Chapter 36. One Vile Blood, and One Viler Still (1)
"Are you planning to declare war on the Cryphart family?"
While I was contemplating purchasing a moderately simple coat based on the shop assistant's recomndation, a voice unexpectedly interrupted my thoughts, causing
to turn my head.
There stood Aileen de Donatien, with an incredulous expression on her face.
Her hair, as dark as a night sea, and eyes, a vivid rosy hue, contrasted sharply, making her frown stand out even more.
"Good day to you. It seems you're in need of so clothing as well, lady Aileen."
"Yes, I suspect our destination will be the sa."
Our destination?
Judging by her being in the formal wear section, it appeared she was also invited to a wedding. It's possible she, like , didn't have a proper outfit ready.
"It seems you've been invited to Rinia's wedding as well, lady Aileen."
"Yes, since I am, after all, a mber of the prestigious Donatien family."
"I see."
I answered with feigned disinterest, but the words she had spoken ca back to
just as I was about to purchase the coat I was holding.
"Lady Aileen, what did you an by your earlier statent?"
"... You're not unaware of that pattern, right?"
Aileen pointed with her finger to the chest of the coat I was holding, where there was an elegant emblem of a golden crown and swords.
"This is the symbol that royalty-aligned knights of Febrance used when they justified dealing with their enemies under the guise of stabilizing the royal power."
"Is that so?"
"Although its aning has faded, it's still politically charged. What do you think people will interpret if you wear it to your family's wedding?"
Now that I think about it, that makes sense.
I began to comprehend why she used the term "declaration of war."
Yulian was affiliated with the Imperial agency known as 'Blind Eyes', and the Cryphart family was essentially a leader among noble opposition.
My current goal was to secure the Soul Stone in the Cryphart household ahead of ti.
It wouldn't be wise to provoke unnecessary conflict, considering how strained the relationship between the family and Yulian was.
"It indeed wouldn't have been a wise choice."
"I'm glad you realized it now."
"However, it's unfortunate. This was the only one in this color sche."
I sighed lightly, handing the coat back to the employee.
"Can't you just choose another color then?"
Aileen inquired as if it was the most obvious notion.
Quite a reasonable suggestion.
To be honest, Yulian could look good in anything, given his face and physique. But I'd prefer sothing plain and dark!
Yet, why are only pinks and neon colors catching my eye?
Deep within, Yulian's instincts were yearning to make a bold statent. It was so pronounced that even neon star-shaped sunglasses on the wall kept drawing my gaze.
'The typical formal wear I know is usually closer to black.'
Pink and neon combinations, no matter how one thinks, don't fall within the 'normal' category.
Nonetheless, watching myself feel drawn to them, I didn't think today's shopping would end successfully.
If left unchecked, future clothing would be heavily influenced by "Yulian's" taste.
However, today I ca out to shop to maintain a balanced fashion sense of 'Yi Shihu'.
'Ah, that's right.'
As I continuously glanced at the vivid colors, a clever idea dawned on .
Looking at Aileen's attire in front of , it seed more conventional than 'Yulian'.
Receiving a recomndation from soone like her might alleviate this dilemma to so degree.
"In that case, this seems good."
I concluded that she wouldn't assist
out of goodwill, so I decided to employ a strategy.
With a satisfied smile, I picked a plain, dark gray top and pretended to consider it montarily before pairing it with matching pants.
Of course, in pink.
"Wait, hold on."
"Why, what's the matter?"
She appeared quite flustered.
Perfect, this was the reaction I was aiming for.
"That combination... is that right?"
"Yes, I don't think there's a more fitting palette."
"Who on earth combines pink with gray!"
Seeing her astonished expression, I felt it was the right ti to nudge her pride a bit.
"A plain yet sowhat bland gray accentuated with pink for a touch of character. It's a choice ticulously following current trends."
"Inserting a highlight, yet choosing a uniform color like that makes it a case where the detail overshadows the whole!"
"It's easy to dispute what one disagrees with. Isn't it a little disappointing that a mber of the renowned for their artistic sense, donatien family, lacks aesthetic sense?"
With a frown in response to my provocation, Aileen wandered around and picked out a few clothes, presenting them to .
"I would have coordinated like this. It may seem plain to you, but at least it doesn't look like a clown costu you picked out!"
With that declaration, Aileen spun around and left.
In the spot she occupied monts ago lay the modest collection of clothes she picked out in her excitent.
With a satisfied grin, I turned to the employee.
"Please, ring up those items."
***
The serene beauty enveloped the seasons within the garden.
Beyond it stood the majestic mansion of the Cryphart family, looking every bit as the work of art it was.
It was in front of this grandiose ho that a feeling of unease brewed within .
Is there anything more discomfiting than attending an event where one knows no one?
'Despite sharing blood, the only face I'm familiar with is Herand's.'
Surrounded by unfamiliar relatives and having to congratulate their unknown marriage, it's undoubtedly an exasperating venture.
However, with my eyes set on securing the Cryphart family's Soul Stone, my grievances must be silenced, and I must endure the banquet.
Concealing my discomfort, I handed the invitation to the guard.
Upon inspecting the invitation and my face, the guard appeared quite startled.
"... Sir Yulian Cryphart Frasone. Your invitation is confird."
It seed he hadn't anticipated my presence at the gathering.
Given that Yulian had essentially severed ties with the Cryphart family, my attendance must have co as quite a surprise.
"Thank you."
After briefly nodding to the guard, I followed the attendant as he led the way to the ballroom.
There, the vast hall was adorned with nurous paintings and expensive-looking artifacts lined up, with dazzling chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.
The bustling crowd made the atmosphere seem chaotic.
However, the clamor was only temporary.
As I stepped into the hall, the bustling noise gradually began to fade.
Like a drop of water on a placid lake, calmness slowly radiated around .
'... This is uncomfortable.'
I must have been perceived as an unwelco stranger at the party.
It's not a guess; it was certain.
A collateral and the Empire's "Smiling Guillotine" attend a celebration ant to be solely filled with blessings?
It was more than enough to regard
with distasteful glances.
"Doesn't he have any sense? Why is he showing up here?"
"Exactly. A collateral should act like one, and an imperial lackey should behave accordingly."
"Tell
about it. I can't stand the sight of the bastard."
So nobles didn't even bother to hide their disdain while speaking.
I was already well-practiced in dealing with such riffraff.
A slight acknowledgnt or a gentle smile was enough to silence them.
"... Ugh."
"Ahem."
Just like that.
But that didn't make this uncomfortable setting any less bearable.
My goal was to secure the "Soul Stone" located in the Cryphart ho, so as soon as the banquet ended, I would move swiftly──.
"Yulian! You ca!"
The uncomfortable silence was disrupted by a familiar voice.
Turning to see the source, I was greeted by the sight of an elegant bridal dress.
Based on her attire, she was indeed the star of this gathering and Yulian's sister, 'Rinia Cryphart'.
"Elder sister Rinia."
As she held her skirt and approached in quick steps, she stretched out her arms and hugged
tightly once she was close enough.
What? Was there really soone who'd express emotions like this towards Yulian?
"It's been ages, Yulian. Do you know how much I missed you?"
Her tone was sincere, as if genuinely happy to see her brother after a long ti.
Have I ever t soone like this?
No, I haven't.
That sparked a sense of wariness in , prompting a glimpse over Rinia's head using the 〈Color of Negativity〉, but there was nothing.
It was benign.
"It has been a while, elder sister Rinia."
"That slit-eye is still there! Honestly, haven't changed a bit since childhood!?"
To think there would be soone so appreciative towards Yulian.
Even though my current visit was aid at sneaking out the Soul Stone, having soone exhibit such goodwill was, in a way, a favorable scenario, though oddly surprising.
Being associated with soone who had ties with such a despicable person...
While exchanging greetings with Rinia, behind her, I noticed a familiar face, Aileen, approaching.
"Aileen, sorry. I ran off in the middle of our chat."
Rinia looked over and apologized to Aileen, indicating they had been engrossed in conversation before I arrived.
"It's alright, Rinia."
With a smile, Aileen answered Rinia, her eyes skimd over my attire.
Each ti her gaze shifted, her lips seed to curve upwards slightly, exuding a smug aura.
"Allow
to introduce Yulian Cryphart, my brother... Oh, I suppose introductions aren't necessary? You're connected as seniors and juniors after all."
Rinia's words caused
to give Aileen a sideways glance.
Senior-junior relationship, huh.
Perhaps the 'repulsion' she initially showed when I first saw her was in so way linked to our academy days.
"Even so, Yulian, by wearing sothing so simple, you look so tidy. On other days, you dress too much like a clown."
"It's actually the current trend in the capital."
"Oh dear, if such a style is in trend, I'm leaving the capital as soon as I can. Hoho."
Rinia chuckled, seemingly pleased with her little joke.
Just as I was about to speak, to steer the conversation towards my true purpose for visiting—
"Elder sister Rinia."
Yet soone else ntioned Rinia's na before I could speak and approached us.
"Oh, Joshua!"
The boy whom Rinia greeted as Joshua approached us with a sharp expression.
With youthful, boyish features and the Cryphart family's emblem on his shoulders, he exuded an arrogance distinct from Yulian's.
Seeing how vexing he seed, one could already tell he'd be a nuisance.
"I'm glad you ca, Joshua."
"Yeah, sis. The dress looks nice."
"Thank you."
"So then... What exactly are you doing right now?"
The saying "acting the way you look" seed apt.
Joshua's swift change in attitude left Rinia sowhat taken aback.
"Why, at such an important gathering, are you sidelining other noble attendees for idle chatter with such riffraff?"
Though quite offensive, Rinia didn't particularly express dissatisfaction.
It was as if she laughed off his comnt as she did with mine.
"I was just happy to see them. Besides, wasn't Joshua's last encounter with Yulian ten years ago..."
"Who dares call soone like that a brother? Are you out of your mind, elder sister?"
Joshua's pejorative remarks erged from his lips, which finally wiped away Rinia's smile.
"Do you not rember how Father was furious when you insisted on sending that moron an invitation?"
"I'm so sorry..."
"Even after being so adamant, you're now openly chit-chatting with collateral scum at the venue. And as for you lot, don't you have any tact?"
"Sir Joshua, it was us who spoke to Lady Rinia first..."
"Donatien half-blood, did anyone tell you to open your mouth!"
Aileen, flustered, attempted to defend Rinia but was quickly silenced when Joshua pointed a finger at her, motioning for discretion.
Seeing this, Aileen frowned, clearly displeased, but her hands remained tied.
This was Rinia's wedding venue.
Should a scandalous scene occur, the backlash would undoubtedly fall upon her and the other collateral guests.
"And you."
Dissatisfied still, Joshua's tirade continued.
It was now directed towards .
His finger pointed accusingly.
"What were you thinking by coming here? Do you expect to be acknowledged as a family mber despite being a worthless collateral?"
"I didn't attend as a Cryphart family mber. I'm simply here as a recipient of an invitation."
I confidently holding up the invitation, displayed it to Joshua. He snatched it, tearing it into shreds.
"Now it's settled, right? Get the hell out."
"I cannot do that. I'm here to bless Elder sister Rinia's future."
In a mild tone, I refuted Joshua's demands, causing a red haze to appear above his head.
'Anger' dyed red.
At that mont, Joshua grabbed a wine glass from a tray held by a nearby servant.
'... Is he actually planning to pour that on ?'
People say trivial thoughts can lead to big troubles.
Joshua tilted the hand holding the wine glass toward .
The deep hue of red wine.
If poured, it would surely soil my clothes. And, considering that, I resigned myself to accept the fate.
I arrived here not to start a scene, but to secure the Cryphart family's 'Soul Stone'.
If it ant getting doused with wine, then──.
'... Wait. If my clothes were to get soiled, I wouldn't have an extra outfit...'
The reality struck
hard—I only had this one outfit that was 'normal'.
The cobalt blue coat I liked was still with the tailor for alteration post my visit to Vernidn.
That left
with only...
'Pink and neon colors.'
*Slap—!*
It's when the thought reached this point that I swung my hand across Joshua's cheek.
Anything but pink... I absolutely refuse.
Clacky's Corner:
Hahahahaha, one of the few tis that what he did was comical.
A bitch-slap is always welco.
Also, author-nim didn't edge us with a cliffhanger.
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