"Excuse , may I go attend the ball?"
"Of course, no problem~ Please co in~ Please co in~"
Thus, under everyone's sweatdropping gazes, Yutsuki swaggered into the castle.
By the way, the floating wooden cart behind Yutsuki followed her like an obedient loyal dog. Although the guard initially forbade bringing this thing into the ball, after Yutsuki rewarded the other side of his face with a gold bar, turning the red marks into a symtrical pattern, the guard very readily let the wooden cart in.
"Yo, everyone is here as expected. It's great to see you all safe."
"Yutsuki-nee, why are you here?"
"Ehehe. I secretly tagged along~"
Looking at Yutsuki maliciously acting cute, the corner of Kotori's mouth twitched slightly.
"...Whatever. You have to explain everything to in detail when we get back."
Kotori glared at Yutsuki dissatisfiedly, then sighed helplessly. Although the other party didn't say it explicitly, having sowhat understood her personality, Kotori could roughly guess what tricks Yutsuki had pulled.
"Understood."
"Yo, Biri-chan. Looks like your luck is pretty good, getting assigned a nice role."
Unlike the others, Nia wasn't surprised by Yutsuki's appearance. She affectionately slung an arm around her shoulder and curiously pointed at the wooden cart behind her, asking.
"Honestly, what story is your character from? I've never heard of a traveling rchant riding a flying cart."
"It's a bit troubleso to explain. I'll tell you guys after we find Miku and Origami."
"Eh~ Don't leave hanging like this, tell , Biri-chan."
Shaking off Nia's entanglent, Yutsuki swept a glance over everyone. Her gaze stopped on Shido, and she imdiately revealed a radiant smile.
"Shiori-chan! It's so great that you're safe! I missed you so much!"
"Mhm... Yutsuki too. It's good that you're okay."
Shido nodded stiffly. Compared to Yutsuki, who could hold his hands with a smile, his expression was noticeably much stiffer.
(I can't feel her being angry at all... Is this the power of Shiori-chan?)
Shido couldn't help but admire Yutsuki's deep obsession with Shiori.
(Boy, what are you doing? Grab this chance and apologize quickly.)
Noticing the look Nia shot him, Shido snapped back to reality. Indeed, now that Yutsuki's mood had improved, it was the best ti for him to apologize.
"Um... Yutsuki... about earlier... I'm sorry... it was my fault."
"Hm? What are you talking about, Shiori-chan?"
However, regarding Shido's apology, Yutsuki tilted her head in confusion.
"Shiori-chan, you did nothing wrong at all."
"Eh? It's about Muku..."
"Shiori-chan, you did nothing wrong at all."
Forcefully interrupting Shido's words, Yutsuki looked at Shido with a smile and repeated it in an affirmative tone.
"..."
Shido was montarily at a loss for words. Although for a split second he thought Yutsuki had forgotten about the argunt, when she repeated the answer a second ti, he realized that was just an illusion.
"Hm? Comrade, what are you talking about?"
Kaguya asked, puzzled. Not just her; except for Kotori and Nia who knew the whole story beforehand, everyone was completely confused about the current situation.
"Alright, staying here too long will only attract attention. Let's hurry to the ballroom."
Kotori clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention to herself, urging them forward while walking towards the interior of the castle.
"Sorry... Boy... I said irresponsible things to you."
Nia apologized to Shido in a low voice. She seed to bla herself for secretly instigating Shido.
"No... it's not your fault. I was just too hasty..."
Smiling bitterly and shaking his head, Shido turned his gaze to Yutsuki walking ahead. Seemingly noticing Shido's gaze, Yutsuki turned her head and returned a sowhat shy smile.
However, an action that should have made his heart race, now made him feel exceedingly distressed.
(Don't try to please by dressing up as Shiori... is that what it ans...)
Shido didn't think Nia's guess was wrong. Conversely, if he interpreted Yutsuki according to Nia's previous line of thought, Shido found that while her reaction was unexpected, it made perfect sense.
(My resolve is weak...)
Shido thought self-deprecatingly in his heart. He had clearly made up his mind long ago that he wasn't going to seek Yutsuki's forgiveness, but to reach a reconciliation with her.
———————————
Inside the castle, it was a fairy tale world completely different from the icy, snowy expanse outside.
Chandeliers radiating soft light, a bright red carpet covering the entire hall, even the stair railings were carved and crafted by first-rate artisans.
At the ball, various noble sons and daughters wearing gorgeous evening gowns gathered around tables, holding glass wine goblets, conversing very elegantly.
"Ooh—"
Seeing this scene, Tohka and the others let out exclamations of awe like country bumpkins entering the city.
"Shido! Kotori! Can I eat the food here?"
"You can, but... rember not to act alone. If you leave the illumination range of the match, your disguise will wear off."
Seeing Tohka's impatient look of hunger, Kotori knew she couldn't stop her, so she nodded in agreent.
"That's what she says... Tohka, there's no one at that table over there, let's go there."
"Oh!"
Having obtained permission from Shido and Kotori, Tohka cheered, walked to the dining table, and started eating heartily.
Although Tohka's table manners were sowhat ungraceful in this kind of noble ball, surprisingly, not a single person at the ball ca forward to reprimand her. Rather, Shido felt that the people at the ball were deliberately keeping their distance from their group.
Of course, if asked for the reason, Shido actually knew very well.
Coarse winter clothes devoid of any elegance, a strange and eerie floating wooden cart, Yutsuki's attire clearly clashing with the entire venue, coupled with the blatant bribery at the castle gate earlier. Although the nobles had complaints in their hearts, before figuring out Yutsuki's background, they didn't dare to stick their necks out lightly.
"As I thought, this thing is too conspicuous, isn't it?"
Noticing the wary glances cast by the surrounding people, Natsumi turned to the floating wooden cart behind her, the corner of her mouth twitching slightly. Honestly, she constantly had the illusion of being possessed by a ghost.
"Isn't this fine too? It saves us the trouble of dealing with people striking up conversations, and our original goal wasn't to co here and socialize anyway."
Kotori shrugged nonchalantly.
Just as Kotori said, during the ball, there were indeed a few young noblen who wanted to invite the won in Shido's group to dance. But upon seeing Yutsuki's vulgar attire, they all returned with disgusted looks on their faces.
"Was this also part of your plan, Yutsuki-nee?"
"How could it be? I didn't think that far ahead. I was just too lazy to change clothes."
Facing Kotori's slightly malicious sarcasm, Yutsuki shook her head helplessly.
Waiting like this amidst eating and drinking for a while, Shido and the others finally awaited the main event of this ball.
[—Honored guests, apologies for interrupting your pleasant conversations. Please focus your attention on the stage, as we present to you an extrely rare rmaid Princess possessing a wonderful singing voice.]
Following the host's voice, everyone present unanimously gathered their gazes on the stage. The curtains slowly drew back, revealing a half-human, half-fish woman sitting on a stage decorated to look like a beach.
Wet, beautiful long hair like violets, a swimsuit crafted from seashells, pitiful purple eyes, and—an enchanting voice that made one involuntarily beco intoxicated.
"Waaa-waaa—Where is this? Where is everyone? Darling—Honey—Hurry up and save ~"
"Oooooohhhhhhhhhhoooooooohhhhhhhooooooohhh!!!"
Amidst the cheers of "I don't understand what the rmaid is singing but it sounds fking amazing!" in the venue, Shido and Yutsuki's foreheads were covered in black lines.
No doubt about it, this rmaid was the companion they were looking for, Izayoi Miku.
"The story of the Little rmaid... in a certain sense, it really suits Mikki."
Nia sighed thoughtfully.
"Now is not the ti for sentints, we have to go save her quickly."
Shido said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
Fortunately, all the people at the ball had their eyes glued on the rare sight of Miku the rmaid, so few were paying attention to Shido's group. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Shido and the others split into two groups. On one hand, Yutsuki, Tohka, and Shido sneaked into the backstage to rescue Miku, while Kotori and the others stayed in the venue, using the phantom torch to create the illusion that everyone was present.
...
In the backstage area, after calming down the fervent audience, the host looked at Miku swimming in the water tank, appearing very dissatisfied.
"I'm telling you, since you've already been bought by His Majesty, don't entertain any foolish thoughts anymore. Serve the King wholeheartedly. —Got it? I heard you possess the best singing voice of a rmaid. I hope you will earnestly show your singing voice to the distinguished guests from afar next."
"I refuse! Although I have the best singing voice, I don't know that King I've never even t—I adhere to the principle of not doing work I don't accept!"
Miku righteously rejected the host's request, demonstrating her professional ethics.
Seeing Miku being so stubborn, the host seed to have lost her patience, her face darkening slightly.
"Is that so? Then it can't be helped. A rmaid who won't sing is useless. I've heard eating rmaid at grants immortality. I'll ask the chef later to add an extra dish of fish soup to His Majesty's dinner."
"Yay—Miku loves singing the most!"
Sensing that the other party's attitude wasn't a joke, cold sweat broke out on Miku's forehead, and she hurriedly changed her tune.
"Honestly, since when did our Miku beco the property of your King?"
"Who—Mmph—!"
Before the host could react, Yutsuki slipped behind her and used a handkerchief to cover her mouth and nose. Under the effect of the drug, the other party didn't struggle for long before passing out in Yutsuki's arms.
"Yutsuki... when did you prepare this chloroform?"
Seeing Yutsuki's overly practiced movents, Shido couldn't help but ask.
"Duh, of course I bought it along the way before coming here. Any problems?"
Yutsuki rolled her eyes at Shido crossly.
"No..."
Seeing the world of difference between her attitude now and when he was dressed as a girl, he had to admit, this was definitely Yutsuki. Shido thought helplessly in his heart.
"Miku, are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"
"Darling! Honey! You finally ca!"
Miku cheered in pleasant surprise, her fish tail wagging excitedly, splashing a large amount of water.
"Darling~ Honey~ I suffered so, so much here. When I ca to my senses, I was already in this form, deep in the sea. When I wanted to look for you all, a strange old lady suddenly approached , saying incomprehensible things like 'If you want to beco human, exchange it with your singing voice'! Can you believe it? Wanting my singing voice is just unbelievable! After I refused, she kept pestering , so I slapped her and ran away. Then, I finally made it to the beach, but got caught by a fisherman and sold to the King. And then—"
"Mhm mhm, I understand. It's okay now, relax Miku."
Watching Miku complain profusely, Shido smiled bitterly, patting her head to comfort her.
"Sorry Miku, save the talk for later!" Wiping the water splashes off her face with her sleeve, Yutsuki sighed helplessly and said, "We need to figure out a way to get you out of the castle now. Once we're back, you can act spoiled with Shido however you want."
"Really?!"
"...Of course, no problem."
Looking at Miku's expectant gaze, and feeling the pressure from Yutsuki's cold gaze behind him, Shido slumped his shoulders weakly, nodding his agreent.
"Shido! Yutsuki! Soone is approaching here, a lot of them!"
Hearing the warning from Tohka, who was keeping lookout outside the door, Yutsuki and Shido's expressions changed.
"It's probably the King coming over with his soldiers."
"It'll be bad if we get surrounded, what do we do, Yutsuki?"
Now was not the ti for petty conflicts. After brief thought, Yutsuki said,
"...Earlier than expected, it can't be helped. Signal Kotori quickly. We'll take Miku and leave while they cause a distraction."
Just as Shido and Yutsuki were preparing to act, another shout ca from Tohka.
"Wh—Why are you here? Tobiichi Origami!?"
"King, do you know this strange-looking foreigner?"
"Mhm, more or less."
The King is Origami?
Hearing this news, Yutsuki and Shido exchanged glances, then breathed sighs of relief. Had they known the King was Origami, there would have been no need for them to sneak around like this from the start.
"You being here ans Shido is also here, right? Step aside, Yatogami Tohka."
"Wait!?"
Ignoring Tohka's flustered voice, the backstage door was pushed open.
"Yo... Origami, you..."
The greeting stopped abruptly mid-sentence. Looking at Origami's current attire, Yutsuki widened her eyes in astonishnt.
To be precise, right now, other than a red cape—Origami wasn't wearing anything!
"Hm? What's wrong with Origami, Yu—"
"Secret Technique—Eye Poke Blinding Jutsu!!"
"Ahhhhhhhhh! My eyes! My eyes ahhhhhh!"
Without even understanding the situation, Shido could only clutch his eyes and roll on the floor groaning.
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