“Lady Sophie, you’re more beautiful than ever.”
That’s my line! was what Sophie wanted to say back. He was practically the physical manifestation of the word “beautiful”! The word “beautiful” itself might very well declare, “The mantle of the word ‘beautiful’ is far too heavy for me to bear. I shall pass it on to him instead!”
And if you had someone like that compliment you, is there any possible way at all you couldn’t be happy? Not a chance.
What? I like him. This is perfect.
What Sophie hoped to be perfectly clear about was that even she herself wasn’t so simpleminded that a mere empty compliment from a handsome man would be enough to send her over the moon. But she was sure Livio’s compliment was sincere, and she was crazy for him. She knew that, and that was exactly why her happy-go-lucky brain was rolling around and bouncing up inside her head. Ring-a-ling-ling! It was running around outside her head now. Get back here, you!
“You’ve gotten even cooler yourself, Livio,” Sophie said, rising to her feet as she smiled at him in his dashing outfit.
“Urgh!” Livio clutched his chest and looked at the ceiling. “Just what’re you planning on doing with me when you’re looking this cute...?!”
He’d lost his mind. The only person the whole world over who’d ever say such a thing was Livio and Livio alone.
Good thing he’s got such weird taste in girls, Sophie thought, grabbing Livio’s hand. She stared up at him as he stood over her and she tilted her head to the side.
“Lunetta’s ladies-in-waiting left a tea set ready so I could have tea whenever I’d like,” Sophie explained. “Why don’t you have a seat?”
“Is this going to be the day I die?”
“Don’t say scary stuff like that!”
“You’re so cute...!” Livio closed his eyes, shaking.
That’s why I’ve been telling you you’re the cute one!
Having Livio take a seat on the opposite side of Sophie, she grabbed the kettle. Thanks to a special magic gem that Lunetta had devised and planted in the bottom of the kettle, the water inside was still warm. She poured the water into the teapot they’d already filled with tea leaves and let it steep.
Just when the leaves had started to spread out, Sophie’s eyes narrowed happily as the pleasant fragrance of the tea tickled at her nose.
Now then, Sophie thought, do I say it or do I not?
To say it meant self-annihilation for Sophie. She herself was embarrassed. But even then, whether she did it or not, she just knew she’d be happy.
Resolving herself, Sophie looked up. “May I ask you something?”
“O-Of course!”
Looking up, Sophie found herself locking eyes straight on with Livio.
Huh, was he looking at me the whole time...? Yup, he probably was.
For her part, Sophie wanted to stare at Livio herself. Now that’s not fair! Sophie thought, dropping her gaze as she poured tea into the cups.
“Hey, Livio...?”
“What is it?”
“What is it?” That’s what he says?!
Look at you just trying to play dumb with that beautiful mug of yours! You know you’re cool enough to get away with it too! Sophie thought, internally tumbling around with her happy-go-lucky brain as she quietly placed the cup in front of Livio, which he took.
She noticed he wasn’t wearing gloves—his fingers were long and slender yet rugged and masculine. He gently wrapped his fingers around the handle of the cup and brought it to his lips in one smooth motion.
He truly was the masterpiece of the gods of all creation.
Wow... Casting an enraptured gaze at Livio, Sophie brought herself to say it.
“Won’t you just call me Sophie?”
The handsome knight, the very one that Sophie could look at for the rest of her days and never grow weary, choked—unmistakably so—on his words.
“I-I’d just gotten so flustered back there, I...”
With his eyes watering from his coughing fit, Livio looked up at Sophie, and her heart nearly leaped out of her chest.
He’s just so cuuuuuuuute! He takes first place in the cute contest! How adorable can he be? Those teary blueberry eyes and those bright red cheeks! He’s so tall I have to look up at him, so what’s he doing staring up at me with puppy-dog eyes like that? How does he do that each and every time?
It didn’t make any sense at all to Sophie, but then again, Livio was so handsome it didn’t make any sense either.
“You can make a face like that, but you won’t fool me,” she lied through her teeth.
Does how he addresses me even matter? Sophie thought. Besides, he’s cute. So long as I get to see that adorable mug of his, I don’t have a thing in the world to worry about. If that’s the case, then it’s all well and good. Besides, he’s cute. I don’t want to force him to call me a certain name or anything. Besides, he’s cute. Right?
It was, however, just the tiniest bit sad—that was all.
Sophie had discovered how ticklishly nice it could feel to be addressed with such familiarity. She was just being selfish and greedy. It was enough for her to feel surprised at herself for feeling just a bit sad about it all. Hey there, new me! The fact that she got a little shy around strangers was just part of her charm. While Sophie wasn’t the biggest fan of that part of herself, she didn’t think she hated that side of herself either. Oh, I’m sure we’ll get along just fine in time!
Sophie laughed and smiled at Livio, whose shoulders slumped.
“I’m only joking,” Sophie said. “Please, don’t push yourself.” She didn’t want to put him in a bind.
Then again, seeing that cute face of his, maybe—just maybe—Sophie did want to put Livio in a bind. A door that she had sealed shut at some point was starting to rattle within her. Okay, don’t you even think of coming out!
Sophie lifted her teacup, looking completely innocent.
Enjoying the scent of the black tea, Sophie took her time to savor its flavor and the fragrance filling her mouth. Eventually Livio whispered, “Please don’t look so sad like that.”
“Huh?”
“I’m not trying to make you sad...”
Had she been making such a face?
She wasn’t sad, and as far as she was concerned, she’d just smiled like usual. Sophie tilted her head to the side in surprise as Livio messily ran his hand through his bangs. Oh, and you had it styled so nicely too!
“Lady Sophie, you’ve always been my first love, forever out of reach,” Livio said. “I always looked up to you—wanted to be near you. I was desperate to be like you.”
Livio paused. “You’re special to me.”
With Livio looking at her and furrowing his brow in concern as he answered her, just what else could Sophie even hope to say...?
With his messy hair looking unspeakably sexy and a face that broke the hearts of men and women alike, could he really be unable to call Sophie by her name? Apparently so. It’s fine—whatever works! If Sophie had it in her to say no to that face of his, then she never would’ve taken his hand that day.
Drunk on the sweet wine of seeing Livio’s face flush with his feelings for her, Sophie’s brain and heart alike cheered up in blissful satisfaction. This is why I’m here.
“Livio—”
“So would you please give me some time?”
“Huh?”
It’s fine—sorry for saying something weird like that. Sophie thought to tell Livio that, but she could only blink as he gave his desperate response.
“Whatever you might wish for, no matter what it might be, I want to make it come true. I want to be the sort of man who can bring you joy.” Livio paused. “So...would you please wait just a little while longer?”
Whew. Well now... There was just one way Sophie could answer that.
With those eyes of his staring at her—eyes like a twinkle of light in the bittersweet, trembling night sky—and Livio saying all that, was there anyone out there who could just say, “Forget about it! I can’t wait,” or something like that? Of course there wasn’t!
Sophie gave Livio a heartfelt smile. You can do whatever you please.
“I’ll be glad to wait...and looking forward to it all the while.”
“Lady Sophie...”
Even though you held me there—you know “there.” But if she were to say that? Even Sophie had... Well, it wasn’t like the thought hadn’t crossed her mind.
She couldn’t bring herself to say it, not to mention how embarrassing it was. Besides, it’d seem like she was criticizing him for it.