Summer Vacation Second Half – Q of Hearts (Part 1)

Note: Please don’t read it in the little pop-up for the reader. For some reason it doesn’t reflect my later edits (which I often make a lot of after publishing), so please click ‘view original’.

Today I went to the castle.
I’ve finally gotten permission to enter the restricted section of the castle library.

Right now I’m in Royce-sama’s room, and in the middle of listening to him talk about it.
Of course, he brought out tea and sweets as well.
As expected of Royce-sama, you truly understand! Delicious black tea with a meringue-like dessert… WE art satisfied.

“Sorry that it took so long, Camille. They were reaaally a bunch of stubborn idiots… I still have a long way to go as well, huh…”

I wonder what happened. Royce-sama is quietly fuming. Royce-sama gets angry with a quiet smile, so he’s a little scary isn’t he…? The number one scariest is Achille though.

“Royce-sama, thank you.”

“Mn, I got permission for three people granted, so let’s go together.”

Mn? Three people?
The ones browsing the forbidden books, won’t just be me?

When my doubt appeared on my face, the door to the room was knocked, and Achille appeared, guided here by the maid.

“Three people you said?”

“Me, you, and Achille of course.”

You fellows shall be reading as well!?
It seems that my thoughts were revealed on my face, and Royce-sama happily said to me,

“I mean, isn’t it unfair if it’s only you? We want to see them too. Right, Achille~?”

“Indeed. It would be better for a larger number of people to be able to deal with forbidden magic, after all.”

Or so Achille said, following up with a reasonable argument, but I think Achille has the same opinion as Royce-sama.
Achille looked at me with suspicion, and smiled wryly.

“It wouldn’t do if only you faced danger, right Camille?”

And like that, Achille took from my hand the meringue I was nibbling on, and stuffed his cheeks with it.

“Ah-!”

“Mn, sweet…”

I-I-I-I-Indirect Kiss! Geez, he’s done something incredible again… I think.
As expected, no matter how much time passes, I haven’t gained any resistance to Achille’s actions.

“How niceeee, I want to do that kind of thing tooo.”

Royce-sama said something a little off the mark.

“Isn’t it fine just to do so then? If it is you, you should be able to do so as much as you like. However, please pick a partner other than Camille.”

Despite using keigo, the words that Achille heaped onto Royce-sama were merciless, huh? Could we consider it a proof of closeness?
Royce-sama smiled amusedly. He doesn’t hold back in front of Achille either.

“Ahaha, as if I would do something life-risking like that!”

“…That noble daughter?”

Achille looked at Royce-sama with a complicated expression. On the other hand, Royce-sama was giving his usual sparkly smile.

“Mn, yeah!”

That noble daughter? Who exactly…?

“Royce-sama, have you fallen for someone?”

I picked up another pseudo-meringue and nibbled on it. My previous one was stolen by Achille after all.

“Yeah, shall I have you acquaint yourself with her sometime? I’d be happy if you helped me out with her, but…”

I-, It couldn’t be, the heroine?
Did she get close to Royce-sama without me knowing? Ever since I covered her in various things during the entrance ceremony, I haven’t been able to strike up a real conversation with her though.

“It’s Miss Beatrix.”

Achille helped me out.

“Eh-, Beatrix?”

Because I heard an unexpected name, my eyes widened.

“Right, during the entrance ceremony, I was unexpectedly taken by her at first glance.”

“Eeehhh-!”

I had not noticed at all.

“By the way, Royce-sama, what parts of Beatrix did you find to your liking?”

Royce-sama answered my question with sparkling eyes. He looks like a maiden in love…

“Her strong parts!”

An immediate reply.

“I see.”

“And not only that, she’s incredibly humble, and kind,”

At this rate, it feels like he’ll continue talking about Beatrix forever.
But Miss Beatrix, huh? I got the feeling that she’s a Raiga fan.

“Your Highness, it is about time…”

Thankfully, Achille cut off the runaway Royce-sama.

“Ah-, you’re right. Shall we head to the library?”

It’s perfect timing since we’ve just finished drinking the tea, and we’ve just finished eating the pseudo-meringues too.

“Yes, let’s go!”

We gleefully headed to the library.

“WE art satisfied.”
余は満足じゃ (yo wa manzoku ja)
For a while this was trending as a tag used when someone ate or drank something delicious and satisfying, but even after googling for a bit, I couldn’t find the source. Not that it matters – point is, she was just saying it slightly jokingly.
Ah, and the “we” here is an oratory/royal “We”, and 余 is often used as a pronoun for royalty in Japanese fantasy fiction, but I’m unsure where it historically came about in Japan.
Perhaps it was no historically recent Japanese that used it, but rather a pronoun from Chinese that they adapted when translating the speech of their Western counterparts over the last few centuries? Unsure, and not motivated/bored enough to find out, but if anyone knows, mind telling me?

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Summer Vacation – Q of Hearts (Part 5)

Note: Please don’t read it in the little pop-up for the reader. For some reason it doesn’t reflect my later edits (which I often make a lot of after publishing), so please click ‘view original’.

“Did something happen?”

Achille noticed my change.

“At the foot of Dominique’s neck was a bruise from a forbidden art.”

“Eh-?”

“I was thinking that he was acting a little strange, and it seems that a spell is cast on him.”

We have to hurry up and dispel it.

“Achille, I want to go to the basement that Dominique is locked up in.”

“But, Camille… are you alright with meeting Dominique?”

Because something like that happened, he’s probably worried about me.

“I’m okay now. I’d prefer not to meet if possible, but at this rate, we can’t leave him alone, so.”

I headed to the cellar with Achille. Aurelia has gone back to work.

When we opened the cellar door, Dominique was there, lying along the ground.
I can smell the dampness.
Dominique was lying still there, without even a twitch.

“Dominique…”

I timidly spoke to him.

“It’s fine. I’ve cast magic on him so that he won’t start screaming or acting violently.”

It seems that because of the constraint magic cast on him, Dominique won’t move, but his eyes alone are glaring at me fiercely.

“Dominique, you’re under a forbidden spell. I’ll remove it.”

Since the case with Miss Claire, I was allowed by Royce-sama to deal with the areas with forbidden magic books, but… it seems that it’ll take a little time until I get authorisation to read them.
I still haven’t been granted formal permission yet.
…Isn’t it taking too long just to get permission?

I looked at Dominique’s neck once more. It doesn’t seem that there are two layers of magic like the time with Miss Claire.
If it’s only magic to amplify the feelings of hatred, then even I can probably deal with it.
I held out my hand to Dominique.
Forbidden magic is quite high level magic in itself. Even though I say that I’m only dispelling it, you have to go through the reverse procedures of the magic, and it requires concentration.
The bruise on Dominique’s neck shone, and its colour changed.

“…!”

It seems that he’s sealed from speaking as well, but Dominique made an expression of suffering.
If he was able to let out a voice, wouldn’t he have certainly screamed?

“It’ll just take a little longer.”

The colour of the bruise continued to fade, and eventually it completely disappeared.
It seems that at the same time that the bruise disappeared, Dominique lost consciousness. His eyes are closed.

“The forbidden magic is goneee. It seems that Dominique was in pain, so he’s fainted.”

“Isn’t that fine?”

Even though it’s his half-brother, Achille’s attitude is cold.

“It seems that removing a forbidden magic puts quite a strain on them, huh?”

..

“Do you think, we can still make Déborah’s reception?”

“It’s fine. She said that she’d be changing her dress five times.”

As expected of Déborah. To change her dress five whole times; she really doesn’t betray expectation.

“Shall we go?”

“…Mn.”

We walked towards the gorgeously decorated wedding reception.

“Camille.”

“Nn? What~?”

“One day, I want us to have a wedding like this too.”

“…!”

Saying something like that right now is foul play.

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Summer Vacation – Q of Hearts (Part 4)

Note: Please don’t read it in the little pop-up for the reader. For some reason it doesn’t reflect my later edits (which I often make a lot of after publishing), so please click ‘view original’.

“Uuu, my body feels heavy.”

Oh yeah, Dominique was on top of me. I have to push him off!
My eyes snapped open and I gathered power in my arms, and slapped my palms towards the source of the weight.

But, the weight wouldn’t even budge. It seems that my attack had no effect at all.

“Nn, Camille, you’re up?”

“Mnn? …Huh? Achille’s voice?”

I turned my head left and right, observing my surroundings. I was laying on a canopy bed in a room that I didn’t know.
From on top of a blanket, Achille was leaning on me. …So Achille was the source of the heaviness.
For now, I’m relieved that Dominique isn’t here.

“Why am I in a bed?”

“…You don’t remember?”

Achille peered into my face at point-blank from atop the bed.

“Dominique…?”

“After he went on a rampage, I restrained him and locked him up in the basement.”

I wonder how long it’s been since then… I wonder if Dominique did anything to me after that.
…I can’t tell.
What am I gunna do if it’s turned into a situation where I can’t be a bride? My dress is fine, and it doesn’t seem to have been torn off though.
Because I have no idea what happened while I was out, I’m feeling anxious.

“Achille… I, by Dominique,”

I looked up at Achille timidly.

“-… Achille, what do I do?”

Huh?
Droplets are dripping onto the sheets. From along my cheeks… warm water is flowing down endlessly.
Aahh, am I, crying? How selfish. Even though all of this is my own fault. To think I’d start crying once things became inconvenient for me.

“It’s fine now, Camille. It’s fine now.”

Achille hugged me, blanket and all.

“After you collapsed, Dominique was immediately thrust away by one of our maids. He didn’t do anything to you.”

“…Really?”

When I asked him this, Achille’s embrace became even firmer.

“Really. You just drank yourself out cold. How are you feeling? Do you feel bad at all?”

Like what, he continued to gently stroke my back.

“Mmn, I seem fine. I only drank one cup after all… What about Déborah’s wedding reception?”

“I don’t think it’d be in a good position to start.”

“…Sorry. Even though it’s your Oneesan’s wedding reception, things turned out like this.”

“I’m the one who’s sorry. I should have realised earlier… I let you be in danger, didn’t I?”

“You’re wrong, I was careless.”

Neither of us will let the other say that they’re wrong. It doesn’t seem that things will go anywhere at this rate.
It seems that Achille was thinking the same thing, bceause he gave an awkward, bitter smile.

“Well, the one most in the wrong was Dominique… But it might be good that this happened, as long as you’ve learned not drink and then willing follow strange men.”

“Mmn. I won’t drink anymore, and I definitely won’t follow men alone except for you, Royce-sama and Otousama.”

Hearing my words, Achille gave a satisfied smile. His lips came down on my forehead.

“Nn… Achille.”

“Camille…”

Like that, Achille’s lips came down from my forehead, and before I knew it, he had taken my lips.
A tongue passed through my lips, and stroked the inside of my mouth. …Achille-sama, aren’t you escalating things each time you kiss?

“Nnn-… Hu-…”

“…Camille-, n-,”

Suddenly, somebody vigorously knocked at the door.

“‘Scuuuuse meee, I’ve brought the key for the basementtt.”

I think… I heard Achille give a little tsk.
Parting from me with a reluctant expression, he headed towards the door.

“Well done.”

When Achille opened the door, there stood a maid girl with black braids.

“Hm? I know this face…”

After staring at her, our eyes met.

“Aahh, little miss. You’ve woken up, eh? That’s great.”

“…?”

“Camille, this is our family’s maid, Aurelia Trèfle. She’s the maid that thrust Dominique away.”

“Eh-, really? Thank you, Aurelia. You saved me.”

Right! Aurelia was…
The Q of Clovers! The one that failed the exam or whatever.
Because her atmosphere is just too different from the game, I didn’t recognise her at first.

The Aurelia in the game was a honours student type rival with a docile atmosphere.
If you chose the K of Clovers route, Aurelia would appear along the way, and get in the way of the heroine. She was overly serious and a little gloomy, and if you took off her glasses, she was actually an incredible beauty.

Unlike the other rival girls, she never directly complained to the heroine, but would harrass her in the shadows in a way that she wouldn’t be caught.
She’d hide one of the heroine’s important magic books on the day of a test for example, or she’d rip up a dress that the heroine was supposed to be wearing for the school festival, or she’d steal a present that the K of Clovers gave to the heroine for example…
In the end, her harassment of the heroine escalated to physical harm, and her harassment was revealed on a large scale by them and she was forced to drop out of school.
After that, the K of Clovers happily got together with the heroine.

Both Mei and Beatrix were like me, people from another world.
Meaning that the possibility that she is as well is high. She seems to have a personality that’s exactly the opposite of Aurelia’s after all…

I want to ask her about it right this minute, but unfortunately, Achille is here.
I haven’t told him that I was a high schooler in another world.
It’d be, tricky, to tell him after all this time, after all. To begin with, there’s way too little credibility in proving that the original Camille had a different personality.

“Aurelia is working at the villa?”

“…? Well yeah?”

“She won’t come to the main residence?”

“There are no plans for that. She is technically a live in worker, but because her actual home is incredibly close to here… Which is why she’s working with us, after all.”

How should I come into contact with Aurelia from now on?
Should I just charge into the village some other day, whilst thanking her for today as well? Mmn, let’s go with that.

“Ah…!”

Oh yeah, I forgot something important.

“Dominique!”

At the base of his neck was a bruise from a forbidden art!

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Summer Vacation – J of Hearts (Part 3)

Note: Please don’t read it in the little pop-up for the reader. For some reason it doesn’t reflect my later edits (which I often make a lot of after publishing), so please click ‘view original’.

I was stunned by the sudden development, but immediately regained my bearings and ran towards Camille’s side. Naturally, I ignored the viscount’s daughter.

“Camille, are you okay?”

It seems that she lost consciousness, but she was unhurt.
But she smells a little bit like alcohol… She drank, didn’t she?

“You-… Bakamille!”

I’ll immediately take her elsewhere and nurse her. I can’t leave her like this.
I picked Camille up.

“Whaat, just when I was thinkin’ that some couple was foolin’ around. Isn’t this little miss out cold? Wasn’t that fat Niichan over there forcefully attackin’ ‘er?”

The shadow that tackled Dominique slowly stood up.
Their true identity of that black thing was actually the black-clothed servant of the Jade house; a bespectacled girl with black braids.
If I remember correctly, she’s a new maid that we recently hired for the villa.
Since she just entered our service at the villa, she probably doesn’t know my face, nor Dominique’s.

“You there! What is a lowly maid like you thinking, to ram me like that!”

Dominique who was thrust away was supporting his heavy body as he got up, and glared at the maid with rough breathing.
That guy is always haughty to those lower than him, without distinction.

“There’s nothin’ to say about it! Someone like you who was going to do indecent things to a bloody unconscious girl ‘ere shouldn’t be talkin’!”

“Miss Camille belongs to me! That’s why I can do whatever I want! Achille… Get away from her!”

Dominique whose gaze turned to me raised a hateful voice as his body shook. His words make no sense.

“…So troublesome.”

Dominique has completely hated me since childhood. He 100% ignores my words anyway.
When I ignored his demand, he approached with bloodshot eyes.

“You illegitimate childd-!”

The frenzied Dominique came to attack me, so I promptly avoided him. Wouldn’t it be terrible if he hit Camille?
Having lost its destination, that large body lost its balance and once again tumbled to the floor.
I desperately kept down the urge to kick flying the lump of meat in front of me that lay its hands on Camille, and bound him with magic.

As though binding him, I sealed the movements of his two hands and feet.

“I won’t! I won’t hand her over! The marquis’ position and Camille… As if I’ll let an illegitimate child like you have a single one of them!”

“Should I seal up that noisy mouth as well?”

I fired magic at Dominique’s mouth as well. It’s unpleasant to hear Camille’s name come out of that mouth.

“You there, please carry him into the basement from the back entrance.”

I called out to the maid with braids who was conveniently here.
However, she pouted in displeasure.

“Hahh? Carry this fat mister? Why do I ‘afta…?”

“You’re our family’s maid, right? This is the first time we’ve met, but… the one you’re working for is me, you know.”

The maid widened her eyes at my words.

“…Could it be?”

“I am Achille Jade. This family’s second son.”

And the one lying on the floor is the first son, but… I doubt there’s any need to say it right now.
After showing acknowledgement at my words, the maid said she was going to get a trolley and headed to the storeroom.

“Now then…”

I looked at Camille who was in my arms. She’s sleeping quietly, oblivious to anyone else.

“You really are too defenceless… What should I do now?”

I’ll immediately head to the mansion. It’s not bad either to spend time alone with Camille in a room until the reception starts.

“Achille-sama, where is it that you are headed? I shall also-…”

Ahh, she was still here, wasn’t she. The viscount’s daughter followed me even this far.

“To nurse my precious fiancée…”

“My, Achille-sama. There’s no need to go that far for a shameless woman who even lay her hands on your real brother.”

I want to erase this rude and shameless woman from this place right this instant…

“Miss Wazzurri, please return to the party. If you cannot, then please leave here immediately.”

I tried to speak as gently as I could. If I didn’t, it felt like my true colours would spill out at any moment.

“How cruel. To pick a woman like that over me… I know! Achille-sama, you’ve had magic cast on you by that tattoo woman! If she didn’t, there is no way that you would like a woman who is so strange in the head!”

“Please stop it already.”

“Oohhh, they’re fightin’ over love…”

While I was arguing with this viscount’s daughter, the braids maid from before returned.
She came back with a trolley for carrying Dominique, and a number of fellow maids.
…Her timing is just right. I decided to let the maids take care of the annoying stuff.

“Please have this young lady return. Please guide her to the entrance.”

“Achille-sama… Understood.”

The oldest maid answered. She’s a veteran who’s served the Jade family for many years. It’ll probably be fine even if I leave this viscount’s daughter to her.

“Wha-… Achille-sama? I’m not returning yet, you know? I still have many things I would like to chat with you about! And furthermore, if somebody has to return, then should it not be Miss Camille that leaves first? She was on the brink of drunkenly doing indecent things with Dominique-sama, you know? Whilst having a wonderful fiancé like you, Achille-sama!”

The viscount’s daughter desperately went on and on.
Hearing this, the maids looked at each other with uncomfortable expression.
With the exception of the newcomer maid with braids, all of the loyal retainers of the Jade family know very well the relationship between Camille and I.
Because of that, they’ve also noticed my bad mood.

“Would it not be better to change your way of speaking…?”

After giving once glance at the noble daughter who was stubbornly staying here, I turned to face the maids and gave them another order.

“Take this rude thing that insulted my precious fiancée, and immediately remove her from the premises.”

After giving a reverent bow, the maids immediately became to bring the viscount’s daughter away.

“You insolents! A lowly maid should not casually touch mee! Achille-sama, Achille-samaa!”

With only fruitless resistance, the viscount’s daughter was surrounded by the maids, and then dragged outside the estate.
While that was happening, the braids maid and another young maid picked up Dominique together and placed him on the trolly.

“AAAahhh, even though it’s a rare chance for a big celebration, in the end I hafta carry this big mister…”

“After carrying him inside, lock the door. I’ll take care of the key after that.”

“Understoood. Achille-sama, your keigo and pokerface are slipping, you knowww?”

While smirking, the maid with braids left the with the trolley.

The only ones left in the vicinity of the gazebo were Camille and I.

“Camille… I’m glad that you’re safe, but why did things end up like this?”

Camille was sleeping quietly in my arms.
I decided to carry her into my room in the village, and nurse her there.

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Summer Vacation – J of Hearts (Part 2)

Note: Please don’t read it in the little pop-up for the reader. For some reason it doesn’t reflect my later edits (which I often make a lot of after publishing), so please click ‘view original’.

After inserting a refusal to the girls, I started to search for Camille. But, there was approximately one person who couldn’t read the mood…

“Geez, isn’t it fine-!? I’m sure Camille-sama is getting along with some other man. It take quite a man of valour to call out to a person like that though, hohohoho!”

Hahahahaha, shall I obliterate you socially? I’ll so thoroughly corner you that you’ll never recover.
It’s the first time someone has spoken so harshly of Camille.

“Like I said, we should have fun together.”

“…”

“Achille-sama?”

The viscount’s daughter looked at me doubtfully after I went silent.
However, it seems she interpreted it in a way convenient for herself. Honestly, it’s impossible to understand how this person thinks.

“Huhuhu, I also yearn for you, Achille-sama. So…”

“Excuse me.”

I cut off her words.

“I have not even a grain of yearning for you, and I have no plans to yearn for you.”

“…What do you mean?”

Seemingly unable to comprehend the meaning of my words, the viscount’s daughter blinked her eyes.
Something that seemed a matter of course to me is apparently an unexpected outcome for her.

“Like I said, I am saying that I have no intention of making you who, insulted my precious fiancée, my mistress.”

Of course, I have no intention of keeping any mistress to begin with.
Probably gradually understanding the meaning of my words, she began to tremble in disgrace.

“You are saying, that I am inferior to that tattoo woman?”

“Yes, in every way.”

I gave her an extraordinary smile. Of course, in harassment.

“Well then, I shall be leaving.”

I promptly did an about face and left the area.
From this situation, it’s possible that Camille is hurt or in danger. I don’t think Camille will be done in easily, but there’s no harm in being overly cautious.
That the rampage of a lady mad with jealously is surprisingly terrifying is something that we learnt from Miss Claire’s case after all.
Even having that much said to her, the viscount’s daughter seemed like she was still about to follow after me, so I quickly moved away from that place.
I have to quickly look for Camille…

The party grounds were crowded with people. Honestly, I don’t feel that I’ll find her immediately.
I activated search magic without hesistation. I’m nervous since this is the first time I’ve used the magic, but you can’t escape a crisis without some sacrifice.
I took out the quill that I received as a present from Camille, and changed it into light.
When I did, what should have been light flew outside the party grounds.

“Why?”

Did she start feeling bad from the alcohol, and leave the premises…?
I chased the light in a panic.

Camille was inside a gazebo that was a little removed from the garden.
Together with someone unexpected…

“Why is he here?”

In the gazebo, it seemed that my half-brother Dominique was in an agitated state and was in the middle of closing in on Camille.
Speaking of which, I’ve seen Dominique behave like he’s fallen in love with Camille before.
Occasionally when she comes over to our house, his eyes are glued to her with a hot stare… He fancied her.
However, if you had to say it, despite being arrogant at home, Dominique is shy outside. I underestimated him and thought that he wouldn’t lay his hands on somebody else’s fiancée but… it seems that this is an exception.
If I don’t hurry, Camille will be in danger. Right now she doesn’t even have tattoos, so she can’t even use automagic defence.
And, perhaps because she’s drunk, she looks kind of limp.

“Camille!”

“Achille-samaa!”

When I tried to move forward, my left arm was suddenly caught by a delicate white hand.

“…-”

Chasing me this far? What incredible tenacity.
When I turned around, the viscount’s daughter was standing there.

“See? Look. Isn’t Camille-sama in the middle of enjoying herself? And of all people, with your Oniisama. How unpleasantt, how dirtyy.”

I wordlessly shook off her hand. Right now saving Camille takes precedence.

While I was busy with this woman, Camille had fallen to the ground.
Dominique got on top of her without hesitating. My mind turned bright red.

“Dominique!”

From here, I won’t make it even if I run – do I fire magic at him?
It’s fine right? Even if I get a little rough, I mean.
The moment I turned my hand towards Dominique…

“Oi, youuu! What the bloody ‘ell are you doin’ in broad daylight!?”

A black shadow suddenly appeared, and thrust Dominique away.

TL: Enter osakaben character. Um, impression is like, humorous and witty (although that’s because of manzai culture associations from television etc.) and idunno, just different. It often gets adapted as cockney or ‘southern USA’, but that’s not really right, not just for osaka dialect, but kansai dialect in general. Kind of a different impression, but hey.
So yeah, idunno. Ended up using a very, very, very mild (I don’t even change the t’s into glottal stops) mockney accent… that’s actually neither of them. Hohoho, what a mysterious and inconsistent accent this is. I wonder just where she comes from.

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Summer Vacation – J of Hearts (Part 1)

Note: Please don’t read it in the little pop-up for the reader. For some reason it doesn’t reflect my later edits (which I often make a lot of after publishing), so please click ‘view original’.

Today is my older sister Déborah’s wedding ceremony.
Despite constantly talking to me about marrying into power, she married a solder of commoner’s birth.
My stepmother and stepbrother were against this marriage, but my father was on Déborah’s side and realised her wish.

That Déborah was wearing a normal wedding dress, and not her usual lantern-like dress was a little relief for me.
It seems that Désirée’s tastes have also gone from lanterns to normal dresses recently. I wonder what on earth happened to my two sisters…

Well, let’s leave that aside… Today, Camille was wearing a refreshing, ice-blue high waist dress. I’m bothered that it’s a little short, but it suits her quite well. Her normal clothing is usually a robe, so it’s a rare chance to see her wearing a dress like today.
Today, her magic tattoos are gone.
They were gone during the entrance ceremony as well, but… Once Camille erases her tattoos, the fact that men immediately turn their gazes to her is boundlessly unpleasant. Even though they normally don’t even pay her a glance.
In particular, the groom’s friends who probably don’t know about her are sending her gazes, bold to the point of obviousness.
Camille is still Camille, you know. Even though it’s be fine if she ignored those gazes… why is she looking back at them each time?
These guys have enough momentum that it seems they’ll approach Camille at any moment now, so I embraced her and restrained them.

After the wedding ceremony, the reception was being held at our villa.
Until the reception begins, a cocktail party is being held in the garden… But.
Camille who’s walking beside me is acting suspiciously. The fact that she’s been glancing at the cocktails for a while now has not escaped me.

“I-, I’m not going to drink, you know. I’ve already decided not to drink anymore, after all.”

It seems that she’s recalling that incident at the entrance ceremony.
However, seeing the desirous gaze she was turning to the cocktails, it might just be a matter of time before she retracts her statement.
I decided to get her something else to drink before that happens. Fortunately, there’s a table with non-alcoholic cocktails prepared nearby.
I’d have have Camille wait a bit, and I’d procure a drink for her I decided.

Since it was right there, I expectedly thought it’d be okay, but… Having gone to get a drink for Camille, I was splendidly surrounded by nobles’ daughters.
For them to be fine with this kind of thing even at my sister’s wedding is… I gave my tongue a small, unnoticable click.
Of course, these women know that I’m engaged to Camille.
That’s why these women… are probably aiming for the position of the future Marquis Rhodolite’s mistress.
There are many nobles with mistresses like my father in this country. Earlier, even Camille said that it would be fine to keep some mistresses, after all; it’s that common a thing. It’s not rare even for both husband and wife to have other lovers.

“Hey, Achille-sama. Won’t you have a little chat with me?”

Go away. Camille’s waiting for me nearby, but you can see that, right…?
They probably have too much confidence in themselves.
Camille is also a beautiful girl, but normally she acts like a weirdo so the daughters of nobles probably don’t even bother with her.

“Sorry, my fiancée is waiting for me.”

“Isn’t it fine to talk for just a little?”

“To be married to an oddball marquis’ daughter, Achille-sama is pitiful…”

This is how normal society sees me. Even though I’m the one who pushed for the engagement, for some reason people sympathise with me wherever I go.

“It’s a beautiful gathering, so nobody would blame you even if you let down your hair a little.”

No, this is my sister’s wedding, you know? To do that in a gathering of nobles, how bold you’d have to be.

“Sorry, I also have things to do, so at some other time.”

“Geez, please don’t say something so cold!”

One of the noble daughters clung to me even more.
In truth, after bringing Camille, I have to go greet people you know…
I am technically Déborah’s younger brother, so I have to go around and greet the guests. I did so before and after the wedding ceremony, but there are still others left.
Even though this is small scale, we’re still nobles so the number of guests is no joke.
Thanks to my stepmother’s showing off, even nobles we aren’t even close to are attending in huge groups. This noble’s daughter is one of them.
As you’d expect, His Highness didn’t show up, but he sent words and a gift of congratulation.

“Achille-samaa”

The stubborn noble daughter wrapped her hands around my arm.
Was she the second daughter of the Wazzurri viscount family, again…? If I remember correctly, amongst the nobles’ daughters, she has the nicest face, but her pridefulness and pushiness practically spills out of her. You could say that it’s hatred for my own kind, but at the very least, I can do things a little better than her.

“We did get this rare chance to meet after all… Isn’t it fine?”

As if it’s fine! Seriously, give me a break; what are you going to do if Camille misunderstands?
Even while this was going on, I was still worried about Camille, so I unconsciously turned my eyes her way but…

“…Not there.”

Camille wasn’t there.

“Camille?”

It couldn’t be that she got jealous and walked off somewhere?

“…It’s nothing surprising. It’s Camille after all.”

But then I’ll be worried about where she disappeared to. Could it be that she’s gone to talk to the soldiers from before, or could it be…?

“Mn?”

On the table, right where Camille was sitting, was an empty drink glass.
I got a bad premonition.

“Hey, Achille? The fiancée who’s in the way is gone, so let’s go.”

While I was worrying about Camille, Viscount Wazzurri’s daughter continued talking to me without giving up. All the other nobles’ daughters have been pushed back by her good looks and forcefulness.

“Please let go, Miss Wazzurri.”

“My, you don’t have to speak so distantly. Please call me Elenore.”

…I probably won’t call you that all my life.

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Summer Vacation – Q of Hearts (Part 3)

Note: Please don’t read it in the little pop-up for the reader. For some reason it doesn’t reflect my later edits (which I often make a lot of after publishing), so please click ‘view original’.

Even after finishing the cocktail, my irritation wasn’t settled. On the contrary, my anger towards the noble daughters was growing larger.
Right now I can painfully understand the feelings of the in-game Camille. I want to smack those noble daughters about…

“Alright! That’s what I’ll do!”

I’m not the nice girl heroine. I don’t have the sort of lovely personality that’ll have me suck on my thumb from a corner while looking on enviously.
I’ll go now, and take back my fiancé from that ring of girls! It’s simple.

Boosted by the vigour of alcohol, I took a powerful step forward, but suddenly, somebody call out to me from behind.

“Miss Camille, it seems that the reception is about to start, doesn’t it?”

I stared at the person who had called out to me.

“…Dominique.”

That’s unexpected. To think he called out to me.
Dominique was wearing the black formal dress that he ordered for today. He strongly resembles the character that appeared in children’s books from my old world; Humpty Dumpty.

“Shall we chat a little over there?”

I glanced at Achille, but it seems he’s still in the middle of chatting with the noble daughters. From this, it seems that it’ll still take some more time huh.

“Sure.”

I decided to go with Dominique. I’ll come back immediately so there probably won’t be a problem.
He is technically Déborah’s brother. Perhaps there’s something he wants to say about his sister’s wedding reception.

After being brought by him to gazebo away from the garden, I asked him about his business with me.
In the distance I can hear the voices of the other guests, chatting with a cocktail in hand.

“What was it you wanted to say to me?”

While crossing his blubbery arms, sweat running down his skin, Dominique replied.

“Miss Camille, just what is good about that illegitimate child?”

“…Huh?”

“You’re being tricked. That guy’s using you, it’s all for your position…!”

“…Hahh.” [either a sigh, or a non-committal ‘I see.’]

What’s he feeling indignant about? His face suddenly turned red.

“That man has no interest in anything but the position of Marquis. I can’t stand by and watch as you become a sacrifice to that kind of cold man!”

“Ummmmm…”

He’s talking about Achille… right?

“It still isn’t too late! You should cancel your engagement with him!”

“Umm, err…”

Dominique is serious. He’s seriously worried about me and recommending that I cancel the engagement with Achille.

“Since the past, that illegitimate child has been a man that only does things out of self-interest.”

Mmn, that I know. Achille has been hugely self-interested since the very moment we met, after all.
But right now I also know that that isn’t all he is.

“If it’s about about cancelling our engagement, I have no intention of doing so, you know?”

“Why-?”

“I know about both Achille’s calculativeness and ambition, but he has good points too… and, umm, I also… don’t hate him.”

Uwahh! So embarassing!
I didn’t think the day would come when I’d say something like that to Achille’s brother. I held my reddened cheeks in my two hands.

However, it seems that Dominique wasn’t happy about my response.
He was jiggling as he trembled, and his large red face was gradually paling…

“You surprisingly, have bad eyes, huh… Even a marquis’ daughter like you.”

The moment he said this, Dominique strongly grabbed my arm.

“-…Dominique?”

Turning to look at me when I spoke, Dominique’s eyes were clouded over. It’s those eyes that he occasionally turns on me when I visit Achille’s house.
With my arm grabbed, I was forcefully held against the wall of the gazebo.

“Oww-…!”

Crap! Because today is Déborah’s wedding, my tattoos are gone!
Without my automatic defences, right now my physical power is no difference from a normal, weak noble’s daughter.

“I won’t accept it, I won’t accept it… For that guy to have a higher position than even me. For him to steal away everything away!”

While saying his, his hands clamped down on my arms.

“Dominique, it hurts. Let go!”

Should I use magic and blow Dominique away…? But it’s Déborah’s wedding ceremony, so I’d like to avoid doing anything that would cause a fuss.
Right now Dominique is running wild for some reason, but he’s Déborah’s real blood brother.

“Please stay quiet, Miss Camille; people will come, you know? If they saw this kind of scene, I wonder just what kind of rumours would spread.”

Too close! Dominique’s face is drawing right before my eyes.
I don’t know what kind of rumours would spread, but to me it’s certain that this situation is getting extremely bad.

“I won’t hand them over to that guy! Not a higher position than me, or you!”

Together with his rough breathing, Dominique stuck his body to me.
At this rate, I might get shamefully labelled as the evil woman who led on the two brothers of the viscount family! That’d be troubling!

As expected, even if it gets a little rough, I should use magic now to escape.
I immediately made to cycle magic power through my body to use magic… but, for some reason I can’t do it well.

“Mn… huhH? ThAT’S weIRd…”

I can’t pronounce things properly. My legs are feeling unstable… Dominique is sneering at me.

“Miss Camille, are you already drunk from that cocktail?”

That might be. His idea that I can’t find my strength because I’m drunk is very possible.
Something like this happened before too, huhh. I guess I really should have held back from drinking.
Even if I reflect on it now, it’s too late though…

“Mmn…”

I suddenly couldn’t stand, and collased on the spot. Dominique began to blanket me with his body.

“Both the marquis’ position, and Miss Camille… are mine.”

While in a daze, my cloudy vision turned to the bottom of Dominique’s neck, and I discovered a familiar bruise.

Author’s Note: It’s unrelated but…

【Blood Types of Characters】

Camille → B
Achille → A
Royce → AB
Tria → AB
Beatrix → A
Raiga → B
Twins → A
Heroine → O

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