I Grabbed the Tyrant’s Heart - Chapter 98

Tess and I hadn’t been able to practice because we were both busy, so it’s been a few weeks since I last saw him. But his cheeks, which had obviously started to gain weight before, became thin again. It’s clear that he hadn’t been able to sleep again.

After a brief opening speech, the party started.

As the spotlight for today, the Emperor seemed unwilling to get up from the throne, couples who had been watching came out to the floor. As the tuning was finished, a dance song came out, and the hall was soon filled with various sounds.

“Your Excellency.”

Not long after the song started, an imperial attendant approached Father. As he said something, Father glanced in the direction where Tess was. His gaze flashed at the envoys around the throne.

“Ciel, I think I should go to His Majesty. Euel, I’ll be back.”

Even after work, he was still working. It’s a really tough job to be the Minister of Internal Affairs. I felt sorry for him, so I have to do well. Should I ask him to dance at least once when the time comes?

“Ciel.”

Duchess Bonart came over, perhaps Duke Bonart had gone to work like Father too.

“Is Euel going to talk to your friends too? Ethyl went over there with Marquis Xuen.”

Mother welcomed the arrival of her close friend so me and Ruby moved away.

“Oh my, Lady Hardland and… Ruby Daidi?”

The pink-haired girl who sneaked in my way while there were a lot of people was someone I had seen before. I lifted my chin and looked down at her with a rude attitude.

“Any business?”

Saying it coldly, the girl immediately bowed her back and disappeared. As she walked away, Ruby whispered.

“That is Louise from the Marquisate Hiti, and she is my classmate.”

“Are you close?”

“No, it doesn’t suit me.”

Ruby was cute as she shook her head excitedly.

“I don’t think it suits me either.”

We giggled and continued on our way until we arrived at Aurin and Ethyl. Instead of dancing, the two were discussing the envoys.

“Aurin.”

A third person appeared between the two people who seemed to be on good terms.

“Dino.”

“Lord Hasby.”

The temperature difference between Aurin and Ethyl was stark. Ethyl’s eyes twitched when he saw Aurin’s mouth loosen.

“You came with the necklace I gave you, Aurin. It fits just as well as expected.”

“Thank you, Dino.”

If a face could make a noise when it frowns, ‘crunch’ would be appropriate for Ethyl now.

I didn’t want to get involved in the bloody atmosphere, so I dragged Ruby into the back before Count Hasby’s second son recognized me. She whispered as she grabbed my arm and waved it.

“It’s a love triangle right now, right? Is it?”

“Shh.”

“It seems that Lord Bonart likes Marquis Xuen.”

“It’s a secret, Ruby.”

Although her elven blood was diluted, her keenness seemed undiminished. Besides, Ruby, who had lived in the capital city all along, was quite quick-witted.

I quickly abandoned my original purpose of making Aurin and Ethyl a shield from those who were going to bother me. Ruby and I both dislike crowded places, so we moved towards the corner, but even that was not easy.

“Lady Hardland.”

“Lady-”

“Hello, Lady. Lady Daidi is also with you.”

People are acting as if they know me here and there and it’s making me lose my mind.

“Euel.”

Who else is it this time?

“Oh, Weathering.”

I ran into a scholar who came to a remote place just like us.

“You two take your time and talk.”

Ruby seemed quicker-witted than expected. Something I’ve only recently begun to realize, but she seems to have noticed at once.

“We’re not partners, we just met.”

“I know.”

Somehow, I was concerned with Tess, so I peeked and saw that he was busy talking to envoys from other countries. He really looks like an Emperor. I am deeply moved that the crybaby has changed like that.

“Did you see the professor?”

When I turned my gaze toward the rather familiar voice, I could see my Concium year-mate. Weathering flinched and moved to a more shady spot, away from sight.

“Oh my.”

“Why are you moving away?”

“It looks like she wants to dance.”

“Didn’t you learn to dance?”

“I know how to dance, but I don’t want to dance with anyone.”

If a woman asked for a dance first, it was polite not to refuse, so Weathering seemed to be avoiding her because of that.

Wait, isn’t there something good to do right now?

“Weathering, follow me for a moment.”

“Huh?”

“Come quickly, and quietly.”

When I grabbed his wrist and dragged him, Weathering followed.

“Where are you going? Surely it’s not a tryst?”

Am I not being serious now?

“Wow, I’m nervous.”

“What?”

“I’m afraid I’ll be caught and buried by the followers of Lady Hardland.”

“Be quiet because it might really happen.”

At least Tess could get rid of Blest with a blink of an eye. Maybe he might want to get rid of Lantia as well.

“So where are we going?”

“The library.”

Upon hearing the destination, Weathering understood my intentions at once.

“The book Euel has spoken about hundreds of times?”

“The book I said exactly one hundred and twenty-six times.”

The rest of the palace was quiet, probably because people were concentrated in the central hall.

Shouldn’t I have asked Tess to let the Weathering into the restricted area? But will Tess listen?

I’ve been told several times that no one can do it, but only me can do it, so it feels bad.

Now that Tess is talking to the envoys from another country, he won’t be able to get out easily. Just a moment.

Really, everything only takes a moment.

If Weathering finds the link I didn’t find, then my first goal will be fulfilled, and then I can really live my life. I can give everything to this world, I mean.

“Here.”

Please, please.

Luckily, the director, who was always at the entrance of the library, was away. Librarians roamed around, but it was very easy to avoid them.

Weathering was worried about getting into trouble because he didn’t have access, but we were able to get to the restricted area safely.

“Where is it, where is it… it’s here.”

My hand trembled as I pulled out the book.

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