Episode 8: Happy Birthday

It was the day of the birthday party.

All the servants were quite on edge, or rather, in a state of nervous excitement. They were desperately drilling the manual I created into their heads, ready to swiftly deal with any trouble that might arise.

As for me, I was reasonably nervous as well.

Well, with such an outrageous number of guests, there was no way I wouldn’t be on edge.

After all, a birthday party is a place for “socializing.”

There probably aren’t even half who come with purely good intentions to celebrate Eleanore.

Because it has political and social implications, we have to keep our antennas up to make sure no bad bugs get to the young lady.

I’ve been instructed by her father, Adalbert, regarding such matters.

Well, if only the content hadn’t been something quite unreasonable like:

“For now, decide based on your own judgment.”

Really, that man seems to overestimate a mere 10-year-old.

However, well, it also means he trusts me that much, so I have no choice but to do it.

Who’s good and who seems bad.

My ability to judge people will really be tested, but if it’s me who played through this world, this otome game thoroughly, I should definitely be able to do it.

Seeing through others’ true intentions is a piece of cake!! That’s what it means.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for gathering here today—“

Adalbert’s firm voice echoed throughout the venue.

Everyone’s eyes gathered toward him, and the noisy atmosphere gradually settled down.

“To celebrate the special day of my daughter, Eleanore—“

During this time, I glanced around at the people nearby, observing them. Of course, without being noticed.

It’s during quiet times like this, when people’s attention is directed elsewhere, that foolish people start doing foolish things.

I looked around with wide eyes to see if there was anything suspicious.

…And then.

(Hm?)

Suddenly, a certain person caught my eye.

It wasn’t particularly that they were suspicious or had any peculiar features.

A boy with tied blond hair, fair-skinned, tall, with a gentle expression. Next to him stood a boy who looked the same except with darker hair and slightly shorter stature.

Well-matched brothers you could find anywhere if you looked for them.

Looking at their glamorous decorations, or even without looking, you could tell they came here brought by their noble parents.

That’s all there was to these two. There was nothing worth noting, right? At least not at this place.

But somehow, it bothered me. The unease that formed in my head was stuck and wouldn’t come out.

It’s hard to explain in words what kind of feeling it was, but somehow, something remaining in my mind and those two seemed to match or not match…

If I got a little closer, I might understand something—

(…!)

Suddenly, my gaze locked with the taller boy with bright blond hair.

Noticing this, the shorter one also moved his eyes to look this way.

I involuntarily averted my gaze quickly in a random direction.

Untouched food came into view.

Did he notice…?

Well, even if he did, all I can do is apologize. It would be troublesome if I was suspected of something strange though.

Once more, I looked in their direction with just my eyes.

(Huh?)

The figures of those two boys were no longer there.

Thinking they might be hidden by someone’s shadow, I moved my gaze around a bit, but there was still no such silhouette.

Where did they go?

To disappear in that one instant…

Could they really have been suspicious people? If so, I’d like to applaud my detection abilities… but the unease I felt earlier doesn’t seem to be that kind of thing.

I suddenly stood up and tried to walk toward where those boys had been.

At that moment.

“Now then, the entrance of today’s star, Eleanore. Please behold her radiant appearance.”

The doors of the venue were thrown wide open.

Entering was, of course, today’s star.

Dressed in a brilliant dress so dazzling you’d think the phrase “gorgeous and magnificent” was born for this moment, yet through her natural hair color and coloring, she exuded refined elegance and even glamour—there stood the very person of Eleanore.

Currently standing slightly behind and to her right, she had mastered the etiquette Nanai-san taught her, and began walking down the red carpet while emanating refinement.

Originally, Nanai-san’s role was supposed to be mine, but since I ended up in a strange leader-like position, things turned out this way this time.

But I was feeling a bit regretful now, or rather, I envied Nanai-san’s position.

The current Eleanore was far too beautiful.

This was the first time I had the feeling that I could put her in my eye without it hurting.

Being entranced—that’s exactly what described me right now.

Apparently the other guests felt the same.

Although their applauding hands hadn’t stopped, men and women alike were all uniformly watching Eleanore’s walking figure with their mouths agape, as if nailed to the sight.

I wanted to say out loud, “That person is my master, and moreover, my friend,” but of course I didn’t do that.

The matter of those boys who bothered me had long since vanished from my head, and I was blankly gazing at her as she walked.

However, once again at that point, our eyes met.

This time, with Eleanore.

Immediately, the corners of her mouth rose faintly, and joy dwelt somewhere in her eyes.

It seemed I had unknowingly smiled as well, and I hurriedly corrected my expression while bowing.

Having finished walking and carrying herself with dignity, she already seemed like a fully accomplished count’s daughter.

Eleanore was amazing. She didn’t used to be so dignified and sparkling. Children really do grow in three years, huh.

I was peacefully immersed in such sentiments.

After various greetings and pleasantries were finished, the party finally began—or rather, the fun, fun entertainment started.

Using my game knowledge, I had arranged for this troupe.

Though they were still newcomers, their ability was already sufficient. I figured that when they made it big in the future, they might show us flexibility due to this connection.

Because of such things, though I hadn’t forgotten security and surveillance, I was strangely cheerful and excited.

But as if to bring me back down to earth, she came over to me.

“Arcs-kun.”

“…Nanai-san.”

Nanai-san, who came running over modestly, had a somewhat troubled expression.

“What’s wrong? You were supposed to be guarding Eleanore-sama, if you stray too far…”

“Um, about that…”

I wasn’t exactly blaming her, but when I pointed that out since she might get scolded later, she made her drooping eyebrows even more pronounced.

And then, she opened her mouth with a rather heavy tone.

“Could you take over guarding Eleanore-sama?”

…

“Eh??”

When I shifted my gaze toward Eleanore, her eyes were displaying dissatisfaction to a degree that probably only I would notice.