"Having ideas is good, but some things are best left as thoughts—not said out loud."
Shichen had Crusch's chin tipped up, his upper body leaning in until their faces nearly touched; only a finger's width of air separated their noses. Crusch could feel his breath on her skin. At such intimate distance she didn't grow shy—she froze. The pressure rolling off him pinned her in place.
It felt like she was standing before several inconceivable, crushing auras at once.
Something holy, something pure, something abyssal, something dense and sovereign—an ineffable, ancient majesty, as if she were in another realm under the weight of time. At the core of it, it was like a host of vast, roaring beasts staring her down, pressing until she couldn't breathe.
"Shichen, you—"
"Relax. I'm not going to do anything to you. But put that notion out of your head." He smiled at the stunned Crusch, released her chin, and sat back down.
"Hah—"
The oppressive presence vanished. Crusch exhaled without meaning to. A moment ago she'd thought she might actually die.
So this… is the true terror of this man?
No wonder he'd called that earlier trick "a little parlor game." Compared to what she'd just felt, it wasn't even the same category. And that was without hostility—only a diffuse edge. In the throne hall there had been a hint of hostility; this was merely pressure, and it made resistance impossible.
Of course… she wanted it.
She'd been willing to promise Wilhelm's aid in slaying the perilous White Whale; for a force like Shichen's she'd promise anything. If she meant to reform this country, his power was indispensable. With it, anything seemed possible.
Without it, nothing was.
The logic was simple: she and Emilia were rivals. If she couldn't win Shichen's strength, she would end up his enemy—and against that, her chances looked bleak.
Now she understood why Beatrice had said she would become Shichen's woman—rather than Shichen becoming hers.
"Then why are you willing to be Emilia's knight?" Crusch drew a steadying breath, keeping her voice even.
"Is there a problem with that?" Shichen smiled, lifting his glass.
The wine was rich and smooth—more like a nourishing tonic than drink.
"You don't seem like someone who'll serve anyone. So why be Emilia's knight?"
"Those two ideas aren't mutually exclusive."
"How so?"
"Being Emilia's knight doesn't make me her servant. I'm her pillar—support and shield. Emilia and I aren't master and subordinate."
"I see," Crusch murmured.
"In this world, there's no one I'd serve," Shichen said, with unhidden pride.
"I understand… but we could have that kind of relationship too."
"No."
"Why?"
"Did you forget why I became Emilia's knight?"
"Because… you like her."
Crusch didn't fully understand love—she'd never experienced it—but she knew people who loved would do anything for the one they loved.
"But you said I'm very… appealing too. Doesn't that mean—"
Shichen raised a hand, stopping her.
"You are very appealing. But not like Emilia. I fell for her first."
"Fell first… If we met first, then—"
"No need to chase hypotheticals. What you do want—is it for me to fall for you?" He studied her.
"Yes. I want to be your partner." Crusch nodded, solemn.
"Why? We've only just met. Don't tell me this is because of what Beatrice said."
"That might be part of it. But I've realized you're the best match for me."
"Even though my heart holds someone else?"
"It doesn't matter. I won't try to limit your affections. Even if there are other women—"
Shichen chuckled.
"What are you laughing at?"
"You're mistaken again."
"About what?"
"It isn't that you would limit my feelings. It's that my feelings aren't something anyone can limit. Who I like isn't for others to decide."
"I…" Crusch opened her mouth and found no rebuttal.
"Good wine," Shichen said, draining his glass and rising. "Invite me again sometime."
"And if you want me to like you—make yourself more dazzling."
With that, he left.
Crusch stayed seated, watching his figure recede.
"More… dazzling?" she whispered.
She understood what he meant: he didn't dislike her—but as she was now, it wasn't enough to make him fall. She needed to become more magnetic.
She smiled despite herself.
It wasn't as if she'd fallen for him. If she was to shine brighter, then he would have to show more of that overwhelming strength, too.
"Oh~ Crusch-sama, you look awfully pleased," came Felix's voice, fresh from his bath.
"Perfect timing, Felix. Have a drink with me."
"Of course! But you do look very happy." Felix sat where Shichen had been.
"You can tell?" Crusch poured, lips still curved.
"Your smile won't quit. Because you shared a drink with Shichen?"
"Something like that."
"Ah! I'm jealous—drinking with me never put you in that good a mood!"
"Hehe… is that so?"
"It is!"
"Then will you still drink with me?"
"…I will."
The next morning, after breakfast, Emilia sought Crusch out for counsel—Crusch agreed gladly.
Shichen didn't tattle about Crusch trying to poach him; no need—there was no poaching to be done. He didn't disrupt their talk, either; he whiled away the time with Rem and the girls.
Two more days passed like this. On the following morning, Shichen planned to take Emilia into the capital.
"Shichen, when are we going back?" Emilia asked as they walked.
"Tired of it already?"
"No, it's just… we've been imposing on Crusch for so long…"
"Oh, I see—use her and toss her aside, huh?" he teased.
"Stop it. You know that's not what I meant." Emilia scolded.
"Alright, alright. Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" she blinked.
"Mm. Settle things today and we won't need to stay in the capital."
"Settle… what? What are you planning?"
"The royal selection's begun. Don't you want to see how the people feel about it?"
"So that's why you've kept us at Crusch's?" Emilia realized.
"Not only that," Shichen shook his head.
"Then—?"
"You'll know soon. But are you sure you want to go like that?" he asked, looking her over.
Today Emilia wore only her white dress—simple and pure—without the identification-warding cloak.
"I'm fine like this." She smiled and nodded.
"Not afraid?"
"I have to face it eventually… and besides, so long as you like how I look," she said, smile sweet as sugar.
"In that case… come on. We're going to do something big." He took her hand.
"Something big?" Emilia let him, already used to it.
"Don't be scared when it happens~" Shichen winked.
"I won't."
"Why not?"
"Because… you'll be with me," she said, as if it were obvious.
"So reliant on me? Sounds like I can't leave your side, then."
"C-can you? You really won't leave me?" She brightened.
"I'll be at your side—always."
"Shichen…" Emilia squeezed his hand.