I met with Princess Luna in the evening after I finished preparing myself.
“Sheesh, if it wasn’t for Adele, I wouldn’t have needed to show up at one of these social gatherings,” she said.
Since Princess Adele had wanted to see me as soon as possible, Princess Luna had to visit earlier than she’d expected as well. Despite her words, it looked like she really adored Princess Adele, because Princess Luna didn’t seem that dissatisfied with the current circumstances.
When she was in front of Rex and I, Princess Luna talked and acted very casually. But as soon as she was in the public eye, she transformed into an entirely different person. She acted the part of a perfect princess, complete with a brazen attitude. Her ability to do so was likely the reason the emperor trusted her with the important role of ambassador.
“Now that I think about it, this is the first time we’re spending time alone,” she said.
“I suppose you’re right.”
I hadn’t spoken much to Princess Luna because I normally had my hands full with Princess Adele.
“Thank you for always taking time out of your day to play with Adele,” Princess Luna continued. “She really likes picture books.”
Like Rex said, it appeared that Princess Adele had been stuck in bed due to illness until just last year. During that time, picture books served as her main source of comfort. Hearing about her past made it even harder to turn down Princess Adele whenever she invited me to spend time with her.
“Now then, shall we go?” Princess Luna asked.
“Yes, let’s,” I replied.
With that, the two of us entered the ballroom. I immediately felt everyone’s stares. It seemed that Princess Luna’s overpowering regal presence was simply that hard to ignore. As we spent time together in the ballroom, people kept coming up to us to speak with Princess Luna. I supported her at her side but then, I suddenly stopped.
“Phillip? What’s the matter?”
I stopped because I saw her amid the crowd. There was no way I wouldn’t be able to recognize her.
Why’s Viola here?
Though I was curious about her presence here, it wasn’t like it was a rare occurrence. Viola had been making an effort to socialize with the rest of high society, after all. However, my mind started to panic when I saw Cyril next to her.
Have they been alone together this entire time? What were they talking about?
Even though I knew that she liked me and not Cyril, I couldn’t stop my thoughts from spiraling. I was with Princess Luna due to work, but I was still here at a party with another woman, so I knew that I didn’t have the right to talk. And yet, I couldn’t stop staring at the way Viola and Cyril were standing next to each other.
“Uh, hello, Earth to Phillip! What’s wrong?”
Upon noticing that I’d froze while staring straight at Viola, Luna curiously followed my line of sight. Eventually, she noticed Viola as well.
“Hey, is that girl over there your fiancée? I’d like to speak with her as well. Let’s go.”
“Wait! I mean, please wait.”
Despite my attempts to stop her, the princess made a beeline for Viola. I hurriedly chased after her, praying in my heart that Princess Luna didn’t say anything unnecessary. She slipped through the crowd, despite how many people there were, and by the time I finally reached them, she was already in the middle of a conversation with Viola. As soon as Viola saw me, she offered me a small smile.
“Good evening, Phil. What a coincidence.”
“Good evening. I didn’t know you came as well,” I replied.
“Hello, Phillip. It’s been about a week since I last saw you,” Cyril said.
Cyril occasionally helped out with the ceremony preparations and whenever he was around, work would progress smoothly and quickly. I murmured an agreement as a storm of emotions brewed in my chest.
“I’m truly grateful to Phillip,” Princess Luna said.
“Oh, really?” Viola replied.
It was a relief seeing Viola and the princess chatting with smiles on their faces.
“I should get going,” Viola said.
“All right. I’m glad that I got to meet you and I hope to see you soon,” Princess Luna said.
“Would you like me to walk you to your destination?” I offered.
“No, I’m fine. Phil, stay by Her Highness, please,” Viola replied.
She curtsied elegantly and then walked off. I was so happy that I got to see her and talk to her, even if it was only for a short while, that my expression unconsciously softened. When she saw the face I was making, Princess Luna giggled.
“Not even stone-faced Phillip can maintain his stoic expression in front of his girlfriend, I see. Hee hee, it was so obvious how happy you were. Your entire voice changed.”
“Was it that easy to tell?”
“It was so funny how you changed into a completely different person. She’s very sweet and most importantly, she’s cute. I really like her.”
“Isn’t she so cute?”
“So you can respond quickly. You should compliment me as fast as you did just now in the future.”
“I’ll do my best...”
Without any idea at how, at this very moment, Viola had greatly misinterpreted the situation, I started to plan out our next date in my mind.