Chapter 149

I thought long and hard.

Honestly, I don’t think there’s ever been a more difficult decision.

It was even harder because there was no right answer.

But in the end, I came up with my own best solution.

It was a decision I made after agonizing over it from both emotional and rational perspectives.

‘My heart feels heavy.’

But a part of me felt heavy.

I felt a pang of guilt towards the other heroines who had built relationships with me.

But I had no choice.

I only have one body.

In a way, it was a cruel choice for both me and them.

‘Still.’

It was a path I had to take.

Relationships aren’t always smooth sailing.

It’s impossible to satisfy everyone.

I can only do my best.

It’s natural for the heroines who weren’t chosen to feel hurt by this.

It’s my responsibility to mend those feelings, and it’s something I have to go through.

If you can’t avoid it, enjoy it.

It’s a cliché, but it was a helpful mindset for me right now.

I calmed my heart and a faint smile appeared on my lips.

‘Alright, let’s go.’

I straightened my back and walked confidently, step by step.

I’m the main character of this ball.

Everyone is watching me.

I’ll make sure everyone clearly remembers the image of me, the popular guy with beautiful women waiting for his choice.

I deliberately winked at the audience.

“Does that guy think he’s some kind of superstar?”

“Ugh, he’s so annoying, trying to look cool.”

“…I’m so mad, I want to throw a bottle of wine. Is that okay?”

“Hey, hey, you’ll only hurt yourself, so just hold it in.”

Beautiful(?) reactions.

Those kinds of reactions make me even more excited.

It’s proof that I’m living a life of envy.

‘Huh?’

I suddenly noticed Camian in the audience, giving me a thumbs-up.

It felt like he was saying, “I acknowledge that you’re amazing, so go ahead and do your best.”

I chuckled.

He’s the type who pretends to be annoyed, but he has a cute side to him.

‘Alright then.’

I quickly took the last few steps.

I arrived at my destination.

There was Regina, looking at me with eyes that clearly showed she was shaken, eyes I had never seen before.

* * *

“What, what?!”

“He chose the Student Council President?!”

“Wait, wait! Wasn’t their relationship over?”

“I remember last year he was openly flirting with other girls…”

“It was 100% over. Think about how he acted. He was constantly hitting on other girls in the red-light district.”

“Yeah, if he was sane, he would have broken off the engagement. It’s not like he was being blackmailed because of some debt. The Student Council President is the best in the world, what does she have to lose?”

“…But what’s with this sudden change?”

“That’s what I want to know.”

“Is it just for show?”

“For show?”

“He’s showing off that he’s a true romantic who isn’t swayed by any beauty.”

“No, why now? He’s not a romantic, he’s a promiscuous jerk, the whole world knows that.”

“Huh? Y-Yeah, that’s true.”

“Hmm, maybe he’s begging her to not break off the engagement. Maybe he got a big scolding from his family, or maybe he finally realized that he can’t find a fiancée like her, with her family, beauty, and abilities, anywhere else.”

“That makes sense.”

The audience was in an uproar, shocked by the unexpected choice.

All sorts of things were being said.

Especially, people were wondering why I made this choice.

And it was a bonus that my past behavior was being chewed over.

It’s true that Max’s behavior towards Regina was bad enough to deserve being insulted a few times.

Anyway…

I approached Regina, pretending to be friendly.

Her face came into focus.

The shock I had clearly seen earlier was gone.

Her emotional control is amazing.

“Surprised?”

I asked in a low voice, almost a whisper.

“Honestly.”

She admitted readily.

“It feels good to surprise you.”

“Seeing you say that so casually, it seems like you’re more relaxed than I thought.”

“Huh?”

“You seemed to be agonizing over it.”

Regina’s indifferent gaze pierced me.

I gave a wry smile and met her gaze.

She’s sharp and perceptive.

She probably figured everything out from the situation.

Especially if she had already figured some things out before the ball.

“It’s probably best to talk about this later. For now, could you just play along?”

“I refuse.”

“What?”

My heart skipped a beat.

My spine tingled, and my heart raced.

I never thought I would be rejected so decisively by her.

“Wait…”

“You were surprised, so now we’re even, right?”

Regina said casually.

My flustered heart finally calmed down.

“…You can’t just say things like that, and expect me to take it as a joke. I think I lost two days of my life expectancy.”

“I’ll be careful.”

“So, back to the question, what’s your answer?”

“Acceptance.”

Regina answered briefly.

“Thank you.”

I responded with a smile and straightened my posture, politely extending my hand.

“Would you please give me your time tonight?”

I spoke in a clear voice, so everyone could hear me.

The previous conversation was casual, but this was a formal dance request.

It was basic etiquette, and it was only natural to show sincerity in form.

Regina hesitated before answering.

You’re just playing along, right?

…But somehow, I feel uneasy.

As I was thinking that…

“Okay.”

Finally, her answer came.

Thwack.

Regina’s hand took mine.

At that moment…

“She-She accepted?!”

“He’s not a fiancé, he’s a complete jerk. How could she…?”

“No, what kind of living saint are you?”

“…She might even be releasing relics right now.”

“Is she being blackmailed?”

“What are you talking about? The one being blackmailed is Max. He’s done so much wrong, he wouldn’t even be able to say a word if he got dumped.”

“But why…?”

“How would I know? I’m dying of curiosity, really.”

The crowd was in an uproar again.

…Regina is being treated like a living saint.

She gets all sorts of things said to her because her fiancé is a jerk.

Honestly, you can’t just blame Max.

I’m the one who’s doing the octopus thing right now…

It’s a lie to say that my guilt didn’t influence her choice.

Regina gently pulled me closer, hiding my complex emotions.

Then she whispered in my ear.

“Now that you’ve made your choice, it’s probably best to stop thinking about other women, wouldn’t you say?”

A piercing remark.

I gave an awkward smile, feeling guilty.

“Let’s enjoy ourselves.”

I followed Regina’s lead.

* * *

‘Wow, I didn’t expect this at all.’

Princess Oscar had a smile full of amusement.

It was an unexpected option.

There had been no signs from either Max or Regina.

‘I thought spilled water could never be put back.’

Even the princess thought the Student Council President was almost perfect, except for one thing.

It was her fiancé, Max Celtrine.

Max, who was constantly getting unwanted gossip and even cheap pity, was clearly the Student Council President’s rotten finger.

He had to be cut off.

But…

‘She must have a plan.’

Objectively, their relationship was strange from the start.

One side was constantly hurting the other, and the other side was accepting it.

Unless one side was a complete victim who was being hurt but couldn’t help but continue the relationship, it wouldn’t last.

That’s why everyone thought the relationship was over.

However…

Beyond that, the Student Council President must have known.

That Max was no ordinary person.

The princess was certain.

‘Even so, I don’t think it’s acceptable.’

It’s natural that a future husband is much better if he’s capable than incompetent.

But that’s just one of many criteria.

Other criteria?

A man who goes around with every woman he sees, like a horny animal, is the worst kind of husband.

Of course, the princess wasn’t the type to care about that.

She was a princess who was very aware of her own unique personality, so she didn’t judge people by other people’s standards.

‘I wonder if the Student Council President is cool about that too? I’m curious.’

The princess tilted her head and her gaze turned towards another direction.

‘What am I going to do about this atmosphere?’

Hiresia, Elaine, and Riera.

They were pretending to be nonchalant, but the princess could feel it.

They were clearly showing signs of disappointment and sadness.

‘This is why popular guys are a problem. They leave women with their hearts broken. Wait, come to think of it, I was rejected too?’

The princess giggled, covering her mouth as if she had just realized something.

‘Is this my second time? This is a first for me. Huhu, I feel even more fired up. I’ll make sure to get his acceptance someday.’

The princess’s heated gaze was fixed on the back of Max’s head.

* * *

The reason I chose Regina after much deliberation…

Of course, it wasn’t just one thing.

First, I couldn’t continue to let our relationship be seen as practically over.

Maybe it would be easier for me.

But that would be thinking only of myself.

She has her own perspective.

No one would feel good about being constantly labeled as practically a divorcee.

Especially since I had never actively expressed my desire to continue our engagement.

It was only right that I show everyone our relationship, proudly.

Second, I wanted to know what she was thinking.

She knew.

That I was doing the octopus thing.

She must have been even more certain after what happened at the ball.

Honestly, it’s embarrassing, and my conscience is bothering me.

But that’s why I needed to know what she was thinking, especially as my fiancée.

Otherwise, I would have to live with that nagging anxiety.

I needed closure, whatever the outcome.

Between her and me.

Finally, the third reason.

This was the last chance I had to go to the ball with her, since she’s a fourth-year.

I couldn’t help but feel a little more drawn to her, since she wouldn’t have another chance.

“You’re being too conscious of it, unlike you.”

Regina said, taking a sip of her drink.

It was awkward to be sitting here alone with her.

“It’s fine if it’s just me, but it’s because I’m with you.”

“Do you care about me that much?”

“I don’t want you to receive these uncomfortable stares.”

Even though we were sitting facing forward, I could feel people staring at us openly.

We were the center of attention.

“I’m used to it.”

“I guess so.”

I chuckled.

Then I spoke again.

“I have something to say. And I have a question.”

“I knew it.”

Thwack.

Regina set down her glass.

“Actually, I have a question too.”

“Huh?”

“Do you like women that much?”

“Cough, cough, cough…!”

I choked on my own spit, even though I hadn’t even taken a drink, from that unexpected blow.