episode_0761

I can see a sense of sadness, pity, and longing in the gazes they look up at me from below. I didn’t even try to look at their expressions on purpose.

I’ve felt this atmosphere several times.

In the distant past, very rarely, but recently almost every day, those who would put their hands together in front of me and pray would often make that kind of expression.

I guess I was able to immediately sense their feelings because I was used to being worshipped.

The corners of the lips are trembling.

If I go down there now, Mama will grab my arm and make me stand next to her.

‘…Theoretically, that’s true. But strangely, when I look at that sight, I get goosebumps deep inside.’

As I welcome people who come to see me every day, I am slowly getting used to wearing a mask.

It’s true that I had no tolerance for compliments, but I’m human, so how could I not adapt?

It’s not for nothing that I go out every morning and say hello to them.

If I really hated it, I would have ignored them whether they gathered or not.

‘The people gathered there now aren’t just looking up at me.’

‘There’s something awkward about that.’

I don’t really expect an apology from them.

I never wanted them to bow down before me.

It doesn’t matter whether people’s views change or not.

Their prejudices are not false, since what they did in the past does not disappear.

Of course, there are those who feel uncomfortable with the fact that I am positioned amidst the hatred and jealousy of others.

Well, I don’t think that’s something that needs to be changed like this, but something that will be resolved naturally over time.

To be honest, I don’t like it when the guys who were just cursing at me get caught up in the atmosphere and start sobbing and saying things like, “I’m sorry.”

“So, Lucy, you don’t want to go there right now?”

Joy, who had been in my arms, slowly got down next to me.

She stumbled around the tip of the leaf, barely regaining her balance, and let out a sigh of relief before continuing with an awkward laugh.

“Then shall we just disappear quietly?”

“…Is that okay?”

“There’s no way it won’t work out. Because our work has already been done.”

That’s right. Our role ends with making this fairy tale go well.

Now that we’re gone, the fairy tale will continue on its way to the last page.

“But isn’t this the ending you want?”

This is not the ending that Joy wants. Even I, who am not very perceptive, can tell.

The reason why she dragged me into social circles.

Maybe what Joy really wants will only come true if I go down there.

Joey hesitated for a moment after hearing the question, then nodded.

“That’s true. I want other people to like Lucy as much as I like her.”

Joey didn’t hide his feelings.

“But is it okay for me to go?”

“If Lucy doesn’t want it, what’s the point?”

“I have to do everything Joy wants until today, right? There won’t be another chance like this later.”

“I just told you, Lucy. If you want something, just say it.”

It is impossible for everyone in the world to have their wishes fulfilled.

When someone’s wish comes true, someone else’s wish is shattered.

With so many people telling their own stories, not everyone can always be the main character.

Joy, who had said this, raised the corners of her lips while reaching out her hand to me.

A lively smile like that of a pure high school girl, not like that of a villainess.

“If you love each other, you have to compromise. If there is a moment when my wish comes true, there has to be a moment when your wish comes true.”

“Are you going to give in this time? That’s scary. What are you going to ask me to do next time?”

“No. It’s different. Lucy. You’ve been granting my wishes for a long time. So this time, I’m giving in to you in return for some of what you’ve given me so far.”

Forgetting what to say in return, I blankly watched Joy’s laughter, smiled faintly, and grabbed her hand.

“Why can’t you do something stupid like this? If you do something stupid after setting the mood, I think I’ll really want to tease you.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve used the magic of teleportation so many times that I wouldn’t make a mistake again. I’ve already made all the mistakes I could possibly make, so don’t worry.”

As I listened to Joy talking with her shoulders back, a chill ran down my spine.

I don’t know why, but I have a feeling that if Joy makes all sorts of mistakes, she’ll make another one in an outrageous way.

I know from experience that this type of intuition is more accurate than others!

I wish I could let go of your hand right now!

But I can’t do it because I know that if I blatantly throw my hand away, Joy will be disappointed!

Ugh. Calm down. We survived against the evil spirits, so why would we die because of a mistake Joy made?

At best, you’ll probably high-five a cloud and then free fall. If not, you’ll probably end up in the middle of the vast ocean.

“Okay. Then I’ll go.”

“That. Yeah.”

“Don’t act nervous! You’re just trying to tease me again!”

“Not on purpose.”

I really didn’t do it on purpose. I was completely sincere. I desperately shook my head and tried to appeal to her, but Joy created a magic circle to show me.

The blackness that rose from our shadows swallowed us up and changed the scenery around us.

“Wow. This is something new.”

I let out a hollow laugh at the intense heat I felt from the moment I stepped foot in, and then I heard a voice suddenly hoarse from the side.

“…I’m sorry.”

As I watched Joy hesitating against the backdrop of the volcano with lava flowing, a deep-seated urge to poke her welled up inside me.

I hid my fingers behind my back, unable to hold back my playfulness, and cautiously opened my mouth.

“How about getting ready to use magic again while you’re at it?”

“Okay! Got it!”

*

The sight of the two people suddenly disappearing under the moonlight was as beautiful as a scene from a fairy tale.

Even those who don’t know the details are amazed by the beautiful directing.

However, the opinions of those who actually knew Joy and Lucy were the same.

“You ran away.”

“Run away.”

Arthur and Rene, who had exchanged the same opinion, let out a sigh as if they had agreed with each other.

“I never thought the young lady of the Partran family would interfere.”

“I didn’t expect that either. I thought what we wanted and what Joy wanted would be the same.”

“Should we assume that Lucy Allen, who predicted the danger, roasted her opponent?”

“Maybe.”

Arthur nodded and let out a hollow laugh. He had promised to listen to almost anything, so he must have been desperately trying to persuade Joy.

I don’t know what he offered in return, but he was desperate.

Were you so afraid of people’s warm gaze?

She has a personality that makes it hard to believe she is the daughter of the infinitely bright sun.

“In the end, we got nothing from this place.”

Arthur agreed with an awkward smile as Rene shrugged his shoulders in disappointment.

I went through all the trouble of running around here and there, but I couldn’t hear Lucy Allen’s wishes and I couldn’t create the ending she wanted, so it’s safe to say that I wasted the day.

“What are you going to do?”

“Question about order?”

“Okay. I will especially respect your opinion.”

When Rene, who had been showing a sharp attitude towards him, readily showed good intentions, Arthur smiled on the outside but had many thoughts in his head.

It’s suspicious. Why is my brother suddenly pretending to take a step back?

Is there any way to gain by giving in this time?

Arthur, who had been making assumptions out of habit from living as a prince without a supporter for a long time, soon clicked his tongue.

What’s the use of worrying about such things?

The issue between you and me is not political.

So, you can’t get the right answer by thinking like you always do. Rather, in times like this, it’s better to approach it a bit more simply.

“Then I’ll go first.”

When Arthur answered without much hesitation, Rene looked surprised instead.

“Do you have something in mind?”

“I had some ideas in mind, but after seeing this social media today, I made up my mind.”

“What is it?”

“Do you think I’ll tell you that?”

“I thought I might get drunk on the atmosphere and say something stupid. What a shame.”

Rene, who expressed a slight regret, left the place coolly.

Arthur, who was looking at him in such a different way than usual, felt many thoughts he had tried to forget coming back to him.

Even if you try not to be suspicious, if things keep happening like that, don’t you start to have different thoughts?

Should I ask Caria-sama a favor after I get back?

“Prince.”

Arthur’s complicated thoughts were interrupted by a voice coming from below.

“Why aren’t you dancing and are you here?”

“They’re all crap. It’s not fun.”

Frey, who had danced with many people up until now, seemed to be becoming more dissatisfied rather than having her desires relieved.

“The social world is where people who are good at it and people who are not good at it dance together.”

“That doesn’t concern me. I just want to dance properly.”

Arthur smiled bitterly at Frey’s agility, who seemed ready to draw her sword if she didn’t vent her anger, and gave an appropriate answer before looking behind her.

Until recently, everyone who had shown interest in Frey had stayed far away.

I didn’t see the whole thing, but I know for sure that they were terrified of that madman named Frey Kent.

“Prince. If you keep pretending not to know, I’ll threaten you.”

“Are you thinking of pulling out a sword?”

“Yeah. I’m going to tear this world down.”

Arthur would have laughed it off if it had been someone else’s words, but he couldn’t do that because it was the person in front of him.

Because the madman named Frey Kent was a man with both ability and will.

“Okay. How long can I hang out with you?”

I would rather sacrifice myself than ruin Partran’s social circle.

Arthur nodded as he thought about that, and Frey smiled brightly.

That’s why she’s cute, like a girl her age.

“Until I collapse from exhaustion.”

Arthur, who had been feeling happy, realized the moment he heard Frey’s answer that he had made the wrong choice.

But by then it was already too late.

The lion, with its fangs stuck in its prey’s neck, was already thinking only of taking the meat.