Timid and Shy - Chapter 78

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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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78.

The moment Gareis stepped outside, he turned to Sophia with purpose.
“I’ll lend support to the Ariel Knights. With the Titan Knights commander appearing, I have no choice but to intervene. You needn’t worry about that matter.”
Sophia nodded thoughtfully.
“Your assurance puts my mind at ease. But I imagine progress on Oberon has stalled?”
“I stake the Gareis name on this: I’ll write to House Gareis about what transpired in Oberon and send it through Parma. She’ll add her voice as well. My father will surely consent to ceding Oberon to Ariel. Even if Robert governs Umbriel well, he’ll spend far more time in the Capital. Baron Ariel’s stewardship would be far preferable.”
“Please convey my regards to House Gareis and mention that Ariel takes considerable interest in harbors and taxation. However, regarding trade, I’m also considering letting Umbriel have a hand in that as well.”
“Ah, then the matter will settle smoothly. If Oberon had mobilized militarily, matters would have been simpler. But because it’s resolved so clumsily, there’s concern that various parties will try to meddle…….”
Sophia noticed his voice trailing off uncertainly and shook her head.
“You’ve pledged the Gareis name, yet you speak with such hesitation. Are you certain that’s wise?”
“It’s not like that at all. The Gareis name is at stake—I’ll do my utmost. For House Gareis.”
“Of course. I do hope House Gareis knows this as well. What do you think of sharing this matter with Cressida?”
“That’s possible, but I’d ask that you omit the broken engagement. It’s something I haven’t mentioned to Parma.”
“Then we’ll leave it at that.”
Sophia obtained his consent and rose to leave first.
Gareis watched her depart, speaking to himself.
“She wields the Gareis name better than I do. Father might lose his mind at this rate. Well, he told me to handle everything in the Capital, so he’ll manage it himself.”
Gareis brushed himself off and headed toward the Encampment. He intended to combine personal training with sparring against Ariel’s trainee knights.
‘I just get to eat dust. Ha-ha-ha.’

***

The moment Robert received Sophia’s letter, he departed straight for Ariel. Maeub had never seen him radiating such murderous intent.
While Maeub had witnessed Robert’s anger before, never had it been so profound that no one dared speak. Watching Maeub’s bewilderment as he saw Robert off, Asher spoke.
“What on earth did you do?”
Maeub’s face went blank.
“What do you mean, Asher? I’ve done nothing. It’s the letter from Ariel that’s upset him.”
“Ariel again? What now? I wish Ariel would simply cut ties with Robert and be done with it.”
Asher spoke with exasperation.
“Didn’t Ariel defend Titania not long ago? We’re weathering the border’s difficulties with Ariel’s aid. Why would such talk of severing ties suddenly arise?”
Asher continued.
“Don’t you understand why he spent all that time with Cressida? House Gareis has set their sights on Robert. Yet Ariel summons him now……. It’s truly beneath his station. The border’s troubles should be left to Maeub to handle.”
When Maeub’s expression soured, Asher grew bolder still, his nagging intensifying.
“And since we’re on the subject—why are you passing along Sophia’s personal correspondence directly to him, rather than filtering it through official Ariel channels? That’s precisely the sort of thing Maeub should be intercepting. Especially now, after the broken engagement.”
Maeub bristled at both the criticism of his duties and the constant repetition of his name. He replied curtly.
“I do as Robert instructs. Ariel is not merely a former betrothed—we’ve forged several treaties as neighboring territories. They are allies. If you’ve grievances with my work, lodge a formal complaint with Robert, not me.”
Maeub immediately seated himself at Robert’s vacant desk and resumed his work.
Asher found the sight of Maeub in the lord’s seat repugnant. His insolence had only grown since he assumed the role of regent in Umbriel.
‘Does he truly believe that because he came to the Prince’s Office after me and now governs the territory as regent, he’s somehow surpassed me?’
For the first time, Asher regretted having avoided the duties of Robert’s border Domain.
Maeub had chafed at not being in the Capital, yet the ease with which he now claimed the lord’s desk revealed his true ambitions.
‘Does he actually believe he can seize the lordship? A commoner, no less.’
Despite Asher’s provocations, Maeub had no leisure to indulge him. With the battle just ended and spies throughout Umbriel arrested, Robert’s sudden departure meant Maeub had to manage the aftermath.
Far more conspirators had moved within the fortress than anticipated. Though Asher had witnessed their defeat, he persisted in pestering Maeub over trivial matters.
Following Robert’s instructions, Maeub neither responded nor acknowledged Asher’s provocations, simply ignoring him.
‘He said he has a separate plan. So I endure. I’m swamped, truly!’
Maeub sighed as he reviewed the documents.
“Since the broken engagement, Robert seems sharper somehow……. Perhaps the surprise attack unsettled him. I’ll think of it that way. There’s no other choice, after all.”

***

The moment Robert dismounted, he greeted Baron Ariel with courtesy. Baron Ariel received him as he always did.
He knew that Sophia had prepared the broken engagement document before sending it to Oberon. He also knew she had used that document to strike another bargain with Gareis.
Moreover, he knew that despite the broken engagement, Robert had told Sophia he wished to honor their betrothal.
Baron Ariel had never believed Robert and Sophia were meant for each other. He had never approved. His resentment toward Robert had largely faded by now.
The Emperor would not approve of their betrothal either. One need only look at how he had given Gunter to Sophia—a sign of respect for her, but a clear indication she was not meant for Robert.
Baron Ariel felt the same. Robert might make a fine Emperor, but he was not the right husband for Sophia.
‘Sophia is wasted on Prince Robert. She deserves to find someone better.’
Baron Ariel discussed the surprise attack and Saturn’s delegation with Prince Robert. The prince spoke first.
“In yesterday’s attack, we captured half of those claiming to be Saturn’s soldiers and killed the rest. We’re still investigating whether more are hiding inside. I suspect they may have been acting under orders from someone other than Saturn, but I can’t speak to that openly yet.”
“We had the same thought when Saturn’s raiders turned toward Umbriel. Our assumption is that they were coordinating this attack with Oberon.”
“I share that assessment. From the Capital, we’ll spread word that they were Oberon’s remnants. I’ll escort Saturn’s delegation back to the Capital myself. We can depart immediately if needed. There’s no reason to give Saturn’s commanders an opportunity to assess Ariel’s situation.”
Baron Ariel spoke with measured courtesy.
“Thank you. We’ll prepare at once. I should mention that the Lady of House Gareis will be accompanying us as well. I’d ask that you look after her closely—Gareis is quite concerned about his sister’s safety. Particularly, he’d prefer that Saturn’s delegation have no opportunity to approach her.”
“Understood. I’ll make sure we share the same carriage, and she won’t be able to take a breath without my knowledge.”
Baron Ariel laughed dryly.
“If you can manage that, I’d be grateful.”
Prince Robert hesitated before speaking.
“I… where is Sophia? I’d hoped to speak with her briefly before we depart.”
Watching the prince’s careful manner, Baron Ariel smiled bitterly. Despite their broken engagement, neither of them showed it openly.
Even knowing it could never work, the moment Baron Ariel thought of Sophia, his heart softened again.
Baron Ariel spoke.
“She’s likely in the greenhouse. She’s been spending quite a bit of time there lately.”
At this answer, Prince Robert’s face brightened. Baron Ariel sent him toward the greenhouse without quite understanding why the prince was so pleased.

***

Prince Robert watched Sophia arranging potted plants for some time before speaking.
“You’re not exhausted, are you? You must not have been able to rest easily because of Saturn’s men.”
Sophia looked up in surprise at how quickly Prince Robert had arrived in Ariel. The greenhouse was already crowded with plants.
Prince Robert continued, watching her.
“Saturn’s raid has failed. It ended more tamely than expected, didn’t it? And now Saturn’s delegation simply appears, claiming diplomatic immunity? How thick-faced can they be? We even lost track of the Titan Knights’ commander, which infuriates me. But because they insist on being an envoy, there’s nothing we can do.”
As Prince Robert vented his frustration, Sophia removed her shears and gloves before responding.
“You’ve hurried back quite quickly. Is Umbriel secure? It must still be unsettled.”
“We managed to hold it together well enough. But truly, it was anticlimactic. We’d prepared thoroughly and even set traps, yet there were only minnows—no big fish at all.”
Sophia nodded thoughtfully.
“It does seem like a genuine feint, yet Saturn appears to be scheming in multiple directions. Was Saturn always more reliant on strategy than on force?”
“We’re continuing to gather intelligence on Saturn’s influential figures. I’ll have the information sent to you soon.”
Prince Robert dropped into a seat and turned his gaze back to Sophia.
“How is Gareis?”
Sophia looked at the prince with a puzzled expression. He quickly added as if making excuses.
“I was merely curious how things are going here in Ariel.”
“He’s doing well. He inspects the encampment daily and trains Ariel’s newer and apprentice knights. There’s a man called Anselladus who seems to greatly displease him.”
“Anyone would dislike a man audacious enough to march into enemy territory right after a raid. He shows no respect for Uranos whatsoever.”
“Gareis and the other people of Ariel are displeased as well, but they’re managing to bear it.”
“Hmm.”
“Why?”
“It occurred to me that Gareis might be someone you’d like. Every time you mention him, you’re smiling.”
Sophia smiled warmly as she spoke.
“Gareis is a type of person I’ve never encountered before. He enjoys receiving attention yet possesses genuine skill. And he’s of House Gareis. I think there must be someone better suited for him.”
At Sophia’s praise of Gareis, Prince Robert let out an incredulous laugh.
“You never speak of your own feelings. You don’t say you dislike or like anything.”
“I haven’t been in circumstances comfortable enough to speak of my feelings. I was the young noblewoman of a powerless baron in the borderlands, and even after my father became a frontier baron, I remained intimidated between the great houses and the princes. There’s no room in my life to speak of emotions. Isn’t it the same for you?”
Prince Robert stared at Sophia intently. He had once harbored the same thoughts.
He was often called someone whose inner thoughts were unknowable because he never expressed what he liked or disliked. And what he had thought back then was precisely what Sophia had just said.
‘I didn’t have that luxury. What I liked didn’t matter—what mattered most was being inoffensive and unremarkable to everyone around me.’
Prince Robert regretted his earlier words. He asked again, his expression tense.
“The greenhouse still pleases you, then?”
Sophia smiled radiantly.
“Very much so.”

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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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