Couldn't Believe...

Chapter 74

At the Academy...

"Black Akari!"
"?"
"Is it true that you're holding a banquet?!"
"Yes"
"Wow!"
"That's great"
"Black Akari, why are you doing this?"
"Well, I just came back, so that's the minimum"
"... I see"
"Anything else?"
"Is there a theme for it?"
"Yes! Something like a multicolored banquet?!"
"... Pft"
"?"
"Do you want to dress up like a clown or something?"
"!" *blush* *angry*
"We're not in a parade, you know? This is a banquet where her Majesty will be invited"
"REALLY?!"
*nod*
"Okay!"
"Well, then, see you!"
*turn* *smirk*

I knew they'd ask that. I did great inviting Rosaline.

...

"Did you hear?"
"The Queen will be there!"
"We have to give a good impression!"

Since the Queen will be there, nothing bad should happen.

"I'm so excited~ what about you, Yamel?"
"..."
"Yamel?"
"Hm?"
"You're not excited?"
"For what?"
"The banquet!"
"Oh, yes, I am"

... Not excited at all. I have to see this jerk Eluma, and his annoying friend Hexy. There's also Black Akari's annoying brother. I want to put them all in a cell, and have her for myself! Oh, and now there's also this girl, Diane, and the other woman. I don't know who she is, but now that I think about it, she looks similar to Luka. That's weird. Well, I don't really want to get involved between them anyway. And even if I do, Black Akari will hate me.

...

A few days later, in Blackie's office...

*tok tok*
"Who is it?"
"It's me!"
"Mom? Come in"
*clack*
"What are you doing here?"
"... Blackie, can I ask you something?"
"?"
"Are you... ashamed of me?"
"WHAT?! Who told you that?!"
"It's just that... you still didn't introduce me to anyone other than Hexy, Diane and Eluma"
"... If you want, I can do so at the banquet."
*bright* "REALLY?!"
"Yes. But why do you want to be known this badly?"
"Because I want to get my title back and give it to either you or Luka"
"... I don't think now's the time to say that you're supposed to be the queen. Plus, I have to be more careful. Monica already knows that I have another dad and Luka. And soon, she'll find out about you. I have to find a good excuse to the citizens of CelestiaLand."
"... You can just say another name. This will be better."
"You don't have a problem with it?"
"As long as I can legally get my title back, everything's fine."
"..."

I remember mom telling us the whole story. The fact that she lost her title was something decided by Rosaline herself. At that time, Kuro was still the crown prince, so getting married with someone from another dimension would benefit them both. And in this Land, there is no law that forbids a princess from marrying a prince, even if it is from the opposite magic. But Rosaline immediately took this opportunity to take away mom's title. And because of that, Kuro couldn't introduce her as a queen, and so he decided to make her his concubine. Even if mom refused this title, she had nowhere to go. And she loved him enough to let go everything and accept it. Well, I know better than anyone that the feeling of love can destroy lives, or even... the world.

"By the way, do you need any help with the preparations?"
"Not really. Everything's fine"
"I see. Then, I'll get going. I still need a lot of things for the banquet"
"Okay-"
*tok tok*
"Who is it?"
"It's me"
"... Eluma? Come in"
*clack*

We still did not have a proper conversation about that day.

"Oh, good morning, Madame"
*nod*
"Mom, didn't you say you had to leave?"
*glance*
"?"
"I think I'll stay"
"..." *sigh*

Does she hate the idea of me being alone with Eluma this much?

"Anyway. What do you want, Eluma?"
"Oh, yes. We're almost done with the decoration of the banquet hall, and the food will be brought from the XXXX catering."
"Great. You did a good job" *pat*
*blush*
*glare*
*gasp* "A, anyway, Blackie, you still did not buy a dress. Do you want me to bring-"
"No need. I'll go and buy one once I'm free-"
"Oh my god"
"?"
"My daughter..."
"What?"
"You still did not buy a dress?!"
"What's the problem?"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN! You have to be the most gorgeous Lady in the entire country!"
"... As long as it's not Monica or her friends, it's alright-"
*grab her hand* "NO! It's not alright! Let's go"
"Eh?! To where?!"
"Mother and daughter time! Eluma, leave and close the door!"
"Huh? Oh, okay"
"Wait-"
*woosh*
"Well, that's an energetic mother."

...

A few hours later, in a store...

"Mom, I don't like this dress"
"But it looks gorgeous!"
"And it's white! Do you really think I'd wear white at this banquet?!"
"Eh~ you really have weird tastes"
"What-?!"

WHO'S THE ONE WHO HAS WEIRD TASTES?! She's been picking nothing BUT white dresses ever since we came here!

"Mom, why don't we go to another store? We've been here for more than 3 hours"
"Well..."
"?"
"Sure, let's go. Thank you for everything"
"Thank you for your visit"
*nod*
*clack*
"... Mom, what is it?"
"No, nothing. Blackie, can we go somewhere other than here?"
"Huh? To where?"
"To the castle"
"What?! Why do you want to go there?!"
"I need to talk to Rosaline"
"... Let's go"
"Thanks"
*woosh*