In the end, Geo became so absorbed in looking for clothes that would suit Lithia he forgot about his own. Thus, Lithia failed to secure formal attire for him.

“What did we waste our time on…?”

Lithia murmured as she looked back on that day while laying on bed.

After discovering that she could simply put on a one-piece dress on top of her current garments, Geo had her try on even more dresses. Each time, she was praised for how she looked. The entire day, she was buried in what seemed to be a lifetime’s worth of “beautiful” and “pretty.”

Well, that’s alright, it’s not like I mind, but—…

At that rate, their next weekend would probably end up the same way. She’d be bathed in praises—no, she would fail to find clothes for Geo…

How about I wear that light blue dress next time?

Except dressing up the same way would be lazy. Then, should I change my hairstyle? If she recalled correctly, her mother gave her a barrette for her birthday, and that seemed like it’d go nicely with the dress. It should be hidden in the back of a drawer in her dresser.

Fully believing something that pretty wouldn’t suit her, she never wore it—

—but surely, Geo would say that it looked good on her.

…Although, Geo might be trembling in anxiety at the notion of being forsaken by the Spirit of Light due to his lacking vocabulary…

If one dress already caused him so much turmoil, what’d happen if the barrette joined the fray?

Somehow, she could already picture what was going to happen.

“…Pfft.”

While looking forward to their next meeting, Lithia fell asleep without realizing that she too had forgotten of their original purpose.

◆◆◆

Thus, she ended up letting her guard down.

Unfortunately, she didn’t meet anyone until after leaving the dormitory. If even one student had frowned at her in passing, she’d surely have been dragged down from the afterglow of her date back into reality.

“—Well, isn’t someone in a good mood? You wretched and irksome witch.”

“—!”

Right after she had left the girls’ dormitory, the call of a voice—which was akin to a splash of cold water— finally woke Lithia from her dream.

“…Good morning, Your Highness Lafizard. I’m sorry for defiling your sight. I’ll leave right away.”

“Hmph, it’s way too late. To walk around with such a creepy grin so early in the morning… Don’t you feel sorry for those who have to bear the sight of it?”

“I-I’m sorry…”

He probably had an appointment with someone in the girls’ dormitory. Under the shade of a large tree near the dormitory gate, Andrew Lafizard stood with his arms crossed.

Probably because Lithia passed by without lowering her head, she subjected the prince to a revolting sight that brought him great nausea.

“Hmph, how sickening. I had already been feeling irritated since yesterday, and now this.”

Usually, she’d walk with her head down. That way, no one would have to endure the sight of her.

As a matter of course, that was never a problem with Geo. Whenever she thought about him, she had the urge to lift her head. As a result, many people had to see her face.

“I heard about it. How you forced that pitiful commoner to accompany you.”

“!”

Andrew’s frigid voice rained on Lithia as she hastily lowered her face.

“—You vile witch! You’re rotten inside out. That poor man—he had to be led around by the nose by someone like you as though her were some kind of puppet. Yesterday must’ve been a very tragic day for him.”

…How did His Highness find out about yesterday?

Along with surprise, a chill spread to every inch of her body.

“Didn’t I warn you before? If you understand, stop sacrificing that commoner to satisfy your own twisted desires. In exchange… Ahem, I’ll find someone to replace him.”

By his previous warning, he was probably referring to when Geo acted as Lithia’s partner in dance class.

Even at that time, Andrew misunderstood Geo’s kind act as that of reluctance. Thinking that he was being forced to assist the ugly Lithia, Andrew told him to switch to a new partner.

“What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue?”

—That’s right, what was Geo’s answer at that time?

“—Are you listening, you ugly witch!”

“…I’m sorry, wrong person.”

“Hm?”

Lithia, who’d been standing with her face to the ground, slowly raised her head.

“I won’t deny that I’m ugly, but… I don’t think it’s fair to call him ‘pitiful.’ After all, no one’s day was ruined yesterday, so wrong person.”

“Wha—!?”

The words came out so smoothly that even she surprised herself.

When everyone else called her ugly, Geo begged to differ. Besides, for the man who seemingly had the most fun yesterday to secretly lament that day—it was just unthinkable.

…And the reason was simple.

Because he couldn’t lie.

Therefore, none of what he said was a lie.

“…Kuh! Witch, didn’t you hear what I said? I said I’m going to find a replacement for you! How ungrateful can you be!?”

Andrew didn’t only glower at her, but also raised his hand.

At that, Lithia reflexively tensed up—

“—She’s right, you know.”

“Geo!”

Then, a familiar back stood in front of Lithia as if to shield her from Andrew’s grasp.

“Your Highness, you’ve misunderstood. Yesterday, I spent my day being accompanied with a girl whose cuteness is beyond words. I was the happiest man alive. Like she said, no man was subjected to tragedy the other day.”

As he spoke, Geo’s shoulders heaved up and down. Surely, he had seen Lithia talking to the prince and rushed over to her.

“I see… You have no intention of heeding my advice. Hmph, how foolish.”

She couldn’t see it due to Geo’s back, but she could tell from Andrew’s tone that he was sneering.

“Before someone gets too carried away, let me remind you of your place.”

---

***T/N: AND FINALLY SOME ATTEMPTED ASSAULT LOLOLOLOLOL Prince how low can you get? I’m trying to determine whether to bring shovel or an excavator for my expectation. But then again I’d rather bury him alive instead.

Please also consider donating to my ko-fi! It’ll greatly support me in action, no matter the amount!
https://ko-fi.com/antoinettevanessa

Have a Japanese story or the likes (Drama CD, etc.) you’d like to read? Want it to be translated? I’m open for commission!
https://www.fiverr.com/s2/aaab08c14d

<Previous chapter

Next chapter>