After I went back into the hall, the king announced that today's event was over.
And the guests who had been invited were already allowed to go home. If only I weren't a servant, maybe I could've gone back to my room too.
But... as a servant, there's no way I could return without cleaning the hall first, right?
Is it possible... that I could sneak out quietly? If no one sees me, maybe I could go straight to sleep tonight.
I walked slowly toward the door, glancing around in all directions. Making sure that no one saw me.
Just like that time, my shoulder was touched by someone again.
I knew it had to be Vern-san, and that he wouldn't let me leave first.
I turned around and was shocked to see who had actually touched my shoulder just now.
He was a man younger than me, but his personality was more varied than mine.
Even at his age, he could already order people around and treat others as if they were always beneath him.
The one who was the main figure in today's ceremony—who else but Luis.
Of course, I was immediately surprised, because I didn't expect him to be the one to stop me.
I quickly acted like a proper servant again, so he wouldn't get suspicious of me.
"Is there anything else I can help you with?" I asked politely.
I couldn't act carelessly in front of him—one wrong move, and my life could be ruined.
"No need to be so formal with me... I just wanted to thank you for the wine you gave me earlier," he said with a small smile.
That's right, if I remember correctly, his age isn't that different from Rosa-chan's, right?
Then how could he already be drinking wine at that age...
Usually, people who drink wine or sake are 18 years or older.
Maybe actually, I'm allowed to drink wine too. But I still feel like I'm too young to drink a glass of wine.
"A-actually, I can't drink wine yet... I just pretended so I'd look cool back there..." he said, holding his head.
"I think... I also scared you a little earlier, didn't I? Sorry about that. I have to act like that toward everyone," Luis continued.
Wait, why did Luis suddenly turn into a guy who acts and talks like someone younger than me?
Earlier, when he was surrounded by the other nobles, he looked like the most powerful one, someone who liked to order others around.
But the Luis standing before me now was just a young man sincerely admitting his mistakes.
Every word he spoke sounded so genuine. It made me unable to tell which was his real personality.
He realized that I was still confused, still unsure whether to believe what he was saying.
"This is the first time I've ever said this to anyone... even back then, I always acted arrogant around Rosalia..." he said.
Wait a second... please don't continue your story... I don't want to hear any more...
"I did all that on purpose... just so Rosalia would hate me," he said, smiling as he looked at me.
Don't joke around... everything you're saying must be a lie...
"But after this, I plan to tell her the truth about everything I've done until now..."
"And make her stop hating me—make her want to live with me," he continued.
I was still silent; I didn't know what to say to him.
Everything he said felt like fragments of truth slowly piercing into my mind.
Those words stunned me, leaving my head blank and unable to think clearly.
"You saw how we kissed earlier, didn't you? I know she didn't feel happy about it."
"That's why I want to rebuild Rosalia's feelings for me from the start," he continued.
Honestly, I don't know what this man named Luis really wants.
He's been lying all this time, showing a fake attitude to everyone else. And now he's finally showing his true self to me.
He deliberately did all that, saying he wanted Rosa-chan to fall for him from zero.
But if he wanted to, he could've just treated her kindly since childhood—he didn't have to go through all this trouble now.
Yet... he did all of this without any clear reason.
He grabbed both my shoulders, a little tighter than before.
"Listen, I know... people like you probably think Rosalia married a man without good character."
"But I'll say this again—don't get involved in my business," he said, glaring at me.
Then, he let go of my shoulders and began walking out of the hall.
Since I'd already been seen with him, I had no choice but to help tidy up the hall again.
——
It took several hours before the hall was as clean as it was before the event.
I looked at the clock on the wall, and it showed that it was thirty minutes before midnight.
This late already?! Damn... that's way too long.
Since I felt my work was finally done, I left the hall and headed toward my room.
There was nothing left for me to do here; I might as well rest so I can return in good condition tomorrow.
When I reached my room, I saw a piece of paper lying right in front of my door.
That's strange—no one usually drops a paper right in front of my room.
I walked closer and tried to pick it up.
But... why did my hand pass right through it?
Unable to believe what I was seeing, I rubbed my eyes, thinking maybe I was just imagining it.
And sure enough, the paper wasn't there. I must've been too tired.
Besides... why did I even think that it was a farewell letter from Rosa-chan?
Hah... is my mind really that full of Rosa-chan now?
Even in this state, I still thought that paper came from her.
But it was just a trick of the eye... I'd better sleep soon.
Before my head gets even more tangled, I should rest my body right away.
——
(Rosalia side)
I... accidentally said it to Yukito-san...
I thought I was going to say something like I usually do, but those words just came out...
He should've already understood what I meant.
If he hasn't figured it out yet... I'll go beat him up in his room tomorrow morning.
I buried my face into the pillow, feeling like I wanted to sleep already.
Even though I'm officially married to Luis now, I'll still be sleeping alone tonight.
He said he'd come back tomorrow and take me to his house.
So maybe this will be the last time, for now, that I can sleep on this bed.
Hah... everything's gone by so fast...
Earlier, I felt like Yukito-san was still helping me put on my shoes...
And before I knew it, the wedding ceremony was already over—along with what happened on stage.
Even though I don't remember it too clearly, that kiss still made me feel uncomfortable.
Maybe someday, I'll be receiving that kiss from him every day.
To my future self... please open your heart, and accept that kiss.