Chapter 31
Tap.
Tap, tap.
But the sound gradually grew more frequent, touching me lightly.
What is this? Was it not just my imagination?
But why does it feel like I’m the only one reacting to it?
I glanced sideways at Pofiny, watching her for any reaction.
Tap, tap.
“……”
As expected, Pofiny showed no reaction at all.
Then… is this some kind of signal meant only for me?
“Pofiny, I’m going to step out to the terrace for a moment.”
“Taking a short break? Alright.”
Completely unaware, Pofiny casually picked up a macaron and nodded.
In the end, unable to resist my curiosity, I turned my head.
There’s no way anyone would dare threaten me at such a grand social event.
I don’t know who keeps signaling me, but I absolutely cannot bear this curiosity.
Clunk.
Without hesitation, I opened the door and stepped straight onto the terrace.
The cool evening air brushed against my nose and made my shoulders tremble.
And the view from the terrace was…
The sky had turned blue as the sun had set, and the marble glowed faintly under the lights from the banquet hall.
And there stood a man in the center.
The man stood with long light-brown hair flowing down.
From within that frame, his clearly visible red eyes curved gently.
Ah.
Our eyes met.
And I stopped in my tracks, just like my thoughts did.
I knew this man.
[Are you hurt?]
Locus.
He was the man who had looked so much like Noah during the hunting competition.
The man who perfectly embodied the novel’s descriptions of Locus.
“Did Your Grace lure me here on purpose?”
Before I realized it, my mouth had moved on its own.
“……This doesn’t feel like our first meeting.”
As if in a trance, I whispered the question, and Locus responded with a slight nod instead of words.
Then he slowly began to approach me.
Amidst the sweet scent of the banquet hall, a softer fragrance tickled my nose.
A mix of sweet floral and cotton…
Ah, I know this scent.
It’s the same scent as our Noah.
This is strange.
Is it truly a coincidence? Could there be someone else in the world who smells like this?
“……”
I bit my lip slightly, keeping my eyes on the approaching Locus.
Then Locus gently took my left hand in his.
He held it so softly, it felt as if his hand might tremble.
And at the same time, he whispered,
“I’ve missed you.”
“……”
“I waited so long for this day… longed for it. This moment feels like a dream.”
His voice was filled with more happiness than anything else in the world.
He missed me? He’s been waiting for this day?
“Why…….”
I asked him in a daze.
“Because today is a special day for you, Lady.”
He answered, cheeks turning bright red.
“I wanted to remain in your memory of such a special day.”
And at that, I released the lip I had been biting.
Thump.
The echo that had been ringing in my chest grew louder, making my body tremble.
It had been a long time since my heart reacted like this.
Even when I was exposed to Easton’s magical aura, I didn’t feel this fluttered.
“……!”
I felt heat rush to my face as my tension completely melted.
Why?
What is this? Why am I acting like this?
It’s just something any young man might say—but why does it shake me so much?
If someone else said it, I wouldn’t be this flustered.
Is it really all about the face?
If someone says those words with the face, expression, and voice I like most… maybe it’s inevitable.
Ah. I really do like Locus’s face.
The fact that I’m blushing from one sentence confirms it.
I’m a serious looks-based person…!
“To say you wanted to remain in my memory—Your Grace has already left a deep mark on it.”
I bowed my head deeply, avoiding his gaze.
If I looked into his red eyes right now, I truly didn’t know what might happen.
I might pass out from the heat in my face, or start bleating like a goat.
I don’t know. I really don’t.
My body feels like it’s turned into jelly.
My legs are weak, my heart feels soft, like it might melt…
Why am I like this today?
I was already dazed from Easton’s earlier attack, and now I can’t even keep my body upright.
“A simple memory isn’t enough.”
At that moment, Locus pulled my hand.
I was completely caught off guard and helplessly drawn in.
His firm chest bumped against my cheek before quickly pulling away.
“I want to become your most special memory.”
And then he looked into my eyes and said,
“I want to be the center of that memory.”
“……”
I was speechless.
How could this be allowed?
Wearing the face I love most, he says he wants to create a special memory with me, and now he—
Wants to be the very center of that memory?
A debutante ball is something nobles often say they’ll remember until their dying day.
It’s no different for me.
So if he says he wants to be at the center of it…
He’s asking me to remember him for the rest of my life…
“You’re very greedy.”
I muttered in reply.
“You’re already someone I can’t easily forget, so how do you plan to leave an even deeper impression?”
My head felt like it was going to explode.
The cotton scent tickling my nose, the light-brown hair brushing my cheek.
The heat blooming everywhere he touched.
It all felt overwhelming.
No more. This is my limit.
Barely holding onto my composure, I raised my bowed head.
But at that moment—
Ah.
The red eyes I met were glistening with tears.
The tears shining on his crimson irises made his eyes look even clearer.
And it evoked such a poignant emotion.
“Did my selfishness trouble you, Lady?”
Locus spoke, sounding suddenly deflated.
“I’m sorry. I was so excited to meet you that I lost control.”
Oh no.
No, no…!
“D-Don’t cry like that!”
How could I possibly speak harshly to him now?
Panicking, I cupped his cheeks and spoke,
“If you want to be in my memory, then you’ll have to try harder! Don’t give up!”
This is insane.
Why am I comforting this man?
And not only that—I’m cheering him on to seduce me more!
“……”
Then Locus cautiously looked at me.
A faint blush had appeared on his cheeks.
Like a fox hoping to be loved, I could almost see invisible ears and a tail behind him.
Ah, seriously.
“Nothing is more regretful than giving up too soon!”
I don’t even know what I’m saying anymore.
I quickly removed my hands from his cheeks and tried to run away.
But unfortunately, I couldn’t get far.
“……!”
Something grabbed my waist and yanked me back hard.
Was it Locus’s hand?
Helplessly pulled in, I instinctively wrapped my arms around Locus’s neck.
I was completely trapped in his embrace.
Perfectly, without any hesitation.
“Then, may I have the honor of a dance with you, Lady?”
Just as Locus wished.
“Here, in this place.”
Like a piece on a chessboard, I had no choice but to move.
At the whisper that landed near my ear, I shuddered and answered.
Though, truthfully, my answer may have already been decided.
“All right.”
Then I whispered back to Locus.
“Here, in this place.”
It was an acceptance.
* * *
Before time moved forward—before Rosent entered the banquet hall.
The cool autumn breeze tickled Noah’s hair.
His short hair swayed with the wind, slowly lengthening.
Or more precisely, his entire body, including his hair, was transforming.
And at the moment his hair finished growing, a small light danced near Noah.
Noah had changed his appearance again.
Just like during the hunting competition—into the former Locus.
“……”
First, Locus looked around with a casual glance.
The ground was covered in thick layers of fallen leaves.
Voices from the banquet hall drifted through the open windows.
There was no sign of anyone nearby.
It seemed he had chosen the deserted rear entrance of the hall well.
“Whew…”
Stretching his stiff limbs, Locus walked forward.
He had been summoned to the palace more times than he could count, thanks to Lucas.
And even before going off to war, they had gathered at the palace.
No matter how directionally challenged he was, this place was impossible to forget.
He had marked all the quiet and secluded spots as resting areas…
Or rather, they had etched themselves into his memory.
Locus stealthily made his way to the banquet hall terrace.
Now all he had to do was lure Rosent out.
How would she react when she saw him?
With her gentle nature, surely she wouldn’t do something drastic like report him…
‘No way.’
[He was totally your type.]
She’d said that before.
Locus smiled bashfully, recalling the whisper in his ear.
Rosent would like it, wouldn’t she?
She had even said this appearance was her ideal type.
So just for today, let’s make use of this look a bit more.
Let’s see…
If I want to use this appearance more boldly, what should I do?
What do people do to get affection?
Just acting cute like Noah probably wouldn’t work…
Locus belatedly checked his own reflection.
A plain shirt and black dress pants.
Long light-brown hair loosely hanging down.
If he had known this would happen, he would’ve brought a better outfit from the duke’s house.
What to do. Should he just knock out a noble on the street and steal a coat?
Locus sighed, lost in thought.
He had never once tried to seduce anyone using his looks.
Even when he confessed to Honey, all he did was try to grant her wishes.
He never imagined his appearance would have any effect.
For someone considered the most beautiful in the world, to be unaware of their own charm…
If Rosent heard this, she would have exploded with rage.
Clueless, Locus just awkwardly brushed back his bangs.
It was his first time doing anything like this—he had no idea what to do.
What kind of voice should he use to seduce someone?
How do people usually act when they’re smitten?
Wait. What exactly is Rosent’s type?
Locus frowned in concentration, deep in thought.
And then, when his thoughts finally converged into one…
“Should I… cry?”
It was a rather odd yet strangely clear voice.
But Locus would never believe—
That this very idea, spoken without thought, would turn out to be the perfect way to break Rosent down and capture her heart.
