Epilogue
A banner with the words “End-of-Year Celebration Party” hung on the wall. Men in formal attire and women in colorful dresses mingled in the large, lavishly decorated hall. The same scene as when I’d swapped places with Alexandra unfolded before my eyes. However, I wasn’t standing alone. That was the most notable difference. Instead, my friends and I stood in a circle near the middle of the hall.
“This year feels like it flew by,” Cita said wistfully.
Cia nodded in agreement. “Truly. There was never a dull moment either.”
Julietta beamed while looking around at everyone. “I had so much fun this year. It was wonderful becoming friends with you all.”
Certainly, this had been an eventful year, but at the same time, it had been a happy one. A sentimental mood came over me as I prayed for this happiness to reach Alexandra, wherever she was. Hearing my name brought me back to reality.
“Well, it all revolved around Ally,” Lauris said.
“Me?” I asked while cocking my head.
Oreste grinned. “You’re right about that, Lauris.”
Rosario chuckled as well. “Indeed. Ally was always roaring with laughter in the eye of the storm.”
“Um, excuse me?” I protested. “I don’t roar with laughter.”
Cia giggled. “It’s just a figure of speech.”
She and Rosario were as happy as ever. The same was true for Cita and Oreste. Apparently, Lauris would be visiting the neighboring country during the long break to secure his own future with Julietta.
And we all lived happily ever after, I thought with a satisfied smile.
“We’ll have our high society debuts during our sophomore year,” Cita said. “This next year should be just as fun as the last.”
“Do you think your queenly education will start soon, Ally?” Julietta asked.
I sighed. “Ugh, don’t remind me,” I responded half-jokingly. “That sounds like such a chore.”
Julietta looked taken aback. “Huh?” she asked, brown eyes watering as she looked up at me. “We’re not going to be sisters-in-law?”
Apparently, she’d misunderstood my joke. I didn’t dread becoming queen—just the preparation it entailed.
“No, no, of course we’ll be sisters-in-law,” I said. “In fact, I’ll become queen solely for you, Julietta!” As I punched my fist into the air, someone grabbed my wrist. “Wha?!”
Startled, I turned around to find Embert. Where on earth had he come from?
“I’m delighted to hear that you’ll become my queen,” he said with a devious smile. “However, I’m not as happy about your motives.”
Oops, did he overhear everything?
“We were just joking around as friends,” I said. “No need to take it so seriously, y’know?”
Embert’s smile didn’t falter, and he continued gripping my wrist.
“Uh, Em?” I asked.
“Yes?” he responded.
“Could you let go of my wrist?”
He shook his head. “Not until I hear an answer that satisfies me.”
“Right now?”
Embert’s unfaltering smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yes, right now.”
“Um, all my classmates will overhear me.”
Embert’s grin widened. “Wonderful. They’ll all be witnesses.”
“But this is embarrassing,” I protested as everyone in the hall stared at us.
Nevertheless, Embert’s expression remained composed. “I’m perfectly fine.”
“Ugh…”
This is bad. He won’t let go until I give the right answer.
“Okay,” I said before taking a deep breath.
Just say the words. It can’t be that hard, right?
“I love you,” I announced. “That’s why I want to become your bride.”
Embert’s face flushed crimson, as if I’d flipped a switch. Wait, did he not think I would say it?
Heh, looks like the victory goes to me.
As I basked in self-satisfaction, Embert’s emerald-green eyes sparkled in front of me.
“Huh?” I asked.
Embert kissed me a moment later, rendering me speechless. Shrill cries and excited murmurs echoed throughout the hall. As Embert’s lips parted from mine with a light smack, his mouth glistened with salvia. My heart threatened to explode.
Embert chuckled. “You’ve made your vow, Lady Alexandra. As I said before, I wouldn’t let you escape from me even if you wanted to.”
Cita rubbed my back as I struggled to breathe.
Lauris sighed in exasperation. “Is this guy seriously my brother?”
Shrugging, Rosario sighed as well. Meanwhile, Oreste and Cia grinned at me. Finally, Julietta and Cita trembled with suppressed laughter, their cheeks rosy. As everyone reacted in their own unique ways, I finally managed to catch my breath. Then, Embert dropped another bombshell on me.
“I’ll remain discreet, but in the near future, I’ll gather everyone necessary to announce our engagement. It should be fun, don’t you think?” Embert grinned. He certainly seemed to be enjoying himself.
This sounds more brutal than swapping places with the villainess.
I wasn’t in the wrong for thinking that, right?
Embert took my hand gently, his expression softening. “But first, let’s enjoy this party, shall we?”
I gripped his hand back firmly. “Yes, that sounds wonderful.”
Thus, we both smiled while gazing into each other’s eyes.