“Hey, Noel, wait a minute. Y-Your Excellency?”
“…!”
Aster pulled his hand back, which had stopped in the air, and frowned. He could catch her if he wanted to. However, if he puts her in the middle and makes a fuss, the attention on her that had barely calmed down will be focused once again.
Aster, who lowered his hand, clenched his fist. He wasn’t a hound but a loach. He couldn’t believe he was making a fuss about coming late.
The eyes of the nobles who had been intimidated by Aster began to revive again. Seeing that he turned a blind eye to Noel’s rudeness, they judged that he wouldn’t threaten them much.
“Ha.”
Aster, who laughed briefly, swept away his silver hair. The way he looked at the two was filled with irritation.
Genoyer, who was watching the scene, raised the corners of his mouth as if he were satisfied. On the other hand, Noel, who had wrapped her hand around Elusiana’s waist, was busy soothing her.
“Are you very angry?”
“…”
“Lusi.”
“…”
“I’m sorry for suddenly interrupting.”
“…”
“But I couldn’t give up on this.”
“Sigh.”
Noel’s body flinched at the sound of a sigh that came out unexpectedly.
“Noel.”
“Yes. Say it, Lusi.”
“Why did you lie?”
“…”
“I never said I would have my first dance with Noel. You never asked me in the first place. Isn’t that right?”
At her stinging gaze, Noel averted her gaze. Normally, he would have been able to easily get away from this, but for some reason, it wasn’t easy in front of her.
Noel, who sighed low, replied. “I’m sorry.”
“Do you know how to feel sorry?”
“I know, but… I have no regrets.”
“What kind of sophistry is that?”
Elusiana took Noel’s hand and spun it around, looking up at him with a puzzled expression. Noel, who had been quietly looking at her face, suddenly lowered his head.
“No-Noel?”
Noel leaned his forehead on Elusiana’s shoulder and let out a long sigh. “If I could turn back time, I would still do this, Lusi.”
Whatever I ask, I know you’d refuse. He hugged her waist tighter, which was held by his blatant hand.
“W-what is this, Noel? Let go of your hand. We’re now… t-too close!”
“I can’t give up.”
“Pardon?”
“I don’t want to lose you. I’m serious now.”
“…!”
Elusiana’s cheeks flared up. She couldn’t believe he said this in such a sly manner.
I-it’s not like she’s completely unfazed? She seemed a little shy.
Anyway!
“P-people are watching. Stay away!”
“What do you think about it? It’s not like they don’t know that I’m this kind of person. Ah, Lusi doesn’t like it?”
“That’s not what I’m saying!”
“If you don’t say that, just…lean on me. Feel comfortable. That will do.”
Elusiana took a deep breath without realizing it. She thought her heart would soon be caught beating fast.
Elusiana lightly pushed Noel’s shoulder. Noel, who fell more easily than she thought, smiled brightly at her.
“W-why are you smiling?”
“Because I feel good. Lusi, who blushed at me, was so pretty.”
“Are you crazy?”
“Yes. I think so. Really.”
Noel laughed pleasantly when he saw Elusiana’s face burning red.
“You must be really crazy.”
“You feel flustered, right?”
“Who said I feel flustered?”
“Then why are you avoiding my eyes? Why is your face so red?”
“Me…? When?”
Elusiana, who had been avoiding his gaze, looked at him proudly. Noel, who stopped right in front of her, smiled brighter than ever.
“I feel flustered. Because you’re so close to me.”
“…”
“It’s still the same now. Whenever I see Lusi, my heart starts beating wildly. Can’t you hear that? The sound of my heart beating wildly.”
“…”
“Hold tight, Lusi. I might need a little more strength from now on.”
“W-what? What do you mean?”
“Hold on tight like this.”
Noel pulled Elusiana’s waist tightly once again. Because of this, her cheek was pressed against her firm chest. But she couldn’t think about anything else as the tempo got faster and faster.
* * *
Elusiana, who had barely escaped the dancing crowd, sighed in relief. She was so shaken up that she didn’t even have the strength to stand properly. Wiping sweat off her forehead, she felt indignant for some reason at the sight of Noel looking fine, contrary to herself.
“Why is Noel so fine?”
“Lusi’s physical strength is weak.”
“Sigh. Are you making fun of me?”
“No. I’m worried.”
Noel giggled happily and carefully stretched out his hand. He brushed away the strands of hair sticking out to her forehead and smiled mischievously.
“What is it?”
“Your hair was messy. It looks neat now.”
“Leave it alone. I don’t care about it.”
“I know. That’s why I care.”
“…It’s my body, right?”
An exasperated Elusiana rolled her eyes. Noel took a step back and narrowed his eyes.
“Just tidy up your own hair.”
“Lusi should do that.”
“What kind of logic is that?”
“Well… give and take?”
Elusiana laughed as if she was dumbfounded. “Please stop talking nonsense and find a place to sit. I can’t do it because my legs are shaking.”
“Look, you’re really weak. How can I not care?”
“Ah, come on.”
“Yes, yes. I get it.”
Noel, who wrapped himself around Elusiana as if he were supporting her, finally turned his eyes around. There was a slight sense of disappointment on his face.
“Ah, I’m in trouble.”
“Why? What’s the big deal?”
Noel scratched his head in embarrassment. Elusiana raised her head along his gaze and freaked out.
“No, why…”
Everyone just looked at them without dancing. Elusiana’s head jerked and turned to Noel.
No way, is that… because of this man? Judging from the life-threatening gazes she felt, it seemed like what she just thought was the right answer. She went from the frying pan into the fire.
Aster and even Noel. Wouldn’t there be a rumor going around that she’s a witch who only picks out and bewitches handsome men?
Elusiana shook her head and smiled awkwardly, then remembered something. Right! His Excellency! W-where is he?
It was then. A low, dreary voice flew in as if it had waited.
“Did you enjoy it properly? Elusiana.”
Elusiana, who unknowingly shuddered, smiled awkwardly and turned her head toward the sound she heard.
“Your Excellency.”
“Come this way, Elusiana.”
He smoothly stretched out his hand. She needed to grab that hand, but her hand was already held tightly by another man and wouldn’t let go.
Excuse me, Noel? Can you please let go of my hand? She tried hard to shake off his hand, but his hand didn’t move for some reason. Accordingly, the Grand Duke’s eyes became cold for some reason.
Uh, um. This seems a bit dangerous…?
Elusiana’s eyes subtly turned toward Noel. Noel’s fine eyes, which were also smiling, had already hardened. Is this what they call natural enemies?
That ferocious gaze looks like it’s going to kill him. What should I do?
Elusiana lowered her head, unable to laugh or cry. No matter what they did, she hoped this would pass quickly.
These two. I know they don’t get along well, but can’t they leave me out of it?
Could it be that he guessed Elusiana’s inner thoughts? Aster muttered softly, holding tightly to Noel’s wrist, which was holding Elusiana’s wrist. “Would you please let go of my aide’s hand now? Lord Klaus.”
In addition, ironically, it was Camilla who rescued Elusiana from the situation. She stood next to Noel as if she had been there for a long time.
“Lord Noel, your playfulness still remains.”
The end of her soft tone stopped at Elusiana. It was a reference to Noel, who had been involved in numerous scandals, but the meaning was clear. She dismissed Elusiana as a woman he only met for fun.
Noel looked happily at the small hand that he was still holding, and his eyes naturally fell on the uninvited guest.
“Lardy Eragost.”
Camilla’s eyes glistened sensibly as Noel’s eyes turned to her. “You haven’t forgotten me yet, Lord Noel.”
“How can I forget the flowers of society? There are too many words about you that I can’t help but remember you, who are so beautiful and intelligent.”
Noel, who calmly conveyed that he did not remember because he wanted to remember, continued. “But it’s a little unfortunate.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think you haven’t realized yet that what you see isn’t everything.”
“…”
Camilla’s arm became slightly incontinent. What he meant was that what she said was wrong, so she should know it properly before speaking. As if to confirm this, Noel looked at Elusiana and smiled.
“Lady Elusiana is a very precious person to me. It’s not just a one-time relationship.”
Noel gently pulled Elusiana’s hand, which he had not let go of. Because of that, Aster’s hand came with him, but Noel didn’t care at all. He just kissed the back of her hand as if to show off.
“—It’s a relationship that will last for a long time.”
“Hey, Noel, wait a minute. Y-Your Excellency?”
“…!”
Aster pulled his hand back, which had stopped in the air, and frowned. He could catch her if he wanted to. However, if he puts her in the middle and makes a fuss, the attention on her that had barely calmed down will be focused once again.
Aster, who lowered his hand, clenched his fist. He wasn’t a hound but a loach. He couldn’t believe he was making a fuss about coming late.
The eyes of the nobles who had been intimidated by Aster began to revive again. Seeing that he turned a blind eye to Noel’s rudeness, they judged that he wouldn’t threaten them much.
“Ha.”
Aster, who laughed briefly, swept away his silver hair. The way he looked at the two was filled with irritation.
Genoyer, who was watching the scene, raised the corners of his mouth as if he were satisfied. On the other hand, Noel, who had wrapped her hand around Elusiana’s waist, was busy soothing her.
“Are you very angry?”
“…”
“Lusi.”
“…”
“I’m sorry for suddenly interrupting.”
“…”
“But I couldn’t give up on this.”
“Sigh.”
Noel’s body flinched at the sound of a sigh that came out unexpectedly.
“Noel.”
“Yes. Say it, Lusi.”
“Why did you lie?”
“…”
“I never said I would have my first dance with Noel. You never asked me in the first place. Isn’t that right?”
At her stinging gaze, Noel averted her gaze. Normally, he would have been able to easily get away from this, but for some reason, it wasn’t easy in front of her.
Noel, who sighed low, replied. “I’m sorry.”
“Do you know how to feel sorry?”
“I know, but… I have no regrets.”
“What kind of sophistry is that?”
Elusiana took Noel’s hand and spun it around, looking up at him with a puzzled expression. Noel, who had been quietly looking at her face, suddenly lowered his head.
“No-Noel?”
Noel leaned his forehead on Elusiana’s shoulder and let out a long sigh. “If I could turn back time, I would still do this, Lusi.”
Whatever I ask, I know you’d refuse. He hugged her waist tighter, which was held by his blatant hand.
“W-what is this, Noel? Let go of your hand. We’re now… t-too close!”
“I can’t give up.”
“Pardon?”
“I don’t want to lose you. I’m serious now.”
“…!”
Elusiana’s cheeks flared up. She couldn’t believe he said this in such a sly manner.
I-it’s not like she’s completely unfazed? She seemed a little shy.
Anyway!
“P-people are watching. Stay away!”
“What do you think about it? It’s not like they don’t know that I’m this kind of person. Ah, Lusi doesn’t like it?”
“That’s not what I’m saying!”
“If you don’t say that, just…lean on me. Feel comfortable. That will do.”
Elusiana took a deep breath without realizing it. She thought her heart would soon be caught beating fast.
Elusiana lightly pushed Noel’s shoulder. Noel, who fell more easily than she thought, smiled brightly at her.
“W-why are you smiling?”
“Because I feel good. Lusi, who blushed at me, was so pretty.”
“Are you crazy?”
“Yes. I think so. Really.”
Noel laughed pleasantly when he saw Elusiana’s face burning red.
“You must be really crazy.”
“You feel flustered, right?”
“Who said I feel flustered?”
“Then why are you avoiding my eyes? Why is your face so red?”
“Me…? When?”
Elusiana, who had been avoiding his gaze, looked at him proudly. Noel, who stopped right in front of her, smiled brighter than ever.
“I feel flustered. Because you’re so close to me.”
“…”
“It’s still the same now. Whenever I see Lusi, my heart starts beating wildly. Can’t you hear that? The sound of my heart beating wildly.”
“…”
“Hold tight, Lusi. I might need a little more strength from now on.”
“W-what? What do you mean?”
“Hold on tight like this.”
Noel pulled Elusiana’s waist tightly once again. Because of this, her cheek was pressed against her firm chest. But she couldn’t think about anything else as the tempo got faster and faster.
* * *
Elusiana, who had barely escaped the dancing crowd, sighed in relief. She was so shaken up that she didn’t even have the strength to stand properly. Wiping sweat off her forehead, she felt indignant for some reason at the sight of Noel looking fine, contrary to herself.
“Why is Noel so fine?”
“Lusi’s physical strength is weak.”
“Sigh. Are you making fun of me?”
“No. I’m worried.”
Noel giggled happily and carefully stretched out his hand. He brushed away the strands of hair sticking out to her forehead and smiled mischievously.
“What is it?”
“Your hair was messy. It looks neat now.”
“Leave it alone. I don’t care about it.”
“I know. That’s why I care.”
“…It’s my body, right?”
An exasperated Elusiana rolled her eyes. Noel took a step back and narrowed his eyes.
“Just tidy up your own hair.”
“Lusi should do that.”
“What kind of logic is that?”
“Well… give and take?”
Elusiana laughed as if she was dumbfounded. “Please stop talking nonsense and find a place to sit. I can’t do it because my legs are shaking.”
“Look, you’re really weak. How can I not care?”
“Ah, come on.”
“Yes, yes. I get it.”
Noel, who wrapped himself around Elusiana as if he were supporting her, finally turned his eyes around. There was a slight sense of disappointment on his face.
“Ah, I’m in trouble.”
“Why? What’s the big deal?”
Noel scratched his head in embarrassment. Elusiana raised her head along his gaze and freaked out.
“No, why…”
Everyone just looked at them without dancing. Elusiana’s head jerked and turned to Noel.
No way, is that… because of this man? Judging from the life-threatening gazes she felt, it seemed like what she just thought was the right answer. She went from the frying pan into the fire.
Aster and even Noel. Wouldn’t there be a rumor going around that she’s a witch who only picks out and bewitches handsome men?
Elusiana shook her head and smiled awkwardly, then remembered something. Right! His Excellency! W-where is he?
It was then. A low, dreary voice flew in as if it had waited.
“Did you enjoy it properly? Elusiana.”
Elusiana, who unknowingly shuddered, smiled awkwardly and turned her head toward the sound she heard.
“Your Excellency.”
“Come this way, Elusiana.”
He smoothly stretched out his hand. She needed to grab that hand, but her hand was already held tightly by another man and wouldn’t let go.
Excuse me, Noel? Can you please let go of my hand? She tried hard to shake off his hand, but his hand didn’t move for some reason. Accordingly, the Grand Duke’s eyes became cold for some reason.
Uh, um. This seems a bit dangerous…?
Elusiana’s eyes subtly turned toward Noel. Noel’s fine eyes, which were also smiling, had already hardened. Is this what they call natural enemies?
That ferocious gaze looks like it’s going to kill him. What should I do?
Elusiana lowered her head, unable to laugh or cry. No matter what they did, she hoped this would pass quickly.
These two. I know they don’t get along well, but can’t they leave me out of it?
Could it be that he guessed Elusiana’s inner thoughts? Aster muttered softly, holding tightly to Noel’s wrist, which was holding Elusiana’s wrist. “Would you please let go of my aide’s hand now? Lord Klaus.”
In addition, ironically, it was Camilla who rescued Elusiana from the situation. She stood next to Noel as if she had been there for a long time.
“Lord Noel, your playfulness still remains.”
The end of her soft tone stopped at Elusiana. It was a reference to Noel, who had been involved in numerous scandals, but the meaning was clear. She dismissed Elusiana as a woman he only met for fun.
Noel looked happily at the small hand that he was still holding, and his eyes naturally fell on the uninvited guest.
“Lardy Eragost.”
Camilla’s eyes glistened sensibly as Noel’s eyes turned to her. “You haven’t forgotten me yet, Lord Noel.”
“How can I forget the flowers of society? There are too many words about you that I can’t help but remember you, who are so beautiful and intelligent.”
Noel, who calmly conveyed that he did not remember because he wanted to remember, continued. “But it’s a little unfortunate.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think you haven’t realized yet that what you see isn’t everything.”
“…”
Camilla’s arm became slightly incontinent. What he meant was that what she said was wrong, so she should know it properly before speaking. As if to confirm this, Noel looked at Elusiana and smiled.
“Lady Elusiana is a very precious person to me. It’s not just a one-time relationship.”
Noel gently pulled Elusiana’s hand, which he had not let go of. Because of that, Aster’s hand came with him, but Noel didn’t care at all. He just kissed the back of her hand as if to show off.
“—It’s a relationship that will last for a long time.”
