Chapter 63
Theodor seemed rather disappointed that his two “toys” for indulging in his mischievous pranks—no, two beloved students—were absent from the lonely magic tower.
Our teacher, who had no trace of dignity, nagged relentlessly until the day his two cherished students returned.
“So… they’re coming back today, right? Huh, Eunice? Can I wait for them?”
“Are you really going to act so stingy, Theodor? Just a few days ago, you told me to enjoy my vacation however I liked!”
“That was then, this is now. So… you’re not coming back? Leaving me all alone? I’ll really cry, you know?”
“…I’m coming. I said I’m coming. So just wait quietly until I arrive. And don’t cause any trouble.”
Sigh… once I get back to the magic tower, I’ll have to help Ethan deal with Theodor’s stubbornness properly.
Thinking of the poor wizards who’d be worn out by Theodor’s whimsical temper, I stood up, eager to return to the magic tower.
I had to find Ethan quickly and head back.
I searched through the Clovis mansion…
“Where did Ethan go?”
No matter where I looked, I couldn’t find him.
Now that I thought about it, Ethan, who usually arrived in a rush every morning, had been unusually quiet today.
“What’s going on? Did he hide because he doesn’t want to go back to the tower?”
After several days of Ethan following me relentlessly, I had never felt so relieved.
Just a while ago, I was determined to get back to the magic tower as soon as possible… but now, my mind was starting to change.
Well, Theodor’s been acting cranky for more than a day or two. Being late just for a day should be fine.
Since I had escaped from the tower, I might as well enjoy the last day!
In other words, I wanted to enjoy this moment while Ethan was absent.
I stopped my frantic search for him and casually glanced around to observe the situation.
Just moments ago, my eyes had shone with determination to find him—but now I was cautiously checking to see if he might pop out.
Yeah. If Theodor complains about why he was late, I’ll just say Claude was slow.
With a perfect excuse prepared, I was ready to enjoy my little freedom today.
I just had to sneak away before Ethan appeared.
Forgetting all my bold movements through the Clovis mansion, I tiptoed around, glancing nervously as if I had done something wrong.
Stay hidden just until I make my escape, Ethan.
I barely finished this wish when—
Thud—
“Eek!”
I felt a rough, inconsiderate hand grab my shoulder.
“Wha—what is this?!”
Startled, I flailed my arms, trying to escape—but the rough hands had already enveloped me from behind, so I couldn’t move.
“L-let go!”
“Nope.”
“W-what did you… say?”
“I said I won’t let go.”
I instinctively struggled, then froze at the familiar voice.
For a moment, I had forgotten where I was—but this was Clovis mansion.
There was only one person here who could speak so boldly while holding me.
I looked up belatedly at the man who had grabbed me, and crimson eyes, filled with curiosity, were gazing down at me.
“…Ethan?”
I called his name in a disappointed voice, forgetting my earlier tension.
The reckless mad dog had barged in again, completely ignoring subtlety.
Seeing my displeased expression, Ethan slightly frowned.
“You look rather regretful. Were you hoping I wouldn’t show up?”
Ah, so I was caught.
I couldn’t bring myself to deny it, so I awkwardly laughed, “Ha-ha.”
Feeling the slight weight of Ethan’s gaze, I tried to act nonchalant and pushed him away from me.
It was irritating how easily he let go after all that effort to grab me—he seemed to know exactly what I was thinking.
“So? Are you not going to answer me?”
“Huh?”
“What are you doing here? I thought you’d be in your room, but here you are, standing alone.”
“Ah… well… I was obviously… looking for you, Ethan!”
“Hah. At least lie properly. Standing there with that exhausted look, claiming you were searching for me?”
“Oh… haha… did it show?”
“Yes. Quite a lot.”
Faced with Ethan’s firm words, I stopped trying to hide my expression.
Hiding anything from perceptive Ethan was hopeless.
“So, when are we returning to the magic tower? Theodor is waiting anxiously for us, you know.”
“Ah… I have something to do before going back to the tower.”
Without waiting for my response, Ethan swiftly grabbed my wrist and began leading me away.
“Where are you taking me, Ethan! L-let go and let me talk!”
“Nope. My fiancée might try to run off anytime, so I need to hold you firmly.”
He twisted my hand into his grip, then said with a teasing smile:
“So, don’t even think of escaping. Just follow me quietly, my fiancée.”
Why does he have to smile so beautifully?
I couldn’t resist his touch and allowed myself to be led by Ethan.
“…What is this?”
“Exactly what you see.”
I couldn’t believe my eyes.
Frowning slightly, the air around me suddenly felt colder.
I didn’t need to look around to know why.
“You look uncomfortable. Not pleased, huh?”
“W-well… it’s not that I dislike it… just… a little surprised.”
“Right. You’d be surprised. This is new for me too.”
It was such a ridiculous scene that I thought it might be a dream—but Ethan’s cold aura told me otherwise.
I quickly shook my head, coming back to reality.
“So… this isn’t a dream?”
“Stop calling it a dream. You’re making me feel a little embarrassed too.”
Ethan’s words fully woke me up.
I looked at him dumbfounded, and he smiled teasingly, confident and satisfied.
You’re just watching. You’ll be shocked at the grand engagement ceremony.
“…So the engagement was real?”
“I told you. I wanted to surprise you.”
I tried to be shocked as he intended, then blinked to clear my vision.
The scene before me finally came into full view.
Bright, extravagant chandeliers and decorations—so unlike Ethan’s usual dark demeanor.
Sweet, soft-looking desserts—again, unlike his cold nature.
Everything here seemed perfectly suited to my tastes… yet completely mismatched with Ethan.
When did he prepare all this? He was just sulking about not having the engagement!
Everything was astonishing, but the most surprising thing was…
“That’s… a cake?”
“Yes. A strawberry cake.”
Amid all the luxurious displays, the cake looked simple and unassuming.
Ignoring Ethan’s proud grin, I strode toward the cake, strangely detached from its extravagance.
Ethan followed, pretending otherwise.
I didn’t even glance at him, just stared at the strawberry cake.
It was a lavish setting, yet my attention was drawn to the one thing neither flashy nor special.
Seeing me staring blankly, Ethan chimed in with a cheerful tone:
“See? Shocked, huh?”
“…Ha. What is this, really?”
“What do you mean? You said you wanted this. You were whining about it in front of the crown prince, weren’t you?”
Ethan’s teasing tone felt strangely welcome today.
With a trembling excitement, I turned to face him.
I ignored the extravagant surroundings behind him. Right now, my gaze was fixed on the fake fiancé, waiting for my reaction.
“How about it? Pretty effective way to keep a runaway fiancée in place, huh?”
“Pfft! You went to all this trouble just to trick me?”
“Hmm. Didn’t I say you couldn’t escape?”
“Then why give such a fancy bait?”
“Bait?”
“You didn’t have a reason to do this for me otherwise.”
I jabbed at him with a teasing voice. He sealed his lips tightly, but only briefly.
After a moment’s pause, Ethan spoke again:
“Fine, call it bait. I don’t like seeing you flinch like a scared rabbit every time.”
Unlike usual, his teasing tone today didn’t scare me.
Maybe that’s why I could respond more comfortably.
“Tch. You’re so unpredictable.”
“Hmm.”
“First, you suddenly barged in for a contract engagement, now you’re tempting me with my favorite cake?”
“Choice of words is perfect. Yes, I’m tempting you.”
Seeing him shamelessly admit it, I laughed, taking a piece of cake.
“But isn’t an engagement supposed to come with a ring? Why a strawberry cake all of a sudden?”
I glanced at the sweet cake and pouted playfully, but Ethan’s unpredictability made it fine.
Apparently, I was the only one who didn’t mind.
“Do you want a ring?”
Ethan’s eyes sparkled at my small voice. He seemed ready to offer a ring with a large jewel.
I quickly shook my head.
“Enough! We don’t need a ring between us!”
I took a bite of the cake he had prepared.
The sweet taste spread in my mouth—a sensation I had never felt before with Ethan.
A smile unconsciously lifted the corners of my mouth.
“Delicious?”
“Yes, it’s really good.”
“Which tastes better?”
“Huh?”
Ethan stepped closer, waiting for my answer.
I didn’t back away, staring at him directly.
He bent slightly to meet my eye level.
“Which tastes better, the one from the crown prince or from me?”
…Wow, really childish.
Is that what he says after setting such a mood?!
…Is he serious?
I was about to open my mouth in disbelief but paused.
Ethan’s eyes were unusually soft and earnest.
It seemed like he genuinely wanted my answer.
His gentle, sparkling eyes made me feel mischievous.
I wanted to tease him, just like he had teased me before.
So I said, deliberately, it was from the crown prince.
…Deliberately?
Am I really… enjoying the cake from the mad dog Ethan more than the angel Julius gave me?!
I was confused.
Reason told me my heart should belong to Julius, not Ethan.
Yet my true feelings just now…
“Eunice?”
“Huh? Ah, y-yes!”
Before I could reach a conclusion, Ethan called out.
Startled, I looked at him clearly, and he smiled lightly, as if he had expected it.
“What are you thinking about?”
“N-nothing!”
I couldn’t hide my embarrassment and quickly shook my head.
Ethan seized the moment:
“Then answer me!”
“Huh?”
“Which cake tastes better, huh?”
“…Ah.”
“Answer me.”
Ethan’s mischievous grin returned, urging me on.
Afraid the “gentle mad dog” might revert to his wild nature if I delayed, I answered quickly:
“…This tastes better. Not from the crown prince, but from you, Ethan.”
No point provoking him further.
Ethan didn’t seem to notice my hidden reasoning and finally smiled with satisfaction.
His clear, genuine smile made me stare at him without realizing it.
He said lightly, pleased with the outcome:
“Look forward to when we return to the magic tower. This is only the beginning.”
“…What are you planning this time?”
“You’ll have to wait and see. Be prepared to be surprised.”
Excitement flickered across Ethan’s face.
I couldn’t tell him the truth:
We should remember we’re only together out of necessity.
He said it first. We are together because we need each other.
So there shouldn’t be… feelings like this between us.
“…I’ll wait without expecting anything.”
But it wasn’t too late to say more later.
I didn’t know if this tingling feeling was from Ethan’s atmosphere or something else entirely.
