Subliminal Wayfarer

‘…Love?’

Underlying was a bit of instinctual fear, but Cassion was really none the wiser.

He had indeed fallen in love at first sight.

“Duke?”

“Why are you suddenly— Ah!”

Cassion immediately shook off the crowd around him and moved.

His steps, as if enchanted, led him towards the staircase connecting to the second floor.

Just in time, Alicia and Rosetta were also descending the stairs to the first floor.

“How are you going to deal with it?”

“Curious?”

“…No. I’ll support you, Sister.”

“Thanks.”

While exchanging soft words, the two encountered Cassion standing at the foot of the stairs.

“…Cassion?”

“You know me.”

Surprised, Rosetta whispered back. Cassion replied, and Rosetta quickly composed herself and nodded.

“You are the main character of the ball, how could I not know?”

“Then you must also know the purpose of this ball.”

“To find a bride, right? So, have you found one?”

“Not yet. But, I just made up my mind.”

“Just now?”

“Yes. Just now.”

Saying so, Cassion extended his hand towards Rosetta.

“I fell for you at first sight. Would you honor me with a dance?”

Rosetta answered without hesitation,

“Yes.”

Firstly, to keep Alicia and Cassion apart in case of any unforeseen events.

And secondly…

‘I’m actually pleased.’

The fact that this version of Cassion also desired her secretly pleased her.

It’s ridiculous, really.

Never thought in her life did she think she’d be happy to be chosen by someone. She thought that love was not in her cards.

Caught up in a sudden rush of emotions, Rosetta took Cassion’s hand.

“Go on, Sister!”

With Alicia’s encouragement, Cassion firmly took Rosetta’s hand, and they moved towards the center of the great hall.

“Who is that woman?”

“I don’t know, I’ve never seen her before.”

“Whoever she is, she’s truly beautiful.”

“Yeah, hate to admit it, but they look so good together!”

As the two gracefully moved, they attracted everyone’s attention.

It was as if they were a pair straight out of a painting, perfectly matched.

“Hoho, he’s found himself a suitable partner. And here I thought he wasn’t interested in relationships.”

Even the emperor watching from above smiled contentedly.

Soon, as Cassion gave the signal, the orchestra began the waltz.

The two exchanged greetings once more before joining hands and lightly spinning together. Their gazes slowly met in the leisurely steps.

“I thought you only frequented battlefields, but you dance well too.”

“His Majesty hosted the ball, so I learned in a hurry. I’m quite confident in physical activities.”

“Physical activities, hmm.”

Indeed, the original Cassion was also adept in using his body.

‘…In various ways.’

Yes, in various ways. Day or night, in every aspect, he was talented with his body.

Rosetta blushed slightly at Cassion’s gulp.

They continued to share warmth as they danced under the splendid chandelier lights.

As Rosetta spun, her red dress flared like blooming roses, then fading away, only to bloom again.

People watched them in silent awe, feeling a sense of loss when the music stopped and the dance ended.

And Cassion felt the same way.

“Duke?”

Rosetta addressed Cassion, who was still holding her hand absentmindedly.

His gaze, which had been wandering in the air, snapped back to Rosetta, prompting a suppressed chuckle from her.

To anyone looking, it was clearly the face of someone fallen in love.

It seemed that Cassion here was less adept at hiding his expressions than the Cassion in reality.

At Rosetta’s light laughter, Cassion startled and asked,

“Why are you laughing?”

“Well, because even after the dance ended, you didn’t let go of my hand, and then you looked so surprised when I called you.”

“…Ah.”

He reacted belatedly, attempting to release her hand.

But Rosetta was quicker to grasp it firmly again.

“What…”

“Would you like to start dating?”

“…What?”

“You said you fell for me at first sight.”

That was true, but…

Cassion swallowed hard, his adam’s apple bobbing noticeably.

It was true he had fallen for her at first sight, even boldly stating it himself.

However, forming a connection and becoming lovers was entirely foreign to him.

While he was deliberating, Rosetta playfully spoke again.

“Oh, right. You were looking for a bride, weren’t you? So, should we skip dating and go straight to marriage?”

“……?”

Cassion was speechless, only managing to open and close his mouth.

And as Rosetta gently pulled Cassion’s hand towards herself…

Chu—

A light kiss landed on Cassion’s hand before she let it go.

“I’ll treat you well. What do you say?”

Her lips curved into a smile, revealing white teeth.

Cassion stared dazedly at her before slowly nodding.

However…

“What is this madness?!”

“This is absurd, Rosetta!”

…They were interrupted by two men barging in.

Rosetta, too, turned in surprise at the tall figures breaking through the crowd.

“Ah, Father? Brother?”

But that couldn’t be.

Surely, due to the fairy’s magic, they wouldn’t recognize her and Alicia.

“I thought so…! It’s you, Rosetta!”

“Indeed, I felt uneasy watching the dance. A sense of discomfort was rising from the depths of my heart.”

Aha, they realized it instinctively.

Not like they had a third eye or anything.

The two men charged into the ballroom like angry bulls, while the nobles watched them as if they were watching an entertaining show.

“I oppose this marriage! I haven’t yet… been a good father to my daughter…!”

“I agree. I also want to be a proper brother. If we part ways now, it’ll only make things more awkward with Rosetta.”

“That’s nonsense.”

Viscount Valentine, who had been nodding fervently, sighed upon spotting Alicia.

“Cinderella? You’re here too?”

“I thought you were sick.”

Caught off guard by the sudden attention, Alicia hesitated as she looked around nervously.

“Um, well, you see… After lunch, I lay down and got better, you know? I really wanted to see the ball, so I begged Sister to bring me here. I’m sorry.”

“Hmm. No need to apologize. It’s the imperial ball, after all. It’s understandable to want to see it.”

“…Yes. But Rosetta, marriage is—”

Before he could finish, Damian’s expression hardened.

Turning around, he found that Rosetta and Cassion had vanished without a trace.

“Where’s Rosetta?”

“What? What do you mean where’s Ro… R-Rosetta?! Rosetta!”

“My goodness. Why are you acting so out of character? Brother, Father. Please calm down first…”

The chaotic scene of the two men causing a commotion and Alicia struggling to calm them down turned the ball into complete disarray.

 

* * *

 

‘…Is this even right?’

This could no longer be called [Cinderella].

Aside from Alicia’s name changing to Cinderella, there was nothing similar to the fairy tale [Cinderella].

Feeling momentarily confused, Rosetta quickly gathered her thoughts.

Well, such things could happen in life.

Instead of dwelling on it, she just plopped down where she was.

“Why did we come here?”

Cassion, seeing Rosetta’s composed demeanor, looked around and asked.

“Should we stay in that chaos?”

“No, not that.”

He pondered where to start.

First off, they were on the roof—the roof of the ballroom. Never in his life had he imagined he’d end up here.

In the midst of the commotion, when everyone’s attention was on Cinderella, Rosetta had hoisted him in her arms and carried him all the way up here.

“You’re stronger than you look.”

“Yes, I suppose so. If you wish, I can protect you.”

“…That’s quite refreshing.”

For him, it was indeed a fresh perspective. A woman offering to protect the hero of the empire was something he had never encountered before.

He found her bravado rather cute and chuckled lightly.

‘He’s laughing?’

Interpreting his thoughts, Rosetta narrowed her eyes but then burst into laughter.

Seeing a side of him she wouldn’t in reality, she found it endearingly funny.

‘Now, what’s going to happen with the ending?’

She and Alicia had planned to confront the ending and exit this fairy tale, but things had gone awry.

The main male lead being carried off by the female lead’s sister?

No, putting everything else aside.

‘Even if we reach the end, would we actually be able to leave this place?’