YOUNGEST PRINCESS EVENT; Chevalier
Translation isn't 100% accurate. there are things I couldn't translate properly, since I'm not professional translator but I tried my best. the story does not belong to me, it belongs to Cybird! also I translated this thanks to @fancyndreams , who provided the link to the event, hence I took screenshots from there!
As the youngest child of the Rhodolite royal family, I love books.
And among my older brothers, there is one who is an unparalleled book lover.
Emma: "Brother Chevalier?"
As usual, I sneaked into my brother's private library to read books alongside him.
I loved these brief moments in the evening.
However, on this day, a sigh of exasperation escaped brother Chevalier's lips.
When I looked up from the book I was reading, the icy, blue eyes were already reflecting my image.
Chevalier: "Is this about that news?" (more like "that news?" "that story?" but this version makes more sense)
Chevalier: "Everything shows on your face."
Emma: "...My brother is just too perceptive."
(It seems like he noticed I was fidgeting)
I closed the book and turned back to brother Chevalier.
Emma: "I heard from Sariel and brother Clavis earlier today..."
Emma: "Is it true that you received marriage proposal?" (the proposal meant for Emma, but since Chevalier is a leader of foreign affairs faction, he received the letter first, since the proposal was coming from the noble of foreign affairs faction)
Chevalier: "That's probably not what you wanted to ask."
Emma: "I would like to know what you think, brother."
Brother Chevalier is so unsentimental that he is feared by people as a cruel and merciless beast.
He always thinks about national interest, and if he deems that I'm valuable, he will not hesitate to use me.
The reason why my brother didn't immediately reject the marriage proposal was probably because—
Chevalier: "I don't have time to waste on pointless things."
Brother took an envelope from his pocket.
The envelope, marked with a tiger emblem, was an invitation to a party regularly held by the foreign affairs faction.
(Does this mean I should go and participate?)
Chevalier: "Jumbo must have lot of free time on his hands."
Emma: "I'll ask brother Luke to escort me then."
Chevalier's gaze returned to the book.
The conversation seemed to be over and there was no direct answer to my question.
(I am a member of royal family, so I knew that one day, I would have to fulfill my responsibilities).
(But I never thought that day would come so soon)
(I wonder how much longer will I be able to spend such relaxing times with brother Chevalier.)
The next day, I went to the dance hall, where nobles who supported foreign affairs faction have gathered and I was met with variety of stares.
(I haven't been to that many parties yet so I think people find my presence unusual.)
Luke: "Emma, are you nervous?"
Emma: "n-no, not at all."
I managed to reply with a strained expression, but brother Luke chuckled softly in return.
(What does brother Chevalier want me to do here—)
Nobleman: "Lady Emma, so you were attending the party. It's an honor to make your acquaintance."
Nobleman: "if you'd be so kind, I'd love for you to get along with my son."
Luke: "......This is your fiancee candidate."
Luke whispered in my ear and I immediately straightened my back.
The nobleman's son looked to be around the same age as me, and he had dignified presence, as if he was already used to social gatherings.
Nobleman's son: "Lady Emma, I look forward to meeting your acquaintances."
In response to the polite greeting, I lifted my skirt in curtsy.
Nobleman's son: "Shall we chat over there for a bit?"
(I wonder how long will this conversation will go on)
After saying goodbye to brother Luke, I began chatting with nobleman's son and it's already been hour since then.
During the entire time, the only words I said were "wow, as expected of you!", "I didn't know that!"¹, and "that's amazing!"
which are the phrases big brother Nokto taught me, such as "you have a great taste!"
I had nothing but generic responses, which he (Nokto) told me, "as long as you memorize these, you'll get through most social situations."
(He's been bragging non-stop this whole time. I know this sounds rude but this is getting exhausting.)
I could already imagine what he would be like as my fiancee.
I knew that in political marriage, it wasn't important to marry the person you wanted but still, it pained me.
Nobleman's son: "Lady Emma, you've been spacing out for a while. Are you perhaps tired?"
Nobleman's son: "We can take a break over there. Come on."
My hand was grabbed forcefully and I was pulled along.
My feet got tangled in my dress and I almost fell...
Suddenly, I felt an intense chill from behind and strong hand reached out to support my waist.
(That scent of roses...it belongs to brother Chevalier)
Chevalier: ".......get lost."
Just one word of his echoed throughout the venue.
Although it wasn't loud at all, everyone fell silent upon Chevalier's appearance.
The sound of the nobleman's son landing flat on his backside echoed awkwardly through the room.
(My brother's...pressure is...)
Even I, his sister, shivered at the chilling cold that hung in the air.
The young man's parents ran over here with pale expressions and took him away, as if to run away.
Emma: "Thank you very much, brother Chevalier."
My older brother let go of me and posed a question.
(Is he talking about a nobleman's son from earlier? ....I have a feeling I must answer this very carefully.)
Emma: "I enjoyed our conversation."
Chevalier: "it seems you weren't the one who had fun."
Emma: "Well...I learned a lot about noble society."
Chevalier: "There's no point in studying pointlessly."
My older brother knew me even more than I knew myself, so he sighed in exasperation.
Then—he turned his attention to his younger brother, Clavis, who was standing nearby.
Chevalier: "I allow it." (I'm not sure about this because here he said 「許す」 which means to forgive or to allow, but the "forgive" didn't make sense here so I went along with "allow" instead.)
Clavis: "Haha! Very well. I do have few objections regarding your methods but..."
Clavis: "but it seems like we are thinking the same thing right now, aren't we?"
Clavis: "Cyran, bring me the shovel."
Cyran: "it's already ready."
Clavis: "As expected of my capable knight. Let's go."
(Wait...no, that can't be...)
(There's no way brother Chevalier would tell him to dig a pitfall, right?)
Feeling uneasy, I looked up at him. I saw the corner of my brother's lips turn upside in a sinister smirk.
His appearance was closer to that of a villain than a prince.
Chevalier: "Fools do not interest me."
Chevalier: "You should forget about that weakling who ran away with his tail between his legs too."
Having said that, Chevalier flipped his cloak.
And just walked out of the venue.
(............what about engagement.......)
While my brother Chevalier drifted further away,
My brother Luke leisurely made his way back to me.
Luke: "I thought it was strange that Chevalier wouldn't refuse your marriage proposal."
Emma: "That is because of its' political worth, right?"
Luke: "No. Maybe it was a warning?"
Luke: "'if you're going to ask for her hand in marriage, you'd better come with appropriate resolve and courtesy.' or something like that."
I remembered brother Chevalier's cold gaze from earlier.
Those eyes were filled with anger.
He was angry for my sake.
(I always thought he would prioritize national interests.)
(But surprisingly, there might be times when that is not the case.)
Luke: "You probably ain't gonna get engaged."
Luke: "There are barely handful of guys alive who can look in the eyes of that terrifying monster." / "After all, you could count on one hand the number of people brave enough to face that scary bastard." (both can be said).
I looked in the direction big brother went.
To others, he may have been a cruel, merciless beast. But to me, he was a reliable older brother. / Though the world saw him as cruel, merciless beast, before my eyes stood the dependable back of my older brother.
HO LEE SHEET. the last line made me tear up🥹 ok but the way you can see kindness seeping from his actions, like...how Emma thought that he was only doing this for national interest but then he said "fools do not interest me", implying that he didn't do this for national interest, but for her. Ugh, I love this man!
