On the day that Phil wanted to “try again,” the plan was to meet up at a café and then watch an opera together. This was the first time we would watch something together since the stage adaptation of A Prince Just for Me ♡. Last night, there were so many thoughts swirling in my mind that I couldn’t fall asleep due to the nerves. Hopefully, I wasn’t the only one suffering from insomnia.
It was obvious just from looking at my face that I hadn’t gotten any sleep, but thankfully, my maids were able to skillfully hide everything behind a layer of makeup. Finally, with their help, I stood in front of the mirror, looking far more put-together than usual.
After a while, I got in a carriage and arrived at the café we’d be meeting at. Through the glass, I could see Phil sitting at a table near the window. Between the rain and his melancholic expression as he stared out at the distance while resting his face on his hand, he looked like a piece of art. The women in the café and even the pedestrians passing by couldn’t stop staring at him. I couldn’t blame them; so long as Phil didn’t say anything, he looked very much like a prince out of a fairy tale. He just had to keep his mouth shut.
“Hello! Did I keep you waiting?”
After I took a deep breath, I entered the store and walked right to him. Phil practically jumped out of his seat, then he looked at me with an awkward smile.
“No, I just got here. Um, what nice weather we have today.”
“It’s pouring. Do you like the rain?”
“Er...perhaps...”
I didn’t know what to say to that. Was he really in the right condition to spend an entire day with me? Despite my worries for him, I sat down across from him.
“Do you come here often?” I asked.
It was my first time in this café, but it was a lovely store with a stylish interior and a great ambience. There were a lot of items on the menu, with lots of delicious-sounding cakes and teas.
“This is my second time,” Phil replied. “The other day, I happened to meet your friend at a soiree and she recommended it to me. I came here by myself once just to check things out since she said you like this kind of place.”
“Oh, I see.”
By “friend,” he must’ve meant Jamie. It made me happy to hear that he listened to her advice and even went out of his way to make sure the recommendation was a good one. I loved this part of his personality.
“Thank you very much. That makes me very happy, and this place is quickly becoming one of my favorite stores,” I said.
“I’m glad,” Phil said after a short pause.
The corners of his mouth were slightly quirked as if he was relieved, and I felt my chest grow tighter. Phil was always doing his best for me, and he was both gentle and sweet. He sometimes focused his efforts in the wrong direction and they ended up for naught, but I liked that part of him as well.
“She told me that this was very good, and I thought this sounded delicious.”
“Hee hee, then I’ll order whatever drink and cake you recommend, Phil.”
After I said that, his expression softened in both joy and embarrassment.
✦ ✦ ✦
“What a wonderful seat!” I exclaimed.
It was almost time for the opera, so we had made our way to the theater. The attendants took us to some of the best seats in the house, and I didn’t even dare try to guess at the cost. I’d read the source material that the show was based on, and it was one of my favorites. It made me wonder if Phil took me here knowing that.
We sat down next to each other on the comfortable chairs, and my view of the stage was so good that I was a little surprised. Not only that, but our seats were in something like a private room so we couldn’t see the other patrons, nor could they see us. What a wondrous experience it would be to watch an opera from this spot! Just imagining it made my chest flutter.
“Thank you so much, truly. I’m so excited,” I said.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
The sight of Phil’s eyes crinkled in a kind smile made my heart beat faster. I’d noticed that the lady who led us to our seats hadn’t been able to stop sneaking glances at him either, though Phil didn’t seem to notice. Ever since I realized my feelings for Phil, I started feeling anxious from time to time. I knew that he liked me very much, but I couldn’t help but worry when I thought about the endless stream of girls who would fall for him the more they knew about him.
When I discussed this with Jamie in the past, she smiled happily at me and said that I was in love as well. I didn’t know that liking someone would also lead to such negative feelings.
“I like you...”
As those thoughts swirled in my mind, I suddenly felt the urge to communicate my feelings. After the words left my mouth, Phil’s eyes widened with surprise next to me. His face grew so red that I could see the flush even in the darkening theater.
“I’m sure that I like you more.”
With that, he held my hand in a tight grip. I couldn’t suppress my small giggle at his words. I was truly fortunate. At the same time, the theater grew dark, and I knew that the opera was about to start. I squeezed his hand as well and turned my attention to the stage, my heartbeat ringing in my ears the entire time.