“Thank you. But, I’m sorry.”
Bowing his head, Byleth refused by returning the copper plate.
“Why refuse?”
“It’s because it’s an unnecessary gesture of thanks. I intend to continue to be involved because I like it, so I can’t accept it.”
“Heh… Hahaha! I guess that was a boring stunt.”
“Not at all.”
“I didn’t expect such a response… My daughter has truly found a good man.”
“Ah, haha…”
Another forced smile at the words that were hard to respond to.
Afterward, they exchanged small talk for a few dozen minutes.
Due to the count’s work, the meeting was coming to an end.
“It was truly a good time today. I appreciate it.”
“No, thank you for having me. I really had a good time. Thank you very much.”
They both stood up and exchanged parting words while shaking hands.
“You’re going to spend time in Elena’s room now, right?”
“Yes, that’s the plan.”
“I see. If you’re going to do anything strange, make sure to take responsibility, okay? Hahaha.”
“Uh, um… Normally, you’d advise against it…”
“I just entrusted Elena to you, didn’t I?”
With a smirk directed at him, Byleth was patted on the shoulder.
“Good job. Looks like the meeting is over.”
“Yeah. I was nervous at first, but I really enjoyed it.”
What happened afterward.
After entering Elena’s clean room with a white motif, Byleth smiled at her.
“By the way, thanks, Elena.”
“What’s that for?”
“For making tea. It was really delicious.”
“…Oh, I see.”
Although she had stood up to greet him, as soon as he praised her, she turned her back and quickly sat down on the sofa.
Seeing her like that, he commented.
“There it is, that indifferent response.”
“Of course. It’s your fault for suddenly praising me.”
He hadn’t done anything wrong.
Elena, who couldn’t be straightforward, was clearly hiding her embarrassment.
“…Well, for now, sit down too. It’s just the two of us, so we can relax, right?”
“In that case, I won’t hold back.”
Byleth sat down next to her and leaned back against the backrest.
Elena seized the moment to speak.
“Hey.”
“Hmm?”
“What was your impression of my father? As a daughter, I’m curious.”
“My impression… Well…”
With a serious gaze that seemed to convey [I’ve decided to ask from the beginning], she asked.
“I couldn’t describe it well, but… Well, if I were to say it, it might sound impudent, but he was the kind of person I felt like I wanted to follow. It’s understandable why Elena respects him, and it’s only natural that he’s achieved his current position… I thought that as a human being, I still have a long way to go compared to him.”
He couldn’t summarize it well because he felt so much.
“Hehe… Isn’t that a bit too much praise?”
“Is it?”
“Well, it’s like you to say that. That you’re straightforward with your praise. Don’t you often come across people who say things like, ‘But if it were me, I’d do even better…’?”
“Even if you ask me to agree with that… I’m not someone who gets as much attention as Elena.”
“I’ve finally gotten used to your self-deprecation.”
“That’s a little sad, isn’t it? But… isn’t that appeal inevitable? Especially in Elena’s case.”
“What about me…?”
“Well, I think it’s evidence that they’re desperately trying to appeal to Elena. That’s basically what men do.”
“Hmm?”
Instantly, her demeanor changed. She narrowed her purple eyes and pursed her lips.
“According to that theory, it’s like you’re saying you don’t want to appeal to me.”
“That’s a matter of personality.”
“Such a smooth talker.”
With a dismissive attitude, Elena placed her feet on the sofa, hugging her knees while fixing her gaze on him.
She listened while hiding the lower half of her face with her knees.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT gadgetizedpanda.net
“But… Maybe you’re right that you don’t want to appeal to me?”
“W-why?”
“You let slip about that conversation. The… the latter part with… my father… If you were interested in me, you wouldn’t have taken such a passive attitude, would you?”
Although hesitant, Elena managed to convey her thoughts while pouting somewhat discontentedly.
“Wait? You… you heard the conversation?”
“I-I just happened to overhear it. I wouldn’t do something so rude.”
“…”
Elena seemed very flustered, shifting her gaze hurriedly.
“So, I understood a lot from that. You’re interested in her, right?”
“Her…?”
“Miss Luna from the Baron’s family.”
Muttering softly, Elena seemed to switch gears, listing information.
“I know because I’ve seen you meeting her during lunch breaks at school. With fewer people around, you two can talk quietly. She’s cute and intelligent, so you’d get along well since you’re smart too. It seems like you’re dating.”
“W-well… There’s no denying what you’re saying, but we’re not in that kind of relationship. I’ll firmly deny it for Luna’s sake, though.”
However, it was inevitable to be misunderstood.
Byleth often visited the library during lunch breaks
because there was no other place to relax.
“Hmm… Even if it’s true, it makes it even more confusing. Why didn’t you go along with my father’s talk? If you were pushed there, wouldn’t you have moved forward?”
Elena pursued, fidgeting with her fingers.
“I’m telling you, it’s not because I dislike you, Elena, really.”
“…”
“Just, I can’t respond casually to such talk. It’s not an exaggeration to say it’s a matter of entrusting someone’s life.”
“…So?”
“Uhh, well…”
[Knowing you, there’s probably more to it, right?] Byleth hesitated in response to Elena’s sharper tone.
Elena was showing more sharpness than usual.
“Do I have to say it…?”
“You can’t just avoid it because it’s embarrassing. I’ve had various things disclosed to my father, you know?”
“S-so if you put it that way… Well, yeah…”
It was a line he could say only because he had overheard the conversation. From Elena’s perspective, there were parts where she would agree.
“If you understand, tell me why you let that talk slide… It’s frustrating.”
“I really didn’t think you needed an answer, Elena. I genuinely care about you, so I didn’t respond.”
“Huh?”
She looked puzzled, as if she didn’t understand the meaning.
“Well, uh… I mean… I don’t usually show it, but… I’m really grateful to you, Elena.”
“…?”
“Just, there are rumors about me, right? They’re pretty nasty, so it’s natural to not want to get involved, but you’ve always treated me the same way. If it weren’t for you, I’d know how different my school life would be.”
He had a place in the classroom because of her. That was undeniable.
He didn’t want to imagine what his school life would be like if Elena weren’t his classmate.
“But, I want you, who is so kind, to be happy, so I couldn’t respond casually. And besides, Elena doesn’t like me in that way, right? As a romantic partner.”
“Hmph.”
Whether it was surprise from being hit on the mark
Was she surprised or feeling misunderstood?
Only she would know.
“Well, because Elena hate arranged marriages, I feel like you’d be compromising by settling for me. Oh, of course, I’m not blaming you? I understand that it’s better to think about the worst-case scenario.”
” …… ”
“But, that stance could become irreparable if Elena falls for someone else, right? Like I said before, I don’t want to create reasons that would prevent Elena from being happy.”
That was his foremost feeling. The main reason he didn’t respond casually.
“Well, being compromised is also a matter of a man’s pride, right? I want to date someone who likes me.”
“……You’re really strange, aren’t you, in your way of thinking? Normally, one would approach one girl after another to prevent her from being taken by another noble, right? The other person’s feelings come second. Since men can have many women as concubines.”
“Well, yeah.”
In a world where proposals and approaches are commonplace, it’s natural to take the initiative to avoid being taken.
The result of that might be what Elena says, “The other person’s feelings come second.”
“But actually, your way of thinking seems to be better for building relationships. It seems like you’d cherish both body and soul.”
“There’s also the possibility where you fall in love after you start dating, so opinions may vary on this.”
“Yeah.”
That single word of response also carried the meaning of “I understand why you decided not to pursue the engagement” but Byleth had no way of knowing.
“Hehe.”
“Huh? Why are you suddenly laughing?”
“…I finally understand why you seem so wonderful compared to others. Of course, I won’t tell you though.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Blushing cheeks, Elena smiles somewhat satisfied and speaks meaningfully.
“Hey, you’ve got it all wrong. A lot.”
“About Elena?”
“Yes. First of all, I’m not the kind of nice person you describe. You just didn’t notice, but I changed my attitude towards you.”
“Lies.”
“Moreover, I really hated you.”
“Huh? You felt that way!?”
Taken aback by Elena’s clear statement, Byleth couldn’t help but be astonished.
“W-Well… I mean, I don’t hate you anymore. But it’s only natural that I used to.”
Contrary to Byleth, who widened his eyes at the declaration of “I really hated you,” Elena narrowed her purple eyes with her knees hugged to her chest.
“You were especially harsh with Sia. There’s no way I could like someone who treated my friends like that.”
“A-Ah… I see. I’m sorry. That’s right… really…”
Thinking the time when Byleth was reincarnated. Sia back then was surprisingly timid, returning only the morning greetings. The treatment was as harsh as one would expect.
(Although I’m being unreasonably disliked before the switch in personalities, I have to take responsibility for this.)
“…But thanks to that guidance, Sia became excellent, and now Byleth seems to be treating her kindly. I don’t mind anymore because I can see that you’re being kind now. I can understand why you were tough when I see you now.”
“I appreciate the follow-up, but I was thinking I should apologize to Sia again.”
“Even though I’m the one who blamed you, if she’s already forgiven you, do you really need to apologize again? Bringing up the past may be a bit cruel to her.”
“Ah, it might end up making me feel better only…”
“Yeah. I don’t think Sia would want to make her master apologize.”
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