Chapter 4

This is the final part from Sophiria's perspective.

It's spring.

Spring has come to this world. Flowers bloom in abundance, the sun sings, and the wind plays a fanfare. It's fluffy and warm, and responsibility? Duty? What are those, delicious? Sophiria's mind had become foolish. Foolish, as if she had been wise before, and Sophiria laughed.

If she had been wiser, she could have lived better.

For example, Sophiria knows that her father had lovers everywhere even before he married her mother, and that he had no intention of changing his ways even after she was born.

She had always had a poor relationship with her grandfather, so it was only natural that he would be dissatisfied with the marriage partner chosen by her grandfather. Or so she thought.

But when her mother died and her stepmother, whom her father brought in, was a beautiful woman with wavy pink hair and shiny lips, Sophiria strangely accepted that it made sense that her mother and father didn't get along.

Her mother simply wasn't his type. She could only laugh. Ha. Just laugh.

What was her mother like, you ask? She was the epitome of a noble lady. Far from interesting or glamorous, she was the classical type. She revered history. Revered it to the extreme.

Her catchphrase was "a noble lady" and "a lady," and she considered it a virtue to never contradict her husband. Even the smiles she gave to her blood-related daughter, Sophiria, were somewhat cold.

Looking back now, her mother probably didn't like her father either. Of course, who could love a man who dislikes himself and has lovers everywhere? And probably, she didn't like Sophiria, who inherited the blood of such a man.

But little Sophiria, who didn't know the outside world, didn't feel lonely or sad. It was just the way things were.

Her father always had a stern face, and the servants of the prestigious family wouldn't smile during work, so there were no laughs in the house. She had never been praised by her parents or held hands with anyone. It was just the way things were.

She thought that people who laughed heartily and adults who hugged or petted children only existed in stories. Not metaphorically, but seriously.

So, the shock when she first saw the outside world during tea parties or carriage rides was immense. Huh? Is this normal?? Is the Lotus family perhaps dysfunctional???

Sophiria, feeling uneasy, gently tugged at her mother's dress, but in the next moment, it was slapped away.

Sophiria clearly remembers this moment. The discomfort, the surprise, the hesitation. It was a jumbled mess of emotions, a chaotic mix that ultimately separated, and her mother's intense face.

Ah, this is no good.

This was the moment Sophiria gave up.

Her mother, her father, her family—none of them saw Sophiria as "Sophiria," a living being. Because they were nobles, it was inevitable. They fed her, educated her, and took her around. Like a pet? No, more like a pet lady. Woof! And she would be petted and loved.

Even when Sophiria recited incomprehensible, difficult poems or completed unattractive family crests, her parents would only give a "hmm" and nothing more. Feh.

So, she always wore a sweet, cute smile and laughed "haha" with her father and daughter. As if she had been the lady of the house from the beginning. Laughing like she had been in the Lotus family long before Sophiria, her stepmother and half-sister, and her father, who looked at her with a "huh? Who are you?" face, made Sophiria admire their wisdom and accept this as the world.

If Sophiria could live like them, she would never have known that humans can suffocate to the point of death and still not die.

The story has become long.

In short, the Crown Prince, who snorted at the sight of Sophiria, had never even touched her.

Now, being held by a man, a chiseled, dazzlingly handsome man, Sophiria is on the verge of exploding.

This was her first physical contact with someone, and it was at a level too high. It felt as out of place as attending a royal party naked. Ah, but it was okay because there was a half-naked prince. Okay?

"Are you alright? We're almost at the carriage."

"Y-Yes, I'm fine."

No way. I want to scream, "That's not a good voice to whisper in my ear!"

What? Am I about to die? Is this my last reward in life?

He's gentle, strong, warm, and smells good. Looking up, his beautiful face is smiling softly. Amazing. This face should be protected by the state. Why is he a knight? If his face gets hurt, it's a loss for the country, right???

What's amazing is that this incredibly beautiful knight is willing to run away with Sophiria.

"Let's run away together."

The knight said this.

His eyes, sweet, gentle, and somewhat sad, like blueberry candies, made Sophiria want to cry out in longing. He said this to Sophiria, who had never given up on such a desperate desire.

Not "let you escape" or "run away," but "with me."

"You and me." "Together."

Surprised, Sophiria looked up from the arms that held her tightly, and his eyes were incredibly beautiful.

Livonnis, with two translucent, beautiful eyes, said with his well-shaped lips:

"Please run away with me."

He said it again!

It's not a misunderstanding! Sophiria immediately nodded.

Responsibility? Duty? I don't know, I don't know. Because, how can anyone refuse when such a beautiful person says this so earnestly! No one can, right?! No, no one can!!!

Sophiria nodded again and then once more.

And she thought she was going to die.

"I'm happy."

She said this and laughed.

Her beauty, rumored to be that of a knight, melted like butter, and she laughed. Her eyebrows drooped, her eyes were moist, her cheeks were a light pink, and her lips were soft.

Her eyes burned. Sophiria thought, if this is the last thing I see, I have no regrets.

After living 15 years as a "lady," seeing a smile that isn't a business smile for the first time, Sophiria felt a bit anxious about her future.

But now, in this moment, she was incredibly happy.

Happy, or rather, it was spring. Eternal spring. This is love, right? This is it!

One might ask if someone who has suppressed their emotions can know love or affection, but this knight, with his stunning face, said he wanted Sophiria to come with him. Just that. He made this face. Right?!

What? I like him. I like him. I love him. What? Is it possible not to like him? Can it be done?

It can't be done!

So, the diligent Sophiria, who never skipped running or strength training, was actually energetic enough to walk on her own, but she didn't say "I can walk on my own!" because she couldn't let go of this lucky bonus in her life. She couldn't say it. Never let go.

She thought so, but when they reached the carriage, she had to let go. Sophiria's life was short.

But Livonnis, surprisingly, sat next to her! Sophiria was revived, like a phoenix.

Livonnis closed the door with a thud, looked at Sophiria, and narrowed his eyes gently. It was suffocating.

"Sophiria-sama."

"Yes."

Ah, I bit my tongue.

This was Sophiria's first experience speaking smoothly, even when meeting the king of another country or presenting a budget to the king. Her cheeks were hot, and Livonnis smiled softly.

"You're cute."

"C-cute."

That was her line.

Eh, cute. Cute is violent. What is cute violence? I don't understand.

Her clenched hand hurt.

"No, I can't. I need to focus. We don't have much time, so I'll explain briefly."

Ah! Don't suddenly look so serious, I might die.

Sophiria bit the inside of her cheek and nodded.

"Ah, this is amazing. No, no, focus, me."

Sophiria didn't understand what Livonnis was saying, but she agreed with everything, so she looked deeply into Livonnis's eyes.

He's incredibly beautiful. No, no, focus, myself.

"To confirm, did you scream that you wanted the engagement to be broken off?"

Sophiria blinked.

"That's right. It was really a coincidence, but seeing the Crown Prince in such a state, I just thought, 'I don't care anymore.' Moreover, the other party was my half-sister. If it had been someone else, it might have been ignored, but my father would gladly settle the engagement for his beloved sister, and the royal family can't sever ties with the Lotus family, so it was convenient to resolve the situation. Honestly, it was lucky."

Sophiria's father was skilled as the head of the family.

He wouldn't let his beloved daughter be exposed to a scandal, so he would create a love story with the Crown Prince and replace the fiancée at all costs. She would be welcomed with open arms.

"...You underestimate yourself too much. I don't think the king would let you go so easily."

"Of course not. The Crown Prince dislikes me, and I was his fiancée only because I am the eldest daughter of the Lotus family."

"Ah... There are too many points that make me angry, so let's just leave it at that. Let's just say that. I don't want you to change your mind."

Sophiria didn't understand what Livonnis meant again, but the idea of changing her mind was absurd. Who would return to the Crown Prince, who never spoke to her, and her father, who never acknowledged her, after meeting such a beautiful knight?

Being laughed at as the woman whose fiancé was stolen is something she would never want.

"Of course not. Even if I have to, I will escape from this country on my own."

Sophiria could no longer live as "Sophiria, the creature." She had tasted the joy of being human.

Looking up, Livonnis frowned and looked extremely displeased.

"I won't let you go alone."

"Ah, yes."

Ah, yes. She couldn't say anything more. Her face was probably bright red. What should she do? She was incredibly happy. He won't let me go alone! Squeal! She bit her teeth to suppress a scream, but Livonnis, unaware of her state, smiled contentedly. "I'm glad you understand," he said. What is this? Grr, grr. She bit the inside of her cheek again, almost growling at how cute he was.

"So, if I can take you away without any worries... But changing the fiancée from sister to sister and allowing the escape of someone who knows a lot about the royal family are different matters. To avoid being chased..."

Livonnis smiled mischievously, like a child planning something.

He leaned his elbow on his crossed legs and looked up with his eyes. What is this? So sexy and cute.

"Please die with me."

"Ah, yes."

Huh? What did he just say? She couldn't ask for a repeat because Livonnis's smile was too cute. "Whatever," she laughed. Her brain had turned to mush. This is love!

But even the elated Sophiria turned pale when she heard the plan.

"Unbelievable!" she exclaimed, but Livonnis was unperturbed, saying, "That's what it means to run away with the Crown Prince's fiancée," as if it were nothing. His words were like a bucket of cold water to her head.

She couldn't even get angry at his innocent face.

She immediately became calm.

Sophiria knew she wasn't valuable, but her position in the country was unique. Escaping alone and being "kidnapped" were different matters.

She couldn't involve anyone, a vague thought she hadn't fully considered. She was frustrated with her own foolishness.

What should she do? This wasn't her intention. She had taken Livonnis's hand without any preparation. Her hand trembled.

Livonnis noticed the carriage had stopped and opened the door.

Wait, no. I have to say something. I should stop this. I can. It's not too late.

Determined, Sophiria looked up, and Livonnis, from outside the carriage, smiled and extended his hand.

"Sophiria-sama, even if you push me away here, you'll run away, right? I'll chase you no matter what."

His smile was so beautiful that it left no room for argument, and Sophiria felt the blood rush to her face again. Wait, let me think, she tried to move her head, but Livonnis, smiling happily, said, "You took my hand, remember?" so cute. No, wait, wait.

"I said I won't let you go alone. So, don't you think it's more efficient to run away together now?"

"Efficient"

This isn't about efficiency. The calm Sophiria tried to argue, but when Livonnis tilted his head, his black hair swayed, and she thought, "No, don't do that."

"I don't give up easily, so it's more efficient if you give up, Sophiria-sama."

No, that's not the issue, Sophiria thought, but Livonnis was confident, and his sparkling, proud smile was incredibly cute, so she thought, "Efficiency is better, right? Because it's more efficient," and it became a nonsensical thought.

Because, when she tentatively placed her hand on his white-gloved one, he gripped it tightly.

"I caught you!"

He laughed so happily. Ah, I'm done for. I'm dead. Sophiria's brain was dead. It stopped thinking. The brain cells that had worked so hard were buried with care. She would place blueberry candies on the grave. Thank you for your hard work.

"The president understands, but let's do it later. We don't have time, so hurry up."

"Hehehe."

"I'll kill you."

The knight who had come down from the driver's seat and the man in the robe glared at Livonnis, who laughed brightly. Such a smile was also cute. It was painful.

What's a president, Sophiria wondered, tilting her head, and Livonnis, letting go of her hand, said, "It's like a code, so don't worry about it," as he introduced a woman who bowed with a large bag.

"This is our maid, Canon. She's a tight-lipped lady who kept my mischief a secret when I was a child, so you can rest assured."

"Of course, I kept quiet because I knew it would be found out by the master and mistress anyway."

"Oh."

Canon, who had entered the carriage, unfolded a simple dress from the bag and helped Sophiria change with a smile.

Evening dresses were impractical for running, being heavy and conspicuous.

Surprised by Livonnis's efficiency, Sophiria took off her blue gemstone earrings. She thought about throwing them away, but then again.

They could be sold, Sophiria thought, clutching the blue gemstones. They were innocent, after all. As a form of compensation. She should be grateful that it was this easy.

"Alright," Sophiria tore off the dress decorations. As expected of a dress from her adored half-sister, the small gems and ribbon fabrics were of high quality. She stored them, looking for a place, and Canon handed her a leather bag, to which she expressed her gratitude.

Canon smiled.

"Master is stubborn and has a bad temper, and he's as foul-mouthed as a commoner, but he will surely make you happy, so don't worry."

It was a harsh way of saying it, but the warm smile made Sophiria laugh involuntarily.

"I'm already happy."

Oh, and. Can you understand how happy it makes Sophiria to receive such a warm smile? She probably can't, and she held back her tears, stepping out of the carriage. She put the bulging leather bag and the dress in the bag she received.

Livonnis, standing by the carriage, had changed into a casual jacket and boots over his black uniform trousers and was wearing a navy robe. His usually slicked-back hair was down, making him look a bit younger. Cute.

"Then, I'll return to the mansion with Canon."

"Ah, thank you. Be careful on your way back."

"You don't need to say that to me, do you?"

"Of course not. Only my father can kill me."

"Right? And where should we burn the carriage? This area is good, right? But how do you know such a road? It's so dark and full of trees, perfect for mischief."

"Huh, you don't know? It's the road the bandits we caught last time used. The leader said he cut down trees to improve the view."

"Oh, this is it?"