Case 65: On a blazing sunset.

''Hah... I'm spent.''

''Some water?''

''Ah, thank you.''

So, it turned out that walking around the vast venues for the whole afternoon was exhausting. Of course, the four who accompanied me were courteous enough to notice whenever I ran low on stamina and suggested breaks, but I felt bad pulling the whole group back like that.

It was fun, though, and a big part of it was thanks to Lyra.

As we traveled further and further along the trip, I realized that my little sister would tacitly intervene if some interactions were too awkward or if they escalated into a fight. She also protected me from a lot of unwanted attention, as the guys and gals who were either fearless or oblivious tried to hit on me even though Rachael and Penelope were there.

Ah, those two left a bit earlier, citing work reasons, so the ones after that point weren't so fearless or oblivious, I suppose.

Still, this outfit of mine really drew eyes in, it seemed. It wasn't revealing in the slightest, so I could only attribute it to Cecilia's unneeded, unnecessarily pretty appearance.

She was so beautiful that, by the way, it took me several days to get used to seeing 'myself' in the mirror. Sometimes, I flinched seeing my own reflections, too. Should I have become a monster or something equivalent, I would have been startled even harder, but I digress.

Now that the sun was already setting... should we prepare to leave? The cultural festival should last three days, so we could come back later... ah.

''We met again, ladies of Orleans.''

Unlucky.

Why did Jeanne have to find us out of all people?

Thankfully, even that dense former heroine knew that I was awkward around her, considering she only nodded at me and Kiara before going to her target—Lyra.

''Lady Lyra, about the sword lesson I mentioned the other day.''

''...Are you available now?''

''Yes.''

''Nn...''

With two round, innocent eyes, Lyra turned to me as if waiting for my permission. Of course, that utterly adorable expression was enough to sway just about anybody, and I was one of them.

''You can go, Lyra.'' I let out a sigh. ''Her Highness and I will wait.''

''I'll be quick.''

''Don't be quick. Be efficient. You're learning, so it's best to get the most out of it.''

''...Okay.''

After telling her to text me whenever she was done, I stroked her head one last time before sending her away with Jeanne, who seemed enthusiastic. Well, my proud little sister was the heroine who everyone looked up to, after all.

''I was planning to go home after that, but... well? Do you still have time for a walk, Your Highness?''

Kiara, whose eyes were still on Lyra's back, immediately nodded, ''Mhm. We can keep resting if you want. The first day's evening is uneventful.''

''Oh, is that so? Then...''

There was a place I had wanted to visit ever since setting foot on the academy grounds—the rooftops. Me liking the atmosphere there was one thing, but it was also where many events happened, be it confessions, face-slappings, fights, etc.

In a way, it was nostalgic.

''So breezy...''

''Are you cold?''

''Not really.''

Despite my words, Kiara still took that as a 'yes' and handed me her blazer. Now that I thought about it, I was indeed feeling a little chilly. Heheh.

''Thank you, but... I want to ask again—did those two say something mean to you?''

''Maybe. It's all good, still.''

The princess's gaze was on the receding sun, but mine was on her. For someone who was riddled with uncertainty like herself just a few weeks prior, I couldn't see any of that at this moment. Sure, I was impressed, yet...

''May I ask something?''

''Go ahead.''

''What made you so motivated?''

Genuinely, I was puzzled by her sudden change. I knew it had something to do with me, just not the exact cause. Ah... but I would be embarrassed if she said it wasn't because of me.

''...You.''

''Oh.''

Clutching my hand, Kiara smiled, ''Your smile, your voice, your words—they all helped me stand up and be a proper human being. It was all you, Cecilia.''

''...''

Hold on, I was getting a bit embarrassed...

''Um, Your Highness...''

''So, allow me to repay that debt.''

''Y-Yes?''

Without a specific trigger, the princess came closer to me, taking me into her warm embrace. I could feel her whole body through the thin shirt she had on, and although faintly, I heard her heartbeats, ones that did not lose to mine in terms of intensity.

''Cecilia.'' She whispered. ''You are the only one who looks at me properly. Thanks to you, I realized my worth. Thanks to you, I became the person I am today.''

''...''

''I love you. I want to be your partner. How do you feel?''

Hearing such serious and heartfelt words from Kiara... I couldn't help but chuckle.

''...?''

Really, serious stuff just didn't suit this person. Perhaps I was just used to seeing her goofy sides when playing the original game. Her emotions were real, though, so...

''You know how I feel, Your Highness,'' I replied. ''Your Highness is a wonderful person I look up to. I love your attentiveness, I love your gentleness, and I would very much love to have you as my lover.''

''Your lover?'' Kiara quipped, her voice a bit playful.

''...Well, one of them.''

It was embarrassing. I wish I could tell Kiara that I only needed her, but my feelings were too honest. I was a greedy, indecent girl who wanted love from many people.

Thankfully, my princess didn't seem to mind it that much. If she did, she could win the Oscar, I'd imagine.

''But... are we finally dating now?''

''Ah, that...''

Once again, I wish I could tell her a concrete answer, yet even I wasn't sure if we could call ourselves lovers. The circumstances allowed too many misunderstandings and complications. Still, those were only titles and whatnot. What really mattered was our affection toward one another.

So, responded, ''I don't know. I don't know if we're dating, but I'm willing to sleep with you—no, I'm eager to.''

''...!''

Witnessing her cheeks reddening by the second, I was made anew once more by the excitement swelling within me. It was something a bit different compared to when I was pinned down by Rachael or touched by Penelope.

All I knew was that I was getting into my zone... and whatever this was, I wouldn't be able to calm it down for a while.

''Is it unsightly?'' I asked, a smile brimming on my face. ''Maybe I'm just that kind of woman. You know, the one who easily tries to sleep with others. Don't you dislike that? Someone like me—''

''Not at all.''

Somehow, the sheer certainty in Kiara's words reassured me. With confident eyes, she looked straight at me, hands holding my shoulders. It seemed as though she really wanted to say something, but she couldn't utter anything even after a while. Her mouth opened and closed, and the more she did that, the redder her face became.

It wasn't until the heat ran all the way to her ears that she finally spoke.

''...Actually, I didn't tell anyone this, but... my ideal type is a mature woman. I... I like experienced women better.''

''...Eh?''

No, what?

I had no idea about that. It didn't look like she lied, either. If so, was the 'love' she had for Lyra in the game not love at all? Of course, by selecting certain options, the heroine could appear more childish or mature, but she didn't fit within the true 'mature' mold at all.

That... was a problem. It meant that my information could be wrong. I mean, yeah, this was a reality, not a game.

''...''

Okay, let's think about that later. For now, I needed to say something to Kiara.

Wrapping my arms around her waist, I pushed myself closer to the princess—to the point that our noses almost touched. Gazing into her ocean-blue eyes, I gingerly uttered,

''Then... would you like this experienced woman to teach you lewd things?''

Not ending at that, I grabbed her hand and guided it to my chest. The slim, graceful fingers nervously landed on my cup, surrounding it wholefully.

''Right now, right here. What do you think?''