Timid and Shy - Chapter 66

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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66.

Robert arranged the disordered papers as he spoke.
“Please exercise caution in Oberon. No one would dare treat the Young Noblewoman of Gareis carelessly or lay a hand on her, but there could be unforeseen incidents elsewhere. I ask that you conduct yourself with prudence.”
“Why should I? Rather, I ought to behave recklessly and unsettle everyone. I’ll spend my days pestering the Earl of Oberon and the Baron of Oberon Deputy. Wouldn’t that serve you better as well? After all, they won’t find fault with me either, given my reputation and Gareis’ standing.”
Parma spoke, recalling the figure who had just passed.
“A horse and a boy, you say… He’s only just learned Horseback Riding, and each day the saddle brings him such joy. I’m envious of that boy. Perhaps I should take up riding myself. Dragging people here and there on cold days doesn’t sound entirely unpleasant.”
Robert found himself nodding—Parma had a point. He spoke.
“I’m grateful for the assistance of the Young Noblewoman of Gareis. I have one request.”
“What is it? Don’t torment Sophia Ariel too much? I won’t. I know why I’ve come. I won’t bring shame upon Gareis, so rest assured. Your Highness.”
Parma Gareis adjusted her composure and sat straight. Robert had no choice but to trust her.

***

Before the entrance of Oberon Castle, servants were unloading countless trunks. The Earl of Oberon watched the endless stream of luggage disappearing into the house, his expression wry.
‘How long does she intend to stay?’
The carriage carrying Robert and Parma had arrived first. But Parma had declared that she would not disembark until her trunks were unloaded and her room prepared, so everyone now waited for her belongings to be settled.
Outside the entrance stood those who had come to receive the guests, but as the waiting stretched on account of the luggage, they naturally formed clusters.
The Baron of Oberon Deputy and the Earl of Oberon stood together on one side, while Sophia, Helen, and Gunter waited at a distance.
Gunter had ushered Sophia and Helen inside the entrance to shelter them from the cold wind.
Robert descended first, then personally escorted Parma Gareis from the carriage. The Baron of Oberon Deputy walked forward to greet them both.
Gunter led Helen and Sophia back outside. Sophia watched the Baron of Oberon Deputy’s reception of the two with evident pleasure, though inwardly he must have been in agony—his duty was to welcome these noble visitors with visible joy.
Sophia spoke to Helen.
“I never knew the Baron of Oberon Deputy could be so attentive.”
Gunter said,
“Of course he must be. They are a prince and a noblewoman of the highest rank. They are likely the highest-ranking nobility to visit Oberon.”
Helen said,
“Parma Gareis is truly beautiful, isn’t she? It’s unfair. To be both a noblewoman and possess such beauty.”
Gunter glanced at Sophia and said,
“Well… I want you to know that in my heart, I support the Young Noblewoman of Ariel.”
Sophia smiled at Helen and Gunter.
“In your heart, you say.”
It seemed Gunter had finally succumbed to Helen’s pressure. Helen herself gave him an approving nod.
As the Baron of Oberon Deputy exchanged greetings with Parma, Robert observed Sophia. Her face appeared more drawn than before.
‘Did she go back to Ariel to recover? Then she ought to rest well and eat well.’
As Robert stepped forward to approach Gunter and Sophia, the Baron of Oberon Deputy came before him and spoke.
“We have hastily prepared rooms, though I fear they may not meet your expectations. Your Highness, welcome to Oberon on your first visit. I beg your understanding for any shortcomings.”
Robert offered formal thanks to the Baron of Oberon Deputy. Parma, catching sight of Sophia and Helen’s group, spoke.
“Ah, there are other guests present?”
Sophia stepped forward and addressed the Noblewoman of Gareis.
“I am Sophia Ariel. It is an honor to meet you, my lady.”
“I heard you were a relation, yet you bear no resemblance to the siblings of House Wiscom. Fortunately.”
Hearing this, Sophia smiled and replied,
“I too have always considered that a blessing.”
Despite her unremarkable appearance, there was something striking in the brightness of her eyes and the straightforward way she held Parma’s gaze.
Parma took an immediate liking to Sophia Ariel. She showed no intimidation at Parma’s notorious reputation, nor did she twist the meaning of what Parma said.
‘Not resembling Wiscom is indeed a blessing. She’s a decent person. This Sophia Ariel.’
Parma then addressed Sophia.
“My arrival must be an inconvenience for you?”
Sophia continued to smile as she replied,
“Not at all. We too had grown rather dull. The family of Oberon have all gone traveling in the South, leaving Helen and me with nothing but tedium.”
“Ah! To send the entire family away and then invite young ladies—that sounds like a rather calculated design, doesn’t it? Would you not agree, Your Highness?”
Robert regarded the Baron of Oberon Deputy. Even in the cold, the Deputy sweated and fumbled for words until the Earl of Oberon stepped forward.
“Having seen Helen Pina again after our meeting in the Capital, I took the liberty—despite my presumption—of extending an invitation to Oberon. I fear my poor judgment has caused you both inconvenience.”
The Earl of Oberon bowed respectfully to Sophia and Helen in apology.
Parma spoke to the Earl of Oberon.
“I heard she was not Helen Pina. We shall see in due course, won’t we? Still, it’s a relief you two are here. Spending all my time with just the Prince would be tedious beyond measure.”
Sophia spoke.
“Oberon has more guests than masters these days—I fear it shall fall into disrepair. We were thinking of returning to Ariel, Miss Gareis.”
“You said you were bored, so you can’t leave now. Prince Robert is so busy all day that no one knows what he’s doing, so the two of you simply must spend time with me. Isn’t that right, Baron of Oberon?”
Prince Robert took up the thread.
“I’m only the Deputy, Miss Ariel.”
Then Prince Robert turned to the Baron Deputy of Oberon and spoke.
“Might I see the Baron himself? His Majesty has been concerned for the Baron’s health, and I’d hoped to pay my respects in person and bring word back to him.”
The Baron Deputy of Oberon smiled awkwardly.
“I’m afraid he’s not in a state to receive visitors. He spends most of his time asleep in bed and no longer recognizes people well. It will be difficult, I’m sorry to say, Prince Robert.”
“What do the physicians say? Ah—I should have brought a doctor from the Capital.”
“No, we’ve consulted physicians many times. They say it’s simply old age and that he must rest.”
“Old age, then. In that case, rest is indeed the best remedy.”
Parma spoke without concern.
“Then there’s nothing to be done. Shall we all take some rest?”
At last Prince Robert and Parma headed into the castle, with Sophia and Helen following. From outside came the sound of hoofbeats again. Pina had finally returned to the castle. Helen called out to her.
“You’re late!”
Pina leaped down from her horse and said,
“I lost track of time. Where is our guest?”
Parma turned and addressed Pina.
“It seems you haven’t been riding long. You’re sweating on such a cold day—do make sure to groom your horse well.”
Pina looked at Parma, her face flushed.
“Thank you for the advice. I still have much to learn about horsemanship. I would be grateful for your guidance in the future.”
Pina’s eyes sparkled. Parma spoke.
“We should ride together sometime.”
Pina smiled radiantly.
“It would be my honor, Miss Parma Gareis.”
Sophia watched Pina again. There was no doubt—the light in her eyes was no longer that of a child.
‘Is everyone from Pinega so direct? Pina… Miss Parma Gareis is far too far above her.’
And so, at fourteen years old, Pina’s first love had begun.

***

The atmosphere that had hung loosely and suspiciously over Oberon Castle was now filled with visible tension following the arrival of Prince Robert and Miss Gareis.
Above all, it was the sheer number of attendants they brought with them. The retinue accompanying the two distinguished guests appeared to rival the entire household staff of Oberon Castle.
The Baron Deputy of Oberon and the Earl of Oberon continued to be startled as more and more of the Prince’s and the young noblewoman’s escorts arrived long after their masters.
In particular, Miss Gareis’s entourage carried themselves with a deadly air that spoke to why the Gareis Family bore the fearsome reputation of the Lions of the West.
Though they were neatly dressed and carried pens and documents, they looked capable of using a pen as a weapon. Miss Gareis introduced her retinue to the Baron Deputy.
“My father worries greatly because this is my first journey away from the Capital and my own territory. He fears for my safety.”
The Baron Deputy had nothing to say.
The industrious Prince Robert met with Gunter shortly after a brief rest. The Baron Deputy was troubled by the meeting between Prince Robert and the Emperor’s Inspector.
Surely Prince Robert had said he was visiting Oberon because of Sophia Ariel. Yet the first person he met was the Inspector.
It was now clear that Prince Robert and Miss Gareis’s desire to see Sophia Ariel had been a pretext. Since arriving at Oberon, Prince Robert had spent far more time with the Emperor’s Inspector than with the Baron Deputy or the Earl of Oberon.
The Earl of Oberon had found no opportunity to make a good impression on Sophia Ariel. Within days of Parma Gareis’s arrival, she had demanded to see every corner of the castle.
The Deputy could escape through work, but the Earl had no such excuse. Now Parma Gareis had become far more important—and dangerous—than Sophia Ariel herself.

***

The day after their arrival, Miss Gareis invited Sophia and Helen to her reception room. The room she occupied had once belonged to the late Baroness of Oberon.
Miss Gareis looked around the reception room and spoke.
“It’s old-fashioned, but charming. It seems the saying is true—Oberon may be small, but it’s a gem.”
Sophia also surveyed the reception room. For a space that had been empty so long, it was well-maintained. A large window, a fireplace, thick curtains, a lavish carpet, great sofas. And atop them all, a splendid orchid.
Sophia gazed at the orchid and spoke.
“I confess I still know little of the Oberon household. The family members have all traveled away, the staff is sparse, and the Baron himself is unwell—I haven’t even had the chance to see his face.”
Parma replied,
“What of the Earl? He seems pleasant enough and has means. He’s also close to Ariel.”
Helen gripped her teacup and held her breath, observing the two women intently. Her inner excitement reached its peak, yet outwardly she was careful not even to let her breathing show.
Sophia laughed without conviction.
“The Earl seems to lack enthusiasm for the betrothal. I think he only feigned affection to draw me here to Oberon.”
Parma raised an eyebrow.
“Really? A good deception should be carried through to the end. It seems the Earl isn’t as meticulous as one might expect.”
“Have you heard of the relationship between Saturn and Oberon?”
Parma nodded. Sophia leaned forward, her voice dropping as she spoke.
“My value amounts to nothing more than being a hostage or lowering Ariel’s guard.”
Parma frowned as she replied.
“You won’t even serve as a hostage anymore. Don’t worry. With me here and my brother on his way, Oberon won’t be able to do a thing.”
Sophia marveled at this. The young noblewoman of Gareis hadn’t even mentioned Prince Robert.
‘With Gareis behind her, she says we can rest easy. That pride! It’s magnificent.’
Sophia decided that when people called Parma Gareis arrogant, they had a point. Though she preferred to call it a compliment.
‘Of course she should be arrogant. She’s Gareis.’
It occurred to her that if a Gareis were ever humble and modest, it would be nothing but hypocrisy—like Wiscom, for instance.
‘Gareis’s arrogance has a hundred times, a thousand times more dignity than Wiscom’s false humility.’

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