The Princess is Going on Strike - Chapter 16
Chapter 16
[Slap!]
My ears rang loudly, my head was spinning, and I could feel my cheeks tingle in pain. It took me a moment to realize what had just happened.
Ah, I just got slapped.
I saw that my mask had flown off and was on the floor.
“Ha, hahaha…. Kukukuk, come and look! Take a look at that ugly appearance! It’s a face full of blight fitting of a monster!”
I saw Oledin pointing his finger at me and calling me a monster between the strands of my hair which had fallen over my face. I thought that people would finally see my face without my mask on when a soft cloth suddenly covered my head. I turned my gaze to see Ethan calmly covering me from the eyes of the people around. At the same time, the Crown Prince picked up my mask from the floor and handed it to me. I slowly put the mask back on while silently being protected by the two and pulled the string to secure it on my face.
“It seems that the monster is not me…. But you.”
I stared coldly at the man who couldn’t control himself.
“Father.”
Silence fell throughout the hall. The violent chaos made people freeze as it was shocking to know that such an incident would occur in a banquet hosted by the imperial family. To think that the head of one of the nation’s founding families would speak ill and point fingers at the Crown Prince. Moreover, Oledin’s behavior was normally upright and not overbearing, thus the repercussions this time were even greater. He may have been a bit embarrassing in the parties of the past, but it was never as ugly as this. Not everything was forgiven for the excuse of being drunk. Despite being stopped and warned by the Crown Prince just moments before, Oledin had slapped and laughed at his daughter in front of everyone there. Duchess Lorraine watched the scene from afar, dumbfounded. Soon, whispers spread throughout the banquet hall. Oledin didn’t speak a word and only stood there with a dazed look. I opened my mouth to speak.
“You must be quite happy right now. You have always wanted to be the center of attention, thus you must be thrilled to have achieved this. I, on the other hand, do not want this kind of attention.”
My mask had cracked around one of the eye holes from Oledin’s slap earlier, and several of the fragments fell to the floor. It caused the space to become larger and gave me a wider view of the scene in front of me. But this also meant that others were able to see my eye more clearly. The color, which resembled blood, caused Oledin to flinch and step back.
“What are you so upset about now? I do not understand why it is so important to show my face to others.”
I rolled my eyes as I spoke. I faced the people around me and saw them flinch and try to avoid my gaze as I laughed inwardly. Oledin took a look around the strange situation as he slowly started to sober up. He then realized what he had done and hurriedly spoke.
“Th-those eyes!”
Eyes?
I tilted my head as Oledin continued.
“Take a look at her eyes! Aren’t they the eyes of the devil? How many people do you think would have bloody eyes like these? Have you all seen them before? Have you?!”
He screamed like a person insane as I pressed my mask against my face.
So unsightly…..
Oledin’s behavior was very out of place for a duke and was most vulgar and trashy.
Did he want to insult his daughter that much?
“That’s right, those eyes. Those unlucky red eyes are the problem. Everyone, take a look. They are the symbol of a monster, something that belonged to the devil. Look, look!”
His vigorous clapping and waving movements of his hands were behaviors that were far from a dignified nobleman. They more suited the clownish acts he displayed at the gambling houses he enjoyed to attend every day. I took a step back when Oledin turned towards me and scrunched his face.
“Where do you think you’re going?! Show them your face! Come here!”
Oledin shouted and took large strides towards me with his hands reaching forward. Most people didn’t want to get involved with the Ducal family’s affairs, thus they stood out of the way.
“…..”
Oledin stared blankly, and perhaps it was because of the light, but his brown eyes seemed to shine with a red tinge. His hand which had been reaching out at me was held firmly.
“That is quite enough.”
Oledin’s mouth gaped wide.
“If you take one more step then I won’t be able to guarantee that you will be unharmed.”
“Ha, what did you just say to me, right now?”
Oledin frowned and spoke as his arm was being held by Ethan. Ethan gave an expressionless nod and let go of the arm he was holding onto and stepped away from him. He then stepped forward once more causing Oledin to disappear from my sight. I looked up at him.
Did he do that on purpose?
Even the stares of the people in front had disappeared and my heart which had been beating frantically started to calm down and I was able to focus my mind once more. It was then I heard the voice from above my head.
“I’m sure you were told earlier that your actions would no longer be acceptable. That was your last warning.”
“Ha, warning? Who are you to warn me now?”
“Not from me, but from His Highness the Crown Prince. And the one who disregarded them was you, Duke Brixia. Not only did you ignore the Heir of the country, who you are supposed to serve, but you also spoke words of insult to him. Despite being the head of a founding family and having an important position in this country, this cannot be forgiven.”
“So, are you going to cut me down here?”
There was a growing buzz among the crowd. Duke Brixia had nothing to fear as this Empire couldn’t afford to abandon one of the greatest pillars which supported the military. Oledin was firmly convinced that the Brixia family couldn’t exist without him. But unfortunately, he was someone of no value. The Brixia family was known for having members of natural talent in military knowledge and business for generations. And they were specifically educated that way. But Oliden was incompentent. People just didn’t know about it.
Ethan listened to him in silence, sighed, and pulled out his sword. It was a thin blade which didn’t seem to suit him at all.
Is that a new sword he brought with him since he couldn’t lug around a larger one?
Ethan extended his arm forward and pointed the sword, which was thinner than his forearm, toward Oledin. It grew quiet.
“If that is what you desire.”
“…..”
“People describe you as a man who dearly loves his family and never forced his authority on others… but I see that isn’t necessarily true.”
Ethan peered back at me, blinked when our eyes met, then looked back at Oledin.
“Especially if you can make such a mockery of your own daught. Duke of Brixia, I will say this one last time. As you cannot seem to sober up from your drunken stupor, leave the banquet hall. If you continue to cause a disturbance, then I will cut you right here.”
“Ha, haha… d-did you all hear that? He said he was going to cut me! Cut me down! Look, look, look!”
No one knew what was so funny as Oledin giggled and tapped the shoulders of the people around him, then opened his eyes wide.
“Hey! I asked if you heard him?!”
Ethan shouted.
“Oledin Validore Brixia! If you raise your voice once more, I will cut your tongue off first.”
“Ha, haha…..”
Oledin started to grow increasingly despondent and looked around the crowd as the atmosphere grew awkward. Only then did his expression change as he started to sober up. Asterine and Verictus were nowhere to be seen as they had left without being noticed, and Duchess Lorraine and Beritha were frowning in shame. They knew they should’ve stopped the Duke, but it was already too late. It was as if seeing a long-term practice finally bearing fruit. Oledin rolled his eyes, realizing his way out, then left the halls through the banquet doors.
After watching his back disappear, the people turned their eyes back to Ethan as he slowly placed the new sword back into its sheath. He turned around slowly and looked at me. Raising his hand, he pointed to skin on my cheek which was visible through the cracked mask and said,
“You’re wounded. It seems you were scratched by his ring.”
Wounded?
After hearing him say so, I felt a slight stinging and something sticky on my skin. Ethen turned his head and asked someone.
“Do you mind if I use the lounge?”
“Do as you please.”
He was answered by the ash-gray haired man. Once the Crown Prince gave his consent, Ethan nodded, excused himself, and lowered his hands. That’s when I felt my body floating in the air.
“Uh, huh?!”
Wait, I didn’t injure my legs, so why are you carrying…..
Is what I wanted to say, but he spoke more quickly.
“You can stop trembling. It’s all over.”
It was then that I realized the state I was in. I finally loosened my fists which were clenched tight, and the blood started to rush in once more, causing my body to lose strength.
Regalius Tome: Hi, this is the two-man team of Jewlz and Eclise. We do all the translations and proofreading ourselves, and will do our best to stick to our schedule. Any amount of donations or words of encouragement are welcome! It also helps to motivate us!