Luna’s eyes widened, showing a quick interest that suggested she was very curious.
“Of course you’re welcome, but I can’t make anything too fancy, you know?”
“That’s fine. Right, Luna?”
“Yes. It’s your cooking, after all.”
“I feel like the expectations are being raised…”
“Isn’t it a success just to have more opportunities to interact with everyone?”
“Y-you’re right.”
While he hoped they wouldn’t expect too much, Elena’s words were not wrong at all.
Byleth looked out at the scenery again, as if to hide his upturned lips.
“Still, Byleth, you’re the epitome of a lady-killer. By making this promise, you’re monopolizing us again, aren’t you? Especially Luna, who received the most invitations from men at this dinner party.”
“Haha, I can’t deny that.”
“T-there’s no way someone like me…”
“Luna, you should have more confidence. And you, you’re being unusually honest. Usually, you’d tease me saying something like ‘You’re the one saying that?'”
Since they interact almost daily, they easily guess what’s on his mind.
Though the thought was indeed in his mind, at this moment he couldn’t say it.
With his back still turned to them, he voices his true feelings.
“Well, how should I put it… It’s not wrong to say it’s a man’s greatest pleasure, and I did feel a bit uneasy seeing you two talking with other men.”
“Huh?”
“Eh…”
“T-That’s nothing to be so surprised about!”
(It’s troubling when they react unexpectedly…)
Hearing two voices of apparent shock behind him, he hurriedly continues his explanation.
“I mean, besides Sia, you two are the only ones who are so friendly with me. And…”
Turning his head slightly, Byleth glances at their beautiful dresses and— [decides it’s nothing after all] and glosses over it.
“Sigh… I don’t know what you were going to say, but that’s a pathetic statement.”
“You’re usually so reliable, though.”
“I wish you’d at least whisper these things…”
Now that he’s voiced his true feelings, he doesn’t have the composure to be teased.
“Well, the number of people who are friendly with you will increase from now on. You saw those two maid students who greeted you at tonight’s banquet, right? It’s proof that the bad rumors are gradually fading.”
“You’ll soon return to a life befitting the heir of a marquis family.”
“Yeah, it’s happening faster than we expected…”
The two who were just taking jabs at each other now show no such attitude. It’s as if they’re working together.
“Even if that happens, I’ll still come to bother you. You two are special to me.”
They associated with him despite the bad rumors. That’s the most joyful thing. He’s truly grateful for it.
“Hmm…”
“Special, you say?”
“Of course. Given the bad rumors, it would be normal not to associate with me at all.”
He can’t bring himself to turn around during this embarrassing conversation.
Meanwhile, Elena and Luna secretly exchange glances.
“…Look, Luna. You can say it. It’s a good time, right?”
“…I-I’m scared.”
“…M-Me too, you know.”
“…I-I’ll do my best to support you.”
“…Geez. You really owe me ten favors for this…”
Whispered conversations can be heard.
As Byleth gently turns around, he sees the two of them inexplicably nudging each other.
“W-What are you doing?”
“T-That’s… That’s right! ‘What are you doing’ is my line!”
“Huh?”
“W-Well, you know. I’m going to say it…”
In the late hours of the night, their blushing faces blend in well.
Elena, twirling her red hair with her index finger nervously, speaks with a trembling voice.
“If you think we’re so special, instead of just feeling uneasy… why don’t you just put a collar on us like everyone else is doing…”
“What!?”
“If you’re not interested, then… both Luna and I will just accept the marriage proposals we’ve received…”
“W-Wait a minute…! Luna got proposals too!?”
The moment he hears this report, his anxiety takes over.
“O-Of course. Especially after all the attention she got at tonight’s banquet.”
“Well, when you put it that way…”
He’s forced to accept it from his state of blank shock, but then something strange happens.
“Luna isn’t meeting my eyes at all… In fact, isn’t she completely turning her face away?”
“That’s just because she’s embarrassed! She told me to keep it a secret from you. Sorry, Luna.”
“N-No, it’s fine…”
In reality, Luna hasn’t received any marriage proposals. Of course, Elena, who hasn’t heard anything about proposals, is boldly lying—but this matter is expected to become reality soon.
After all, many nobles at this banquet have just become aware of Luna, the “sheltered daughter” who had never shown her face at evening parties before.
Her appearance, atmosphere, and other factors have gained her much favor.
It’s only natural that nobles who want to possess her will spring up, and there will likely be nobles trying to deliver love letters tomorrow or the day after.
“Let me tell you… t-this is the last time I’ll say something like this. So… I’m going to say a lot.”
For Elena, who’s always been on the receiving end of confessions, saying something like this is a first.
This courage isn’t something she can muster many times.
With a trembling voice, she continues to speak.
“Byleth, you’re really not like a noble at all. You’re weird. Despite your high status, you’re too passive. You’re too considerate.”
“Um… some noble-like behavior is necessary.”
“Luna’s right. Like I said before, if you… if you think we’re special, then keep us for yourself so other nobles can’t have us…”
In noble society, competition naturally increases.
In a class-based society, the more you hesitate, the more likely you are to lose the person you care about.
Political marriages are commonplace, so it’s rare for people who have feelings for each other to end up together.
“You weren’t lying, were you? What you said earlier.”
“N-No, I wasn’t lying.”
(In my head, I understand…)
He’s not putting on a brave face. He understands from the bottom of his heart.
“Then there’s no need to hesitate, right? Given the flow of this conversation, you should understand what I want to say.”
Questioned by Elena, Byleth’s head was on the verge of overloading.
Palpitations, confusion, nervousness. A jumble of mixed emotions assaults him.
“…”
“…”
“…”
“……”
“……”
“……”
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The silence, where only the sound of the wind can be heard, continues for a minute or two.
They wait patiently for Byleth’s response, feeling their heartbeats throughout their bodies.
“Elena… can I ask you just one thing?”
“W-What is it?”
“Elena, did you… choose me for my personality or my appearance…?”
His heartbeat accelerates to the point where it feels like his lifespan is shortening.
(I know it’s inappropriate to ask this now, but I can’t come to terms with it unless I know…)
This appearance isn’t truly his own.
Because he has a secret he can’t tell anyone, he feels he must ask this to stay true to himself.
Otherwise, he couldn’t be satisfied with himself.
“It’s as if you’re testing something.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“Sigh. Fine, I get it…”
With a sigh, Elena changes to a solemn expression and takes one step, then another, closer.
As the distance becomes just a few dozen centimeters, she looks up at him and says while closing the gap even further.
“Byleth—don’t say such stupid things at a time like this.”
“Mmph!?”
She presses her fish-white index finger strongly against Byleth’s lips, her eyebrows furrowed.
“Keep your noisy mouth shut… and listen carefully. I’ll only say this once.”
Her doll-like beautiful face, now as red as her hair color, is right in front of his eyes and nose.
“Listen, okay? You might have your own thoughts, but for me, it’s simple. I fell for you because you’re you. Understand? You idiot.”
“!”
“It’s nothing more and nothing less than that. I just like you for who you are. That’s why I’m expressing my feelings now.”
“…”
Her trembling finger, her defiant face.
Elena, who shouldn’t know about his reincarnation, accepts him [because it’s you].
It was a statement that dispelled the lingering doubt in his heart.
“S-So, you know, I’m not saying anything that should trouble you… I’m just saying you should go out with me, that’s all.”
“Mm.”
His mouth is still covered, and he can’t speak yet.
“If you can’t shake off the feeling of friendship, then I’ll just make you fall for me. You have no complaints about that, right? So… go out with me. With me…”
Her index finger gently moves away.
Elena’s eyes, looking up at him, were moist as if she had used up all her courage.
“Come on, say something. You can speak now, right?”
“…Really, because it’s me? Not because of my face or anything…”
“That’s what I’m saying. Besides, I wouldn’t fall for someone just because of their face.”
“Haha, I see, so that’s how it is… I’m really happy…”
There was a slight put-down, but he didn’t mind at all.
It was the moment when the doubt in his heart disappeared.
“Well then, nice to meet you. Elena. From now on, there might be some inconveniences… as lovers.”
“Yes… of course.”
The more they make eye contact, the more embarrassment hits them, but the happiness outweighs it.
“—Um, have you forgotten that I’m here?”
“Ah!!”
“Oh!!”
Needless to say, they had created their own little world.
Startled, they both turn around to find Luna with a half-lidded expression.
“…Anyway, congratulations.”
“T-Thank you.”
“Thank you, Luna. …Well, as much as I hate to leave, I have some business to attend to in the hallway.”
“Huh!?”
[Isn’t this too soon!? Leaving us alone in this atmosphere!?]
As if understanding Byleth’s thoughts, Elena says as she turns her back:
“It’s fine, isn’t it? Someone here apparently can’t break out of their shell unless they’re alone.”
“…”
Placing her left hand on Luna’s shoulder as if to indicate that “someone,” Elena whispers in her ear.
[The embarrassment is only for now. You’re my rival, so gather your courage just for this moment.]
As if giving her one last push of courage, she squeezes tightly.
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