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Is it when you almost trip while walking? No.
Is it when you hear something absurd and nonsensical? No.
It is precisely.
When you utter something absurd and nonsensical 'with your own mouth'!
“I, I, I—really, it’s not like I, l-l-l-like you romantically, or anything like that…!”
“……,”
“S-say something…!”
Before she knew it, the arm that had been confidently wrapped around Yulan's neck had timidly dropped.
Whether it was a blessing or a curse, Yulan had not let go of the hand holding Yevgenia, so the two were still half-embracing.
The curse was that this awkward, clumsy, reluctant feeling—accompanied by streaming cold sweat—had to continue.
The blessing was that the thumping heartbeat echoing from the body pressed against her was vibrating through Yevgenia's own body, which strangely put her mind at ease.
“But, the Crown Prince… Lionel is a good man, objectively speaking.”
“Well, I suppose so. His manners are so impeccable that he tried his best not to touch my waist while dancing.”
At first, Yevgenia thought Yulan was deliberately fabricating and acting out such details.
But meeting the real Yulan, she felt as if she had trusted the facade too blindly because they shared the same face; he was a completely different person.
‘No, right? If the faces are the same, the problem isn't me for being fooled, but the face itself, right?’
No matter how she thought about it, Yevgenia was not at fault in this matter.
Having completed her arbitrary rationalization, Yevgenia shook her head and spoke.
“But even if the Crown Prince is objectively a good person, I… l-l-l-like you, who is subjectively a good person, more. Of course, platonically! Completely excluding any romantic feelings!”
Inwardly, she wondered if she really needed to add that last part, but Yevgenia had not entirely forgotten the prerequisites underlying their relationship.
Even if the whole world knew of Yevgenia's change of heart, Yulan alone must not know.
Because she couldn't even imagine how Yulan would react if he found out she had whined to have her name erased simply for her own advancement.
‘This is a completely different story from Yulan being a good person.’
He acted as if he loathed love more than anyone, yet believed in it more than anyone.
She had a rough idea that this was also linked to the former Empress, but…
‘I can't bring that up and confirm it with my own mouth.’
She exhaled a breath heated by alcohol.
Whether it was because she had said something embarrassing or because of the alcohol.
Her heart kept racing, making her breath short.
Grateful for the lighting that hid her flushed face, Yevgenia stealthily shifted her gaze.
Though she had emphasized 'platonic affection' several times, strangely… she was curious about his reaction.
“……Are you angry?”
“No. Why do you think I'm angry?”
“Your expression looks… not great. Should I say you look conflicted?”
“Ah….”
Yulan did not bother to answer Yevgenia's question.
Instead, he simply tightened his embrace around her waist.
“What if someone sees us…!”
“It’s fine. Everyone is doing the same anyway, so no one is paying attention to their surroundings.”
At Yulan's irresponsible words, Yevgenia hurriedly looked around.
Sure enough, as Yulan said, the men and women around them seemed busy clinging to their respective partners.
After pondering, Yevgenia asked softly.
“Is the Crown Prince's goal perhaps to spark a trend of infidelity within aristocratic society?”
“Pfft… No, just what kind of assumptions do you make to come up with that…!”
“I-I mean, look. There probably isn't a single person among them without a fiancé. My goodness….”
After stifling a chuckle for a moment, Yulan corrected her misunderstanding without delay.
“Rather than infidelity, it’s more like a very brief, new breeze. To make people look forward to this exact moment every year.”
“……Is it okay to revere a member of the Imperial Family for such a scandalous reason?”
“Even if the beginning is scandalous, all that matters is making the end grand.”
“Wow….”
Once again, concern for the future of the Empire surged within Yevgenia.
Perhaps it would be more peaceful to sell everything she owned and seek asylum in a neighboring country.
It was a culture so absurd that it led to such nonsensical thoughts.
But on the other hand, she felt it was a relief.
Because a dress wasn't the only thing she had prepared for today.
“Then, it wouldn't be strange for us to leave together, right?”
“Hmm. Leaving openly together would be a bit much. 'Everything happens within the blackout of the ballroom'… that is the motto of the Huya Festival.”
“But I'm sure His Highness the Second Imperial Prince knows a secret way to leave… right?”
Yevgenia's golden eyes sparkled.
To a degree that Yulan could not dismiss as a mere delusion.
It was absolutely not because Yulan happened to be in a position where her eyes sparkled particularly well.
It was certainly that Yevgenia's sincerity had seeped into her gaze.
Otherwise, 'that' Second Imperial Prince would never have made such a risky choice within the Imperial Palace.
“I will leave first, so you should leave after a proper interval, not too quickly. It wouldn't be bad to grab anyone and spend a little time with them first.”
“Hmm. Do you really think it wouldn't be bad?”
“……I think it would be a bit, quite a lot bad. 'Objectively' speaking.”
Yevgenia giggled at the honest answer.
“I'll grab an easy-going Young Lady and chat for a bit before I leave. Where should I go?”
Yulan leaned his head toward Yevgenia.
Only when his lips were close enough to touch her ear did the secret route flow out.
“……If you go around that way, you'll find a small pavilion. Meet me there.”
“What if we miss each other by going to different places?”
“That won't happen. There's only one pavilion in that area.”
“Well… I'll trust you for once.”
A natural smile was drawn on Yevgenia's face as she lightly pushed Yulan's shoulder away.
Behind them, from which a distinct pink hue emanated even within the ballroom's blackout, a single dark gaze followed them persistently.
After Yulan left the ballroom first, and until Yevgenia grabbed the easy-going Lady Nagelsmann, chatted for a few words, and then left, it continued…
* * *
Upon arriving at the pavilion, Yevgenia was about to call Yulan's name but suddenly shut her mouth.
It felt strange to call the Second Imperial Prince's name freely, and it felt even stranger to suddenly call out the name 'Nox'.
Ultimately, without making a sound, Yevgenia sat in the pavilion and took out a ribbon she had tucked neatly in her pocket and a beautifully wrapped fountain pen.
‘It's not hard. First, I'll say something like "I'm the gift" as a joke. If that doesn't work, then I'll hand over the fountain pen as the real gift.’
In truth, the fact that she had to utter words like "I'm the gift" with her own mouth was a difficult task.
But it was something she had to achieve, and Yevgenia had never backed down from such matters.
Nevertheless, unable to steady her heart, Yevgenia took deep breaths repeatedly.
Tying the ribbon lightly around her neck with trembling hands, Yevgenia pressed her burning cheeks with the back of her hand.
The night breeze was cool and the air was crisp, but her body was strangely hot.
‘It's the alcohol. It's because I drank too much.’
Just as she was brainwashing herself.
She sensed a presence near the pavilion.
With every approaching footstep, the sound of Yevgenia's heart grew louder.
Thump, thump, thump, thump.
The moment she faced the owner of the footsteps who had finally arrived before her, Yulan.
Before she could even think, the words Yevgenia had prepared flew out of her mouth.
“I-It's a gift!”
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