Chapter 88

I'm sorry for the delay.

There are people in this world whose faces you don't want to see first thing in the morning.

"Good morning!"

"......Good morning."

It was the sixth day of the Ash Week. As Gilbert stepped out of the dormitory, Lean, dressed in her uniform, was waiting for him. She approached with a smile, despite Gilbert's obvious discomfort at seeing her, the "face you don't want to see in the morning."

"Today, I have a present for you, Gilbert-sama."

"A present?"

"Yes. I've brought a special present for you."

Perhaps because they were in public, she leaned in with a strangely soothing voice and adorable gestures. A few students who had left the dormitory after them passed by, giving the odd couple curious glances. Gilbert raised his hand to stop her from getting any closer.

"I don't need it. Thank you, but no thank you."

"Oh, come now, don't say that..."

Lean took Gilbert's hand, which was trying to stop her, and placed something paper-like in it. Gilbert unfolded the item that had been forced into his hand.

"This... is a ticket? For a play?"

"I'm giving it to you specially. Although, it's something being distributed for free."

She said this with a full smile. Upon hearing that it was "being distributed for free," Gilbert initially thought she might have given him some trash as part of her usual pranks. However, seeing "Director: Neil" written on the ticket, he changed his mind. She seemed to be up to something again.

"You don't have to come, but you'll definitely regret it later."

"Huh?"

"Then, I'll take my leave. I need to give this to His Highness as well."

With that, Lean quickly put some distance between herself and Gilbert, flipped her skirt, and turned on her heel. She then gave a somewhat challenging smile and bowed once, saying, "Until then."

As he watched her leave, Gilbert furrowed his brow.

(If she's giving tickets to both the prince and me, and saying, "You'll definitely regret it if you don't come"...)

At that moment, Cecilia's face flashed in his mind. This was definitely her doing.

"I thought you were up to something. What are you doing?"

Thinking of the innocent and pure figure of his love interest, who trusted everyone, Gilbert sighed deeply, as if expelling all the air from his lungs.

In the evening, Gilbert visited a certain place with the ticket in hand. This "certain place" was the Sigonyne Orphanage. According to the ticket, it seemed a play was being held there. In the vast open space where children usually ran around, a grand wooden stage had been erected. There were no assigned seats; only simple wooden benches were lined up. On the side of the stage, booklets with the cast and script, as well as drinks, were being sold. Strangely, Lean's book was also for sale, with a cover he had never seen before, indicating it was a new work. It seemed they weren't charging for entry but had a plan to make money through other means, such as selling these items.

Showing his ticket at the entrance, Gilbert entered and saw a familiar red-haired figure already seated. Unnaturally, no one was sitting around her. Everyone knew she was royalty and was giving her space.

"Your Highness, isn't this risky? Coming here without any guards..."

"Ah, Gilbert."

Oscar looked up, and Gilbert sat next to him.

"I understand you don't like bringing a large entourage, but you are a prince. What if something happens?"

"Well, if something happens, it will happen. One of my brothers will inherit the throne."

"Again with that..."

"My brothers are all capable. The country will be fine no matter who inherits the throne."

Gilbert sighed at his nonchalant response. No one was worried about the throne, but he wasn't about to say that.

Oscar, noticing Gilbert's silence, took a piece of paper from his pocket and showed it to him.

"Did you also receive this from Lean?"

Gilbert nodded, recognizing the ticket he held.

"Yes. I didn't plan to come, but since Cecilia is performing, I thought I'd check it out."

"Cecilia is performing!?"

"Didn't you know?"

Gilbert looked at Oscar's surprised face with a mix of exasperation. Every time something like this happened, he wondered if this man was fit to be the next king. He wasn't unintelligent, but he seemed to have a hard time being suspicious of others.

"If you knew that, why did you come? You're not usually this free."

"Well, I was told there would be an event at the orphanage. I also wanted to see the conditions there..."

"To see the conditions? The orphanage is run by the church. It's not something the state can interfere with."

"That's why."

Gilbert looked at Oscar, who continued.

"Who else will take care of the welfare of the people if not the state? Children who have lost their parents are also citizens of this country. Even if we can't do it immediately, we should aim to take care of them eventually."

Oscar kept his gaze on the stage and added, "Of course, we will also need to cooperate with the church for this."

Noticing Gilbert's intense gaze, Oscar turned to him.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, just correcting my opinion. Don't worry about it."

"Alright."

Without pressing further, Oscar turned his attention back to the stage. People were bustling around, preparing for the start of the play.

"But, you should learn some political skills. It will be tough in the future."

"That's your job."

"‘Your job’...?"

"Isn't that the right person for the right job?"

Gilbert frowned at Oscar's sideways glance.

"Don't call me manipulative."

"...You don't realize it?"

"I do, but it's annoying to hear it from you."

Oscar smiled, saying, "I see."

As the stage preparations were completed, Lean ascended the platform and gave a welcoming speech. The seats were already full, thanks to the free admission.

"By the way, I've been meaning to ask you..."

Oscar's unusually serious tone made Gilbert tilt his head in confusion.

"What do you think of Cecilia?"

"...You're asking me directly?"

"In a situation like this, beating around the bush is pointless."

Keeping his eyes on the stage, Gilbert spoke.

"Exactly as you think."

"I see. ...That's going to be tough."

"Mutual, I suppose."

At that moment, Cecilia appeared from the wings, her silver hair flowing. She wore a divine white dress and had her hair straight, which was different from her usual style. Her eyes were the same, but the makeup made her look more sharply beautiful than usual.

Gilbert heard Oscar mutter, "My fiancée is not only cute but also beautiful..." as he watched the stage.

The first scene showed a goddess lamenting over a demon-ruled kingdom. The story followed the general myth of the Prosperity Kingdom but had added lines and scenes to make it more dramatic. Then came the battle between the demon and the goddess. Cecilia's skirt had slits for easier movement, and some of the male audience members cheered at the sight of her bare legs.

"..."

Gilbert couldn't help but let out a sigh. While it wasn't intentionally provocative, he thought he should complain to Lean about it later. Perhaps they should consider covering the slits with fabric.

"Surprisingly, it's well-made. I was worried Lean might suddenly start a love story between two men..."

"Probably because she thought the church would be angry. After all, she's from the orphanage..."

Gilbert answered Oscar's question. While she might have various schemes, she genuinely cared about the orphanage. The children selling drinks and booklets were likely to benefit the orphanage.

As the story reached its climax, the final scene of the famous myth began. The goddess, left behind in the burning flames of hell, was rescued by a man who had helped her. Most plays ended with a narrator saying, "He later had a child with the goddess and became the king of this country." Gilbert and Oscar had seen this scene many times since childhood, so a change in actors didn't make it new.

The flames were represented by orange lights, and the goddess, played by Cecilia, was pleading for help. The actor who rescued her approached her.

"I'm glad you're safe."

"Why did you do such a reckless thing?"

"I fell in love with you as a man."

The smooth, sweet lines made Gilbert's temples throb. Oscar also looked puzzled at the sudden romance.

"Since the night you descended in human form, I have been captivated by you."

"I have relied on you more than anyone else."

"You may have completed your mission, but I don't want you to be a fleeting dream."

"I also wish to be with you..."

The music changed, and the two actors' faces drew unnaturally close.

"Huh?"

The actor wrapped his arms around Cecilia's waist and leaned in to kiss her—

"Whaaat!?"

"What—?!"

They both stood up simultaneously, and the audience, startled, looked up at them. The curtain fell just as their lips were about to touch, and applause filled the air.

Before the applause died down, both of their feet were already heading towards the stage.