Chapter 32.1: What Nonsense Is This (1)

"What are you all doing here?"

When the difficult situation continued for several minutes, a gentle woman's voice intervened. Her voice was filled with wonder and curiosity. Not only did I turn my head at that voice, but so did the two women holding my arms.

A woman with wavy golden hair and sapphire-blue eyes, while holding a wine glass in one hand, looked at us in puzzlement. The off-shoulder dress she wore, with its gold and white accents, exuded an elegant and lofty elegance. In addition, she wore a lot of expensive jewelry on her body, as if to show off what kind of person she was.

Rina appeared as this country's 'Princess' rather than just a student today, similar to Marie, whose aura had changed 180 degrees from before. "Are you having a love battle? If so, it's pretty fun to watch."

Rina said this with a hint of interest and sipped from her wine glass. She had the demeanor of someone watching a fire blazing across the river, but her words were somewhat chilling.

"...Love battle?" When she heard Rina's words, Marie furrowed her brows and turned to face me. Unconsciously, I also met Marie's gaze.

"...Ah!" Then, with a sudden look of startlement, Marie took her hand off my arm. Hearing Rina's words, she seems to have realized, albeit belatedly, how others would perceive the current situation.

Cecily, meanwhile, also quietly let go of my arm, as if she wanted to stop playing. It was the moment my arms, which had been nearly buried in her full chest, were finally free. It might seem a little strange to say, but Cecily's breasts were fluffy, like a pillow full of feathers. As she removed her arm, I could feel it more clearly.

"Who...who...ah, who is fighting? Don't just make assumptions, will you?" As the situation came to an end, Marie hollered at Rina. Her snow-white skin blushed as she stammered at first, indicating that she was embarrassed.

Rina shrugged her shoulders, as if it didn't matter, and replied with a nonchalant expression, "I apologize for any confusion. It looks like Cecily was joking, right?" Rina then turned to face Cecily. Her tone was calm but assured.

"You noticed it right away. As expected of Rina." Cecily, right on cue, did not deny it and immediately acknowledged it.

I looked at Cecily as I tried to cool my own burning face. Unlike Marie, Cecily's relaxed response, with her hands behind her back and her gaze elsewhere, suggested that nothing was wrong.

But I'm still baffled as to why she pulled this prank. Even though it was apparently a joke, it was a little much. Grabbing my arm without hesitation, even if it's for a 'reward' or something, is akin to displaying affection.

'...Is she just playing a prank on me because I am easy to tease?' Cecily has feelings for me. It's not an illusion. If you observe her attitude towards me and her pranks, you'll realize it no matter how tactless you normally are.

However, there are times when it is difficult to distinguish between a crush' as a person and a crush as a member of the opposite sex. As she previously stated, a reward-like concept to a demonkin would be similar to human-to-human feelings.

'I guess I have to think of it as just flirting...'

For the time being, it is preferable to believe so. Evidence that Cecily liked me as a member of the opposite sex was still insufficient, and even if she did, I was going to distance myself.

I, the son of a baron, and Cecily, the princess of Helium. This alone should tell anyone how great the social gap between us is. Of course, once she realizes I'm the author of Xenon's Saga, the tables will be turned, but let's forget about that for now because no one wants to reveal a well-kept secret.

It's not just Cecily, however, but also Marie who's a problem for me. Her social rank is also among the top of this country.

"By the way, Isaac's suit reminds me of Cecily's a little. It looks great with your hair color."

"Thank you. Ms. Rina seems to be shining like the sun in the blue sky, too."

"Huhu. Thank you for the compliment. Marie seems to be prettier than before. Is this what you meant when you said you would be working hard on something for today?"

"I'm not at all happy to hear you say that." Despite Rina's complimentary words, Marie treated her coldly. Despite the fact that Marie is the daughter of a duke, she still showed disrespect to the princess, who is superior to her.

Rina, however, didn't seem to mind at all, merely smiling like usual, and didn't say anything else in response. After seeing Rina's demeanor remain calm and unruffled, Marie's own expression started to crumple in real-time.

"...Anyway, what are you going to do now?" Mari asked Rina, maintaining her cold demeanor, to which Rina replied in her characteristically soft tone, "I was going to take Isaac with me. I thought it would be nice to introduce Isaac to a friend I know."

"You're asking Isaac to come with you? Don't you have to ask Isaac's opinion?"

"Well, I guess I could ask him now. What does Isaac think?"

Even after Marie's hostile-sounding question, Rina answered skillfully. She looked at Marie's annoyed face and then asked for my opinion. I rubbed the nib on my middle finger, feeling uncomfortable once again.

I'm already getting a lot of looks, and what if I follow Rina around the venue? It is obvious what others will think. Even if Rina is disappointed, rejecting her offer is preferable to entering the complicated world of aristocratic politics. Even if she applies subtle pressure again, I will refuse.

"I apologize. I don't want to cause any trouble to Ms. Rina, so I shouldn't."

"Even if I personally ask you to?"

After I politely expressed my refusal, Rina said what I expected. "Please," she added, but it was more like an order from a royal princess. I was looking Rina in the eyes as she said this. Her eyes were filled with the certainty that I would be unable to refuse. But I can assure you, princess, that you are wrong.

"I'm sorry, Princess. I'm not interested in situations that get too complicated. Not at all. I just want to enjoy the Gathering itself at this moment." I said this in a strong voice, making my intentions clear to Rina. I placed a hand on my chest to show my resolve.

Rina's eyes widened slightly, perhaps because I'd said it so bluntly, using the title of Princess instead of calling her by her first name as I usually did. She hadn't expected me to say this at all. Even if it hurts her feelings, it's better for my future reputation if I cut her off here.

"...Okay. If that's what you intend. I can't take someone who doesn't feel comfortable being with me."

Rina understood what I meant, but she didn't show any signs of disappointment. She was silent for a moment, and when she had nothing more to say to me, she turned to Cecily next to her.

"And you, Cecily?"

"Me? I'm just wondering who Rina's friends are."

"Okay. Marie—"

"Do I really have to answer that?" Before she could finish the question, a harsh reply came back from Marie.

Rina, as expected, smiled and opened her mouth. "Marie. Before I say anything, how long are you going to keep that attitude? Do you hate me so much?"

"I don't want to get close to someone who always wears a mask. I can understand where you're coming from, but it shouldn't have happened, at least not to me."

Rina had apparently caused Marie great pain in the past, huh. Rina isn't saying much about it, so I'm guessing she feels that she made a mistake.

The stunned silence that followed Marie's answer was broken only briefly when Rina spoke again. Instead, her voice was weaker than before as she murmured, "...We'll talk about it later. Cecily, shall we go?"

"Um, yes, certainly."

"Then I hope you two have a good time."

Rina led Cecily to a spot where people were gathered in groups of twos and threes. Cecily waved a quick goodbye and smiled at us as she walked away.

I waved back in déjà vu, feeling like I'd been through a similar situation before. Marie next to me also waved back at Cecily, but didn't even spare Rina a glance.

(To be continued............)

Editor and Proofreader:- In Valen's Name