❄❄❄
FELZEN began fanning my back as I vigorously dried my hair with a towel. “You lack self-awareness even for a washing board. Don’t forget, you’re still more or less a woman.”
“More or less? I am a woman!”
“The women I know carry more cake.”
“Well, sorry for being flat!”
“There’re guys into that kinda thing, you know. Wouldn’t want them catching you buck naked, now would we?”
“I trust you’ll make quick work of them. I’m only this vulnerable around you, Felzen.”
He froze for a moment, his cheeks turning pink, then chuckled. “Your adoring fans would lose it if they found out. Sir Ice Knight’s main appeal is his ‘coolness’, after all.”
“You know full well I never intended to deceive anyone. What they call a ‘fiery temper’ I call being a brat, Sir Fire Knight,” I shot back, only to be ignored.
“Still can’t believe your father had you baptized as a boy. Even your level of tomboy couldn’t have gotten you into the military academy, had he not.”
“You can say that again. Even I didn’t think I’d be a knight one day.”
“Yet here you are, a knight of idol status among high society,” sniggered Felzen.
It’s not like I ever wished for any of this.
I shrugged. “I’ll retreat back to Eisberk when the time comes.”
“What? Got a fiancé waiting back home for you?”
“As if! I’ll probably end up leading the female cavalry unit. That or raising horses.” Our family provided horses to the royal palace.
Felzen laughed. “How…you.”
“Half of this is your fault, in case you need a reminder!”
“Huh? What do I have to do with anything?!”
I shot Felzen an angry glare. He threw his hands up in defeat.
It was then that the door suddenly flew open. Felzen quickly jumped to his feet. I scrambled to put my shirt on as I took cover behind his large back.
“Stern!” Felzen exclaimed.
✦ ✦ ✦
It was none other than Second Prince Sternchen von Milchstrasse—the Radiant Light Knight.
“Brilliant performance, both of you!” he said, briskly waltzing inside.
I hastily buttoned up my top and gathered my hair in a ponytail.
“Have you heard of knocking?” Felzen blurted out.
Stern smiled, seemingly confused by Felzen’s words. “Why would I?” He tilted his head in a rather obnoxious manner. “I don’t see anyone else in here?”
A devil in angel’s clothing…
Stern had lustrous, golden hair and glowing amber eyes. He didn’t just look beautiful; he sounded beautiful as well. A true prince charming if there ever was one.
Personality-wise, he was somewhat airheaded—carefree and harmless yet surprisingly unprincelike given how overbearing he could be at times. Only a few select individuals knew that side of him, and being one of them made me incredibly happy.
“I could watch you two dance for hours on end.”
“Thanks.” Words of praise coming from someone as strong as Stern meant a lot to me.
“Also, did you notice how the stands were painted red and blue?” he asked, grinning. “Fan favorites as usual. My sister’s was purple, by the way.”
My soul left my body. “Princess Marlena…”
“And Lilia’s was blue.”
“E-Et tu, Lilia?” I felt a headache setting in.
“You’ll be attending today’s soiree, yes?” He grinned. “Can’t wait.”
I pouted. “I’m sure you can’t.”
“Why, it’s only natural for me, a prince, to get all the ladies.” He snorted.
This is why I can’t stand you attractive people. “You being a prince has nothing to with it!”
His eyes widened at my offhand remark.
Have you no self-awareness? You’re the worst.
Although he was a childhood friend of mine, Stern didn’t know I was a woman. If he had, he never could have let a relationship like ours slide. The revelation of my gender would only needlessly burden him, so a secret it would remain.
How did it come to this? I’d never intended to deceive anyone, nor did I have the desire or will to live as a man.
I let out a faint sigh.
Nothing seems to go my way.