Chapter 76 – ​76

The ​person ​selected ​as ​the ​May ​Queen, the centerpiece ​of ​the ​spring ​festival, ​was the singer who ​had ​played the role ​of Daphne in ​the ​opera.

She ​had ​looked ​remarkably ​young, and it ​turned ​out ​she had only ​turned sixteen this year. ​Since only ​unmarried women ​could ascend ​to the ​position ​of ​May Queen, this ​was perhaps ​only natural.

With a radiant ​face and a flower ​crown upon her head, ​she waved ​from ​the stage, and many men threw ​single flowers toward her.

Euro ​also ​applauded, ​tossing ​a ​single rose in ​her direction. ​However, ​the girl, escorted ​off ​the stage by the male ​singer who ​had ​been her counterpart, ​cut ​through ​the ​crowd ​and approached ​Euro.

Caught ​completely off ​guard, Euro looked back and forth between ​her and Melione. ​He had never ​imagined that she was ​coming toward ​him.

In fact, at ​first, ​he hadn’t even ​thought she was ​heading toward ​him ​or Melione. ​But ​as he ​watched ​her, the ​words ​Lady ​Molton had once ​told ​him came ​to ​mind.

‘A ​May ​Queen’s request for a date cannot be refused for any reason. So, it is a golden opportunity.’

Euro narrowed his eyes, squeezed them shut, and then opened them. If that were the case, there was only one reason she was walking toward him: to ask Melione for a date.

Had this been before he realized his own feelings, he would have thought perfect and pushed Melione’s back toward her, but not now. He had practically begged and dragged him out to the festival just to make a single memory; he couldn’t bear the thought of seeing him on a date with someone else.

‘If you want to date, do it after you divorce me,’ unauthorized copyEuro muttered inwardly, staring at Melione. Yet, for some reason, Melione’s [unauthorized copy]expression didn’t look very pleased either.

She was a beautiful young girl with pale blonde hair. If she stood side-by-side with Melione, they would likely look like a painting. Of course, considering Melione’s age, it was a bit odd, but this world was different from the one he had lived in.

“Duchess.”

Strangely, however, she called out to him, not Melione, in a clear voice. Euro stared at her with a look of utter bewilderment.

“Ah, yes. Me?”

“Are you enjoying the festival?”

“Uh, yes… it was fun.”

It really was fun until just now, Euro thought, barely hiding his sudden honesty with an awkward smile. At this, she let out a laugh with a mischievous expression.

“I’m late with my introductions. My name is Mia.”

“Nice to meet you, Mia.”

“Thank you for the gift you sent previously.”

Mia was expressing her gratitude for the gift sent to the opera theater, but [Read on Read BL Novels]Melione, unaware of visit our sitethe [Read on Read BL Novels]matter, stared at Euro with a slight frown.

Consequently, Euro’s ears turned bright red as he murmured to Melione, as if making an excuse.

“I didn’t send it to anyone in particular; I sent a gift to the opera theater. Something that everyone could share.”

While Euro was flustered, trying to avoid a misunderstanding, Mia took off the flower crown from her head and held it out to Euro. Euro froze.

A May Queen’s request for a date was made by plucking a single flower from the crown and giving it to the other person. To offer the entire crown—he wondered what that could possibly mean.

Though, even if she had just plucked one, it would have been just as problematic. Euro hesitated, unable to take the crown, while Melione completely gave up on managing his facial expression.

“Mia, I really appreciate the gesture, but…”

“You know that a May Queen’s request for a date cannot be refused, right?”

“I know… but, we just got married recently.”

As Euro stammered, Mia stepped closer and suddenly placed the flower crown on his head. Having the crown forced upon him, Euro could only blink blankly.

Seeing this, Mia clapped her hands and beamed.

“As I thought, it suits you perfectly.”

“…Huh?”

“Duchess, I am not so lacking in manners as to ask a newlywed for a date.”

“Then what does this mean?”

“Regrettably, there is no one I wish to ask on a date. I already have a fiancé, and he is not currently in Silon.”

“Ah…”

At Mia’s words, Euro nodded and reached up to fiddle with the crown.

“But you must have someone you wish to ask on a date, right?”

“…”

“There is someone you came all the way from far-off Norden just to meet. I thought it was truly romantic. I’m sure everyone else does too.”

Everyone in Silon knew the story of the Hereditary Curse of the House of Duke Spioren and the many Duchesses who had died because of it.

The spring festival was always overflowing with love, but the Duke, the visit our sitelord of Silon, visit our sitewas always unauthorized copythe exception. However, this festival was different.

The Prince who had come from Norden, instead of secluding himself upon marriage, had prepared for the spring festival and spent the day enjoying himself with Melione, who had never once appeared at a festival before.

He had shared affectionate conversations with those who approached him, smiling happily as if no such curse existed. Thus, this spring festival in Silon was more special than any other.

“I give you the authority of the May Queen. Please have a wonderful day. This is a small token of gratitude for the gift you sent.”

Mia spoke and bowed her head, and Euro took off the crown and looked at Melione. Melione was staring at the departing Mia with a somewhat dazed expression.

Similarly dazed, Euro looked at the crown and, as if possessed, plucked a single rose and handed it to Melione. Melione looked back at Euro with a slightly surprised expression.

“Would you go on a date with me, Melione?”

“…”

“Though we’ve been doing that all day, anyway.”

Melione gazed silently at the rose Euro had handed him. Everyone was watching the two with expectant eyes, but it felt as if Euro and Melione were the only two people left in the world.

Euro hesitated, gauging his reaction. A pleasant tremor and a strange anxiety mixed together, shaking his heart. Melione, staring silently at Euro’s slightly flushed face, quietly accepted the rose.

“…What would you like to do?”

At Melione’s question, Euro put the flower crown back on his head and smiled brightly.

“Let’s dance!”

“…”

“Dance with me, Melione!”

At that moment, cheerful music began to play. Euro snatched the rose from Melione’s hand, stood on his tiptoes, and tucked it behind Melione’s ear. Then, just as Mia had, he burst into a mischievous laugh.

Melione took Euro’s hand. Then, moving step by step as they had practiced, he couldn’t take his eyes off Euro’s sparkling face.

Euro’s steps were light, as if he had become the happiest person in the world. The faces of everyone they passed while dancing were bright. Melione felt as if he were dreaming.

A person can be more beautiful than the stars, Euro thought. Beneath the shining night sky, colorful lights swayed as if dancing, blinking like a drunken haze.

His chest felt swollen, like a balloon. Euro surrendered himself to the overflowing emotion, floundering in a sense of fulfillment that made him feel as though he might fly away. Eventually, a faint smile appeared on Melione’s face as well.

ꕥ ꕥ ꕥ

“It really was fun, wasn’t it?”

Holding Melione’s hand, Euro had climbed the lighthouse at the harbor and stood by the railing, gazing at the round full moon.

The area beneath the round light emitting beams looked like an observation deck. Melione gazed at Euro, who was standing by the railing and laughing incessantly, and spoke.

“Did you enjoy yourself?”

“Yes, I would have regretted it so much if I hadn’t come.”

Standing with the moon at his back, Euro looked at Melione, who stood a short distance away. In the moonlight, his hair fluttering in the wind looked like a halo of light.

Perhaps it had fallen off while dancing, but the rose Euro had tucked in was gone. On the other hand, Euro was still wearing the flower crown.

“How about we all wear masks for the next festival?”

“Masks?”

“Yes. Since everyone recognized who we were, it was a bit embarrassing.”

“For someone who felt that way, you enjoyed yourself the most.”

“Exactly.”

Euro burst into laughter and agreed. He had been so excited that he’d danced his heart out; he was worried about what people would think of him from now on.

“I also felt like people were uncomfortable whenever the partners changed. Since it’s a place for everyone to enjoy, I think it would be more fun if we wore masks so we could dance regardless of status.”

Euro took a deep breath and exhaled. He wondered how wonderful it would be if every day were like today. However, there would be no next opportunity for him.

Thinking that today would be the last time he could enjoy himself with him like this, he felt a stinging sensation in one side of his chest.

“I wonder how fun it would be…”

Euro murmured blankly while looking at the undulating sea. Then, on an impulse, Euro stepped forward and looked up at Melione. A faint smile lingered on his face reflected in the moonlight, and Euro was seized by a strange sense of anticipation.

Though it was a place where only the sound of crashing waves and the occasional cry of a seagull could be heard, the heat of the festival still remained in his chest. It was likely because of that.

For some reason, Euro wanted to confess his true feelings to Melione. He might think in the future that this was just one of the many lies he had told, but for today, he wanted to convey this swelling heart exactly as it was.

“I like you.”

“…”

“I… Melione, I like you.”

Euro poured his sincerity into every single syllable. This time, it was a truth without a shred of falsehood. It was the act of finally admitting to himself that he was drawn to Melione to an extent that could no longer be ignored.

But he had no regrets. He wanted to love him without reservation. He wanted to convey these feelings so that when he looked back on today after a long time, he would not regret it.

He didn’t expect a response. It didn’t matter if the feeling wasn’t mutual. But Euro couldn’t help but search Melione’s face. His fingertips tingled, and his face flushed hot.

If he said he felt the same, if he said he had come to like him too, wouldn’t something change?

Euro held his breath for a moment as his heart leaped violently. The instant felt like an eternity, and his chest began to feel tight.

In that moment, Euro suddenly covered his mouth. A hot substance overflowed from between his lips, which had parted in an uncontrollable surge.

“…Euro!”

Melione hurriedly caught Euro, who had suddenly vomited blood in front of him. But Euro, whose legs had given out, collapsed onto the ground, and the flower crown he had been wearing tumbled away.

Coughing violently as he lay collapsed, Euro’s vision spun. Gasping for air, feeling as if he might lose consciousness at any moment, he saw Melione’s face, distorted in agony.

His ears were ringing, and he couldn’t hear a word. Melione scooped him up, and through his fading vision, Euro saw the flower crown, trampled and drenched in blood.

That was the end.