—26 days remaining.

Lelouche was crying.

It wasn’t just because yesterday, when she was down with a cold, her mother casually made a comment that upset her…

After personally telling the crown prince that she was breaking off their engagement, she was crying.

“Lelou—”

As she huddled up, her back looked so small.

I tried to reach out to her, trying to call her name, but then I stopped.

Yesterday, I dared to be cheerful and encouraged her.

I don’t think after what happened today, it’ll be that easy.

I gently moved away from her and sat on a chair across from her.

Despite what happened, she still dutifully prepared tea and sweets for me.

I poured tea from the teapot into a cup and just gently set it down in front of her.

“…Thank you.”

Even if she didn’t look up, she probably recognized me from the sounds and presence.

I spoke to her as she lowered her face.

“If you want to talk about anything, you can always call out to me. I’ll always be there for you.”

“Hehe… You aren’t going to preach anything today, are you?”

“Do you want me to?”

“Sure.”

“Being masochistic doesn’t suit you.”

I drank the herbal tea I poured myself. She always prepared the tea leaves. This particular one had a refreshing citrus scent.

“‘Ah, this usually high and mighty woman is so different in bed!’ Isn’t that what men prefer?”

“What!?”

I couldn’t help but burst with laugher at her comment which exceeded my expectations.

As usual, she didn’t look up.

“I’m a candidate for the future crown princess. I’m responsible for conceiving an heir in the future, so naturally such classes were included as part of the princess education.”

…Uh-oh, the flow of this conversation isn’t really good…

Even though there was no one else around that could hear our conversation, we were of the opposite sex. Not to mention, we were around the same age.

Yet, Lelouche Elcage continued. I wondered if she didn’t care about my impatience at all, or if she was playing with me.

“I still can’t wrap my head around it. While I understand the theory that when you’re excited, your blood gathers and you become hard, but for it to lift up so suddenly—”

“—Hold on, wait, hold it right there! What is this all of the sudden!? You usually don’t talk about this kind of thing! Are you drunk?”

“God is dressing up just for today.”

“Huh?”

She looked up from her lap and was smiling happily.

Dressing up…

Well, I just hope that it’ll make her feel better…

I said to her with a sigh.

“I won’t say anything today.”

“But that would be boring.”

“In return, I’ll ask you a lot of questions starting tomorrow.”

“Now that’s just annoying.”

“If you say that, then whatever!”

My voice went up along with my frustration, and she laughed happily.

However, this is something that I definitely won’t tell you.

In my opinion, this annulment wasn’t a bad turn of events.

…I don’t want the girl I like to be engaged to another man. Regardless of the circumstances… Of course, considering her feelings, she must be sad.

Still, I couldn’t help but feel even the slightest bit of joy.

…I’m sure I’m not a great guy at heart.

Well, I’ve known that for a long time.

Even so, I still wanted to hear those words…

“By the way, who is this person you like?”

“Hehe.”

“Or did you just say that so the First Prince will give up on you?”

“Hehehe.”

“Does that smile mean you have no intention of answering?”

“Hehehehe”

“All right, that’s enough.”

The way she smiled at me while still holding her knees was simply too cute.

Today too, I drank the delicious tea she had brewed.

---

***T/N: Hello guys, there are more short stories upcoming ^-^ The Author sure is hardworking.

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