Chapter 298: Day After Day
“E-E-Elizalina-sama!?”
I did meet Elizalina-sama yesterday, and she even spoke to me about an engagement.
But even so, there’s no way I could suddenly get used to speaking with Elizalina-sama, the second princess of this country.
And two days in a row, no less.
On top of that, I hadn’t expected Elizalina-sama to come see me today.
So just seeing her standing there made me cry out in surprise without thinking.
Elizalina-sama then spread her arms with a bright smile and said,
“That’s right! Were you doubly surprised, from me popping out and from me suddenly showing up?”
“I really was surprised! I don’t mind you coming to the mansion, but being startled like that is truly shocking, so I’d appreciate it if you could refrain from doing that in the future!!”
“If Lux says so, I’d like to, but after seeing such a cute reaction, it kind of makes me want to do it again~”
“Eh!?”
As I was even more startled by those words…
“Just kidding, just kidding!”
Elizalina-sama said that while laughing happily.
She still had that very cheerful atmosphere about her… but.
The fact that Elizalina-sama had gone out of her way to come all the way to my mansion had to mean something.
As I thought about that while looking at her cheerful smile, considering what had happened yesterday.
I arrived at a single answer, and to confirm whether it was correct, I asked her,
“Um… Elizalina-sama, did you come here today, perhaps to hear my reply to the engagement you mentioned yesterday?”
If that were the case, I truly felt sorry since I still hadn’t come to an answer.
But when I asked, Elizalina-sama shook her head.
“Nope! Not at all! Even I understand that after being asked about an engagement by a princess, there’s no way you could sort out your feelings by the very next day.”
“Elizalina-sama…”
I felt warmth from her kind words.
She continued.
“And like I said yesterday, I don’t want you to respond out of concern for the country or because I’m a princess. I want you to return my love with your genuine feelings… so I won’t rush you for an answer.”
“…You’re right. I’m sorry, it’s not that I didn’t understand what you meant yesterday, but…”
When I apologized for misunderstanding, Elizalina-sama leaned forward slightly and said,
“You don’t have to apologize! After what happened yesterday, it’s only natural you’d get the wrong idea if I suddenly showed up!”
“…Thank you very much.”
As I expressed my gratitude for her endless kindness…
Elizalina-sama straightened up and gave me a gentle smile.
…I understood that she hadn’t come today to hear my answer.
But…
“If that’s the case, why did you go out of your way to come to my mansion…?”
Since the reason was still a mystery, I asked.
“That’s because, of course…”
Saying that, Elizalina-sama stepped closer to me.
Then she whispered in a sweet voice right by my ear,
“Because I like you so much that I want to get engaged to you, Lux. Or is it wrong to come see the boy you love enough to want to marry?”
“! N-No, it’s not… I don’t think it’s wrong…”
Being called the boy she loved made me stumble over my words, but I managed to answer.
Elizalina-sama then said gently,
“I’m glad to hear you say that.”
“…”
Elizalina-sama’s face was so close…!
And she smelled nice, and her sweet voice was still echoing in my head…
“Hm? Lux, your ears are red. If you have a fever, you need to rest… would it be alright if I check your condition for a moment?”
Saying that, Elizalina-sama reached for the buttons of my noble outfit.