar felt his heart drop.

“Having the Archmage as his guardian is particularly appealing, and he’s a man you’ve acknowledged. I quite like that he’s kind and upright. His humble family background would also benefit me. Since Melchiel chose him, he’s likely far from power-hungry, and his appearance isn’t bad either…”

“…”

Elphinesse broke off and chuckled, gently patting Azar’s cheek.

“I’m joking.”

“…”

But Azar’s expression remained clouded.

“You rascal. I told you to hide your emotions, yet they’re plain as day. Lighten up. You look ready to cry. Why cry instead of getting angry? You were such a crybaby when young, and it seems nothing’s changed even at this age.”

“You weren’t… serious?”

“…I was wrong. You didn’t seem likely to tell me the truth, so I took the joke too far. I have no particular feelings for him. How could I be interested in someone I just met today? I’m curious, but that’s all.”

As she spoke, Elphinesse smoothed Azar’s slightly disheveled hair.

“That joke was… too much.”

“I’m sorry.”

After silently gazing down at the hall for a moment, Azar cleared his throat awkwardly before cautiously asking his question.

“…But Sister. Was I really that obvious?”

“Hmm, rather so. Being unable to hide your emotions like that… Does the Baron already know?”

“…Probably?”

After being so blatantly obvious, how could he not know?

He knows everything but pretends not to…

Azar quickly located Nathan in the crowd. He was talking with Ramiya. What were they discussing that required standing so close? Did Nathan realize how such a scene might spark rumors among observers? Though of course, they were probably acting that way because neither cared about such things.

To think the day would come when I’d be jealous of Raya.

How nice.

His mood sank at having to watch from afar like this. The shock from Elphinesse’s joke probably contributed to it.

How deflating.

Azar slumped in his chair with a dejected sigh.

“Azar, no matter how bored you are, maintain proper posture.”

“…Yes.”

The immediate reproach forced him to straighten up. His irritation redirected elsewhere. Why was the First Prince taking so long when he’d said he was coming? Couldn’t he hurry up! He hoped the prince would arrive soon, get annoyed at seeing him, and tell him to leave. Then he’d have an excuse to escape this place…

Of course, that was just wishful thinking. He couldn’t leave Elphinesse here alone.

Later. Later…

Azar savored the exciting word in his mind.

But when he saw Melchiel checking Nathan’s forehead, the excitement vanished like a lie. Worry took its place instead.

Is he sick? He seemed fine until just now? Looking at him now, his face does seem a bit flushed…

His fingers unconsciously began tapping the armrest faster.

“Oh Azar, it seems the Baron is leaving the banquet hall.”

True enough, Nathan was leaving with Ramiya and Ali. Elphinesse muttered curiously.

“Has something happened?”

“…He’s naturally rather frail, so that might be why.”

Azar watched the direction Nathan had disappeared.

Where does that way lead? The lounge area?

Just then, Elphinesse tapped the back of her hand against his arm to get his attention.

“You’re being distracting.”

“I’m sorry.”

“If you’re like this, you might as well go check on him.”

“…No, it’s fine. How could I leave you alone?”

“You say that while watching with such worry? Go while I’m offering. Izak will be here soon, and once he arrives, it’ll be harder for you to leave. I feel bad about earlier too, so let’s say you’ve fulfilled your escort duties for today.”

“But…”

Of course, knights were stationed around to guard Elphinesse. They were positioned at various distances, and he knew she wasn’t weak. Still, he couldn’t help hesitating to leave.

“Then how about this?”

“Yes?”

“I’d like to have a pleasant conversation with Baron Nover later. As a lady, it wouldn’t be proper for me to invite him directly. Would you convey my invitation on my behalf?”

At that, Azar’s face lightened as he smiled and answered.

“…I’ll deliver the message and return.”

Leaving behind the herald’s announcement of the First Prince’s arrival, Azar left the banquet hall.

***

Click.

“So anyway…”

“Huh?”

“…?”

The lounge they reached while chatting already had an occupant.

“Ah, excuse me. May we come in?”

Nathan paused with his hand on the doorknob, asking permission. The red-haired man who had been watching the night sky by the window turned toward them. For a moment his yellow eyes widened slightly before settling into a gentle smile.

“Please come in. Isn’t this lounge for everyone? I have no reason to stop you.”

The man gestured for him to enter.

“Well, since we’ve arrived safely, you two can go now.”

“Nover, are you sure it’s okay with someone else here?”

“…What do you mean?”

“Because Nathan’s so shy around strangers?”

You knew that and still acted that way all this time?

Nathan swallowed the question that almost burst out, instead laughing lightly as he pushed the two toward the door.

“…It’s fine, so please go. It’s inconsiderate to keep making noise. Right?”

“Mmm, alright. Ali, let’s go.”

“See you later, Nathan!”

After finally sending the two away and closing the door, Nathan startled as he entered. The man in the lounge was still staring intently at him.

“Uh…”

The air suddenly felt heavier somehow. Remembering Ali’s parting comment about his shyness with strangers, Nathan forced a smile and deliberately spoke up.

“…How embarrassing, we came in so noisily without realizing someone was here.”

“Not at all. It was nice to see such liveliness.”

“Well, if you say so…”

Having nothing else to say, Nathan cooled his cheeks and forehead with the back of his hand as he walked to the nearest sofa and sat down.

At times like this, my cold hands really come in handy.

As he sat there blankly, musing about how even the guest sofas in the palace were nice, the man addressed him again.

“It’s a lovely night, isn’t it?”

“Ah, yes… it is.”

His gaze naturally drifted to the massive window behind the man. Despite the late hour, it was quite bright outside, thanks to the moonlight and magical lamps decorating the palace grounds. A thought suddenly occurred to Nathan.

“Um, is it alright for you to be here?”

“Hmm?”

The man tilted his head with a smile, as if asking what he meant.

“Before I left the banquet hall, I heard His Highness the First Prince would be arriving soon. Aren’t you… here to attend the banquet too?”

He’d asked thinking he should inform the man if that was the case, but Nathan found it increasingly difficult to continue speaking.

“Ah, that’s fine.”

Something felt off. His skin was prickling, and Nathan rubbed his arms.

What’s wrong with me? I thought I could rest briefly and return just a moment ago, but suddenly…

He suddenly felt unwell. The uncomfortable sensation crawling across his skin wasn’t entirely unfamiliar. Once that thought occurred, Nathan began examining the man before him more carefully.

The pure white garment that fell to his ankles looked like a thin robe. Though it was cinched at the waist with a dark leather belt, it seemed too plain to be formal banquet attire. Yet it couldn’t be called casual wear either.

Where have I seen this before?

The attire was strangely familiar. He didn’t need to search his memories for long. His destinations were always limited, and the combination of pure white garments and this unpleasant sensation had a simple explanation.

A priest.

Yes. Now he remembered – the clothes worn by Professor Matilda, a high priest at the Academy, shared many similarities with what the man before him was wearing.

Just then, the man, who had been examining Nathan in turn, smiled gently and spoke.

“By the way, your red hair is quite beautiful, brother.”

“…Pardon?”

Nathan responded dumbly to the unexpected comment.

…This hair?