CH 30

Do What You Want To Do

[Yes.] 

Kyrie closed her mouth as she tried to find words while Nathaniel looked down on her with a relaxed expression 

[My dear clever Kyrie Buchunan, I forgot to mention that I cast a spell so people around us won’t be able to hear us.]

“Oh, I wish you had told me sooner. If you’d allow me, I’d like to say that you’re quite ridiculous. Were people from Sel 540 years so rude as to eavesdrop?”

Nathaniel burst into laughter at the sarcasm that popped out immediately after he said he blocked the sound.

[Just sitting there indifferently while listening to all that gossip makes me wonder if you’re really clever. In Sel, 540 years ago, idiots used to be stoned in ballrooms.] 

(PR/N: ‘stoned’ means a verb for having stones thrown at you. Stone throwing, assault by being hit by a stone )

She bit her lip.

[You jumped in front of a sword to save that foolish Vermont’s life, insisted on helping with the avalanche problem which wasn’t your duty, and even said you would sacrifice yourself for the royal family. But a moment ago, you acted like a toothless dog.]

Despite his bitter, light-hearted tone, it appeared as though Nathaniel was actually angry about something. Though, she could be mistaken.  

Kyrie lifted her chin up as she leaned back.

“But I was dealing with the crown prince and future crown princess. After assessing the situation carefully, I came to the conclusion that silence was the best option.”

[Aren’t you the woman who flaunted my name so proudly in front of Vermont? Do you think I’m no match against the royal family?]

“I can’t just use your name to protect myself every time. That time… you’re right. It’s my mistake. I lost my temper.”

In an attempt to not interrupt their dance, she lowered her eyes and apologized. Nathaniel narrowed his eyes and remained silent, wondering what was bothering her.

Nathaniel danced better than any other dance partner Kyrie had ever been with. Each step he took made it seem like the floor was made of ice. His lead was all precise, clear and graceful. 

“How, it’s such a perfect dance…”

“Oh my goodness, it’s the Legendary Lord! The other day a palace official told me about a similar rumour and I was skeptical, but it seems to be true…!”

“Then from now on, Kyrie Buchanan…?”

As soon as someone mentioned Kyrie’s name, the atmosphere around them suddenly changed.

“I thought she was so unfortunate just a moment ago!”

“That’s right. Of course I couldn’t say that aloud, but I thought so too, did you ever think Miss Buchanan, the fiancé chosen specifically by His Royal Highness, would have done such a thing?”

“By the way, if he really is the Legendary Lord, he’s in a position where he should be given the land he was promised, right?”

Everyone’s eyes lit up.

After the founder, Vallabriga Orwenbridge, defeated The End, he divided the continent into three equal parts and shared it between him, the Legendary Lord, and the Patriotic Lord. 

However, when the Legendary Lord returned from battle, he was already in a comatose state. So, Vallabriga said he would take care of his estate and territory until he returned.

Vallabriga had never thought the Legendary Lord would actually come back.

However, the Legendary Lord was back.

“Will the royal family really return it?”

“How could they not? From the looks of it, he seems to be as strong as the Patriotic Lord.”

“Then, it’s good that he and Miss Buchanan annulled their engagement. I can’t believe Miss Cassner acted all happy and overjoyed- oh, excuse my rudeness.”

“Haha…”

The gossiping of the people was blatant. Kyrie looked sideways at Rubinia Cassner and Prince Eden who were staring at her with a blushing red faces. 

At that moment, Nathaniel took a deliberately off beat step which made Kyrie turn her head.

[Are you unhappy about the fact that I am the ‘Legendary Lord’?]

“I had guessed to some extent.”

[You’re trying to be the clever Kyrie again.]

“…….” 

[Kyrie.]

She averted her gaze as he called out her name in a low voice.

[Why are you avoiding my gaze?]

Kyrie clamped her mouth shut like a clam shell. Instead she looked at their intertwined hands. Nathaniel’s long, pretty fingers, with their neat nails, covered her hand. Nathaniel squeezed her hand as if encouraging her to answer.

[Kyrie Buchanan.]

“Because I thought something like this would happen.”

[Like this?]

Kyrie stared into the deep blue eyes that looked down at her before demurely looking away.

“I’m not as strong-willed. Or as elegant and majestic as you are, so when you showed up to help me in a moment I least expected…”

Kyrie’s breath trembled. The waltz was reaching its climax. Kyrie wanted her weak words to be buried between the notes, which sounded like the wind.

“… I’m afraid I’ll start relying on you without realising it.”

Nathaniel gave a mysterious smile that Kyrie could not understand. Fortunately, he did not seem to be against it. Rather, his smile seemed genuine.

[Everyone relies on me. Even Vallabriga asked me to ‘help him found the country.”]

“It’s not that kind of weakness. You said you hate things that aren’t dignified, and to be honest I can’t keep up with your dignity. You saw that, didn’t you?”

Kyrie whispered darkly. She remembered the day she was beaten by Count Cesar and left the study. She was still ashamed that Nathaniel had seen it. Nathaniel did not really comfort her nor did he blame her.

[Then why didn’t you just tell him ‘this is the end’ earlier?]

“Why would I?”

[You want to hide yourself so badly that you can’t enjoy being denied by your father in public.]

“People enjoy something that?”

[Indeed.]

“I promised to hide it. Otherwise they might take advantage of me.”

Nathaniel smiled bitterly. It seemed to be the first time he had ever expressed displeasure.

[It was going to be revealed anyway.]

Kyrie frowned weakly. She didn’t know if she could say what she had in mind. He might throw ice on her head for being cheeky.

But today, Nathaniel’s blue eyes were undeniably clear like a lake formed in winter. The music was sweet, and the skin that touched her was warm. A strong and reliable force was felt from the hands on her back. And he was looking directly at her.

Kyrie hesitated before opening her mouth.

“Even so, I didn’t want to make you feel like you were being betrayed again.”

[Why?]

Nathaniel’s hand tensed and his smile disappeared. When his smile disappeared, his face became terrifyingly cold, but for some reason, Kyrie wasn’t afraid of him.

Kyrie smiled.

“…because I thought it would make you sadl.”

The dance stopped.

Nathaniel stopped in the middle of the ballroom and lowered his hands. The instrumentalists ceased playing the melody and their instruments let out a discordant shrill. Snowflakes began to float down over the ballroom like it was raining flowers. 

Nathaniel did not mind and only stared at Kyrie. Kyrie accepted his clear, serene gaze wholeheartedly.

[You’re the stupidest human I know.]

“That’s very rude.”

[Vallabriga said he wanted me to help him found the country, Leschaux asked me for power beyond any human capacity, but you… haven’t asked for anything.]

“You make it sound like people have only ever wanted to use you.”

[Is that wrong?]

Kyrie stared at Nathaniel.

Even as he told her this, he didn’t seem to think there was anything wrong with it. She turned to look at Leschaux with displeasure. What the hell did they do 540 years ago? Leschaux looked back at her with anxious eyes. Kyrie smiled at Leschaux before turning her gaze back to Nathaniel.

“Then, may I also ask you for something?”

[Tell me.]

“Do what you want to do. That’s all I ask for.”

Nathaniel tilted his head to the side, his expressionless face appeared somewhat dangerous from this new angle. 

[What do you think I would do? I could kill everyone right now with the flick of a finger.]

“If you’d allow me, I’d like to say that you are the stupidest person I know. Didn’t I say it already?”

Kyrie looked around. Even though everyone was obviously curious about their conversation, their gazes did not bother her at all. 

Even the greedy gaze of her father didn’t bother her. The presence in front of her did not even feel so distant. She slowly held out her hand to Nathaniel and grinned.

“I don’t think you’re that kind of person. That’s what I believe.”

The snow stopped falling.

Nathaniel whispered.

Something he wanted to do.