Side Story 1 – Chapter 7

 

* * *

 

“Miss.”

“Uh, huh?”

“By any chance, could I see you for a moment after the banquet?”

“See you……?”

“His Highness August has lent us an empty reception room.”

The word “empty” sent a wave of confusion crashing over Loretta’s mind.

Evan had always avoided being alone with her, no matter the circumstance.

Yet here he was, suggesting they meet in an “empty” reception room…….

“I’m fine with it, but why? Who are we…… meeting there?”

“Absolutely not! I made sure no one else would be allowed inside.”

What?! At this point, Loretta wanted to scream. What was Evan planning to do in a reception room where “no one else would be allowed inside”?

All sorts of romantic scenes she had read in countless novels flashed through her mind.

But she quickly shook her head.

‘I just decided to stop getting my hopes up a few minutes ago, and already……!’

Oblivious to Loretta’s inner turmoil, Evan uttered the final blow that made her heart skip a beat.

“And there…… I have something I want to tell you, Miss.”

 

* * *

 

Time flew by, and the indoor banquet had moved to the point where the bride and groom were about to retire for the night.

August and Mindy received a “progress report” from Loretta.

“……Prove to me that today isn’t a dream.”

Loretta, with a slightly dazed look on her face, perfectly described the current situation as if she were in a trance.

It was an expression Loretta would never normally show, so the newlyweds giggled, exchanging glances.

“It seems Lady Loretta was quite satisfied with our gift.”

“Oh my, Your Highness. Did you just call me Lady?”

Mindy faltered for a moment at Loretta’s pointed question.

“Well, old habits die hard. Titles are so hard to remember, and all the etiquette is so complicated…….”

“You shouldn’t respond like that to someone being rude, Mindy.”

Loretta wrapped her arm around the waist of the princess, who was slouching in embarrassment. Mindy straightened her posture.

“It’s fine even if you make mistakes with these simple formalities.”

“……What?”

Mindy’s eyes widened in surprise. All the women August had introduced to her emphasized that ‘If you don’t know etiquette, you’ll be looked down upon.’

“Just like I did a moment ago, if someone tries to point out your mistakes, simply smile and say ‘Yes, you’re right. I was wrong.'”

“Really?”

“If you’re confident in your position, no one will dare to treat you poorly. Understand?”

Mindy nodded slowly, and Loretta pulled her into a hug.

“Congratulations on your marriage, my friend. I wish you happiness.”

“Thank you. Loretta…… I hope things work out well between you and Evan too.”

“……Ugh.”

Loretta groaned, stepping back.

“Evan has been so kind today that I keep getting my hopes up. Why do I fall for it every single time?”

“That’s simple.”

Mindy’s tone was full of conviction.

“Magician Evan truly likes Loretta.”

“…….”

“Otherwise, why would he look at you with such a lovestruck gaze? Anyone who was here today would think you two were already an item.”

A lovestruck gaze?

Loretta tried to recall Evan’s gaze upon her, but she couldn’t sense any sweetness in it.

His eyes seemed no different from usual.

“But Evan has always made it quite clear that he’s not romantically interested in me.”

“Maybe he’s changing his mind today.”

“Really?”

“I’m sure of it. Why don’t you find out for yourself right now?”

With those words, Mindy, wearing a meaningful smile, quickly dragged August away.

‘Find out……? What?’

As she watched Mindy and August disappear into the crowd, a slightly out-of-breath Evan approached her.

“There you are, Miss.”

“Evan.”

Loretta looked up at him in surprise. He was panting, his shoulders heaving up and down as if he had just run across the entire banquet hall.

“I was worried. You weren’t there when I brought you a drink.”

“Sorry, August and Mindy pulled me over here.”

“It’s fine.”

Evan quickly grabbed Loretta’s hand and sighed in relief.

“As long as you’re alright.”

“…….”

“I was really worried. Please don’t go anywhere I can’t see you…… Of, of course, I don’t mean to restrict your actions, Miss.”

Seeing Evan flustered was quite adorable, so Loretta couldn’t help but laugh.

“Hehehe.”

“I’m, I’m serious. I apologize if I overstepped my boundaries, Miss…….”

“It’s fine. I think you have that right, Evan.”

Loretta gently took his other hand.

“You’re trying to protect me, right?”

“……Yes.”

“So it’s okay to tell me to stay by your side.”

“Please stay by my side, Miss. I feel anxious otherwise.”

Loretta remembered Mindy’s words. That Evan might be changing his mind about her.

‘Could it be true?’

Loretta decided to test Mindy’s theory, albeit indirectly.

“You know.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Would you… dance with me?”

Loretta felt her shoulders involuntarily slump.

She had asked him the same thing countless times before. But he had never agreed to dance with her.

Considering how much he disliked even holding hands, it was impossible for him to dance with her.

“…….”

Evan remained silent for a moment.

Loretta sighed softly. She had hoped that today might be different, but it seemed she was mistaken.

“If you… don’t want to, you don’t have to force yourself……”

“Absolutely not. I would never dislike that.”

“You… don’t?”

“How could I ever dislike anything about you, Miss? It’s just that my skills are… very lacking.”

In that instant, it felt as if fireworks were exploding in Loretta’s mind.

‘Oh my God, Mindy was right!’

Loretta wanted to throw her arms around Evan and hug him tightly.

But she knew that would only scare him away, so she desperately held onto her composure.

They had a “private” meeting planned at an “important” location tonight. All the truth would be revealed then.

Loretta prayed for time to pass quickly. And at the same time, for this joyous moment to last forever.

 

* * *

 

“Miss, wait for a moment.”

As the evening banquet began and the number of guests increased, Evan whispered into Loretta’s ear.

“……Okay.”

She nodded slightly, and he gently led her behind a nearby pillar.

In the dim shadow cast by the pillar, he gave an awkward smile.

“Someone might see us… It would be… troublesome for you, Miss.”

Of course, Loretta wouldn’t be troubled even if someone saw them meeting secretly. But she was touched by his consideration for her reputation, so she nodded.

“If we go this way, no one will see us.”

It seemed Evan had planned out their route beforehand.

He pulled back a thick curtain hanging near the pillar, revealing a small side door used by the servants. It led to a hallway connected to the banquet hall.

In the deserted hallway, Evan carefully let go of Loretta’s hand.

“It’s not far, so please follow me this way… Ah, Miss?”

He flinched and stepped back when Loretta took his hand again.

“Is it… not okay to hold hands?”

Loretta asked, stepping closer.

Evan gulped nervously.

“From here onward…”

He explained in a trembling voice.

“There are no mana stones, so it’ll be… fine for you. I’ll… I’ll let go of your hand now.”

He tried to pull his hand away, but Loretta stubbornly held on with both hands.

“……No.”

“Miss.”

She shook her head furiously at his pleading tone.

“We were holding hands all day. Why are you suddenly……!”

“That was because the banquet hall was filled with mana stones. Otherwise, I… I wouldn’t have the chance to stand by your side, Miss.”

Loretta looked at him with pleading eyes.

“Even if I…… want it, is it not okay?”