Chapter 75

10-day consecutive update project: Day 4!

Thank you so much for your kind comments and messages…!!!!

"Wow, Ela's hair is golden."

"Erich, it's more of a light navy, isn't it? It matches his eye color and looks very beautiful."

"Really?"

Erich laughed and reached out to touch Eleonora's hair. He took a strand of her loosely wavy golden hair and looked at it with delight.

"You also look very good with golden hair."

"…Thank you, Your Majesty."

Ugh, wow.

Sophie muttered in her heart without speaking aloud. She couldn't help but cover her mouth with both hands.

Erich's smile made Eleonora's cheeks turn a light shade of red, which was incredibly cute and wonderful. However, the casual gesture and expression of King Erich, who was 12 years old, were somewhat frightening. What would he be like when he grows up? It's quite terrifying.

"Erm, Miss Sophie, Livio."

"Yes!"

"Yes."

Sophie, who had been thinking rather impolite thoughts, straightened her back when called by Erich.

Livio's response overlapped from behind.

"Alright, as we discussed earlier, you two will depart as usual tomorrow morning. We'll slip out tonight."

"Understood. Please be careful."

"Don't worry. Ela will be with me, and Adolphus will join us tonight."

"I want to go home."

"You seemed to agree just a moment ago…"

"That's different. Your Majesty can't understand the pain of not being able to see my wife and children."

"I'm sorry."

Actually, since dinner, Sophie and the others had gathered in Eleonora's room.

They pretended that Sophie was trying to break Eleonora's curse, but it was actually a strategy meeting.

After all, Eleonora was supposed to be bedridden, and Erich was soon to fall ill. They couldn't set off together cheerfully. They were making arrangements to depart secretly, confirming the travel schedule, and discussing various matters.

The most time-consuming part wasn't deciding which route would be the fastest and safest. They quickly agreed to follow the path Eleonora took when she first came to the country, which was decided in an instant.

The problem was that they couldn't call each other "Eleonora" and "Erich" in public. Sophie and Livio, who seemed to have their own backgrounds, made the group feel like a "secret noble party." To dilute this, they needed a reason for this odd quartet to travel together.

Eleonora was the first to speak.

"Let's say that Sophie and I are noble siblings. I'm the brother, and Sophie is the sister."

"Wait. Ela, you're going to pretend to be a man?"

Erich raised an eyebrow, and Eleonora smiled slightly.

"It's not really pretending. I'm less likely to be recognized as a woman, and I usually act this way. In fact, being a woman in this disguise might make it easier to be recognized as Eleonora."

"…But you are a woman, right?"

"Only you and the people of this country treat me as such."

Erich's frown clearly said "dissatisfied." Eleonora continued as if it were nothing.

"Besides, there are dangers for women traveling. A group of all men is less likely to attract unnecessary trouble. If we're siblings, it won't be suspicious for Sophie and I to share a room at an inn. Sophie, is that okay?"

"Erm, yes. It's an honor to be your sister…"

Sophie had a younger sister, though they barely spoke. Her sister was always the center of attention with her lovely appearance and sparkling eyes. Sophie was never particularly liked, and they rarely talked. Sophie didn't particularly like being called "sister" with an empty tone, so she didn't mind much. In her family, Sophie felt like an outsider, a black drop of paint in a perfect picture.

Family… She had no good memories or images of it. But the idea of being Eleonora's sister sounded nice. It was wonderful. She giggled a little.

But.

Sophie glanced at Erich.

The deep frown on his beautiful face! The valley of dissatisfaction in the middle of his face made Sophie's words fade, and Eleonora's brow furrowed.

"Erich…"

"Ela, I think you're cool as a warrior, and I don't intend to criticize your way of life. But I want you to be more aware that you're my fiancée."

"Sorry."

Eleonora's small smile neither denied nor affirmed Erich's words. The emotion in her "sorry" was unclear, not just to Sophie. Erich's eyes widened slightly, and he sighed.

"Sometimes, I feel like you're not even here."

"I am here, right here."

"…Yes, you are."

Why?

Why, Sophie wondered, as she clasped her hands under the table.

Erich was right. Sometimes, Eleonora seemed to place herself outside the realm of "woman," and Erich's words didn't seem to reach her. Despite the short time they had been talking, why did "I am here" sound like "not yet"? Why did it feel like there was an ominous undertone?

"Um…"

The heavy atmosphere in the room was dispelled by Livio's bright voice.

"I understand both of your feelings, but I agree that pretending to be a man will reduce the risks of the journey. Of course, it's just my opinion, so Eleonora, you should try to convince His Majesty."

"You're not helping."

"I said, I understand His Majesty's feelings. It's natural to want the person next to you to care for you."

Right, Livio smiled at Sophie, and his cuteness was overwhelming… overwhelming…!!!!

Moreover, when did he notice? He gently held Sophie's hand. What? This was the kind of thing that made Sophie's heart race and feel like it was being strangled. This strangler!!! She tried to calm her excited brain but ended up nodding frantically. She was powerless.

"…Alright."

Erich sighed.

Oh, Livio blinked, and Erich pushed back his fallen bangs.

"If I keep arguing, it'll seem like I'm throwing a tantrum. The lower the risk, the better. Fine, do as you like, Ela."

At 12 years old, Erich had every right to throw a tantrum, and this wasn't a tantrum. He was thinking of Eleonora, not himself.

Eleonora smiled softly at the 12-year-old king who didn't act his age.

"Thank you, Erich."

"That's my line."

Erich smiled, looking a bit troubled, and stroked his chin. "But, so it's a tantrum, huh?" He laughed.

The mischievous, age-appropriate smile was charming. The confusing Erich relaxed and crossed his arms.

"I'm a spoiled noble child. I throw a tantrum because I want fruits from Ludia, and the knight who gets swayed by me is Livio."

"Ah, that's good. The contrast between a spoiled noble and His Majesty is interesting. I really dislike spoiled brats."

Livio's smile was refreshing, yet it seemed to have a hidden meaning.

"…Is there a thorn in your words?"

"…Maybe."

Asked quietly by Eleonora, Sophie could only laugh. Probably just her imagination. Probably.

Sophie, lost in thought, watched as Erich smiled brightly. Wow, he's dazzling.

"Ela and Miss Sophie will be the cousin and his sister who are accompanying us. We can't send young children on a journey alone, right?"

"Young children!"

Ahaha, Eleonora laughed, and Erich raised an eyebrow.

"Sending young and adorable children on a journey is dangerous, right?"

"That's the least fitting word for you!"

The heavy atmosphere between the laughing Eleonora and the amused Erich was gone.

Sophie glanced at Livio, who met her gaze.

Livio tilted his head curiously, and Sophie stretched up.

Incidentally, when Livio sat, the height difference between them was less noticeable. Why? Because Livio had long legs. When Sophie first noticed, she was shocked. The world is unfair.

Still, there was a height difference, so when Sophie stretched up and leaned in, Livio bent down.

The well-shaped ear, the straight nose, and the long lashes made Sophie's brain jump.

So small.

Right.

Sophie stiffened.

Right, I kissed here earlier.

And, she had also kissed his neck.

Sophie, suddenly remembering, bit her lip to stop herself from shouting and took a small breath.

"Thank you."

When she said it softly, Livio blinked.

"For what?"

Then, he looked up at Sophie with an innocent expression. The unconscious cuteness of the upward glance! She wanted to say, "Stop it," but she didn't. She didn't, but she didn't want him to stop in her heart!

Grr! Sophie smiled and said, "It's nothing."

She smiled.

Livio's cuteness when he blushed was infuriating. Maybe she should kiss him again. Half a lie.

So, Sophie and Livio bowed to the two and left the room.

The next time they met, Sophie would be Eleonora's… no, Allen's sister, and Erich would be the cousin Rick.

Using formal language wouldn't feel strange, and as close relatives traveling together, it wouldn't be unnatural for Sophie and Livio to be close.

Sophie was relieved that they could act without much effort, so she was a bit off guard.

"Sophie."

Until she was called by a beautiful but no longer cute smile, she had almost forgotten the dark aura.

"Can we talk for a moment?"

"Ah, um…"

"Master, I'll go to the room first."

Azwel, who had been on Sophie's arm, hopped off and turned into a white cat, swaying his tail. They both knew the location of the guest room assigned to them after dinner.

"I'm sleepy."

"Ah, yes."

So, Sophie couldn't stop Azwel from yawning and leaving. Livio continued to smile brightly.

"Shall we go?"

This was what they meant by an irresistible smile.