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Macoto Takahashi via Pinterest |
I had done this two already, and I wanted to prove you guys wrong about our ero-oyaji, heheheheh. All three are in place. Enjoy!
19 Moonlight Grass
Night 3
I was happy that General Brennan listened
to me, but as soon as I was showing him the necklace, the carriage rocked hard
and I was flying.
Heep!
I sounded like a smashed frog, but
I tried to swallow the sound. I need to ask mother how to scream in a lady like
manner when next I get the chance and I have to master it quickly!
But I didn’t hold on to anything.
I fell on something hard.
I could feel two hands on my waist,
solid.
A teasing unknown scent hit my
nose.
How refreshing. The smell of soap
and an earthy smell; like a green forest. (Zuben: He thinks your eyes are like
a forest, she thinks he smells like a forest. Made for each other TM!)
I looked up right into hazel eyes.
He looked a bit awkward. What a strong looking nose…I want to touch it.
‘Hmm?’
I was held by the General the moment
the carriage rocked and sent me flying. And now, I am sitting a half way onto
the General’s lap.
What is this miracle?
While trying to hold my balance, it
seems I wrapped my arms around the General’s neck. I quickly took my hands off,
and checked myself.
‘It’s a bit
unsteady.’ He said over my head, holding my waist closer and tighter as the
carriage rocked again.
‘Heek!’
Oh no! Not another strange scream?
Well he suddenly held unto my waist tight, it couldn’t be helped, right?
‘…’ was all the sound the general
made. He turned and I could see a blush across his face and ears.
A strange tension filled the air.
The carriage stopped, and the
coachman came over to the door.
‘I’m sorry, sir, we went over a few
stones. Are you alright?’
The General cleared his throat and
said, ‘We’re alright. You can continue.’
A little while the carriage rocked
gently as the coachman got on and we were on our way again.
I should get off the General’s knee
now, but, I felt like I couldn’t move or say anything. I was listening to the
carriage wheels rattle on the stone paved road.
But even the General doesn’t seem
to want to let me off. Letting me sit on his lap, didn’t his leg hurt, or numb?
I should get off soon,
‘General Brennan. I must be heavy.
I should sit down now.’
It isn’t a problem of lightness, it
was impolite to be sitting on someone’s lap and embarrassing.
However, General Brennan didn’t
seem to be bothered. I thought he would let me go,
‘You’re really
not heavy.’ He said looking down at me, it was nice that he finally looked at
me but he looked at me like he wanted was hungry for some…thing…but isn’t he
going to put me down?
‘It will not be good if you fell if
we run over another stone.’
But the General looked thoughtful
for a moment, then picked me up so I was sitting with my legs on the carriage
seat.
‘So my leg doesn’t get numb.’
His face was still a little red.
‘Yes…’ I replied in a mosquito like
voice.
There was no way I could argue.
20 Night of the Moonlight
Grass
I had been nervous sitting across
from the General in the carriage earlier. But now, I was sitting on his lap.
One hand held me at my back and his other hand held my left hand. It was
impossible to move. It couldn’t be helped. I had no choice but to try and relax
and unclench my butt cheeks. [1]
The places where his warm hands
rested were tingling. I wanted him to release me, yet I wanted his hands on me
still. I don’t know what to do; I’m so confused.
In addition, when he talks to me,
his deep voice causes tingles to run down my spine, and I get a sense of
frustration. (Zuben: Jump him!)
Honestly he takes my breath away. I
can’t bear it. No one can blame me. As a Lady, I cannot do anything
embarrassing in front of the General, but I think I will collapse.
With all the thoughts chasing each
other in my head, I peered at the General Volker, he had a smile on his face.
He looked like he was in a good mood I became hesitant about asking him to put
me down.
Maybe he liked to put children on
his knees? My mood plummeted at that thought. Did he really think of me as a
child? But when we first met he addressed me as Miss. Or is it because I was
his friend’s daughter? 『hekon』[1]
I guess
because he sees me as a child that’s why I can sit on his knees, but I cannot
say that he has treated me badly. (Zuben: He wants to eat your tofu!)
I sighed
inwardly.
As I tried to
shake off the negative thoughts, the carriage came to a stop.
The steward
came to the door, ‘We have arrived.’ He announced.
The general
carried me off his knees and put me on the seat. Because I was so nervous, my
bum had gotten a bit sweaty and sticky. The general, on the other hand, did not
look nervous at all. He got off the carriage and held a hand for me to come
down. Once I safely alighted, he tucked my hand in his elbow and escorted me
into the theatre.
Amazingly, I’m
already exhausted.
♢
The grand
foyer of the theatre was filled with people milling about. Gorgeously dresses
ladies and gentlemen chatted and mingled with each other. The scent of a
thousand perfumes filled the air. The theatre could be said to be a microcosm
of society. You could see new fashion trends, hear the latest rumours, and
learn the flow of societal leanings. So when father and mother came to the
play, it wasn’t just about the play.
When I entered
the foyer on the General’s arm, there was a noticeable drop in the din of
conversation before it started again. I could not enjoy the atmosphere, but I
gave a small smile.
You know my
hearing isn’t bad right, you person whispering about me over there, I thought
as we walked past. Most of the people who looked at me were looking rather
derisive, even though I was with General Brennan. (Zuben: gossip folks)
I’m sorry I
have put you in this uncomfortable situation, General.
I wish I could
go home, but I want to see the play. Yet, I don’t want to ruin General Brennan’s
reputation (Zuben: the little kitten wants to protect the bear. Cute!). So I
took a deep breath and began to say,
‘General
Brennan, I…’ but the general put his arm around my waist and pulled me closer,
‘Miss Fredericka,
is your throat dry?’ he asked, ‘Let’s have a drink at the bar before we go in,’
he said with that deep voice, I could only nod like a doll and let myself be
steered away.
The theatre’s
bar was a room with lovely décor; the ambient light was golden and dim. It had
an air of intimacy. Patrons sat close together in their booths speaking in low
tones. A pianist played a soft tune that did not intrude on the atmosphere.
I don’t drink
alcohol much, so I was a bit overwhelmed by the mature atmosphere of the bar.
‘Would you
prefer something sweet?’ he asked.
‘I’m not
sure,’ I replied
I don’t know
much about alcohol, and I don’t have much of a tolerance to it. The general
nodded and asked the bartender for a light fruit cocktail. I wonder what kind
of drink it would be.
‘I once had a
sip of my mother’s drink before’ I said to General Brennan, ‘it burned my
throat and made me feel dizzy and weak.’ He chuckled at my story.
The general
seems to be sparkling to me, so beautiful.
Earlier, he
had a dark expression with a murderous intent, but now, his expression was relaxed
and he was smiling. The world faded around us and I could see no one else but
him.
The bartender
placed our drinks before us. His was amber coloured and mine was orange.
‘It’s mostly
juice, but have a little sip just to be sure you like it.’ He said.
As he
instructed, I took a little sip. The first blush was bitterness that made my
tongue numb but immediately a sweet fresh fruity flavour neutralised it.
‘It’s
delicious.’ I said.
The general
smiled widely, his hazel eyes narrowing. I felt my face begin to warm up. Was I
getting drunk? So quick? Am I okay? (Zuben: You are drunk. Drunk on lurrve)
‘Well, well,
well…’
My gaze was
pulled reluctantly from the General by the loud voice that interrupted the
bar’s intimate ambience.
Chapter 21
Night of the Moonlight Grass
I turn in the
direction of the husky voice to meet a golden eyed gaze. The woman was
beautiful, her voluminous orange her perfectly styled with a luxurious hair
ornament. Her dress accentuated the slender lines of her figure. I was immediately jealous
of this person.
‘Miss Julia…?’
I asked hesitantly.
Julia curled
her lips in disgust, looking at me in barely concealed disdain. Her impression
is different from when I last saw her at the ball. She had looked shy, like she did
not want to let go of Eugene. She had looked like a little girl. This person,
right now, didn’t look like a girl, but like woman. Julia folded her arms
across her chest,
‘Drinking and
having fun in front of people. You have no shame! You couldn’t capture Eugene,
now you’re trying to rub them against General Brennan. Shame on you!’ (Zuben:
Shame on you!)
Was it a
growth spurt? The pretty girl had transformed into a magical beauty. Her husky
voice was not one I would have attributed to her though, it didn’t suit her
age. Then maybe it did: an adult voice for an adult woman. The lace chocker around her slender neck left a trace of youthfulness.
‘Miss, you are
inconveniencing other customers…’ the Manager of the bar said trying to stop
her from harassing me. But Julia ignored him. She stared at me unflinchingly
with her beautiful eyes.
The customers
watched the scene with interest. A few looked annoyed by the interruption.
Certainly, this was a great inconvenience to them. It would be better to leave
soon…
‘Miss,’ I
heard a voice say. It was General Brennan as put his arm around my waist. I
looked up at him, but he was staring directly at Miss Julia.
‘I don’t want
you to misunderstand,’ he said, ‘Miss Fredericka is not attaching herself to me. I
am wooing Miss Fredericka.’
…
… (Zuben: The
brain has short circuited)
Eh? Did I hear
correctly?!
‘I’m going to flirt
with her now, so please do not disturb us.’ (Zuben: *swoon*)
As Miss Julia
put her hands on her hips to retort, General Brennan turned away from her
leaving her spluttering. Brennan turned to the manager of the bar, ‘If there
had been any trouble to you, let me settle the bill for everyone in the bar. I
don’t mind paying a fee for causing a nuisance. Send me the bill.’
He tossed back
his drink in one go and placed the glass back on the counter.
‘Let’s go.’ He
said to me.
I was in such
a daze I did not reply. As a result, I was taken to our box seats in the arms
of the General.
Eeeeh?!!!
(Zuben:
Kyaaaaa!!!!)
[1] That’s her
depressed moue I guess.
Zuben: The author
was concerned that some readers would be offended by Fredericka drinking
alcohol. Her message is simply: different world-different common sense. My
message to people who might upset by this: you have time o~
Uwaaaah. Cliffhanger. Urgh. Thanks for the chapter. Keep up the good work. Can't wait for the next part.
ReplyDeleteFive straight chapters! Thank you so much for your hardwork.
ReplyDeleteIt's getting more interesting as they both fell hard for each other yet neither of them realized it. Meanwhile everybody else knows it all 😆
Thank you 😘😘😘
ReplyDelete😳 😶 😶 😶😍 What a Man! 🌹🌹🌹🌹💖🌹🌹🌹🌹🎶😉👌
ReplyDeletethanks!
ReplyDeletewowowow! so cuuuuteee! romantic! WH--AT! i did not expect the general to say that he was wooing her! aaahhh! -swoons along with zuben-awesomeee!
The general is not about to let anyone attack his prey or should I say "his" woman. He's in the protection business , after all.
DeleteWhy would Julia want to embarrass Fredericka. She got the man. Ain't she happy?
Thank you for this update
(Zuben: *swoon*) and (Zuben: Kyaaaaa!!!!) my thoughts alike!!!, so funny :D
ReplyDeleteWell, I was not expecting that. When he said wooing, I was like “say what?” I thought I read wrong. I think we’re all like Frederika right now
ReplyDeleteMy heart oh my hahahaha I can't stop giggling like an idiot
ReplyDeleteNormally I don't like editor's comments but yours are just top notch. Just the right amount of cute and sarcasm👌
ReplyDeleteOk, I don't know about the rest of the people but the translator's comments are a riot and make me laugh a lot. Also, I want General Brennan for Christmas under my tree with a ribbon on top. <3
ReplyDeleteAnd to think that my first time drinking alcohol was 12? 13? But I got drunk when I was 15, I think....so, no..I don't feel offended reading the female lead drinking.
ReplyDelete‘I’m going to flirt with her now, so please do not disturb us.’
ReplyDelete...READY. SET. SWOON! lol