Book 9: Chapter 18: The Happiness of a Hero Who Became a Star (1/2)
Cyril sat Monica down on the couch and picked up a blanket that had fallen to the floor to drape it over her shoulders.
”I'll be heading back to my work soon… but until you're feeling better, you should stay here and rest.”
”I-I will… and, um… thank you for everything.”
Monica was trying to be helpful, but instead, she was being helped. And when she thought that Cyril had taken care of all this for Monica, her heart was filled with a sense of guilt. But Cyril, as he typically did, lifted his chin haughtily and snorted.
”As His Highness' right-hand man, this is nothing much of a problem for me. Soon, General Affairs Manager Maywood will be back.”
Thus, the sight of his chest outstretched and his chin lifted sharply, made her think, ”Ah, it's the usual Lord Cyril,” and strangely reassured Monica even more.
When she first met him, she felt intimidated by Cyril's haughty behavior, but lately, looking at his proud manner only makes her feel strangely at ease instead.
”Lord Cyril, um…”
”What is it?”
Monica pinched the ribbon that hung from the flower ornament on her chest and bit her lip tightly. She really wanted to thank Cyril before he went back to continue his job.
”…Thank you very much for giving me this charm… Thanks to it, I was able to work harder than usual today.”
The always cold eyes of Cyril softened slightly. A small smile crept onto the edges of his lips.
”I see…”
Murmuring as if chewing on something, Cyril walked out of the room.
As she listened to the sound of the door quietly closing, Monica tightly squeezed the blanket over her shoulders. Her dizziness had subsided considerably, but it would be better to rest a little while longer since she had just collapsed not long ago.
For no particular reason, Monica looked out the window and let out a sigh of admiration at the stars twinkling in the night sky.
Probably by now, Lady Star Oracle Witch was looking up at the night sky and predicting the future of this country.
Come to think of it, I wonder what Lady Star Oracle Witch was referring to when she said,
”I've been foreseen many futures of the kingdom, especially on the royal family… but for the past ten years, I've been unable to read His Highness Felix's destiny.”
Star Oracle Witch was unable to foresee Felix's destiny. For some time now, there has been a series of major incidents around Felix. An assassination attempt by Casey, an intruder at a chess tournament, and today, an assassin named Yuan has reappeared. Every single one of them was a major incident. And yet, the Star Oracle WItch was unable to foresee any of these incidents.
I am also curious about what that Yuan guy said… if his goal was not to assassinate His Highness… then why did he intrude into the school?
What Yuan said was:
”Yeah, I've confirmed it at a close range after pretending to be getting rid of a spider from him. It's the work of the traitor Arthur… That person's prediction was right”
At close range, what did Yuan confirm from Felix? Who is the traitor Artur? Who is ”that person” that Yuan talking about? The more she pondered, the more questions came flooding in. Leaning against the window sill, Monica gazed blankly at the twinkling stars.
Somewhere on that star, is there a destiny for Felix?
”…huh?”
Monica might unable to foresee Felix's destiny in the night sky… but she couldn't help but peel her eyes away when she spotted him by the tree just below her.
”W-Why would His Highness be in a place like that…”
As Monica's mouth opened and closed repeatedly, Felix looked around—and then, unexpectedly, he started to climb the tree in his formal wear.
”Whaaaat!?”
What is the star of this party planning to even have sneaking out of the party at this time? Whatever it was, it was something that Monica, as his secret guard, could not overlook. So Monica rushed out of the room and headed to Felix's place.
＊ ＊ ＊
Monica remembered the shape of the tree Felix had climbed, so when she walked out of the hall, she was able to find it right away. Upon closer inspection, she could see the honey blondes glowing in the moonlight through the leaves.
”Y-Your Highness…”
Monica looked up at the tree and called out to him, and the leaves rustled and swayed.
”You are still very good at finding ‘me', aren't you?”
Felix looked down at Monica from the top of the tree and chuckled, then he lightly jumped down from the tree and landed in front of her.
Monica was anxious, wondering if it was safe for him to jump down from such a high place, but Felix looked nonchalant and picked the leaves from his hair with his fingertips.
”U-Um… what about the party…”
”I just wanted to get some fresh air.”
”If you want to get some fresh air, why would you need to climb a tree?”
Monica asked fearfully, but Felix laughed in a mischievous way—it's the laugh he showed when he was in the entertainment district.
”I just want to see some stars, because it's looked beautiful today.”
”… are you fond of the stars?”
”Not really.”
Felix denied it easily and looked up at the stars above him squinting.
”I wasn't that interested in it at the beginning, but my friend was very knowledgeable about it, you see. So, the more he told me about it, the more I became familiar with it. Maybe that's why I feel like going outside when I see the stars.”
Felix took Monica's hand in a very natural gesture and put his other hand on her waist. It was as if they were about to start dancing.
”Um, Your Highness, I think you should back to the ball…”
”Just hang out with me for a while. I mean, you sure would refuse my invitation if we're in the hall.”
He's right, so Monica decided to be quiet and let Felix take the lead.
Rather than dancing, it was more like just strolling along to the music. Even though Monica's steps were messed up and she didn't get her turn, Felix didn't seem to mind, in fact, he seemed to be enjoying it.
”It reminds me of the time I taught you to dance. At that time, you were thinking about embroidering in my scarf, weren't you?”
”Uh…um…well, it's about a theorem applying the scarf pattern, to be exact…”
”Then, I suppose you don't remember anything I said to you back then, do you?”
Once again, he was right on the spot, so Monica kept her silent. Felix chuckled meanly and brought his lips to Monica's ear.
”You look pretty good in that dress. It's dainty, yet subtly gorgeous, and it seems to bring out your charm. I knew a green dress would suit you very well. Right, dark green color like a forest can be wonderful, but the color of young leaves in spring looks lovely too.”
”Well, uh, thank you.”
Being complimented on the dress made her feel embarrassed, but she was also honestly happy. It was like he was praising Lana who'd prepared this dress for her.
”Your hair is pretty, too. Did your friend do that flowery hairdo for you?”
”Yes, Lana and I have matching hairstyles.”
Looking at Monica smiled bashfully, Felix lifted the edge of his lips slightly, formed a dispirited smile.