Aries had expected Seiana to burst into tears by now. Instead, she received an unexpected reaction.
What... what's wrong?
Aries was stunned by Seiana's expression. She stared at Aries as if the threat were absurd, her face betraying no trace of fear.
This is supposed to be my reaction, not hers!
What's happening? What's going on?
Could she be blind? But Seiana's eyes were clearly focused on Aries, sparkling with intensity.
She's not an ability user... right?
Abilities were inherited through blood and surname. While bloodlines might have mixed, Seiana lacked the surname of one of the ten noble families.
And I don't sense that unique aura of an ability user
Just as ordinary people feel terror when encountering the ability user, those with ability also experience a faint revulsion when facing their own kind. Some call it "kin hatred," but the reason behind it remains unexplained.
Aries considered Raymund her sole understanding companion, yet their mutual revulsion prevented any affectionate feelings. In truth, they occupied a position akin to bitter rivals.
Yet Seiana before her neither felt the typical ability user-related revulsion nor showed any signs of fear upon seeing an ability user.
‘Is this kind of thing possible?’
This was impossible. Since the Empire was founded, there had been no ordinary person who was not afraid of the ability user.
“You’re not scared?”
“No, I’m not scared…?”
Seiana said that, but she looked a little frightened. However, the difference was that she wasn’t afraid of Aries as an ability user; she was scared because she felt uncomfortable seeing Aries react strangely.
Aries suddenly felt a breeze. It wasn't actually the wind blowing.
It was just the feeling that the stifling sensation she had felt since becoming an ability user had dissipated. It felt like being trapped in a small space less than a handspan wide, and then the wall between herself and others had crumbled, allowing her to see clearly outside.
Aries couldn’t help but feel her heart pound, even as she thought it was impossible, that Seiana surely had an ability to hide her fear.
She unconsciously took a step closer. Seiana flinched, but she was only startled by Aries’s sudden approach, there was no fear on her face.
Aries took another step closer. And then another. Before she knew it, she was standing right in front of Seiana.
Looking at the anxious face that was staring straight at her, Aries reached out her hand as if possessed.
"Hand..."
"...Hand? You want my hand?"
Seiana’s extended hand, filled with anxiety and bewilderment, brushed against hers. Aries was startled by the warmth she hadn’t felt in a long time. Even though she reacted strangely, Seiana waited patiently. Soon, their hands clasped together.
‘Ah… I see.’
Raymund wasn’t deceived. The Count hadn’t forcibly pushed his daughter onto a monster either.
The girl standing before Aries was someone who saw monsters as humans. And in front of Seiana, Aries could also be human.
‘Damn Raymund.’
To hide such a treasure? Aries understood his feelings, though.
If she had discovered Seiana first, she would never, ever! hide her away so that Raymund or other ability user couldn’t steal her.
‘What should I do? I want her…’
Greed arose. How could she have her? She wanted to tie Seiana to her side, even if it meant using the power of the family she had decided not to look back on.
Amidst the sticky obsession that was rising, Aries’s cold, rational mind told her that she shouldn’t do that.
‘…The imperial family is stronger than the Esteban Grand Ducal family.’
If Raymund had wanted to, he could have easily confined Seiana to his side with a single command from the Emperor. The Emperor and Empress, though afraid of their youngest son, cared for him immensely.
The fact that he hadn’t used his power meant…
‘He doesn’t want to be hated by forcing her.’
Imagining Seiana hating her in her mind, Aries felt a crushing sensation in her chest. This was the only person who could see her as human, and she didn’t want to be hated and not even receive a glance from her.
So what should she do? Aries had never been dissatisfied with her gender, but this was the first time she lamented not being a man.
After all, there was no more certain way to bind someone to your side than marriage.
“Um…”
What should she do, what should she do…
“Um!”
Seiana's voice snapped Aries out of her thoughts. Startled, Aries looked up to see Seiana glancing awkwardly at their clasped hands.
The silent plea to let go made Aries' heart ache.
"Right. We were talking about something. What was it again?"
So, pretending not to know, she subtly sat down next to her while holding her hand. So that from afar, they would look like close friends.
Though their arms and thighs pressed together, Seiana only blinked in confusion rather than pulling away. To Aries, this closeness tasted sweeter than any forbidden fruit.
"Were we talking about fairies? Right, do you think Seiana is a fairy?"
"Uh, uh? My name... How...?"
"Of course I know! You're the Lovely of the Count Estarotte family. There's no one in the Empire who wouldn't recognize you."
"Uh..."
Is that so? Seiana hesitated for a moment before letting it go. In truth, she was indeed famous.
If it had been possible, the Estarotte County would have issued commemorative coins with her image on them. The reason they couldn’t do that was that coin manufacturing was managed by the imperial family.
‘If it had been issued, I would have bought half of them.’
The other half would be bought by Raymund, so she would only get half. Aries smiled brightly at Seiana, who was still looking bewildered.
“Oh, right. I haven’t introduced myself. Gosh, I was so happy to meet Seiana that I made such a mistake. I’m Aries. Aries Esteban.”
"E-esteban? You're... a Lady Esteban?"
"Oh, come on! Why are we using such formalities between us? Just call me Aries. Or 'Ari' if you prefer. We're the same age, so let's not create distance with such polite language."
"But..."
"Can't we? Huh? I want to be friends with Seiana, and it would break my heart if there's any distance between us..."
Aries lowered her eyebrows slightly, gazing at Seiana with tear-filled eyes. Seiana appeared completely bewildered by the sudden shift in Aries' demeanor.
Well, I suppose it would be absurd if someone who was glaring at me like they wanted to kill me just moments ago suddenly acted like this.
Aries wanted to beat herself up for her actions from ten minutes ago. Why had she done such a thing?
What does it matter if Raymund gets scammed or not?! If the scammer is Seiana, I should've let myself get caught twice!
No. It was all Raymund's fault. If he had properly explained Seiana to her, she wouldn't have made this mistake, would she?
Aries' insides were boiling with anger, but she forced a smile. Having already ruined her first impression, she had no choice but to desperately maintain this facade.
If I keep insisting I'm harmless, Seiana might continue to look favorably upon me.
"Um, I see... But how did you come to be here? Did Duke Esteban decide to join this gathering?"
Aries pondered. Perhaps it would be better to bring Grand Duke Esteban? Although they were now less than strangers, she was his daughter before, so if she asked, he might come.
If he refuses, I'll bring him by force—physically or through authority.
Despite entertaining such near-treasonous thoughts, Aries maintained her act flawlessly, feigning vulnerability.
“Hmm~ That’s not it. I came here by myself because I wanted to be friends with Seiana. By any chance, would Seiana like the Grand Duke to participate in this gathering?”
“No… It doesn’t matter whether he comes or not… I was just curious how Aries knew about this gathering since you’re not a participant.”
She had intended to somehow drag him here if Seiana had nodded… But she was so happy that Seiana was showing interest in her that Aries subtly moved closer. She even linked arms with Seiana.
Seeing that Seiana didn’t find it strange even though she was tightly holding Seiana’s arm with both of hers, Aries’s cheeks rose towards the sky.
“Huh? What are you curious about? Ask me anything! I’ll tell you!”
Not only would she tell her, but she could give her anything she wanted. Even if it belonged to someone else, she would snatch it and give it to her.
Seiana looked at Aries’s eyes, which were not just sparkling but dazzling, with trembling eyes. Her face showed a little burden and bewilderment.
“No… I understand that you came here because you wanted to be friends with me, but I’m curious how Aries, who isn’t even a participant in this gathering, knew I was here.”
“Ah… that?”
Aries hesitated. Actually, she had stolen the letter sent to Raymund. She thought Seiana would be very displeased if she told her the truth like this.
She didn’t want to tell the truth, but she couldn’t even think of a lame excuse.
It was while she was wondering what to do. Suddenly, a strong gust of wind blew, so strong that it was difficult to open her eyes.
“Ah!”
Startled by the strong wind, Aries shielded Seiana, who was closing her eyes, by blocking the front of her.
Since they were outdoors, a strong gust of wind wasn’t unusual, but the place they were in was a maze with walls on all sides. It wasn’t a wide enough area for the wind to blow this strongly.
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