Chapter 137

The voice was soft, but the content of the question was far from gentle. This was an interrogation. I swallowed nervously.

‘I never thought it would turn out like this…’

Regina and Princess Oscar. Both were key figures in the empire, but they had no significant interaction until Regina’s graduation. The difference in their school years meant there was little chance for them to cross paths.

But this flow had twisted again. The reason was clear. It was because of me. This happened because I was caught in the middle.

‘What a mess…’

I had mixed feelings. I was grateful that she stepped in for me, but I was also worried that this incident might harm her and her family. The princess could certainly make that happen. Sometimes she would laugh off serious mistakes, but other times she would remember even the smallest slights and retaliate manyfold. She was a person with unpredictable emotions and a twisted personality, making her a frightening and unpredictable existence.

“Ah, so that’s what you’re curious about.”

The princess answered in a low voice, still smiling. People always praised the princess for her gentle and smiling demeanor, but they overlooked one crucial fact. Could a person live without ever showing anger?

Those who understood the meaning of that question would realize how abnormal and creepy the princess’s behavior was. There weren’t many such people.

“I wanted to see.”

“What do you mean?”

“I wanted to see how someone I hold in high regard would handle such a situation.”

My eyes shook at the princess’s answer. It wasn’t a lie. Considering the situation, it was probably the truth. Was the princess being so honest now? It was unexpected.

‘Maybe…’

She might have judged that it was a difficult situation to handle with a fabricated answer. Regina’s serious and stern question had likely made that clear.

“I see. So that’s how you are.”

A statement loaded with meaning.

“Are you disappointed?”

“…”

Regina stood up without answering. But that was enough to understand her feelings. The princess twisted her lips into a strange smile. Regina spoke to the princess.

“It seems you’ve finished your business with this person.”

“Yes, indeed.”

“Then it doesn’t matter if I take him.”

“Of course, do as you please.”

And just like that, the tiring meeting with the princess was over in an instant.

…It was truly an admirable sight. How could a person be so straightforward? It felt unreal that such a person was my fiancée.

“Let’s go.”

Regina took my arm.

“Y-yeah.”

I was led away by my older fiancée. It felt good.

* * *

Regina seemed to deliberately head towards a secluded place. I followed silently, guessing she had something serious to talk about. We headed to a bench in an empty lot where the Infinite Tower was visible. Usually deserted, it was even more so during the festival. There was no one else around.

“Shall we sit?”

“Sure.”

Regina sat down first. After a moment’s thought, I sat about 30 cm away from her. That small distance symbolized the relationship I thought we had. Unlike a typical engagement, ours was more formal and less intimate. It was partly because it was a political marriage, but honestly, I felt burdened getting closer due to the past actions of Max, which made me feel indebted to her.

Tap.

Regina took out a cigarette from the platinum case I had gifted her.

“Sorry, but could I have one too?”

I asked, feeling like I needed a smoke after everything that had happened.

“As much as you want.”

Regina reopened the case, and I took a cigarette. It had been a while since I smoked, especially in front of Regina Ernbert. As a distant junior, this was an impossible event, but I was enjoying the privilege of being her fiancé.

Sizzle.

Regina lit her cigarette with a spark of magic. I lit mine too.

“Whoo…”

The menthol flavor filled my mouth. Smoking Regina’s favorite menthol cigarettes made it all the more real.

“Why did you come?”

I asked the question that had been on my mind.

“My prior engagement finished earlier than expected. So I decided to come and find you.”

“You did it on purpose?”

I couldn’t hide my surprise. I didn’t expect her to go out of her way to do that without a scheduled meeting.

“Why? Is there a law against it?”

“No, but…”

“Whoo.”

Regina exhaled a short puff of smoke and spoke again.

“You said you wanted to make one last student memory with me at the festival.”

I had indeed said that. But I never expected her to go out of her way because of it.

“Thanks for granting my wish.”

“Thanks to you, I’ve made a unique last memory too.”

“Haha, indeed. The world is full of surprises, right?”

I laughed bitterly. It was indeed a dramatic last memory, though incredibly impactful for me. My fiancée rescuing me at a critical moment. It was unfair, making my heart race with emotion.

“Yes, you’re right.”

Whoo.

Regina exhaled another puff of smoke.

“So.”

“Hm?”

“What did you discuss with the princess?”

The awaited question finally came.

* * *

“I see.”

Regina mumbled, looking off into the distance after hearing my story.

“So your answer was?”

“Of course, I refused. I don’t rush into things I’m not sure of.”

“That’s a wise decision.”

Regina nodded.

I spoke to her.

“And I can’t make such an important decision alone. We decided to go together, didn’t we?”

…I almost accepted the proposal, but let’s just say it was a crisis situation.

“Really?”

Regina’s eyes gleamed with unexpected interest.

“I didn’t think you were that kind of person.”

“…I do have a sense of responsibility. And I take matters involving you even more seriously.”

“Isn’t that a burden?”

“I’d appreciate it if you understood it as me considering it important.”

“Whoo.”

Regina slightly smiled and then turned serious again.

“Did you know?”

“About what?”

“About the Princess.”

“To some extent.”

I answered seriously, continuing my thought.

“One thing is for sure: she doesn’t match your personality. I think you felt that today too.”

“I won’t deny it. But that could just be a glimpse.”

She was right. How could you judge a person based on a single moment?

The problem was, my experiences with the Princess weren’t just a single moment. However, I didn’t intend to persuade her in detail. Even though she believed in my ability to have prophetic dreams, it would be hard to convince her how I knew so much about the Princess. Besides, she was far from dull. She was sharp, the sharpest person I knew. Having felt something today, she would likely watch the Princess with more caution and insight from now on. That should be enough for now.

“Yes, that’s possible. Anyway, I respect your thoughts as much as I can.”

“So do I.”

Regina’s words were not light. It meant she acknowledged me, making my heart beat a bit faster.

“…Thank you so much for today. It would have been a disaster without you.”

“No need to thank me. You would have found a way.”

“Hearing both you and the Princess speak so highly of me is overwhelming.”

I let out a small laugh.

“If two people think that way, it must be true, right?”

Regina gave me a meaningful look and then stood up.

“It’s about time I go.”

“Because of the ball?”

“Yes, it takes a long time for women to get ready.”

“Oh, right.”

I stood up too. As she watched me, Regina suddenly said,

“You’re quite a free spirit.”

“Huh?”

I was puzzled by the sudden comment.

“You smell like women’s perfume.”

Thud.

I froze on the spot. She wasn’t referring to the Princess’s scent. If she was, she wouldn’t have mentioned it.

Too many things came to mind, making my brain freeze. Elaine, who I had been with until lunch. Hiresia, who I unexpectedly encountered. Riviera, who slept in the same bed with me overnight. I was in an environment where it was inevitable for women’s scents to linger on me.

I should have been more careful. Speechless, I couldn’t say a word. Should I make excuses? Or admit it? I couldn’t decide. Surprisingly, Regina didn’t press further and walked away nonchalantly.

“See you at the ball.”

“…”

Regina walked away and disappeared, leaving me standing there like a statue. What did she mean by that? Cutting off like that made my mind even more confused. Was it a warning? A reprimand? If it was, could she have talked to me so calmly from the start? Then what was it?

I held my head, deep in thought.

‘At least…’

It seemed she wasn’t planning to break off our engagement. After all, she had maintained it even when the original Max acted recklessly.

‘And’

She didn’t seem extremely angry or shocked. Was it because of her innate calmness that allowed her to remain composed in any situation? Or was it from some other emotion…I bit my lip.

Either way, this was not something I could just ignore. When the timing was right, I needed to have a deep conversation with Regina about this.

If possible.

“Sigh…”

I sighed deeply. The truth was, I felt sorry that I couldn’t choose just one woman even in this situation. Shaking my head, I took a heavy step forward.

* * *

“President?”

Walking, Regina ran into Amy, who had been chewing on a baguette.

“Where did you come from?”

“From meeting a man.”

“Excuse me?”

Amy’s eyes widened.

A joke? But the president isn’t the type to joke like that…

“Why do men like women so much?”

“Huh? Excuse me?”

Amy blinked in surprise. The president seemed a bit strange today. But her expression wasn’t particularly different from usual.

“Are you coming to the ball?”

“Uh…Yes, I am.”

“Alright then, see you there.”

“Yes, President.”

Regina left, leaving the bewildered Amy behind.

“What’s going on…”

Amy mumbled to herself, then snapped back to reality.

“Oh no, I need to hurry and get ready or I’ll be late.”

Amy hurriedly ran off.