Red Tape

“We came out because I was worried that something was wrong with the food… I am sorry, but I overheard your conversation.”

Erwin looked as if he might collapse at any moment. Liam grabbed him by the waist to keep him from staggering.

“I… .”

Will they going to blame me? Will they going to criticize me? Will he going to yell at me to get out of this house right now?

However, all of Erwin’s expectations were wrong.

“It’s not your fault, Young Duke.”

Erwin, who had turned pale, looked at the Viscount coming close to him in front of his  nose with his eyes shaking anxiously.

The memory of Francis was weighing on Erwin’s soul like sin. He couldn’t escape it even when he fled from reality and hid in the water.

“The child kept saying that Saint-Bernoulli was too much for him. He missed home. We should have known that something was wrong just by the fact that he was writing letters so often. But… .”

The Viscountess, standing behind the Viscount, wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. For them, too, the grief of losing their son lingered, like a fresh scar.

“We always replied, how proud we are of him. In the Empire, let alone this small town, going to Saint-Bernoulli is almost a miracle.”

That was the truth. In Saint-Bernoulli, where nobles from all over the world gathered, the successor of the Viscount was of a fairly low class. In fact, there were some who looked down on Francis for that reason.

The Viscount continued.

“There is an old saying that ‘riches come from rags.’ That was exactly what happened to our child. He was able to get into a foreign school with great difficulty and made a connection with a high-ranking official there… He must have had a hard time because he had only been attending a public school.”

“…”

“We hoped he would graduate from that school. So… We may have suppressed him under the guise of encouragement.”

Erwin, who had no idea of Francis’s true circumstances, felt even more guilty. It is because he had secretly envied him for receiving a lot of love from his family while reading the thick letters he received every week.

“I was worried that he would be ignored by the prince and other great families and not be able to make a single friend. But then he boasted about making the Duke of Calliwell’s heir his friend.

Erwin’s eyes, which had seemed to be drying up, began to wet again.

“He said Lord Erwin is a model of nobility. With honey-like hair and blue eyes. He is a great person with discernment, kindness, and impeccable manners… . You could tell just by reading the letter. Francis really liked the Young Duke.”

The tears that had finally gathered ran down his cheeks. Viscount Alfred Hervey’s wrinkled eyes also became moist as he continued to speak with a regretful expression.

“Becoming the Young Duke’s friend was his pride. The reason we sent the invitation was also because we wanted to meet you  at least once. I did not expect you to come.”

“Sob… .”

Erwin covered his mouth with his hand as the tears finally burst out.

“What does it mean that you came all the way here… and that you remember even the little memories of our child?”

The countess, who had come to her husband’s side, grabbed Erwin’s hand.It’s against etiquette to touch the body of a superior without permission.

However, all Erwin feels is that her hand is  warm.

“Besides, you knew Ayla’s name before she introduced herself.”

I didn’t remember. Everything was so sudden and embarrassing.

“Thank you.” The Viscountess smiled warmly as she spoke.

Suddenly, Erwin felt a sense of alienation, as if he had come to another world. He felt a sense of doubt, wondering if he could be forgiven so easily, but he also felt an undeniable sense of relief.

The Viscountess took Erwin’s hand, who was blinking his wet eyes blankly, and patted the back of his hand.

“The ball is just around the corner. Isn’t this a time for fun?”

The Viscount, standing next to his wife, who was speaking affectionately to Erwin, attempted to cheer him up as well.

“I will send an urgent letter to my acquaintances’ homes and spread the rumor that the Duke of Caliwell has brought a tall friend.

Only then was Erwin able to smile a little.

It is great news for the host that the nobles bring their relatives or acquaintances to the ball because it raises the ball’s status.

“By the way, did you two find the masks to wear today?”

“No, not yet.”

“We have a lot, so I will send them to you through the butler.”

“Thank you.”

After the Viscount and his wife, who had successfully resolved the gloomy atmosphere, entered the mansion, Erwin remained there for a long time. Looking at the garden where Francis probably enjoyed dinner with his family.

“Uh…”

He let out a long sigh, as if his breathing had been choked.

He still felt guilty, but he felt somewhat relieved.

It felt like the burden that had been weighing on his shoulders had been lifted, and a knot in a complicated tangle had been untied.

Liam’s expression became relieved as he looked at Erwin, who was comfortably slumping his shoulders.

Liam felt something with his animalistic instincts. And such intuitions that came suddenly were almost always right.

The young master would never wake up from his sleep again.

The red string that connected their wrists had now exhausted its usefulness and would no longer be useful.

***

The Viscount’s mansion is decorated with various colorful lights. The feast of lights that illuminate the darkness is enchantingly splendid, and the band’s performance is exciting.

People dressed up for the once-a-year ball filled the banquet hall of the Viscount Hervey. There are nobles from humble families, as well as wealthy merchants from gentry and some from the commoners.

Erwin was also dressed up for the ball. He wore a high-collared white shirt with a lilac-colored gray satin waistcoat and a dark blue jacket over it. His boots under his cream trousers sparkled without a trace of dust.

When the two people wearing the masks the Viscount had prepared entered the ballroom, the crowd parted like the Red Sea.

News quickly spread that the heir of the Northern Caliwell family will be attending the ball with a friend from abroad, and all the young ladies in the neighborhood are dressed up in lace and feathers dresses. Curious eyes sparkled above their fluttering fan.

Whatever it is, reality is often more bland and disappointing than rumors. But this time is an exception.

People were impressed by the two men standing next to each other for different reasons.

The men are amazed by Liam’s tall stature and extraordinary physique, and the women cheer silently at Erwin’s beauty that can not be hidden even with his mask.

“Many thanks to everyone who came to Baden Hall.”

The ball began with the Viscount’s welcoming speech. Each man found a partner and the dancing began.

Erwin took a step back and pushed Liam’s back. The basic rule is to dance two songs with one partner, and since there seemed to be a shortage of men today, Liam might have to dance all night.

Originally, it was his job, but Erwin, who had passed the responsibility on to Liam, walked around the ballroom with lighter steps than ever.

The ball is very interesting to experience as an observer rather than as the main character.

I could hear the young ladies talking behind their fan.

“Is that the Young duke? The tall one with the black hair?”

“I think so. I heard that he is good at waltzing, and it really is.”

“This ball was a great success. I heard that Lord Fitz Herbert came too. The Viscountess had a nice expression.”

In the capital, I had to suffer from the gazes of people just walking down the street, but here, no one knows who I am.

The thrill made his body shiver.

The balls he had attended so far were always the same. He greeted people who didn’t care and chatted about meaningless things. But beneath the surface, they were busy criticizing each other and gossiping endlessly.

But it is different here. Those who covered their faces with masks looked really happy. It seems like their only purpose is to enjoy the night.

There was a round of applause, and the rhythm of the song quickened. People started dancing in groups of four.

Erwin drank cider and champagne one glass at a time while watching the people dancing. At some point, he started smiling on his own and his face turned red.

He put his glass down on the beverage table at the edge of the banquet hall and turned around, but he saw Liam approaching him. Erwin approached him cheerfully and grabbed his arm.

“This is really fun. Isn’t it?”

“I’m glad you’re having fun.”

“Uh…?”

Erwin let go of the hand he was holding at the unfamiliar voice and took a step back.

Only then does he see that the masked man has black hair mixed with white hair here and there. Upon closer inspection, the shape of the mask he is wearing is a little different from Liam’s. I got them mixed up because they are both about the same height and wear the same black clothes.

“I’m sorry. I mistook you for someone else.”

“I see.”

“Have a good time.”

Erwin blushed and turned around, and after walking around the banquet hall a little, he finally found the real Liam.

Was it because I was drunk? I made an embarrassing mistake that I could not reveal to others, but I laughed. Erwin, who grabbed Liam’s sleeve, burst into laughter.

“What should I do? I think I’m drunk.”

Liam looked in with a worried face. His face under the mask made of white feathers is redder than usual, and his breath smelled like sweet apple wine.

“Would you like to go out and get some fresh air?”

“Yeah.”

Liam places his palm on Erwin’s back as if he is escorting him.

Erwin chuckled as he stumbled out of the hall. Liam wrapped his arms around his waist, as if to support him, looking uneasy.

Erwin thinks that his drunken, disheveled appearance is just like Archibald. But he doesn’t hate it.

The arms around his waist are as strong as iron, and he is confident that he will never be hurt in them.

Erwin had never felt this kind of stability in his life.

Should I use the alcohol as an excuse to suggest that we run away together?

And If he says no, just say that it was a joke.