“B-Bumbling?!” he echoed, stunned as though I’d just said something outrageous.
Indignantly, I continued, “What do you mean, ‘still in love’?! I was never in love with him in the first place!”
“You...weren’t?”
“Of course not! That man summoned me over just so I’d see him cheating on me with my sister!”
Lord Theodore gave me a pained look, and the atmosphere turned gloomy in an instant.
Frantically, I waved my hands. “Not that I care about that anymore! It was a year ago!”
“You’re lying, aren’t you?”
I froze.
“There’s no way you could just forget your fiancé doing something so terrible to you. You’re a kind woman, so you may not have assigned blame, but...surely you were hurt.”
I couldn’t say anything.
“Had I been your betrothed, I never would’ve hurt you in that way.”
Ah!
His blue-gray eyes had a serious glint to them. Seeing such earnest emotion made my heart pound.
“I would’ve had eyes for you only. I would’ve treasured you and you alone.”
“L-Lord Theodore...”
He brought a palm to my face, stroking my hair and cheek. His words, his tender touch, it all left me a flustered mess. I wanted to hide my reddening face, but the sensation of his hand on my skin was so pleasant I simply couldn’t turn away.
Trembling slightly, I somehow managed to speak. “U-Um, about, about your proposal...”
Lord Theodore’s eyes widened expectantly. “Ah...”
And then he was forcefully shoved aside.
“Waugh!”
Down he went over the railing.
“Lord Theodore!”
Before I could look below, someone moved forward to block my view. “Phew! Goodness me, I made it in time!”
Lady Europa, who had just unceremoniously pushed someone over the railing right in front of me, was dabbing at the sweat on her forehead with a handkerchief, a cheerful smile on her face.
At her feet lay a stern-faced man. “Europa! I don’t mind neglect role-play, but some abuse would be nice!”
“Oh, Prince Igna. How long have you been there?”
“Ngh! Simple is best!”
His nose gushing blood, Prince Igna crashed through the railing and fell headfirst down below—where several familiar voices immediately echoed all at once.
“We firmly oppose impure opposite-sex relationships, Lady Evelyn!”
“That’s right! You are but an innocent princess!”
“We shall protect you, now and always! Be at ease!”
I’m...twenty-eight, though...
I stood there, dumbfounded at the high priest and the others clamoring my name.
“Your Eminence, everyone, I cannot yield that duty to you!” declared Lord Theodore, apparently caught in the hedge directly below the balcony.
He was helping Prince Igna down to the ground. Surrounded by priests, he seemed to have no avenue of escape.
Still, he shouted boldly, “Whether against one or a hundred foes, I...!”
“Oh, Lord Theodore, don’t be silly, now! You’re severely underestimating the number of foes you have! All of the people of Snasile—nay, the world—worship Lady Evelyn! They’re all your enemies!” Europa took out her fan and gave a villainous laugh. “Oh ho ho ho!”
Looking up at me, and me alone, with those beautiful eyes, Lord Theodore said, “Lady Evelyn, could you tell me what you were going to say earlier?”
My eyes widened. Despite everything, he was smiling.
“I love you. How do you feel about me?” he asked.
“I...” Do I have to say it in front of all these people?
Still, that somehow felt very much like us. I took a deep breath, cupped my hands around my mouth, and shouted as loud as I could.
“I-I...lub you too, Lord Theodore!!!”
“!!!”
Nooo! I messed up the most important part!
Everyone, Lord Theodore included, was frozen in place for some reason.
Too embarrassed to correct myself, I frantically added, “I’m still not sure I really understand this feeling, but...! I’m pretty sure I wuv lub you!”
“!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Aaaaaaugh! I’m such an idiot! I messed up again!
“Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!”
And then Lady Europa and the priests dropped one after another, letting out screams that were somewhere between a newborn’s cries and a dying man’s shrieks.
I rushed over to check on Lady Europa—who had cleverly fallen into a posture of prayer—and saw she was quietly shedding tears.
“Lady Europa?”
“I have exploded from the preciousness,” she muttered. “Farewell, O beloved world where Lady Evelyn was born...”
She’s spouting nonsense again...
I moved the frozen Lady Europa to the safety of the guest room.
Lord Theodore’s voice rang out from below. “Lady Evelyn! Please come down!”
I peeked over the balcony and saw him waving. Before I could answer, I froze. He had his arms spread wide.
“What?! You want me to jump down there?!”
“Yes! I want to embrace you!”
The shamelessness had me speechless. Also, this was the third floor! It was quite a drop! He might’ve been used to falling from such heights, but it would be a first for me!
“Don’t be afraid,” he said with a reassuring smile. “I’ll catch you.”
It wasn’t that I doubted him, of course. This was just a little terrifying. Wh-What should I do?!
“I can give you a push, if you want.”
“Kira...”
He was standing behind me, expressionless as always. Old me would’ve asked him for help, but...
I shook my head. “No, it’s okay. I think I can handle falling by myself.”
“All right. Just...be careful, then.”
“Y-Yes. I will.”
“Don’t fall in a weird position. Don’t go headfirst; that’s dangerous. Oh, and that broken railing there is sharp, so be mindful. Don’t get your shoulder scraped,” he advised.
“O-Okay. Thank you.”
Nervously, I jumped down. My robes billowed out. My eyes were shut tight.
But before I could feel fear, Lord Theodore easily caught me.
Hesitantly, I opened my eyes—and there he was. Right up close. His smile was jubilant.
“You really are light as a feather,” he said.