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☾ seventy - four ☾

By the time the banquet hall was seen in the distance, Liche stopped walking and said...

"I'm afraid I've got to go."

I saw a bitter expression on her face.

I could roughly guess why.

Did she say she was going to see her family?

'Yeah, you probably don't get along well. It must be hard.'

She's in a similar situation as mine.

I wanted to comfort her.

For that reason, I only spoke positive words at her. 

"Yeah, go ahead. I'll see you in two weeks."

She nodded with a slightly reddened face.

"Hm."

Soon the fingers holding my hand slipped and slowly fell.

"Bye, Liche."

At my goodbye, she smiled and turned around.

For a moment, I stared at the Crown Prince.

He was still silently looking forward, holding my hand.

"It was quite embarrassing to get lost, but I really appreciate you taking me back to the banquet hall like this." 

He nodded instead of answering.

'But you seem like a better person than I thought. Pray, no, let's not let our guard down.'

Come to think of it, the Crown Prince is showing a good performance right now.

It may be just for show.

It must be, because from the perspective of Beatrice, the Crown Prince is a psychopath.

'I should be careful.'

Thinking so, I continued walking only to suddenly trip on my own feet.

"Kyaa!"

Fortunately, the Crown Prince caught me.

However, there was one problem.

"Are you okay?"

The Crown Prince was hugging my waist as he supported me. 

'Even when I'm with my father and Max, why do I fall so often?'

I was skeptical about myself.

But I thought it would be even more awkward if I showed that I was flustered.

'Yes, let's not be agitated.'

I stared at the Crown Prince, feigning a calm face.

Is it because he's wearing a mask?

I had no idea what he was thinking.

"I'm fine, thanks to your help. I'm sorry, Your Highness."

I was afraid to say anything else.

But what he said next, before removing his hand off my waist, was unthinkable.

"I'll see you."

I thought I'd be going into the banquet hall with him, but I didn't know he'd say such a cheap goodbye.

'Was he being considerate?'

I felt strange for some reason, but I didn't like it.

"Yes, thank you, Your Highness."