Chapter 28

Serea hands me the bag of hamburgers and the cup of tea she bought.

When I peek into the bag, I see that each one has been bitten a little. She’s checking for poison. It’s such a thoughtful gesture, isn’t it?

The café terrace is fully booked, so we all sit on the stone steps leading to the chapel for lunch. Jack is munching away on skewers and sandwiches he bought from somewhere.

The girls seem to be engrossed in some rare baked goods and candies.

Jack, seeing this, mutters,

“... What do you think about having a fiancée chosen by your parents, with your future spouse already decided?”

“I think it’s an enviable position.”

“Kids these days... You don’t know what it’s like to struggle.”

I can’t help but laugh at Jack’s sigh.

“I’m curious about what kind of struggles a viscount’s son could have.”

At that, Jack scratches his head.

“Sorry, there are still plenty of kids who don’t even know where their next meal is coming from. My struggles are indeed laughable...”

“I’ve taken care of many orphans and sick children.”

“Sorry.”

Then he looks at Serea.

“Shin, do you like that girl?”

“I really do.”

“... I think it’s amazing that you can say that. Do you think about getting married in the future?”

“Of course I do.”

Actually, I’ve already proposed.

“... I kind of envy that.”

Hmm, Jack is quite the romantic.

“Meeting someone normally, falling in love normally, and dating normally—missing out on those experiences and getting married right away, doesn’t it feel like you’re losing out on life?”

“I think you gain in life by not having to suffer through unrequited love, getting rejected, and feeling embarrassed after confessing.”

“That’s such a dry view of love... You can say that because you’re in love with her!”

He pokes my head as he says this. Well, if it were Shriegan, he’d probably be shouting, “Explode, you!” right now.

“Ah, I get it. You’re just embarrassed. You can’t handle it, can you?”

“... That’s part of it. But, what if you meet a better girl or a cuter girl in the future?”

“Men, huh? Do you have some kind of harem fantasy?”

“Where did that come from...? That’s gross.”

He’s speaking like a dance instructor now.

“Ahahaha. But what’s the problem? Silfa is cute, and most importantly, Jack, she really likes you. I think she’s a good girl.”

“Compared to your plain-looking girlfriend.”

“... Say that again.”

“Sorry, I misspoke. I’m really sorry.”

Jack scratches his head and apologizes.

“Serea is straightforward and, while she may seem plain, she’s actually cute. She seems kind, and I can see why you like her.”

“She’s not plain. Don’t touch her.”

“Not touching... Well, Silfa is a good girl, but, you know, when you’re dating, especially when it’s between a viscount and a baron, it feels more like a formal relationship.”

“Hmm.”

“There’s a wall, you know. It’s like she’s not stepping in, and I feel like she’s just doing it because she’s my fiancée.”

... I see.

“Have you heard of Prince Saren, who married Princess Halfa?”

“I’ve heard of her. The princess who married the prince of the great kingdom of Halfa.”

“She’s been married for two years, and now she has one child and another on the way.”

“Wow! They must be in love!”

My sister’s plan to “dye the kingdom of Halfa with Midland blood” is progressing steadily.

“Prince Saren apparently didn’t even recognize his fiancée’s face until they got married.”

“No way...”

Jack is genuinely shocked.

“Whether it’s a political marriage or a love marriage, it’s not a big deal. What matters is what happens after you meet. Love isn’t something you do alone; it’s something you nurture together. Try to care more about her and fall in love with her. You still have years before you get married.”

“... That’s a good point.”

“Besides, if you can’t make your current fiancée fall in love with you, how can you expect a cuter girl to fall in love with you? That’s what I think.”

“True.”

After lunch, Jack offers his hand to Silfa.

“... So we don’t get separated, let’s hold hands.”

“... Okay!”

Silfa was surprised but shyly extended her hand, and Jack pulled her up.

“Hey, why don’t you come to my estate? I’ll hire you. If you study there, you’ll become a great official. I’ll make you my right-hand man.”

In the evening, as we were parting ways, Jack said this to me.

“No way. I have work in the capital, and I don’t want to leave Serea.”

“Yeah, I get it. That’s a shame... Well, remember me.”

“Sure, sure. We’ll meet again, right?”

“Definitely.”

We shake hands.

The next day, at the after-party for the lords’ meeting, we met again.

Oh, how embarrassing... I escorted Serea into the venue in front of the king, but Jack and Silfa were staring at us with their mouths open.

After greeting everyone, I went to them, and they bowed deeply.

“Y-Your Highness, we didn’t know it was you! We’ve been so rude! How can we apologize?”

“Stop it. You couldn’t have known. Just act normally.”

“I-I didn’t recognize Serea... Serea-sama, either. I’ve been doubly rude.”

“Please stand up. It’s our fault for not telling you. We’re sorry.”

“Wait, wait, wait, let’s go to the balcony first. We’re drawing too much attention!”

I pull them to the balcony.

“See, don’t worry. We’re friends, right?”

“... I should have recognized you. Looking back, there were plenty of hints. Your Highness spoke like a prince from the beginning to the end. I should have noticed.”

“Me too...”

“Just forget it. From now on, let’s separate the public and private. Okay?”

They finally raise their heads.

“You can still call me Shin, or you, or whatever. Just act normally in private, Jack. We’re the same age.”

“Silfa, too. Please call me Serea as usual.”

“Y-Yes...”

It might take some time.

“Are you both coming to Flora Academy?”

“Yes.”

“Then be friends with us at school. I’m asking you now.”

“Yes.”

“No, not ‘Yes’! It should be ‘Sure’!”

“Got it... Sure, sure.”

“Exactly.”

We all laugh. They still look a bit stiff.

“... Why does Your Highness forgive me?”

“You were arrogant at first, thinking I was a commoner, but you gradually started to see me as a friend.”

“That’s because I thought you were much more capable than me...”

“I feel the same. I thought you could be friends who don’t care about status.”

“I agree. Silfa always talked to me as if I were just another girl, without looking down on me because I was a commoner.”

“... I didn’t know you were the prince’s fiancée, and I consulted you about various things...”

Silfa is blushing.

“What did you consult about?”

“It’s a secret between girls!”

Serea pouted, and I couldn’t press further. Probably about how to get closer to Jack or something.

... Oh, so Serea must have shared a lot of embarrassing stories about me too.

The music changes.

“Come on, it’s dance time! Let’s go!”

We leave the balcony, and I lead Serea into the dance hall.

We dance elegantly to the waltz conducted by Strauss, along with the many lords and their children. We’re now proper adult dancers. The audience sighs in admiration.

I’m the best dance partner who can make Serea look the most beautiful and elegant in the world. I won’t give that up.

It’s not a special dress. Serea is a modest and unassuming girl, but at this moment, she’s the star of the party, capturing everyone’s attention. I have to dance like that. Look, the moonwalk, tii-tii-tii-tii!

The audience gasps in amazement. It’s like magic, so it’s best to do it only once a day.

I also made Serea’s skirt a bit shorter so that her shoes are visible. A lady’s skirt is usually long enough to hide her shoes, even with clumsy steps. Wearing a short skirt like this requires a lot of confidence in dancing.

After the first dance, we receive applause with the other children and greet the audience.

We go to where Jack and Silfa are standing against the wall.

“Silfa, would you like to dance the second dance with me?”

“With... Your Highness?”

“As a lady, you shouldn’t make a gentleman lose face, right?”

“Yes...”

She takes my hand.

“Come on, Jack, you shouldn’t make a lady lose face, either.”

“I’m really bad at dancing...”

“I don’t mind, come on.”

Serea also pulls Jack to the center.

Swish, swish, swish, twirl, twirl, twirl.

Thump-thump, thump-thump. Hahaha!

With Serea leading, Jack is managing to keep up!

Dancing is all about having fun, even if you’re bad at it!

Got it?

Come on, Jack, dance with Silfa too.

Next: "28. Collaborative Researcher"