Chapter 29: A Frenzied Party (Escape)
As the day wanes, the inevitable happens.
In the grand social gathering known as the Dukes party, there were pitiable souls who could not find a partner.
And those souls savored their solitude in a garden set up behind the Dukes residence.
So call it the Garden of Losers.
Ah... I want to die.
From deep within, a voice filled with despair arised. It belonged to Lady Heria of the Barons family. She had hoped to find a partner today but was t with failure.
Oh. Life truly sucks.
The man beside her was Viscount Matteo.Though he appeared fine on the outside, he had yet to find a dance partner due to his habit of stuttering in front of won.Haha, Heria, you too?
Viscount Matteo, we et again...
Their eyes et.
Sotis, miracles do occur in the Garden of Losers..
Yulia watched as the two disappeared beyond the garden.
Startled upon seeing Ascal, she wandered aimlessly and ended up here.
The cool breeze and the scent of flowers tickled her nose.
It wasnt so bad.
She thought of cooling her head here a bit and then returning to the hall.
Why on earth would you reject when I was obviously perfect, curse you, curse you!But suddenly, a strange voice could be heard nearby.Yet, for so reason, this voice was not unfamiliar.
Yulia took a step forward.
The source of the voice ca into view.Serena Barba.
The second princess of the empire and Yulias elder sister.Oh my. eting you here is unexpected, Yulia. Well, not like we ever exchange greetings. But, what brings you to this place? You, who rarely show yourself.Serena, as if nothing had happened, reverted to her princess-like deanor and smiled.
Did you... hear?
Serena coughed awkwardly.
Coug... Everyone faces failure. And isnt it true that those who rise from such failures are the real strong ones?
Seriously! Say sothing for once.
Serena tapped her foot impatiently. Watching her, Yulia slowly opened her mouth.
Were you rejected by Ascal Debrue?
Going straight for the sore spot, huh? Yes. I asked that man to dance, and he turned down right away. So, what about it?
Serena glared at Yulia. She had never liked Yulia, especially now when she was hurt.Im glad then.
Whats there to be glad about...Oh. Were you all gathered here?The one who appeared was the crown prince of the empire, Kain.Without any attendants, lost in thought and strolling through the garden alone, he chanced upon Serena and Yulia.Such an encounter was indeed rare.Since reaching adulthood, they had rarely gathered like this outside of official events.
It reminds of old tis. How long has it been since we three siblings gathered like this?
Excuse . Were still young, you know? In our pri. Old man.
Serena pouted.Kain chuckled.
So, little sister, why were you sulking all by yourself?
With a sigh, Serena took a seat on the bench.
The night had deepened, and she felt weary. She was ntally exhausted from constantly seeking political advantage up to this point.I was rejected by a man.
Really? Who evil would dare reject my little sister? I should give him a piece of my mind.
...Ascal Debrue.
Kains smile froze.Thats quite a coincidence. I too just got rejected by that man.A montary silence ensued.
Then, as if on cue, the two siblings turned their gaze to Yulia....I dont know who that is. Whos he?
Yulia averted her gaze.
The atmosphere deflated, much like air escaping from a balloon.
Does Yulia not know? Well, considering I did manage to snag a cookie, I suppose I can claim to be closest to him.
A cookie, you say?
Yes. I had a cookie made by Ascal Debrue himself. It was so dry it choked up.
A cookie...
Yes, a cookie. It lted tenderly on the tongue.
Kain fantasized about the taste of the cookie.
Sweet and moist, it mustve lted instantly in the mouth. The only issue was the absence of a drink; had there been sothing to sip alongside, he could have devoured them all.
Yet, hearing this, Yulias eyes changed.
I didnt get to taste the cookie.
Cold sweat ford on Kains brow.
There are plenty of cookies in the banquet hall, Yulia.
Thats not what Im talking about.
A cookie? That man made cookies?
Serena, dusting off her dress, stood up.
Yulia looked as if she was ready to sprint. These ladies were clearly not themselves, they were acting strangely earlier too.
Where is Ascal now?
I couldnt even dance, and now if I dont get to eat a cookie, I wont be satisfied.
Kain obediently responded.
The last ti I saw him, he was in the hallway to the left of the banquet hall. Its been a while, so Im not sure now.
Oh, Your Highness Prince Kain. And Princess Serena, Princess Yulia. Count Devar greets you. Isnt tonights party truly delightful?
Suddenly appearing, Count Devar caught the trios attention.
They looked at him as if he were so kind of insect.
Count Devar started to sweat profusely.
He had arrived at the wrong place, at the worst possible ti.
For the first ti in his life, Count Devar felt the threat of impending doom.
He desperately sought a way out of this predicant.
What, what can I say to escape this situation?
He didnt have much ti to ponder.
Frantically racking his brain, Count Devar eventually blurted out a single word.
Ascal...?
He imdiately felt the tense atmosphere ease.
Fortunately, he had guessed right.
Taking a deep breath, Count Devar continued.
If you are looking for Mr. Ascal, hes probably on the mansions second floor, conversing with Miss Sushia.
Thanks for that. It will help my sisters.
Haha. Its an honor.
Relief evident, Count Devar began to serve in his role as a hospitable guest.
By the way, Your Highness, have you heard? Ascal brought a very peculiar horse today. Although its still young, they say its a beautiful white horse.
Does it have a spot on its shoulder, by any chance?
Im not quite sure about that...
The identity of that foal was unmistakable.
Kain had once given a foal to Ascal. It was a scrawny and unremarkable creature. Frankly, Kain had thought it would die before fully maturing, but it grew into a magnificent white horse?
Kains expression shifted.
Everyone, head to the 2nd floor. Ill take the left staircase, Serena, you take the right. Yulia, Im counting on you to handle the central stairs. Find Ascal.
Understood.
Yes.
At that mont, the most formidable temporary alliance in the Barba Empire was ford.
****
SobI admit defeat.
Dont you ever ntion even the Co of cookies in front of again, Sushia.
In the end, when Ascal t Sushia, they tasted and compared each others cookies. Ascals were undeniably superior. There was no need for a picky judge; the difference in taste was overwhelming.
From now on, you are banned from my office permanently.
Please, anything but that! Sir! Ill do anything!
As it seed Sushia would cling to him again, Ascal proposed a compromise.
Then, clean the restroom for a month.
...I-Im still a noblewoman, though.
Either accept or be banned permanently.
Ha. Fine. Ill clean the restroom.
Sushia collapsed onto the floor, seemingly unconcerned about soiling her dress.
Why has it felt weird since earlier?
Since earlier, there had been a prickling sensation on his back. As if he should run away at any mont, his body seed to warn him. Moreover, that feeling was intensifying.
Ah... Its probably just fatigue.
Just as he was trying to ignore that feeling, a housemaid appeared.
You are here, Lord Ascal.
Whats the matter?
Well... His Highness the Crown Prince is looking for you.
Oh? He must have so urgent business.
And... Princess Serena is also looking for Lord Ascal.
Why the princess?
And... Princess Yulia is also looking for Lord Ascal.
...
Um.
Sothing seed to be going awry.
He had a gut feeling that getting caught would land him in so serious trouble. Without further thought, Ascal decided to flee.
Ascal! Wait! Show the horse!
It was the voice of the Crown Prince.
Ascal instantly took off running.
I knew youd co this way. Just as I predicted.
Upon heading to the right staircase on the 2nd floor, Princess Serena was waiting. She looked rather triumphant.
Ignoring Princess Serena, Ascal rushed up to the 3rd floor.
Hey! Wait! At least give a cookie before you go!
Once he made it out of the lengthy staircase, he found himself at a dead-end. Escaping up the stairs and evading both Crown Prince Kain and Princess Serena was a feat, but now, upon reaching the 3rd floor of the mansion, Ascal felt like a cornered mouse.
Being caught was now only a matter of ti.
What should I do?
But suddenly, the distant sound of approaching footsteps reached his ears.
Ascal glanced at the window.
...The night sky looked beautiful.
But this wasnt the ti to admire it.
Even if I fall, I wont die, right?
If he lands properly, a fall from the height of 3 floors shouldnt be fatal. And he had legs trained from daily commuting. They should be reliable.
Or maybe not, considering Ive recently been commuting by carriage.
It was a mont of doubt.
I found you.
Behind him, he heard Yulias voice.
There was no more ti to hesitate.
-WHOOOSH!!
Ascal jumped straight through the window with both arms pressed against his torso.
The window shattered imdiately, and Ascal began his descent to the ground.
This feels much higher than I thought?
And worse, he was falling head-first.
This might be the end of him.
If there was a Darwin Award here in this world, hed surely win it this year.
At that mont,
A white horse appeared in the distance.
From the sky, a shadow of wings descended.
Fer!
The Pegasus, spreading its wings wide, was racing towards its master.
With a graceful move, it successfully let Ascal mount it.
Lets go ho like this!
Hee-haw!
Fer flapped its wings.
****
Tha-thats... Impossible!
Raven was frustrated. Mired in a recent slump, he had hoped to find so inspiration by attending the Dukes party.
No matter how much he danced or took walks, inspiration eluded him.
Then, before Ravens eyes, an unbelievable sight unfolded.
Among the stars embroidering the night sky, a man was soaring while riding a Pegasus.
This is a miracle!
Raven hurriedly fetched his canvas.
He had to complete the painting before this inspiration faded.
And the painting that Raven completed beca one of the most renowned masterpieces in imperial history.
[TN: You can support the translation and read 5 chapters ahead of the release here on Patreon: /OracleTls]
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