My Childhood Friend Is An Archmage Chapter 99
Translated by d6y (ko-fi)
Chapter 99
"I don't know the exact story."
Seeing the confusion on my face, Hubert hastens to explain. "I'll just tell you what I know. Count Vrans, the family from which Carberry hails, has a compelling need for a member of the Imperial Knights."
I know well what Count Vrans' business is. I have heard it from the Crown Prince before. The Emperor has promised to give a member of the Count Vrans a place in the Imperial Knights.
I take a moment to organise the situation in my mind, but then Hubert continues.
“So today, His Highness the Crown Prince has ordered the Imperial Knights himself. The sister of Carberry, Lady Atbery, is to be inducted into the Order instead of him."
The Crown Prince ordered this? I have to say I'm a little surprised.
What did Atberry do to deserve this?
She must have been upset that her brother was kicked out of the Knights because of an accident, and now she's suddenly summoned to the Imperial Knights.
I feel a little guilty that I have chosen to not answer the letter from Artberry.
But in hindsight, I'm right not to reply. Things are changing so quickly now. I'm in a position to advise her.
What in the world was Ryan thinking? He told me plainly that he was going to expel Carberry. But he said nothing about Artberry. Why on earth?
Unlike me, Hubert is oblivious to my pondering. "Lancer, you really shouldn't interrupt me this time. I'm serious about Lady Artberry." Hubert takes a bite out of his steak and glares at Lancer.
Lancer blinks and shakes his head. "But you don't even know what Artberry looks like."
"Shut up, I saw her over my shoulder once at the theatre. Why were you in the theatre with her, anyway?"
"Lady Artberry invited me."
Hubert slaps Lancer on the back in disbelief.
"And you took that as a favour? Why do you go about playing with a girl's mind like that? You're sick. You said Skyla was your favourite when you were growing up, and now you're playing both sides of the fence?"
Of course, Hubert only says this to tease Lancer.
But Lancer doesn't get the joke. "No. I like Skyla."
At this serious declaration, Hubert bursts out laughing. "Eh, okay. It's no secret that you have a crush on Skyla…. You haven't even kissed her."
Snap.
A sudden sharp sound comes from across the table.
"Ah."
The noise was made by the fork I was holding, falling onto my plate.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to...."
I quickly pick up my dropped fork.
Hubert is just as flustered as I am. "No, no! It's okay, Skyla. But why are you… so red in the face?"
"It's nothing."
"Are you sure it's nothing? Your hands are shaking."
"...." I stay speechless and stab my ravioli with my fork. I can't do anything but shovel the food into my mouth.
"Uh...." At my unanswered question, Hubert's face grows impassive and cold.
‘What's with this awkward silence? And why is Skyla blushing?!’
My complexion turns pale instantly. Damn it, why am I so nervous!
I'm afraid that if I keep this up, Hubert will start to suspect my relationship with Lancer.
Say something, Lancer!
I chug down the water and send a distress signal to Lancer.
But it's a poor choice. After making eye contact with me, Lancer immediately grabs my hand.
Huh?
Panicking, I don't even react. All I can do is feel the warmth of his hand wrap around my cold one.
He squeezes my hand once, firmly.
"I told you, Brother."
His grip on my hand tightens, and Lancer speaks slowly to Hubert.
"I like Skyla."
"...."
A chilling silence falls over the table.
I stand frozen, while Hubert looks as stunned as a man who has been beaten repeatedly over the back of the head with a stick.
"...Lancer, can you go outside for a minute?" After a long moment, Hubert's gaping mouth slowly forms a proper sentence.
"Why should I go outside?"
"I don't know. I don't care if you're going to the bathroom or anywhere else, just get out of here."
At Hubert's reply, Lancer turns his head toward me. He seems to be waiting for my opinion.
"...Do as he says and go away for a while," I mutter to Lancer, barely able to keep my mouth open.
Lancer nods. "Okay. I'll be back in about ten minutes."
With that, he stands up and goes ahead, leaving me and Hubert behind.
"...."
"...."
An awkward silence trickles between me and Hubert as we remain in the room.
A sigh escapes Hubert's lips. He swiped a hand over his face before rolling up the sleeve of his shirt again.
"...Since when?" He asks after watching me for a while.
"Today."
"Took you long enough. How did it happen?"
"By accident.”
"I'll be damned." Hubert lifts his glass and swallows the water inside. "Skyla, since it's just you and me here now, I'm going to be straightforward."
"Go ahead."
"And just so you know, I think of you like a little sister, so don't be offended. Okay?"
"Okay."
Accepting my answer, Hubert lets out a long sigh. "I thought you were interested in His Highness the Crown Prince?"
"....."
That's the reaction I expect. People have been thinking I have something with the Crown Prince. But then here comes Lancer out of nowhere.
After a pause, unsure of how to explain the situation, I decide to go through it slowly rather than rush into it.
"I'm interested in His Highness the Crown Prince, yes, but I'm not in love with him in that way."
Of course, I don't tell the whole truth. My contractual engagement with the Crown Prince is a classified secret. As a noble, I have no intention of divulging this arrangement.
"Sooner or later, His Highness will propose to you," Hubert replies.
I know all about the engagement, of course, as it has been discussed with the Crown Prince beforehand, but I decide to feign a little surprise.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well, as you know, my mother— I mean, the Duchess of Soli is a member of Her Majesty's entourage. Her Majesty has her eye on you."
I've already reached the Empress's ears. At this rate, it's only a matter of time before the Crown Prince formally proposes to me.
"What would you do if His Highness the Crown Prince asked you to marry him?"
The answer is obvious. I'm still bound by my contract, so I'm going to be forced to marry him.
There's no other way. I've come too far to ask to break the contract.
My head is spinning with all sorts of thoughts.
"Think about it, Skyla." After a moment of hesitation, Hubert says cautiously. "I know you and Lancer have been exceptionally close since childhood, and to be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if you two were to marry the day after tomorrow, but… Lancer is an archmage."
An archmage.
That one word stuck in my mind again.
Lancer is no ordinary man, but an archmage. The reminder slaps me again, just when I think I've forgotten.
"I know…."
"That's good." Hubert cups his chin with one hand, the other hand holding an already empty glass. "I wish you both the best, so think about it, and I'll keep your relationship a secret for now."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome. It's the right thing to do. By the way, when Lancer comes in later, act like we didn't say any of this, okay?" Hubert smirks and holds out a hand to me.
"Very well." I clasp his hand, my nervousness completely gone.
* * *
The day of Princess Julia's birthday party arrived.
I've been at the Duke of Soli's mansion since early morning, giving Lancer a refresher course in imperial etiquette.
"What was the first thing to do at the party?"
"Greet the Emperor and Empress."
"And how do you present a gift to the Princess?"
"Firstly, congratulate her on her birthday, bow and make a courtesy gesture, then announce that I have a birthday present for her, and if she wishes to see it, hand it to her immediately."
"How should you greet the nobles you meet at a party?"
"Tell them it's a pleasure to meet them, and if they don't seem to recognise me, I'll introduce myself."
"Good."
At his confident responses, I give Lancer a thumbs-up.
"You memorize well. And don't forget to say hello to His Highness the Crown Prince. Understood?”
“….”
"Why aren't you answering?"
"...I'll do it if I remember," Lancer mutters bitterly.