The head butler was looking at me with a cool "What on earth is he doing?" expression. If there was any saving grace, it was that Miss Citoyen managed a faint, polite smile.
"I have known the young master for a long time, but there is absolutely nothing between him and Lord Vandel, so please rest assured."
The head butler was saying that in a low voice.
Of all people, why did I have to be misunderstood with this guy?
"Yes, that's right, lovely young lady. He and I are what you call 'school friends."
Vandel must have recovered, pushing himself up with his legs because the arm supporting him suddenly felt lighter.
Just as I felt relieved, that guy...
Of all things, he made a smacking sound and kissed me on the cheek.
"Our relationship is only this much."
He laughed, "Hahahahaha," so I yelled, "Ugh, get off me!" and punched him. Just a moment ago, he looked like he was about to faint, but he deftly dodged and stepped forward in front of Miss Citoyen.
"Goddess who pierced my friend's heart with an arrow. May I have the honor of greeting you?"
He bowed respectfully.
Such flowery language again... But he really pulls it off, that kind of thing.
I thought that bitterly.
But Miss Citoyen, in turn, nodded with a truly benevolent smile. She's so well-mannered.
What's more, today's dress is super cute. The outfit I saw her in at breakfast was cute, too, but this one also suits her so well.
What is this? Why does she keep hitting all my preferences one after another? Is there some commander directing this? One specifically for conquering me?
I just stood there, utterly captivated.
Then I remembered hearing that she had been practically imprisoned at Crown Prince Arios's place.
And that it was that woman named Meil whom the Crown Prince would take to social gatherings or out of the palace.
Surely, King Tania and Lord Barrymore must have provided Miss Citoyen with many clothes and dresses.
So she wouldn't be embarrassed wherever she went.
So she wouldn't be said to be wearing the same old clothes again.
She herself must have entered the Kingdom of Luminas feeling the pressure of carrying an entire nation, Tania, on her back.
Surely, most of the clothes she's wearing now must have never been seen by anyone in Luminas.
She had no opportunity to wear them, and no one to see them.
"It suits you," "You're cute," "You're lovely."
No one would have said such things to her.
As I realized such things and felt a knot in my stomach, Miss Citoyen smoothly extended her right hand to Vandel. Vandel took her hand. I was instantly seized by an impulse to swat his hand away.
"I am Vandel, from the Count Cienne domain, assisting my father. It was a pleasure to meet you."
He kissed the back of Miss Citoyen's right hand.
And it was so...
It was so picture-perfect that it was irritating.
"I am Citoyen. The pleasure is mine."
Her peach-colored lips parted.
Ah, what a waste. I wanted that smile all to myself, but she's showing it to a man like this.
"Indeed, it seems my friend would fall for you in one glance."
I wanted to punch Vandel, who was grinning smugly.
"Not at all. I am the one who fell in love."
Miss Citoyen said this shyly, and I stared at her intently.
Judging by her flushed ears and rosy cheeks, it seemed she was speaking her true feelings.
While part of me felt a little happy, the other part wanted to ask, "Huh? It's me, are you sure you're alright?"
"You have excellent taste to recognize that man's worth."
Vandel took Citoyen's hand, escorted her, and seated her on the sofa.
"Tea," I called to the head butler.
The head butler bowed as if saying, "Well, the charade is over," and exited.
I sat next to Miss Citoyen, and Vandel sat opposite us.
"Oh, he gave me that."
I leaned in and whispered to her ear. She gave a ticklish shrug, then looked where I pointed with my thumb.
"Oh. Is that bone a whale? Or a dolphin?"
She widened her eyes as if she knew it well.
"Have you seen whales or dolphins?"
The Kingdom of Tania is a mountainous region. The sea is far away. I thought they imported seafood from other Allied Kingdoms.
"No... um. ...It was... a skeleton specimen. From my tutor."
Miss Citoyen explained, flustered.
"Ah, I see. Skeleton specimens were popular back then."
Geology had been fashionable about a dozen years ago.
Bones of gigantic reptiles were discovered, and bones of large, unknown beasts emerged from old strata, sparking a major skeleton specimen boom.
Even in wealthy merchant homes and within royal palaces, various skeleton specimens hung from the ceiling like mobiles.
"I'm glad you like it," Vandel smiled.
"You're not saying all those boxes are full of bones, are you?" I said sarcastically, but Vandel remained unfazed.
"I think there were furs and dried grasses too."
No, seriously, bring something more normal, you idiot.
"That dress, it suits you so well."
Vandel propped his chin on his hand on his knee, leaning forward and smiling at Miss Citoyen.
"Thank you."
Seeing Miss Citoyen express her gratitude, my face fell.
Oh, wait. Shouldn't I have said that first?
As expected, Vandel smirked as if to say, "Gotcha." Damn it.
As I gnashed my teeth, Miss Citoyen stole a glance at me with her violet eyes.
I-I have to say something!! Something, anything!!
"Ah, your morning clothes were lovely too, but this one is also nice! It's so... um. It's that. Very early summer-like! Like a flower, or those tiny, red berries, you know? It looks like the color of those flowers! Miss Citoyen, your skin is so beautiful that it really suits you, or rather, it shines on you. It's, well, yes. It captures the season, you could say. Ahead of its time? No, that's not right. Uhh..."
I desperately stammered out words.
Halfway through, I became completely incoherent, and Vandel was looking down, shaking. He's laughing at me, that bastard.
But.
Miss Citoyen looked up at me and smiled brightly.
Her amethyst-like eyes, her delicate silver hair that felt like it might vanish if touched, her lustrous white skin.
After all that visual information poured in,
I clearly perceived that Miss Citoyen was smiling.
Only at me.
Could there be anything happier than this?
"I'm so happy. Thank you. I'm glad I wore it."
She said that, then with a slight blush, she subtly adjusted the chiffon part of her dress with her finger. That, too, was incredibly cute, like she was thinking, "Will it look better this way?" Good. Truly good.
Feeling that, I realized.
Ah, that's right.
I'm just thinking it isn't enough.
I have to say it out loud.
And it's not just me; others need to express it too.
I need to create opportunities for her to hear it.
Any words are fine, even if I don't say them well, I need to convey my feelings properly.
... And that...
The fact that this man made me realize it is a little irritating.