Chapter 80
“See? This is why I put on lighter makeup.”
“You… hic… you knew I was going to cry, h-hic?”
“Yes. I would’ve been disappointed if you didn’t cry. Pft.”
“Enough now.”
Liz wiped away the smeared makeup and quickly set her hands back to work.
“There, all done. Now you really mustn’t cry anymore, Your Highness.”
“You’re the one who made me cry. Why’d you do that?”
“You liked it though. Don’t even try to deny it.”
“Ugh. Way to ruin the moment.”
I pouted, and Liz, seizing the chance, even got the lipstick on me before fixing the final hair ornament into my hair.
“Wow… whoever made this, it’s the perfect finishing touch.”
Yup, that smug self-praise—that’s my Liz alright.
I couldn’t help but chuckle. Liz asked me from behind the mirror,
“The Young Duke is supposed to come, right?”
“Yes. He should be here by now.”
Liz gave my outfit one last inspection.
“Don’t be nervous. Go as yourself—beautiful, confident, and princely. Have fun, Your Highness.”
“Thanks, Liz.”
She winked. Right at that moment—knock knock.
“Sounds like he’s here.”
“Looks like it.”
Killian had arrived.
My fingertips went cold, and my lips felt dry.
Killian, even as he put on the clothes Tia had prepared for him, had to pinch his thigh several times to believe it.
Tia’s partner…
I’m Tia’s partner…
Sure, he had only won that place by using his wish and prying it from His Majesty, but considering what being a debutante’s partner signified, it was well worth it.
Kind-hearted Tia, who had long since veered off the normal track but still pretended otherwise, had always been lenient with him.
She had believed every flimsy excuse he gave.
On top of that, she had accepted his partner request—out of concern that he might end up in trouble, or get bullied by someone like Bianca Schwery.
Tia, in the past as now, only ever worried about his well-being.
The only one who had changed was Killian. And that was fine.
He’d been busy for weeks dealing with young lords who might ask Tia to partner them, sending back unopened letters from visiting young ladies, spreading the rumor that he’d be Tia’s partner…
Nobody knew the truth, so it didn’t matter. Even if they did, it wouldn’t matter. As long as Tia didn’t know…
Adele had found out by accident and cursed him as a creep, a lunatic, a deranged obsessive, but he had achieved his goal. That was enough.
Just being with her today was enough.
Killian adjusted his cravat and imagined Tia’s appearance. He swallowed hard.
Even in an unfinished dress she had been nosebleed-worthy.
In that deep green dress, she would be perfect. She’d suit his dark navy formalwear too.
His heart thundered.
Now fully grown, Killian headed for the palace, his hand burning at the thought of holding hers.
“….”
“Killian?”
“Ahem. Tia.”
Was he okay? His face kept flushing red, then pale, then white.
He shut his eyes, exhaled long, then greeted me formally and held out his hand.
“May I escort you, Your Highness?”
“Uuugh. Can’t we just do it the usual way?”
He did look amazing, but—
My immunity to my favorite kind of coolness had been low lately…
I started to take his hand but drew back, trying to act natural.
If I held Killian’s hand right now, my heart might actually explode.
Calm down, heart. He’s not your man. Calm down.
“…Shall we, Tia? If it makes you uncomfortable, we’ll do it your way.”
He withdrew his hand.
“Thank you for understanding, Killian. Turns out this is way more awkward between friends than I thought.”
“Friends… awkward, huh…”
“Yeah. You too, right? But when we enter the hall I’ll hold your arm and your hand like we agreed. You know I keep my promises.”
“…Yeah.”
His voice had gone quiet.
Was he upset?
Maybe it was Schwery stressing him out again? In that case, there’s only one answer!
I lifted my skirt carefully and brought up Adele.
“By the way, Killian, what about Adele? Who’s his partner? He hasn’t told me.”
“I don’t know either, Tia.”
“Really? I thought you would. You never talked about it when you were together?”
“When we were all together? No.”
Hmm…
So he wasn’t ready to reveal their one-on-one yet. Got it.
I nodded and began showering him with compliments to loosen him up.
Praise makes even whales dance, after all. Compliments are the best cure for nerves!
“Anyway, you look amazing today. Different from the fitting. And your hair—pulled back like that—it’s great. Was your forehead always that nice?”
I smiled brightly.
Complimenting my favorite is easy. I could do it half-asleep. Want to hear my endless well of praise?
“Maybe it’s your blue eyes? The navy outfit was such a good choice. It goes perfectly with your silver hair. Gorgeous.”
“Tia…”
“No! Wait! Not me! I mean other people! Tons of young ladies will be dazzled. For sure!”
Whew. Covered.
I shut up.
Watching him out of the corner of my eye, I walked with Killian.
Soon the Diamond Hall of the imperial palace, venue of the debutante, came into view. It was time to act like true partners.
“Killian, we’re almost there. Shall we hold hands now?”
“Shall we, Tia?”
A step ahead, Killian smiled radiantly and held out his hand.
Wow… my poor heart…
I’d have to take his hand even if he were the Grim Reaper. He was just too beautiful.
I took his hand, and he softly wrapped it, then gently placed my hand on his arm.
From fingertips to elbow—
It was just thirty centimeters of cloth-covered arm touching mine, yet it felt like our hearts were touching.
Life complete.
Come at me, heart attack.
As I braced myself, Killian let out a small laugh.
“Why?”
“Hm?”
“Why did you laugh?”
“I remembered the first day we met.”
“The first day we met?”
The “first meeting” I remembered was that hellish apple-stained express-train escape…
Why was he laughing…
“It was here, this hall. Your seventh birthday banquet, Diamond Hall. Do you remember what you said to me then?”
“Well…”
Of course I remembered!
When I’d first possessed this body, Liz had told me the story and I’d freaked out. It had taken ages to reset my “death-flag points” after that.
But right now, it felt smarter to play dumb.
“You, who’d been bored with every gift, suddenly looked at me and said… ‘This one! I like this one. What’s your name? Will you marry me?’”
“I did not! I said you should be my birthday present!”
“You remember?”
Oops. Walked into that one.
“I just… remembered as you talked. Heh heh.”
“Then you must also remember what you said after that, don’t you, our brilliant Crown Princess?”
He gently stroked my hand with his thumb.
It felt like he was saying, ‘Tell me nicely.’
I had no choice but to confess.
If I’m going to die, so be it. Whether by heart attack or Killian, it’s all the same!!! (No, it’s not.)
Ugh…
“I said I wanted to have you. Because you were so pretty and handsome I wanted you for myself…”
I shuddered.
Stupid! Awful!
I should’ve slapped myself back then!
“Ugh. I’m so sorry, Killian. I was terribly rude. I can’t believe myself. I did apologize back then, but is there still some resentment left? Or did being back here trigger a trauma? I’m sorry again. I was immature… it wasn’t really me.”
It’s true.
That Celestia wasn’t me.
I gave him my most pitiful look and apologized.
“After that we were even engaged for a short while, weren’t we?”
“Ughhh. I’m really sorry. That was my dad… He’s the enemy here. Well, I was wrong too! He’s even more impatient than me… I’ll set time aside to have him apologize to you too, Killian. I’m so sorry.”
Is this what a debutante is supposed to be?
Feels more like confession.
Same four syllables, totally different.
The weather was cool but sweat trickled down my back.
“I liked it, though.”
“Hm?”
My heart lurched.
Had my makeup smudged? Worried, I didn’t catch what he said properly.
Maybe it wasn’t important.
“No, nothing. Just… being here as your partner for the debutante… I was thinking, if only I had stayed your fiancé back then—”
Ack! Please stop!!!
Please bury that black history!!!
Killian isn’t normally the type to daydream like this, is he? Right?
“Never! Never ever! That would never have happened. It didn’t happen. It’s not happening. I’m perfectly happy as friends! Totally happy! Being friends is perfect! It’s the best! I’m so glad we’re friends! Just like now!”
Ahahaha.
I babbled so hard I was out of breath.
But Killian’s expression didn’t improve. If anything, it darkened.
Why…
Please, just let me live…
