067: Second Princess Cordelia

November 27, 2020 - 7 minutes read - 1316 words

After I politely declined the engagement rumours that Alicia threw at me, I wonder if she was convinced. She had on a unfathomable smile after all. But I think I can breathe for the moment.

At this point, the musicians playing in the venue stop playing. A single stringed instrument plays a short melody as a person shouts.

“Behold the entry of Princess Cordelia” Announcer

As the voice was calling out, a large door is opened by two attendants, and a girl enters. She has waist-length blond hair, with a little curl at the end. As she walks, it sways around in the air. She has blue eyes like a clear sky, while her facial features strike a balance between a girl and a woman. She’s more cute than beautiful. She’s wearing a red dress with pink frills, rose embroidery and ribbons dot her dress. She moves with dignity and nobility, more so than Alicia.

I’m guessing this is the Second Princess Cordelia that Nord mentioned? She doesn’t look much like a tomboy right now.

While I was thinking about that, Cordelia was looking around the venue, then beelined to a certain person. The escort knight follows along as if the action was expected. It seems this is completely normal for her.

“Nord!” Cordelia

“Good evening, Princess Cordelia. I hope tonight finds you well.” Nord

“Ah, don’t use fancy words, I’ll get tired if Nord only speaks that way.” Cordelia

Father looks to have been trying to greet her in a properly polite manner, but was interrupted by the annoyed voice of Princess Cordelia.

“Well, even if you say so…” Nord

“Ugh!” Cordelia

“Then, it is nice to see you, Princess Cordelia.” Nord

“Hmm, could you shorten it to Cordelia, maybe?” Cordelia

“Princess?” Nord

The Princess puts a hand on her waist and mutters, while the female knight is encouraging her to relax.

“Well, I’m a bit annoyed, but it’s fine.” Cordelia

It’s been shelved for the moment, but it seems Princess Cordelia wants a more familiar form of address. I think the compromise is still light for a princess.

“Nord let’s chat! I heard your territory is doing better this last year.” Cordelia

“Princess, the greeting for the other aristocrats…” Knight

“Ah! I remember! I’ll get to it later.” Cordelia

Princess Cordelia waves in an annoyed manner at her knight’s reminder. I noticed Alicia was suppressing a laugh near me, looks like this is the usual events.

“Hey, you guys are in the way.” Cordelia

Princess Cordelia glowers at the aristocratic children thronging around Nord, which causes them to scatter. It looks like when Celia’s husband enforces last call in Celia’s dining room. She’s like a queen, but she is a princess. It seems like her presence is keeping the other aristocrats away, they look to have given up. Princess Cordelia is now chatting happily with Nord.

“So, that’s the second princess.” Al

“Well, that’s the usual.” Eric

“Is she always like that?” Al

Alicia covers her mouth while Eric casually comment on the Princess.

“She’s more animated tonight since Mr. Nord is here, she’s usually more selfish and boring.” Alicia

“Hmm, you know her well.” Al

“Well, I’m a Duke’s daughter, and we’re close in age, so I’ll have tea with her occasionally.” Alicia

So, if you’re part of a Duke’s family, you’d be able to talk with a Princess regularly.

“She’s not that excited when I’m talking with her” Alicia

Alicia grins as she adds more information about the princess. Certainly, Princess Cordelia is talking excitedly right now. Is she slowly drawing closer to Nord? I feel like someone is weeping, maybe my mother Elna?

When I check on Elna, she was looking on with cold eyes. Ah, I’ll want to avoid Elna when we get back to the inn. Elna must detest Princess Cordelia for her overly friendly attitude with her husband. At that point, the princess goes and say something crazy.

“Nord! Why don’t you go and marry me? I’m a nice younger lady?” Cordelia

Crack!

“Are you injured?” Maid

I heard something crack and a panicked maid from my mother’s vicinity.

“Yes, ok, ok. Nothing has happened.” Elna

My mother is muttering strange things with a broken glass in her hand. That glass was not thin, it was actually kind of thick. It would be difficult to crush one with just a hand. It looks like Eleanora’s Iron Claw was passed down from Elna. I should be careful around Elna to make sure she doesn’t grab my head.

After a while, Princess Cordelia went to greet other aristocrats. Nord desperately tried to placate Elna. I wonder what words he’ll have to use. I don’t think I want to know, so I’ll look away.

Shortly thereafter, Eric was called out. Yes, Eric. Most definitely not me.

“Hey! The country aristocrat with the stupid face!” Boy

“He’s named Eric.” Al

Eric and I glared at each other.

“Don’t make me the one with the stupid face, he probably means you.” Al

“No, nobody else at this venue has a more stupid look than you, Alfred.” Eric

Eric and I are glaring at each other.

“Hey! Don’t ignore me! I’m looking for a guy named Alfred.” Boy

“That’s an awful mistake! Why are you insulting Eric?” Al

I can finally get a good look at the boy calling out to me now. Who is this guy? He has brown hair and is wearing a black suit, seems to be around ten years old. He looks to have high self-worth.

“Hmm, well that’s a natural thought.” Alicia

Alicia is shaking her shoulders to suppress her laughter.

“Ugh, this is ridiculous! Who are you? It’s rude to say someone has a stupid face!” Eric

“There’s too many questions. My name is Bran Balmoral. I’m a proud son of the Balmoral family!” Bran

“Ah? Who is that?” Al

Bran thinks he has a great name, but I don’t remember anyone by that name. I don’t think he was in the greeting line yesterday.

“I don’t know either” Eric

When I glanced at Eric, he shrugged and said he didn’t know.

Alicia must know something, she’s still suppressing her laughter. There must be history I’m not aware of. Isn’t this terrible?

“This is why rural aristocrats are troublesome. They don’t know Count Balmoral, who governs a city near the royal capital?” Bran shrugs with his response.

Why couldn’t you say your family is a Count house? You’re not high ranked enough to memorize.

“So what is the business of the Count Balmoral house?” Al

Let’s try to get rid of this guy quickly. I know that he’ll just brag about his territory if I let him.

“Do you really not know?!” Bran

“Clearly, I have no idea” Al

On seeing my mystified expression, he seems impatient somehow. I answered honestly since I have no idea what he’s on about.

“Didn’t you hear something from Eleanora?” Bran

So this guy thinks that Eleanora would tell me something about him? I have a bad feeling about this.

“Well, my sister didn’t tell me anything.” Al

After I answered that, Bran started muttering things like ‘What?’ or ‘Seriously?’. He then cleared his throat after collecting himself, then declared to me.

“I’ll keep it simple, duel me!” Bran

“I don’t want to do that” Al

“Ok, then how about, what? Eleanora said you would!” Bran

“I have no quarrel with you” Al

“Even if you have none, I do have one. My love has set a requirement to defeat you before I can challenge her. I must triumph over you to progress my engagement to Eleanora.” Bran

The first half of that statement sounds a bit nonsensical, but the second half reminds me of something.

“Oh, you must be the boy that Eleanora beat up when he fell in love at first sight.” Al

“Don’t say that, no, no, no!” Bran