CHAPTER 155…………………………………………….
I opened the door and stepped inside. Against the backdrop of a deep indigo night sky dotted with stars, the waves were rolling in.
A large man, his back facing me, was watching the scene.
His hair, close to black but tinged with red, glowed in the backlight.
His height had shot up before I even noticed.
A broad back that could easily hide me.
Before I could even start speaking, he turned toward me.
“My lady.”
Even in the darkening sky, his red eyes shone brightly.
With every step Ares took toward me, my mouth went dry.
Did I just look at Ares and think, “He’s a man”?
My heart was pounding so violently it felt like it was echoing in my head.
“I came to see you again because it was fascinating.”
“Ah… I-I see.”
Sweat kept seeping from my palms.
My tongue stiffened from the root, making my throat tight.
No matter what I say, it’ll probably sound stupid.
What should I do? I had rehearsed everything I wanted to say before coming here.
How can I not remember a single thing now…?
Ares gave me a sharp glance from above.
“My lady, I hear that Lord Icarion has been giving you gifts excessively lately.”
“…Ah, y-yes!”
Thank goodness he gave me a topic to cling to and stay sane, this guy.
I hurriedly complained to Ares like a muttering monologue.
“I don’t know how Calion got into the habit of being so extravagant. Neither Lethe nor I ever taught him that!”
“Hmm.”
“Maybe he had been suppressing his desire to spend all this time…?”
“Perhaps. Since he isn’t spending it on himself, that must be it.”
“Still… huff, I wonder if it’s alright.”
“Then would you scold me if I gave you something extravagant too?”
“Huh?”
“Here.”
Ares suddenly held out something…
It was a necklace with a red heart pendant.
The red jewel reflected the faint shimmer of the waves.
“What’s this? It’s not even my birthday.”
“I haven’t been in touch much this year, right?”
“….”
“This is the penance for that.”
“Hmm. So you knew?”
I tried to scold him but couldn’t stop a small smile from forming.
Trying to buy the heart of the future Demon King with just a necklace… how bold.
I swept my hair forward and turned my back to Ares.
“If you know you did wrong, then you fix it yourself.”
“….”
Silently, Ares fastened the necklace around my neck.
The cold pendant brushing against my collarbone felt impossibly vivid.
And the warmth of his fingers on the nape of my neck…
I was strangely afraid to breathe.
As if, if I made a sound, this precious moment would vanish like a dream.
No breath was heard even from behind me.
Click…
I finally exhaled after hearing the clasp of the necklace snap into place.
My chest itched unbearably, as if it would burst if I didn’t say something immediately.
I turned to Ares, awkwardly fidgeting with the necklace.
“Uh… how is it? Do I look pretty?”
“What?”
“Ah.”
…and I almost bit my tongue.
Silence descended again, as quiet as a mouse.
My face burned fiercely, then suddenly felt almost drained of color.
I must be crazy.
I wanted to run away. Why did I just say that?
Should I just say it was a joke and escape?
But my legs had stiffened.
And Ares took slow steps closer and closer, leaving me no chance to run.
“Shion.”
“Huh?!”
“Were you just joking, or were you asking for my opinion?”
I nearly hiccupped from surprise.
But even seeing my state, Ares pressed on relentlessly.
“Is it really important for you that I think you’re pretty?”
“Th-… yes.”
“Why?”
“Why… well.”
My mouth was so dry that even a single word felt like a struggle.
Why would your thoughts matter? Are you really asking that now?
It’s probably because I like you a little… maybe even a lot… in that way.
…But is that the right thing to say first?
Shouldn’t I have started with the part where you were surrounded by girls at the academy?
Then Ares, who had been waiting for my answer, suddenly said something unexpected.
“There’s the coming-of-age banquet in autumn.”
“…Ah. Right?”
“Dance with me for the first dance then.”
“What? Ah, like transforming during Calion’s party?”
“No. Just as you are now.”
“….”
His words made my face heat up again and again.
“But… Ares.”
“Why?”
“If I dance with you that day, others will see… our relationship, it might seem… a little.”
I couldn’t bring myself to finish the sentence, blushing all over again.
A princess, dancing at a coming-of-age ceremony she herself isn’t attending.
And it’s the first dance… with Ares.
Anyone could easily think our relationship is very special.
…Beyond childhood friends, it would even look like an engagement.
“My lady.”
Before I could stammer further, Ares met my eyes.
He gently took one of my hands.
“You know I love you, right?”
“…!”
My eardrums felt like they were melting from what he just said.
What did he just say to me…?
Ares pressed on without hesitation.
“You can’t not know. I’ve been consistent since we were children, haven’t I?”
He lifted my hand slightly.
Then interlaced our fingers, palm to palm.
The firm, long fingers digging in made my knees shake.
“I always made such a fuss, saying I’d be the closest to you.”
“….”
“So, this time, Shion… I want you to be right by me, on a day that matters to me.”
At that request, I slowly lifted my head.
Did I think Ares was fearless earlier, unlike me?
His expression was calm as ever, but the corners of his eyes were tinged red.
Maybe he was as nervous as I was.
“…Well?”
“….”
I couldn’t speak for a moment, lowering my gaze.
I wanted to bury my face in a pillow and scream from embarrassment.
I had probably never been this embarrassed in my life.
But at the same time, I was overwhelmed with joy.
“…Yes, I’ll do that.”
Honestly, I didn’t want Ares dancing with another girl that day either.
I mustered courage, lifting my head and answered as gracefully as I could.
Of course, my tongue was still stiff, so it wasn’t as elegant as I wanted.
“I-I like it too. Let’s do that.”
“Oh.”
“W-we’ll dance… dance just like this, as we are.”
“You won’t change your mind later, right?”
“Wh-what… do you take me for?”
I forced myself to shout brazenly to hide my embarrassment.
But inside, I felt like a bird on a grill—flapping wildly in panic.
What should I do? He said he loves me… I have to answer that too, right?
Why hesitate? Just close your eyes and say ‘I… I love you too!’
But I only had the courage to say, at best, “I think I like you… a lot.”
I’d hardly ever confessed feelings to anyone before.
Have I ever even said I love my dad…?
I was shocked at that realization.
I hadn’t realized how stingy I was with my emotions.
“Ah, that’s… um. I…”
“Yes, my lady?”
“Th-that…!”
Then I realized.
To express these feelings properly, I’d need a lot of practice.
I must have been struggling terribly.
Ares, who had been looking at me so intently, couldn’t help but laugh.
“Haha!”
“Why are you laughing…!”
“Because you’re trying so hard, it’s pitiful.”
Even though I was mentally older than Ares, I felt embarrassingly treated like a child.
I didn’t hate that feeling.
“You don’t have to force yourself, my lady.”
“….”
In the end, I couldn’t put it into words and awkwardly turned my gaze away.
But I did want to give something.
Even if I couldn’t say it, I wanted him to know how I felt.
“Ares, wait… lower your head a little.”
“Huh? Like this?”
The moment Ares obeyed my gesture and tilted his head lower.
Press.
I pressed my lips firmly against Ares’ right cheek.
