𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟒𝟓: 𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲: 𝐈𝐭 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐥
In the Eakes Kingdom, a year is divided into twelve months.
Among them, the day when the Snow Month Nivose transitions into the Rain Month Pluviôse is considered the start of the new year, and celebrations are held throughout the country.
“So, there’s a party at the royal palace on the last day of the Snow Month.”
“I’m not going.”
Facing Eugene’s firm refusal, Mabel’s shoulders dropped in disappointment.
The New Year celebration banquet was attended by members of the royal family and nobles, and Mabel and her sisters had been attending the party held at the palace every year. Last year, Mabel was single, so she only thought of it as an opportunity to enjoy dressing up and delicious food.
But this year, she had Eugene, her official fiancé.
In social circles, it was considered proper etiquette to attend events with one’s partner.
‘But if Eugene comes, it might become quite troublesome…’
Mabel asked with a slight hope, but as you can see, the answer was as expected.
As a mage, he strongly disliked appearing in public. It was not only because of his aversion to troublesome matters but also because his beautiful face, when seen without a mask, had a captivating effect.
However, wearing a mask to an ordinary party, not a masquerade, would surely attract unwanted attention. Imagining Eugene being subjected to curious gazes, Mabel couldn’t bring herself to insist.
“I see…it’s a bit disappointing, but I don’t want you to force yourself.”
“…”
Mabel quickly smiled and ended the conversation as if nothing had happened.
The last day of the Snow Month. It was almost midnight.
The window turned dark, and in the sky, small stars twinkled many times.
Mabel had returned to the palace yesterday to attend the party. Walking through the silent and empty castle, Eugene was lost in thought.
‘The royal palace, huh’
Eugene had lived as far away from people as possible.
In addition to his long lifespan, he traveled to various places on the continent to avoid being feared for his unchanging appearance. He had been thinking that it was time to leave Eakes as well when he happened to meet Mabel.
‘Perhaps I should have gone after all…’
He had only gone to the royal palace once, and it was for her sake.
At that time, he was truly desperate and didn’t even think about his own dignity or how he would be perceived.
But now, things are different.
If he went to the palace, he would be introduced as Mabel’s official fiancé.
At that time, there might be people who would object to a mage being her fiancé. In Eugene’s experience, those privileged classes such as the royal family and nobles were often stubborn and particular about bloodlines and origins.
If that happened, it would hurt Mabel, not Eugene.
Mabel being laughed at or ridiculed as the princess with a strange fiancé was something he couldn’t bear.
“Ah,” Eugene placed his hand on his forehead and let out a deep sigh.
Then the sound of the large entrance door opening was heard, and Row peeked through the gap quickly.
“Oh, good. There you are.”
“…What are you here for?”
“Well, I got some good liquor, so I thought we could have a big celebration for the New Year.”
“Mabel isn’t here.”
Huh? Row’s face turned despairing.
“What, really? I wanted her to make some delicious appetizers. Did she finally get tired of me?”
“It’s not that!”
Perhaps irritated by Row’s smirk, Eugene explained the situation. Hearing that, Row put a hand to his mouth, deep in thought.
“Well, then who will Mabel-chan share a New Year’s Kiss with?”
“What?”
“A New Year’s Kiss. It’s when you kiss someone nearby the moment it turns midnight today.”
Eugene was at a loss for words at this unfamiliar custom. Whether Row noticed or not, he nodded to himself with his arms crossed.
“I see, I see. You see it quite often in the town. Well, it’s a celebration, so you don’t have to worry too much―”
Immediately after, a loud flapping sound passed by right next to Row. When he looked up, Eugene had disappeared.
“Well, I don’t know if they do it at the palace though.”
For now, Row casually headed to the kitchen to prepare the liquor for when Eugene returned.
Meanwhile, Mabel sighed alone.
‘Phew, I’m a bit tired after all.’
Mabel was wearing a pale yellow evening dress with a wide open collar. She had left the dancing circle and was leaning against the wall by herself.
Looking around, she saw the distinguished members of the Duke and Count families enjoying discreet conversations in between waltz songs. Feeling a bit lonely, she searched for her sisters’ presence.
The first princess, Gertrude, stood out even in her dress and was currently engaged in a conversation with her fiancé, the crown prince of a neighboring country. The second princess, Claire, had just finished her singing performance and was enjoying a dance with her beloved.
She noticed a crowd gathering in one direction.
In the center, of course, was her third sister, Kathleen.
Since the start of the party, she had been continuously asked to dance one after another. Whenever she tried to take a break, someone would ask if she wanted food or a drink, and the people never stopped coming.
Unable to bear it any longer, George, the knight commander who was assigned as Kathleen’s escort, approached her. The men surrounding her scattered in fear of his imposing presence. Mabel felt relieved seeing Kathleen’s joyful expression.
The fourth princess, Fergie, was on stage playing the piano. Mabel smiled as she watched a man who was eagerly captivated by her performance. It was Prince Wissa.
All her sisters were busy in their own ways. Mabel took a sip from the glass she held.
She felt a little envious of her sisters.
She understood Eugene’s feelings and didn’t plan to force him. However, she couldn’t help but wish that he would be here with her, even if just for a little while.
As if scolding her own timid self, Mabel shook her head vigorously.
‘Tomorrow, let’s go back to the castle and bake a Galette des Rois! Invite Mutabilis, who loves sweets, and Row-san too.’
Imagining that lively scene, Mabel felt a little more energized.
The party was still going strong, and to escape the heat, Mabel headed towards a balcony at the edge.
As she pushed open the large window, the cold night breeze seeped in through the gaps.
Without hesitation, she fully opened it and stepped out onto the balcony railing.
“It’s beautiful…”
The sky was filled with countless shining stars as if they were about to sprinkle down at any moment.
As she exhaled, her breath floated up in a white mist. The chilly air cooled Mabel’s flushed face.
Midnight was approaching. There was unlikely to be anyone else coming here.
Finally feeling at ease, Mabel let out a sigh. Just then, from the bell tower in the center of the town, the sound of bells rang out, announcing the arrival of the new year.
The sound of the bells spread throughout the capital of Eakes like ripples.
Feeling the clear waves throughout her body, Mabel instinctively closed her eyes.
―Flutter, white wings fluttered in the night sky.
When Mabel opened her eyes at the familiar sound, Eugene was there.
Strangely, he wasn’t wearing a mask even though they were outside, and he seemed to be breathing heavily.
“Eugene-san?! Why are you here―” But Mabel’s words were cut off right there
Eugene, who had landed beside Mabel, immediately embraced her in his arms and kissed her without hesitation.
The sound of the bell, which was supposed to ring twelve times, was completely inaudible to Mabel.
She was simply surprised by the situation she found herself in, her eyes wide open as she spent the silent moment.
Eventually, Eugene’s lips parted from hers.
Ding, the elongated sound of the bell returned, but Mabel’s heart was pounding even louder than before.
(W-Wait, did I just…get kissed?! Why?! And why is Eugene-san here?!)
Seeing Mabel’s confusion and blushing face, Eugene let out a sigh of relief as if he had completed a task.
“I made it in time..”
“Made what in time…?”
“I heard there is a custom where you kiss the person nearest to you at midnight.”
As Mabel gradually calmed down, she pondered Eugene’s words in her mind.
“Could it be…the New Year’s kiss?”
“Yes.”
Indeed, she had heard that such events were popular recently. But just as Mabel was wondering what to do, she hesitantly spoke up.
“Um, we don’t do that at this party…”
“…”
“After all, most people here are already married or engaged.”
As Mabel explained, Eugene finally understood and slowly covered his face with both hands. Seeing Eugene squatting down cutely, Mabel desperately tried to make excuses.
“But, but! I was really happy.”
As she spoke, Mabel remembered the eternal kiss from earlier and her face turned red like a boiled octopus, losing her assertiveness in her tone. Eugene, who had been watching her from below, chuckled softly and finally stood up.
“Well, that’s good then.”
Saying that, Eugene smiled shyly, causing Mabel’s heart to tighten. She gently reached out her hand towards Eugene’s chest, wanting to return to the castle together.
Through their clothes, Mabel could hear her heartbeat pounding in Eugene’s chest.
Feeling embarrassed by the heat, Mabel hesitated to touch him with her fingertips.
But as if to stop her, Eugene grabbed Mabel’s hand and pressed it against his own body. It seemed like he had rushed here, as his slightly sweaty state was directly transmitted to the palm of her hand. Mabel couldn’t help but look up at Eugene.
Thinking it was a second signal, Eugene bent down again.
Mabel gently closed her eyelids. Slowly, their faces drew closer――
At that moment, a voice could be heard from the direction of the window.
Startled, Mabel opened her eyes and realized that Eugene had already disappeared.
‘Oh right, it would be troublesome if he was seen without his mask.’
Although Mabel felt somewhat unsatisfied and disappointed, Eugene, who had been reluctant, had come to the palace.
Just that fact alone made her feel incredibly happy.
The next day, when Mabel’s Galette des Rois was ready, Mutabilis and Row visited the castle.
“So, this is the Galette des Rois?”
“Yes, inside there’s a figurine called a ‘fève,’ and if it’s in the piece you cut, that person will have good luck for a year.”
“Oh, I see. So the one who finds it is the king!.”
Mutabilis eagerly examined the cake that was brought to the table. On the other hand, Row, who seemed to know the game, picked up a paper crown and spun it around.
“By the way, Mabel-chan, did everything go well yesterday?”
“Huh?! W-What do you mean, well?”
“Well, Eugene looked pale and rushed out, so I thought―”
But Eugene’s cough interrupted the continuation of the sentence.
Mabel skillfully cut the cake and placed a piece in front of each person. After the toast, they enjoyed a pleasant meal. At that moment, Mutabilis let out a disappointed sigh.
“Mabel, There was no figurine in mine…”
“Oh, what a shame. I wonder about mine.”
But there was no figurine in Mabel’s cake either. With that, the atmosphere shifted to Eugene or Row. Just as the air was becoming tense, Row spoke up first.
“Oh, it looks like I am the lucky fella.”
Mutabilis frowned sadly at the figurine placed on his plate.
Mabel looked around the table for the crown to give to the king but couldn’t find it. As she looked around, she felt something was off.
‘I don’t remember the figurine looking like that?’
Upon closer inspection, the figurine Row had taken out didn’t seem to be the one Mabel had prepared. She tilted her head, wondering if she had forgotten. At that moment, she heard Eugene’s calm voice.
“I see, so you’re the king.”
“Uh, Eugene?”
“It’s well-made, but the execution is lacking.”
As he said that, Eugene took a ceramic figurine from the plate with a clatter. It was the same one that Mabel remembered, and everyone’s attention focused on Row.
“Well, I was joking, I was joking.”
“Well, whatever. In any case, I am the king.”
Before they knew it, Eugene had a paper crown in his hand. While playing with it lightly, he narrowed his eyes as he looked at Row.
“Rownensolfa Antranze. Let me thank you for yesterday.”
“I had a feeling it would turn out like this!”
In the next moment, Row disappeared.
Almost simultaneously, Eugene also vanished, and in their place came the sound of explosions and Row’s screams from the garden.
“Mutabilis, do you want the rest of the cake?”
“Yeah! I’ll eat it.”
And so, the beginning of the new year started with a lively atmosphere.
(The End)
[insert page=’4633′ display=’content’]
[insert page=’4587′ display=’content’]
Leave a Reply