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Me and You, Always - Chevalier Michel - Translation

His POV event story. This has become one of my favorite event stories, so please don't forget to support it when it's officially translated. This is just a fan translation, there might be mistakes~

Chapter 1

A commoner girl becoming the next queen—it wasn’t a trivial matter that could be explained in just a few words.

Irena: Straighten your back! If you keep walking like that, you'll disgrace yourself before the entire world.

MC:Yes!

Irena: What kind of bow was that? You'll be the laughingstock of the room.

MC: My apologies!

Irena: Walk from one end to the other again. Until you manage to do it, I won't let you leave the dance hall.

MC: Thanks for your instructions!

Clavis: Chevalier, are you even human?

Nokto: He's a monster, quite a vicious one.

The usual troublemakers had appeared again. I glanced sideways to see my fool of a brother and Clown peeking into the dance hall through the slight opening of the opposite door. My heavy sigh didn't seem to deter them.

Clavis: Didn't expect to find you acting like a Peeping Tom. Naturally, we got curious too...

Nokto: I can't believe you arranged so that she takes etiquette lessons from Irena-sama herself

Clavis: That great lady's teaching methods are more spartan than Sariel's.

Nokto: Didn't she make all the young ladies from famous families cry?

Clavis: Yes, she’s a true professional when it comes to ladies' education. I heard that even Chevalier's mother teared up.

Nokto: ...Gruesome.

Though, MC did ask for it herself.

-Flashback Starts-

MC: Chevalier-sama, would it be possible to appoint an experienced instructor in ladies' education for me?

Chevalier: Sure, but why?

MC: At the recent tea parties, I noticed how gracefully the noble ladies carry themselves. But I feel I’m lacking in comparison.

MC: To be able to act like people who were receiving etiquette lessons since their childhood, I think I need to start from the very basics.

-Flashback Ends-

For the education of the future queen, that famous Great Lady was Rhodolite's finest choice. Also being the grandmother of my fool of a brother, Great Lady had once instructed all royal consorts.

Under the blazing summer sun, MC was doing her best to follow her instructions, sweat dripping down her face.

Clavis: So my grandmother in the morning, then Sariel's brutal spartan lessons at noon?

Clavis: Ahh, poor MC. It's all because she fell for such a heartless man.

Clavis: She’ll be left with nothing but cruel memories from this sweltering summer. My sister-in-law must be so sad.

Nokto: But since our king stopped by to take a look at it, doesn't that mean he cares in his own way?

Nokto: Isn't this progress?

Clavis: Hahaha, you're right.

I gave a simple sidelong glance to their nonsensical talk and turned my back.

Clavis: Wait, is it okay to leave like this without praising her a bit?

Chevalier:No need.

Though I didn’t want to interrupt them, my fool of a brother did have a point.

---

MC:I didn't expect you to invite me for a stroll.

That night, we strolled through the palace forest accompanied by summer insects' songs. As the midday heat faded, a cool breeze brushed against us.

MC:The nights feel wonderful.

Chevalier:...Yeah

MC:Walking seems to make it even better.

Chevalier: ...

MC:So... could you put me down now?

Although the paved path wasn't hard to walk on, I continued carrying MC in my arms.

Chevalier:Doesn't it hurt?

MC:It's just muscle soreness.

Chevalier: I'm the one who invited you.

MC: But—

Chevalier:Pointless resistance won't get you anywhere.

MC: ...Thank you for carrying me.

It should be nearby. I trod on the summer plants, feeling the air shift. The river's murmur soon reached us. As our surroundings cleared, MC, who was obediently staying in my arms, leaned forward.

MC:What a beautiful place, I didn't know we had a river here.

MC:Wow!

Huh? It seems like even the black one can be useful sometimes.

Chapter 2

As the lights danced along the riverside, MC sighed in awe.

MC:There are even fireflies...!

Chevalier: ...

-Flashback Starts- Leon: Chevalier, did you know there's a firefly spot in the palace forest? It's really beautiful, you should go see it.

Chevalier: I'm not interested.

Leon: MC would be interested.

Chevalier: They're just insects.

Leon: But glowing ones.

Chevalier:....

Leon: You owe me one.

Chevalier: I’ve endured your rambling. That makes us even.

Leon: This isn’t rambling; it’s valuable information. Be grateful. -Flashback Ends-

I've never thought I would start doing things like that. As I put MC down, she walked towards the lights. This time her sigh was deeper than the last one.

MC: It's really beautiful

Without you, they'd just be insects to me. Little points of light were blinking silently. It wasn’t the first time I had seen fireflies, but it was still a rare sight. As MC stood beside me, our eyes met.

MC: Chevalier-sama, do you come here often?

Chevalier:What do you think?

MC: I can't imagine it.

Chevalier:Exactly.

MC: ...Since it's deep in the forest, Clavis-san or Leon would be more likely to know this place.

MC: With Clavis-san being busy lately, did Leon tell you?

Chevalier: ....

MC: Bingo.

Chevalier: He's more knowledgeable about these kinds of things.

MC: But I adore you for bringing me here after hearing about it.

Chevalier: You are as easy as always.

MC:...Only for you, Chevalier-sama.

The meaningless time during which we simply watched the faint lights passed. In the past, I would’ve walked away without a second thought, deeming this scenery unimportant. But now, seeing MC enjoy this moment of peace, I held my tongue.

It’s not like I can truly make up for all your hardships and efforts. However, as I'm the one who dragged you into this, I must take the appropriate responsibility for it. ---

MC: It's an honor to meet you after such a long time. Please, have a seat.

Irena: ...

MC: Could you prepare the tea, please?

Irena: Understood

Some time had passed since MC began her lessons, and the foreign affairs faction hosted a gathering in the palace’s rose garden. With Great Lady accompanying MC as her maid, MC was busy entertaining the noblewomen who came to attend.

Nobleman: Chevalier-sama, as for that public enterprise...

Chevalier: Submit an error-free budget plan first. The rest is to be discussed then.

While exchanging words with nobles who came to talk one by one, I used the brief moments of free time to check on her. MC's demeanor was more refined than before by virtue of her lessons. However, the autumn wind carried whispers from the crowd

Noble lady: That lady is...

Nobleman: The former commoner Belle, right? I heard that Marquis approved of her, but...

As the future queen, every little movement of hers was subject to the scrutiny of curious gazes. No matter how polished she became, she'd always be tested as the king's woman, with many waiting for her to stumble. Those who want to be the king's woman, those who have someone to make the king's woman. There were plenty of such people in the mindless rabble.

Once the conversations with the nobles came to an end, I made my way toward MC. Just as I approached her, MC—wearing a longer gown than usual—tripped on it and lost her balance. I caught her before she fell, but the crowd around us began to whisper regardless.

MC: Thank you, Chevalier-sama.

Chevalier: Sure.

Even for something as simple as that, the idle bystanders had to nitpick. Although a smile tugged at MC’s lips, her face paled as she, too, became aware of it. I could push them aside as it is, but…

MC:...Chevalier-sama!

Chapter 3

I lifted MC, carrying her to a nearby pergola. Blocking prying eyes, I set her down and she looked at me in confusion.

MC: I—

Chevalier: Your ankle isn't sprained?

MC:I'm fine. This was entirely my carelessness.

Chevalier:It was an accident that can happen to anyone. None would fault you for resting for a while.

Feeling the crowd's gaze, I stroked her hair. The autumn wind carried no complaints now. By tomorrow, my fool of a brother would spread exaggerated tales. And rather than a small mistake, the solidity of the king's affection would be remembered by people.

MC:...Thank you, Chevalier-sama

MC, realizing my intention, smiled faintly.

Chevalier:You seem regretful despite thanking me.

MC:Since I was taught by Irena-sama, I wanted to perform perfectly.

Chevalier:I think you did so.

MC:If only I hadn't tripped—

Chevalier: It's silly of you to worry about it.

MC: Hehe... You're right. I shouldn't dwell on it.

Chevalier: Unless you want me to carry you around all the time.

As I tickled her cheek with the tip of my finger, her eyes softened, and the color returned to her pale face.

I know you’re too earnest to not care about it. Still, I hope it won’t bother you for long. ---

Irena: I've taught many ladies over the years. Based on my experiences, I can say with confidence that MC-sama is a resourceful lady.

Autumn ended, and as the season when we need to light the fireplaces came, Great Lady requested an audience. It had been a while since she started her lessons; accordingly, she seemed to have formed an overall assessment.

Irena: MC-sama is an intelligent and prepossessing woman.

Irena: She mastered manners befitting of her position and holds a considerate heart. She possesses the qualities worthy of a future queen, and it is truly rewarding for me to be guiding her.

Chevalier:But you have some concerns, right?

Irena:…I beg your pardon in advance

She especially came to talk to me. It means it was something Great Lady couldn't deal with by herself.

Irena: There is one matter of concern that I am at a loss as to what to do... ---

Clavis: Come on, tonight's informal! It's all on Chevalier's pocket money. Everybody eat, eat, eat as much as you can!

Leon:Then I won't hold back. I can't believe we're being treated by Chevalier.

Nokto:Our king has changed. Who would’ve thought he’d throw a family party at the end of the year?

Jin: The alcohol bought with Chevalier's money is delicious.

Yves: Wait, Jin, you've drunk too much! You can't get carried away like this, even if it's an incentive party.

Licht: Too vibrant.

Luke: Isn't it good once in a while?

I’ll never understand why family gatherings always get so noisy. People from both the internal and foreign affairs of the palace gathered to attend what was supposed to be a casual incentive party thrown by the king. The fact that it was the end of the year only seemed to amplify their excitement.

MC: Chevalier-sama, would you like a drink?

Even amidst this messy environment, MC remained calm, her posture straight as she held out a glass. Her gait, her manner of speaking, her poise—everything about her had changed from months ago. Yet, it seemed like she hadn’t fully gotten used to it yet. She still couldn’t act unconsciously, and even at a family gathering, she was on edge. Of all people, the one I wanted to relax the most stayed tense.

As I took the glass, my fool of a brother and Black approached us, smirking.

Clavis: Mr. Host, why so serious?

Leon: This is a day to drink, feast, and enjoy, right? Laugh more.

Clavis: If you sulk like that, MC can't enjoy it as well.

Leon:Yep, give us a smile.

Chevalier: ...

Clavis: Hahaha, my brother is being shy.

Leon: Always so shy, isn't he?

Clavis: It's such a pity after his big public display of affection during the autumn gathering.

Leon: Come to think of it, it became a hot topic for a while.

Leon: How His Majesty showed off extravagantly in front of his people again

MC: That was...

Before she could finish her words, I stretched out my hand...

Chapter 4

As I covered MC's mouth, my fool of a brother and Black blinked in surprise even more than she did.

Chevalier: What's wrong with it?

Clavis: You mean... "what is wrong with showing off my love"?

Chevalier: ...

Leon:...Hey, Clavis.

Clavis: Yeah, great minds think alike.

Clavis+Leon: We should spread this immediately!

Their antics knew no bounds. Seeing two idiots scamper off excitedly, I removed my hand.

MC: Shouldn't we stop them?

Chevalier: Unnecessary, but...

I could feel others starting to throw annoying glances to us.

Chevalier: Come with me.

As I took her to the balcony with me, the winter breeze swept through us. I hugged trembling MC, and warmth arose from the places we touched.

MC: Is it okay to leave like that?

Chevalier: You might be forgetting, but old me didn't even bother to attend social gatherings. I hate crowded, noisy places. It is still the same

MC: Then why did you decide to hold an incentive event?

Others must be curious too. Our breaths formed a white mist in the air, only to be carried away by the chilling wind.

Chevalier: I wanted to show you an example.

MC: Example?

Chevalier: There were plenty of them there.

Chevalier: Men who had etiquette lessons hammered into their heads from their childhood and are familiar with social pleasantries.

All of them, though imperfect in their own ways, are members of the royal family, and all of them have mastered the minimum decorum necessary. Even though they’re men, they represent the ideal MC is aiming for in terms of how to behave.

Chevalier: But you are different from them in one thing.

MC: ..Is it my clumsiness?

Chevalier: Your guard.

MC: My... guard?

Chevalier: They aren’t on guard like you are. Because they know today's gathering is just a recreational one. But you’re still on guard, trying to behave perfectly even now.

MC: That's...

Her words vanished like fleeting snow, leaving no continuation. I'm sure some would praise your attitude as a virtue, but...

Chevalier: No matter how much they’ve been trained in manners, nobody stays on guard all the time. If you don’t learn to discern when to let your guard down, you’ll only exhaust yourself mentally.

MC: ...

Chevalier: Need I say more?

"She’s trying to be too perfect." It was a rare evaluation coming from that Great Lady. Even the person who professed that ladies must conduct themselves flawlessly was concerned by MC’s obsession with perfection. It isn't that I don't understand completely. I know someone who ruined herself while trying to be extremely perfect. The late queen's image surfaced briefly before I brushed it off. After being silent for a while, MC's body relaxed.

MC: Since failing at the autumn gathering, I’ve been constantly thinking about how to behave more perfectly. But…

MC leaned into me, burying her face in my chest.

MC: It's tiring to be perfect all the time.

Chevalier: Naturally.

I caressed her hair. I could feel her tension melt away, like a flower that had awaited winter’s thaw. Behind us, the party raged on, but MC didn't move for a while as if she had run out of strength ---

Irena: Walk like this with your back straight. Let everyone know that you are the best woman on this continent.

MC: Yes!

Irena: Nice. Even your bow got better. You've got this.

MC: Thank you!

Irena: Let's leave it here for today. At this rate, you won't leave me anything more to teach

Compared to the initial lessons, the atmosphere had drastically changed. The freezing season passed, and with spring’s arrival, MC’s expression grew brighter. After waiting for the right moment, I opened the door, and MC looked at me with joy.

MC: Chevalier-sama, what brings you here today?

Chevalier: I’m struggling to find something to do on my day off.

Chevalier: Aren't you hungry?

As her class ended, I took MC to the pergola, where the maids had already prepared the tea party.

MC: Ah—! This cake is a limited-time product from that famous shop in town. I’ve wanted to try it! Did you arrange this?

Chevalier: Who else?

MC: I’m surprised you knew about it. Did you hear it from Leon?

Chevalier: I'm not idle enough to chat with him.

MC: Then was it Clavis-san?

Chevalier: Do you think my fool of a brother would recommend a decent cake?

MC: So, you found out about it on your own?

I used a little help from the guard, though. Today was the result of expanding my information network after that firefly incident in the summer.

Chevalier: That is not important.

I led her to a seat and picked up a fork. Cutting a small piece of cake decorated with colors befitting of spring, I held it out, and MC slightly opened her mouth despite seeming embarrassed.

MC: Mmmm... It's so sweet!

MC: I feel like I'm being pampered by Chevalier-sama, whether it is summer, autumn, or winter.

Chevalier:And what of it?

MC: I want to reciprocate.

Chevalier: You already have.

MC: Eh?

Chevalier:Abundantly, actually

In summer, autumn, winter, and now all of your struggle and diligence are for me. There is no precious treasure than those moments where you try to fulfill your responsibility with utmost effort.

Chevalier: You are here. It's the most valuable present.

MC: Hehe... When you say that, it makes me want to try harder.

MC, who was smiling under the beautiful spring sun, repainted all the seasons I spent alone

I don't know how to forget, but I don't want to remember the seasons that don't have you in them.

Epilogue

My mother was a queen whom ladies of nobility admired profoundly.

Noble lady: Her Highness, your dress is wonderful as always

Queen: Thank you for your kind compliment. Now I can wear this with more confidence

I have this memory from a time I was yet to walk, of Queen before she lost her mind. Coming from a renowned noble family, Queen was always the center of attention. ---

Clavis: Ughh..aaah... I-I hate you!

Chevalier: ....

A few years later, my brother left while crying in a highly emotional manner just because of a single stare from me.

The queen was admired by many ladies, but her child was the opposite. As he grew older, people distanced themselves from him. He didn’t have the same qualities as the queen and couldn’t capture the same social attention. Before long, the laughter that once filled the palace faded and became a ghost of the past.

I once thought about it. What would have changed if I could act as amicably as Queen did...but the thought seemed so foolish that I stopped thinking about it. ----

Noble lady: MC-sama, your dress is wonderful as always

MC:Thank you for your kind compliment. I see that your dress is of the trending Benitoite style. It looks wonderful on you.

Noble lady: You noticed? I'm always impressed by your observatory skills.

The autumn wind carried the light conversation into the office. MC, holding a tea party in the garden, was working hard and socializing on behalf of the emotionless king.

Clavis: Really nice.

My fool of a brother, who had been checking documents, suddenly looked up to gaze outside.

Clavis: The palace has become livelier since MC arrived.

Clavis: Our palace lacked a queen for a long time, and the late king was an asocial man

Clavis: Perhaps it's more accurate to say that it regained the shape it was always meant to have.

Clavis: However, not every queen can interact with others as tactfully as she does. Your mother used to be the belle of high society. It seems her successor, with the same talents, has appeared.

Clavis: My, my. Compared to that emotionless, dull man, my sister-in-law is truly magnificent.

He was right. If I were to inherit the throne alone, our surroundings wouldn’t be so lively. The glory of the palace, built by the last queen, has returned, thanks to MC’s efforts. Yet, people tend to break easily. MC, now standing at the center of attention, could end up like the late queen after just a slight misstep. If the outcome of the mistake a king must never make was the late queen’s fate, then I... ----

MC: Tonight, the moon is really bright.

That night, while drinking a glass of wine, MC looked at the sky. The harvest moon glowed brightly in the clear sky, leaving little sparkles on the surface of the wine.

MC: The moon reminds me of that story about the moon rabbit. Do you think there’s a rabbit living up there?

Chevalier: I’ll let you choose—do you want me to answer with imagination or realistically?

MC: Then, with imagination, please

She was quick to answer. She didn't seem to really believe that there was a rabbit on the moon, rather she just wanted to have a casual chat.

Chevalier: There’s no rabbit up there.

MC: But that’s realistic—

Chevalier: Because she's here.

As I continued to look at the dumbfounded MC, she understood what I meant and started to smile.

MC:Come to think of it, you used to call me stupid bunny in the past

Chevalier: You’ve certainly improved compared to before.

MC: Because I can't stand next to Chevalier-sama as a little bunny

I never thought the woman who was once afraid of the beast like a bunny, would make such great progress. As I took a sip of my wine, its sweetness spread across my tongue.

MC: If I were the rabbit living on the moon, I’d fly away to meet Chevalier-sama.

Chevalier: That would surely be a rabbit with very strange tastes.

MC: I couldn't help but want to be loved by you.

Placing her glass on the blasterades, MC stretched out her hand toward the moon.

MC: Leaving my old world behind, there are times when I struggle back and forth in an unfamiliar environment. But I can say with confidence that I’m happy now.

Chevalier: Why?

Turning her gaze toward me, MC smiled bashfully, and her smile's brightness made the harvest moon seem dull in comparison.

MC: Because you're always by my side.

Chevalier:...

Chevalier: It was a foolish question.

As I put my glass down and cupped her cheeks, her eyes softened with comfort.

You will bear heavy responsibilities, just like the late queen. But those responsibilities aren’t meant to be carried alone. The late queen was lonely. If that loneliness is what ruins people, then I can be loving and soft just for you.

Leaning in closer, I kissed her, leaving the moon behind us.

Though I feel like I already show my love to you as much as possible

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