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Chapter 80 Part 9 – The women take a step forward with pride in their hearts. To protect, to fight, to compromise.

「…… It’s about time for master to make an appearance.」

Knocking from outside the carriage, Arnold hesitantly called out.

I know. If I show off any more, I would destroy the stupefied atmosphere that the red nobles have created.

Mother and I nodded at each other.

「Okay, let’s go.」

After hearing my response, Arnold and Seraphy, who had been waiting outside, opened the door respectfully and lowered the ramp. The noble ladies throbbed with envy and jealousy as they witnessed the dignified young men in aristocratic outfit bend down and serve my mother. I asked the two of them to act as stablemen and had them move to the rear of the carriage just before we arrived here.

「Both of you are good-looking and tall. Moreover, since you guys are dressed like a noble, it would make a big impact.」

「I don’t really get it, but if I can be of use to my master, then it’s what an apprentice is supposed to do.」

「That’s right. This is a role that only a tall man like me could fill. Yes, a tall man like me ……」

Compared to Arnold who gladly accepted the suggestion, Seraphy was so overcome with emotion that he kept staring in fascination at his reflection in the window. It seems like he had a complex about his short height.

Now that he has become an adult, Seraphi is almost as tall as Arnold, who was originally tall. Both of them have contrasting charms, Seraphy is elegant and Arnold is wild. It is interesting that unlike the image that they have, Seraphy is actually a commoner and Arnold is a noble.

The night breeze blew in through the door they had opened and mother slowly walked forward with her pure white shawl made from Atlas silk shimmered in the night light.

「…… It’s shining in rainbow colors ……!!」

「No way, could it be the long-lost Atlas silk ……!?」

The ladies, who were dressed in expensive clothes that seemed troublesome, groaned in shock. Some of them nearly fainted, while others leaned forward while drooling, the reactions were varied but definitely responsive. The red nobles come from long-established families. I knew many of them would be aware of the lore of the Atlas silk.

None of them was able to ridicule my mother as she disembarked from the carriage in a dignified manner.

Okay, the atmosphere is good. The direction and casting are perfect!　Now it’s time to show the red nobles what you can do, mother!! Now then, it’s about time for me to go out to support my mother …… But as I was about to cheerfully make my move, I completely froze.

「…… Scarlet, are you okay with showing that appearance to everyone? And with the ruby ​​completely exposed ……」

Mother twisted her head slightly and looked at me with concern. Seraphy also reacted in the same way.

That’s right!!

If I go down wearing a dress with a beautiful grown-up appearance, there is no way I can pass as a man in a woman’s dress. This is a completely different case from the 4-year-old Rufus. And the man who marries the woman that possesses the Ruby of the True Emperor will gain the qualifications to call himself the supreme ruler of the continent. At this rate, the event would turn into a big matchmaking party for me, rather than a revenge dance ball for my mother. I was so preoccupied with directing my mother that I didn’t pay attention to myself at all.

Oops, that was dangerous. Thanks for the advice. I immediately withdrew my neck like a turtle. After all, my dream is to become a recluse.

But things didn’t go the way I wanted.

「…… I never thought I’d be able to see the legendary Atlas silk with my own eyes. Also, that carriage is magnificent. Don’t you all agree?」

Splitting the crowd of red nobles right in half, Countess Rosenthal walked toward my direction and made eye contact with me. She hid her mouth with a feather fan and asked the question to the people around her, but the nobles only smiled vaguely and was at a loss on how to respond. Because Countess Rosenthal is hiding her expression, they don’t know what she really meant.

Countess Rosenthal is able to toss around such a large number of nobles with a single word.

Although she’s a far cry from her heyday, it’s still not a good idea to underestimate her power …… Wait, this is not good!! All of the nobles here think that this is 14 years ago!! That’s the time when Countess Rosenthal is like a soaring bird!! There is even a story that she welcomed the invited royalty while she was sitting down.

…… I mentioned it briefly earlier, but let me further explain. At a formal guest party or ball, the host takes great care of the invited guests. They would greet each guest in a friendly manner in the reception room or wherever they are and ask them if they have any request or complaints regarding their seats and the order of the procession. It would be outrageous to greet the guest while the host is sitting down.

Why is that conceited Countess Rosenthal coming out to the front door to greet us? Could it be that she’s trying to humiliate mother in front of the nobles by having her be rejected at the door …… Or maybe she’s trying to lift mother’s mood first by praising the carriage and the Atlas silk and then criticizing her to make her discouraged? In that case, I have to ……

「Stop, Sca-chibi. I don’t sense any ill will from that person.」

If Bradd’s voice hadn’t stopped me, I would have jumped out of the carriage in a fit of rage, regardless of the consequences.

「There’s no way that’s possible. She is that Countess Rosenthal who is famous for being a wicked woman. At this rate, mother will – 」

I tried to argue in a restrained voice, but Bradd was adamant and refused to budge.

「I believe in what I see with my own eyes, not what the rumors say. Which is why even if numerous people say bad things about you, I’m not going to change my mind about you being a good guy. I hope that you will believe in me as well.」

…… Come to think of it, he was kind to me even in the previous 「108 times」 when we were divided into enemies and I annihilated the entire village of the〈Lawless Crew〉. It would have been easier to just hate me, but he even accepted my final apology. Okay, I understand. I’ll believe in your words ……

「Eh? She’s walking in this direction. Don’t tell me she’s trying to get into the carriage? Oh no, this might be bad.」

Don’t sound so anxious now!! You stupid Bradd!! I was a fool to believe you!!

I hurriedly grabbed the lap blanket, pulled it over my head, and became one with the seat.

From now on, I am Seat-scarlet …… Hmmm, I didn’t expect that I would go to a masquerade ball dressed as a woman at first, but in the end I would end up disguised as a seat. I wonder if I will get a passing mark for fanfare?

However, my disguise was easily seen through, and as I mentioned at the beginning, I ended up sitting in the carriage with Countess Rosenthal.

…… Inside the carriage, the Countess was accompanied by my mother and Bradd. Mother looked a little embarrassed. It was probably because she had just left so gallantly, but then immediately returned. But just like Bradd, she doesn’t look worried even though she is under the same roof with Countess Rosenthal who possesses such an incomprehensible thing as a shining evil eye. As someone who has experienced all kinds of assassination methods, including drugs, dark weapons, creatures, unarmed techniques, knives, and gimmicks, I am not comfortable being in a closed room with someone who has hostile intentions toward me.

While I was scared of her every move, Countess Rosenthal sighed.

「I’m sorry to have barged in like this. I had to come into the carriage, otherwise other people would have heard what I had to say.」

Ah, she apologized!? That brazen and unscrupulous Countess Rosenthal!?