Chapter 37

In the evening of the spring festival banquet, the blessing ended as the sun began to set.

Still, they had been singing for hours and were utterly exhausted.

She was so tired that she didn't even want to use her voice more than necessary.

Still, she had to attend the banquet as the guest of honor.

Perhaps she could get a little sleep on the way back in the carriage. As she thought this, she covered her head with a shawl.

Her complexion must be terrible.

To hide her face and warm her throat, she covered her eyes and nose, concealing her appearance.

If she could get a little sleep, she would feel much better.

As she stepped out of the tent, Lord Joshua looked startled.

"Are you all right, Arietty?"

I'm fine. I just need a little rest.

Without speaking, she nodded vigorously.

"You look exhausted," Margaret, the maid, answered for her.

"I'm sorry, I don't want to talk right now."

Lord Joshua frowned, as if deep in thought, but followed her to the carriage.

Are you going to ride with me?

You usually come on your beloved horse, don't you?

"I'm going to take the carriage back."

Oh. I was hoping to get some sleep.

But I couldn't refuse, so I signaled for him to get in first.

"Are you so tired that even talking is difficult?"

I'm sorry, that's right.

She nodded with a wry smile under the shawl.

"Yeah, I'm tired too. Singing really takes a lot out of you."

It does. It takes both physical and mental strength. So, I'd like to skip the evening party.

But, that's not possible, is it.

Ah, just thinking about meeting Lord and Lady Orsain again makes me feel down.

It reminds me of last year.

I need to recover my strength for when I have to perform again.

She pulled the shawl tighter over her head and closed her eyes, trying not to be seen by Lord Joshua, who was sitting in front of her.

It might be a bit rude to sleep at a time like this, but just closing my eyes should be fine.

"Margaret, switch seats with me."

Ah, I must have dozed off.

Lord Joshua switched places with the maid Margaret and sat next to her.

He immediately pulled her shoulder towards him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Sleep for a while."

It was warm.

Unable to resist the drowsiness, she fell asleep.

She had a dream.

The voices of young girls laughing and playing.

Snippets of conversations about the ball they had been invited to the night before.

It was probably Lady Alicia.

And her close friends.

Who invited them to the ball, how the dance went, and how they were supported by some young nobleman when they stumbled from drinking too much.

What dress they prepared for last night's ball, and which young nobleman had given it to them.

She listened to such conversations, wrapped in a shawl, in a dream from the past.

A few years ago, she had sung so much that her throat was sore, and she had wrapped herself in a shawl to protect it, sleeping in the carriage.

It must have been during a tour.

That was when she first heard the name Lord Joshua van Carving.

I had never seen such a wonderful person before. Lady Alicia's dreamy words about him lingered.

A border baroness isn't glamorous. Oh, I wouldn't want to be one. Even if the status is high, you can't stay in the capital. You have to go to the territory. If I were in her place, I would stay in the townhouse in the capital all year round. The countryside, with no decent theater, is so boring.

She listened to such disdainful conversations with a sigh.

Lady Alicia, who was being invited to dance by many young noblemen, was socializing even though she was a songstress.

While such songstresses were around, she continued to sing tirelessly.

Songstresses are popular at balls.

To meet a songstress who prays for the peace of the land and gives encouragement to the people, one must be introduced by someone or meet at a social event like a ball or tea party.

To attend such events, one needed a beautiful dress, jewelry, beauty, and education.

And an escort.

She had none of these.

Besides, she believed that a songstress's job was to bless, not to socialize.

How could they continue to sing and still maintain their beautiful voices?

How could they have enough energy left to attend balls?

I envy them.

Even as a songstress, they could attend balls gracefully.

Their singing talent, musical talent, and charm as women.

There are second fiddles because there are top performers. There are those who support the top performers, which makes them shine.

I always thought that was fine.

But love is different.

Being second best in love means nothing.

She was woken by a gentle shake.

"Are you all right? We've arrived at the castle. Can you walk?"

It seems she had slept soundly enough to dream.

He must have been supporting me the whole time.

Doing this again.

I'm making everyone misunderstand.

She cleared her throat.

Her throat moved a little. It seemed to be recovering.

"Thank you very much."

Ah, my voice is hoarse.

My throat isn't strong.

Lady Romelia can sing for a long time without straining her throat.

I don't have much talent as a songstress, yet I've managed to continue for ten years.

"I want you to rest, but I'm sorry. Can you attend the banquet?"

"Yes, I'm fine."

Lord Joshua escorted her out of the carriage.

He seemed to be escorting her all the way to her room, not letting go of her arm.

Can you please walk a bit slower?

Our leg lengths are different.

I'm already so tired, and my legs feel heavy. I can barely keep up with Lord Joshua's long strides. I followed silently.

He finally let her go when they reached her cottage.

"Arietty."

She looked up at the sound of her name and was greeted with a smile.

"I'm glad. Your complexion looks a bit better."

I must have looked really bad.

I'm aware of it.

During tours, I usually look like this in the evening.

"Please wear that hair ornament and the necklace."

Ah! That's right! I forgot to get my hair ornament back!

Since I haven't gotten it back, I only have the ones Lord Joshua donated to me recently.

"Tonight, I want to dance with you once."

Eh.

She frowned under the shawl, and Lord Joshua chuckled.

I told you I'm not good at it.

He knows I've never danced at a ball before.

"It's fine. Leave it to me."

"...You'll step on my feet."

She couldn't maintain her ladylike composure and replied with a pout.

"I'm looking forward to it."

You're so pushy.

Is this what he's like?

Last year, even as the guest of honor, he would have let me rest immediately.

I'm so tired. I need to eat my secret chocolate to get through this!