May I Ask For One Final Thing? Chapter 1.5
Mistakes Were Made Translations did a teaser of the first chapter and it got my heart pumping. There's a teaser of chapter 2 at the end of 1.1 in the raws and then 1.2 continued from the end of the teaser so I guess this could be considered 1.15.
Chapter 2: Are you ready, you thieving cat?
I, Scarlet el Vandimion, have lost control of my emotions. Terenezza and the Idiot Prince have enraged me beyond endurance. In order to convey the full extent of my anger, however, it's necessary to take a short trip back in time.
In the Kingdom of Pallistan, it's traditional for n.o.ble children to make their social debut as early as possible. Most of them have learned sufficient etiquette so as not to embarra.s.s their family by the age of six, at which point they start attending banquets.
However I, who was called a mad dog, ended up making my debut later than all my peers. I was seven years old when I went to a party for the first time, chaperoned by my father.
Looking up, you could see sparkling chandeliers dotting the ceiling. Gentlemen wearing tailored suits and ladies draped in gorgeous dresses drifted through the room, mingling. The constant exchange of words rose above the soft music like a low buzz. A beautiful woman inclined her head in my direction, flashing an encouraging smile before concealing her painted lips with a delicate fan. She, along with many others, held a gla.s.s of wine.
Such a dazzling world was too much for my inexperienced eyes and I became intoxicated by the atmosphere. I was taking a break in a corner of the hall when a boy of similar age came up to me and spoke without prompting.
"Hey, are you Scarlet?"
His bright brown hair was cut short and arranged neatly. His clothes were of fine quality but somehow the appearance was still bad. Looking at him, I had the overall impression that the boy was extremely unpolished (in manners, if nothing else).
Regardless, I would be mercilessly beaten by my tutor if I didn't act like a delicate maiden in front of an unknown party. As taught, I smiled and pinched the hem of my skirt as I dipped into a curtsey, mentally thanking my tutor for all her hard work.
"Yes, I am the daughter of the Duke of Vandimion, Scarlet el Vandimion."
The boy who received my long-practiced greeting squeezed the bridge of his nose and sighed as if he found the whole affair ridiculously dull. The next second, he spoke again.
"You're stupid."
"……What?"
A bit overwhelmed by the suddenness of the insult, it took a moment for my mind to catch up to my mouth. Did he really just say I was stupid? Me? Why?
"I asked if you were Scarlet, so you could have just said, 'yes.' No one told you to introduce yourself."
It's true that conversations can end prematurely if one party says too much and sometimes it's better to summarize, but for a first meeting… it lacks a certain propriety.
I wonder how low this boy's house is that he doesn't understand such a simple thing. Furthermore, to be so plainly rude to me, a Duke's daughter, is unthinkable in society. Demonstrating his lack of decorum even further, the boy went so far as to point at my chest.
"You. You are my companion from today onwards."
Haaah?
It seems I cannot hold my tongue anymore.
"Don't be silly. Who's going to be the companion of a rude child like you?"
"What's that? The daughter of a Duke is being sa.s.sy!"
"Why are you saying it that way? Like your family is so much better?"
"My house is the kingdom itself!"
I'm stunned. The meaning of your words is not at all clear. Do you know?
"I cannot keep up with you. Goodbye."
"Wait! Are you running away?!"
I was nearing my limit, tolerating this rude boy who followed me, shouting in a loud voice. Looking back at the whole incident, I want to applaud myself for not physically shutting down when faced with that much concentrated stupidity.
And, of course, a child who was making so much noise at a party like this would draw attention.
My father, perhaps seeing that I felt trapped, approached at a brisk walk. I did not hesitate to run to him and hide behind his large form. Saved!
"Father!"
"What's wrong, Scarlet? What's the problem?"
"A weird kid has been bothering me for a while. Please take care of it."
He looked at the boy who was still chasing me. My father's face was naturally harsh, accentuated by a neat beard and dark brows. His expression took on a stern cast. Thank you very much!
Unexpectedly, he then turned that strictness on me.
"Scarlet. You must not be rude to that person."
"Hmm…..?"
It's puzzling that my father, who I thought would help, would reject me like this. I c.o.c.ked my head, certain that I would receive an explanation shortly.
"That person is His Highness Kyle von Pallistan. He is the second prince of our country and your fiancée."