An Ode to Divorce - Chapter 32

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#32

But going to the gatherings and banquets that Gert usually attended seemed risky, since the princess would probably be aware of all those.

To avoid creating opportunities to encounter the princess, I needed to choose a gathering that she would never even think of.

‘Surely the princess wouldn’t go as far as stalking Gert to follow him around?’

Even stalking requires certain abilities.

No matter how much of a princess she was, there were limits to the people she could command. Especially winning over people around Gert or placing new people near him would be nearly impossible.

‘Unless she could use animals like I can.’

From the numerous options, I chose one name that the princess would absolutely never attend.

“I’ve developed a new interest lately. I’d like to attend this one.”

“…Are you serious?”

“I’m serious.”

I nodded firmly to Hilias, who was frowning as if he couldn’t believe it. Sensing my unwavering determination, Hilias also nodded back with a serious expression.

“Understood. I’ll convey that to Lord Gert.”

***

“…In conclusion, we can see that the precession of the equinoxes repeating in 12,000-year cycles coincides with the past periods of rule by giants and gods.”

“Oh! What a remarkable perspective. My knowledge has been broadened. As expected of Baron Leonard!”

“Then the next turn is…”

“It’s my turn. I intend to present my findings that based on observations of Jupiter’s retrograde motion, the influence of the god Artume is predicted to weaken this year.”

“What an interesting topic! Please present it quickly!”

“…This is what you wanted to attend?”

“Yes.”

“But this isn’t your type of thing.”

“Well, I decided to broaden my horizons.”

I answered calmly with a gentle smile to Gert’s question, whispered quietly in my ear as he hunched his massive frame.

What I had chosen was the ‘Society for Observing the Divine Realm through Celestial Movements.’

Naturally, I hadn’t chosen it because I wanted to attend. It was simply the least boring option among gatherings I was certain the princess would never attend.

That’s right. I had chosen the less boring option…

We were clearly speaking the same language, yet I couldn’t understand a single word. I desperately held back a yawn while forcing my drowsy eyes wide open.

‘Just how boring are the other gatherings?’

Still, it was better than when the meeting had just started.

When we first entered the banquet, how startled the existing members were to see Gert.

They kept glancing at Gert with every presentation, so I couldn’t possibly show how bored I was.

Fortunately, as the meeting continued and Gert didn’t raise any particular objections, they gradually relaxed, or perhaps became increasingly absorbed in their topics, and began enthusiastically exchanging presentations among themselves.

Thank goodness for that, otherwise I would have had to keep my eyes sparkling and pretend to understand their topics well until the meeting ended. The thought alone was horrifying.

“Now, let’s take a short break before proceeding to part two!”

Finally, I was free. My body felt stiff, so I stretched.

‘Should I just tell Gert to escape from here?’

Attending the meeting was sufficient anyway. There was no reason I had to stay until the very end.

Gert was also sitting there half-soulless. He might actually welcome my suggestion.

Just as I had made up my mind and was about to grab Gert’s sleeve to talk to him.

“Hey, Gert…”

“Brother Gert!”

I heard a familiar voice!

There couldn’t be two such beautiful voices like a lark’s song. I stiffly turned my head.

I came face to face with Princess Lairinne, the very person I least wanted to encounter here.

‘She definitely wasn’t here when the banquet started?’

She must have joined midway.

The princess completely ignored my presence and spoke to Gert.

“To think Brother would participate in such a banquet! As befitting a great hero, your scholarship is also outstanding!”

“Mm.”

‘What do you mean “mm”! Just moments ago you were leaning on me, nodding off!’

I looked at Gert with an incredulous expression as he curtly nodded in response to Lairinne’s admiring gaze.

Throughout the presentation time, how heavy it had been supporting that bulk so it wouldn’t collapse.

But feeling sorry for forcing him to participate in a gathering so unlike him just to accommodate me, I endured it all. If Gert had dozed off and fallen over, it would have been quite embarrassing.

Yet he was using my consideration as a stepping stone to show off in front of Lairinne. If I had known this would happen, I would have just let him collapse!

‘…But it would have been embarrassing to admit he didn’t understand anything in front of a child twelve years younger.’

Perhaps sensing my gaze, Gert soon coughed awkwardly. Then he hastily turned the conversation to Lairinne.

“Princess, you seem to have a great interest in astronomy.”

“Hehe, I just know a little.”

The princess smiled confidently, lifting her chin.

But I noticed a trace of drool at the corner of the princess’s mouth.

‘Interest in astronomy, my foot!’

Moreover, her eyes were slightly puffy, suggesting she had slept soundly.

And the content had been powerful enough for that…

I had come to a banquet the princess would absolutely never attend, something she’d have no interest in.

How on earth had she tracked Gert’s whereabouts?

‘I thought it wouldn’t be easy for anyone but someone of my caliber to spy on Gert and extract information…’

Just then, the banquet organizer approached us, bowing and greeting us.

“My goodness, to have both the princess and His Grace attend our gathering together. Could there be any greater honor? How did you find today’s presentations? Did you enjoy them?”

“Thanks to your invitation, my knowledge was broadened today. The content was very interesting.”

Lairinne said this while looking directly at me for the first time.

Her gaze was triumphant, as if asking whether I thought I could stop her.

“Since you have shown such effort for me, I’ll mention the advancement of astronomy in Petalien to His Majesty.”

Only after pondering the meaning implied in the princess’s words did I realize what had happened.

‘…She won over the organizer!’

She must have asked all the banquet organizers in Petalien to contact her if Gert attended!

Moreover, if the price was just the princess mentioning a few words to the king, it wouldn’t be difficult for a princess who had the king’s favor, but others would be desperate for it.

Honestly, I had to admit it. This princess’s methods were formidable!

With such initiative, I could understand how she had melted the stubborn Gert’s heart before my regression. She must have chopped away with an axe repeatedly until she brought Gert down.

Anyway, now that the princess had appeared, there was really no reason to stay here any longer.

I poked Gert’s side with my finger. At the same time, Gert’s already firm side suddenly tensed up.

Nearly breaking my finger, I held back tears and poked his side a few more times.

During our expedition, there were often times when we needed to infiltrate silently, so this was our established escape signal.

Though it had been three years, Gert seemed to remember the signal and tapped my back with his finger to show he understood.

Meanwhile, the organizer was enthusiastically promoting to Princess Lairinne.

“To be able to mention our gathering’s name to His Majesty…! Wouldn’t His Majesty be curious about what presentations we give? Oh, speaking of which, Princess, what was the most interesting content among today’s presentations? If I tell the presenter that you enjoyed listening, they’ll be greatly motivated!”

“…Well, that is.”

In the moment the princess hesitated in confusion.

Seizing the opportunity, I quickly blurted out.

“Well then, we have other appointments, so we’ll be going! Let’s go, Gert!”

“W-wait!”

The princess tried to stop us belatedly, but we had already exchanged signals and hurriedly escaped the banquet hall first.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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