Apparently, the closing ceremony had already ended.

Our class won something, apparently… Although, only as a runner-up.

Anita said many students had been active, including in female tennis, and the class was very lively.

However, even though she had achieved good results, Anita was frowning.

“—And that’s when I recalled. You kept talking about matches this and matches that, but you never asked me about dresses. I bet you didn’t even know there was going to be a party!”

After that, I was dragged away by Anita to her room. Apparently, she had prepared two dresses in case I didn’t have one.

Thus, I was made to sit in front of the dressing table.

Did Cecily know about the party?

[I-I did… But usually, after helping Neria prepare, I’d just stand in a corner of the venue in my uniform. I’m sorry for not telling you…]

Well then, let’s party hard tonight!

Apparently, this academy almost always held a party after a big event. As expected of an aristocratic school…

Anita’s maid did my makeup. According to the maid, Anita could prepare everything, and efficiently, too.

What a high-spec young lady.

“Lady Cecily, please refrain from blinking.”

“Oh, sorry…”

On the other hand, I ended up being scolded even though I was just doing what I was told.

I’ve always had a hard time asking other people to do things for me…

But Anita meant well, so I held back the itch.

Anita spoke while scrunching her nose.

“I won’t stick my nose where it doesn’t belong, but may I say one thing?”

“What is it?”

“I’m not so narrow-minded as to refuse to help a friend, so I hope that when something painful enough to make you want to cry happens, you’ll turn to me next time.”

“Anita…”

She must’ve noticed my puffy eyelids. Maybe that was why the maid was having trouble applying makeup around my eyes…

I suppose so. I’m sorry…

I couldn’t help but smile wryly, and once again, adjusted my expression for the maid. I glanced at the reflection of Anita in the mirror.

“Well, then, I won’t cry from this type of problem, but I have something I’d like to ask you.”

“Feel free to ask me what you need regarding party etiquette or anything else.”

“Since the party is about to start… Will His Majesty the King be present?”

In response to my question, Anita’s eyelashes, which were longer than usua,l fluttered.

“He left after the closing ceremony. Don’t tell me, are you thinking about becoming queen?”

“Ahaha, no. I’d rather die.”

My eyes reflected in the mirror weren’t laughing.

—More importantly, there’s a party! Speaking of parties, boys meet girls!

This is my opportunity to find a suitor for Cecily!

[I have bad memories about parties…]

But it’s a great opportunity to see all the boys in the academy!

Considering that I was borrowing this body from Cecily, her future was 800 times more important than my past.

So, a suitor!

She needs to find someone better than that useless scion!

“I understand the situation, but I don’t think a single gentleman will approach a woman with bloodshot eyes…”

“Certainly…”

The party venue was ablaze with colors. The girls, including us, were all dressed up like colorful blossoms in a bouquet, basking under the dazzling light of the chandeliers. Among them was one woman in a long, flaming red, dress that caught the eye.

It’s Hana!

Despite wearing her usual glasses and not revealing much skin, her presence was outstanding. Both men and women looked equally enamored by her.

I asked Anita while staring enviously at Hana.

“Anita, don’t you have to talk to Hana?”

“I will since we won the tennis match, but right now, I have to keep an eye on my eccentric friend. She looks ready to start proposing for marriage to random guests.”

“…I already said I wouldn’t. In the first place, good guys are—”

“—How about having some fun with us, cute ladies over there?”

The person who spoke to me was Eivind Dahl who was all dressed up and was even sexier than usual.

Ugh, the gazes of the female students around me hurt…

“Cheap men are out of the question.”

“I overheard what you were saying. Why don’t you just propose to me? I’ll be sure to accept. After graduation, I will guarantee you a life with three meals a day and a nap.”

Looks like he brought someone good today.

Mark, who was from the other class, was present with Eivind. We were both members of the Magic Analysis Club. He was the boy with beautiful magical power. I had been wanting to talk to him, but Eivind always got in the way. Even at the club, we only ever talked about analysis, so it was difficult to get close to him.

“Aside from Eivind, what about you, Mark? Do you have a fiancée?”

“I don’t have a fiancée, but I’m against stealing my friend’s girlfriend.”

“Wait, Eivind and I aren’t dating…”

What kind of misunderstanding is this!?

I stepped forward, trying to solve the misunderstanding, only to be pulled back.

“Wait, wait, how about we dance to one song for now?”

“…Unfortunately, I don’t know anything about modern dances.”

If dances from 800 years ago were okay, then I could dance to some extent… But after 800 years, a lot of things should’ve changed. Moreover, I couldn’t imagine Cecily herself having that much dance knowledge.

However, Eivind, apparently understanding my circumstances, refused to back down.

“I don’t mind at all! We can just spin around in circles!”

Eivind was being unnecessarily cheerful as he led me away and spun me around.

Just a moment ago, he flippantly said that he’d guarantee my future.

Why would he say that?

…Would such a future even come?

If anything, aren’t you the scariest one?

Are there any other 18-year-olds who aren’t afraid of having their bodies usurped by the king?

“By the way, your fiancé is still asleep in the infirmary. What should we do? I left some ice cream as a joint gift just in case.”

“It has probably melted by now…”

“That’s fine, it symbolizes the end of his relationship with you.”

Even now, he still had that friendly smile on his face.

Before, he said that he preferred “strong women.”

Honestly, I don’t dislike strong men, either.

At that moment, I laughed as well.

Because no matter how many hundreds of years had passed—no matter how many days I had left—

—the future is now.

I quietly made my decision.

I’ll definitely make that man cry. I’ll make him cry more than I ever shed in tears.

At the same time, I’d help Eivind as well—just in passing, anyway.

It will come after Cecily, and after me.

—Now then, how should I engage the king from now on?

---

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***T/N: Hmm… ait, ig Eivind is fine.

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