If he said, “You look lovely, Chloe,” it wouldn’t have sounded off at all. But the first thing he’d said instead was, “Revealing to a minimum.” I had no idea what he was on about.
“A-Are you saying that it’s not worth revealing my sad excuse of a chest?!” I accused.
“No,” he replied.
“You clearly averted your gaze just now! Come on, look at me! I’m cute, aren’t I? Adorable, no? I’m a beautiful young maiden both inside and out, without a shred of doubt! Look! See?”
“…You’re twenty.”
“Age is just a number in this situation.”
“…I guess.”
Even during situations like these, he didn’t waver, and I felt at ease that he didn’t give me a princely smile and a fake compliment. I raised my fluttering skirt in the air so that he could get a good look and twirled in front of him, but Mr. Julius only stared at me before giving an annoyed sigh.
“I like your usual, plain clothes,” he muttered.
“My apron dresses are cute!” I insisted. “You call them plain and yet you prefer them? Have you realized their adorable potential, perhaps?”
He tugged on my arm and pulled me close before whispering in a sweetly dark voice, “It’s unpleasant to have to show you to other men looking like this.”
“Eep…” I cried softly, covering my ears with both hands as he divulged an amazing secret to me. My face turned red in a flash.
“You’re not alluring at all, Chloe,” he said.
“Don’t tease me like that…” I huffed.
“I’m not. I’m being serious.”
“Ugh…”
Ever since I’d been treated at Puerta Research Center, I felt like Mr. Julius was closer to me like never before. He was always nearby, but I just couldn’t calm down as my heart was screaming with panic. He looks cooler than usual! It’s so sly when he whispers stuff like that to me.
“You look a bit more mature, but I suppose you’re still no different on the inside,” he said with a mocking smile.
I was still trying to catch my breath from his shocking confession. He reached out and tried to tousle my styled hair, but I defended my head, which took a lot of time to decorate, and fled from his grasp.
“It’s good to see you two doing so well,” Jahala said with a smile, parting from the crowd. “You look like you’re doing a lot better too, Chloe. I’m glad to see it. And as usual, you guys get along.”
Behind him stood Ruto in a black dress, smiling happily. Jahala was wearing a black robe decorated with lovely, golden rose embroidery, and because his outfit matched Ruto’s, they resembled a pair of siblings.
It was a bit embarrassing to have a boy younger than me find my interactions with Mr. Julius to be wholesome. I know he’s not that much younger than me, but certainly looks that way. No, he’s not. The Puerta staff told me that Jahala’s still in his teens.
“Were the powdered sand light insects useful?” Ruto asked. She didn’t physically speak and was using magic to converse with us.
Perhaps to hide that cylindrical tool around her neck, she was wearing a black scarf. She used to sound a touch pensive and worried, but she now exuded a calmer and more composed aura.
“Yes!” I replied energetically. “Thanks to that, I’m good as new! I was fed quite a bit of the nasty stuff, actually.”
“I’m glad to hear they helped,” Jahala replied. “The powder doesn’t taste very good, but it’s useful for regaining the magical energy that you’ve depleted. I’ve prepared a few bags for you to take home with you as a souvenir from Rasheed. Please be sure to take them when you leave.”
“Thank you so much!”
It was bitter, and I was still hesitant about consuming insects, but I didn’t want to turn down his kindness, so I remained bright and cheery. I was told that it was effective against hangovers too, so I felt like I could give Mr. Roge a bag. I’m sure the mercenaries would be happy to receive it.
I expected as much, but King Shesif was nowhere to be seen at the banquet. His life wasn’t in danger, but neither Prince Faisal nor Layla would enlighten me with details about his condition. I felt I shouldn’t touch upon King Shesif and the late Salim, the man who had his body stolen away by Samael many years ago. Even if I were to receive answers to my questions, I couldn’t do anything to help them now. If Prince Faisal or Layla wanted to discuss it one day, they’d probably tell me of their own accord. Just like how I revealed my past to Mr. Julius on that day.
“I’m glad everyone’s here. I’d like for all of you to drink, eat, make merry, and enjoy yourselves, but as the one who shall be succeeding the throne after his brother, ancient traditions must be kept. This way, if you will,” Prince Faisal said, reaching out with one arm.
Layla took it and they stepped forward. The dancers in the middle of the hall gracefully twirled out of the scene, making way. Their long, thin garments that flowed behind them, along with the numerous glittering jewels that dazzled their attire, were mesmerizing. They were like fairies that fluttered straight out of a fairy tale.
“Chloe, Julius, let’s go too,” Jahala said to us.
He was standing beside a brawny Lambda—the two resembled a father and a son. It seemed Ruto wouldn’t join us as she smiled and gave us a gentle wave. It was likely difficult for her, as Salim’s younger sister, to stand in front of the crowd with us. I couldn’t imagine Faisal treating her poorly, but she couldn’t be rewarded with a medal before the general public.
I looked up at Mr. Julius beside me, wondering if he was going to escort me like the prince, but he gave an exasperated sigh. Seems like he’s not willing to move.
In fact, Mr. Julius had no plans to obey the new king’s orders, and I had to tug on his arm and drag him along with me. I was given a breathtaking dress, my hair was styled like a piece of art, and my makeup was painstakingly done, but as I tried to drag Mr. Julius, who refused to move, I looked like a farmer trying to pull up a massive turnip. And this turnip won’t even give way! Ugh!
“Stop resisting!” I cried. “We’re being rewarded here! This is important! Once we get our rewards, we can open up a hot spring for dragons, and I’m going to be the first proprietress of that inn! I’ll be renowned far and wide for it!”
“Are you going to give up on being an alchemist and young beautiful maiden, then?” Mr. Julius asked.