VIO Ch 28 – Birthday Party (III)

2 Comments

Translator: mii

editors: sleepchaser, Fire

As Princess Liona chatted with the nobles of the Istiah Kingdom, she noticed the knight beside her acting strangely. “What happened, Night?”

“Nothing really… Just that I caught sight of a remarkable beauty over there, and unconsciously—ouch!”

“Again?!” said Liona, after pinching Night’s thigh. “Stop chasing after women you find attractive like a dog!”

She couldn’t stomach the many rumors of Night approaching women, feeling refreshed at the sight of him enduring the pain in silence. Satisfied, Princess Liona blew at her gloved fingertips. “You’re my knight. Act more nobly.”

“Y-your wish is my command…” he replied, trembling. 

With black locks and gray eyes, Night was quite the looker. Due to his skill in the sword and bright mind, he was popular with women. But since Night often played around, nobody would take him seriously. The reason for his frivolity: he had been in love with Liona ever since she had saved his child self.

“Liona.” Princess Diana from the Istiah Kingdom approached the two. The upper half of her characteristic platinum blonde hair was tied up, and the rest draped down her back. Her aquamarine dress matched her well, blue eyes crinkling as she smiled and came before Liona. 

Diana was sixteen and Liona was seventeen. Queen Marion could be considered Liona’s distant relative. The two princesses had known each other since they were children and had been on good terms since then. 

They had already greeted each other when Liona had first arrived, but now, they once more gave the other party a bow.

“Are you having fun?”

“Of course. But listen, Diana. Another beauty has charmed Night again.”

“Oh my.” Diana covered her mouth with her hand, smiling like a blooming flower. Recalling that Night had been charmed by Diana this time, Liona stomped on his feet without mercy.

“Y-you’re heartless, Princess…”

“You’re annoying. It’s your fault for looking at her with such a vile gaze.”

“I’m sure everyone would find her enchanting,” said Night, crouching as he held his feet in pain.

“But I’m curious. Who’s the beauty who caught your eye? Lady Laura from the Saria family?” Diana pointed at a woman, but also made sure to be discreet. “Look, over there.”

“No, it’s not like that. It was a silver-haired young man.”

“Huh.”

“Oh my.”

Liona and Diana widened their eyes. The folding fan Liona had held fell to the ground. Unable to conceal her surprise, she murmured, “You bastard. Now that women can’t satisfy you anymore, you’re even going for men…”

“Hey! Hold on a second! Aren’t you misunderstanding me here?! I merely said there was a beauty!” Night waved his hands in a panic. He looked around, but the person in question was no longer in the hall. Then he caught sight of a woman, pointing her out to the princesses. “He looks just like that woman. Seriously, I was just surprised to see a man that beautiful for the first time!”

“That person is Her Grace Viola, the Duchess of Lesserhain. She’s my aunt. So that means you’re talking about Violant, my cousin.” Diana gave a slight nod, convinced. “He bears a resemblance to Her Grace Viola. However, he rarely attends social gatherings due to his frail constitution. It’s also been a while since I’ve last met him.”

“If he looks so much like Princess Viola, then it can’t be helped that he drew Night’s attention without Night knowing it,” said Liona, nodding as well. 

“Why are you guys talking about Aunt?”

This time, it was Prince Ars who approached the group.

“Oh, Brother.” Diana frowned. “Have you finished greeting everyone?”

“Yeah, I’ve already greeted the prominent guests. Besides, no one will dare say anything if I say I’m accompanying Princess Liona.”

“Hey, don’t use me as an excuse,” Liona said, sending a light glare Ars’ way. She could see right through his intentions. He wanted to use her to take a break from all the socializing. However, since they were close enough to understand each other’s personality, she didn’t actually feel uncomfortable. 

“So what were you all talking about?” asked Ars.

“We were talking about Violant. Liona’s knight said that he was a remarkable beauty.”

“…Don’t get too involved with the Lesserhain family,” whispered Ars. 

Diana slightly pouted. “We’re just having a light chat. It’s been a while since I met the second son of that family, but I still find him very beautiful. Since he’s prone to being ill, he appears fragile, but that also gives him an ethereal feel. His beauty is a delicate and refined sort.”

“You’re really… Only his appearance is beautiful, okay?” said Ars.

Diana stared at him in amazement. “Brother… You’re acting like this because he took away your favorite knight, right? You’re really childish!”

“Diana!”

But she merely turned away in a huff. 

Liona asked, “Favorite knight?”

“Right now, there’s a knight who’s revered as the strongest swordsman in our country. His name is Sir Legion Salt. He left the Royal Knights and returned to the Lesserhains’ territory to work for his hometown.”

“Oh, I’ve heard of rumors regarding him. Seems like he’s skillful enough to even overwhelm a dragon,” said Night. “He sounds like a very competent man.” 

As Night had spoken of Legion’s reputation, Ars nodded in delight. “That’s right. Above all, he has a good personality.”

“But I’ve heard of many bad rumors about that family…”

“That’s why I’m angry he left the Royal Knights.” Ars frowned. 

Curious, Liona asked, “Such a knight is serving the second son of that family?”

“Yeah. It seems like Rupheus willfully discharged Legion. After that, Aunt Viola appointed him as Violant’s knight. Violant is currently recuperating in a remote region because of his weak body.”

“That’s a clear demotion, huh?” Liona nodded, a look of satisfaction on her face. “I understand now.” 

“Eh? Brother, from the rumors I heard, apparently Violant selfishly demanded Sir Legion to serve as his knight.”

“No, my messenger directly asked Legion about this. Well, that messenger is not very reliable, though.”

“What do you mean?”

Glancing at Diana’s puzzled expression, Ars sighed. “In his own words, ‘Lord Violant is a kind and good person. Plus, his maid is also very cute’… I made a mistake in selecting this messenger.”

Everyone shared a look. In that moment, they all agreed with Prince Ars.