Chapter 27
Allen, who had been using invisibility magic, stood before Hadelio with a thoroughly scrunched-up expression.
Guinness had thought that if anyone could secretly follow Roni, it would be Allen, so he had gone to look for Roni. Just as expected, Allen’s presence was felt near her.
“Why are you following people around like that? It’s making my heart flutter.”
“……”
Allen glared at Hadelio, who was smiling playfully, looking thoroughly annoyed. Allen already knew that Hadelio was especially skilled at sensing others’ mana even while using his own. His invisibility wouldn’t work on him.
Clearly, Hadelio had deliberately asked that question knowing Allen was there.
The truth was, after hearing that Sharon and Roni were going to enjoy the festival, Allen had followed them, worried that some strange guy might approach Roni during the event.
He only intended to take a quick look and leave, but unexpectedly, Hadelio showed up to meet Roni. Even more surprising was how comfortably Roni treated Hadelio.
When did they get so close?
Allen had been in a foul mood ever since. The subtle atmosphere between Hadelio and Roni lately had been bothering him.
Then, thanks to Hadelio’s probing, Allen learned that Roni had agreed to dance with Ian. Unable to control his fury, Allen had emitted a murderous aura toward Hadelio, silently signaling him to get out of there.
As expected, Hadelio, quick-witted as always, promptly bid farewell to the ladies and left. Allen’s anger then turned squarely toward Hadelio, who patted him on the shoulder with a sympathetic look.
“Lady Shalligan seems more flirtatious than I thought.”
“Don’t talk about Roni like that.”
Allen snapped sharply at Hadelio, who had spoken ill of Roni. Realizing his mistake, Hadelio quickly backed off.
Any further provocation might lead to a serious fight, and if Roni found out, things would get complicated.
“Yeah, yeah. Anyway, since you seemed curious, I asked her on your behalf. But don’t tell her it was me. I want to keep getting along with Ian.”
Allen didn’t respond. Hadelio took that as agreement. He tried once more to pat Allen’s shoulder affectionately but raised both hands in surrender when he saw the murderous look on his face.
“Well then, I’ll be going.”
Leaving only those words, Hadelio walked away from Allen.
✦ ✦ ✦
After parting ways with Sharon, I returned to the castle, washed up, and flopped onto the bed. Maybe it was from walking around so much during the festival, but I felt a bit tired.
The breeze blowing through the slightly open window made me even sleepier. I was just drifting off when I vaguely saw someone standing nearby.
I tried to sit up, but my body felt as heavy as wet cotton, and my mind was hazy. Just as my consciousness was slipping away, I saw a familiar face—though I couldn’t quite tell who it was, the person looked fierce.
Ugh… I should ask who it is…
But sleep overtook me before I could.
I don’t know how long I’d been asleep, but when I opened my eyes, there was still a man sitting beside me, staring down at me. It seemed to be early dawn—had he been waiting this whole time?
I finally realized it was Allen. His silver hair, softly glowing in the moonlight, looked beautiful in the early dawn.
Because the moonlight was behind him, I couldn’t see his face clearly, only his shimmering hair.
Once my eyes adjusted, I could faintly make out his expression—he looked full of resentment. Had he been looking at me like that the whole time?
“You could’ve woken me up if you came.”
I sat up on the bed as if nothing was wrong, despite reading the look on Allen’s face. He said nothing, just stared.
His violet eyes trembled and stilled, over and over, as if he were struggling with something painful.
“Is there something you want to say?”
“No.”
“Sure seems like it.”
“……”
So there is something.
I watched him, wondering what kind of words could be so hard to say.
Absentmindedly, I reached out and gently ran my fingers through his wavy silver hair—just a little, I thought, would be fine. It had become a habit, and whenever I did this, his mood always seemed to soften.
I quietly waited for Allen to speak, wondering what could have made him so upset. Part of it was to soothe him, but truthfully, I also had selfish motives—he’d grown so tall lately that unless we sat face-to-face like this, it was hard to reach his hair.
Maybe the timing was bad, but I didn’t like the heavy atmosphere, so I was trying in my own way.
Allen showed no reaction to my touch. As always, he simply accepted it without complaint.
Then, with a cracked voice—almost like he was about to cry—he finally spoke.
“Why Ian?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Your dance partner. I overheard it.”
Ah.
That’s when I realized why Allen had come. And why he had stared at me so accusingly without saying a word.
I pulled back my hand from his hair and nervously fidgeted with my fingers. How was I supposed to explain this? It had all been so impulsive.
Everyone who had heard about it had reacted with surprise. Only now did I start to feel that maybe I had been too careless.
Had he really overheard it by accident? I’d only told Sharon and Hadelio.
Ian wouldn’t have said anything himself. Could Allen have been at the café that day?
Or maybe…
I suddenly wondered if it had been Guinness. After all, the plan came from him.
But I shook my head violently. No way. He was just the manager. There was no reason for him to tell Allen. As a manager, he was only supposed to observe.
“Well, he’s Sharon’s older brother… and someone I know.”
“…But you turned down my request.”
His voice trembled badly. He looked like he was trying so hard to hold something in. The awkwardness was too much, and I blurted out words just to fill the silence.
“Well, I’ve danced with you plenty of times before. Why not try dancing with someone else for once? Maybe someone with gray eyes, like Vian—!”
I should not have brought up Viana.
Before I could even finish her name, Allen suddenly grabbed my face with both hands.
Startled by his sudden action, my eyes widened. Allen pulled my face close to his.
He had never been this forceful before. He looked extremely agitated. The distance between us was so small, I held my breath, afraid my exhale might brush against his face.
The suffocating silence pressed heavily around us. Up close, I could see the pain in Allen’s cold, stiff expression.
He looked so heartbroken that I almost reached out to hug him. If it hurt him this much, I wouldn’t have done it. I always seemed to make mistakes with him and regret it afterward.
“Why… do you always…”
Allen muttered in anguish. He leaned in close, like he was going to kiss me, then pulled away repeatedly. If I moved even a little, our lips might touch—and there would be no turning back.
Our lips hadn’t even met, but it felt like they were, and my heart pounded wildly.
I wanted to tell him that there was no real meaning behind dancing with Ian, that it was all for him, but I couldn’t.
To explain that, I’d have to reveal my true identity. And once he heard it all, I couldn’t imagine the look he’d give me.
Would he even believe me? Who would, if they were told the world they lived in was just a comic from another world?
I didn’t believe it myself at first…
I didn’t have the power to prove it. Allen leaned in close and pulled away over and over, until I was almost out of breath. Only then did he finally let go.
He was clearly struggling to hold onto reason. His hands trembled against my cheeks, unable to contain his emotions. Though he’d been forceful, his touch didn’t hurt at all.
“Haa!”
I let out the breath I’d been holding, coughing. Allen buried his face in my shoulder and gripped both of my arms, as if to stop me from running away.
He looked so pitiful, I felt my heart waver. Maybe it would’ve been better to skip the dance altogether if it meant hurting him like this.
Then, Allen finally spoke, his voice shaking with emotion. Each word sounded like it was dragged out of him.
“I’m fine if you want to push me away. But I can’t stand seeing you look at another man.”
In that moment, I realized just how deep Allen’s feelings truly were.
