Chapter 17 Part 4

“I say it because I have the ability to make it happen.”

Hyle, who claimed he had become strong for my sake, looked quite serious in his own way.

It wasn’t wrong. After all, Hyle had inherited the position of head of his family early for my sake.

“Looking back, I seem to have influenced you too much.”

“So you should take responsibility for me.”

Though he spoke with a sense of responsibility, Hyle responded lightly in a playful tone.

Of course, his meaning didn’t seem to be light at all.

“Your Grace, we’ve arrived.”

The coachman’s voice came from outside the carriage, which had already reached our destination.

As we got out of the carriage, unlike other days when we were always late, we were able to attend the party at the appropriate time.

“Oh! Lady Laté, you’ve come. I’m so happy that the Marquis has come with you too.”

“Celi, it’s been a while.”

“Lady Artine, thank you for the invitation.”

As soon as Hyle and I entered the hall, Celi rushed over and warmly welcomed us.

As we were exchanging brief greetings, a knight’s voice announcing the Crown Prince’s entrance resonated loudly throughout.

“I didn’t think he would come.”

“Compared to Xenoph, he wasn’t such a major topic of conversation.”

When I expressed surprise at his unexpected appearance, Hyle provided a reasonable explanation.

After all, Abel hadn’t been castigated as much as expected.

That’s not to say the matter had been quietly overlooked, either.

Abel had been mentioned as someone who covered up Xenoph’s actions, and having readily admitted his faults, there had been considerable discussion about his qualifications as Crown Prince for a while.

Naturally, the Emperor was displeased with Abel over this incident, but fortunately, it seemed that because Abel had previously elevated the imperial family’s prestige, the Emperor had refrained from making too many statements, taking this into consideration.

“Marquis Feros, might I have a moment of your time? Regarding the business matter I mentioned before…”

Just then, Marquis Artine approached. After giving me a slight bow, he seemed to have business with Hyle and carefully addressed him.

“Of course. Rosiel, I’ll be back shortly, so stay here.”

“Okay.”

“Don’t do anything dangerous, just stay put.”

“I got it… ugh, do you think I’m a child?”

As I reflexively answered but then got slightly irritated by his caution, which somehow didn’t feel like the first time, the corner of Hyle’s mouth curved into a half-moon.

“I’ll be back soon, so stay here.”

“…Alright. I’ll stay here.”

Only after securing my promise did Hyle finally leave.

I don’t know when it started, but… Hyle couldn’t bear to have me out of his sight.

He’d developed an obsession in a strange way… Anyway, a promise is a promise, so I had no choice but to stay put.

As I sat at a tea table set up on one side of the party hall, sipping tea, I could feel that people’s gazes toward me had become much less hostile than before.

If previously their eyes had been sharp with negative thoughts, now they were filled with a mysterious mixture of curiosity and reverence.

I had changed a lot, just like they had.

Perhaps if I were still my former self, I would be drinking alcohol instead of tea right now…

Of course, my desire to drink alcohol hasn’t particularly changed, but Hyle would dislike it if I did.

“Rosiel, it’s been a while.”

A familiar voice came from beside me, though I hadn’t noticed the approach.

“Indeed.”

Without particularly turning my head, I gave a casual response.

Meeting Abel was no longer as uncomfortable as it used to be.

Perhaps because I had let it all go, while we couldn’t be friends like before, it seemed that we could at least exchange greetings as we were doing now.

“I know this won’t be welcome, but let me ask once more.”

His voice somehow sounded deeply subdued.

When I turned my head, I could see Abel’s purple pupils trembling slightly, though he pretended to be calm.

“Back then, you said the seat beside you was fully booked. Is there… no chance that seat will ever become vacant?”

His sincere gravity was clearly conveyed.

It was a deeper question, different from when he had asked a few days ago.

If I rejected him this time, it seemed he would finally let go of any lingering attachment.

“That’s—”

“No, there isn’t.”

Someone beat me to answering before I could respond.

Turning toward the voice in confusion, there stood Hyle with a composed expression.

“Marquis Feros?”

“Rosiel’s side already belongs to me.”

Hyle, who had decisively driven his point home with a bright smile, met my eyes with a gentle gaze. Abel, who had been watching, let out a small bitter laugh.

“Haha, I see now that there’s absolutely no hope. How I regret those past days.”

Abel then showed a wistful smile and left without adding anything further.

Seeing him quickly blend into the crowd, I freshly felt that Abel had truly come to his senses.

“Since when is it yours?”

That aside. Looking back at Hyle, I grumbled with a displeased expression.

I haven’t accepted you yet, you know?

What I said to Abel was just an excuse.

But without answering, Hyle silently extended his hand to me. The nuance was clearly an invitation to dance…

Belatedly looking around, I realized that soft classical music was now playing.

Everyone was dancing with their partners.

“Rosiel, come on.”

As I just stood there without saying anything, a prompting voice came from Hyle.

“You don’t think I’ll just go along with this, do you?”

“Of course not.”

With a resigned face, I took his hand and approached the center of the hall as Hyle led me.

Like parting waves, people naturally made way for us as we approached.

Hmm, but this… isn’t a dance posture, is it?

A mysteriously subtle atmosphere was flowing around us.

The moment I noticed it, Hyle knelt on one knee before me.

“Hyle…?”

“Rosiel, allow me to stand by your side.”

For as long as possible. For a lifetime.

With a simple face, Hyle continued his confession and slipped a ring with a sparkling pink jewel onto my ring finger.

A pleasantly cool sensation wrapped around my finger.

A beautiful pink diamond, as if it had been extracted directly from the color of my eyes and hair, sparkled like a star.

Soon after, cheers from those around us rang out.

…Come to think of it, hadn’t he said when we made our contract that he would propose to me once my engagement to Abel ended?

If that’s the case, he didn’t need to do something this grand…

As I nodded in a daze, Hyle gently smiled and stood up.

The suddenly increased eye level was somewhat dizzying.

“Let me ask one thing. Is this part of the contract?”

“If it were, I wouldn’t be this sincere.”

Though I wondered if this might be a show for the sake of fulfilling the contract, Hyle instantly shattered my vain delusion.

This was sincere. And it was the best feeling he could show me.

“The contract is already nothing. Now I can’t let you go, Rosiel…”

His voice, trembling as if on the verge of tears, fell below my neck. Hyle’s sturdy upper body slowly leaned toward me.

The hot breath of Hyle, who buried his head near my collarbone, was fully transmitted.

The sounds of envy coming from around us were merely distant.

“Back then, not responding to your confession wasn’t meant to invite a proposal, you know.”

Truly, I only wanted him to speak with a bit more sincerity.

At that time, it was too obvious that Hyle had somewhat hastily confessed his feelings.

“Rosiel, come to me. Stay by my side. So I can save you…”

“Yes, I will.”

His confession reached me as a murmur due to the surrounding noise.

But I alone could clearly understand his words.

Somehow, after receiving a public proposal, belated embarrassment made me bow my head involuntarily.

Hyle, on the other hand, was different.