abcnovels
Chapter 45
Chapter 45
A few days after the Duke promised me his full support, Sebastian-san came to visit my parent's house again.
"Allen-sama, it's been a while. I am here to extend an invitation from the head of our family. We would like to invite you to dinner tomorrow, so please come with your mother. Our family will provide a carriage to pick you up. Also, since we understand the situation, please do not wear formal clothes, and come dressed as you normally would in town. Also, there is no need for you to bring any souvenirs."
"Understood"
After saying that, Sebastian-san left the written invitation and went home.
"Allen, who was here?"
"The butler of the Duke of Ramslett. I've been invited for dinner with my mother tomorrow evening."
"Oh, what should I do? I don't have a dress. Also, Allen has the uniform only, Umm."
"Mom, Sebastian-san said that we don't need to wear formal clothes. He reminded me that we should come dressed in the usual clothes used to walk around town. He was concerned that I probably wouldn't have that kind of clothing."
"More-more than that, getting invited by a duke feels like fluffy and unrealistic. Oh! That's right. I have to tell them about this absence in tomorrow's afternoon work. Allen also has nothing planned tomorrow, right?"
With that said, my mother rushed out of the house.
????
"Thank you for inviting me today."
As I had been told, I came here in casual clothes and empty-handed, but I still felt uncomfortable. Sebastian-san guides us through the Duke's huge mansion and into the dining room.
There Duke, Anastasia, and what I assumed to be Anastasia's mother and brother were already seated waiting for us.
"Hello, Allen-kun, welcome. And you must be Allen-kun's mother. Nice to meet you. I am Gerhard Kreinel von Ramslett, the head of the Ramslett family. My daughter is often supported and helped by your son for that I'm very grateful."
The Duke then naturally took my mother's hand and kissed the back of it. As expected of a nobleman.
"This is my wife, Elisabeth, and my son, Friedrich."
It seems to be the Duchess and the next Duke, also Anastasia's mother and brother.
"It's an honour to meet you. Elisabeth-sama, Friedrich-sama. My name is Allen."
I said and knelt so as not to be rude.
"My name is Katerina, Allen's mother. Thank you for inviting me today."
When my mother said that, she spread the hem of her skirt and bent down a bit to take a bow.
"Today, I have invited my daughter's benefactor and his mother here. Let's not be so formal about it."
When the Duke said so, we stop the courtesy.
"Come on, Anna, Allen-kun is here, you know?"
Elisabeth-san says so and brings Anastasia in front of me.
"… Allen"
"Anastasia-sama, nothing–"
"You! Was that not a way to say goodbye!"
Anastasia said to me with more emotion than I've ever seen her show in my life. I didn't see her the last time I was here, and I thought she hated me, but I guess not.
I'm glad.
I was relieved to find out that she didn't hate me, and I couldn't help but smile at how cute this emotional Anastasia was.
"Wha! What are you laughing at? I am!"
"Excuse me. It's good to see you again."
"Eh, Ahh. Yes, Me, me, too. Also, you know, umm, I'm, I'm grateful, for the representation…."
"You don't need to. Also, I couldn't leave it that way."
"O-Ohh"
I'm a little surprised at the appearance of Anastasia that I can't see at school.
"Allen-kun? Anna has been worried about you for a long time, you know? On the day of the incident, she ran crying to her father's room in the middle of the night."
"Mother! That's not it! Also, I was not crying!"
When Elisabeth-san says so in a funny way, Anastasia denies it with a bright red face. (TL:- Kawaii, =???= )
"Oh my, Anna. That's right, Allen. If you don't mind, why don't you call her "Anna"? I'm sure she'd like that."
"Eh? What? M-Mother?"
As I thought, Anastasia, who is laughing according to her age, is far more attractive than having such a frozen expression.
"Umm, then Anna-sama?"
"Ugh, geez. Then, only when no one is around, okay?"
"Yes, Anna-sama"
Then, I introduce my mother to Anna, who is turning bright red, and the dinner party begins. Then the Duke gets right to the point.
"Now, the reason why I've called you both here is that I thought I'd like to give you a report on how this whole thing went down."
I look the duke right in the eye.
"First of all, the apology to the Ramslett family, which was decided as a condition for the duel, was settled on the fact that His Highness the Crown Prince and Miss Amy would apologize to Anastasia, representing the Ramslett family, during the school's opening ceremony next term. Because it would make sense to do it in a place where there are people who saw the scene of the insult."
"Yes"
"And the engagement between the Crown Prince and my daughter is officially cancelled. As expected, I couldn't continue the engagement after what they did to her."
With that said, the Duke took a breath.
"Well, my daughter seems to be quite fond of you, Allen. I would like you to be her 'friend' as well, Allen."
"Yes, if I could do it, I will."
I guess that's why he said the word 'friend' so strongly. Of course.
"And finally, regarding your treatment, I have had the royal family approve that Allen-kun and Katerina-san will come under the protection of our family. Therefore, you will not have to leave school and will not be punished."
"Really!"
"Yes, it's true. If you want, you can work here after graduation, or I can find you a job. But first, make sure you make the most of your time at school."
"Thank you very much!"
"Oh, Duke-sama. Thank you. Thank you very much."
My mother and I thanked the Duke for his kindness. Apparently, I don't have to drop out of school, and I can continue to attend school.
"Allen, I'll be in your care again next year."
Anastasia said to me, rejoicing, and a big smile bloomed on her face.
"Me too, I look forward to working with you."
I managed to reply that, but her smile that I saw for the first time was very attractive.
I'm glad I worked so hard just to see this smile.
I honestly thought so.