078.
“Miss Eliana… I’m in a bind.”
“…No. I held back back then, so Kalen should hold back too.”
There is no denying that the protagonist of this banquet will undoubtedly be Sinat, the master of Drannus.
The heads of the Empire’s influential families, their children, the crown prince.
The revival of Drannus means that it has the potential to capture everyone’s attention.
Because Sinat was to become the host of such a prestigious event.
Most of the attendees’ gazes were focused ahead in anticipation.
Sinat was doing remarkably well considering her nervousness earlier, so Eliana hugging Kalen went unnoticed.
“Kalen… the clothes suit you well…”
“…Thank you.”
“The ones I gave you fit you well too… though I do notice you’re wearing quite a few new items…”
Kalen’s body shuddered.
Eliana found his reaction unbearably cute and smiled.
Of course, Kalen wouldn’t know she was smiling, as her face was partially hidden by his shoulder.
After holding Kalen for quite a while, Eliana finally let go of him gently.
Thump, thump, thump.
Although her heart was still racing, at this point the desire to look at Kalen outweighed any sense of embarrassment.
One can’t hold on to these precious moments forever after all.
When Eliana let go of Kalen, he turned and met her gaze.
Eliana was thoroughly pleased with the way he looked at her.
“Kalen… I’ve been wondering for a long time… Why do you always try to match my eye level like this?”
“Ah.”
Eliana had roughly guessed the answer.
Still, there was nothing like hearing it directly.
“It became a habit from when Miss Eliana had poor eyesight and hearing.”
“Why…?”
“Because only then could Miss Eliana understand what I was saying.”
Kalen was rather stoic.
Sometimes he even came off as a bit cold.
However, Eliana knew better.
She understood the warmth hidden within him.
This consideration was one of those hidden qualities.
That was why, when Kalen matched his eye level to hers.
And she instinctively perceived it as a compulsive behavior.
It served as a kind of affirmation.
An affirmation that their relationship hadn’t changed.
It was a sign that he still held her dear.
Eliana blushed as she covered her reddening cheeks while whispering.
“I’m healthy now…”
“Ah. My apologies.”
“No… I’m not asking for an apology… I just thought you should know that I can dance without any issues now… like the dance…”
“Dance?”
Why did he emphasize the word “dance”?
Did Eliana suddenly develop an interest in dancing?
While Kalen was pondering its meaning, Eliana reached out to gently caress his cheek.
Startled by her touch, Kalen took a step back, causing Eliana to giggle and ask teasingly.
“Kalen.”
“Yes.”
“How long are you going to keep speaking formally to me…?”
At her words, a memory surfaced.
Eliana had disliked formal language from the very first days in Ecclesia.
Back then, her relationship with her protector and the one she was protecting necessitated it.
Also, because Kalen hesitated to speak informally to the noble daughter of Lakatus.
But even so, Eliana wanted to hear Kalen talk to her, just her, informally.
Formal language seemed to create a barrier between them.
When you look back, Kalen had risked his life to be with Eliana.
When she was suffering from mana overload, Kalen stayed by her side until the end, refusing to leave.
No matter how much sweat and vomit covered his body from her, he didn’t seem to care.
Even when he learned about the dangers that mana overload could have on others, he remained steadfast.
It went beyond mere obligation.
To Eliana, Kalen was the most trustworthy person in the world.
And there he was, standing in front of her, looking like the perfect ideal man.
There was no aristocratic lady who could resist such a sight.
Kalen, who was already handsome, stood there with light makeup, neatly styled hair, and a perfectly fitting banquet suit that was unimaginably suitable for him.
Eliana’s heart wouldn’t stop racing.
And after hearing her words, Kalen felt like it would be okay to let down his guards further.
“Eliana.”
“…Hmm. Kalen.”
Hearing her name called so intimately made Eliana dizzy with sweetness.
Kalen watched her, wondering if she was being too affectionate.
“How about you… does it suit you?”
Whish.
Eliana twirled gracefully in her blue and white banquet dress before stopping to ask Kalen.
Of course, it suited her.
Especially the way her clear eyes matched perfectly with the gown—it felt as if the dress was made with her in mind.
“It suits you well.”
“…Thank you.”
Eliana smiled brightly, like her clear eyes, satisfied with the answer she wanted.
That unchanged, radiant smile made an indelible impression on Kalen.
Just as Eliana and Kalen were sharing this special moment…
“Kalen?”
From somewhere in the banquet hall came a voice calling Kalen’s name.
Turning their heads toward the sound, they saw a girl with wine-colored hair approaching them.
Her eyes were as beautiful and red as rubies.
Serasie, holding a wine glass, was walking toward Kalen.
“Ah… Wow…”
“Serasie.”
Upon reaching Kalen, Serasie froze.
There was something she hadn’t noticed from afar.
Regardless of the distance, it was unmistakable that this was Kalen.
However, she hadn’t imagined he’d look this dashing.
Kalen was already a handsome man by nature.
Finally meeting Kalen, she completely forgot what she had planned to say or do.
Serasie stood frozen, her eyes fixed on him.
Her reason for doing so wasn’t that different from Eliana’s.
“Serasie.”
Kalen’s voice broke through her daze.
Startled, Serasie violently shook her head and tried to regain her composure.
How embarrassing would it be to act this way in front of Kalen, her younger brother despite his age?
Not only could she not maintain a calm conversation,
but Kalen’s every word made her heart race.
No, it wasn’t just his words that affected her.
Ever since he came into view earlier, her heart had been acting up.
The excuse that she was thinking about something else was far from the truth.
Since laying eyes on Kalen, her mind had been completely occupied with thoughts of him.
To calm the embarrassment, she quickly addressed him.
“Eliana and you… you’ve already met, I see?”
Serasie glanced at Eliana, who was staring at her coldly.
That cold gaze felt like she was being seen as a nuisance, but engaging Kalen in conversation was more important right now.
Kalen was surprised, noticing something unusual.
It was because Serasie hadn’t used formal language when referring to Eliana.
Serasie smiled casually, having read Kalen’s subtle surprise.
“I’m older, and I got to know her well while helping Drannus.”
“Ah. I see.”
“Yes. And we’re not in Ecclesia, after all.”
Ecclesia maintained dignity and prestige by requiring its members to use formal language.
This was a way of respecting each other’s authority and ensuring mutual respect.
However, this was simply a banquet marking Drannus’ revival.
Serasie, being older, didn’t need to bother with formalities.
Had they not shared a mutual interest in Kalen and Drannus?
“Anyway, Kalen, there’s a lot of food over there. Have you tried any of it?”
“Ah. No, I haven’t.”
“Would you like to go with me? We can catch up on some missed conversations.”
Serasie tried her best to mask the palpitations of her heart as she spoke.
She wanted to say it suited him perfectly, that he was nearly her ideal type,
but it felt uncomfortable with Eliana glaring at her,
so she wanted to move to a different location.
It was nice meeting up with old friends too.
Serasie wanted to catch up on a lot from her time in Ecclesia,
but that wasn’t possible now.
Hence, she seized this rare opportunity for them to be alone.
But Kalen looked back and forth between her and Eliana, and with a look of apology, declined.
It seemed he felt awkward leaving Eliana behind.
This behavior didn’t disappoint Serasie but pleased her instead.
It was a quintessentially Kalen-like gesture of consideration.
Ultimately, the one causing discomfort was Eliana.
Understanding this, Serasie pulled out a dessert she’d brought for herself and smiled,
“This is really good.”
“What is it?”
“Fruit dessert.”
“It looks delicious.”
“Right?”
The response was perfect.
Exactly what Serasie had expected.
Wearing a small smile, Serasie picked up a piece of fruit and,
without warning, held it close to Kalen’s mouth.
“Would you like to take a bite?”
“Miss Serasie, I’ll take it—”
“Here. Ah~.”
Kalen hesitantly reached for the fruit dripping with juice, but
Serasie didn’t let go, smiling as she held it to his mouth.
Finally, Kalen reluctantly took a bite.
Serasie swallowed dryly upon realizing that her thumb and index finger had briefly brushed against Kalen’s lips.
Then, with exaggerated casualness,
“Oh… there’s juice on you.”
Serasie brought the finger that had touched Kalen’s lips to her own mouth.
She made sure Kalen noticed the action,
lightly licking the juice off her fingertip.
Thump, thump, thump, thump.
Her heart raced faster than before, but it was worth it.
Because from somewhere behind them,
Eliana stared at Serasie with icy eyes.
An expression that Kalen couldn’t see.
Serasie, noticing Eliana’s icy expression, slowly licked her own lips and smiled coolly.
