Sigrid Chapter 89

[ … words ]

Sigrid answered, and Arkana said:

“I’ll braid your hair. Sit up.”

“You know how to braid?”

“You think I raised my little sister for nothing?”

At those words, Sigrid giggled and sat up. The swing chair rocked back and forth. Arkana put one leg on the chair to stop it from swinging and started combing her hair with his fingers.

Sigrid let out a small moan.

True to his word, Arkana skillfully parted her hair and began braiding it. During this time, neither of them spoke a word. After braiding her hair all the way down, Arkana asked:

“What do you want to tie it with?”

“This.”

As Sigrid held out a blue ribbon, Arkana finished the braid. He lightly kissed the end of her hair and asked:

“So what’s wrong?”

“Huh?”

“Why are you so gloomy?”

Sigrid turned to look at him, then adjusted her position and sank into the chair. Arkana also sat comfortably on the chair. The chair swayed back and forth. She swung her legs and said:

“Just…… I had a bit of a fight with Beramund…….”

“A fight?”

“Yeah— well, more like Beramund and Morris fought. But Beramund seemed to be in a bad mood…….”

Sigrid curled up, hugging her legs drawn up onto the chair.

“You can’t always get along, right? Sometimes you fight and all that.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Try to work it out by talking. By the way, Siri.”

“Yes?”

“How’s your love life going?”

At Arkana’s words, Sigrid flinched. She let out a short “Ha” sigh, but soon a dry laugh followed.

“Well, I’m not sure.”

She rested her forehead on her knees, curling up into a ball. She wanted to be honest with Arkana but couldn’t speak.

In fact, she wanted to ask if there was a magic to neutralize poison, but Arkana was perceptive and would quickly realize she had been poisoned.

She didn’t want to make him worry.

There wasn’t a big problem yet, and if a problem did arise, she could talk about it then.

“Oh, Arkana.”

“Hmm?”

“I met a magician called Adolf today.”

At those words, Arkana turned to Sigrid in surprise. She straightened her back and lowered her legs. The fragile appearance from moments ago had completely vanished, replaced by a knightly face.

“He seems to be the leader of the magicians.”

“I see. I heard that too.”

“You too, Arkana? How?”

“I went to meet the magicians today.”

Arkana briefly shared his recent experiences with Sigrid. She grabbed his shoulder in surprise and asked:

“Were you okay? Nothing happened when you went alone?”

“No, it was fine. And about that, I think I need to find a separate place to live. If I stay here, there’s a high chance you’ll be watched too. Besides, it’s about time I became independent.”

At Arkana’s words, Sigrid nodded. She felt sad, but thinking about it, he had stayed here because he had nowhere else to go. It was natural for him to find his own place to live now that he was receiving sufficient support from the Crown Prince.

“I understand. Is there anything I can help with in finding a place?”

“No, not really. And Siri.”

“Yes?”

“You don’t have to do things you dislike.”

At those words, Sigrid chuckled. She leaned against him and said:

“You know I like you, right?”

“Of course.”

Arkana answered with a smile.

“My knight.”

“My magician.”

They exchanged these words and laughed out loud.

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Marie-Chez was tightening her corset when she suddenly turned her head at Sigrid’s words.

“Why—?!”

As she exclaimed, the maids pulled hard on the corset. Watching Marie-Chez’s surprisingly slender waist, Sigrid said:

“Just…….”

“It’s not just anything. You still haven’t confessed, that’s not like you.”

Marie-Chez measured her waist with her hands and looked satisfied. While the maids dressed her, Sigrid sat beside her, watching. She was wearing a jacket and trousers, not a dress.

“Why? Did you change your mind?”

“That’s not it.”

Sigrid shook her head. Just then, a maid opened the door and said:

“Lady Alsekidna has arrived.”

“Ah, tell her to come in!”

At Marie-Chez’s words, the maid opened the door and stepped back, and a splendidly dressed Lowengrin entered. She frowned when she saw Marie-Chez.

“You’re still getting dressed?”

“I suddenly feel like this outfit doesn’t suit me.”

“Oh, Marie-Chez Inglett.”

“More importantly, listen to what Siri has to say. She still hasn’t confessed.”

“Oh my?”

At those words, Lowengrin’s bright brown eyes turned to Sigrid. Sigrid raised her hands and said:

“I just haven’t found the right opportunity yet.”

“It doesn’t look that way.”

Lowengrin approached, frowning, took off her gloves, and caressed Sigrid’s cheek.

“And why are you so pale? You’re cold. Have you been somewhere chilly? Here, bring some warm tea. Quickly.”

Although Lowengrin commanded as if it were her own house, the maid immediately obeyed and left the room.

“I’ve just been feeling a bit unwell lately.”

“If you’re not feeling well, you should rest. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. It’s been a while since the three of us went out together, right?”

“That’s true, but…”

Lowengrin put her gloves back on with a worried expression. Sigrid smiled at her. Her head throbbed. Recently, Sigrid had been splitting the antidote into five pieces, keeping one piece as a reserve. This way, she would have a new pill every five days.

It was for emergencies.

But taking less of the antidote meant the poison was steadily damaging her body, so she wasn’t in good condition.

Sigrid touched the ring she was wearing. The ring had a clear crystal attached to it, given to her by Arkana. According to Arkana, the crystal would turn red when near magical objects. She had been going around various parts of the palace lately, but there hadn’t been any significant reactions yet.

All the information she leaked to the Emperor was correct, so Sigrid was now fully recognized as being on his side.

Once you betray, there’s no going back.

That’s what Emperor Yuri thought.

Whether he thought that or not, Sigrid was trying to use these opportunities to dig up information, but this kind of verbal and mental—political—battle was not her forte.

Sigrid wanted to bite her tongue at her own powerlessness.

If it were a battle wielding a sword, she would be much more confident.

Marie-Chez, putting on a new dress, said:

“Do you think Lord Lunatil will come today?”

“I’m not sure? He’s not the type to miss these parties. Have you heard anything?”

Lowengrin turned to Sigrid and asked, but she shook her head. Lowengrin said “I see……” with a puzzled expression, then said:

“By the way, Siri, are you planning to go with your silver hair exposed like that?”

“Is that not okay?”

“It’s too conspicuous. Silver hair with that outfit. It’s like saying ‘I’m Sigrid Ankertna.’ What’s the point of a masquerade ball?”

“Is that so?”

As Sigrid touched her hair in confusion, Marie-Chez said:

“I have a wig I bought. How about that?”

“What color is it?”

“Red.”

“Hmm— Alright.”

“Okay. Jenny, go get the wig. Put it on Siri.”

“Yes, my lady.”

A nearby maid went inside and came back with the wig. Sigrid obediently let them style her hair, and in an instant, she had short red hair.

“When did you buy that?”

At Lowengrin’s question, Marie-Chez answered while putting on earrings:

“For a masquerade ball two years ago.”

“But you didn’t end up wearing it, right?”

“That’s right. I changed the concept.”

Marie-Chez said this as she looked over her outfit. This time she seemed pleased, a satisfied curve appearing at the corners of her mouth.

Soon, a maid brought a cushion with several elaborate masks. Marie-Chez chose one and said to Sigrid:

“Pick one.”

“Hmm……. I’ll take this one.”

Sigrid chose the mask that covered most of her face.

“Alright, let’s go then.”

Marie-Chez said with a bright smile. Lowengrin tapped Sigrid’s waist with her fan as she stood up and said:

“You’ll have to tell us everything in detail when we get back, Sigrid Ankertna.”

“Have mercy.”

As Sigrid groaned, the two women burst into laughter.

As they got into the prepared carriage with no insignia, Marie-Chez carefully fluffed out her dress as she sat down and said:

“So, things aren’t going well with Beramund?”

“It’s not that……. It’s just, I feel like I’m constantly becoming unlike myself.”

“Unlike yourself?”

Marie-Chez’s eyes widened, and Lowengrin looked intrigued.

“How so?”

When Lowengrin asked, Sigrid said:

“You both know me well. I, I want to become an excellent knight.”

Though it sounded childish, both of them knew how important this was to Sigrid, so they nodded deeply.

“But when I’m with Beramund, I can’t think rationally. I keep acting emotionally. It feels like I’m constantly showing sides of myself that aren’t like me.”

“Siri…….”

Marie-Chez murmured unknowingly.

“You really do like Beramund…….”

“Is this what it’s like to like someone?”

“It’s not the same for everyone, but it’s certainly possible.”

Lowengrin nodded and said.

“Am I becoming too much like a woman?”

At Sigrid’s question, Marie-Chez looked bewildered.

“What do you mean? You are a woman.”

“Well, yes, but that’s not what I meant…….”

“I understand what you’re trying to say. And that’s not being ‘like a woman,’ it’s what people in love are like. If you’re human, you get swayed by emotions. Siri, you’re not becoming something wrong. Besides, this is your first time experiencing this. It’s natural that you’re not used to it.”

Lowengrin said gently.

Finding her words persuasive, Sigrid thought, ‘I see,’ and listened attentively. Marie-Chez spoke up:

“And about not being like yourself, that’s natural. Love changes people. It’s normal to become unlike yourself.”

“Siri, you can both be in love and be a knight. One doesn’t have to crumble for the other. You can balance both and do well at both.”

Lowengrin continued. Sigrid let out a deep sigh.

“Hearing you two talk makes me feel reassured.”

“Anyway, since you still haven’t confessed, let’s forget about Beramund and have some fun today.”

Marie-Chez winked and put on her mask.

“Lowie, forget about your fiancé too.”

At those words, Lowengrin giggled and put on her mask. When Sigrid fumbled with her mask, not knowing how to put it on, Lowengrin reached out and secured it with pins for her, saying:

“At masquerade balls, the etiquette and manners are much more relaxed, so it’ll be easier for you to enjoy yourself too, Siri.”

A moment later, the carriage came to a stop. After a pause, the door opened, and the three women stepped out of the carriage one by one, each escorted.

“Tonight, I’m going to find my destined partner.”

Marie-Chez said in a voice full of determination, and Lowengrin opened her fan, covering her mouth as she whispered to Sigrid:

“Let’s do our best to assist Marie.”

“Okay.”

Sigrid nodded with a smile.

Marie-Chez presented the invitation and entered the ballroom. As it was a masquerade ball, there were no announcements. On this warm spring night, all the terrace doors were wide open, and the garden had tall shrubs growing like a maze, perfect for whispering sweet nothings.

The second floor of the two-story ballroom had a wide corridor and rooms. It was obvious what might be happening in the closed rooms without having to look.

There was no light champagne. Instead, glasses filled with high-proof alcohol were being carried around by attendants everywhere. On one side of the wall, there were arched columns and softly draped translucent curtains, with layered sofas set up like separate rooms. People chatted and emptied their glasses there, then came out to the ballroom to dance.

It was a dizzying ball, different from ordinary ones.

People constantly came and went at the masquerade ball, but everyone was wearing masks, so it was impossible to tell who was who.

At first, Sigrid, Lowengrin, and Marie-Chez were drinking together, but gradually more men began to gather around Marie-Chez.

Before long, without the help of Sigrid and Lowengrin, Marie-Chez quickly claimed the “throne”—if there was such a thing. Three or four men sat or stood around the sofa where she sat, vying to converse with her. If anything, it was Lowengrin and Sigrid who were pushed to the side.

Sigrid whispered:

“It doesn’t look like she needs our help at all.”

“You’re right.”

Lowengrin answered and laughed. Just then, someone lightly tapped Sigrid’s shoulder. When Sigrid turned around, a masked man smiled and said:

“Would you care for a dance?”

‘Huh?’

Sigrid’s eyes widened. Lowengrin gently pushed her back.

“Go dance.”

Thinking that they should enjoy themselves since they came all this way, Lowengrin waved her hand, and Sigrid took the man’s hand and stood on the ballroom floor.

Dancing in trousers instead of a skirt was much easier. As she stepped in time with the music, Sigrid whispered:

“What brings you here?”

“What do you mean?”

The other person asked, puzzled, and Sigrid gently furrowed her brow before calling out to him.