He shut his book, and they stared silently at each other. That was enough to make her heart pound.
“The hair ornament…,” she began.
He raised his eyebrows. Too embarrassed to look him in the eye, she lowered her gaze.
“Thank you. Did you guess from the start that something like that would happen…?”
“…Who knows? People dislike you about as much as they dislike me.”
Brigitte remembered saying something similar to him once. He smiled slightly, his elbow propped on the table and his chin in his hand. This was nothing like his usual cold, blank expression; it set her heart racing.
To cover it up, she said, “And the reflecting pool…”
“I didn’t have anything to do with that,” he answered.
The undine’s reflecting pool had saved her. Ms. Naha and the other teachers had said that when they looked in, they saw the reflection of Lisa pressing the torch to her own arm, clear as day. She was suspended for a week—but although the week was over, she still hadn’t left her dorm room.
Lisa’s room was next to Kira’s, and Kira said she visited every day, but so far Lisa hadn’t said a word. Brigitte knew she ought to talk to Lisa herself, but she was hesitant to make her feel any more harassed. Also, Kira and Lisa had been childhood friends, since their families ruled over neighboring domains. Kira had told Brigitte to leave everything in her hands, and she was.
“Anyway, about the competition,” Yuri said. Brigitte pressed her lips together. “According to the results on the bulletin board, I win.”
She hadn’t seen him there at lunch when the results were posted, but evidently, he’d checked at some point.
“…Yes. Congratulations.”
She’d expected him to act indifferent, but this time, his reaction was slightly unusual. He sighed as if something was bothering him.
“…Thanks, but the truth is, I got only two of them myself.”
Did that mean his contracted spirits collected the other six?
If that was the case, it still boiled down to his own ability. No matter how reluctant he was, she intended to accept his victory.
A loss is a loss. I’m not going to try to weasel out of this!
“…The loser has to do whatever the winner says, right?” His citrine eyes narrowed provocatively, fixed solely on her. “Will you come to my house?”
I’m hearing things.
That was her immediate thought.
Ugh, I must be awfully tired.
“I’m sorry, Sir Yuri. I didn’t hear you.”
“I said, will you come to my house?”
Strange. Her ears were still acting up. She asked him again, puzzled.
“What?”
“Will you come to my house?”
“What?”
“…Will you come to my house?”
“What?”
“Will you… Oh, forget it, if you hate the idea that much.”
He looked away. She finally realized he was genuinely asking her to come visit.
“N-no, that’s not it! I just thought I misheard you!”
Although she frantically tried to explain, he blanched slightly, as if he had just realized the implications of what he’d said.
Going to his house would have been perfectly normal if they were dating or engaged. But right now, he’d basically ordered a girl who’d lost a competition with him to do so. That changed the meaning a little—a lot, really.
I can’t let myself imagine such improper things!
She shook her head to chase the images away.
Anyhow, this was Yuri Aurealis, a member of the Water Clan. She couldn’t imagine him asking her over for risqué reasons. He was hardly lacking for willing female companionship. Why in the world would he invite someone as unpopular as her over when plenty of other attractive girls were interested?
“…I understand why you don’t want to, but right now, I can’t tell you the reason I’m asking you to come.”
Of c-course. I know there’s some reason—an important one!
Brigitte nodded, pretending to be calm while hiding her mouth with her fan.
“…I’ll g-go.”
“Ah. I’m glad.”
“…”
“…”
An awkward silence descended. Brigitte stood up stiffly, afraid that if she stayed, she would say something she regretted.
“You’re going home?”
“Um, yes, I-I’ll go now.”
I can’t even speak clearly!
As she took an unsteady step, he said, “By the way.”
She blinked, wondering what he would say. He fixed his piercing gaze on her.
“Congratulations on winning second place, Brigitte.”
“—Th-thank you.”
She walked out of the gazebo. As she hurried away, she couldn’t help smiling and, finally, laughing a little. She pressed her palms against her disobedient cheeks.
She knew it was childish, but she was happy he’d complimented her. She’d come in second, behind him—but it still mattered that he recognized the accomplishment.
Being with him is always fun.
He was so rude with his words, but he was kind with his actions. When she thought about their conversations afterward, sometimes she wanted to cover her face or squirm in embarrassment, but their time together was the most special thing in her life.
…This must be what people meant by happiness.
Still, she was so flustered, she didn’t know what to do with herself.
If I’m going to his house, I’d better bring some kind of present… Maybe I’ll ask Sienna for advice.
She’d been too shaken until now to consider the fact that she was going to the residence of the famous Water Clan, the House of Aurealis. If she was lucky, she might see some more water or ice spirits. Her heart leaped at the thought.
If nobody was around, she would have skipped all the way to the carriage stop.
But when she got there, she noticed a tall figure standing on the paving stones, evidently waiting for her.
Why…?
She stopped and stared in disbelief. The person sensed her and turned slowly around—his hair and eyes were golden.
It was the Third Prince of the Kingdom of Field—Brigitte’s former fiancé.
“…Prince…Joseph?”
They stared at each other at close range for the first time in a month. Brigitte couldn’t move.
The same lips that had coldly broken off their engagement slowly began to move, forming a soft arc.
“Let’s get engaged again. Will you make a fresh start with me, Brigitte?”