Chapter 169.
A familiar voice, I slowly lifted my head. Blonde hair and red eyes from the sun, swollen brilliantly in front of my nose.” …… Your Highness.”
Although I told him not to come, the appearance of the man attending my bar mitzvah caused excited laughter.
Callisto waved his red cloak and appeared in a dignified manner, which made me feel like I’d never be Deathstroke again.
“Greetings little sun of the Empire.”
I bowed my head in salute. The Crown Prince who had no answer even to the greeting spoke after a long time.
“…… Duchess.”
Those words made me raise my head to face him.
“I told you not to pretend to know, but you pretend to know again. It’s beautiful.”
The sour attitude was immediately met with an unexpected response. I understood his words a little too late. The gown that I thought I wouldn’t wear, but after the party who gave the gift made an appearance, a sense of confusion came over me. Facing the look of me who didn’t know what to do, the Crown Prince didn’t care and looked at me.
“It’s much better than I thought.”
“It just looks that way to my eyes …… But look around, the men’s eyes are plugged in this way.” He looked at me with an expressionless face and spoke in a raw manner.
Surprise at the appearance of the Crown Prince who said unfamiliar words is also temporary. It was the first time such a poignant compliment had ever been given, and once again laughter erupted. I decided to accept his gift and praise bashfully.
“I don’t know about putting shikigami in my clothes.”
“I’m not kidding, male female.”
He bowed his head slightly to me and whispered.
“I barely resisted the urge to claw those cub eyes out.
“I frown at cruel jokes.” Until the ceremony is over, please continue to endure.”
“Is that what the main character is going to say today?”
“Or take me where there are none.”
It was then that Callisto unclenched his stiff expression, took a bite, and smiled.
“…… Yeah. Because you hate cruelty.”
Nodding quietly he suddenly asked.” Did you get my gift?”
“Yup. There are so many, I don’t know if I’ll be able to use them all …… Anyway, thank you, Your Highness.”
“It came to be picked up, don’t be too burdened.”
When the butler passed on the message the day before, I thought it was just exaggerated pointed words, but it was really from the person himself. I was speechless at his posturing and opened my mouth.
“Every time your highness comes to the ducal palace, where is there a war of conquest?”
“What, where else would you like to go? Speak up. I didn’t realize you were that warlike in character.”
“No, there isn’t.”
At my answer, Callisto laughed briefly once again. Then, his eyes plunged into my heart.
“But wasn’t that also what was done there last time?”
“Was it? What …….”
I, who lowered my head along with his sight, discovered the ancient magic neck collar that had been the object of distress just now.” Ah.”
“Weird.” The Crown Prince summarized my unholy appearance in one sentence.
“What are you, so in love with me? Daring to put it on the prize under the Imperial Crown Prince. Insolence.”
He added in an unpleasant voice. I understood his displeasure perfectly and dutifully replied.
“It was a gift from Rain.”
“Rain? Who’s that?”
“The Gentile wizard you had help with that time. The masked one.”
“Ah, the sorcerer.”
Probably forgetting all about it, the Crown Prince sank briefly. The only thing I seem to remember is the magical creature. I kind of apologized to the one sitting behind him and just smiled awkwardly.
“What are you doing?”
Suddenly the Crown Prince asked, narrowing his eyes.” Protecting the wearer’s body.”
“How to get it.”
“I heard that the color of the beads in the middle will change if there is danger around……. Something that is common in that country, right?”
To be precise, it detects changes in nature caused by toxicity or magic, but I roughed it out.
“You must have given me such a gift.”
At that point, the crown prince stopped pursuing the question of whether or not it went away and sneered.
I’m a little curious about what “like me” is, but I’d rather take off the necklace in a hurry than worry about it.
“I just have curiosity.”
But the moment I grabbed the silver rope, Callisto stopped me.” Why?”
“It’s the same day today, and people are coming in. How do you know what’s going to happen.”
“I heard it was a gift like his.”
“But there’s one kind of magic that’s reliable.”
Callisto shrugged and answered briskly. He’d said it to such an extent that it would be embarrassing to try and hurry it off. The grunt that grabbed the silver cord let go. And there was a brief silence between us.
It was actually felt from the beginning. Like me, he was trying not to fight like before.
The fact that we, who broke up two days ago like we’d never see each other again, were chatting casually like this was amazing. …That’s all that matters.
That’s what I think. If it was someone else, it probably wouldn’t have left any lingering feelings.
“…… Your Highness.” I glanced around and opened my mouth coldly.
“…… People look at me.”
Greeting the nobles who greeted the bar mitzvah was rather delayed. Already from just now, the sights that glanced this way were leisurely.
“Stop …… that.”
“…… That’s strange.”
I was about to open my mouth to end the conversation when Callisto suddenly interrupted me.
“Obviously up until yesterday, you were so hateful and cute, you were going crazy.”
“So, until this morning, I was continuing to think about whether or not to…” Isn’t it funny how this agonizingly colorless, teeth-seating self laughs dryly at Callisto.
“But the moment I saw you today, the light in your hair shattered.”
“I couldn’t open my eyes.”
I stopped breathing for a moment. Instead of meeting my eyes, he lowered them and murmured.
“I thought it must be because of the sun ……”
“Close by, but it continues to be so, male female. Bad eyes.”
He suddenly frowned and lifted his eyes. Then slowly, he reached his hand toward me. The tips of the man’s fingers touched the remnants of the head that leaked out next to his ear like it was meant to be rubbed.
“…… That’s weird. Do you have light magic hanging out of your hair?”
He lowered his head really inexplicably.
The hand that stroked my head with shaking eyes proceeded to look at him. Looking at him with the sentimentality that is always felt, the Crown Prince said the same thing as is.
It’s no big deal, just like I felt that way because of his brilliant blonde hair. Plugged into his head, the earrings he wore. The light reflected, there was enough to feel.
But still, like he said, the mood got weird. The heart is too excited ……. No, I can’t stand the fact that my heart is trembling inside.
Are you sure about
[4 Million Gold / Fame 200]
Since it’s the last time I’ll rationalize it like this and choose [4 million gold] with a trembling hand.
Subtract < System> [10,000,000 gold] and check the favorability of [Callisto]. (Remaining reserved funds:999,999,999+)
[Favorability 89%]
That’s when I was able to take the slow breaths I endured. I quietly looked at the flashing numbers on the bright red favor gauge.
The emptiness and disappointment I felt last time felt like a lie. He doesn’t love me fully yet, I can really rest easy.” …… It’s no big deal, Your Highness. It must be because of the diamonds.”
Trying desperately not to smack his face off, he managed to lift his lips up and smile.
“Your Highness says diamonds are too valuable.”
“Is it?”
“Yes.”
“…… So it is.” Callisto nodded and coldly smacked the hand that touched my hair.
“If that’s what you are.”
He was far away, and the moment seemed like an eternity. A moment of looking at each other like a brush.
“Your Royal Highness.”
Suddenly someone’s voice intervened between us. Jerking his head around, the Duke and Leonard, who had gone to fetch him, approached.” Meet the little sun of the Empire.”
A breath of time that seemed to have stopped flew by.
“Raise your head.” The Crown Prince gave the order of permission. Then looked at me expressionlessly with a polite sort of fierce smile.” It’s been a long time, Duke.”
“It is an infinite honor for us to have you attend on your busy schedule.”
“This is the Duke’s house that will give me great power in the future, of course I’m coming.” The Crown Prince said with a false chin up. The Duke’s eyebrows twitched.
“I would like to greet you more, but it’s time to start the ceremony as well, Your Highness.”
“Ah, yes, a male daughter’s coming-of-age ceremony, which only happens once, cannot be postponed.” The Crown Prince quickly turned his head toward me again and casually greeted me.
“Happy birthday, male daughter.”
“Thank you.”
I replied, lowering my eyes. After a moment, he turned back to his assigned seat. I didn’t end up looking at the fluttering red cloak.
When I looked up again, before I knew it, I was densely seated at a table prepared by many nobles.
“Let the ceremony take place now.”
Starting from the Duke’s stern voice, the Bar Mitzvah finally began.