Subliminal Wayfarer

“Here, I offer you the best things I own. I have to give the hotel to Logan, so I can’t offer that to you.”

“I’m not sure what these even are, but I’ll accept them.”

“Oh, how unexpected? I thought you’d try to refuse at least once.”

“Why would I? You’ve just admitted that you owe me a debt. If that’s the case, there’s no need to refuse. Wouldn’t you prefer that too? It’ll be a relief for you, if I go about this selfishly.”

 

Blanca flinched momentarily but soon smiled warmly.

 

“Really, couldn’t you just marry me? I like you so much, Ducal Lady.”

“No way. Cassion would cry.”

“Ahahaha! He might really bawl. I kind of want to see that.”

 

Soon after, Blanca disappeared.

 

“Yes, you of all people would really want to see it.”

 

She left behind a quiet murmur and a letter.

The letter expressed her wish for Logan to continue working for House Valentine, even though she was leaving the hotel to him.

Reading the letter, Logan muttered in a calm but bitter voice.

 

“Truly ridiculous. And consistently so.”

 

He decided to honor Blanca’s wishes.

She vanished just like that, as if she had never existed, along with the guild she had dedicated her life to.

An exit truly just like her.

 

* * *

 

“…Sister? Sister!”

“Ah, yes.”

I was pulled from my thoughts by Alicia’s call.

“Oh, our lady seems to be deep in thought.”

Goodness, well, whose fault was that?

Glaring with narrowed eyes, Blanca boldly waved her magic wand.

“Don’t look at me like that. Let’s go to the ball and shake off all your worries and sorrows.”

Soon, glitter fell from her wand.

Shielding my eyes from the brightness, when I opened them again, Alicia and my outfits had changed.

“Wow.”

Alicia was the spitting image of Cinderella, and I was…

“Why is it so revealing?”

“It suits you! My goodness. I’m seeing just how much red suits someone so well for the first time in my life as a witch— Ah no, a fairy.”

“Did you just say witch—”

“Enough! Let’s go, shall we?!”

Blanca hastily cut off the conversation and swung her wand again.

With another bang, something popped out of thin air. A grand carriage and someone who looked like a coachman.

And, as expected, the familiar face of the coachman.

“Where is this?”

“Questions later, just go, Logan.”

Poor Logan, still suffering because of Blanca even here.

After showing a moment of disbelief, he resignedly headed to the coachman’s seat.

“Just get on quickly. Let’s finish this fast.”

“Yes!”

Urged by Logan, Alicia hurriedly climbed into the carriage. Once I was aboard as well, Blanca tapped the back of the carriage.

The carriage began to move on its own.

“…If it’s going to move by itself, why did you call me? It’s automatic.”

“We’ve got to keep up appearances. A carriage moving by itself without a coachman would be too bizarre. Anyway, have a good trip. Enjoy your time.”

With a final wave, the carriage sped up. Glancing back, I saw Blanca waving goodbye.

I waved back at her involuntarily.

It seemed like a smile flickered across Blanca’s lips as she grew distant.

 

* * *

 

“Why do you look troubled, Father?”

Damian gently inquired, noticing the uncomfortable look on his father’s face.

“…It’s nothing.”

“It doesn’t seem like nothing. Are you worried about Rosetta and Cinderella?”

The pointed question made the father—or rather, Viscount Valentine—flinch. He soon nodded in agreement.

“Yes. It bothers me that they are unwell. And I can’t help but feel guilty for not letting Rosetta attend the ball. She might have wanted to come.”

“But…”

Damian’s voice trailed off as he looked somewhere else. The focus of his gaze was the star of tonight’s ball. Surrounded by ladies and noblewomen, the duke stood there with a cold face, showing no signs of sociability.

‘After all, he gained his title through skill.’

Originally, he was not a duke.

Before this, he had dealt with the dark mages and winged monsters that had threatened the empire, and for that, he was awarded the ducal title for his bravery.

Exceptional strength and handsome looks.

The hero of the empire with a high title.

The perfect candidate for a son-in-law.

“…I’m not keen on it.”

Of course, not everyone felt the same.

“Do you not favor the Duke, Father?”

“No, he’s a good man. A hero who saved the empire deserves our gratitude.”

“Then why…”

“I have no intention of carelessly marrying off Cinderella or Rosetta to someone who blatantly seeks a bride.”

“Ah.”

Damian’s eyes grew serious. He shared the sentiment. Besides, the two girls were too young… Even though the duke was just around the same age as them, too.

‘Never mind, I don’t care about that.’

Either way, the sisters were too young to marry.

Maybe ten years down the line, but not now.

“It’s good we didn’t bring them here. If they were here, the Duke would have surely fallen for either of them at first sight.”

“Exactly.”

They exchanged understanding glances and nodded seriously.

“I think it’s time to leave. I’m worried about the girls.”

“Yes, we should start heading out—”

Damian stopped mid-sentence, his expression turning to surprise.

“What’s that? What are you looking at…”

Viscount Valentine turned his head to where his son’s gaze had fallen and shared the same surprised look.

“…Who are those people?”

 

* * *

 

The moment we entered the ballroom, I couldn’t help but snort.

My, my.

“Huh? Isn’t that person…?”

Alicia trailed off, sneaking a glance at me.

“Yes. My lover is over there.”

Gasp.

Alicia blushed for no reason, even though the actual person involved was quite calm.

Literally, standing in the spotlight of today’s ball was Cassion Carter, my fiancé and lover.

But the purpose of this ball was…

‘Wasn’t it to celebrate the Duke’s appointment and find him a bride?’

This was really something. I felt a mix of irritation and amusement knowing that fairytales were just that, not reality.

What? He dares to look for a bride?

Sure, let him try. I’ll keep my eyes peeled and see who he brings in.

“Um, Sister.”

While I was stewing in silence, Alicia whispered to me.

I tried to suppress my anger and responded.

“Yes? What is it, Alicia?”

“So, if we follow the original story… the Prince, the main character of the ball, and Cinderella should end up together.”

“Right.”

“Then… what about me and him?”

Pointing at herself and then at Cassion, Alicia’s eyes widened in concern.

…Now that I think about it.

‘What’s the point of waiting to see who he brings? It’s already decided who Cinderella was.’

The problem was that Cinderella was Alicia. What kind of love and war story is this?

“…Haa.”

My fate, really.

“What do we do now? I don’t think I can do it, no matter how I think about it.”

“Yes. There are limits even to a mess. This doesn’t seem right.”

“So, what do we do?”

“…I don’t know. Let’s at least go greet him. If Cassion shows any interest in you—”

“If he shows interest?”

To Alicia’s question, I muttered while glaring at Cassion.

“I’ll handle it.”

 

* * *

 

‘So deathly tiring.’

Surrounded by people, Cassion thought listlessly.

This ball was a gift and a gesture of goodwill from the emperor. He couldn’t ignore the kindness of the monarch who had given him his title, so he stayed, but he had no interest in women.

Nor was he interested in men, for that matter.

He just wanted a break right now.

After all the trouble he went through catching the dark mages and the monsters, he needed rest. His life had always been as intense as a constant battle.

That’s when it happened.

‘……?!’

A chill, like a bolt of lightning, brushed the back of his neck.

Startled, Cassion quickly turned around.

There stood two women, one blonde and one silver-haired. The two somewhat similar women leaned against the balcony railing, looking down at him.

‘Which one of them?’

Surely, one of these two was the source of this chilling energy.

Underestimating delicate women was foolish. Surely, one of them was the owner of this vicious atmosphere.

He carefully observed them.

Then, as his gaze moved from Alicia to Rosetta, and their golden eyes met, he felt it.

Ba-thump—

He felt his heart pounding fiercely. It felt as though his heart had soared high before plummeting to the ground.

This sensation….

Could it be?