Chapter 14: Visitation.

Reading Settings

Translated and Edited by: luccayn.
Enjoy!

---

And so, it was finally the day of the visitation.

Since she had stayed at the Marquise’s villa the day before, I could take my time and wait for her arrival. Rein would also be staying with me, so I didn't have to worry about having anyone to talk to in the meantime, and I felt more comfortable just talking to him.

They gave me news of her arrival while I was playing board games with him. I had finished my breakfast long ago, drinking after-dinner tea, and having time to spare. Lulu had arrived much later than the appointed time, but that's her thing; she kept me waiting as she always has. I remember I used to think this was normal, and that I should've been happy just to be able to see her, so I didn't mind back then. Now, however, I feel offended that the person who wished to see me was unfashionably late, as it was insane.

As I was once again reflecting on myself and the popular phrase, ‘love is blind,' Rein, who sat right across me, muttered with a straight face, “Should we transfer her now and call it a day?” I calmed him down, but he laughed and said he was joking… His eyes were uncannily serious, though.

We each headed for our respective rooms with different routines. He had his attendants with him, and I had the squires. A guide told me Lulu was in a rather chirpy mood, as she was probably shown the room before me. The villa of the marquise had a noble exterior and interior, with baronial furniture of the highest quality. The place was as clean as it could be, leaving me with the certainty whichever servants managed it were the crème de la crème.

Since she was guided to such a lavish room, she was buoyed up as she always has been toward the aristocratic, coupled with the fact it had been a while since she had left her room.

As arranged, Rein was waiting for the meeting in that special room just beside this one. Before I went in, however, I stopped by the thin room's door. I then took deep breaths in preparation and finally opened my way inside to see my squires and Lulu waiting for me.

“You're late. What are you doing, keeping me waiting here, huh?”

These were the words she threw at me as soon as I stepped inside the room. She didn't even say hello or anything, instead sitting in her chair without the slightest intention of getting up to greet me. Her eyes landed on me for only a few seconds, before she turned her head away without making another second of eye contact with me.

I stopped and looked at Lulu. Her golden hair, usually tied up in the neatest regal bun, was instead down. She also had only a single wooden barrette carved with what looked like a plant. Despite wearing a dress, it was a simple peach-colored piece, unlike all the glam she would don herself in. The starry necklace she used to wear was now only a single small emerald on a thing golden base. If one were to judge her status based on appearance alone, she looked like the daughter of a slightly wealthy merchant.

I sighed a deep breath on the spot—again—and walked slowly to my chair right across from her. Two of my squires stood by my side and the third right behind me against the wall.

“…It's been a while,” I called out to her, to which she sighed heavily.

“You should apologize to me first, right?”

“What for?”

“Are you even going to make me explain it myself? How inconsiderate. He would have understood right away and not kept me waiting. Hmph.”

Lulu had often compared me to him, saying she liked him better, and always put me down because of it. I'd always wondered what man she was referring to since she had many lovers. As they differed from period to period, I couldn't be sure without a name.

In the past, I'd always tried to be as good as whoever that guy was, but in the end, in her mind, he would always be better than me in every way, and I would always the the ‘bad guy who didn't care.'

“Seems I have no choice,” she sighed. “I went out of my way to meet you. It's only natural you should apologize for keeping me waiting.”

—Ah, Lulu hadn't changed one bit after everything that's happened.

It is I, Lulu, who should be prioritized over everything else.
It is I, Lulu, who needs to be wanted over everyone else.
It is I, Lulu, who is right over anyone else.

She always truly believed the world was made for her, and that it would always look upon her with love.

---

Thank you for reading! Feel free to comment your opinions below!

Also, if you enjoyed my translation and would like to feed my caffeine addiction, click on the button below and graciously give me my fix—I mean, a cup of coffee.