Half-Sister 5

Translater: Baobao
Proofreader: Dream

Chapter: 5 Reunion

Afterwards, people came approaching Sir Juno, one after another.

Most of them gathered out of curiosity, and only a few came with blatant hostility. Rather, the ladies were ecstatic, saying, "Sir Hart is surprisingly nice!", and the gentlemen were making a joke about the rumors, "I thought what kind of monster would come, but turns out he's just a nice man."

Even so, there were some people who still held prejudice against Sir Juno. Although sir Juno was a little offended, he didn’t pursue the matter further. 

As Sir Juno's face gradually turned pale, I decided that it was time to take a break and move to a less isolated area so he could take a breather.

"Why are they all dressed the same way? I can't tell them apart at all. Thanks to that, my head hurts!" He complained.

"That's what happens when there is a new trend. Don't fret, I remembered all of them."

Sir Juno, who covered his eyes with his hands, took a glance at me.

"You don't look tired…"

"Because I'm used to it."

"Is this something that you need to get used to?" He muttered with an unbelievable look.

Actually, if the young me saw me like this, I wonder if she would say the same thing. Why were you smiling so happily even though it was hard? Where did you get that kind of composure?

Though, I could answer it right now. I didn’t have any composure. I was doing it because I needed to.

So that I wouldn’t die, and so that I wouldn’t get kicked out, I had to smile and be lovable.

I only needed to think of those, or I wouldn’t make it.

"Will I ever be like that?"

One day...

Sir Juno would always let out a smile. He would try to please everyone even though he would hold different thoughts deep inside. And everywhere he went, he would act like those nobles.

"What should I do…"

"What kind of face is that?"

"What?"

I didn’t mean to lose my smile, but for some reason, Sir Juno turned his face away as if he was angry.

"Don't make such a sour face. I won't ever be like that!"

I was making a sour face? Me?

When I tried thinking about it, certainly, I might hate it.

I didn’t want Sir Juno to be like me.

I didn’t want him to be a superficial person who always put on a flimsy smile and tried to fit into others, just like myself.

But that was...

"No, that's too selfish. Sir Juno can do whatever he wants…"

"Still, I am your husband. I can listen to your wishes."

"As long as they're not too much," He added while closing his eyes.

"So, what kind of person do you want me to be?"

"... Just stay like this..."

"Is that so? No worries, then."

It was a short and blunt answer.

But somehow, it put my heart at ease.

When Sir Juno had recovered his energy, we headed to greet His Majesty the King. That day when I showed my disgraceful sight, His Majesty was present. I was sure that His Majesty had a bad impression of me.

When I realized it, I was already hiding behind sir Juno. As I knew that I shouldn't do that, I bit my lips gently.

I then proceeded to stand next to Sir Juno and faced the King.

"It's been a while, Your Majesty"

"Oh, you really came? I thought I would never see your face until you die, but you are married and even dressing up to come here…"

His Majesty, who was sitting on the throne looked like his usual self. Rather, he talked in a friendly way towards Sir Juno. I heard that he found Sir Juno helpful, but he seemed to favor Sir Juno more than I expected.

Before long, His Majesty's gentle face turned towards me.

"And your partner?"

"This is Lady Sophia, my wife"

"Thank you for inviting us toda…"

"Ah, you! You're the girl at that time!"

My body trembled in surprise. But, somehow I managed to maintain my face. Right now, I wasn’t the only one here. I couldn’t embarrass Sir Juno.

"Well… I am sorry for that time. That brat has caused you trouble."

"Ah… no… it was…"

I was bewildered as I received the words that I had never expected.

I mean, I thought he would mess me around by saying, "Oh! You are that bad woman who seduced my son!", Or coldly say, "You better don't show your face in front of me again".

However, His Majesty apologized and said, "That brat has caused you trouble."

'That brat' was the Crown Prince, right? How has  the Crown Prince caused me any trouble? How?

"Then, please excuse us Your Majesty."

"Alright. Come and show your grandchild's face some other time!"

"I will…"

Sir Juno pulled me away to leave the place, despite the fact that we barely finished our greetings. Even now, I still hadn’t caught up with my thoughts.

"Oh! Isn't it Lady Sophia?!"

The moment I heard that voice, I froze in fear.

The Crown Prince was waving his hand with a refreshing smile that was still the same as he always did.

"It's been a long time. Although it's not been that long… no, it's quite fast actually."

The Crown Prince came approaching with his Fiancé.

"You look rather fine. I was flustered when I heard that you are getting married to Sir Hart, but I hope you lived a comfortable life."

"...Thank… you, Your Highness..."

I stuttered a bit. I could even feel the gaze of the Lady who stood behind the Crown Prince. I knew that I needed to properly look at them when I gave my greetings, but I was so scared that I couldn't look up. How funny, was I always this cowardly?

The Crown Prince smiled towards me who was still frozen in place.

"It’s my fault. My brother made you do something awful in front of the masses, I deeply regret it."

"Ah… yes… I am really sorry about that"

"What are you saying? I am the one in the bad here. Bloody hell, it's hard to have such a rash younger brother. I gave up on him since he always tries to provoke me, but I ordered my aide to stick close to you to keep him in check. I'm sorry I didn't notice it right away, it made me scared."

The Crown Prince's aide. Certainly, he was sticking too close to me. I managed to dodge his advances, but I wouldn't be here if I didn't desperately avoid him back then.

But, why did he bring it up now?

“It's somehow nostalgic. Back then, there was nothing between us. But my brother who was suspicious of our relationship cooperated with your sister and put all the blame on you. Though, you did nothing wrong. I only had tea together with you, what's so shameful about that? And what adultery? I dare him to mock me too, that foolish brother of mine..."

What was the Crown Prince saying?  There were too many things I didn’t understand.

It's as if he said, "That was an unfortunate accident"

"What's with that face? You didn't do anything bad at all. Don't you get it? My brother used you. He is always so ambitious and scheming for my downfall, so he used you and your sister as his tools. What a terrible scheme. There was nothing between you and me, so actually if you objected immediately at that time, my brother would have given up."

That was just as if...

"But even I myself didn't expect that there would be someone who had the courage to kneel down in such a place…"

It was the Second Prince's scheme.

Both the Crown Prince and the Second Prince knew it.

The older sister convicted her younger sister, and the Crown Prince would deny it. With that, the Second Prince would also step back quietly.

It was supposed to be like that.

However, the younger sister accepted the conviction and pleaded guilty.

She also apologized as her older sister wished.

She completely fell for it.

I made things even worse.

Right now, I felt like I was going mad .

"Don't come closer."

The low menacing voice sounded close to my ears.

When I realized it, Sir Juno already pulled my body back.

"Oh, I didn't mean bad. I don't have any intention to stand against Sir Hart either. Lady Sophia, I apologize if I make you feel uncomfortable. I'm really sorry..."

I didn’t know when, but the Crown Prince was already so close that I could hear his breathing. He quickly stepped back, and smiled beautifully without any malice in it.

"Then, please excuse me for interrupting. Let's go, Leah.."

"Yeah."

The Crown Prince and Lady Leah slipped past us and walked away gracefully.

As Lady Leah passed by, she nimbly whispered to me.

"I feel sorry for you, but I ask you to give up. Because we are 'such' people."

I tried to look back, but Lady Leah and the Crown Prince walked away as if nothing happened. Not too long after, they disappear into the crowd. 

Whatever they said, today was the first time that I saw Sir Juno being this angry. Looking at his spiteful face, I became flustered.

"I'm sorry. I was so upset that I couldn’t even converse properly…"

"You don't need to talk with them. Just don't get involved with them again."

Sir Juno who sighed and lowered his gaze to me finally realized that his body was sticking close to me. He immediately moved his body away, and the warmth from his body instantly disappeared.

Somehow I felt a bit disappointed. But, I feel disgusted by myself for having such thoughts, so I averted my eyes from him.

Then, I saw a group of people come in and started to arrange musical instruments at the end of the room.

"It's almost dance time."

"Yeah…"

Just now, he replied in a reluctant voice which was completely different from earlier.

"Sir Juno has been practicing hard. So Sir Juno will do fine."

"Will you also be fine?"

"Yes…"

It took a while to answer, but I nodded firmly.

Now wasn’t the time to be upset. I needed to entrust my body to Sir Juno, support him, and tried to not overwhelm his movements. There was no time to be bound by my past mistakes.

A while later, a profound yet calming tune of music began to flow.

I once again let out a bright smile, and received his extended arm without a slight hesitation. Thus, we both headed to the dance floor.

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