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Chapter 55
“Ah….”
As’s red lips curved slowly into a smile.
“I’m so happy that you ran all this way for me. But…”
His small head tilted slightly to the side.
“Seeing that you came so quickly… you’re not as busy as I thought, are you?”
“Oh, so our little master is disappointed that I’m not busy?”
“That’s not it. I’m just really glad, actually.”
Their red and sky-blue eyes met again.
They were both smiling, yet I couldn’t shake this strange chill down my spine.
I forced a small, awkward smile and slipped between them.
“Hmm, Harnen! Since As looks like young Akes, everyone thinks he’s Akes’s son and crowds around him. So, do you happen to know any kind of transformation magic?”
Harnen, who had been watching me, smiled gently.
“Ah, it seems the play that’s popular these days is drawing even more attention to him.”
“A play that’s popular these days?”
I widened my eyes at the new information, and Harnen nodded.
“There’s a play about the war with the Semel tribe, starring Archduke Serenia, that’s been trending recently.”
“A play starring Akes…?”
I gaped, dumbfounded.
I had no idea such a thing existed! I’d been too caught up with the banquet until now…!
I quickly turned to look at As, and he subtly avoided my gaze.
“Changing little As’s appearance isn’t difficult,” Harnen continued, brushing my hair behind my ear.
“But since it was made in a rush, it won’t last long unless I follow along and keep replenishing the mana. Is that alright with you?”
I nodded quickly at his kind and considerate question.
“If it’s fine with you, it’s perfect for me! I’d even like to request it!”
“I’m glad I could help, Einra.”
Harnen’s smile deepened like warm sunlight.
The smile of my favorite person, right in front of me, was so dazzling that I couldn’t help staring. Suddenly, a soft voice came from behind.
“But, brother… is it okay for you to stay out here like this?”
“As?”
I turned, eyes wide, to see As slowly rising from his seat, a slightly mischievous smile on his face.
“As far as I know, you’re extremely busy right now, so I’m a little worried.”
“Gulp… really that busy…?”
If even Harnen’s superior—the person in question—was saying he was worried, I felt a creeping guilt for having selfishly dragged him here.
I glanced nervously at Harnen, who noticed my expression and spoke gently.
“You don’t have to worry, little As. My boss promised me a long time ago. Even if they forcibly took away my vacation, they’d give me double the vacation later.”
“…”
“If the dear boss has any conscience, they won’t dare scold me, who’s been working so hard all this time. Don’t you think so too, little master?”
“…Yes, you’re right.”
As’s smile deepened.
At the same time, I felt the cold air in the room intensify, so I awkwardly smiled again to lighten the mood.
“Alright, shall we get ready and head out?”
As transformed into a cute little boy with dark brown hair and silver eyes.
He didn’t seem happy with the appearance at first, but when I pointed out that our eye colors matched, he finally smiled properly.
“As long as Einra’s happy, that’s enough.”
…Still, I hated how selfish he could be sometimes.
He muttered lowly in a grim voice.
“Hm?”
His voice was so soft that the noise of the bustling street drowned out the end of his sentence.
I tilted my head and asked again. As smiled faintly and shook his head.
“It’s nothing.”
What did he mean by “nothing”? I furrowed my brows to ask again when…
“Einra, look over there.”
Harnen tapped my shoulder and pointed to a spot.
Following his finger, I saw a small puppet theater set up in the middle of Enive Square.
Against the backdrop of the setting sun, the sign “Song of Sword and Flower” sparkled on the stage.
“Come one, come all! See the most popular play these days for just 50 silver! A story full of laughter, tears, passion, and emotion—now as a puppet show!”
A loud announcer shouted, but it hardly seemed necessary—people were already gathering in large numbers.
‘Is that the play starring Akes?!’
My eyes sparkled with excitement.
“How about watching a puppet show for a change?”
Harnen asked kindly.
I didn’t hesitate and nodded enthusiastically.
“Yes! I really, really want to see it!”
A play starring Akes!
“I really, really want to see it!”
I turned to As and said firmly. He hesitated and let out a soft sigh.
“…If you want to, I’m fine with it too.”
Hearing his consent, I beamed and headed straight for the theater.
“Welcome! How many in your party?”
“Three.”
I answered the staff member at the entrance and gestured to As and Harnen beside me.
The staff member smiled warmly.
“A family outing, then?”
“….”
The statement was so natural that I was momentarily stunned and couldn’t say anything.
While I mumbled silently, the staff handed me the tickets.
“Thank you. Enjoy the show!”
“…Haha, th-thank you…”
I smiled awkwardly as I took the tickets.
Sweat was already running down my back.
‘I didn’t expect them to mistake us for a family…’
Please don’t think I’m Harnen’s little sister and As is the youngest sibling. That would be… impossible.
I had somehow tarnished my favorite person’s perfect image.
‘I’m sorry, Harnen. Please forgive me just for today…!’
I wasn’t ready to end my date with As yet!
I mentally apologized to Harnen as we entered.
Despite being a temporary setup, the interior was quite clean and stylish.
Especially fitting the title “Song of Sword and Flower,” the decorations included ornamental swords and red flowers everywhere.
“The quality is pretty good.”
I marveled as I sat down. As, seated beside me, quietly asked:
“You like it?”
“Yes, it’s great.”
“…Then that’s enough.”
His silver eyes, touched with magic, curved gently.
At the same time, with a great applause, the play began.
Inside the theater, the play was in full swing.
“If it weren’t for the Archduke’s brilliance, we’d never have escaped the Semel’s trap!”
“The Archduke personally led us at the front, so why would anyone tremble in fear?”
I glanced at the small head beside me.
“….”
Seeing that it wouldn’t stop, As sighed softly, rubbed his forehead, and looked at me.
“…If you have something to say, go ahead.”
“Really?”
“You can laugh if you want. Don’t bite your lips so hard.”
As said, resigned.
I couldn’t hold back and laughed, shaking my shoulders.
The nationally popular play, Song of Sword and Flower.
“The Archduke is sweeping through the enemies’ ranks! We can’t just stand by! Soldiers, move out!”
What I thought would be a dramatic and intense heroic story turned out to be a munchkin play where Akes single-handedly dominates the battlefield!
“As, you told me it was really hard for you… but you’re flying around like a fish in water!”
I teased him.
As looked up at me, pouting with indignation.
“This has been adapted for ordinary citizens to easily watch. For publicity, His Majesty… without consulting anyone…”
“Don’t be fooled, Einra.”
Harnen suddenly whispered, leaning close.
“All that stuff little As says about how hard it was in battle? Lies. I know better than anyone how he dominated the battlefield.”
“R-really?”
“Yes, really. So much so that his nickname back then—”
“Harnen.”
As’s silver gaze shot a sharp warning at him.
