Marielle Clarac’s Engagement 003.2

Part 2

I enjoyed shopping by myself, while sightseeing the town, until it was already time to go home.

“Excuse me, are you the young miss from the Clarac family?”

I got surprised as I was called out by an approaching woman.

“Errr…..?”

Her outfit isn’t poor. She has the atmosphere of an upper cla.s.s house’s servant, she’s a woman about twenty years old or so.

“Ah, I’m truly sorry for surprising you. I’m from the Flaubert house…..Simon-sama’s envoy.”

　Startled, my heartbeat throbbed. Simon-sama’s envoy? Why? Has he read that letter?

It must be something like he wants to discuss about the cancellation of the engagement without delay, right. Nevertheless, why was I called out in such a place? Simon-sama and this person shouldn’t know that I was here all along.

“Actually, Simon-sama is in a place near here. By chance he saw Ojou-sama, and I was ordered to lead you to him. Since he is waiting on a carriage, can I trouble you to go there?’’

How come? In such a big city, and also not in the aristocrat district but in the market; something like accidentally meeting by chance...

　An immense fortuity, or rather fate? I wonder if Simon-sama and I were really bound by fate. Something like finding me inside this many people, is it because of love, I wonder?

――As if. If it was in a story, then this would be an exciting throbbing scene. Reality doesn’t have something so convenient though.

“Which carriage is it?”

I looked around, searching for a carriage that looked like the one. It is over there, and to indicate it, in that corner where there wasn’t much pedestrian traffic. I could get a glimpse of the edge of the carriage.

I was led by the woman and we walked towards the carriage. It was a carriage without a crest constructed to be inconspicuous, with only a coachman and no other attendant present.

”Get inside, please.”

The woman opened the door and prompted me. When I approached and looked inside, and as I thought, it wasn’t Simon-sama that boarded it. Yes, I knew. If it was Simon-sama’s envoy then it wouldn’t be a lady attendant. But a male servant or apprentice knight would be likely.

Thud, my back was thrusted and I collapsed inside the carriage. The remaining coachman outside lifted my legs, and I was forcibly thrown inside the coach. The woman from earlier quickly got on, and took position in front of the closed door so as to not let me leave. Soon the carriage begin to hurriedly run.

”Gokigen’yo, Marielle-sama. I didn’t expect to meet you in such a place.”

The proprietor of the carriage said things that oozed scorn and hostility. I fixed the disordered cuff of my dress, and sat down in the seat opposite her. The woman attendant sat by her side.

”Gokigen’yo, Aurelisama. I, too, am surprised. Aurelisama too is going out in the downtown.’’

With a body wrapped in a rose-colored dress, a beautiful girl with splendid blonde hair raised the corner of her red mouth.

‘’Yes, I frequently go to theatre. It is fun to look at the scenery from the window along the way. By no means I thought that with this I would find you. You have quite a different outfit today. Just like a commoner! It suits you very well. However something like walking with your own feet without taking an attendant, the Clarac House has a considerably liberal traditions. I wonder if all low-ranking Houses are like this. With my surroundings, it’s a story that I couldn’t possibly think of.’’

Hohohohoho, Aurelisama loudly laughed.

Looking at that picture that depicted the figure of a villainous lady, I stared with rapt attention.

Something like ending up finding me as she gazed at the street from a window, I don’t believe it. To tell me apart within a crowd of people, that’s already love, right. To have Aurelisama love me so much, I am deeply moved.

――Uhn, well, I know. That, most likely, is because I stained her eyes as something she dislike. My mother also hates rats so much, and she is surprisingly sharp at pointing them out.

Even so, finding me with this outfit is a considerable fit. Hatred may tie people more strongly than poor affection…...Ara, I feel like I can use this phrase. I would like to write it in the memo but I wonder if taking it out right now is no good.

‘’Although you’re absent minded, don’t you have something you want to say?’’

While I unintentionally watched her with fascination, Aurelisama spoke with an unamused face. She looked to be dissatisfied because my response was weak.

‘’I’m truly sorry, Aurelisama was just so fantastic that I ended up getting charmed.’’

‘’Wa? What’s, that. Spouting such shameless flattery at this time, do you think you can buy a favour from me?’’

Why, it was a compliment. Even though they were heartfelt words...

Because it didn’t get transmitted, Marielle feels sad.

‘’No, it wasn’t my intention. It was a simple manifestation.’’

‘’.....wa?’’

‘’So, what’s the reason as to why you lied and called out to me saying it was Simon-sama’s envoy? May I ask, where is this carriage directed to?’’

I watched the scenery flowing through the window. We are proceeding into an unknown street corner, I’m not really sure in which area we are traveling to.

I wonder if I am being taken to the residence of Marquis Cavagnac. Though probably, I think that we aren’t heading towards the n.o.ble district.

As I asked what I wanted to hear, looking to be satisfied, Aurelisama finally laughed with a hmph.

‘’I thought of taking you to a very fun place. You’ll surely like it. I’m antic.i.p.ating it.’’

‘’Sure. I have great expectations on the development, but I want to say something first.’’

‘’.......What now?’’

Aurelisama’s eyebrows knitted again. A beauty is always beautiful no matter what expression she wore.

‘’The reason Aurelisama feels displeasure towards me is my engagement with Simon-sama right? But, in fact, I was thinking of cancelling the engagement. I just sent a letter to Simon-sama today. He must have had that intention already, probably. It will be settled soon, I think.’’

‘’Excuse me?’’

For a moment, Aurelisama’s face became blank. Oh my, when she makes such a stupid expression, her sharpness disappears. She can be quite cute, ne. Aurelisama’s new appeal, detected.

’’That’s why, the need for Aurelisama and me to look at each other with hostility will also disappear.’’

‘’......Do you think I’ll trust such wanton spouting? I would understand if it was Simon-sama’s side saying that he wanted the cancellation, but, why would you want to refuse? That doesn’t make any sense.’’

‘’That’s right, it’s not like I intend to decline it without reasons. Various problems occured. Simon-sama considered my ident.i.ty in society, and didn’t turn in the cancellation himself, but let me decline it for appearances’ sake. Surely, I think, that he’ll announce the cancellation of the engagement after several days.’’

‘’…………’’

I stared at Aurelisama that looked at me suspiciously. She didn’t believe it immediately and seemed to be doubting it. It is neither a lie nor I was trying to deceive, so I looked back at her green eyes without agitation. For a little while the inside of the carriage was wrapped in a heavy silence. After some time, Aurelisama was still scrutinizing me with a suspicious look.

‘’If this story is true then it would be wonderful. A person of the level of Simon-sama would be wasted to someone worthless like you. It would be something difficult to withstand. However, it is doubtful whoever that is true or not. Is it not an expedient to escape from this place?’’

‘’Is it a setting where I must not escape?’’

Ah, what to do. I’m tingly all over. It’s different from the slander and childish hara.s.sments, to actually come with more high-handed means. It’s completely a story-like development. Although the hero would come to rescue the story’s heroine but, I have to somehow do it by myself. I can’t just go moe, I have to calmly grasp the situation.

‘’Oh my, no. Well, I did say that it’s something fun right. Fufu, you’re displaying a look of composure but, I wonder until when such a bluff will last.’’

Ah, that face warped with joy in tormenting the prey is excellent! That’s why you’re a flower of evil! With this lovely appeal that’s why Aurelisama is promoted to a Lady. It wouldn’t work even if I tried to imitate it.

Hiding the Ha~aha~a in my heart, I meekly stayed silent, and before long the carriage stopped. We were in front of a building from somewhere.

‘’This is?’’

Even though it was the time where it will gradually become dark, it was quite bustling. The street in front of the building had another different atmosphere, by some chance this is not the pleasure district right?

Shops that somehow had dubious ambience stood in line. There were an  overwhelming number of men walking on the street. I saw, here and there, women that didn’t look to be amateurs, they were the onee-sans near the shop.

‘’It’s a shop where you can eat, listen to music, and enjoy yourself. Well, let’s get down.’’

When the lady attendant opened the door, the coachman was already in wait. After I was forcibly dragged out, Aurelisama descended.

‘’Is this, perhaps--..the brothel that I was yearning for!?’’

‘’Yearning?’’

Hah, no good. The excitement was too much that I ended up unintentionally spilling my real intention.

‘’No, I mean it’s the gentlemen’s yearnings.’’

I corrected in a hurry. In front of this prohibited garden, that up until now I couldn’t get in or approach, I risked my life in holding myself down from thoughtlessly running wild.

‘’Fufu, it’s fine. Because this is Pet.i.t Bon, the most high-cla.s.s shop. There are many aristocratic male customers.’’

Pet.i.t Bon--...Oh, without a doubt it’s the name of the largest pleasure district of Saint-Etre. There, the number one shop is『Turan Tours』!? Where even royalty secretly visit, that Turan Tours!?

Will His Highness Sevran come too !?

‘’I, do I have to work here!?’’

‘’Hah?’’

I couldn’t hold down my excitement about a place that I only heard in stories, and ended up unintentionally shouting. Aurelisama made a foolish face as she raised her eyebrows with all her might.

‘’If you want to work then I can ask the shop but--..I wonder if a customer will ever cling to you.’’

Ah, that’s right. In a shop a.s.sembled with first cla.s.s beauties, somehow there’s no possibility for me to be set up.

No, it’s not like I am disappointed you know? Something like being sold to a brothel, this isn’t a story. That’s why, this is the situation where my body wouldn’t be desired. Even if I am excited, I’m properly recognizing the current state. It’s a relief that Aurelisama seemed to be a person that doesn’t mind it. Right, I certainly am not disappointed.

No matter what wonderful material I can procure, if I can’t safely return home than I can’t write novels. That’s why, I would be troubled by being sold off.

But, then what did she intend to do in taking me here?

In the span between our discussion, another carriage arrived and stopped near us. The person who descended had a familiar face.

‘’Good evening, Jacob. I’m sorry for summoning you abruptly.’’

Aurelisama addressed the young man in a sweet voice. As I thought, it’s the young lord of the Baron Mole house, Jacob-sama. I heard that he is a pa.s.sionate believer of Aurelisama. The person himself was intoxicated in devoting himself to the person he loved, but in private he is laughed at for conveniently being used for running errands.

When I was casually gathered rumors, it was a story that I would hear occasionally. Aurelisama and her followers, were my regular customers in slandering materials.The people themselves like to badmouth, but I wonder if they know that the surroundings are doing the same.

“Aurelisama, ah, my golden rose! If you are the one calling me I will come running even if I were at the end of the earth. To this foolishly-in-love manservant, what will you order me tonight? Please, ask me anything.”

Jacob-sama, with feverish eyes, uttered a phrase that only could have been on a play. You’re really being carried away, ne.

‘’Thank you. This child, here, I would like you to take her in that shop. Let her study the place where a normal woman wouldn’t be able to see.’’

Jacob-sama’s eyes moved from Aurelisama to me. His feverish look disappeared in a moment, and become cold as if he was looking down at a pebble.

‘’Who is this shabby woman. To place someone like that beside you, it’s not suitable at all. Even for a maid, you shall chose a person a little more suitable.’’

‘’Well, ohoho. That’s not it. This is the young miss from the Clarac house, Marielle-sama. She wanted to learn about the state of the town, so she especially come out in such an appearance.’’

Even though she said it just to make fun of me, Aurelisama’s words were exceedingly close to the truth.

‘’Clarac--..ah, that.’’

Jacob-sama’s eyes become more and more cold. For him I was probably trash-like-thing that defiled Aurelisama’s eyes.

‘’With trouble, I thought of giving her the chance of increasing her study of the society. Since I can’t enter that shop, I was wondering if you could take her with you. Have a meal, and it’s good if you just stay there for a few hours. But not in a private room, stay together with the other guests.’’

....In other words, Aurelisama’s aim was to bring me to the brothel, and then be witnessed by the other guests (n.o.bles are also here), and originate a bad rumor?

It would be a great scandal for the daughter of a n.o.ble to come and go out from a brothel. It wouldn’t be merely a rumor, it would have witnesses to prove the fact, and it would be a situation of the level where I wouldn’t show my face in n.o.ble society ever again. Even the engagement would be instantly discarded. Even in the case my lie was the truth, Aurelisama doubted my story and thought of this plan?

No, it was before that. If she went to summon Jacob-sama then, it was before capturing me. Casually seeing me at the town she made a strategy on the spot, such prompt measures…….magnificent! Really a model villain!

Wait, this isn’t a situation where I can go moe though. Un, her objective in bringing me here was to have the surroundings people in the shop to be witnesses but, I feel like I could just dodge a little. Just this? I have to say. With this standard even though she intended to be vicious with all her might, in the end she’s an ojou-sama with a good upbringing. I should be an ojou-sama too but, I wonder why I ended up thinking of a more vicious scene.

Surely it’s because I read too many stories.

Tn: Naoriel

Ed: Ally-el & Riel

Nao's little corner

Hmmm, I'm giving bad news...

This summer or more precisely next monday, I'll have to go help my sister with her cafè, so....not much time to translate...but the good thing is that I almost finished translating this chapter and already did the first special ! >.

Pray that I won't be worked like a horse! >.