episode_0276

The weather has gotten considerably colder lately, a stark reminder that it’s the end of the year.

This year, in particular, so much has happened. It felt like I experienced every twist and turn life could throw at me at once. I met countless people and faced countless situations.

Time flew by as quickly as the events unfolded. It felt like I’d lived not just a year, but almost a decade.

“Goodness, my body aches…”

I groaned, clutching my waist. Working day and night had left me completely drained. Just because my body is strong doesn’t mean I don’t feel pain.

Moreover, the biting cold made the muscle aches even more pronounced. A sigh escaped my lips – a white breath that mirrored my frozen heart.

Along with the cold wind blowing from the north, the end of the year had arrived.

Weee—

“Ugh…”

I pulled my cloak tighter around my shoulders. My body was stiff, but I couldn’t let that stop my slow steps.

Someone was waiting for me.

I hadn’t made an appointment. She hadn’t contacted me beforehand. My time isn’t exactly overflowing either. As the protagonist of an ‘intrusion scenario,’ to be frank, she was an uninvited guest.

But I couldn’t turn her away. I didn’t know what the future held, nor what the outcome of our relationship would be.

That uncertainty intrigued me. It could all end completely, or a completely new story, one we’d never had before, could begin.

Crunch— crunch—

My long fur boots crunched on the lightly fallen snow. I left a long trail of footprints as I walked from the main royal palace, where the bedrooms were, to the annex, where the reception room was located.

What should I say first? What expression should I have when we first meet? Is my outfit, my accessories… anything strange?

With each thought that piled up in my mind, my steps slowed. The closer I got to Eve, the slower I walked. I stopped just two steps from the reception room door.

My heart pounded wildly, as if it were about to burst out of my chest. Not only my hand reaching for the doorknob, but my vision was also blurry and slightly dizzy.

Clunk— Creak—

I finally opened the reception room door. The inside was dim. However, warm, humid air flowed out, melting my cheeks.

I walked further inside. The sofas huddled around a fireplace in the center of the wall. A figure wrapped in a blanket sat on one of them.

Leaned slightly against the back and armrest, a girl with light blue hair was dozing off, basking in the warmth of the fire. Seeing her, my heart sank.

‘She hasn’t… changed at all.’

Of course, that’s just her appearance. However, surprisingly, outward appearance often reflects inner feelings. Like drastically cutting one’s hair due to a change of heart.

I was relieved she hadn’t suddenly returned with a bob. I liked that silky, long hair.

Tap— Tick—

Only the soft crackle of burning wood filled the air. I even paid attention to my breathing, worried that my breaths might wake Eve.

I decided to sit beside her and wait for a while. She might have just dozed off while waiting for me. I didn’t want to abruptly wake her after making her come all this way in the cold.

I also wanted a little rest. I’d been so busy lately that I hadn’t had time to just sit still. Maybe it was the cold, but my body was constantly stiff.

The warmth from the fireplace seeped into my body, and sleepiness crept in.

『[Condition: Reunion with Eve Istar] Met.』

『The progress of [Intrusion Scenario: Confession] increases.』

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.

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I suddenly opened my eyes. Eve’s face was right in front of me. Our eyes met, and we both jumped back in surprise.

“—!!”

“Oh- E, Eve?!”

She quickly moved away to the armrest of the sofa, releasing the hand she had been holding. My hand… she was holding my hand?

I lowered my head slightly and looked at my palm. I felt Eve’s warmth, slightly warmer than the warm air in the reception room.

Looking up again, Eve’s face was flushed crimson. I reacted tactfully.

“Sorry. I was supposed to wait until you woke up, but I also dozed off.”

“…No. I did the same.”

“How have you been?”

“Yeah… Nari, you?”

I smiled softly in response. It was an affirmation, and simply having this mundane conversation with Eve felt good.

Why did Eve seek me out today? Before meeting her, I was so curious. Isn’t no news good news? I worried something bad might have happened.

But seeing her face again, those worries vanished. Eve was exactly as she was in my memory. She seemed even gentler and sweeter. Her shyly blushing cheeks, like a girl in love, were proof of that.

Whatever the reason, it was good. For anything Eve wanted, today, I wanted to grant her wish.

“What’s suddenly wrong?”

“…Nothing.”

“You disappear without a word, then appear and say ‘nothing’? I wouldn’t understand that.”

If I had encountered this situation without any warning, I might have had to hand over the conversation’s control to Eve.

But today is different. The intrusion scenario, and the scenario’s progression conditions, are like a glimpse into the future. This situation is a play, and I’m an actor. Eve is the screenwriter.

I intend to go with the flow, pretending not to know anything within the play written by the screenwriter. Occasionally, I will exert my influence to keep the story flowing naturally.

Leaning toward Eve, I persistently pressed for an answer, and she finally sighed and laughed, unable to resist.

“First… shall we go for a walk?”

“Okay. Actually, I like walking. I’m quite confident about it. I even won a walking competition back in the day.”

“Haha – where did you even get that from?”

Eve was now actively responding to my wordplay. Her soft smile made me wonder if she might be someone else.

Warmly dressed, we went out into the royal capital.

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.

.

“I heard you’ve been chosen as the heir to the throne. Congratulations. Isn’t it hard?”

“On the contrary. Being a king is just a job of commanding others, isn’t it? It’s my true calling.”

“You like to be hands-on. You said thinking is a hassle.”

“…Oh, look! They seem to be selling some delicious cookies. Let’s go!”

“Really… you’re such a master at changing the subject.”

We walked together, matching our pace, made trivial conversation, and looked at the same scenery under the same sky. It was an ordinary and common thing, but nothing filled my heart as much as this.

“Will you come back to the academy?”

“Hmm… No. I decided to quit the academy. I’m thinking of taking a solo trip for a while. I came to see your face before that.”

“…I see. That’s too bad.”

“Don’t make that face, Nari. It’s… not like we’re parting forever.”

The sudden announcement of quitting the academy. My heart ached a little, but as Eve said, today couldn’t be our last. We could meet during her travels, or after. As long as we’re alive, any time.

“Should I come with you?”

“…What about the throne?”

“I’ll just give it up again. It’s not fun, and honestly, it’s not as great as I thought.”

“Don’t say that, try harder. You didn’t become king just for fun, right?”

A fair point. Normally, I would have hated to hear it, but for some reason, it resonated with me. Perhaps because I was already leaning that way.

We stopped by a café. We each bought an ice cream with whipped cream, a current trend, and sat opposite each other on the terrace.

Ice cream really is best eaten in winter. Feeling the chill both inside and out, I pushed the sweet milk ice-cream into my mouth.

“Wait, Nari. Turn your head.”

“…Hmm, this way?”

“You have some cream.”

Eve wiped the cream from the side of my lips with her finger. Her finger went to her mouth. The way she lightly licked the cream off her finger somehow stirred my heart heavily.

I wasn’t inexperienced in such things, but like an inexperienced girl, my cheeks flushed crimson. Eve smiled faintly, watching me.

『[Condition: Date with Eve Istar] Met.』

『The progress of [Intrusion Scenario: Confession] increases.』

Like a sailboat moving by the wind, we drifted aimlessly into the evening winter atmosphere. Memories of Eve were scattered throughout the royal capital, and no matter where we went, stories awaited us.

Our destination was a park on the highest hill in the town. Eve took the lead from the middle, and I followed behind. I noticed she was looking for a secluded place where no one was around.

“Another day is over.”

“Another year… is over.”

“Did you have fun?”

“…Yes. Nari, you too?”

I nodded. Satisfied with my answer, Eve smiled and looked at the sky beyond the railing. The deep sunset melted away like the ice cream we had just eaten.

“Maybe we’ll have a year-end party soon. Won’t you come, Eve?”

“…Sorry. I plan to leave tonight.”

“Really…? That’s a shame.”

“Yes. So, there’s something I really want to tell you today.”

The screenwriter had sent the final cue. It was time for the play to end. The weather and atmosphere were perfect; the timing was just right.

“What is it?”

“Something very important. I’ve actually wanted to tell you for a while… Will you listen?”

“Yes.”

Anytime. Compared to when I was shut up in my room as a child, my world is infinitely larger now. Whatever happens, I can accept it all.

Especially if it’s Eve’s feelings – that is what I longed for above all else.

“I, actually…”

Thump— thump—

The tremor in my chest was fully conveyed. My heart, responding in kind, increased my heartbeat fiercely.

Wrapped in the warm, orange sunset, the girl with light blue hair, fluttering her hair, confessed to me.

“I’m the princess of the empire.”

“…….”

Eve turned toward me. Her small eyes lost their light, darkening like ink.

She grasped her magic sword and lunged at me.