Haruka The Temptation of Marielle Clarac

1. Auflage 2020
ISBN: 978-1-7183-2230-1
Verlag: J-Novel Heart
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 303 Seiten

Reihe: The Tales of Marielle Clarac

With her plain appearance and inferior social status, Marielle never expected to be engaged to Simeon, the Vice Captain of the Royal Order of Knights and heir to a highly esteemed house.
And yet, he is her fiancé, not to mention everything she could ever wish for in a man. For him, she'd do anything-even feign politeness in polite society and do her best to be presentable.
As she prepares for the wedding with great enthusiasm, she continues to pursue her secret profession as a romance novelist. However, things take a turn when Simeon is accused of leaking official secrets. To save him, Marielle starts investigating-and an enigmatic figure enters her life...
The third volume in the adventures of the devious fangirl who secretly obsesses over her fiancé and everyone around him!

Autoren/Hrsg.

Haruka, Momo

Weitere Mitwirkende

Maro

Reuben, Philip

Leseproben

Chapter Two

The snow had disappeared from the city streets, and with every passing day the breeze grew more pleasant. Now that it was possible to go outside without a thick coat, it was finally feeling like spring had come. Buds were sprouting forth on the trees, and small flowers had started to bloom in the earth.

Making it through the long winter and greeting the spring at last had enlivened everybody’s hearts. There were still some days when a cold wind blew, but the ladies of society were determined not to let that hold them back, so vast numbers of them were seen out and about in light dresses. The fashion in winter had been for dresses that appeared plain at first glance but had hidden splendor, and so, almost in retaliation, the trend had now moved on to clothing that struck you with its brilliance the moment you laid eyes on it. Accordingly, the most popular hues this season were pale yet bright, while skirts were decorated at the back with pleats gathered together and endless layers of lace flowing down like a waterfall.

The city of Sans-Terre, capital of the Kingdom of Lagrange, was full of this grandeur—of flowers blooming a tad early. However, there was one young girl walking in the city who had firmly turned her back upon such things.

Her outdated dress had no doubt been maintained as carefully as she could manage, but one could see at a glance that it was rather old by now. Her strikingly ordinary brown hair also had no ornaments to decorate it, while her handbag was also quite shabby if one looked closely. She didn’t remove her worn-out gloves, likely not due to the cold, but as an effort to hide her rough and unladylike hands. Though she had clearly tried her hardest to maintain a respectable image, it was evident that this young woman had fallen on hard times. People who saw her no doubt wondered if she had been forced into poverty after the death of her father, or some such.

I chuckled softly. “This is perfect, if I do say so myself. Dressed like this, I’m certain that even if I met someone I knew, they would never notice me...though in any case, I am known for being difficult to spot once I’ve blended into a crowd.” In thoroughly high spirits, I gazed at my reflection in the publishing company’s window.

Just then, a boy carrying a pile of documents stopped nearby and smiled wryly. “That looks like hard work. Do you really have to change your appearance so substantially just to hide your social status when you leave the house?”

This young man, of about my own age and with delightfully cute features, spoke in a somewhat feminine manner. This was inevitable, as for seventeen years—almost his entire life thus far—he had lived his life as a woman. A strange series of events had led to my being acquainted with Lord Michel, but now at last he was living as a man, had broken all ties with his noble father, and had entered the working world. Even though he was sometimes pushed around or shouted at by his boss and his more experienced colleagues, he was a strong-willed person and did not let himself be discouraged. He appeared to be enjoying every day and living his life to the fullest.

As well as being a viscount’s daughter, I had a secret identity as an author, so I was in town to visit the publisher of my novels. I had attended a meeting with my editor, but I was also glad to have a chance to see how Lord Michel was getting on. I was pleased to see him looking so cheerful. There was no hint of the loneliness that had been so visible on his face before.

“Well, that is part of it,” I replied, “but there is an element of fun as well. It’s something of a hobby for me.”

“A hobby?”

“Yes! Recently I’ve become obsessed with disguises. I’ve been doing a lot of research into just how far it’s possible to transform myself into a different person.”

Lord Michel raised his eyebrows somewhat incredulously. “I really don’t think you need to do that, Lady Marielle.”

“Lord Michel, please don’t call me that name here. I’m the mysterious author known only as Agnès Vivier.”

“Oh, of course. I’m very sorry, Miss Vivier. You can also just call me Michel. A trainee doing mostly busywork doesn’t need a title of honor.”

After this short mock argument, we stopped and giggled at one another. Then a voice called to Lord Michel from inside. He replied and picked up the documents, which he’d momentarily set down.

As he turned back, he said, “You shouldn’t try so hard to compete with that mysterious thief, you know. You’re about to be married to a future earl. In any case, get home safely.”

He bowed and gracefully set off back to the editing room. Even now, he still carried himself like a lady. He was so refined, I felt as though I could learn a thing or two. I watched him go, then I left the building behind me and made my way along the road outside.

It’s not that I had been consciously thinking about Lutin, though he was a master of disguise as well. I merely wanted to improve my own disguise techniques, as a way to push my special ability of blending into the background to even greater heights. I’ll admit that it had been slightly vexing for me recently when he pointed out a flaw in one of my outfits, but it was an interesting subject to be absorbed in regardless of that.

Of course, that would require someone to hire me. Ultimately, it was just a mixture of my fangirl mindset and what I I could do. I didn’t really think of it as an actual possibility. My editor had been enthusiastic about that idea.

I took off my thick coat, and both my body and my heart felt light and free as I walked, enjoying the gentle rays of sun. The streets were now clear of the snow that had covered them a month ago, and the paving stones were left completely dry. The number of people around had also increased now that the weather was warmer. It felt like a waste to just go straight home, so I headed toward a street lined with shops.

The store I went into first was one specializing in goods for gentlemen. Lord Simeon had given me all sorts of gifts, so I decided it wouldn’t go amiss to give him one too once in a while. But alas, as hard as I looked to find a suitable gift, nothing jumped out at me.

I decided, In fact, what I felt suited him most of all was a riding crop—but I knew he’d be angry if I got him one of those as a present.

While I was busy quietly fangirling to myself, the shopkeeper came and spoke to me. “Are you looking for anything in particular?” His tone suggested that he meant less to help a customer in need and more to chase away a suspicious character. His expression was unabashedly mistrustful.

This was only to be expected given my current garb. If a lady who looked as poverty-stricken as I did entered his shop selling high-class goods for men, he would of course be wary that she was there only to window shop, or worse, to commit a theft.

Even if I were to ask him for help, it didn’t seem like he would provide much of it, so I gave up on trying to buy anything at this store. “No, I was just looking. Please excuse me.”

I left the shop, hearing a deliberately audible “Hmph!” behind me. I was somewhat disappointed. But I still wanted to go into at least one more shop first if I could.

I wandered aimlessly, looking at the various shops as I walked past. There was one that sold watches and glasses. I had a flash of inspiration.

Lord Simeon and I both regularly wore glasses. He, of course, was more suited to glasses than anyone else. They were an important prop that conveyed a stern and intellectual image, and sometimes a cold and chilling one. I decided, They wouldn’t match in an obvious way that was clear at first sight, but in some of the hidden decorative elements that don’t stand out so clearly.

I began to get excited about my own brilliant idea. More so than excitement at finding a present for my fiancé, it was self-satisfaction. Still, I really wanted to bring this idea to life. Glasses have to be made to fit the wearer, so I decided I would ask Lord Simeon to accompany me to that shop sometime soon. Deciding that gave me a joyous feeling as I walked past.

Up to that point, it was a very fine day indeed.

However, just as I was experiencing the delight of deciding on my future shopping plans, a...