Timid and Shy - Chapter 69

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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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69.

Baron Oberon’s Deputy spoke to Baron Oberon, ignoring the subordinate who stood blocking the doorway.
“I’ll ask Philip Wiscom for help. No matter how shrewd Wiscom is, he won’t refuse if we throw enough money at him.”
“Fat chance! The moment he learns we’ve not only made contact with Saturn but actively aided their invasion, he’ll cut and run.”
“Still, we have to try. Are we supposed to just sit here and wait to die?”
Baron Oberon let out a harsh laugh.
“The fact that Wiscom’s shown up now tells me he’s not here to save us—he’s here to use us. Bring Philip Wiscom to me. Let’s find out what he really wants.”
Baron Oberon’s Deputy hesitated for a moment, then agreed to summon Philip Wiscom. But even as he did, he kept trying to sway the Baron.
“As you said, we have no evidence yet. It would be better for us if Saturn fails entirely.”
Baron Oberon turned to his Deputy.
“If our plan succeeds, your family lives and your youngest dies. If it fails, your family dies and your youngest lives. Your job is to make sure this succeeds—whatever it takes to keep your family alive.”
“Whatever it takes? You’re not actually thinking of taking the Prince and the young noblewoman as hostages, are you?”
Baron Oberon spoke.
“What’s impossible about it? Can’t you see why Philip Wiscom has come?”
“Father! If things go wrong, that cunning Wiscom will pretend he never knew us. Why should we go to such lengths?”
“We’ve already betrayed Uranos. There aren’t many paths left. An extreme choice is unavoidable.”
Baron Oberon’s Deputy shook his head.
“Have you lost your mind? Right now there’s nothing but suspicion, no proof. We might lose the domain later, but that’s still better than this.”
“We’re going to die anyway. The only difference is whether we’re slowly strangled or die all at once. If that’s the case, I’d rather place my bet on the option with a higher chance of success.”
Baron Oberon’s Deputy’s face filled with hesitation.
“Let’s at least hear what Philip Wiscom has to say first.”
This time, the subordinate quietly stepped aside and opened the door.
Baron Oberon’s Deputy set out to find his brother.

***

Earl Oberon came to meet Philip Wiscom. Philip had apparently been expecting him—all the servants and attendants had been dismissed. When Earl Oberon saw Philip still in his traveling clothes, he asked with a puzzled expression.
“Why haven’t you changed into formal dress? Aren’t you attending the banquet?”
Philip Wiscom smiled and spoke.
“That woman—Creole—where is she?”
“The winter sea is rough. We ran into a storm.”
“Then that’s settled.”
“You didn’t come all the way to Oberon just for that. You’re really here about Robert’s betrothal to Gareis? But Ariel was fake anyway, wasn’t it? Even coming here in such a hurry, there’s no way to fix this situation.”
“Just because it’s hopeless doesn’t mean I do nothing. You know how much Father is worried about this. Haven’t you noticed how many people have gathered in Oberon lately?”
Earl Oberon sighed.
“All this trouble over trying to get Ariel. I should have just left that miserable territory alone.”
“But there’s a salt mine there. No matter how wealthy Oberon is, a salt mine isn’t something you just abandon.”
“Right, but you can’t just seize it for free either.”
“That’s exactly why I’m here.”
Philip smiled oddly and began toying with Earl Oberon’s hand.
“Earl Oberon! Is this how we treat each other? Once we’ve joined hands with Saturn, we need to see it through. There’s no turning back now.”
Earl Oberon pulled his hand away from Philip Wiscom.
“I thought you’d say that. There’s someone who wants to meet you.”
Earl Oberon led the way out, and Philip Wiscom followed, his eyes fixed on the Earl’s retreating back. Despite his expression, Philip’s voice was gentle.
“You said you didn’t know much about Oberon’s affairs, yet you’ve been moving quite deliberately.”
“Just minor tasks. You still keep me out of things anyway. It’s not mine, after all. What can I say? I thought if I could just get Ariel, I’d become lord of that territory, but watching how things unfold, that seems wrong too. I’m more at peace not knowing.”
Baron Oberon’s Deputy was waiting in front of the tapestry. Earl Oberon brought Philip Wiscom to his brother and then left without hesitation.
As Philip Wiscom watched Earl Oberon’s departing back, he spoke to Baron Oberon’s Deputy.
“Can we really push Earl Oberon aside like that? What if he claims ignorance later and backs out?”
Baron Oberon’s Deputy spoke as if he had no interest.
“As long as he survives, that’s enough.”
Baron Oberon’s Deputy led Philip Wiscom behind the tapestry. As Philip followed, he absently touched the back of his neck.

***

A welcome banquet was being held for Robert, Gareis, and the young noblewoman who was their suitor. Baron Oberon’s Deputy, who should have appeared by now, was running late. Only Earl Oberon lingered at the entrance of the banquet hall.
Philip Wiscom, dressed in formal attire, approached Earl Oberon and spoke.
“Let’s talk for a moment.”
Earl Oberon nodded with an awkward smile. As they entered the dining hall, Sophia spoke to Helen.
“Something seems to be troubling him.”
“Perhaps the guests are making him uncomfortable?”
Sophia watched Earl Oberon fidgeting alone, without Baron Oberon’s Deputy. By contrast, Philip Wiscom appeared remarkably composed.
Philip Wiscom led Earl Oberon into a corner near the entrance of the dining hall. He whispered softly.
“Did Baron Oberon and his Deputy give you any concrete plans? Or do you know anything at all? What did the Deputy say to me before we parted?”
Earl Oberon raised his eyebrows and spoke.
“Don’t tell me anything. I don’t know. So if you and your brother are finished talking, that’s all that matters.”
Philip Wiscom gripped Earl Oberon’s arm forcefully and spoke.
“You don’t know? It’s you, isn’t it?”
Earl Oberon spoke with a bewildered expression.
“What are you talking about?”
“What am I talking about? My scandalous reputation that everyone in the Capital keeps gossiping about. Thanks to that, I’ve become the most notorious debauchee in the entire empire. I don’t know what you’ve been receiving from Cressida, but it seems she’s already abandoned Oberon, hasn’t she? No matter how much you pretend not to know, you must realize that Robert and Gareis have their eyes on Oberon for the taking. Do you think you can escape it? As long as you are Oberon, you’re a dead man too.”
Earl Oberon desperately denied it.
“I truly don’t understand what you’re saying, Wiscom.”
Philip Wiscom stared directly at Earl Oberon and spoke.
“My conversation with Baron Oberon and your brother didn’t go well. Since you chose Cressida over House Wiscom from the start, surely you won’t resent me for refusing to help. Earl Oberon! You may be preparing to betray your father and brother, but it would be wise to prepare for the possibility that your father and brother betray you first.”
After Philip Wiscom finished speaking, he entered the dining hall. Earl Oberon looked toward the corridor and entrance, searching for Baron Oberon’s Deputy who still hadn’t appeared.
“This is strange. Why hasn’t he come? Has he moved? Could it be…? Did he abandon me and flee?”

***

Sophia, Helen, and Pina were already in the dining hall. Philip Wiscom had also found his seat.
Pina looked around the table and spoke.
“This is truly remarkable. At one table we have two ducal suitors, a ducal young noblewoman, and a prince. Helen, switch seats with me.”
Helen spoke teasingly.
“If you want to have a proper dinner, don’t switch. You’ll just stare blankly. And do you think Gareis’s young noblewoman will like someone gawking at her while she eats?”
Pina pouted, but didn’t switch seats as Helen advised. Helen whispered to Sophia.
“I’m not sure if it’s just that he thinks Gareis’s young noblewoman is pretty or if it’s teenage first love, but it should pass quickly, right?”
“I’m not sure. I’ve only ever seen straightforward affection from the people of Pinega.”
Helen smiled wryly and spoke.
“You mean Ellie, don’t you?”
“Helen’s not exactly ordinary either. I don’t understand how you can torment Gunter so much and still chase after him.”
Helen laughed, embarrassed.
Soon Gareis’s young noblewoman arrived on Gareis’s arm. Once Robert entered, everyone took their seats at the table. There was still one empty chair—Baron Oberon’s Deputy’s seat. Everyone kept glancing at it.
Earl Oberon gestured to begin the dinner. Robert spoke to Sophia, who sat beside him.
“It’s been so long since I’ve seen my betrothed. It’s terribly difficult to meet even though we’re in the same castle. Shouldn’t you have made your entrance with me originally?”
“I realized it only after coming in. As for playing the role of your betrothed now…. You’ve heard what I said, haven’t you?”
“Ah, yes, I heard it well. So, after dinner, let’s talk for a moment.”
Sophia nodded.
In truth, Sophia had half-given up on Oberon with the arrival of the Gareis siblings. What remained was to cooperate with Robert and the Gareis siblings and gain their assistance.
‘I need their favor for Ariel.’
Robert glanced at Sophia. The Sophia he had seen in the Capital seemed like a different person from the Sophia he saw in Oberon.
In Oberon, Sophia had never acted as Robert’s betrothed, mindful of Parma’s presence. She had never even come to stand beside him.
Robert thought that if they talked tonight, Sophia would change, and he harbored secret hopes.
‘What if I propose changing the contract betrothal into a real betrothal? I wonder how surprised Sophia would be? She might even cry with joy.’
Robert glanced at Sophia while secretly anticipating that moment. Sophia’s attention was focused on Earl Oberon, who appeared anxious, so she didn’t notice Robert’s gaze.
Rather, Helen was watching Robert and Sophia with satisfaction.
‘Good. There’s still hope. I was right not to give up.’
Throughout the dinner, Philip sat next to Gareis and kept needling him. Parma’s attention was also fixed on Gareis and Philip. It was obvious that Philip Wiscom was deliberately provoking Gareis.
‘House Wiscom, in any case….’
Philip spoke.
“I’ve heard rumors that Gareis made his subordinates run until they died. Is that true?”
Gareis smiled comfortably and spoke.
“I told them to run until they coughed up their hearts.”
Pina’s eyes sparkled as she spoke.
“What’s good about running for a long time? Is it really about building up physical endurance?”
Gareis spoke with an approving expression.
“Exactly. A soldier must raise his own endurance and push past his limits. It’s my job to drive soldiers to their breaking point and then beyond.”
Gareis spoke to Philip.
“Fortunately, that subordinate of his is alive and dining in another room as we speak.”
Philip smiled as he replied.
“Indeed, the standards for ordinary people and Gareis are quite different, aren’t they? But then, that’s Gareis for you.”
The eyes of the Gareis siblings seemed ready to pierce through Philip. Despite the menacing glint in them, Gareis spoke with measured courtesy.
“The standards for civilians and excellent soldiers are simply different, that’s all. House Wiscom may know precious little about soldiers and Military Training. I understand completely. Each house directs its strength toward different fields, after all. It appears House Wiscom is focusing its efforts on rumor and gossip. All your questions have concerned nothing but hearsay. So gossip, public opinion, and the press—these must be House Wiscom’s domain.”
Philip spoke.
“Has House Wiscom been thus? You, Lord Gareis, are shrouded in such mystery that there are truly countless rumors—many of them quite unbelievable. It is simply that you are unfamiliar with the atmosphere of the Capital. These days in the Capital, conversations cannot proceed at all without gossip and rumor. I myself do not understand how the Capital came to be in such a state.”
Gareis met Philip Wiscom’s gaze and replied.
“I think I understand.”
Prince Robert spoke.
“I think I see it too.”
Sophia nodded as well.
“I can see it too. Isn’t that right, Miss Parma?”
Parma answered.
“Foolish knights and worthless novels. Someone from some mediocre house tried to accomplish something and kept expanding the scale of it. Then he rolled about in the mud himself once. It’s been amusing spectacle, I’ll grant you that.”
Philip Wiscom watched the people closing in on him, bound together as one.
‘That’s right. You’re all in this together. How convenient it would be if you all went down together in the same mire.’

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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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