Chapter 149………………………………………………….
Boom—!
Another massive firework exploded high into the sky.
Cheers and exclamations erupted from all around, the crackle of smaller sparks ringing sharply in my ears.
But even all of that couldn’t drown out the loudest sound of all: the rapid pounding of my own heart.
Thump-thump, thud-thud.
“Y-you…!”
As soon as I realized the situation, I cupped my cheeks with my hands and kept trembling, my lips quivering.
Yet no words came out.
I was too flustered to speak.
“You’re beautiful, right?”
Amid my chaos, only Per continued to speak as if nothing were wrong.
“Red… sparkling.”
“Ah, n-no.”
The fireworks weren’t even what he was looking at—his gaze was fixed solely on me.
And he casually said that!
Is my face… red?
No, no.
It’s just the fireworks.
The red bursts in the night sky must be making my face look flushed too.
“Th-this is unacceptable!”
I finally gathered my wits and scolded Per.
We’re best friends, after all!
Sure, friends can share kisses lightly, but—
Coming at me suddenly like that was cheating!
“It’s not a joke.”
“Th-that kind of talk is also not allowed.”
“Fine, fine. You said it’s my choice how I interpret it.”
Per shrugged in a teasing manner, finally tearing his gaze away to watch the fireworks.
I also tried to calm my fluttering heart by looking around…
Gasp.
“P-Per.”
I suddenly turned, shaking his sleeve frantically.
“I… I think we’re in big trouble.”
There’s no time to leisurely watch fireworks right now.
I could swear it.
“Why?”
Per furrowed one eyebrow and asked in return.
My eyes had been fixed on just one place all this time.
Exactly here—no, approaching here.
Towards the dads.
I definitely saw it! I saw everything!
Thinking back, there’s no way the dads didn’t notice.
Mom had already said she’d watch Per and me dance from behind.
Even if she hadn’t overheard our conversation, she would have been observing our actions the entire time.
And the dads, with their sharp eyes, would have seen Per suddenly plant a peck, peck on my cheek… that entire scene.
With their own eyes, every detail, crystal clear.
D-don’t come!
I desperately pressed my lips together toward the approaching dads.
But the closer I tried to stop them, the faster their steps became.
If the crowd weren’t in the way, there’s no telling what could’ve happened to Per.
And that was about to become reality…
“No!”
I can’t lose my friend over a single kiss!
With that thought, I gripped Per’s hand tightly and began pushing through the crowd.
Per, looking confused, followed obediently.
At least that was a relief.
Though I knew it wouldn’t take long before they caught us again.
“Per, run quickly.”
I put some distance between us and the dads, then said firmly, locking eyes with him:
“And don’t come to the palace for a while. At least while the dads are here, stay away. If you must come, only when Mom is around.”
Otherwise, your life is not guaranteed, C.C.
Please heed this life-saving advice.
“What did I do wrong?”
“You did something wrong. Something really big.”
At the very least, you shouldn’t have acted that way in front of the dads.
“There’s no time! Quick, quick!”
You’ve got your specialty!
Disappearing suddenly right before their eyes—you’re extremely good at that!
Do it!
“If you’re worrying about me, I could handle it…”
“Don’t talk nonsense—hurry!”
The people you’re facing can destroy the world—what could you possibly do?!
I shook my head vigorously and warned Per with all seriousness.
“Listen carefully. Don’t appear in front of Grandpa. Mago Grandma… might be okay. But absolutely do not get seen by the dads.”
“Until when?”
“Until the dads forget today’s memory!”
Or at least until they’re distracted by something else.
“G-go now!”
The silhouettes rising above the crowd were now approaching us faster than before—it seemed they were angrier because I ran.
“If you say so, I have no choice.”
Even so, Per maintained his calm demeanor, smiling softly.
“See you again, C.C.”
“Yeah, see you alive.”
I sincerely hoped our friendship wouldn’t end today.
I caught the faint glow of the magic circle in my eyes, then spun around.
At the same time, the dads’ stern expressions filled my vision.
“Oh, my!”
If I had been a moment later, it would have been a disaster.
“Our princess.”
Zion’s dad spoke first.
His voice carried a cold edge, as if he were about to draw a sword from its sheath.
“Why did you run away from the dads all the way here?”
Is that even a question?
“The dads… they’re really scary right now.”
“Do you know why we’re like this?”
Harzen’s dad asked next, closing his eyes elegantly with a smile.
Elegant, not gentle.
“…Because I ran away?”
“Before that.”
This time, Derek’s dad spoke briefly, moving his neck.
The sound of thump, thump echoed deeply from his throat.
“So, M-Mom is alone…? She might be in danger…”
I desperately tried to change the topic.
Of course, Kyle’s dad blocked me.
“♫♩, child. The most dangerous one isn’t Yuria, isn’t you—it’s that ♬♪ one ♩♪.”
Hic!
Even though Kyle’s dad didn’t shy away from cursing, he had never given Per a crude nickname before.
“You don’t need to worry about Mom, Princess.”
Zion’s dad forced his piercing eyes into a smile, speaking kindly.
“Your mom agreed to this plan too.”
“Mom did?”
No wonder Mom wasn’t stopping the dads.
At least I could trust her…
“So, C.C.”
Feeling a late sense of betrayal from Mom.
“Where did that brat run off to?”
The dads glared at me, asking in unison.
“I don’t know! Even if I did, I wouldn’t tell!”
I shouted, closing my eyes in a last-ditch effort.
No matter how flustered Per had gotten, I would protect my friend’s life!
