Chapter 75
Since being forcibly brought to this place, there had been several times when Noctis dreamed of escaping the estate. But if he ran away, there was no telling how his mother, who would remain behind, would be treated.
He cared for his mother, but the resentment he felt toward her was just as strong, so there were times he wanted to act without thinking and pretend not to know. Still, he endured.
As time passed like that, he became accustomed to living only within the estate. Perhaps he had been afraid. This place was his entire world, and if he were to see with his own eyes that there was another world beyond it…
He was afraid he would realize that he was truly trapped here.
That was why Lucian’s proposal was not entirely welcome.
“But if it’s pity from you… it might not be so bad.”
And watching Lucian’s jealous expression was not bad either. No, it was rather satisfying. He, who had always lived as Lucian’s substitute, would now go out in the opposite position.
“Ha, this is all thanks to you, Ella.”
Of course, it was not that he was ungrateful to Lucian. Of all the people he had met in his life, Lucian was the most upright and fair.
“…You probably started out of pity too.”
The irony that the only two people who were now his family had once pitied him was absurd, yet it did not feel unpleasant. He was not foolish enough, nor so lacking in desire for freedom, that he would throw away an opportunity that had come to him on its own.
“Even if it’s pity, that’s fine. The more you feel like you need to give me more, the less likely I am to lose my place.”
He would prove it. That the three of them, rather than two, could become something even more complete.
* * *
Only after resting for two full days was Elaria able to go to the festival with Noctis. She dressed more lightly than usual. She wore a light brown dress with a cream tone and finished the look with a cream-colored bonnet.
Amanda, who had been helping her get ready, checked her shoes one last time and asked,
“Are the shoes uncomfortable, Madam?”
“Hmm… should I change to a lower heel?”
“Since you’ll be walking on the streets, it would be better to switch to something lower with good cushioning.”
While Amanda went to bring a new pair, a knock sounded. The visitor did not wait for a reply and opened the door right away.
“Ella.”
Noctis entered with a bright smile. He, too, was wearing a suit without formal styling. His red eyes, altered by lenses, seemed brighter than usual.
“…You feel unfamiliar somehow.”
She looked up at him, who was wearing his bangs down naturally.
“It’s not like you’ve never seen it before. Hmm… does it look strange?”
He asked while absentmindedly brushing his bangs back.
“That’s not it…”
After checking where Amanda was, she beckoned him with a small gesture. Noctis bent down with a puzzled expression. She curled her hand around his ear and whispered softly,
“I feel like I’m meeting the real you, Noct.”
“……”
He froze in place, still bent over. The unexpected remark seemed to stop his thoughts entirely. When he barely moved his eyes to look at her from the side, Elaria let out a clear laugh and added,
“Nice to meet you, Noctis.”
“…Haah.”
He let out a long sigh, feeling like giving up the outing altogether. Just then, Amanda returned with the new shoes.
“Madam, I think these will be better.”
“Yes, they’re definitely more comfortable. Thank you, Amanda.”
“You’re very welcome!”
While she changed her shoes, he began to feel strangely warm, so he removed his cream-colored jacket and paced briefly to cool himself. When that was not enough, he took off his cufflinks and rolled up his shirt sleeves.
“Shall we go?”
Wearing a light green shirt and a beige vest, he turned his head at her voice. Noctis felt his chest tighten.
It was not simply because this was his first outing since coming to the Karserion Empire. The woman he had chosen had recognized his true self, and the thought of showing the world the two of them together filled him with emotion.
Today, Lucian was excluded, and he would be able to spend time alone with Elaria.
“…What is it? Did you forget something?”
Filled with a feeling he could not quite describe, he looked down at her as she tilted her head in confusion, then gave a smile that came from the heart.
The crescent curve of his eyes was deeply charming. Because Noctis was smiling with the innocence of a boy, she found herself momentarily at a loss for words. It looked completely different from his usual teasing smile or the gentle expressions he sometimes put on.
“Let’s go, Ella.”
Instead of offering his arm formally as an escort, he bent and opened it so she could link arms with him. She stared at his arm for a moment, then carefully slipped her own into it.
Linking arms with him like commoners, she felt awkward for a brief moment. But after seeing Noctis’s pleased expression again, she turned her gaze forward.
It was a very good feeling for the start of a date.
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