"Shichen, is it really okay for us to leave like this?"
"What? Already missing those people?"
"Hey, don't say it like that… I just mean, if we up and disappear, they'll…"
"Relax. This is enough."
"…All right. I trust you… Wait—how did we end up back at Crusch's estate?"
Emilia only then realized they were already standing in the manor's courtyard. No one else was around, but traces of recent activity were obvious—Crusch must have been practicing swordplay not long ago.
"I come back when I want to," Shichen said, not bothering to explain.
"I get it—you're amazing, okay?" Emilia shot him a playful glare.
"Heh. Anyway, the job's done. Pack up—we're heading back first thing tomorrow."
"Wait."
Shichen had just turned toward the house when Emilia grabbed his sleeve.
"What is it?" He looked back at her, puzzled.
"I…"
Emilia suddenly grew fidgety, her fair cheeks flushing pink—purely adorable.
"Hm?" He blinked at her expression.
"Could I… ask you for something?" Emilia took a breath, face turning solemn.
"A favor? You still need to ask me? What is it? I'll agree to anything."
"You spoil me too much! What if I ask for something bad?"
"Doesn't matter. Good or bad, I'll grant it. Besides, you're not the type to ask for anything bad."
"You never know~"
"Even if you were 'bad,' I'd still like you. A naughty Emilia would be even cuter," he said breezily.
"Honestly, what am I in your eyes?"
"The embodiment of the word 'cute.' So—what do you want me to do?"
"Could I… hug you?" she asked in a tiny voice.
"Hug me?" He looked at her in surprise.
"…Mm." She looked down, still blushing.
"Why do you want to?"
"I don't know… I just want to," she murmured.
"I see."
"Is… is that okay?"
"What do you think?" he countered.
"Eh?"
When she looked up in confusion, she found his arms already open, waiting for her.
So she stopped holding back—one small step, one big step, then she flew into his arms.
Shichen laughed and caught her easily, wrapping her up.
Her figure was slender, but with the way she threw herself into him, he felt the soft press of her chest against him, slowly sliding down. Not large—but promising.
"Shichen…" With her cheek resting against his chest, Emilia closed her eyes and breathed the words. Held by him—and holding him—she felt grounded in an instant. A sense of safety like never before wrapped around her: warm and broad.
She'd only meant to hug him for a second, but now she didn't want to let go. She wanted to stay like this longer.
Shichen, of course, said nothing, gently holding her without making any other move.
After a long while, Emilia came back to herself and, embarrassed, slipped from his arms.
"Sorry… I think I held on a bit too long."
"What does that matter? If anything, it wasn't long enough," he said with a smile.
"Is that really…" she teased, unable to stop grinning.
"If you ever want to, my arms are always here when you need them," Shichen said.
"R-really?" Emilia asked, thrilled.
"Of course. I want to hold you, too."
"You do? Why?"
"Do I need a reason to want to hold you? What's your reason for wanting to hold me?"
"Um… I just want to."
"Exactly. Same here."
"I see~"
"Oh—and no hugging anybody else," he warned.
"Obviously. I'm not that kind of girl," she huffed.
"Oh? So that means you've decided on me, then?"
"Decided… on what?" Emilia blinked in confusion.
"…Nothing." He twitched a smile. She understood she shouldn't hug just anyone, but hadn't realized why hugging him was okay. Forget it—she was pure and unworldly; some things needed to be taught. It wasn't so bad simply enjoying the sincere gestures from her heart.
They returned to their rooms to pack. There wasn't much to do.
Soon it was lunchtime.
After they ate, Shichen told Crusch they'd be leaving in the morning. Crusch wasn't keen on seeing him go, but she was too busy to find a reason to keep him.
Shichen didn't care for her reluctance; he just asked her to notify him if there was any news of the White Whale and began preparing to leave.
That afternoon, word of what Shichen and Emilia had done in the capital reached Crusch's ears.
"I wouldn't have thought of that…" Crusch sighed in admiration.
"It's not some earth-shattering trick."
"No—only you could pull it off." She'd heard quite a few details—including that the crowd had been unable to move. Locking an entire crowd in place to make them confront something head-on… firsthand experience always outweighs hearsay. But keeping so many in place without obvious force—she couldn't think of anyone else who could do that.
"Just a small technique," Shichen said modestly.
"Shichen, you really are remarkable." Crusch looked at him with visible hunger in her eyes. The woman's covetous heart was getting stronger—maybe because she'd clarified what she wanted.
"Come to think of it," Shichen said, hugging Est, "there's something else."
He and the two little spirits had been playing gomoku in his room when Crusch arrived with the news. Rem wasn't there—she was in the kitchen making an apple pie. If she had been, she might have tried something bold right in front of Crusch. Her hostility toward the duchess was getting intense.
"What is it?" Crusch asked.
"Given the way you're acting toward me now, I recall there's a… restriction during the royal selection, isn't there?"
It had been formally decided that during the king-selection period before the covenant renewal, candidates were forbidden to marry—to prevent strengthening factions through marriage. All five candidates were currently single; Priscilla was a special case.
"No, it's only that we can't marry. There's no rule that says we can't date," Crusch shook her head.
"Date, huh. But I can't exactly date multiple people at once, right?"
"You can't?" Crusch asked blankly.
"I'd get crucified…" Though, personally, he didn't mind.
"In that case, it is troublesome."
"Troublesome? You never considered it might not work out?"
"No. I trust Beatrice-sama's words," Crusch said firmly.
"Beatrice—this is your fault," Shichen said, shooting her a sidelong look.
"I only stated the truth," Beatrice refused to admit fault.
"So it is true?" Crusch's conviction only strengthened.
"…" Shichen could only shake his head.
"By the way, Crusch, a word of advice," Beatrice said suddenly.
"What is it, Beatrice-sama?"
"You may not be his woman yet, but let me tell you this—he's very possessive."
"Possessive?"
"You still don't quite get it. You're getting a lot of marriage proposals now, aren't you?"
"…Yes."
Crusch was already twenty. At that age, marriage was hardly unusual. Her status made it complicated—a duke and a woman, enough to intimidate men—but suitors still came; now, even more so. As a crown candidate, she'd gone from duchess to the center of the nation; those who weren't interested before now moved to propose.
"You're saying… he won't like that scene?" Crusch realized belatedly.
"I've said what I should. Figure the rest out yourself," Beatrice turned back to the board—she'd almost lost to Est. Unacceptable—for someone of her wisdom to lose to that girl?
"I understand," Crusch nodded.
"What did you 'understand'?" Shichen asked.
"Shichen, from now on I'll reject every proposal—and announce publicly that I already have someone in my heart."
"That's not necessary."
"It is. It shows my resolve," Crusch said seriously.
"…"
That night, Shichen shared a quiet drink with Crusch and Felix, talking about nothing at all.
The next day, he and Emilia headed home.
~~~
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