episode_0098

Elsie is pretty.

I am not commenting that way simply because we are close friends; this is an objectively acknowledged fact.

Of course, the views of people around her are subjective to the extent possible. Most of the people around Elsie, including me, are friendly to her.

However, even leaving aside such friendly views, Elsie’s appearance was described as beautiful in the original novel I read.

From Adele’s perspective, and from the perspective of someone meeting Elsie for the first time.

Elsie, who had a heavy mouth and a stern expression, was very blunt, perhaps because of the environment she grew up in, or because of the war she had been through. Even in the illustrations released by the author, Elsie did not have any special expressions.

And that cold impression and mysterious appearance at first glance played a role in attracting people’s popularity even though she was in the villain camp like Amelia.

… … Well, the impression of the Elsie in the original and the Elsie I know was a bit different.

In the original, Elsie had her bangs down and had a more princess-like image. Although she rode a wolf, she had a stronger image of a noble knight.

The Elsie I know… … Uh, I went around with my forehead exposed. I guess I could say that thanks to that, I looked a little livelier rather than a noble look… … It ended up being a very different image from the original.

It’s not that I don’t like it. The Elsie in the original is the character I ‘read’, and the Elsie in front of me now is the Elsie I’ve been with.

“Now, you have to put a smile on your face. Even a nervous expression is popular in its own way, but if you keep doing it like that, your partner will hate it.”

“Aren’t you the only person I can compete with?”

Actually, I like this Elsie better. I’ve never actually met the other Elsie.

There was only one Elsie I knew who spoke in this way.

Did they say split it, cut it, and if neither work works, destroy it? It was a story Elsie told me the other day about the second time she came down from the door.

In fact, when Elsie tried to solve a problem, she would solve it in a very simple way. Literally, she would use force to remove the problem from its place. The two proud princes ended up doing it in Elsie’s way. Considering that it was bent, that method may not be entirely wrong.

However, Elsie used her strength only when she could solve the problem using such methods.

“You need to put strength into the hand that is wrapped around your waist. Only when you support it firmly, the other person can entrust you with peace of mind.”

“Is that so?”

Elsie’s touch on my body never felt uncomfortable.

Even now, even though he agrees with what I said, he can’t put any strength into his hands.

Elsie’s hand that was currently wrapped around my back was soft. It was as delicate as touching fragile ceramics. Even though there was a thin cloth wrapped over it, she just placed her hand gently on my skin, as if she would get gold if she touched it wrong.

“The arm holding your hand must also be strong. I feel anxious because it feels like I will stumble if my arm goes down.”

“Okay.”

Elsie’s other hand was the same. Elsie’s hand, where I placed my hand, was stiff as if she didn’t know what to do. The fact that it was stiff as if it were a coat hanger was, in a way, an organ that only Delkish people could do.

But even though it was hard, the hand was actually soft and warm.

Is it because he is from Delkisi that he can swing a sword like that and still have such soft palms? Does it have something to do with him breaking a thick wooden table with his forehead and still coming out unscathed?

… … And, it’s not just the hands that are soft.

When men and women dance together, there is often a height difference.

In this world, men also wear heels. Although it has become somewhat out of fashion in this day and age, it has not gone out of fashion to the point where people say, ‘It’s strange for men to wear heels.’

On average, men are taller than women, so when wearing high heels, there are times when a woman’s cheek actually touches the man’s chest.

Of course, the height difference between Elsie and I isn’t that big—well, it’s a little embarrassing to say this, but our bodies are curvy in many ways.

So, when I held my body tightly to Elsie and turned my head and leaned my cheek towards Elsie, I could hear Elsie’s heartbeat. It was the perfect place to put my face up.

It was soft and warm.

If I held my cheek still and listened, I could hear Elsie’s heart beating fast.

I knew very well that it wasn’t because I was tired or moving my body vigorously.

Even if I rush at her covered in sweat, Elsie will block all my attacks without even changing her expression.

The reason Elsie’s heart was racing right now was because of this situation, that is, because of me.

“Aren’t you too attached?”

“No, this is natural.”

It’s not a lie.

“Because a man who seduces a woman uses his body to appeal to the woman who leans on him.”

“… … Right now, I’m learning men’s dance. The person I’m going to hang out with is you and I… … Should I tempt you?”

“But if you’re going to learn it, wouldn’t it be better to learn it properly? You don’t know, where can you put it to good use?”

“… … I’m seducing someone else with a male dance?”

Elsie muttered in disbelief at my words.

I know.

Me too, Elsie is someone else… … I couldn’t imagine being tempted at all.

How would I feel if Elsie seduced someone else, and if I saw her seducing someone else?

It won’t be very pleasant.

It feels like Elsie is getting ready to leave my side.

Because it feels like the one person in my life who understands me completely is leaving my side.

Does he hope Elsie doesn’t like someone else?

It’s a terribly selfish thought, but maybe that’s what I really want.

Thump thump thump, Elsie’s heart is racing.

All because of me.

*

Elsie is pretty.

Objectively, she is pretty no matter what she wears, just by looking at her, but when she dresses up, she is so beautiful that even I, a fellow woman, lose my eyes for a moment.

Honestly, I thought I could understand why the crown prince kept trying tricks.

Do you know that the crown prince sitting far away turns his eyes this way whenever Elsie is looking somewhere else?

The subtle red-wine-colored dress clearly covered Elsie’s front, but the fabric on the back was a little lacking in area.

Of course, an expensive dress couldn’t have been made that way because there really wasn’t enough fabric.

Of course, that’s the intention. To expose the back.

Considering that many people still wear corsets, it was definitely an unconventional dress.

The dress I chose.

“… … .”

Elsie’s face was red as she pursed her lips. It went well with her red eyes.

As a Delkish person with excellent physical ability, Elsie was perfectly replicating the dance we had been practicing. Right here, she was perfectly performing the role of a man, but her face was as red as a boy coming to the dance for the first time. there was.

Eyes that look as if they were exquisitely carved from the highest grade ruby.

I heard a few times that it was ominous in the original work, but I don’t understand the aesthetic sense of the person who said that.

If these eyes are ominous, then all the red jewels in the world are ominous.

“I’m doing well.”

As I whispered softly, a slight smile appeared on Elsie’s nervous face.

As expected, this expression suited Elsie’s face.

On the day I get married, what kind of expression will Elsie make?

Will I smile like this today? Or will I cry as if I’m sad?

Either way would be nice, but

I was naturally hoping for the latter.

“… … .”

Why?

We would be such close friends. We would know each other so well and share thoughts and memories—we would be ‘friends.’

What do I think of Elsie?

Slowly, the sound of the incoming music became distant.

The footsteps of people around me and the chandelier shining from the high ceiling.

All I see is white light.

I was dancing alone with Elsie in that light.

Maybe you just feel that way, but—

—In that dreamlike atmosphere, I discovered a small flame burning deep in my heart.

Every time I look at Elsie’s face, every time I hold her hand, every time I hug her like this,

—Every time we lie in the same bed.

The flame, which burned little by little, slowly warmed my body.

Is it because our bodies are touching each other through a thin cloth?

I sweated a little.

My ears were pounding. This time it was the sound of my heart beating.

“Ah.”

“Huh? What’s wrong, Amelia.”

When Elsie called my name, my heart beat faster.

… … I think I understand.

I had heard of such cases in my past life, but it was a situation I never thought I would feel.

He’s my friend, and I want to keep him by my side for the rest of my life, and I’m jealous of him being with other people, and it’s just nice to be this close – those feelings are,

It was definitely a feeling I felt because I liked Elsie.