My Childhood Friend Is An Archmage Chapter 88
Translated by d6y (ko-fi)
Chapter 88
There's no doubt.
There's only one lady with such rare pink hair.
The one who called my name was definitely Lady Artbery.
"What a surprise to see you here!" With a bashful smile, Artberry walks towards me.
In her hand is her wallet. Looks like she wants to buy fake eggs as well.
"...Are you here to see the play?" I nervously ask her, and immediately regret it. Of course, she's come to the theatre to see a play, what else could she come for!
I'm beating myself up for asking such a stupid question when Artberry smiles and blushes.
"No, I'm here for a date with Lord Lancer!"
"Pfft."
Suddenly, I heard someone burst out laughing.
It's Phoebe.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I got a fly in my mouth." She wipes the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand.
‘What, you're here on a date with Lord Lancer? Don't be silly. He's been chasing after my lady since they were kids. Wait, how dare he take his eyes off her, a woman who's like a star in the sky, and where is he now?’
I wonder about that as much as Phoebe. Now before me is Lady Artberry alone.
Where is Lancer?
But the way she dresses suggests that she's not lying. Her dress has too much care to have come to the theatre alone.
Artberry's dress is a short one, contrary to the chilly weather.
The dress has several ribbons tied around the waist in the shape of flowers, and the skirt is trimmed with translucent chiffon.
I forget about the situation for a moment and admire her dress.
It's a cute, bubbly style that I don't see in many young girls my age (except for Aronia and her friends).
For some reason, it warms my heart.
Is this what young people wear these days…..
Wait, it feels weird to say that. I'm just barely into adulthood, right?
Anyway, where's Lancer, isn't he supposed to be with her?
As if she has noticed my gaze searching for Lancer, Artberry answers first. "He went to take his seat first because he doesn't like crowds!"
"Pfft." Phoebe makes another strange noise. Me and Artberry's gazes naturally turn to her.
"I'm sorry. I swallowed the wrong air." She replies gruffly, her eyes darting back to Artberry.
‘That's not why he's sitting there, he's sitting there because he hates you. Eh, if you can't see, you don't have a say… I have a lot to say, but I don't.’
"I see." I blurt out, trying my best to ignore her.
This calls for trouble. How did I end up at the same theatre on the same day as Lancer?
A few days ago, when I fought with Lancer after an argument that wasn't really an argument, I'd told him to come to the play with Artberry.
But I never thought it would happen.
I'm not upset about Lancer going to the theatre with Artberry. It would be a good experience for him.
But, like, why today? Of all days, and why this play, of all plays, and why this play?!
I'm already worried about the fight with Lancer, and now I'm in danger of running into him.
This is either a joke of fate, or someone manipulating it with malicious intent….
‘Hoho, I heard from Lord Lancer that Princess Skyla was going to see this play today, so I purposely got tickets for the same day!’
So it was you, Artberry, who was the culprit!
I glare at her. But she doesn't seem to mind my stare at all.
"By the way, me and Lord Lancer will be sitting in booth B. What about you, Princess Skyla?"
Why is she sitting next to me? I'm beginning to get frustrated, but Artberry doesn't see that.
She cups her cheek with one hand and smiles innocently. "Hehe, actually, the booth seats were a bit pricey, but Lord Lancer said they were a gift for me!"
The seat was even picked out by Lancer?
"Me and the Crown Prince are in booth A. I'll see you during the intermission." No point in lying about my seat.
Artberry seems genuinely pleased. "Great, let's get some air together later!"
‘I'll have to go to the bathroom with the Princess!’
"My lady." Phoebe, who has been listening to us, nods towards the booth.
Before I knew it, it was our turn to buy fake eggs.
"Oh, I guess I'll have to queue up too! Have fun!" With that, Artberry turns to leave.
"Wait." I stop her and take two baskets of fake eggs. I hand one basket to Artberry.
"Oh gosh."
"It's a coincidence that we met," I say, "so here's a gift for you."
I emphasise the word 'coincidence', but she doesn't seem to notice.
"Thank you so much. I'll make sure to throw some at the bad guys later!"
‘Wow, unlike the rumours, Princess Skyla is really nice. I hope I can become close friends with her!’
She's trying to figure out how to befriend me in this situation. I can see why Artberry and Lancer would make a great pair.
"Okay, I'll take a look. You two are near us, anyway."
"Okay, I'm going to go get some snacks first!" Finally, Artberry leaves with a big smile.
"...Why did you give it to her?" Phoebe asks, whispering as she grabs the remaining basket of eggs, confusion evident in her tone.
I let out a small sigh. "Because Lady Artberry came to see the play with Lancer."
"That means… Ah!" Phoebe clutches the basket tightly as if she has just gotten an epiphany.
‘You don't mean…. my lady is going to take this opportunity to abandon Lord Lancer, and finalise your love affair with the Crown Prince, so that you can bribe Lady Artberry to be good to Lord Lancer…!
'This is genius. This high-sounding theatric seems impossible until it's my lady. You have an unusual way of thinking, and I'd like to be born in your head in my next life, please!’
That's weird. Stop it.
Now, contrary to what Phoebe might think, the reason I gave Lady Artberry fake eggs was simple.
I wanted to prove something to Lancer.
Just watch.
Unlike you, I don't sulk because you came to the theatre with someone else.
I'm not jealous of Lady Artberry, I don't hate her, and I don't want to know what she's up to.
I want you to have a good time even if it's not with me.
The fact that I'm so kind as to give her eggs is proof of that.
So please, when you see Ryan, don't spoil the mood by being snarky!
I'm still uncomfortable about what happened at the Imperial Ball. When Ryan asked me to dance, Lancer was rude to Ryan, acting like he had stolen me from him.
So please, let this day pass without incident.
With that, I walk into the booth with Phoebe.
It's noisy here. As we make our way up the crowded stairs to our seats, I can hear people's thoughts.
Good thing my seat is a booth seat.
Booth seats are exactly what they sound like: booth-style seats, as opposed to regular seats.
They're higher up than the other seats, giving me a much better view of the stage.
These booth seats, which are separated from the rest of the audience, are mostly used by families and couples.
As I expected, the other booths are filled with smiling, arm-in-arm lovers and couples with children. There are also a few elderly couples enjoying their time together.
An elderly lady caught my eye. She smiles and nods at me.
Who are you?
I don't recognise her, but I don't want to be rude and ignore her since she greeted me first in a friendly manner.
So I return the favour with a small smile. She smiles back at me in the same gentle way.
My heart warms. She must be a kind-hearted old lady, right?
I'm about to turn my head away when I notice a basket of fake eggs at the old woman's feet.
"...." I shut my mouth and lower my gaze.
The crown prince hasn't arrived yet.
I left early in anticipation of the crowds, so I still had plenty of time. About thirty minutes before the play began.
"There's Lord Lancer." Phoebe, who's sitting next to me, says.
At her words, I turn my head to where her gaze is directed.
Sure enough, Lancer is sitting next to Artberry, close by his side.
Our seat is the best in the booth, the highest up. Artberry and Lancer, on the other hand, are a little lower than us.
I find myself unintentionally looking down at them.
Artberry is smiling gracefully, covering her mouth with one hand, and she's talking to Lancer.
Lancer nods occasionally to show that he's listening with a small smile on his face.
What the hell are they talking about? I wonder, and I strain my ears to eavesdrop.
Unfortunately, Lady Artberry’s voice is muffled by the distance of the booth. But I did catch a glimpse of what she was saying.
"It's a good thing you remembered Brother Carberry's jokes! What joke shall I tell you next, Lancer?
"...?"
Artberry, what are you doing?
'Yes, let's try this one! What is the grandpa's favourite money? It's old money!’
"...."
I can't stop my complexion from paling.
Well, it's a good thing I can't hear them.
I think to myself and am about to turn away.
Lancer, who's been listening to Artberry's words, lifts his head.
Our eyes locked.
"...!"
I jerk my head away like I'm in hot water, my mind racing with confusion.
Eh? Why did I just turn my head away?
For some reason, I can't bring myself to look Lancer in the eye.
"My lady? What's the matter with you all of a sudden? Is there a fly in your ear...?"
"Oh, it's nothing."
"Lord Lancer and Lady Artberry are waving at you, would you like to say hello?"
Dang it, they've both seen me!
I spin around to face downwards.
As Phoebe says, Lady Artberry is smiling innocently and waving her arms in greeting, and beside her, Lancer is waving slightly.
A smile tugs at the corners of Lancer's mouth.
…Huh.
Why are you smiling like that?
Is it so nice to be with Lady Artberry?
