Lithia accepted Geo’s proposal about half a month before the day of the dance party.

“I’ve decided to drop out of the academy.”

“What!?”

After finishing her usual supplementary lessons, she went home with Geo who’d been waiting for her.

“Eh, but why—!? This is so sudden—!”

“Are you familiar with the Selvi territory? Right now, the crops aren’t growing because of drought. It seems to have hit the people hard. The royal palace has decided to send me there.”

“No way…”

What a sudden, and not to mention, abrupt decision—! Lithia was rendered speechless. Regardless, it must have been the truth since Geo was incapable of lying.

“Well, originally, the royal palace dictated I attend this academy due to my light element. As such, even if this time they tell me to go to the East, it can’t be helped.”

“B-but! What about your own circumstances!? Geo isn’t a commodity they can just forward anywhere they like!?”

“Still, I’m an orphan. I have no guardians to make a direct complaint on my behalf. Or rather, I’m under the custody of the government, so similar to being an order from my guardian…”

“Geo… You aren’t complaining? Even if it means having to be separated from me? I-if it were me, I’d refuse!”

Lithia was shocked by Geo’s indifference.

The Selvi territory was located at the Easternmost region of the Kingdom of Lafizard. It was faraway from the royal capital. Therefore, it’d be difficult for the two to see each other.

“It’d have been better if it was closer to the royal capital, but I don’t have any say in it. I don’t know how often I’ll be able to visit the royal capital, but I will be sure to do so. I’ll also write to you.”

“…But, can’t you at least wait until you graduate?”

“No, this is actually an opportunity for me. The baron and his wife don’t have children, and depending on my contribution, they might adopt me. There’s no way I can miss this.”

“—!”

Her vision darkened.

…Before, didn’t Geo say that he wanted to stay by my side no matter what? He wasn’t lying, right?

—Then, why would he choose this opportunity over me?

“…I see. After all, it’d be better for Geo to be adopted by the Baron of Selvi rather than staying at the academy.”

“Yes, I mean—”

—Besides, even Lithia’s family bought their title with money, so she had no right to blame Geo.

Yet, somehow, she was sure that Geo would choose her over such a thing…

“—If I have a title, I should be able to propose to you.”

“Huh?”

The tears she’d been adamantly trying to conceal trickled down.

“Lithia is still single, right? If it means staying by your side for the remainder of my life, being apart for a few years is nothing! Of course, I’m aware that just a title won’t be enough, but I don’t want to give up without trying.”

“Eh!? Huh—!?”

Amidst the surprise, her tears flowed.

“W-w-w-w-wait!!!”

—ah, I see…

Apparently, that was why Geo didn’t hesitate. That was why he appeared to be so happy, and said that the sooner the better—

“—Even if you don’t have a title, I’m willing to marry you, you moron!”

“Eh?”

—It was all for my sake, wasn’t it?

Meanwhile, I was too preoccupied with my own grief…

—Geo’s actions from there were swift.

“Marry me.”

Without wasting a single second, Geo got down on his knee, plucked some dandelions from the side of the road, made them blossom, and presenting them to her. Of course, not without removing the roots first…

“I’m sorry. I only have this right now…”

Leaves jutted out from the hastily-made bouquet. Nevertheless, Lithia received it before wordlessly bringing it to her chest.

◆◆◆

“Even though I only planned on attending the dance party with Geo, who’d have expected all that to happen…”

On the balcony where the night breeze blew, Lithia muttered with a sigh.

After the proposal, they got married within half a month. The entire time, they were busy with preparations. Of course, only those close with them knew about the wedding. As for the ceremony, it was held by her relatives with a priest invited to her house.

She was simply too busy to inform everyone else. But now that she thought about it, she made the right choice. If Andrew had known, he’d have probably attempted to foil the wedding.

Not only that, but Lithia also deliberately submitted her letter of withdrawal on Geo’s last day of school. Regarding that, she also made the right choice. If she had done it sooner, Andrew would’ve been informed by a teacher.

“—And here I thought that prince had a warped sense of beauty. Thank God he’s normal.”

“Well, I don’t care about that anymore…”

From the venue on the other side of the window, the orchestra’s stilted performance could be heard.

After everything that had happened, no one could move for a while. Even though everyone seemed to have something to say, only awkward silence ensued.

Even if the music had started, no one was able to dance in such an atmosphere…

“Lithia, please give me your hand. I’d like to fulfill my promise.”

—Well, except for him…

Since they were on the balcony, away from every else, no one should realize it. Still, they would be able to hear their footsteps. A lovestruck couple who danced without a care in the world…

“…Of course, gladly.”

—Lithia didn’t care. It didn’t matter what anyone else thought of her—what Andrew and his entourage thought of her.

“In this world, I’ve never seen anyone as beautiful as you, Lithia. It’s as if I’m dancing with a moon fairy.”

“What if I told you I truly am one?”

“I’d believe you.”

“Haha, then would I have to prove that I’m human again?”

Even if he was the only person in this world who’d call her beautiful, she’d be happy.

After all, he was the most honest man in the world—one who never lied in his entire life—

—and at the same time, the man she loved.

---

***T/N: Hahaha, awww that’s such a cute proposaaaaaal

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