chapter 158………………………………………
Jealousy and a Kiss (2)
The girl named Lunai’s mouth fell open.
Mine did too as I stared up at Ares, looking just as dumbfounded.
‘Just now… what did he say…?’
Because Ares said it so confidently, even I felt embarrassed, my face flushing red.
Meanwhile, Lunai pointed accusingly at him.
“Hey! Y-you— Isn’t that cheating?!”
“Cheating? What are you talking about?”
“No, not cheating! Treason—!”
“Enough. We’re leaving.”
Ares grabbed my hand just like that and started walking off somewhere.
Behind us, the girl shouted, “You seed of rebellion!”
But the unpleasant feeling that had been scratching at my mind earlier had already disappeared.
A date…
How could Ares say something like that so casually?
Just holding hands had me this nervous, cold sweat running down my back.
Maybe because he noticed I’d gone quiet, Ares glanced down at me.
“Did that bother you earlier?”
“…What?”
“What Lunai said.”
Once again, Ares gestured up and down in front of his face with his free hand.
“Your expression was getting all stiff like this.”
“I-I wasn’t!”
The idea that I’d been making such a scary face was a ridiculous accusation.
…But since my composure was already ruined, I decided to ask carefully.
“Hey… are you really close with that girl?”
“More or less.”
“……”
By Ares’s standards, ‘more or less’ meant pretty close.
I’d never seen the youngest prince interacting with other noble girls.
I’d never even seen him treat any other men besides Callion as his equal.
Ares was smiling slyly, clearly enjoying my inner turmoil.
“Why? Are you jealous?”
“……”
“Wait. Seriously?”
Our footsteps stopped.
The relaxed grin he’d had vanished, and Ares frowned deeply.
Like he couldn’t believe the situation.
“You’re jealous of Lunai Kryse? Why would you?”
“…Why. Is that weird?”
It was embarrassing that things had become like this between us, but I’d honestly been looking forward to going out together.
I’d never cared this much about what I wore before.
‘But if some girl shows up who only he knows, it’s normal to feel upset, right?’
That’s how I tried to justify it in my head…
But my pride was completely crushed.
At my age—especially after living a past life—it was pathetic.
Unable to endure the humiliation, I shook the hand he was holding roughly.
“I don’t know! If it’s weird, then just go away!”
“…No. Do it more.”
“What?”
I heard an unexpected plea.
When I lifted my head, Ares’s eyes were shining almost frighteningly.
“Be jealous. Obsess over me like that.”
“Obsess—! I’m not obsessing!”
“Why not? If Kryse made you feel bad, isn’t that obsession too?”
“Enough! Stop it! Go away!”
“Haha!”
I tried hard to pull my hand free, but the difference in our hand size made it impossible.
And besides, we’d already arrived at today’s destination, so I couldn’t run away anyway.
“Why are we here…?”
“You’ve looked like you needed sugar every time I see you lately.”
It was a café that didn’t suit Ares at all.
Of course, I’d gone to cafés in the capital with Callion too…
But back then, I hadn’t felt this embarrassed.
It’s the same thing—eating cake and chatting—yet just because our relationship is different…
Sitting alone together like this felt unbearably awkward.
Even taking a bite of cake made me nervous, sweat forming again.
Meanwhile, Ares kept watching only me, then smiled mischievously.
“That girl earlier is my age. She came to participate in the Kore Knight Commander Tournament.”
“…I didn’t ask.”
“Yes, yes. I know.”
Ares brushed off my protest like a snake.
But strangely, his light tone made my heart feel calmer.
“Ahem… then is she really skilled?”
“More or less.”
“…Not as good as you?”
“That goes without saying.”
“Oh wow. Must be nice being so amazing.”
Before I realized it, I was laughing too.
As I ate my cake, I thought quietly:
Ares will enter that tournament too. I hope he wins.
Even if he was too young to become commander right away, if he won, he’d surely rise to that position someday.
And then… even if I said I liked him…
Father wouldn’t kill him— I mean, throw him into the fireplace, right?
I fiddled with the necklace I wore today.
The necklace Ares gave me—I didn’t even want to entrust it to servants, so I wore it every day.
Since I received something, I should give him something before the tournament too.
But what do you give someone entering a serious swordsmanship competition?
Then suddenly, I remembered a scene from the hunting festival when I was twelve.
Young ladies giving charm bracelets to the ones they liked.
Would Ares like something like that?
Or would he just boast that he could win with his own strength?
Still, I couldn’t stop looking at his wrist.
I wanted something I gave him to be there.
Maybe it was purely selfish…
Yeah. Even if he says he doesn’t want it, I’ll give it to him.
That way, my heart won’t shake so easily just because of some random girl again.
* * *
Ares rested his chin in his hand, staring quietly at the princess sitting across from him.
Even if she changed her appearance, he could recognize Sion just from her expression.
And she was smiling softly, as if something delighted her.
She’s insanely cute…
Ares even cursed internally while describing that adorable sight.
Sion… getting jealous of someone.
Because of him!
Am I using up all the happiness of my next life too?
Ares’s lips curved upward, but when he remembered the “Kore Knight Commander Tournament,” his expression darkened.
The Duke Ismenios family had long been respected as Erebus’s closest allies.
But as the duke—his older brother—grew weaker, whispers had begun spreading.
They’re saying it’s time to replace one of the Four Great Houses?
Ridiculous.
There was only one way to shut that nonsense up forever.
“Ares. Win the tournament and come back.”
Just as his brother commanded, he had to prove himself with strength in front of everyone.
And deep down, Ares wished desperately—
That he could shine brightest in front of Sion.
“Your Highness, you’ve got crumbs here.”
“Oh.”
He gently brushed the crumbs from the corner of her lips and smiled.
Winning the tournament?
For his family’s expectations, he would do it no matter what.
And for that lovely person blushing so beautifully…
He would do it for her too.
* * *
We’d only eaten sweets and spent time together, yet the hours passed in an instant.
It’s a shame… we can’t even return to Persen Palace together anymore.
Because for the past three years, Ares had been staying at the duke’s residence in the capital.
“No matter how close you are, a man cannot stay long in an unmarried princess’s palace.”
Lethe had warned me so firmly that I couldn’t argue.
Maybe that was why the path back to the palace felt especially short.
I want to stay with him a little longer… but if I do, it’ll be night soon.
I kept fidgeting with Ares’s hand, biting my lip.
It was frustrating.
And unlike me, restless since earlier, Ares was calm—almost too calm.
Right then, Ares stepped ahead and turned back to look at me.
“Once we go down there, it’s just a little farther, Sion.”
“……”
“Are you very tired?”
Did he think I was hesitating because my feet hurt?
I gripped the hand that was about to lead me downward.
I wanted to stay alone with him longer.
“You… are you really just going to leave like this?”
“Hm?”
“You, um… last time… I did it first, on your cheek.”
I whispered, looking up at him.
“Then why… aren’t you doing anything to me?”
