Chapter 61

December 28th is the release date for the second volume of the manga.

Thank you very much!

"Huh? Oscar!? You're here?"

"I always attend, you know."

There, Oscar was standing in formal attire, which was predominantly white, in stark contrast to Gilbert's. It somehow reminded her of the night they first met at the social event.

And next to him...

"Wait, Dante too!?"

"Hey there!"

There was Dante, also dressed formally, with his collar neatly buttoned up. This might have been the first time she saw him dressed so properly. He looked quite distinguished. If someone said he was a noble, she would have believed it without a doubt.

"I always thought you wouldn't attend such events..."

"Well, Oscar is more likely to be targeted in such situations, so I'm here to keep an eye on him."

"Guarding him, huh?"

"Not exactly. But you know, it's annoying to see someone I like get hurt by someone else."

He chuckled.

Since his true identity was revealed, he seemed to have become more uninhibited and was enjoying himself a lot. In the game, he had always kept his true identity a secret from Oscar, so this lively side of him never existed.

Oscar, with a vexed look, pulled Dante's arm off his neck.

"I said I don't need to be here..."

"Come on, don't say that. Besides, haven't you been hearing some bad rumors lately?"

"Bad rumors?"

"About Prince Janis making a move again."

Prince Janis was the prince of the neighboring country, the one who had orchestrated the plot to send Dante to assassinate Oscar. In the game, he was the final boss in the Oscar, Gilbert, and Dante routes.

"It's just a rumor, right? No need to worry."

"But he's the one who sent me to kill Oscar."

"There's no evidence."

"Just point me out and it's over."

"I don't like your jokes."

"I like this serious Oscar, though."

Dante laughed at Oscar's sour expression.

It seemed that the reason there were few people around Oscar was because Dante deliberately kept them away. Indeed, interrupting nobles while they were talking was strictly forbidden.

"So, what are you standing here for?"

At Oscar's question, Cecilia remembered her purpose.

"Actually, there's someone I want to get to know!"

"Someone you want to get to know?"

"The twins from the Machias family... Oscar, do you know them?"

At Cecilia's question, Oscar raised an eyebrow.

"I know them. I've met all the nobles, at least formally."

"Really? I want to get to know them too, but I haven't had the chance."

"Besides, I don't even know where they are."

Rein also agreed with a troubled look. Looking down at the two of them, Oscar spoke.

"Shall I introduce you?"

"Huh?"

"I can do that. I saw the Machias twins walking around here a little while ago. They can't have gone far."

"Really!? Yes!"

Cecilia raised her hands in joy. Oscar's lips curved slightly in a smile, but then he tilted his head.

"But why do you want to get to know them?"

"Huh?"

"Is there a reason?"

"That's..."

Her thoughts came to a halt. She didn't know how to explain.

A week ago, Oscar had also said something that made her feel suspicious. Maybe he had noticed something.

At that moment, the red game screen she had seen in her previous life flashed in her mind, and her face drained of color.

"N-no, it's okay! I'll figure it out on my own!"

"Hey!"

"They were over there! Thanks for the info!"

"Wait, Lady Cecil!?"

Cecilia left the scene as if she were running away, and Rein hurriedly followed her.

..◆◇◆

Oscar watched his fiancée leave at an incredible speed. As her figure disappeared into the crowd, he let out a soft sigh.

His chest was filled with an indescribable loneliness.

(So, she still can't tell me, huh.)

He had come to terms with Cecilia dressing as a boy to attend the academy. He understood that there were things she couldn't tell him.

(She's probably a candidate for the Divine Daughter.)

He had only recently come to this realization.

Otherwise, there was no explanation for why she could dispel the 'hindrance' during the 'Selection Ceremony' or why she was wearing a treasure artifact.

However, even though he understood the reasons, the feeling of unease in his chest didn't go away. What mattered to Oscar was why Cecilia couldn't tell him these things.

He touched the treasure artifact on his arm.

What she was wearing now was probably something Gilbert had given her.

"Oscar"

"---!"

A low, purring voice suddenly sounded in his ear, making Oscar jump. He covered his ear and put some distance between himself and the person who had whispered, who was now shaking with laughter.

"Don't whisper strange things in my ear!"

"I just thought you looked so melancholic."

Dante put his hand around Oscar's neck, as if to comfort him, and then added, as if reading his mind,

"Don't worry so much. It's not like she hates you or anything."

Those words reminded Oscar of the time Dante had referred to Cecilia as a 'woman.' That was back in the summer, when they were studying for the mid-term exams and had gathered around a round table for the first time.

"...Did you know Cecilia's secret?"

Dante narrowed his eyes.

"Hmm, I wonder?"

"..."

"I made a promise with Cecilia that I wouldn't tell anyone, so I can't tell you either, Oscar."

Even though he said he couldn't tell, Dante was giving away the answer. Oscar glared at him.

"Is that okay?"

"What's okay? I didn't say anything, did I?"

He didn't say it, but it was as good as saying it.

Oscar averted his gaze from Dante and counted on his fingers.

"Besides you, Gilbert, Grace, and maybe Rein might know."

He sighed. At this rate, there might be others who knew as well, which made him feel even more gloomy.

"Am I the only one left out?"

Oscar snorted, unamused.

Oscar, looking melancholic.

I'm Hiro, and I'm very happy to be getting a lot of fan art lately.

Thank you so much!

I haven't been able to respond to your comments because I've been busy, but I've read them all and they've been a great encouragement!

Thank you all.