Albert Ke no Reijou wa Botsuraku wo go Shomou desu Chapter 10 Part7

TN: 3 more chapters until the end of volume 1. And then 33 chapters before the extras. I want the extra.s.ss~~ Aaaah, I don't want to workkkk~~~

Silence fell in the Parliament Room at that second.

　A few minutes later, everyone made a complete change and applaused both parent and child emotionally, even those who suspected Alicia was a spy from another country before the arrival of the King and Queen.

　Feeling the pressure from the authorative figures, the maids were awkwardly serving tea, as they tried to wipe the corner of their eyes at the joyful reunion of parent and child.

　Of course, there were people whose eyes wavered as they remembered their action, but they loudly cheered, “Thank goodness! ” or “What a moving story! “, saying such barefaced lie was the standard.

　In front of the emotionally moving scenery, Mary was stunned for a while.

　Of course, it was because her train of thought couldn't catch up. As she started to doubt Alicia in some part and couldn't even help, she couldn't immerse in this celebration mood because she was beginning to doubt even the memories of her previous life.

　And the word that came out after those thought was,

“….Addie, my stomach hurts.”

　That.

“My Lady, at last you hit your limit, huh…you poor thing… Tonight, let's have croquette for dinner.”

“This is nonsensical, I want to go home…My stomach hurts…”

“In a bit, everything will be over in a bit. Let's buy something delicious on our way home.”

　Pitiful…Mary just nodded weakly in a daze at Addie. The one she held with one hand was closer to her belly than her stomach.

　It was an unusual interaction for the two of them, but no one realized it in this situation.

　Anyway, even without Mary, this celebratory mood wouldn't go away. Even Patrick was saying, “Good for you, Alicia,” and was being emotionally moved.

　In this situation, Mary who hold unnecessary information as this was a game! This was a still image! And knew that Alicia was a princess from the start, after thinking about this and that, she couldn't honestly bend over to this mood. Or perhaps, everyone was still speculating, and they were just reading the atmosphere for the time being.

　No, even then, this standing applause is weird… And, thinking about it, maybe this was the game suppression power as well.

　Yes, it definitely is. If not, she couldn't consent to this happy mood that seems like a grand finale.

　To get pale at the heavy atmosphere a few minutes ago, wasn't it stupid?  She wanted this suppression power.

　The more she thought about it, the more her mood dropped.

　Just before, she wanted to go home because she was nervous, but now she wanted to go home for different reason.

　Honestly, this is such a farce.

　Gazing at the scene with that feeling, noise started to begin from the other side of the door. Somehow in the reunion of parent and child earlier, curious onlookers seemed to noticed the change in the atmosphere. Or maybe they were gathering because they heard the applause?

　Both King and Queen sensed it, smiled and nodding happily while embracing Alicia's shoulder.

“Let us introduce you to everyone,” must be what they wanted to say.

　Alicia could only smiled back with happiness mixed with confusion as reply. From the side, it was a beautiful reunion between parent and child…that was if the other side aren't involved in the story.

“We're running away,” said Mary to Addie, as the royal pair turned to face the door.

　Surely everyone was waiting for the conclusion beyond that door.  It was already confusing with this line-up, if they announced Alicia as the legitimate Princess, it surely would become more chaotic.

　From the point of view of Mary who began to get fed up with this atmosphere, that confusion was indeed the time to escape.

　Addie could only nod in sympathy at Mary who proclaimed such pathetic thing proudly.

　It was a situation that made the n.o.ble daughter of Albert House pale and nervous, it was impossible that Addie who was a commoner and an attendant could bear it.

　Even now, because Mary was there, and because her heart was breaking, he could keep his calm.

“The moment they open the door and introduce Alicia, there will be confusion. We're going to run at that time.”

“Understood.”

　In the middle of battle mood, they whispered the plan and nodded to each other.

　And when both royal opened the door, the crowd became noisier.

　It was natural, while they were waiting for the meeting to end impatiently, both King and Queen appeared while embracing the girl in question.  Everyone could guess the meaning, that's why the chaos continued.

　Those who were still confused even after seeing the situation and those who ran off somewhere to tell others. There were also some who were dissatisfied with the result that went against their judgement and left the place while grumbling. Of course, there were also people who genuinely rejoiced over the reunion.

　Seeing that chance, Mary and Addie silently stood.

　There was no better time to run but now.

　And so, they erased their presence and moved stealthily, just a bit more until they could escape from the chaos….  However, 

“Mary, Addie!　We are going to have dinner with their Majesty, why don't you two come as well! “

　Their shoulder was caught by Patrick who gave them fresh smile.

　His current smile was blinding enough, that if there was another n.o.ble daughter present at this moment, her heart would definitely be taken.

　But the hand that gripped their shoulder showcased power that was contrary to that smile, Mary's cheek twitched as she realized they couldn't get away.

　Addie didn't even have anymore expression on his face.

“Patrick, you invite us despite knowing we're trying to run away, don't you…”  

“Well, isn't it fine. Alicia will be happy if both of you are coming.”

“The farce finally ended and now dinner with their Majesty?　Don't joke with me! “

“I…I am going home!　Once I get back, I'll eat dinner and sleep! I can't take it anymore! “

“Look!　I might have some composure left, but now you broke Addie! “

“What are you two plotting?”

　Patrick sighed resignedly, but the strength of his grip didn't waver at all.

　As a female, Mary didn't have the strength to shook Patrick off and escape, and while Addie might be stronger physically than Patrick, the difference in status did him no good.

　In other words, they could do nothing. In the beginning, their escape route was close to non-existent, but now it was completely been cut off by Patrick.

　Furthermore, to add another blow, Alicia happily called their name while being surrounded by the King and the Queen. To finish it off, she even held their hand.

　Mary could only accept her loss, and dropped her shoulder while sighing heavily.

　She didn't have any more willpower to even glare at Patrick.

“As the daughter of Albert House, there really is a time when you unexpectedly have dinner with the King, huh… I remember saying ‘this is delicious' but I don't remember what I was eating.”

“You still have it better, My Lady. I probably won't have any other dinner party. And with both King and Queen at the same table…Ah, remembering it make me nervous again…”

　While muttering those comments while being shaken inside the Dice House carriage, they were going back to Albert House.

　The carriage they had taken when they went to the castle had already went back with Carrel. To forcibly brought her daughter out and then returned quickly by herself, was that how a parent should act, but looking at Addie's condition maybe it was good they were left behind.

　After being mentally exhausted inside the Parliament Room plus the nervousness when dining with royalty, and now having motion-sickness inside a carriage. Additionally, to sit beside the madam of the house while her daughter sat on the lower seat was mentally taxing as well, he might faint any moment now.

　In this case, the only pa.s.senger in Dice's carriage beside them was Patrick so Addie could relax a bit. Even now, he was leaning tiredly against the window, while biting his lips once in a while.

　Looking at Mary who was sitting next to Addie, sometimes patting his back and replying lightheartedly, Patrick called her name.

“Mary, you are a good woman.”

　So he said.

　Mary could only widen her eyes, and sent a questioning glance at Patrick.

　As usual, with his good luck, he smiled refres.h.i.+ngly while his hair was being tousled by wind that blew in from the window.

“What's with the sudden compliment, I wonder if you regret refusing me.”

“Aa, from today I'm thinking to seduce you to become my concubine.”

“I see, you finally got tired with the b.u.mpkin girl, huh.”

“How could that be, I just want to taste something different is all.”

“Ara, how amusing. From a b.u.mpkin girl to me, even though you are Dice House's oldest son, you have a bad taste.”

　Towards the two who snickered while talking, Addie could only think “You're not being honest” inside his heart while leaning tiredly against the window.

　He didn't said anything, because he might be kicked out from the carriage in that situation, and most of all, he didn't think these two would be honest after all.