“Episode 24”
“Wow, thankfully he doesn’t look completely like my Strike Zone face….”
If he did, I might have been over Helene by now, just repeating foolishness by switching my fangirling target.
And to think, all his actions stemmed from my silly words! I wanted to grab my past self and shake some sense into her. How did I end up unintentionally planning an idol?
Going on an idol survival show and becoming a center figure within two seconds of the ending had quite an impact.
Wait, why does Joshua hang onto every word like a child…?
Lost in thought, Joshua broke into a smooth laugh again.
“Sorry, I teased you too much. It’s just that you’re strangely endearing.”
“Well…”
I felt like I wanted to pull the blanket over my head. Unable to speak, I just mumbled, and Joshua grabbed my hand, gently kissing my knuckles and whispering, “Don’t worry, you didn’t say anything weird.”
That’s the typical Muggle response.
I didn’t know whether to be sad or not, so I just smiled, trying to brush off the situation.
—
“You’re late, Alicia.”
As soon as we arrived at the townhouse, I faced an unpleasant guest. Well, it was an expected guest, but still.
Joshua had intentionally stayed to play until late evening.
“He probably had his own schedule, but he played along so carefreely…”
Of course, when I expressed concern, Joshua was very pleased and replied,
“Well, since you decided to use me, I might as well give it my all.”
He acted as if he had walked the straight and narrow path all his life – well, he mostly did, except for a few escapades unknown to others – and now, for the first time, he was eagerly planning mischief like a bad person.
Well, we’re planning something fun, at least.
Seeing Lucas Madelike, who had rushed here in barely concealed anger, was quite a sight. Normally, he would have barged into the bedroom, but today, he was seated in the parlor, perhaps having been firmly restrained by Gerald.
Or maybe he was disappointed and couldn’t do as he pleased.
“It’s not that late, Your Highness.”
I retorted sarcastically, handing him my coat and hat.
Upon that, Lucas rose from his seat as expected and approached me, wearing a very soft expression.
“What’s wrong, Alicia? Are you still upset about yesterday?”
I shivered.
I didn’t expect to have such thoughts when I looked at his face. I used to be fooled even though I knew, but now that I have no reason to be fooled, his intentions are so obvious that it’s upsetting.
“Was I upset about something, Your Highness? It was just a trivial misunderstanding.”
“I did!”
At my words, Lucas urgently exclaimed.
He always stuttered when he was stuck.
Then he would usually cry, get angry, beg, or plead.
“I didn’t ask you for a second dance?”
“Uh?”
What nonsense is this?
“I had my reasons. Oh, yes, I did reject all your invitations to meet recently. But Alicia…”
Lucas moved closer and tried to hold my hand.
When I brushed his hand away, I could see anger rising in Lucas’s golden eyes, and he tried hard to suppress it, as if trying to slow down the surging anger.
“I relied on you too much. It was too pathetic… I’m Luca Delic, the hero… And I’m also a prince…!”
Wow, what great confidence.
I clapped inside.
I realized how bad my taste was when I saw it again.
Thanks to him, even the lingering emotions were swept away like residue.
“You know that, Your Highness. So you should just keep trying your best in the future.”
“Alicia! Why are you still like this, so cold!”
When I realized that he was going to order the musicians to play again, Lucas hurriedly grabbed my arm.
“Why, Alicia, why? Why don’t you listen to me?”
“It’s not a misunderstanding. I just saw the actions you’ve shown me so far.”
“Joshua’s fault?”
“Ne?” Lucas opened his eyes fiercely. In his expression, a surge of injustice and anger mingled together. “Don’t believe that bastard’s words, I told you! That bastard is the son of that damned Anita, a highborn bitch! He’s deceitful! He’s a bastard!”
Lucas grabbed my shoulder again. “Alicia, you mustn’t betray me! Why would you believe him? Do you believe him?!”
“It has nothing to do with Prince Joshua, let go. Your Highness!” I shouted, trying to push him away, but Lucas, being skilled with a sword, held me with a brute force.
“Speak, Alicia. Speak now! Promise to be my special childhood friend again. Yes?”
Lucas’s golden eyes were half-crazed. “I allow it! It’s just because I didn’t propose to you, right?! Then just wait a little longer!”
“No, such a thing is not necessary!”
“I’ll officially announce it. We’re engaged…! With Joshua, it was just a momentary jealousy, a mere act, right?”
I don’t need such a thing!
Should I just push him away with the power of spirits?
Is Prince Joshua about to witness an unbridled bloodbath?
“Alicia, answer me! Say you’ll do it!”
Oh, really irritating!
As my anger surged, at the moment I was about to summon the spirits…
Bang!
The sound of the parlor door being violently opened as if it would fall echoed.
“What is this, dare to barge in!”
As Lucas angrily held onto me, I couldn’t help but gasp when I saw the person who entered.
“What are you doing now?”
It felt like the Demon King had descended.
A formidable person who was like an older brother.
Chapter 5: A New Phase
