I’m the Future Crazy Male Lead’s Mother – Chapter 66

Author: isuzuuy

“Uh……”

While I was unable to answer, Scarlet must have finished entering, because everyone raised their heads.

I raised mine along with them, but instead of looking at Scarlett, I looked at Morocanil.

What did he just say?

I was supposed to hurry up and admire the imposing appearance of my friend Leticia, but Morocanil had caused an error in my brain.

Morocanil was still smiling.

“What did you just say? You and me dancing……?”

“Yes. You and I, dancing.”

Morocanil answered gently as he lightly brought his long index finger to his lips.

Shh.

He then glanced toward the dais, as if signaling that it was time for me to be quiet.

Since I wasn’t an idiot, I obediently shut my mouth and finally looked toward the dais, following Morocanil’s gaze.

And for a moment, I completely forgot about his proposal.

“May there be blessings upon all those who have graced the Hall of Rest with their presence.”

Leticia had begun her speech in a dignified voice, and even as a woman, I had to admit she looked incredibly cool.

‘She’s so pretty and cool!’

Those were the only simple words that came to mind, but what could I do when she really was that pretty and cool?

It was my first time seeing Leticia’s face without the yellow cloth covering it, and her features were distinct while giving off an androgynous charm.

Each individual feature was quite feminine, but overall, she had a certain charisma.

“Wow……”

And the clothes she was wearing were so stylish. I wanted to give Leticia’s designer—in other words, the person responsible for the Emperor’s wardrobe—the highest compliment possible.

The white pants, fitted just enough to elegantly wrap around her long legs, were especially surprising because they weren’t a dress.

Over her white shirt, she wore a dark red vest that flared slightly from the hips, creating the illusion that she was wearing a skirt.

On top of that, a thin leather belt decorated with small jewels cinched her waist, emphasizing its slenderness and giving her an overall appearance that was both feminine and strong.

‘She’s seriously cool, especially that cloak.’

A dark red cloak matching the color of her vest was draped over one shoulder, and the black fur attached to it was particularly striking.

“It’s the fur of a black fox found only in the high mountains of the North.”

I must have been staring at the fur too intently.

Morocanil, who was standing beside me and listening to Leticia’s speech, whispered quietly.

“If you want it, I’ll give it to you as a gift.”

“Uh…… No, it’s okay.”

“You don’t have to refuse. The North is the territory I govern, so something like black fox fur isn’t an extravagant gift for me.”

You govern the North?

Ah. Morocanil was an Imperial noble too.

So the North must be his territory.

“I’m really okay.”

It was cool because my friend Leticia was wearing it. If I put it on, I would probably just look ridiculous.

I lightly waved my hand and listened attentively until Leticia finished her speech.

“……You seem to be in a good mood.”

Just as Leticia was nearing the end of her speech with a faint smile, Morocanil asked in an amused voice.

“Huh? Ah, yes. I am.”

Of course I was. My friend was over there radiating coolness like crazy.

My one and only friend! Haha!

That was what I wanted to say, but I couldn’t, so I simply smiled.

“Seeing you in such a good mood makes me happy as well. I was actually worried.”

“About what?”

“It seemed like some rather unpleasant things happened to you earlier.”

“Ah……”

I hadn’t seen him, but apparently he had.

……His concealment ability was pretty impressive.

I had an odd thought for a moment before lightly shaking my head.

“No, it wasn’t anything serious. There was nothing for you to worry about, Morocanil.”

“If that’s the case, then I’m glad.”

Maybe it was because of the setting, but Morocanil seemed even more gentle and kind today.

‘Hmm. It looks like honey might drip from his eyes at any moment.’

As I looked into Angel’s blue eyes, filled with affection, I felt like it was guaranteed that I would go to heaven after I died. With an angel welcoming me so warmly, he’d probably take me straight there.

‘Was returning that stone really that important to him?’

No matter how hard I thought about it, that was the only reason I could think of for his changed attitude.

The last time I’d met Morocanil, he hadn’t been this affectionate.

‘It must have been really precious to him.’

As I was thinking that, Leticia finished her speech and gave her closing remarks.

“I hope that during the period of the ‘Hall of Rest,’ you will all be able to lay down the burdens of the past year.”

She’s so cool!

I clasped my hands tightly and looked at Leticia.

Then, suddenly, I felt as though her eyes had landed on me.

No, they definitely had landed on me before moving away.

The corners of Leticia’s lips stiffened slightly.

Huh? What’s wrong?

“Lastly, I have heard that today, two attendants belonging to the Imperial household committed the wrongdoing of insulting a noble.”

“!”

What?

There was no way.

How dare they…….

Whispers carrying sentiments like that spread throughout the ballroom.

Just as anger appeared on the nobles’ faces, Leticia slightly lowered her head.

“Imperial attendants are, in effect, under my authority. I apologize to the noble who must have been offended.”

The nobles looked bewildered by Leticia’s sudden apology.

“Y-Your Majesty……”

Uh.

Uhhhhh.

While the nobles didn’t know what to do, I was even more at a loss, fidgeting with my fingers like a squid.

No, Leticia. I’m fine……

Receiving an Emperor’s apology publicly like this was so overwhelming and embarrassing that I genuinely didn’t know what to do.

“I have heard that the noble in question wishes for those attendants to be punished by the Imperial household to which they belong. They shall receive an appropriate punishment, so please put your mind at ease.”

Looking down at the silent ballroom, Leticia added,

“It is good to socialize, but I hope you will refrain from deliberately criticizing or slandering others. That is all.”

Leticia spoke as though she knew everything that had happened to me before she arrived.

I awkwardly rubbed the tip of my nose.

It felt like she was publicly looking out for me.

“Her Majesty had quite a lot to say today, didn’t she?”

“Indeed. And even if it was a crime to insult a noble, I’m surprised she apologized so formally.”

“Ahem. Perhaps it means Her Majesty cares that much about the nobles?”

After Leticia stepped down from the dais and exited through the same place she had entered, the nobles gathered in groups and began discussing her actions.

“Perhaps this is Her Majesty’s way of apologizing for allowing Miar to be released this time.”

“Ha! That’s an entirely different matter.”

Fortunately, perhaps because Leticia’s apology for the insult was more shocking, no one seemed to pay much attention to her message about refraining from criticizing one another at the banquet.

The comment about the attendants had referred to an anonymous noble, but that final remark had been directed precisely at me.

‘It was bothering me a little.’

But it seemed no one was going to make an issue of it.

Just as my shoulders were beginning to relax, Morocanil suddenly extended his hand toward me.

His long, pale palm seemed to be waiting for something.

“……Yes?”

I could only blink, unable to figure out what he meant, so Morocanil smiled.

It was such a beautiful smile that, seeing it head-on, I actually became a little worried about my eyes.

As I stood there flustered, Morocanil finally spoke.

“Please remember the request I made earlier, my lady.”

The request he made to me?

Ah!

“Dancing……?”

“Yes. You and I, dancing.”

Didn’t we just have this exact conversation a moment ago?

I had forgotten his request while I was trembling in awe at Leticia’s coolness and then trying to calm my startled heart after the bombshell she had left behind.

“You really want to dance with me?”

“Yes. Truly.”

“I wouldn’t really recommend it……”

When I gave an awkward little laugh, Morocanil tilted his head.

“Why wouldn’t you recommend it? Do you perhaps dislike me?”

“Whaaat?”

Because……

With my reputation being absolutely terrible, I meant that your honor might suffer a little if you danced with me……

‘This body has never danced before. I’m terrible at dancing.’

I was worried that his feet wouldn’t survive, which was why I’d said it.

‘Why is he taking it in that direction?’

Flustered, I hurriedly waved my hands.