Meanwhile, Ekaterina still couldn’t remember how the ending was supposed to go. She didn’t even realize she’d been asked a question. She couldn’t answer and grew more frightened by the second.
Thankfully, a savior descended from the heavens.
Well, to be precise, that savior was already standing onstage. It was none other than Saint Anemoni, aka Flora.
She knew Ekaterina well. She’d seen her sink to the ground after fighting the monster that had appeared at the academy, coolheaded until the danger passed. She knew Ekaterina was human, and like anyone else, she sometimes got scared and cried.
Their classmates, on the other hand, didn’t notice a thing. They overestimated Ekaterina’s acting, perhaps even more than the audience. She had done splendid work in everything leading up to the festival. To them, their class leader, the great lady they trusted blindly, simply happened to be an incredible actress on top of everything else.
Flora could tell her friend was genuinely lost and alarmed; she wasn’t the heroine for nothing. Just as she’d adapted instantly when the play’s villainess changed from a tiny chihuahua to a true villainess, she adapted once again.
She walked forward with a solemn gait befitting a saint, then sank to one knee before Ekaterina, meeting her gaze with a gentle smile.
“I’m sure you’re about to answer that you aren’t such a virtuous woman,” she said.
That’s it! Thanks to Flora essentially saying the line for her, Ekaterina finally connected the dots. Her eyes widened. She nearly nodded enthusiastically but stopped herself at the last second. That wasn’t what she was supposed to do. She turned her face away in a hurry.
She can’t bring herself to be honest... the crowd interpreted. You don’t need to carry all the burden alone! they thought, cheering for the villainess in silence.
“You’ve experienced hardships that left you unable to trust others. I won’t ask you to place your trust in me, but...” Flora paused and looked at her companions.
They were a little confused by the slight script change, but the water demon hid it well as he nodded with a smile. “Now that I’ve heard all this, I don’t mind giving her my dwelling.”
“And neither do I,” the tree demon added. “We’ll be coming with you after all, Saint!”
“I’ll allow it...but only for a bit,” Goku muttered.
Marina had insisted many times that the saint needed no one but her, so her reluctant agreement drew laughter from the audience.
The saint took the villainess’s hands in hers. “I could tell from the start. You’re not a bad person.”
Ekaterina stared at Flora’s smile almost in a daze. She made it work beautifully, she thought.
The villainess and the saint were supposed to exchange a few more lines, but Flora had managed to abridge the ending with incredible smoothness.
She’s amazing! I should have known. My little Flora’s not the heroine for nothing!
“Th...” Ekaterina found she was able to produce sounds again. Her voice shook with the remnants of her tempestuous emotions, but she managed to force out the villainess’s final line: “Thank you...”
The saint and the villainess embraced as several small orbs of light rose behind them. They burst into countless tiny glimmers, making the pair look as though they were sparkling, blessed by the light itself.
Surging cheers and applause erupted from the audience as the curtain slowly descended. Renato hadn’t noticed Ekaterina’s change as quickly as Flora had, but he’d eventually caught on and urged his classmates to lower the curtain the moment Ekaterina spoke her last sentence.
The spectators rose in a standing ovation—an unprecedented achievement for a school play. In the midst of applause that only grew louder, Ekaterina and her classmates’ performance finally came to an end.
“It’s over, Lady Ekaterina. Thank you for stepping in. You were amazing,” Flora told me.
Despite her praise, I was so lost in my own head that I couldn’t move.
Aaaaah! How could I forget the script I wrote myself?!
I buried my face in Flora’s shoulder and tried my hardest to hold back the tears. I was embarrassed, relieved it was over, and grateful she had saved me.
Flora let out a little laugh and hugged me tighter. “I haven’t seen you like this in a long time.”
Her statement reminded me of the monster attack. That time, too, Flora had saved me before sinking to the ground with me, out of strength.
“I’m glad I could be of help to you,” she murmured.
“You’re always rescuing me, Lady Flora...” I replied.
Even in our daily lives, Flora supported me in countless small ways. All the little things she did—the way she was forever ready to extend a hand—were irreplaceable treasures, the sort with a quiet importance you noticed only in their absence.
I... I knew that, but...
“Are you all right?” Renato asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.
I gasped and finally became aware of the situation.
Oh no! We’ve got to start cleaning up!
The next class was already bringing in their props, and a student council member was urging us to make space.
“I’m so sorry. Lady Flora, I’m fine now,” I said, letting her go and trying to stand.
I discovered my legs still felt like jelly, and I staggered. Thankfully, a hand caught me before I fell. Suddenly, I was pulled into someone’s arms.
“Ekaterina.”
“Brother!”
Of course the person holding me was my dear brother, Alexei. I clung to him instinctively.
Boohoo!!! Brother! I’m so sorry I messed up at the end!
“Ekaterina.” Alexei whispered my name softly again. “Ekaterina...” He pressed his cheek to my forehead, holding me close as he repeated my name again and again.
I was the first to snap out of it. “B-Brother. Your presence here will inconvenience my classmates. We need to clean up so the next class can use the auditorium.”
As I spoke, I realized belatedly that it was odd for Alexei to be here at all. He’d been watching the play. How had he gotten backstage?!
Alexei nodded. “I understand.”
With that, he carried me toward the wings.
“B-Brother! I can walk on my own!”
Besides, I take up a lot of space horizontally right now, so I’m being a bother to everyone!
Alexei didn’t put me down. He looked into my eyes, and at such close range, I could see the sadness in his neon-blue gaze.
“Please, stay right here, in my arms... Listen to the applause, Ekaterina.”
Only then did I notice the loud clapping and cheering beyond the curtain.
“You shone so brightly on the stage—so beautifully. The public was moved by your singing and shed tears for the noble princess sacrificing herself for her people. But the longer I watched, the more terrified I grew that the gods would descend and steal you away... You’re so talented, I’m sure the God of Music and the God of Theater are after you. If you step under the rays of the sun, the God of the Sun will come for you, and when the curtain of night lowers upon us, it’ll be the gods of the dark. Will I be strong enough to oppose them...? I know this wretched realm we lowly humans call home isn’t worthy of you. I know keeping you here when you belong with the gods isn’t right, but...my heart feels heavy, and I just can’t bring myself to let go of you.”
“Brother...”
What am I supposed to do with him? I belong with the gods? His filter got an ultimate-edition update. His love is about to explode!
Had Alexei discovered the secret of teleportation through sheer obsessive love? I was starting to worry he would abandon his humanity for me.
Wait. Should I abandon my own humanity to evolve into the ultimate Alexei fangirl?
I was on the verge of exploding myself. I later learned that Alexei hadn’t mastered teleportation. He’d simply left his seat the moment the standing ovation began and rushed to me.
“Brother, please don’t ever make me leave your side,” I pleaded, clinging to him. “I will never go anywhere. Where else could I feel as safe and happy if not with you, my dear brother, who treasures me so much?”
“You’re so kind, my sweet, gentle Ekaterina.” Alexei tried to smile, but sadness overtook his features once again. “I have sinned. You had to endure such tragedy, such pain, and I couldn’t save you.”
It was all a play, brother...
I’d wanted him to enjoy himself, but it seemed I’d only reminded him of the painful past. Alexei had lived a life just as tragic, carrying the burden of a grand ducal house alone from a young age. He’d even tried to protect me and our mother by avoiding contact with us. I knew he’d thought of us the entire time.
“I swear I won’t let sorrow find you ever again. I’ll do everything it takes to make you happy,” he declared.
“Then please smile, brother,” I said, resting my hands on his cheeks. “I’m happy as long as you are. Seeing you sad makes me feel the same. If you want me to be happy, please be happy as well.”
I’m your number one fangirl, after all!
I studied his face, searching for a way to lift his spirits. Suddenly, an idea struck me, and I pressed my forehead to his. Alexei’s eyes widened in surprise, but he finally smiled—truly smiled.
“Thank you, my Ekaterina.”