—There were 50 days remaining until she died.

“I heard about it. You grew tired of sword training, so now you’re planning to grow a field.”

Even though only half of her time left remained, she continued to have fun every day.

…Well, except for the part where she got ambushed by her fiancé every morning, and being asked if anything was ailing her.

Even so, she seemed to enjoy her sword practice during the lunch break.

“Then, are you going to quit sword training?”

“Why would I?”

Lelouche was shocked by the second prince’s conclusion.

“I didn’t get tired of it? I’ll continue to master the path of the sword until the end.”

“Until the end, you say… how long do you have in mind?”

“…At least until the dance party.”

Oh, that’s unusual.

Even though she was always careful to hide the time she had left, she carelessly spoke of the due date.

Was it a slip of tongue? She seemed nonchalant as usual. The second prince swung his scabbard at her sword. This time, Lelouche held on to her sword. It seemed that her training was showing some results.

She didn’t seem to have time to indulge in the conversation.

“…The dance party, isn’t that next month? Is something going to happen at that time?”

As usual, she didn’t answer and only smiled.

It occurred to me. Perhaps, that was the right moment for her to confess the truth.

Naturally, the second prince might think that she was crazy. However, he was used to her antics. Not to mention, he seemed to be fond of her. If so, they might be able to spend the next 50 days amicably…

Yes, isn’t that fine?

The second prince had a lot of issues which mostly stemmed from his inferiority complex. He had resigned himself because he couldn’t get what he yearned for, but if he attained what he wanted the most—for his love to be reciprocated—…Hmm, it could work.

Despite my speculations, Lelouche didn’t say another word.

So as to not upset her, the second prince changed the topic.

“Well, that’s alright. Still, isn’t there something more important than sword practice you should focus on? It seems that on our last break, my older brother went to a clothing store.”

“Your older brother…?”

Oh… right, the first prince was on an official duty tasked by his father.

Rental dress, wasn’t it? I didn’t think it was a bad idea. That way, commoners wouldn’t have to force themselves on special occasion. I began to think that the first prince might be able to become a fair and just prince if he wasn’t too serious.

…I wonder if those brothers could fix their relationship and support each other.

Life sure is difficult, isn’t it?

“…If Lelouche is alright with it, would you like a dress from me?”

“What?”

I felt like Lelouche was going to turn him down.

However, the second prince, who was experienced with women, upped his game.

“For now, why don’t we look into the kind of dress my brother ordered? He ordered it from a store the royal family doesn’t normally frequent. This is probably their first time receiving such a request. As such, the dress is probably still in temporary sewing.”

“That’s… even so…”

“It might help you prepare yourself. Don’t you want a better dress than them?”

From a woman’s perspective, the second prince’s smirk might be dazzling, but from a guy’s perspective, it was just annoying.

“If you agree to accompany me this weekend, I’ll not only teach you how to swing a sword, but also how to intercept them. How about it?”

“…Oh my, is it because of my awkward attempt at deflecting your attack a moment ago?”

“You managed to not drop your sword, at the very least. As such, it’d be better if I were to teach you how to avoid and deflect it. Besides, that way, I’d have a reason to touch Lelouche.”

“Wait, what?!”

Apparently, Lelouche didn’t find it unwelcome.

“Will you join me?”

As they happily enjoyed the exchange—

—Aah…

If only I lived in the same era as her. I’d make her happy, just like this.

I shook my head to dismiss the thought.

I’m already dead.

I shouldn’t expect anything from her. I shouldn’t desire anything from her.

I should just observe…

…Even so, as I watched over her dazzling days, I wondered why I was so frustrated.

---

***T/N: God’s jelly of the era

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