episode_0191

After returning from a conversation with Agnes about recent events and Prince Antonio’s birthday celebration, Edan and I had dinner at the dormitory dining hall and then returned to our respective rooms that evening.

As we finished dinner and headed back to our rooms, Edan suddenly asked me a question out of the blue.

“Have you prepared for the upcoming event in 2 weeks, Lillis?”

“Excuse me?”

“The birthday celebration for Prince Antonio at the palace in 2 weeks. You haven’t forgotten about it, have you?”

“Oh, no… I remember the contents of the letter, of course…”

I was the one who delivered the letter that had flown in from the academy to Edan, so how could I forget about it?

Edan had already prepared a few outfit options for the event in 2 weeks. If needed, he could purchase them from the shops below the academy and make some alterations.

Since I would be attending the event with him anyway, why was he suddenly asking for my opinion out of the blue?

‘Wait… this pattern…’

Somehow, I had a gut feeling that if I brushed off this conversation carelessly like before, it would definitely come back to haunt me later.

At this point, I decided to confirm the true intention behind Edan’s question.

“Am I also attending the event?”

“Huh? Of course, you are.”

“…”

“Wait, did you think I’ve been going alone all this time?”

“Uh, yes.”

I cautiously nodded my head, and Edan gave me a puzzled look.

Isabel, who had been observing our conversation, also looked at me with a curious gaze.

Of course, I had my reasons for assuming that Edan wouldn’t take me with him.

Since outsiders were not allowed into the palace event, he would have to take me in a position like a fiancée or betrothed. If there was a time when I didn’t know anyone before entering the academy, now about half of the academy students would recognize me if I attended an external event.

Unlike the previous Seraphine’s birthday celebration, this time, a mistake could really block Edan’s path. It wasn’t a masked ball where faces were covered.

It was simply a matter of distinguishing between where to intervene and where to stay out.

“Are you sure about this? Many people might mistake me for Edan’s fiancée this time.”

“It’s okay. That’s what I want. It’s much better than having women who are only interested in strategic engagements flocking to Blackwood.”

“But what about Lord Harold?”

“My father has also given his permission. I asked if I could bring you as my fiancée, and he said I could do as I pleased.”

Come to think of it, Harold was always a bit of a fool.

From the moment Edan expressed his intention to bring me as his fiancée to the event, Harold’s opinion was practically meaningless.

I had momentarily forgotten that Harold, who used to be a game-loving fool of a son, was now being outsmarted by Edan with a sword.

“…Are you worried about me, not yourself?”

“Huh?”

“We only pretended to be temporary lovers while at the academy, so are you concerned that rumors about us being engaged after graduation might circulate?”

“Do you really have a reason to worry about that now? The rumors from everything that happened at the academy so far are already unstoppable.”

“Well, that’s true.”

“I never even thought about marrying anyone other than Edan, so you don’t have to worry about that.”

“What?”

“Oops.”

Did I say something strange?

I just honestly expressed my thoughts in my mind, but Ethan and Isabelle seemed unexpectedly surprised.

Come to think of it, it’s a bit strange, isn’t it? Getting married to a man.

Even though I’m a woman now, I still have memories of being a man in my past life, and I couldn’t quite imagine a future where I would happily live with a man. It’s like my brain is rejecting such a terrible imagination.

But even so, being in a woman’s body, I didn’t feel any romantic feelings towards women either.

If it’s Ethan, it’s just because he’s somewhat familiar and I’ve received his grace a few times, so it was just a last resort. Marriage with any other man would not only be out of the question but even holding hands with them would bring about an indescribable discomfort.

“Did I say something strange?”

“Oh, no, Lilith. I was just a bit surprised. I didn’t know you were thinking that way too.”

“…Lilith seems to be foolish most of the time, but sometimes she becomes quite bold. Even the sounds that come from beyond the wall at night.”

“Huh? What sounds at night?”

“Wha?! What did I just say? I, I can’t remember all of a sudden….”

As Isabelle looked at me suspiciously and fidgeted, Ethan looked at me and continued the conversation from earlier.

“Anyway, if Lilith is thinking the same way, it’s fine. Even if you participate as my fiancée.”

“Yes. It doesn’t matter to me, but….”

“Isabelle has already prepared the dress, so Lilith doesn’t need to worry. It’s the same dress I wore on Princess Seraphine’s birthday.”

…Is he talking about that dark red dress?

I can’t exactly say that I have good memories of that dress because of the incident involving Lizzie, but I did like the design of the dress in its own way.

Above all, the dark yet striking color scheme gave off a villainess vibe, and it somehow suited me well when standing next to Ethan.

I didn’t really pay attention to that aspect before and didn’t go around flaunting it, but if I’m going to pretend to be a fiancée, that would be the best choice.

“If you think the color of that dress is too dark, should we prepare another one in a brighter shade?”

“No, it’s fine. Dark colors will suit Lord Ethan better, so we’ll go with that.”

“…Okay. If Lilith thinks so.”

…Come to think of it, if I’m going to pretend to be a fiancée, I should probably go back to using the titles we decided on back then.

It felt strangely unfamiliar to call out a name I hadn’t used in years, but to hide that emotion, I deliberately tried to sound nonchalant and called it out once.

“Since we’re participating as fiancées, let’s use the same titles as we did back then at the banquet hall in two weeks.”

“If it’s the same title as back then….”

“…It’s been a while since we showed our faces at the banquet hall, Ed. Can I ask for your escort once again?”

“….”

“…That’s what I mean, Lord Ethan.”

“Ah…. I, I see….”

Blushing noticeably and looking flustered at hearing his nickname after so many years, Ethan recalled that day and carefully brought up the title he used to call me.

“Yeah. I, I’ll rely on you again this time, …Lily.”

“…Yes, Ed.”

…Why is my face suddenly feeling so hot for no reason?

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

Two weeks have passed since the day I decided to attend Prince Antonio’s 5th birthday banquet.

In a timely manner after the end of the midterm exams, Ethan and I found ourselves inside the palace as the birthday banquet began.

“It’s been almost three years since the Masquerade of Seraphine….”

The palace we entered after a long time had quite a few changes compared to before.

Among them, the most prominent change was undoubtedly in the security and defense facilities.

Perhaps due to the consciousness of the terrorism that occurred during the Seraphine Masquerade incident, there were more than twice the number of security guards present compared to back then. Additionally, one could feel that the palace itself had been repaired, with various defense magic arrays attached all over.

“In reality, it seems like we can’t use any magic once we’re inside.”

More accurately, even using a small amount of magic would immediately alert the palace guards. No matter how strong the defense magic arrays were, they couldn’t predict the type of magic being used for defense.

Of course, this was sufficient for countering any disguising or hiding magic used by outsiders trying to enter the palace, making it more than enough for dealing with terrorism.

“This time, I should really refrain from doing anything conspicuous.”

As this was the first official event held after the terrorist incident by the Dark Cult targeting the Masquerade, it was likely that extra attention would be paid to anyone who seemed suspicious entering.

It was necessary to refrain from any actions that might seem suspicious to others.

…For example, confidently making your way to the banquet hall on only your second visit to the palace as if you knew the layout inside out.

“The banquet hall is the Sunflower Hall at noon. Do you know how to get there, Lily?”

“…I’m not sure what you’re talking about, Ed.”

“Huh? But at the Seraphine Princess’s Masquerade last time…”

“There are so many maids at the palace entrance, we don’t need to struggle to find our way, do we? Since that person over there seems free, let’s ask for directions.”

“….”

And after receiving guidance from one maid to the Sunflower Hall, inside, the members of noble families who had arrived early were scattered around, chatting.

Whether it was a joke or not, Ethan seemed to take my suggestion of an escort seriously and began to look after me.

“It’s still a bit quiet here.”

“I left a bit early to avoid the carriage traffic. Since we have some time, let’s wait leisurely, Ed.”

“Okay, Lily. Would you like a drink? Is there anything you want to drink?”

“If it’s a cold drink, anything is fine.”

“Okay, got it. I’ll wait here for a moment.”

Nodding in response to my words, Ethan walked over to the self-serve bar set up for the early arriving guests.

As I quietly watched his retreating figure, I felt a gentle tug on the hem of my clothes from behind, and when I turned my head, a red-haired mage who only reached up to my chest was looking up at me.

“…Lilith?”

“Are you well, Agnes?”

“…What’s this? You said you weren’t participating today.”

…Come to think of it, I forgot to officially withdraw.