Somehow ignoring Robert who tried to convince him to turn back, Clovis kept walking further away across the carpet. Looking at him, Alicia"s heart ached.
There were no remnants of pride after the accomplishment of state affairs, or exaltation from being invited before the king. There was only the figure of a suffering youth, tormented by the inescapable bindings of the past.
Alicia thought that it was too much.
Even if what Riddhe said was true, Zac Graham was the one who should bear the blame, not Clovis. Yet, he seems to have been unreasonably hounded as if he were a sinner.
Alicia finally understood why she didn"t know of Clovis in her previous life. It"s likely that he disappeared from the political arena at the end of this ceremony. He refused Advisor Otto"s invitation and avoided court gatherings and evening parties, eluding the aristocrats who didn"t want him.
Alicia did not know what course of actions would place him before her on the night of the revolution. But he wisely watched over the kingdom"s future after withdrawing from the table.
Dissatisfaction with the current promotion system, distrust of the new king from the neighboring country, or aggravation with Alicia who was descended from the Heilland royal family. Left to stew over it, Clovis who was unable to relate to the royal government finally brought a revolution to the castle.
Realizing this, Alicia ran down the dais.
When suddenly the 10-year-old princess ran away from the side of the king, a surprised voice was heard from the n.o.bles enjoying conversation. Alicia who ran in a fluffy, light blue dress heard someone saying “Well, cute”.
Alicia chased after the tall back of Clovis who was walking straight ahead. As Robert gave up trying to reach him, he stepped between the waltzing aristocrats.
Why did Alicia push the blame of the night of revolution to that lonely back?
Alicia knew how frightfully painful it is, being thrown words of disdain and not being sided by anyone, when the world itself turns against you. Alicia saw that his heart is shedding tears of blood while he is keeping up a calm facade.
“Oh!”
“Princess Alicia!?”
As her small body barged past, people who were waltzing rounded their eyes and parted to the sides. Red and yellow dress skirts swayed and opened the way for Alicia like a parting sea of colorful flowers.
In the middle, Alicia finally caught the tall man who stubbornly would not look back.
“Wait, Clovis Cromwell!”
“… … Alicia, -sama?”
As Clovis" wrist was grabbed by a small hand, he turned around and his eyes went wide. Right then, Alicia looked into his eyes for the first time. The fearful purple eyes were n.o.ble, bright and clear. Black, l.u.s.trous, hair made his white and flawless skin even more arresting, and the handsome face was turned straight toward Alicia.
Alicia sighed at seeing a slightly frightening shade in the depths of his eyes. What on earth was she afraid of? Even though the Clovis she confronted before and he is the same person, he is not the same.
“Princess!”
“Naizel, is he capable?”
While grabbing the hands of Clovis, Alicia asked, noticing that the chief advisor had followed behind.
When Alicia looked back at him with her big, sky blue, eyes Otto"s breath caught. This was because her figure with fierce eyes, standing as if to protect Clovis, was too beautiful and n.o.ble for a 10 year old girl.
“I ask again, is Clovis Cromwell competent?”
The n.o.bles who smilingly recognized Alicia were now watching how things will turn out, tilting their heads. The court orchestra stopped playing. (アリシアのただ事ではない様子に、笑顔で見守っていた貴族たちも、おやと首を傾げて事の行く末を見守っている。宮廷楽団までが、楽器を奏でる手を止めていた。)
To the princess" face looking at him, the advisor who cautiously stepped back answered honestly.
“Yes, I do not know a better man than this one in the same generation”
“That reply is enough.”
With a dignified smile, Alicia turned to Clovis. The young man with jet black hair met Alicia"s eyes. She would not fear embarra.s.sment anymore.
“I command you as a princess, Clovis, serve by my side”
Oh, a muttering went through the crowd. When they noticed that Clovis was the parner Alicia was talking about, some aristocrats frowned. But before a heartless word reached his ears, Alicia repeated again with a voice lovely like that of a little bird.
“I will appoint you as my princ.i.p.al aide. Will you accept?”
“However, I……”
“Isn"t it good?”
She roamed her eyes over Clovis, and her cheerful voice echoed through the hall. (目を泳がせたクロヴィスに変わり、朗らかな声が広間に響いた。) The king who stood behind the advisor unnoticed alternately looked at Alicia and Clovis, and gave them a good look.
“I wonder as well. My daughter, once she has decided, will not listen.”
“Your Majesty! I should have warned you about him!”
“Uhuh, I am soft on the princess. I will not turn down my cute daughter.”
Riddhe caught himself in panic, astonishment on his face. The king winked to Alicia. Do whatever you want, that"s how it is.
“Please, I have promised the head lady-in-waiting to attend ceremonies properly from now on. When I have the time I will have to ask a lot of aides for help …. Are you dissatisfied with me as your employer?”
“No!”
As a matter of fact, it was immediately and vigorously denied by Clovis.
As Alicia looked up at him waiting for a reply, his lips moved slightly as if to prepare for speaking. He looked like he was about to cry.
The young man took Alicia ‘s hands, bowing his head and kneeling down.
“I Clovis, will dedicate all of myself to serve Alicia,”
“… … that is a solemnly expressed vow, Clovis”
Alicia gave a light complaint to him who seemed about to “give everything” and “dedicate” himself according to his words. By the events of her past life, she didn"t understand Clovis" actions. (前世の出来事から察するに、思いつめたクロヴィスは何をするかわかったもんじゃない。)
Then, as if he had received Alicia"s words as a joke, Clovis raised his face and laughed.
(Oops, this is ……)
Alicia, who was too stunned to withdraw her hands, etched it into her mind at the age of ten. (クロヴィスに手を取られたまま、しばし呆然と固まっていたアリシアは、齢１０歳にして胸に刻んだ。) It is said that seeing a smiling, pretty, face with impeccable features can be heartlifting.
Because I don"t know j.a.panese, and I"m just trying to make sense of Google Translate, there are some uncertainties. I"ve put the original words for the really big ones in parentheses.
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