“[Th…Thanks so much.]”
A line utterly unbefitting of the “Beautiful Songstress” reached Byleth’s ears.
And then, seeing Aria—a girl her own age—hunched over with her face hidden, clearly flustered…
“Pfft.”
Byleth couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
She had been brought here alone with Aria.
She had been prompted with, “You have something to say to me, don’t you? Or at least something you want to say?”
From these two things alone, Byleth had pieced together that this was the same person she had spoken to in the garden.
And from Aria’s reaction just now, it was clear she wasn’t about to be scolded.
“Ahh, I’m really sorry. I couldn’t gather the courage and ended up putting you through all that… And back in the garden, hank you so much.”
“H-Hmph! Of course you do! This wasn’t part of my plan at all!! Acting all polite in front of you was sooo embarrassing!!”
“Haha, well, I had my own reservations too, but… it was complicated.”
Just earlier, Elena had warned him: “One wrong move, and it wouldn’t just be your family—your entire house could be ruined.”
Until he could be certain, he had no choice but to tread carefully.
“I do have one question, though. You realized right away that I was the one you spoke to in the garden, didn’t you? You seemed so sure of yourself…”
“I was able to match you up with Sanya.”
“S-So it really was that obvious…?”
“The only one who’d worry about my throat is the person I talked to in the garden.”
Her delicate pink eyes narrowed slightly as she spoke, her usual airy demeanor wrapping around her words.
This was the first time they were speaking so casually, now that their faces and positions were known. Yet, Byleth felt the same warmth as before.
“Um… About that throat care advice… It worked really well… Thank you… really, so much…”
“Ah, I’m really glad to hear that. I was still worried about you afterward.”
“Fufu~ You’re such a weirdo… knowing the real me and all. Most people would hate me if I weren’t perfect.”
Had she spent so long faithfully playing the role expected of her that she truly believed this?
Her genuine words carried with them an overwhelming happiness—”You accept me for who I am.”
“Well, the ‘switched-on’ Aria-sama is certainly perfect, but… I prefer you the way you are right now.”
“Liar~!”
Despite her denial, her face was practically glowing.
The fact that this was the same person she’d spoken to in the garden meant she knew he wasn’t just flattering her.
“I’m not lying. I think Aria-sama knows that best.”
“Then… I’m really happy~”
She swayed her elegant frame side to side, her actions betraying her honest emotions.
Looking at her like this, it was hard to believe she was the same mysterious noblewoman who sang so ethereally on stage. “Wouldn’t most people prefer her like this?” Byleth wondered—though he knew full well that this opinion was likely rare in their world.
“This goes without saying, but I won’t breathe a word about Aria-sama’s embarrassing moments to anyone. You can rest easy. I haven’t told a soul so far.”
There was nothing to gain from spreading it, nor did he want to do anything that would upset her.
“I’m really sorry for making you overthink things… It’s just family stuff~”
“I understand, so don’t worry about it. …Ah, though, if I may ask for something in return—”
“Mmm~ If there’s anything you want, don’t hold back! Words alone aren’t enough to repay that advice!”
Mistaking his serious expression for a request, Aria braced herself.
Perhaps she had been through this kind of exchange many times before. But that wasn’t what Byleth had in mind—he had no intention of asking for anything.
Yet, in that moment, an idea struck him.
With a soft smile, he spoke.
“Then, if you insist… The ‘reward’ I’d like is for you to promise me—truly promise—that you won’t push yourself too hard. Aria-sama.”
“…!”
“And… someday, I’d love to hear you sing when you’re in perfect condition.”
“E-Ehhh…?”
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT gadgetizedpanda.net
He knew full well that, as the heir to a ducal house, her schedule was meticulously controlled for maximum contribution to her family.
He also knew that the request “don’t push yourself” was nearly impossible.
But words were free. If there was no harm in asking, then it was worth a shot.
So he met Aria’s eyes firmly as he spoke.
“Th-This is the first time someone’s asked for a ‘reward’ like this… I-I don’t know what to do…”
“Haha, Elena says that about me all the time. That I’m ‘weird.’”
However, the lighthearted banter ended there.
He couldn’t let her think this was just a joke.
“I worry about you just as much as Sanya does.”
“Th…Thank you…”
Aria’s voice grew quieter as she lowered her gaze.
Byleth realized he might have pushed too hard—this wasn’t something she could easily control.
“I’ll… try not to push myself.”
“Promise?”
“Mhm…”
“Then I’m glad.”
This was a promise that would likely be broken.
Some might scoff, thinking “what a pointless exchange.”
But he had wanted to tell her—”You have an ally.”
“B-Besides… if I ruined my voice, you’d get mad at me, right?”
“No. I’d never be angry.”
“R-Really…?”
“If that happened, all I’d want to say is, ‘You really did your best.’ …Though, that’s the absolute worst-case scenario. I’d rather never have to say it… right~?”
He didn’t want things to turn heavy.
Mimicking Aria’s drawn-out speech, he lightened the mood—and it worked like a charm.
“Fufu~ That doesn’t suit you at all~”
“Y-Yeah, that’s the most embarrassing part… haha.”
He was terrible at imitating others.
Fully aware of this, he scratched his cheek, trying to endure the shame—
only for Aria to speak up again.
“Honestly… I get why they all fell for you.”
“Huh?”
“Elena, Luna, and your personal maid, Sia. Those three are your lovers, right?”
“H-How do you know that!?”
She had hit the mark on something he had never told anyone.
No wonder he was stunned.
“Well, there are lots of reasons… but the biggest one was during the banquet, when I was singing. Those three were the only ones looking at you the whole time. You could practically see their feelings spilling over—‘I love you so much I can’t hold it in~’ I figured they’d confess after the banquet ended~”
“……”
This was something he hadn’t even noticed himself.
“And then, seeing Elena today, I knew Luna and Sia must feel the same.”
“W-Was it really that obvious…? I didn’t feel like I was acting any different…”
“From where I was standing, it was easy to tell. The way Elena looked at you was completely different.”
“That’s… kind of nice but also kind of embarrassing…”
Hearing that he was special to them—Byleth unconsciously touched his hair.
“I’ve never seen Elena act like that before, so she must be head over heels~”
“W-Well, she does get exasperated with me a lot, so maybe it’s more like, ‘Ugh, he’s doing something weird again…?’”
“Ahh. That sounds just like you~”
“Huh!?”
“Fufu, my apologies~”
Placing both hands atop her head, Aria flashed a deliberately smug grin.
This was an expression she would never show in public. Seeing it for the first time, Byleth couldn’t help but stare.
“…You’re the first person I’ve ever said things like this to.”
“You couldn’t say them when you’re ‘switched on,’ right?”
“Mmm, that’s part of it… but it’s also that there just aren’t many people I can say them to. Only someone as kind, patient, and understanding as you wouldn’t be put off.”
“I’m happy to hear that from you, Aria-sama. So… how does it feel to say it?”
“Really, really happy~ My family is especially strict, so I’ve always envied people who can joke around like this… Every time I go to a party, I end up jealous of everyone else.”
“Haha, that’s news to me.”
Given her noble status and fame as the “Beautiful Songstress,” it made sense she had no one to share such casual moments with.
Especially if she always had to maintain a flawless image.
Had Byleth not known the real her, he too would have kept a polite distance.
He never would have spoken so informally.
“Well, Aria-sama, if you’d like… you can say things like that to me anytime. And I’ll return the favor when I can.”
“…You really are wonderful.”
“Th-That kind of praise is seriously embarrassing…”
“Ufufu~ If you get this flustered, I’ll start feeling shy too!”
“I’m just not used to it… haha.”
Hearing such warm, honest words left him feeling ticklish inside—but he accepted them gladly.
“Hey… there’s something I want to ask you.”
“Something you want to ask?”
“Mhm! It’s a bit of a change in topic, but—”
Leaning forward slightly, she looked up at him with upturned eyes—
And with that, Aria steered the conversation toward her next question.
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