THJDM 37

chapter 37

Don’t like it? What don’t I like? Rubiana getting along so casually with Chad Preston? What does that have to do with me?

Sigh, really.

Lately, my moods had been changing unexpectedly and frequently.

Especially when it came to matters involving Rubiana.

Is this a side effect of sharing mana? Instead of a mild fever and headache, I got a rollercoaster of emotions?

Next time, I should go see Omar and get checked.

Ignoring the tight, aching feeling in his chest, he turned his body—and right in front of him, Florencia was looking up at him.

“Florencia!”
“Won’t you save me, Elion?”
“Huh?”
“Shall we get some fresh air for a bit?”
“…Alright. Let’s do that.”

Elion stepped out onto the balcony with Florencia.

Not a single star was visible in the pitch-black sky.

“Oh, no stars. Must be cloudy.”
“Looks like it might rain soon.”
“I thought seeing the stars would make me feel better. Too bad.”

Florencia looked up at the sky, her expression full of disappointment.

Trying to lighten her mood, Elion asked lightly,
“How was it attending the socialite party after so long, Your Holiness?”

Florencia countered his teasing with a joke of her own.
“Do you compare it to the impressions of someone attending a socialite party for the first time, Your Highness?”

Their eyes met, laughter sparkling in both.

Finally, both of them burst out laughing simultaneously.

After that burst of laughter, they both felt noticeably lighter.

“I’m glad I at least got to see you, Elion.”
“Hearing that I was of help to Your Holiness is truly a welcome thing to hear.”
“There you go again. Since you helped, can you bring me another glass of champagne?”

Florencia shook her empty glass with a grin.

“No overdrinking, even if it’s a party you’ve been waiting for, Your Holiness.”
“Yes, yes, I understand very well. But please, just one more glass, you old-fashioned duke.”
“Wait a moment.”

Elion left the table where his champagne glass rested.

Once Florencia confirmed he had completely left, the smile disappeared from her face.

She quickly took a small vial from her palm-sized handbag.

Inside was a yellow pill.

Florencia dropped a pill into Elion’s champagne glass.

Watching the pill dissolve instantly, she recalled what Omar had said:

“It’s a pill that destabilizes mana. No other side effects have been observed apart from that function.”

Florencia trusted the words of someone with unparalleled skill among both the public councilors and the healers working in the shadows.

Since there were no other side effects, she could be reasonably assured.

If his mana became unstable again, Elion would certainly come to her first.

Then I’ll just treat him properly at that time. So it’s fine. It will be fine.

Florencia forced down the guilt gnawing at her.

Soon, Elion returned with a fresh glass of champagne.

“Thanks, my friend.”
“You’re welcome.”

Florencia raised her glass toward Elion for a toast.

He picked up his own glass from the table.

Clink! The two glasses met with a crisp, clear sound.

Florencia’s golden eyes gleamed sharply as she watched Elion gulp down the champagne.

Seeing Florencia remain still, one of Elion’s eyebrows shot up.

“What are you doing? Not drinking?”
“I’m drinking now. I promise, this is really the last glass.”
“Suit yourself.”

Florencia drained her glass in one gulp.

Watching his friend finish cleanly, Elion shook his head.

“Is this really okay, Your Holiness?”
“Shh, it’s a secret.”
“Really now.”

The light conversation between childhood friends flowed smoothly like water.

Meanwhile, Rubiana, searching for her partner, caught sight of Elion and Florencia.

Seeing them smiling warmly at each other and talking, she stopped in her tracks.

She didn’t want to interfere.

After all, there was no place for her between them.

From the original story, she knew the two were almost the only childhood friends of the same age.

From a distance, they even seemed quite compatible.

Tch, what the hell.

For some reason, she felt a twinge of irritation.

No—there was definitely a reason.

Could she really leave her partner’s seat next to him empty for so long?

Wasn’t this different from the plan they’d discussed in the carriage?

The plan was to pretend affection by guarding each other’s side, since genuine loving looks were hard to fake—but had they completely forgotten?

Yes. That was the clear reason for Rubiana’s irritation.

Pouting, she turned sharply away.

Her body drifted further from the pair, yet her mind remained full of thoughts about them.

It’s never a good sign when the Saintess approaches Elion.

A knot of worry formed on her displeased face.

Though the original story started off differently, seeing Chad looking at her with affection made it likely the future would follow the original.

That meant the Saintess approaching Elion could also likely happen.

Then… will Elion end up addicted to mana stabilizers? Will he actively participate in the Saintess’s misdeeds to obtain the medicine? And eventually, will he lose control and kill the crown prince?

Terrifying doubts spun endlessly.

Her head felt ready to explode.

Among all the frightening possibilities, the most cruel was:

Can I handle Elion, who might fall from war hero to traitor? Can I just watch silently, like a stranger?

She recalled the moment he lifted her from her knees.

The awkward thanks he gave when the fever and headache disappeared after receiving mana.

Running at full speed while holding her in the marketplace.

And even leaning in to kiss her.

Her heart raced, a heat spreading from within.

Then it happened.

Lightning flashed across the night sky.

The once pitch-black sky lit up briefly before plunging back into darkness.

Three seconds later, KUGUGUGUNG! KUGUNG! Thunder shook the air violently.

The party didn’t end until past midnight, and heavy rain poured from the sky.

Rubiana boarded the duke’s carriage with Elion.

As on the way there, they sat side by side without looking at each other.

Their shoulders and arms touched to transfer mana.

The carriage was silent.

Both remained quiet, listening to the heavy rainfall.

Are you tired? It’s your first socialite party, so it makes sense. Tch, still, you laughed and talked a lot with the Saintess…

Rubiana glanced at Elion out of the corner of her eye, grumbling internally.

Elion, in turn, observed her expression, grumbling to himself.

She doesn’t look very happy… Disappointed she parted from Chad? But she danced and talked a lot with him…

Finally, the carriage stopped.

The coachman announced their arrival at the Payson estate.

Already? We’ve arrived so quickly?

Both were clearly surprised.

Yet, as they were about to part ways, a strong feeling of regret arose.

Elion’s calm voice spoke.

“Miss, thank you for being my partner today.”
“Thank you as well. It was my first time getting this much attention at a party, so I was a bit dazed, but thanks to Your Highness, it was manageable.”
“That’s a relief. Next time, I’ll persuade His Majesty the Emperor not to make such unreasonable requests.”
“No need. If I refuse too much, it could reveal a lie. Considering we need to deceive our parents, attending a party like this isn’t a bad approach.”
“…Is that so? Very well, if that’s what you think.”

Elion nodded.

It would be nice if they didn’t have to attend another party, but Rubiana’s reasoning made sense.

There was no need to seek out parties, but no need to avoid them either.

“Since we transferred mana until so late today, perhaps you should rest tomorrow. Though, technically, it’s already today past midnight.”
“I think the same. Then rest.”
“Yes, please go inside.”

The door opened just then, and the butler holding an umbrella greeted Rubiana.

“Welcome home, young lady.”

Holding the butler’s hand, Rubiana got off the carriage and hurried inside.

Within seconds, half of her dress was soaked.

Inside, she dried herself with a towel while peeking out the window.

Watching the carriage disappear into the darkness, she raised the corner of her eye sharply.

Isn’t our fake couple act far too sloppy, Your Highness? Even with this rain, shouldn’t you at least show some effort to personally escort your beloved?

Her irritation bubbled again.

The long silence in the carriage, and the nuance that she hadn’t fully enjoyed the party, annoyed her.

Especially that smile he gave the Saintess—so cheerful—it’s the most grating!

Ah… why am I like this again?