MTDL 19

Chapter 19

“Wait… the Crown Prince’s eyes are blue. But…”

Uncle Zimmer’s eyes had been brown as well. Yet Parmes, after becoming Emperor, had red eyes…

‘What if Britton used that method that can change a person’s hair and eye color?’

As her thoughts wandered somewhere she had never considered before, it felt as if her heart dropped into her stomach.

“…Still, that doesn’t make any sense. Their personalities are completely different.”

Mars was taciturn and quiet, while Crown Prince Britton was bright and gentle.

More importantly, why would the Crown Prince of the Empire stay for an entire year in a remote countryside village like Galnem just because of her?

He had no reason to go through such trouble.

But…

“Come to think of it, Mars said his family ran a business in the city. Could that possibly…”

No.

The Mars she had lived with in Galnem and Crown Prince Britton gave off completely different impressions.

Arinel shook her head vigorously.

Just then—

Knock, knock.

A tapping sound came from outside her window.

A moment later, the window opened, and Mars, whom she had arranged to meet today, slipped into her room.

“…Mars!”

Black clothes, a white mask—he looked exactly as he always did.

He was also about half a head taller than her.

Although she smiled at the boy, the thoughts she’d had earlier continued to linger uneasily in her mind.

‘Could Crown Prince Britton really be…’

Mars walked over and held out his hand.

Arinel stood frozen for a moment before finally taking it.

The boy stepped closer, bent slightly, and effortlessly lifted her into his arms as though carrying a princess.

“…!”

‘He’s never done this before!’

Unlike the flustered Arinel, Mars calmly strode toward the window.

Still holding her, he jumped straight out.

“We’re on the third floor—!! Ahhh!!!”

The sensation of free-falling from a roller coaster made Arinel instinctively wrap both arms around Mars’s neck.

“Kyaa!!”

What is this?!

I’m scared!!

After planting one foot briefly on the mansion wall, Mars launched himself powerfully toward the street.

Once again she felt herself soaring through the air before dropping.

Yet when Mars landed, the impact was far gentler than she had expected.

Still clinging to his neck, Arinel slowly opened the eyes she had squeezed shut.

How could such a small body absorb so much impact?

No—

More importantly…

“There had to be… a safer way.”

‘My room is on the third floor…’

I thought my heart was going to stop.

After Mars set her down, Arinel steadied herself, her stiff body finally relaxing as she grumbled awkwardly.

Cheerful voices echoed through the streets.

“I think the fireworks are about to start!”

“Hurry to the plaza! They say His Highness the Crown Prince is giving a speech!”

“Really? His Highness the Crown Prince?!”

A group of people hurried past.

Hearing them, Arinel quickly turned to look at Mars.

Only then did she realize just how absurd her earlier suspicion had been.

What kind of expression would Mars make if he knew what she had been thinking?

“…”

A laugh escaped her lips.

So this is what they call being overly self-conscious.

At least she hadn’t let her imagination run wild any further, and the misunderstanding had cleared itself up.

As she took Mars’s hand, the black eyes behind his mask trembled faintly.

“Let’s go the other way!”

She had no desire to head toward the plaza where Britton’s speech would take place.

They could watch the fireworks perfectly well from afar.

“I’m so happy we’ve been able to spend two whole days together like this. Aren’t you?”

“…”

“Well… I guess it can’t be helped if I’m the only one who’s happy.”

Passing through crowded alleys, they climbed a hill.

At the top stood the Academy of Economics, managed by the Minister of Finance. As they approached the building, the entire city spread out beneath them.

Eventually, even the crimson glow of sunset disappeared, leaving the world wrapped in darkness.

Boom!

With a loud launch, brilliant fireworks blossomed across the sky in every color imaginable.

The alchemical fireworks were so beautiful that they left Arinel speechless.

“Wow…”

The night sky she had watched with Mars in Galnem had always been pitch black.

There had been countless stars, but they looked the same every night.

She had once wished they could watch colorful fireworks together someday.

And today, as if by magic, that wish had come true.

“They’re so beautiful… don’t you think?”

After admiring the colorful explosions, she turned toward Mars.

“…”

The brilliant colors reflected across his white mask.

Red and blue fireworks bloomed like a festival within his black eyes.

Watching him concentrate like this… Mars really is just a child after all.

Swallowing the strange warmth in her chest, she looked back up at the fireworks filling the night sky.

The fireworks, created by alchemists, continued for nearly forty minutes.

As they were nearing their end, Britton looked down at Arinel, who had fallen asleep against his shoulder.

Her golden hair was slightly messy, and her long eyelashes cast soft shadows beneath her eyes.

A faint smile appeared on Britton’s lips.

Before the fireworks had begun, Arinel had spent the day studying in the Myla family’s library and attending lessons with Mrs. Allens.

It was only natural that she would be tired.

“Mmm…”

Even after the fireworks ended and silence settled over the hill, Arinel remained fast asleep.

Once she fell asleep, nothing short of the world ending could wake her.

Having spent an entire year with her in Galnem, the boy knew her habits better than anyone.

Slowly removing his mask, he silently mouthed words no one could hear.

“You must be exhausted, Arinel.”

Using his long fingers, Britton gently brushed away the strands of hair covering her cheek.

Could Arinel even begin to imagine how happy he had been when she said she loved spending two whole days together with him?

Do you know…?

As the clouds hiding the moon gradually drifted away, the black in his eyes slowly gave way to blue once more.

The sound of my heartbeat was louder than the fireworks.

Arinel believed with absolute certainty that he was only her friend.

If he confessed his feelings, she would probably distance herself from him forever.

Perhaps things would be different if he were the gentle and radiant fiancé, Britton.

Even his brown hair gradually faded into a pale moonlit color.

“I was surprised His Majesty personally delivered the Founding Day speech.”

“I know. I thought His Highness the Crown Prince would do it. I was too terrified to even raise my head. If I’d known, I would’ve watched from somewhere else…”

“Well, everyone knelt. What else could we do? If we offended him even a little, we’d lose our heads.”

“Still, isn’t Albreon’s technology incredible? I’ve never seen fireworks last this long. So many nobles died after the Emperor changed, but… maybe things really are starting to change.”

The quiet conversation of people returning home drifted through the night.

‘I’d like to stay here longer… but the night air is getting cold.’

What a shame.

Britton gently shifted Arinel fully against his chest before lifting her into his arms.

It was time to take her home.

“…Hm?”

Nestled in his embrace, Arinel briefly opened her eyes.

But they quickly closed again, and Britton let out a small sigh.

Then he started walking.

“…What did you just say?”

Under Parmes’s cold, murderous gaze, Adam felt as though his throat had closed up.

No—quite literally.

As a Sword Master, Parmes’s aura alone was overwhelming enough that a mid-ranking knight like Adam could barely withstand it.

Adam couldn’t understand why being rejected for a simple tea invitation by Arinel would make the Emperor this furious.

“Your Majesty, she said she had many things to do today as well, so I couldn’t very well force the matter…”

“It’s your fault.”

The accusation cut him off mid-sentence.

A chill ran down Adam’s spine.

“You must have forgotten to mention the cherry sherbet and strawberry cake.”

“I did mention them.”

“Then you probably forgot to tell her about the wine glass filled with pumpkin candies she likes.”

“I mentioned that as well. Everything Your Majesty prepared… including the banner with Miss Arinel’s initials and the international flags.”

“Then why did she refuse?”

Parmes genuinely couldn’t understand Arinel’s rejection.

Even the terrifying Duke Siegfried couldn’t compare to Parmes’s cold rationality.

Yet at this moment, it seemed easier for Parmes to understand why one plus one equaled two than to understand why Arinel kept refusing his invitations to tea.

Feeling the pressure around his neck tighten, Adam unconsciously rubbed his throat.

Parmes Aslet, the man who rejected everyone else’s attention with complete indifference, became like an affection-starved adult whenever it came to Arinel.

‘It’s not that I don’t understand His Majesty’s feelings…’

Arinel truly did shine more adorably than anyone else.

She must have been the same back in Galnem.

That was probably why he had originally chosen her to become the future Crown Princess.

“Perhaps it would be better if I bought the house next door to Arinel’s.”

Parmes muttered with a grave expression.

At this rate, the young lady who already complained that she had aged ten years would only end up sighing even more deeply.

Desperate to escape this impossible dilemma, Adam came up with a new idea.

After all, everything was for Arinel’s sake.

“Your Majesty… perhaps…”

Parmes’s eyebrow twitched.

“How about holding a brand-new event for the young lady?”