MFCPCR Chapter 1.5 - The Man in the Terrace

 Translator: Silvia

Editor: Sarcasm

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Before Nicklaus was about to run out of the terrace, he decided to stop himself. He lifted the silver staff that he always carried with him. As the golden jewel at the end of the staff glowed, the handkerchief that had fallen on the garden soil floated into the air.

Nicklaus quickly caught it. He even kissed the wet handkerchief as if he never threw it away. Of course, he kissed the clean surface after he folded it well.

Nicklaus hugged his handkerchief with a sweet face, as if he had no idea that his actions were creepy. Then, he ran out of the terrace at a fast speed.

There weren’t many people passing by in the spacious corridor. Not many people were there to take a rest, since the banquet had just started not too long ago.

He randomly moved aside the curtain and checked the inside of each terrace. It was only to identify one person, so it took less than a second to check each terrace.

People became frightened by the sudden action, but they couldn’t say anything when he moved the veil immediately. Either that or they were still processing the whole thing, but he had already left.

Anyway, he went on with his business. Sometimes people would recognize and greet him, but he ignored them. Finding her was his only priority.

It was when he checked the ninth terrace. The man and woman, who were kissing each other passionately, moved apart as soon as the curtain insignia was pushed aside. The face of the man who was interrupted soon became distorted.

“What is this?”

Nicklaus ignored him and moved on to the next terrace. However, the man followed him out, probably because he disturbed the couple’s secret time together.

Nicklaus, who was about to open another curtain, turned his head to an irritated voice from behind.

“I asked you, what are you doing?”

When the commotion broke out, several people walked to their curtains and peered into the hallway. Nicklaus noticed the gap between each curtain and identified the faces of those who put their heads out.

After being ignored twice, the man came over rolling up his sleeves in the process.

“What exactly are you doing now?”

It’s annoying. Nicklaus frowned and rummaged around the inside of his pocket. He was thinking of giving something as a gift.

However, all he had was the ring, that he carried around like a talisman at big events, and the handkerchief which was smeared with her bodily fluids. Both of them were very precious things, so he had no intention of giving them away.

Nicklaus held back his temper and roughly ripped off one of his buttons. His neat and well-fitted suit opened slightly. He placed the jeweled gold button into the man’s hand.

“Are we okay now?”

For a moment, the man was confused, but then he suddenly looked down at the button in his hand with a bright smile. As if caring for something precious, the man caressed the button, nodded, and returned to his original terrace, smiling like a madman.

Nicklaus quickly turned around and started searching again. However, despite checking all the remaining terraces, he couldn’t find the woman.

His heart seemed to break. But it was not time to give up. It hadn’t been long since the banquet started, so she probably didn’t go home yet.

He just needed to search outside and find her.

In an instant, Nicklaus left the building as if he had wings.

Meanwhile, Alaina stood with Loras at an awkward distance.

A few minutes ago, Loras was waiting for her outside the terrace. After standing alone, wondering where she went, Loras approached her as soon as he found her.

Alaina covered her face while thinking she should’ve used the handkerchief that she was given. His face looked embarrassed, perhaps because of the remaining traces of tears on her face.

“I don’t dare face the Count.”

It was she who became more embarrassed. Alaina shook her hand with a bashful look.

“No. I’m sorry that I left all of a sudden.”

“I would be glad if you could give me a chance to make it up to you.”

Alaina headed to the banquet hall as it was difficult to squeeze out her refusal.

Around that time, the prince and other nobles arrived. The king personally gave a celebratory speech and words of blessing, then thunderous applause broke out. After the celebratory speech ended, the banquet began in earnest.

The melody created by the court orchestra spread throughout the garden. Soon people began to gather on the circular marble floor. The ball was about to begin.

Alaina had no intention of dancing, so she took a step back and looked around. After she found Demian, she saw the right opportunity to part with Loras.

Suddenly, Loras reached out his hand.

“Would you like to dance to a song?”

“Oh, I……...”

She wasn’t in the mood to leisurely dance right now. Besides, his eyes were burdensome to look at. However, as soon as she tried to show her refusal, her eyes met with a pair of brown eyes staring at her in the distance.

Riley was looking at her, blinking her pretty doe eyes. Her face lacked any expressions, so she didn’t know what Riley was thinking.

Her sense of defiance sprang up. Alaina jutted her chin and held the hand in front of her. At first glance, Riley’s expression seemed to harden.

Alaina settled among the people without worrying about it. The music paused, and soon the waltz began with the gestures of the conductor.

This was the first time that a stranger was putting his hand on her waist and she didn’t pay attention at all. Alaina was preoccupied by the panoramic view over Loras’s shoulder.

Idrian and Riley didn’t even dance until the beat was over. They just stood together and talked closely with each other. Alaina’s gaze soon caught at the unexpected misery. She just hoped this event would end soon.

 But as soon as she turned her eyes away, Riley showed how much she enjoyed Alaina’s glances. She stared at the larger hands wrapped around her waist and the swelling hem of the dress with each turn. And soon she moved away.

Even after Riley and Idrian left, there was another pair of eyes chasing Alaina’s every movement. The owner of the eyes didn’t stop following her even when the waltz was over.

Just as the waltz was over, Alaina finally found her brother. She used her brother's name and finally left her place. So Demian was regarded as a ‘little boy who could never be left alone’.

As Alaina strode toward her younger brother, the cello concert that everyone loved, began.

It was written by Bryman, the head of the court orchestra, and featured a cheerful second half in contrast to the lyrical introduction.

The beginning was low and soft. Alaina shook off her bad feelings at the familiar tune. Then she tapped Demian on the shoulder.

“What?”

“What do you mean ‘what?’ It’s your sister.”

“You surprised me.”

Alaina smiled as she ruffled her brother’s hair. She just felt that she had to be comfortable like this so she wouldn’t be conscious of those traitors. It was quite childish. She didn’t want to worry about it anymore, so she was going to have a little chat and return home.

It was a banquet in good weather. People were actively wandering around and conversing with each other, and on the other side of the banquet hall were row tables lined with food.

Demian, who arrived at the palace in the morning and chatted away with the prince, glanced at the other side of the banquet hall as if hungry. Alaina noticed his gaze and pushed his back.

“Go eat.”

“No, it’s okay.”

“Why? There are foods that you like, aren’t there?”

“.....bees are flying near it. I don’t want to get close.”

It was inevitable for bees to fly around sweet foods because it was outdoors. Even if the servants chased them out, the bees would quickly return again.

Demian stared at the little uninvited guests with an unpleasant face. Alaina, who was feeling better, giggled at her younger brother's expression.

“Oh my, little master, you are afraid of bees. What should I do if you can’t eat because you’re scared of bees?”

“Don’t tease me.”

“Would you like your sister to bring you food?”

“.....don't regret it if you get stung later.”

He grumbled but he didn’t say anything else to stop her. Alaina smirked and walked toward the table. Demian then shouted.

“I’m thirsty too!”

“Okay.”

Alone, Demian monitored what Alaina was picking up. Then he pouted his lips.

I can’t believe you’re treating me like that without any dignity!

Besides Demian, there was another pair of eyes looking at Alaina. They were the eyes that had been following her since the waltz. Soon the eyes turned to Demian.

Nicklaus quickly rolled his narrowed eyes.

Over the deep cello, ensemble instruments could be heard stacking up in the background. The tempo began to jump to the sound of the music.

The little boy in the navy suit resembled the woman, having similar blonde hair. They probably were family.

Since he didn’t have the courage to approach the woman recklessly, Nicklaus changed his target. He approached the little boy, swallowing dry saliva. He walked silently without realizing it. It felt as if he had become a kidnapper that lures a child.

The small back of his head was shining brightly under the light. As he neared the child, he ripped off another button. It was a kind of bribe.

His jacket was now wide open. Leaving only one button on his stomach, he reached out. No, he exactly stretched out his cane. The jewel at the tip of the cane tapped the kid’s shoulder.

Demian sharply turned his head. A tall man was standing right behind him, dressed in white from head to toe.

Demian frowned at the gleaming jewel before his eyes. He took a step back in vigilance and said in a wary voice.

“What can I help you with?”

“You’re quite an unusually cute little boy.”

For Nicklaus, it was a compliment that he racked his brain for. However, it was a compliment for a child, but a compliment that was hard to accept as an adult. So if a child thought that he was already an adult like Demian, then it wouldn’t be received well.

“Why did you call me?”

The boy with round cheeks like a squirrel raised his eyebrows.

Nicklaus was flustered. There was only one thing he could do at this time. Nicklaus pushed forward the button he was holding in his fist.

Demian pursed his lips and stared. Alternating his stares between the button and the eyes of the man who suddenly approached him.

What is he supposed to do?

“What is this?”

“Take it.”

The wary little boy didn’t take the button. Although it was a jeweled item, there was no reason to receive an item that was given from a stranger.

The change in the tune began to steepen. The musical scale ran down the slope and bounced. Something was bouncing inside Nicklaus' head.

He didn’t want to hold the boy’s hand that he met for the first time, but he didn’t know how to coax him. Eventually, he grabbed Demian’s smaller hand and pushed the button in.

“No, why are you giving… Wow….”

Demian’s expression soon melted down. He looked down at his palm with admiration, as if he never wore a harsh expression. Only then did Nicklaus feel relieved. This bloody curse has been helpful at times like this.

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