White City, a high-class tavern.
"Hahaha! To think that the rare Arie traditional liquor is piled up like this… It really makes want to take a bunch with . Ah, of course, I do think our Khun family's wine is sliiightly better."
"Kii, kii."
A handso young man with blue hair and blue eyes downed a glass and burst into hearty laughter. Beside him, a thunderbird no larger than a swallow nodded its head, clearly agreeing with his words.
Khun Lucas.
Though he had returned to his branch four weeks ago to maintain his position as branch head, such a justification was far from enough to restrain soone with a wanderer's disposition.
With the Arie family holding a grand festival, there was simply no reason for him not to attend.
"Hehe, you've already downed ten bottles and now you say Khun wine is better?"
As Schmitt openly mocked Lucas for his blatant inconsistency, Dickel rely smiled faintly and took another sip.
After swallowing another mouthful, Dickel casually asked Lucas,
"Is it really fine not to visit your half-sister?"
"If you're talking about our prickly princess, I already stopped by. She was having a good ti with her friend, so I just watched for a bit and left."
"Thanks again for helping us last ti. The Commander-in-Chief was our biggest concern, but you resolved that."
"Our interests simply aligned. And chances to fight a top High Ranker of one of the Ten Families don't co around often."
Dickel slowly lifted the corner of his mouth and turned his gaze toward the Baekhwa Sword Palace visible through the window.
Thanks to the madness of the elders firing the main cannon of a decisive weapon at the Baekhwa Sword Palace last ti, its exterior was still in a miserable state—but it had not lost its distinctive dignity.
At present, with the elders gone, full authority within the Arie family had passed to the Sword of Arie, Yure. Once the palace repairs were complete, the Arie family would regain its forr greatness once more, alongside the Sword of Arie.
Watching Dickel like that, Lucas casually spoke up.
"Maybe it's because of how that palace looks, but quite a lot of people have entered the city today. Especially the other Ten Families."
Schmitt snorted.
"Hmph. They probably want to confirm it. Whether we're still worthy of being called the strongest among the Ten Families or not. For example—"
Schmitt's eyes suddenly turned cold as they fixed on Lucas.
"You ca because you wanted to see it for yourself too, didn't you? How severe the damage we took was, and how much we've recovered since that day."
Lucas simply shrugged, still perfectly calm.
"Well, it's sothing I naturally have to do as a Khun family branch head."
Schmitt relaxed his gaze and let out a short chuckle.
Lucas's reasoning was perfectly sound.
Not to ntion, he was Hoaquin's benefactor.
In a teasing tone, Schmitt provocatively asked Lucas,
"So? After checking once that day and then coming back to check again, what's your verdict?"
"Well… judging by the recovery—"
Clack.
Lucas set his glass down on the table. His lips curled upward in an instant, revealing white fangs.
"This might actually be worth trying."
At his words, both Schmitt and Dickel bared their fangs in similarly fierce smiles, revealing the Arie family's innate battle instinct.
Of course, the playful standoff between the three ended just as quickly.
"Well then, rather than that, why don't you enjoy the festival first?"
"Of course. It's more fun than I expected. Right, Ar?"
"Kiii!"
As they looked at the thunderbird, now shrunk to the size of a swallow and chirping energetically to express its agreent, Dickel and Schmitt wore expressions as if they were seeing sothing fascinating.
Seeing that, Lucas's sense of pride naturally kicked in.
"Other than my father, I'm the only one who can handle it, so it was bestowed upon . Cute, isn't it?"
"When I glimpsed it last ti, it looked much bigger… did you compress it?"
"Sothing like that. For reference, it's still in its juvenile stage—once it's fully grown, it'll be a monster capable of contending with even the ancient species."
"Oh… ancient species, huh."
Even so, the tiny bird was simply adorable.
Schmitt stared at the thunderbird with interest, then suddenly recalled sothing.
"Co to think of it, ancient species… then up on the upper floors right now—"
"You an those fanatics even more extre than FUG? I hear they're moving covertly and gradually entering an active phase."
"Hm… I'm a bit worried about Hoaquin. Hopefully the timing doesn't overlap again… that kid would really have to be unlucky."
At Dickel's worried remark, Schmitt snorted.
"Hah, why are you worrying about him? From what I've seen, he's the kind of guy who'd survive even if you left him in front of Leblanc. He goes through a lot, sure, but his lifeline is ridiculously tough. He'll manage just fine."
"I've seen the kid too—he's no joke. Dickel, let's not worry about things that haven't even happened yet. More importantly, right now, that kid is—"
As Schmitt spoke, Lucas turned his gaze toward the entrance of the White City outside the window.
"Spending a peaceful and happy ti."
....
White City, entrance
— Please bring your pocket closer for identity verification. —
A device approached the ultra-luxury cruise-type floating ship that Maschenny and I were riding. It seed that the entrance to the city was fully equipped with these identity-verification machines.
Maschenny and I did as instructed and brought our pockets close to the device.
— Identity verified. Welco to the White City. —
The device then moved on to the other passengers aboard the cruise floating ship, who likewise verified their identities by presenting their pockets.
While the ship was briefly halted for verification, I took two cocktails from a nearby attendant and handed one to Maschenny.
"Mas—no, anyway, what do you think? No one recognizes us, right?"
"…Seems that way. We completely swapped families, after all."
Maschenny, who had been wearing her hood low, finally pulled it back and took a sip of the cocktail I handed her.
By the ti we finished, all passengers had been checked, and we were able to enter the White City again.
The mont I set foot inside, my first words were a gasp of admiration.
"…Wow."
The dark night posed no problem at all for enjoying the Festival of the Sword. If anything, it made the light of the countless white floating stones suspended in the air shine even more brilliantly.
Beneath the floating stones drifting like sky lanterns, countless people and pure-white buildings blended together, creating a bright yet luxurious atmosphere.
Families walking happily with children on their shoulders, reporters busily gathering information, Regulars, occasional heirs of the Ten Families, rchants hoping to strike it rich, children running about, Rankers who had co ready to spend money, and even the Arie family's royal guard patrolling the streets.
As if temporarily freed from the law-of-the-jungle world of the Tower, everyone wore relaxed smiles.
Well—except for the patrolling Rankers.
Working overti on a day like this… I almost felt sorry for them.
In any case, the Festival of the Sword was beautiful, and the people looked happy.
I could see why Father would recomnd it.
I glanced at Maschenny walking beside . At so point, she had started licking the ice cream she'd bought earlier.
Despite her cool expression, the way she ate the ice cream was oddly cute. Noticing my gaze, she held it out toward .
"Want so?"
"Then just one bite."
I took a small bite, and my eyes widened slightly at the taste.
Ah… I should've bought one too. I'd skipped it because it was winter, and now I was regretting it.
"So, what do you want to do now?"
"Hmm. That side looks flashy and lively, but it doesn't feel like a place for . If I had to choose…"
She pointed.
"…There."
"...A casino?"
....
Maschenny glared coldly at the dealer running the ga and began arguing relentlessly. For reference, Maschenny's balance was already at zero.
After arguing with the dealer for quite so ti, Maschenny—finally exhausted by her own frustration—suddenly turned to look at . Her eyebrows drooped downward, which made her look oddly cute, but—
"Hoaquin… I'm completely broke…"
"...…"
"So, uh, could you lend so mo—"
"No."
"Ah, why not?! You've got tons of money too!"
Ugh—don't tell she's already getting addicted to this.
She can't get a taste for it. I couldn't let Maschenny fall into the dark abyss of gambling, so while engraving her cute expression into my heart, I mashed the reject button with all my might.
"It's to stop you from going down a bad path like this, Arie-yang."
Pat, pat.
"Ah—what is this, that's embarrassing."
"Haha, you seem to calm down when I do this."
I ruffled her hair, soothing her as I led her toward the exit. Maschenny kept grumbling, but for so reason she seed to grow more docile every ti I patted her head.
"Hoaquin, I really think I could win this ti…"
"Yeah, yeah. Make sure you win big next ti. For today, we're done. You don't even have any money."
"That's why I'm asking you to lend so…!"
Pat, pat.
"...…"
Maschenny, who looked like she was about to snatch money straight out of my pocket, instantly cald down again.
Haha, this is surprisingly fun.
"How long are you going to keep patting ? My head's going to catch fire."
"And yet you're not saying no? I'll lend you plenty later—gambling is a no, Princess."
"…You sound like a scholar."
"Ugh."
Well, I am from a land of Confucian etiquette in the East…
Still, it was fun at first. We've enjoyed it enough—let's co back when you're a Ranker next ti.
"Blowing money at a casino is nice and all, but sothing a bit more wholeso—huh?"
"Yes, yes, I agree—huh?"
Maschenny and I stopped bickering the mont we stepped outside.
Because of what we saw.
The sky above us was sparsely painted white.
The ground beneath our feet was already piled thick with white.
And as if that weren't enough, the ceiling of the Tower kept sprinkling white powder nonstop, as though determined to paint the ground even whiter.
—Beep—
"…?"
A ssage arrived on my pocket. Tilting my head, I checked it.
It was from Luf, Albelda, and Anna.
— Hyung! Are you looking at the sky?! If you're inside a building, hurry and look outside!
— Hey, Hoaquin! It's super pretty outside right now! Let's watch the fireworks later!
— Oppa, seeing outside reminds of when you bought that seal plushie. It was like this back then too, hehe. Snow is pretty! Snow.
Snow was falling.
The first snow our group had seen this year.
Even though we'd spent quite so ti in the casino, it had already piled up thickly on the streets—a heavy snowfall.
As I read the ssages one by one, my lips slowly curved upward. Maschenny stared at the sky for a mont, then spoke.
"It's been winter for a while already. It ca fast."
"No wonder it feels cold. Maschenny, aren't you cold?"
"What—are you going to hug if I am?"
"Haha, it's not like I couldn't. You've already hugged twice."
"…Ugh, forget it. We're going over there, so just walk."
The place Maschenny pointed to was… let's see—a street stall selling black mountain lamb skewers.
Since I didn't even get to eat ice cream, I might as well fill my stomach with that.
As we walked crunching through the white snow, Maschenny was shielding herself with a shinsu barrier to keep the snow off, but I didn't bother doing that.
She tilted her head.
"Why are you letting yourself get covered in snow? You'll get damp."
"It's the first snow. You've got to enjoy the atmosphere. Snow piling up on your clothes and hair is kind of fun too."
She let out a deep sigh.
"Haah… what are you even saying?"
She raised herself slightly on her toes and brushed the snow off my head with a few taps. She also brushed away the snow that had piled up on my clothes and shoulders.
Then she put a shinsu barrier over my head as well.
"…?"
"If you catch a cold and end up lying in bed again, I'll abandon you next ti—so don't overdo it."
"Heh, are you worried about ?"
"…Yeah. I'm worried you'll sleep all day again like an idiot."
"I'll worry about you too, then."
"?"
"Your hand got cold just now from brushing the snow off . Your skin's already cold to begin with."
When I took her hand, it felt like the warmth from my own hand was being transferred to her icy one.
Why is her skin so cold?
Until my warmth fully flowed into her and reached thermal equilibrium, I held her hand tightly and kept walking.
"..."
Maschenny didn't say anything. After walking like that for a while, we reached the lamb skewer stall, each of us holding a skewer in our left and right hands as we continued wandering through the lively festival streets.
Even though the temperature had dropped sharply as the snow fell, it felt as though the warmth of the festival had only grown stronger.
Or maybe it was just that the cold hand I was holding had finally ward up.
.....
Sowhere on the White City's festival street
"Albelda-unnie… the snow is so pretty…"
"It is. Just as pretty as our Anna."
After running around in the snow for a while, Anna climbed up onto Albelda's lap. Albelda still had difficulty walking, but since Hwarang was pushing her wheelchair, there was no real issue.
She gently stroked Anna, who was sitting on her lap, doting on her with an expression full of affection.
Yura spun around again and again, staring at the snow falling from the sky and exclaiming in awe.
"Wow, this atmosphere is insane. This is crazy. When I was at the main house, all I ever saw was a dark red ceiling. Hey, blue—"
"Have you ever seen sothing like this before?"
At Yura's slightly dismissive remark, Asensio snapped back.
"Hah, it's not like I'm so Outer Tower bumpkin seeing snow for the first ti. And I don't really like snow."
"Huh? Why not? It's so pretty."
"What do you an pretty? I saw it so much back when I was at the main house that it made sick of it."
At that, Albelda turned around and asked Asensio,
"Huh? Isn't the Khun family's main house in a warm climate?"
Asensio just shrugged.
"Whether the climate is warm doesn't really matter. The weather there changes depending on our 'father's' mood that day. Usually it cos with storm clouds and heavy rain, or a blizzard."
"Ah…"
As Albelda smiled awkwardly, Luf ca cheerfully from afar carrying several white bags.
"Hyungs and noonas, I bought so delimanju. Take one bag each. Anna, want to eat with oppa?"
"Yeah..!"
After handing a bag to everyone, Luf put the remaining two bags into a special inventory to keep them warm, then glanced around at his companions.
Seeing everyone blowing on their delimanju and eating them looked quite amusing.
Hwarang was the first to notice Luf's broad grin. He snorted lightly and tossed his observer over to him.
"Alright, alright. Take pictures. You photography nut."
"Che— It's the sa as ever, huh?"
"Shut up. It was a ridiculous bet to begin with."
"With that much of a handicap, what are you complaining about? You were the one who got tempted and accepted it in the first place."
"Ugh."
Having just co out of the gaming hall, we started walking toward our next destination, blocking the still-falling snow with shinsu barriers.
Before we knew it, we were strolling down the street with our arms lightly linked (it was part of the bet, but still).
"Still, doesn't it bring back mories? When we first—no, when we t for the second ti."
"Hmph, it does bring back mories. I should've electrocuted you like back then."
"Haha, that's brutal."
"Well… still. It was fun, like back then."
I'm glad to hear that.
I didn't bother saying that out loud. I just let out a few soft laughs and continued walking through the festival streets with her.
After that, aside from giving a large sum of money to a flower-selling child who was standing in the cold snow to send them ho quickly, buying the very last bag of delimanju from a street stall to share together, and taking a photo together at a photo booth, we didn't actually talk all that much.
It wasn't that we didn't speak at all… more like we'd reached a point where we could understand each other to so extent even without words.
"...…" "...…."
Heavy snow decorated our path, and in a silence without even a hint of awkwardness, I quietly opened my mouth and shifted the conversation.
It was sothing I didn't really need to say, but for so reason, it felt like sothing I should say right now.
I hadn't prepared anything to say in particular, so I began slowly and spontaneously unraveling my feelings to her.
"Maschenny, about when we first t."
"That again? …Anyway, what about it."
"You threw the first punch at back then."
"…Such vulgar word choice."
"Haha, anyway. I was on a video call with Anna at the ti, and suddenly lightning flew at , so I was startled. The video crystal broke, so I was mad too. I turned around wondering who the hell it was—and it turned out to be you."
"…..Then we fought for a bit."
"Yeah. And the second ti we t, it was a little different."
I didn't bother looking up at the ceiling to reminisce or anything like that. I just kept walking and naturally let the story flow.
My mories with Maschenny were still vivid and clear even now, to the point that there was no need to deliberately recall them.
"That ti, I needed a present for Anna, so I dragged you along using one excuse after another. But hanging out with you was more fun than I expected. When I teased you and you got mad, it was kind of cute. And when we parted that day, honestly, I felt regret. That all the gas were already over, that it had gotten so late, that we had to go our separate ways."
"...…"
"And then the third ti we t—I was really nervous about whether I'd win or lose, but in the end, I won."
"…If I'd done just a little better back then, I would've won."
"Haha, sure, sure. Of course."
"I'm serious!"
"Heh heh. Let's save that for a deeper discussion later… anyway, I took you to the hospital, and after that, we hung out together for a few days. That was fun too. And then when we t again on the 21st floor a few years later, I was really happy to see you."
The more I thought about it, the more vividly the ti I'd spent with her etched itself into my mind.
That's why I kept listing things—pulling out, one by one, the episodes with Maschenny buried deep in my mories.
Before we knew it, we had arrived at the park, and there wasn't much distance left to the fireworks viewing platform, our destination. As if by unspoken agreent, we stopped in the park, and I continued talking without pause.
"…When you found out about the scars on my wrist, and when you hit . Back then, for so reason, I felt really embarrassed. I felt sorry toward you, and at the sa ti I was grateful that you ca looking for ."
I turned my head and looked at Maschenny, who had been listening quietly to my story.
"From then on, I'm the one who wants to protect you, but sohow it always feels like I'm the one relying on you instead. I feel like I've said this many tis, but… thank you."
"…If you're thankful, then repay later."
"Haha, of course I should. If it weren't for you, by now I probably would've… how much further would I have fallen? Or maybe… would I be dead? Or perhaps—"
Grab—
Suddenly, Maschenny grabbed and said firmly,
"Stop saying useless things, Hoaquin. Look only at the results. Your family ca back, and you're alive and smiling just fine. Don't dwell on dark thoughts."
I let out a small laugh and, on impulse, wrapped my arms around her.
"This is why I like you."
"…!"
Maschenny seed to freeze for a mont, but the surprise didn't look all that great. Well, after all the hints I'd been dropping, there was no way she hadn't noticed.
Holding her in my arms, I continued speaking.
"Was it since the second ti we t and played gas together? Or while we were together from the 21st floor to the Hell Train? Or… from the mont you beca my support?"
"I don't know when it started, but I can't do without you anymore."
Just… I'm always grateful, and—
"I always like you, Maschenny."
....
Hug—
Hoaquin suddenly hugged .
I was startled, but I'd noticed his feelings long ago. I was only surprised because he hugged at an unexpected mont.
Holding in his arms, he softly tickled my ear with a gentle voice.
"Was it since the second ti we t and played gas together? Or while we were together from the 21st floor to the Hell Train? Or… from the mont you beca my support?"
"I don't know when it started, but I can't do without you anymore."
…What about ?
How do I feel about Hoaquin?
The second eting—yes. Since the ti we truly t, when I comforted him, and up until now.
Honestly, my first impression of him wasn't anything special. Just interesting, a good fighting opponent at most?
And that thought stayed the sa until we reunited on the 21st floor and rode the Hell Train together… or did it?
Then why did I suggest that we climb the Tower together once we beca Regulars?
Why did I find it fun to play gas with him?
Why did my face burn with embarrassnt every ti he teased ?
If it had been anyone else, I would've either killed them or responded with indifference…
If my feelings toward Hoaquin really hadn't changed, then why did my heart feel so empty when he disappeared?
Why did sothing inside feel so unsettled?
Why did I search for him so desperately, asking around everywhere?
If Hoaquin had truly been nothing more than an interesting and decent comrade to … then why did I try so hard to lift him back up, even when he was completely broken?
The answer was obvious.
Hoaquin, to , was not just an interesting comrade.
"..."
Held in Hoaquin's arms, I quietly chewed over all the mories I shared with him.
Ah… I don't know. I don't know, Hoaquin.
I think I'm the sa as you.
I don't know when I started liking you—but I think I know this much.
Right now, I like you, Hoaquin.
Just as I was about to force my lips open to give him an answer, I felt as though the world around was going dark.
Suddenly, all the surrounding space was plunged into darkness, and the Hoaquin who had been holding vanished without a trace. In his place, a single mory from the past unfolded before my eyes.
"….."
Hanging from a fortress wall, mocked by everyone.
— This really is beyond pathetic.
— Still… it's a little pitiful.
— She wasn't even 400 years old.
— But then again… isn't that what it ans to be a Zahard Princess?
— So many princesses have tried to run away, break the rules, or fall in love…
— And every single one of them ended the sa way.
— A miserable death. A miserable ending.
— A miserable death. A miserable ending.
— A miserable death. A miserable ending.
"…!"
A conversation I'd accidentally overheard among mbers of the Khun family before I was even selected as a Princess.
That suddenly resurfacing mory began to bind my body.
I struggled desperately to escape that pressure, thrashing unconsciously, trying to break free.
"…Hah!"
Thud—
At that mont, my body finally moved—and I ended up forcefully pushing Hoaquin away.
He looked startled, but then, as if it were only natural, he gave a bitter smile.
"H-Hoaquin… that was a mistake… I, I—"
"…I see. I must've put too much pressure on you. Maschenny, don't worry about what happened today."
He slowly turned his back to and began walking toward the fireworks viewing platform of the festival.
Don't go.
The words wouldn't co out.
You idiot—after saying all that, how can you tell not to worry about it?
I wanted to grab him, but my mouth still wouldn't listen to .
Not a single word escaped.
Was I really going to lose Hoaquin like this?
Even now, his back was growing farther away from .
If I let him go right now, it felt like I'd never be able to catch him again.
I hated that.
If I truly wanted to hold onto him, then instead of just talking, I had to actually grab him.
"…."
One step, two steps, three steps, four steps—
Ah. I reached him.
Maybe because Hoaquin was walking slowly, it didn't take long to catch up.
"…Maschenny?"
Sensing my presence, Hoaquin turned with a puzzled expression.
So that I would never lose him again, I grabbed him tightly.
The more I held on, the more flustered his expression beca.
"M-Maschenny?"
Finally able to move my mouth again, I said firmly,
"Shut up, idiot. Bend down. You're too tall."
"…?"
When Hoaquin reflexively bent down, our eyes finally t at the sa level.
And then, with both hands, I gently held his face as if caressing it. With my cold hands, I could feel his warmth being transferred to in a pleasant way—but I didn't stop there.
I leaned my face toward his as well.
In an instant, the distance between us narrowed to less than a centiter. When I exhaled, I could clearly feel each other's breath.
"…Maschenny, what are you suddenly—"
"…This much of a deviation should be okay, right."
Pull—
I pulled Hoaquin closer and pressed my lips against his. Feeling embarrassed, I squeezed my eyes shut tightly.
In contrast to , Hoaquin's eyes widened in surprise—but perhaps realizing what was happening, he soon slowly closed them as well.
With our lips pressed together, I pulled Hoaquin even closer toward , and the two of us drew nearer still.
The sensation was more ordinary than what people described on the internet… but the feeling it gave was overwhelmingly blissful.
Ah… I wish this mont could last forever.
-----------------
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