47. Dancing Together
After that turmoil.
At Lynchgiham, which had regained its peace, a big party was to be held that night.
Nigel’s birthday party was held as scheduled.
Influential aristocrats gathered from all over the kingdom while important guests from other kingdoms visited the royal castle.
I was also able to participate due to Nigel’s kindness…
“Fuu…”
Exiting the venue, I exhaled.
“I’m really exhausted… who would’ve thought that it’d be such a grand party.”
Crowds were everywhere.
Moreover, each person there was an important figure who would shoulder the future of the kingdom. As such, they were welcomed with open arms.
“It’s been a long time since I last attended a party… in my former kingdom, I wasn’t allowed to participate in recent parties…”
By the way, what was happening in the Kingdom of Verclaim?
…The dragon—or, Douglas, had left his nest. It was only natural that one or two archdemons would invade.
The curse should had bounced back to Leticia, as well.
…Well, that didn’t matter.
“There you are, Eliane.”
While I was taking a stroll around the venue, I was suddenly called out.
“Nigel, is it okay for you to be in such a place?”
“I sneaked out to look for you.”
“It wouldn’t be exciting if the protagonist of the party were to vanish.”
“I don’t mind. As of now, I want to talk to you.”
That day, Nigel was wearing white formal attire—he looked even cooler than usual.
Rather, it was as if he had a dazzling, brilliant, halo—!!!
“That’s right. Eliane, thank you for the cookies. Back then, I couldn’t thank you properly, hence why I will express my gratitude again.”
Before the party had begun, I gave Nigel my simple birthday present.
However, as soon as I handed it over, other people also started coming. As such, we weren’t able to exchange any words.
Well, it couldn’t be helped. He was the prince of that kingdom.
Actually, I wanted to hear his full impression regarding the cookies, but our difference in status was too great.
As I looked at Nigel’s profile before the party had started, I suddenly felt lonely—it was as if he had gone far away.
“You’re welcome.”
“I haven’t eaten all the cookies, yet, but they are delicious. I will treat them with care.”
“…There’s no need to make such a big deal about it. I think for you to take a bite whenever you want is already good enough.”
“What are you saying—oh, right, I have a present for you, too.”
“For me?”
When I asked, Nigel nodded.
I wondered what the present was.
Today was Nigel’s birthday. There should be no reason for him to give me a single present…
“Here.”
As I was pondering, Nigel took out a small box from his inner pocket. When he opened the lid of the box, there was a beautiful ring inside.
“That’s…?”
“Didn’t we visit a jewelry store before? It may have been the other day, but I brought it from that store.”
Ah, that expensive jewelry store…
…But I still hadn’t understood the implication.
…For me?
To receive such an expensive gift would be difficult—in the first place, what was he trying to achieve?
While my head was swirling with doubt, Nigel knelt and lowered his head on spot.
“Eliane, I want you to be my life companion.”
“Huh?”
I was taken aback.
“Is it too difficult to understand? I want you to marry me.”
“Ma…rry?”
“Indeed. I’ve been planning this for a long time.”
Nigel kept his head bowed.
“Now that I think about it, I may have been enchanted by you from the very first glance. The previous case with Alberto only further emphasized these feelings…”
“You mean, that battle…?”
“Yes, it was when Eliane gave me the blessing of the goddess. I felt like I was deeply connected with you. It felt like you were gently embracing me. It was the first time I felt so secure even though I was in the middle of a battle.”
I could no longer hear the surrounding—I could only hear Nigel’s words.
He continued.
“I’ve never fallen in love before. The moment I met you, that was the first time I ever felt love. That’s why, Eliane, please be my lifelong companion and thread with me.”
At first, I thought Nigel was joking.
However, his expression was dead serious.
Besides, a marriage proposal shouldn’t be treated as a joke.
“But… our difference in status…”
“Of course, we wouldn’t be able to get married right away. I will need to persuade those around me, but no matter how long it takes, I shall do just that. What do you think, Eliane? Can you please receive this ring?”
He meant for me to be his fiancée… his future wife, right…?
W, w, what was I supposed to do—!?
I hadn’t sorted my emotions, yet!
Would I be a suitable fiancée for Nigel? Eventually, I would have to shoulder the future of the kingdom alongside Nigel, right!? That was too different from my engagement with Prince Claude.
When he proposed to me, I realized it—
—I also loved Nigel.
But I wasn’t confident enough to accept his love, nor did I feel that my love was good enough for him.
…What if during our engagement, I ended up being hated, leading to an annulment…?
“Nigel, excuse me, but…—”
—I tried to turn him down.
But soon enough, the words Douglas had said a while ago came to my mind.
—what was wrong with confessing to someone I love? Why would I be hated if I did so?
Banishment, annulment—
—I may had been too timid.
I would accept Nigel.
At the same time, I would also confess to him.
I immediately shook my head and rephrased—
“—Nigel, please raise your head.”
Hearing me, Nigel slowly lifted his face.
“…Honestly, I’m not confident that I will be a suitable fiancée for you—but, it seems that my love for you… is certain.”
“Then…”
“…Yes. I will be happy to accept your proposal.”
Nigel’s face brightened immediately.
“Eliane, give me your hand.”
I extended my hand.
He slipped an engagement ring onto my ring finger.
Nigel would become my sword, and I his shield.
The moment I wore the ring, I became resolute.
“Well then, Eliane, would you like to dance with me?”
“Oh my, with Your Highness, not to mention, in a place like this?”
“There are a lot of people back in the venue. I just want to dance with you—the two of us, alone.”
Nigel took my hand and started dancing.
His dance was both gentle and precise. His natural movements placed me at ease.
Under the moonlight, we danced, only the two of us.
***T/N: ///My live reaction reading this chapter///
“What are you saying—oh, right, I have a present for you, too.”
*Me: Bro what.
I wondered what the present was.
*Me: Could it be… nah, it can’t be …right???
As I was pondering, Nigel took out a small box from his inner pocket. When he opened the lid of the box, there was a beautiful ring inside.
*Me: Bro don’t.
“Eliane, I want you to be my life companion.”
*Me: —FUCK OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sERIOUSLY what do they even know about each other, they went on how many dates??? One??? Uno???
Please also consider donating to my ko-fi! It’ll greatly support me in action, no matter the amount!
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sERIOUSLY what do they even know about each other, they went on how many dates??? One??? Uno???
They know each other extremely well. They’ve been living together for quite a while now. They’re basically already like a married couple. They just haven’t gone on many dates together since they’re busy. You’re the one who doesn’t understand much about relationships. Especially far eastern relationships. It’s just that they did everything backwards.
Y’all worry too much. He’s a Gary Sue imo but like…a competent and sensible prince too. Plus Douglas has been pushing for this so fucking hard and he can literally read minds and is who knows how old so he probably knows some shit. If he was a bad guy I don’t think he would be shipping him with his little friend. And even if he turned bad later Douglas would be pissed and he’s a fucking terrifying dragon.
Like shit… it’s just a fun brainless short story. Acting like this is some hundreds of chapters dogblood CN 🤣
“I’ve been planning this for a while now.” Has it even been a month since they’ve met?
Ah perfect
The author became impatient and suddenly pushed the ring onto Eliane’s finger. A lot is made in other stories and even world history about how royalty carefully chooses the spouse, but this is simply author’s fiat.
…Bro, you’ve had like one (1) date so far. Granted, they could have spent more time together outside of that, but that’s not what’s been shown so…
Translator: sorry bro, I’m holding out for a he… Kaeya!
Translator I love your comments and at least Elaine (kinda) took some time to consider the proposal before accepting?
It doesn’t matter how many dates you have. Getting the little sister to eat carrots is an endorsement more powerful than fate!
Point staff at them
EXPLOSIOOONNN……!!!!!
Fuuhh Thanks for the chapter…
Hey you…… Your not me… and you know nothing of my work…
Indeed they really rushed this engagement. It’s as it was supposed to be, but still feels like they should have spent more time together, to get to know each other, or so. Oh well, I was more interested in what invaded the other kingdom.
Thanks for the chapter! Awesome translation! God bless you!
The prince is still sus for me? Bec the proposal is fast or how they have openly accepted her in their palace. And most are in fl’s POV. But then it is already chap 47 so it is kinda safe?
Hola!
I wonder if this story takes place in the Disney-verse! Granted, she’s a super-powerful saint who was set to marry the prince of the previous country (and defend it with a protective barrier until death) so, from a political point of view marring her ASAP is a no brainer. She was basically raised/programed to say yes anyway soo.. okay. I’ll buy it.
Hey hey hey we want to know what happen to the other country. Dont brush those 2 idiots off
We’ll find out … eventually.
The pacing on of the main plot this series is kind of slow as it ventures down every little detour like this.
“sERIOUSLY what do they even know about each other, they went on how many dates??? One??? Uno???”
Dates are only a tool that help them know each other better. If they also interact frequently enough in various circumstances besides going on formal dates, then why not? It’s good enough if the parties involved are in accord, and why would the opinion of strangers matter? She could postpone her answer, if she didn’t have confidence in it, couldn’t she?
Personally I prefer early romance over all the undue drama that ensues in situations where both parties are to weak-willed to act on their love and others see the lack of commitment as an opportunity to build triangles.
No drama, no third parties, no tsundere/yandere tendencies, no emo stuffs. I don’t see a problem either.
Both parties know what they want and are committing to each other like matured adults. I like efficiency. LOL!!!!!
Agreed
At least she acknowledged that she loved him and accepted the proposal. Making reasons out of air to not accept the proposal of someone you mutually love is used too often to extend drama in romance stories.
TFTC!
ty