Chapter 8
“If it’s not Aria, then who else could stand beside me? Since she was born as the daughter of the Maynard family, she has no choice but to marry me. That is Aria’s fate. Some lowly young lady shouldn’t even dream of such a place!”
The confidence in Leonit’s voice—so sure that Aria would naturally belong to him—left Daniel at a loss for words. He couldn’t even laugh or get angry.
As expected, Leonit was a tolerable friend, but nothing more.
If it weren’t for his parents telling him to stay close to the crown prince, Daniel would never have bothered.
“Oh right, I’m holding a spring banquet. Do you want to come?”
“No. Too annoying.”
“Come on! Aria won’t come unless you do.”
“Then just invite Aria. Why me? Unlike you, I actually have things to do.”
“That’d be too obvious. Books say girls don’t like being pressured like that.”
Ha…
At those clueless words, Daniel let out a long sigh and glared at Leonit, who was still puffing himself up proudly.
In the end, after over an hour of Leonit’s nagging and begging, Daniel had no choice but to accept the invitation, though he clearly didn’t want to.
“Where are you going?”
“Home.”
“Class isn’t over yet.”
Leonit blinked in surprise. Was he really that much of an idiot? Their teacher, who had piled them with mountains of homework, had already slipped away unnoticed, and Leonit still hadn’t realized.
“It’s fine. I’m heading off first. Riela’s waiting for me.”
“Hey! Wait! Tell Aria I said hello!”
Ignoring Leonit’s shout behind him, Daniel stepped onto the teleportation circle without hesitation.
With a flash of blinding light, Daniel arrived instantly at the Maynard ducal estate.
“Oh my, young master. Done with lessons already?”
The maid cleaning near the teleport circle spoke calmly, not at all surprised.
“Yeah. Where’s Riela?”
“Lady Riela went to the library and then to the garden.”
“Thanks.”
“No thanks needed. It’s my duty.”
Daniel straightened his clothes, which had gotten messy from teleporting, and headed straight for the garden.
‘Aria should still be in class, right?’
With that thought, he hummed happily. This was the perfect chance to have Riela all to himself, and his steps felt lighter than ever.
***
“An invitation?”
I tilted my head, staring at the letter in Aria’s hands.
Class wasn’t over yet, but she was already with me. Well, sometimes lessons finished early.
“Yeah. It’s for a spring banquet.”
“From who?”
“His Highness Leonit.”
Ah… more like a “see Aria” party than a spring banquet, if you ask me.
Well, she was as lovely as spring itself.
But I didn’t say that aloud. This was a perfect opportunity—a chance to see my favorite girl in a pretty dress, dancing!
“Sounds fun. Have a good time!”
“Riela, you’re coming with me.”
“…Me?”
Aria pointed straight at me with an innocent look, nodding as if it were obvious.
I hadn’t even considered going—I’d been too sick for months to attend anything.
“You’re much healthier now. Besides, the invitation says everyone must bring a partner. Obviously, my partner is you.”
Usually, that sort of thing meant siblings of the opposite sex. But the way Aria said it—like it was natural to take me instead—made me strangely happy.
Maybe I was overthinking, but it felt like she was saying I was closer than a sibling.
I squeezed her hand tightly and nodded.
“Mm! Okay, let’s go together!”
We hopped in excitement, holding hands, when the door suddenly opened. Daniel stepped in—holding the same invitation.
“Riela!”
So he got invited too, huh.
“Daniel, you got one too? We did as well!”
“…‘We’?”
His eyes shifted to Aria. She smirked and held my hand tighter, as if to say, ‘See? You don’t have Riela, do you?’
‘Guys, calm down. I’m just one person here!’
The air between them was so intense it felt like they’d split me in half.
“Riela’s going with me. Brother, you can go with Leonit.”
“You should go with him. Do you really not understand why this banquet is happening?”
“Oh, don’t act like I asked for it! And the letter didn’t say the partner had to be the opposite sex.”
Why is this ten-year-old suddenly so sharp-tongued? Is she a genius?!
“…”
Daniel fell silent, defeated. He gave me a wounded look, then stormed out, slamming the door.
I couldn’t help but feel bad. I understood—he wanted to go with someone he cared about, and now he’d have to find someone else. What a hassle.
‘Being loved by everyone sure is tough!’
Pushing away the guilt, I turned back to Aria, already excitedly planning what dress to wear. Forget the original story—this was pure happiness.
***
A few days later, Aria and I showed up at Leonit’s banquet in matching outfits.
The scene I’d only imagined before spread out before my eyes, filling me with wonder.
“What is the meaning of this?”
A sharp voice rang out.
At the end of my gaze stood Leonit, glaring at me with dissatisfaction, his golden hair brushed back perfectly.
“Greetings, Your Highness.”
“Yes, yes. I’m glad you’re here. Now, explain exactly what this is. If I don’t like your answer, you’ll be punished.”
Even while speaking oddly, his eyes burned into me, sharp like a dragon-slaying hero.
Clearly, he hated that I was Aria’s partner instead of him.
But I had no intention of backing down. How could I give up spending a whole night with my favorite girl—dancing in a gorgeous dress? No way.
It was Aria who finally broke the tension.
“I simply followed the instructions on the invitation and brought a partner. Is there a problem?”
That’s my girl!
“Ugh…”
Leonit’s eyes reddened, as if he might cry. But, noticing the nobles watching, he quickly composed himself.
“Fine. Enjoy yourselves. I… need to rest.”
He looked anything but fine, though.
As he left, sulking, I felt conflicted. I hated the idea of Aria being tied to him, but… he wasn’t a villain yet. I didn’t want to hurt him either.
So I decided to send him food—his favorites, which I remembered from the original story. Maybe it would cheer him up.
“Is that for me?”
Aria smiled brightly when she saw me filling a plate. When I shook my head, her smile faltered.
“Then…?”
“It’s for Leonit. He might feel better if he eats something.”
“Do you… like him?”
The sudden question caught me off guard.
“No!”
I blurted it out quickly, but Aria already looked upset. Daniel, who was nearby, frowned as well.
“People say the two of you are in love… don’t tell me…”
That’s about you and Nox, not me! Ugh, how do I explain this?
“I’ll explain later, I promise.”
“Riela, I’m your closest one, right?”
“Y-yeah, of course. So wait a bit, okay?”
It wasn’t the most convincing answer, but it was enough for her. She lifted her chin proudly, as if showing off to Daniel.
I slipped the plate to one of Leonit’s knights.
“Please give this to His Highness.”
“Your name, miss?”
“Riela Hound.”
The knight smiled kindly and accepted it.
“He’ll surely be pleased.”
I hoped so. Though, if he ended up falling for me instead… that’d be a disaster.
…No way that’d happen.
***
Later, I saw the knight return with an empty plate—but Leonit himself didn’t reappear.
Guess Aria’s rejection had stung more than expected.
“Riela, let’s dance!”
Aria grabbed my hand with a bright smile.
“Mm, sure.”
But she frowned immediately.
“Liar.”
“I’m not lying.”
“You are! If not, why do you keep worrying about Leonit? I’m your partner, not him! Do you like him more than me?”
Her eyes glistened with tears, ready to fall.
A pang of guilt hit me for making her cry… mixed with a strange, guilty thrill.
I wasn’t the only one who liked this kind of drama, right?
