Arthur quietly looked at her.
His heart stirred slightly.
...My answer was politically correct.
...But...
...that doesn’t necessarily make it right.
Most of the Young Lords who had approached him understood the game they were playing.
Political marriages.
Strategic alliances.
Mutual benefits.
Few had worn their emotions so openly.
Yet Lyra...
She was different.
There was something refreshingly honest about her.
Something warm.
Arthur let out a quiet sigh.
"Young Lady Lyra..."
"I’m sure you’re already aware of House Ashbourne’s current situation."
Lyra slowly released his sleeve.
"...Yes."
"I know about the Hollow Brood invasion."
Arthur nodded.
"What I’m about to say is... somewhat confidential."
"But..."
"I feel like I can trust you."
He turned fully to face her.
"My family hopes to use my marriage to forge an alliance with a house powerful enough to help us survive this war."
He smiled faintly.
"Naturally, House Valerius is off the table because we have bad blood between us."
"So my family intends for me to find a Young Lord from a capable house at the Academy."
"Hence..."
"I cannot just pick anyone."
There was a pause.
"...Oh."
"I understand."
"I’m sorry for my behavior, then."
She managed a small smile before extending a hand toward him.
"So..."
"We can remain business partners, then."
Inwardly...
She couldn’t help but think...
It was hopeless from the beginning.
My family doesn’t have the military might to support his in their time of need.
Arthur could sense the restrained pain behind her words.
And for some reason...
A part of him didn’t want things between them to end there.
He had developed a genuine connection with her, after all.
A brief silence passed between them.
Then...
Arthur suddenly spoke.
"...Well."
"I don’t want to remain just business partners."
"...Huh?"
Lyra looked at him in confusion.
Arthur glanced away slightly.
A faint blush appeared on his face as a small smile formed across his lips.
"...I actually... kind of like you, Lyra."
"...!"
Lyra’s face instantly turned bright red.
"W-What?"
"But wait..."
"What about your family?"
"And the invasion?"
Arthur smiled confidently.
"I’ll be able to handle it myself."
"Besides..."
"I don’t really like the idea of being married off like some political trophy."
"It feels kind of weird. And hey, it’s not really my style to let other people fight my battles for me."
"But..."
"I guess that’s the norm in this world."
Lyra stared at him in disbelief.
"What are you talking about...?"
"...Never mind."
"How do you plan to do this?"
"Where do you plan to find the necessary military to—"
Arthur chuckled.
"Geez."
"Slow down."
"There’s no need to get so worked up."
"If I said I’ll handle it..."
"Then let that be my problem."
He smiled warmly at her.
"You still haven’t given me a response..."
"...I said I liked you. I want to get to know you."
Lyra stood completely frozen.
"...Eh?"
Her emerald eyes blinked several times.
For a few long seconds...
She genuinely wondered if she’d misheard him.
"...Y-You..."
"You... really like me?"
Arthur rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"...Well..."
"I wouldn’t have said it otherwise."
Lyra’s heart skipped several beats.
A rush of emotions she couldn’t even begin to sort through flooded her mind all at once.
Confusion.
Happiness.
Disbelief.
Embarrassment.
Her cheeks somehow became even redder.
"B-But..."
"We’ve only just met..."
Arthur gave a small shrug.
"I know."
"And I’m not saying I’m in love with you."
He smiled gently.
"But I do like the person I’ve met tonight."
"You’re honest."
"You don’t hide behind politics."
"And..."
He let out a quiet laugh.
"I’ve had more genuine conversations with you than I’ve had with anyone else here."
Lyra stared at him.
She could tell...
He wasn’t saying those words to comfort her.
He genuinely meant them.
"...I..."
She lowered her gaze.
"I don’t know what to say..."
Arthur smiled.
"You don’t have to say anything right now."
"I wasn’t confessing because I wanted an answer."
"I was simply being honest."
He looked toward the two moons hanging peacefully above them.
"I’d rather start a relationship because we actually enjoy each other’s company..."
"...than because our families signed a contract."
Lyra quietly looked at his profile.
...He’s strange.
A little naïve, perhaps.
But...
Somehow...
She found that side of him incredibly charming.
A small laugh escaped her lips.
"...You’re nothing like the rumors."
Arthur looked back at her.
"...Is that a good thing?"
She nodded immediately.
"Very much so."
A comfortable silence settled between them.
The evening breeze gently brushed past, carrying with it the faint fragrance of blooming flowers from the gardens below.
Finally...
Lyra gathered her courage.
A warm smile spread across her face.
"Then..."
"I’d like that."
Arthur tilted his head.
"...Like what?"
She laughed softly.
"I’d like to get to know you too, Arthur."
For the first time since stepping onto the balcony...
She called him by his first name.
Not "Young Master."
Not "Lord Ashbourne."
Just...
Arthur.
The smile on Arthur’s face widened naturally.
"Then..."
"I suppose this is our first date."
"...!"
Lyra’s eyes widened.
"W-Wait..."
"This counts as a date?!"
Arthur blinked.
"...Doesn’t it?"
Lyra covered her burning face with both hands.
"I-I wasn’t mentally prepared for this!"
Arthur couldn’t help but laugh.
"Hahaha..."
"Relax."
"I’m just teasing you."
She peeked at him through her fingers before letting out an exaggerated sigh of relief.
"...You’re terrible."
Arthur grinned.
"I’ll take that as progress."
Somewhere inside his mind...
Genesis quietly spoke.
〘Relationship status updated.〙
〘Young Lady Lyra Evergreen has successfully advanced from "Political Candidate" to "Personal Interest."〙
Arthur’s eyelid twitched.
...Genesis.
〘Yes, Master?〙
...Don’t make categories like that.
A brief pause followed.
〘...Understood.〙
Another pause.
〘Creating hidden categories instead.〙
Arthur almost groaned aloud.
...You’re impossible.
A tiny giggle echoed inside his mind.
〘Hehe.〙
A soft knock suddenly echoed from the balcony entrance.
"...Young Master?"
Arthur and Lyra turned toward the voice.
Standing just beyond the open balcony doors was one of the estate’s maids.
She gave a respectful bow.
"My apologies for interrupting."
"But the gift presentation is about to begin."
She straightened before continuing.
"Master Ian has requested your presence in the Grand Banquet Hall."
"The guests have already begun gathering."
Arthur nodded.
"I understand."
"I’ll be there shortly."
"Yes, Young Master."
The maid bowed once more before quietly taking her leave.
Silence settled over the balcony again.
Arthur looked toward Lyra with an apologetic smile.
"...Looks like we’ll have to continue this another time."
Lyra smiled and gently hugged Syir a little closer.
"...I don’t mind."
She gave him a small nod.
"After all..."
"We’ve already agreed to get to know each other."
A warm smile appeared on Arthur’s face.
"...You’re right."
He offered her his arm with a playful smile.
"Shall we?"
Lyra blinked.
"...Eh?"
Arthur chuckled.
"I can’t exactly leave my first date standing on the balcony by herself."
Lyra’s face instantly turned scarlet.
"...I-It wasn’t a date!"
Arthur merely laughed as he began walking back toward the banquet hall.
Behind him...
Lyra stood frozen for a few seconds before hurriedly following after him, her flustered voice echoing softly through the quiet balcony.
"W-Wait for me!"