* * *

Why is Ateol here?

Seriously, is this kind of coincidence even allowed?

His expression was unfamiliar, as though he were looking at something utterly bizarre.

It was a look I’d never seen before—not during the playful, sly moments he had around me, nor even in the most intense moments of life and death.

How could I describe it? It was as if he’d seen something truly astounding.

Ah, but more importantly—the hood!

At this angle, my face was completely visible to Ateol.

Just as I frantically tried to pull the hood back up, a cheerful, almost magical sound effect rang out: “Bling! Ta-da!”

It was a sound so jubilant anyone would recognize it as something celebratory.

Even without checking the status window, I knew what it signified.

Above Ateol’s head, the affection gauge…

“…What are you doing here?”

…had risen a staggering 56%.

[Affection dramatically increased! Event triggered (auto-progressing).]

Why did it spike so suddenly?

Was it because he saw my face?

…That couldn’t be it, right?

Objectively speaking, my face is creepy enough to rival the Grim Reaper.

Then… was it because of the physical contact?

I looked down at myself.

Because I had fallen on top of Ateol, I was practically pinning him down.

Memories of some suggestive 19+ games raced through my mind like lightning.

No way—I hate those kinds of plots!

Still, just for this kind of physical contact to boost his affection so much?

Then what, would a kiss instantly max it out at 100%?

But life doesn’t work that easily.

Surely the sudden spike was some kind of “first-contact bonus” or something.

Still, there was no denying that the affection rose due to physical contact.

Which meant… I’d need to keep doing this in the future?

Trying to win over someone’s enigmatic heart through repeated interaction seemed far harder than simply touching them!

While I silently screamed in frustration, Ateol spoke.

“I understand now why you wear the hood.”

“…”

Yeah, I’m gloomy.

No need to point it out when you’re not helping.

What was this event even about?

I sneaked a glance at the status window, but all it said was that it was still in progress.

“You continue to avoid my gaze.”

I wasn’t avoiding your gaze—I was checking the status window.

Well… okay, maybe I was avoiding it a little. His gaze felt overwhelming.

I’d much rather face a hundred puppies clamoring for pets than endure that stare.

Perhaps due to the rising affection, there was a subtle warmth in Ateol’s eyes, but that only made it all the more unbearable.

When I remained silent, Ateol, too, stopped speaking and simply watched me.

Then, he reached out a hand.

The moment his hand drew near, my mind went blank.

When his fingertips brushed my cheek, I flinched in shock.

Ateol’s hand was warm, as expected.

His fingers slowly, oh so carefully, traced down from my cheekbone to my chin, as though stroking the fine hairs on my skin rather than the skin itself.

A strange tension began to spread from where his hand had touched.

Unable to even part my lips, I watched as Ateol smiled and spoke.

“Shall I hold you?”

“What?!”

What nonsense is this in broad daylight, with so many people around?!

“You seem to have lost strength in your legs. If it’s difficult, I could carry you to your feet.”

“Yuri!”

Thankfully, before Ateol could put words into action, Bell came running.

Without hesitation, she lifted me like a scarecrow and propped me up beside her.

Given she was at least a hand shorter than me, I felt like a baby being carried.

Should I point out how absurdly strong she was, or let it slide?

“Are you alright? And…”

Bell noticed Ateol and gave him a polite nod of acknowledgment.

After all, she couldn’t exactly offer a formal greeting to the Fourth Prince here.

Ateol returned her gesture with a slight wave.

“My apologies for the disturbance. We’ll take our leave now—”

“If you don’t mind, I’d be happy to escort you.”

“…What?”

Bell’s expression stiffened slightly, her gaze turning wary.

Her reaction was only natural.

For someone like the reclusive Fourth Prince to suddenly appear and offer to escort us?

Especially when she was here as my bodyguard.

Given that I had literally fallen onto him earlier, she might even suspect it was some kind of premeditated scheme.

Before she could voice her doubts, I quickly intervened.

“If he insists, let him. Not that I need protection, as you know better than anyone.”

“Yuri?”

Bell wasn’t the type to back down easily, which meant she might outright confront Ateol if I didn’t stop her. I had to mediate.

She stared at me in surprise, while Ateol merely shrugged.

The puppies had all returned to their respective owners, and the bystanders who had been gawking at us slowly dispersed. It was time to leave.

I led the way to a quieter part of the exhibition hall, where a lonely drink stand sat collecting dust.

Bell moved quickly.

As she went to buy drinks and returned, she never once took her eyes off Ateol.

“Did you get one for me too? I don’t mind if you didn’t.”

“Please excuse my earlier rudeness, Your Highness.”

“Oh? A bribe?”

“…It’s not that…”

Bell gave me a bewildered look.

Her round eyes seemed to say, ‘What’s up with this guy acting so friendly with you?’

As I debated where to even start explaining, Ateol spoke first.

“We happened to get closer at a recent ball. I’ve been holding onto that opportunity ever since.”

“I… see.”

“People like me, who are inept and ignorant, tend to cling to those in power, you see.”

“…”

Bell shot me an even more perplexed look.

“In any case, I was quite startled earlier.”

As I hesitated to reply, Ateol continued, glancing at the playground where the dogs had gathered earlier before turning back to me.

“Lately, animals seem to approach me often. I’ve never been popular with them before.”

“Really?”

My tone was devoid of interest, but Ateol didn’t seem to mind.

“I never thought you’d make a move like that first.”

“……”

At the quiet murmur, barely audible to Bell, my face twisted.

He was pretending to refer to the dog, but it was clear he was talking about me.

Was I really supposed to put up with this?

Wasn’t this grounds for execution?

Seeing my expression, Ateol quickly raised his hands in surrender.

Ha, but now wasn’t the time to be annoyed over a joke like this.

The fact that his favorability skyrocketed just from me being on top of him left me wondering what to do next.

“Yuri, you should return to the tower before it gets too late.”

Bell squeezed herself between us as if to wedge apart our close proximity.

She clearly didn’t like Ateol much.

Without resistance, Ateol backed off.

“I should head back as well.”

“…Seems like it’s raining a lot.”

The words slipped out of my mouth before I even realized it.

No, I had only fleetingly thought it, yet somehow it escaped my lips.

The sound of heavy rain outside was loud enough to be heard clearly indoors.

Bell and I could teleport back through a portal, but the imperial palace wasn’t exactly nearby.

Maybe the image of him disappearing into the night rain not long ago had stuck in my mind.

Ateol looked at me with an unreadable expression for a moment, then smiled faintly.

“This kind of rain? It’s nothing I can’t handle.”

“……”

“I’m joking. I’ve got an umbrella and a carriage. Please, don’t worry yourself.”

Oh… A carriage.

Of course.

Hah, a carriage, my foot.

That reminded me of the countless secret passages in the imperial palace he must have known about.

He probably used one of those to come here, staying completely dry in the underground pathways.

That thought made me curious to probe a little.

“So, why are you here?”

…Though it felt more like an outright question than probing.

Ateol tilted his head in slight confusion before replying nonchalantly.

“I came to see the puppy.”

“You’re not even interested in animals.”

Oh…?

That slipped out unintentionally too.

* * *