7

Connie collapsed face-down on the dormitory bed after roughly washing up and felt like crying.

Not from sadness, but from extreme fatigue.

The end of the sports festival that had taken up the entire day was complete exhaustion.

It seemed possible to just lie like this for the entire three-day holiday ahead.

Just gathering and guiding children who kept running off everywhere was no ordinary task.

But then…

Running with her mother, three-legged race, and even the relay race—she never expected to participate in all of these.

Of course, she had been designated as the teacher representative for the relay race from the beginning, but she had already done so many unexpected competitions before that she was already exhausted by the time the relay came.

I should sleep. Sleep is the best medicine.

Connie tried to fall asleep quickly to recover her body that felt like it had been beaten up.

However, it seemed that when you’re too tired, sleep doesn’t come easily. Despite making groaning sounds, she couldn’t immediately fall into sleep.

Instead, the image of Count Brightling running kept replaying in her mind.

That scene she witnessed at the end of the sports festival was too shocking.

Wow, really, why would a person act like that?

His Highness the Prince had said he would participate as a relay runner, but suddenly Count Brightling insisted almost frantically that he should run instead.

His Highness the Prince looked at the count as if he were looking at some wild animal, then stepped back saying, “Then you may run, Count,” very politely and elegantly, unlike the beast.

Since the prince was also very good at gymnastics, his running form would probably have looked impressive too.

Fortunately, although her small hope of seeing him run was dashed, it was consoling that before returning to the stands, the prince said, “I’ll cheer for your running,” with a smile. It was such a beautiful smile that it made her want to run even harder.

However, what was strange was that while thinking he was beautiful, the moment their eyes met and the prince smiled at her, she felt as if her heart had dropped to the dirt ground of the field.

What was that feeling?

⟨Teacher Connie, watch me run well.⟩

Before she could identify the feeling, the red-haired beast beside her said something nonsensical, making her feel as if sand from the field had filled her heart that had fallen to the ground.

The count’s words only made her want to look away even more, wondering what exactly she was supposed to watch. But she couldn’t avoid watching the count run. He was the first runner on her team.

But making her wonder if this was what she was supposed to watch well, the count, who had seemed like a wild animal, tripped and fell spectacularly—no, unspectacularly—as soon as he started running.

It was so absurd.

When such a large man fell immediately after the start of the race, naturally all eyes—not just the entire student body but also parents and faculty—focused on him.

Even the other parents who ran past him as he fell turned back to look while running.

But the next moment, something even more surprising than the count’s fall happened.

The count, who got up cursing as if he’d forgotten this was a children’s sports festival, started running again as soon as he was on his feet, and his speed was beyond imagination.

He had fallen behind the first two runners from other teams, but by the time he passed the baton to Sana, the next runner, he had caught up with the blue team’s runner who had been in first place.

Callian was fast too, but his uncle’s speed was almost monstrous.

Sana, who received the baton, moved into first place, and William, the next runner who had beaten Callian in the rematch, widened the gap with the second-place runner even further before passing the baton to Connie, the next runner.

And herself…

Ah, I really burned myself out.

After learning she had to participate as a relay runner, she had practiced running every morning on the field.

And effort indeed never betrays.

By the time she passed the baton to the next runner, a parent from Class 3 of the second grade, she had widened the gap so much that the rankings could not possibly be reversed.

In the end, the positions that had already been determined from Connie’s class were not reversed until the end of the race, and the overall relay ended with the red team’s victory.

Although her legs were trembling with fatigue, her heart was filled with satisfaction.

“Anyway, it ended well… it was beautiful……”

Connie, her consciousness already blurry, gradually closed her eyes while recalling someone’s face, not even aware of what she was saying.

⁕⁕⁕

Bang bang bang. Ding dong.

“Connie! Connie Clarence.”

What are all these noises?

“Connie Clarence! Connie.”

That’s Ethan’s voice… Is this a dream…

Ding dong ding dong ding dong.

“Connie Clarence!”

Finally driven from her dream by the loud shouting, doorbell ringing, and someone calling her name, Connie frowned at the sunlight coming through the window.

Why is it so bright?

What time is it anyway?

“Connie!”

At the man’s voice that sounded again, Connie suddenly sat up.

Ethan? Is it really Ethan?

She hurriedly picked up the clock on the bedside table and saw it was almost 12 o’clock.

My goodness. Had she slept until this hour?

She didn’t know exactly what time it was yesterday, but she seemed to have fallen asleep while recalling the sports festival, and it couldn’t have been that late.

Probably around 9?

If so, my goodness, my goodness.

How many hours had she slept!

“Connie! Connie Clarence, are you still sleeping?”

“Gasp!”

As soon as she realized how long she had slept, the fact that Ethan was at her door made her fully alert.

Why is Ethan here!

“Connie, Connie Clarence. Are you really in there?”

Connie’s heart pounded at Ethan’s voice that came again.

This is like a bolt from the blue.

Yesterday she had just washed up roughly and slept until now.

She could imagine what she looked like right now, and when she hurriedly picked up the mirror on the bedside table and looked at her face, ah! It was indeed a sight to behold.

With a face like this, she wasn’t in a condition to meet anyone, let alone Ethan.

“Is she not here?”

But at the continued doorbell ringing, she had no choice but to run to the front door, where she heard Ethan’s voice that now sounded like he was talking to himself.

Ah, is he about to leave?

If so, she thought it might be better to stay quiet. She hadn’t even washed her face, and since it was Saturday, he probably wasn’t here for any urgent school business.

In the end, Connie kept her mouth shut and stood still in front of the door, expecting to hear Ethan’s footsteps walking away soon.

“Did she faint again.”

His next self-talk made her a bit uncomfortable, but well, she had practically fainted from exhaustion.

“Should I go in and check?”

“……!”

What are you saying! No, just leave.

But from beyond the door, she heard the sound of a key ring that shattered her inner wishes.

No way…

But “no way” became “indeed,” and she even heard the sound of a key being inserted into the keyhole.

The vice principal had a key to the dormitory’s front door!

“Who is it?”

In her urgency, Connie finally shouted. She pretended not to know it was Ethan, trying not to show that she had been standing at the front door all along.

“Ah, Connie! It’s me, Ethan. If you’re alive, please open the door.”

I am alive, did you think I was dead?

“Why? What’s going on? I just woke up, so I’m not in a good state……”

“You slept until now? I thought you were dead. Anyway, please open the door.”

“No, um, I’m not really… If you have something to say, couldn’t you just say it like this?”

I’m even in my pajamas.

“No. If you don’t open the door, I’ll open it and come in. I have the key.”

Really. Is this even legal?

She was living alone in the dormitory, and it was a holiday now. Even if he was the vice principal, shouldn’t he respect the resident’s wishes when they say it’s inconvenient?

“Ah, then just a moment! Let me put on a sweater. Wait just a bit.”

But in the end, hiding her true feelings, she said what one would typically say to an employer and workplace superior.

She couldn’t meet a guest in her nightgown, even if she couldn’t wash her face.

⁕⁕⁕

Five minutes later.

When she opened the dormitory door, Ethan held something out.

“What is this… Ah!”

It was a basket of ginger tea.

She recognized it at a glance because it was similar to the basket from before.

Was this brought by Ethan?

“What’s that?”

But instead, Ethan asked what it was.

“Isn’t this something you brought?”

“No, it’s not? It was just in front of the door. You’re the only one living in this dormitory. I thought it was something sent to you. What is it?”

“Ah, it looks like ginger tea.”

When she lifted the cloth, it really was ginger tea.

“You’re right, it’s ginger tea.”

There was even a note between the ginger tea bottle and honey bottle that said “To Teacher Connie Clarence, E. G.” with the sender’s initials this time.

So it wasn’t sent by Count Andrew Brightling.

But she didn’t think she knew anyone with these initials…

Anyway, since it said “Connie Clarence,” it was definitely meant for her, just like last time.

“Ginger? You drink that? Who would send such a thing? You’re not a grandmother.”

Ethan wrinkled his face.

He seemed to be dismissing ginger tea.

“I do drink it. I like it. Since you’re here, come in.”

Connie hugged the basket tightly and turned around sharply, heading to the common living room of the dormitory.

Coming suddenly on a holiday and then dismissing this precious and lovely ginger tea.

However, despite her cold reception of Ethan, when she actually sat down facing him in her disheveled state, Connie suddenly felt embarrassed about her appearance.

This was because Ethan looked not just neat but even more perfectly dressed than usual.

“Um… So what brings you here?”

“I came to check if you hadn’t died.”

She thought it was a joke earlier, but he said it again.

“What do you mean?”

“You overdid it yesterday. Participating in all those parent competitions. Getting hit by a stone thrown by that troublemaker in your class. I came to see if you were okay. You fainted before, so how could I not worry?”

Callian, dissatisfied with not being selected as a relay runner, had expressed his frustration several times. He threw a wet sponge at her and picked fights with his friends for no reason. He seemed to feel wronged and angry in the moment. And in the midst of that, he tried to throw a stone at Natalie, causing quite a commotion. She had barely calmed him down…

Her side still hurt because she had been hit by that stone.

“You saw that?”

It happened while waiting in the first-grade area in a corner because the field and track were full of other grades. She thought no one had seen it, but Ethan had.

“Ah, well… I happened to see it.”

“So you came because you were worried about me?”

Why are you like this… Don’t treat me so kindly.

“Ah, actually I also need to deliver a letter. A letter came for you. It seems you didn’t check the mail because you were busy preparing for the sports festival. I came to deliver that too, killing two birds with one stone.”

“A letter?”

There was no one who would send her a letter. She hadn’t sent a letter to Author Leonie yet, so there couldn’t be a reply…

“Another letter came from Leonie.”

“Huh? Really?”

Author Leonie sent a letter first? No, did I send one? I don’t think so?

Whether it was because she had slept too much or because it was so unexpected, her head felt foggy.

“Here.”

Ethan took out a letter from his chest and gave it to her.

“Ah, thank you… You didn’t need to bring it all the way here. I could have picked it up when I go to work on Monday.”

“School is closed on Monday.”

“Ah, that’s right.”

She had momentarily forgotten that Monday had been specially designated as a temporary holiday after the sports festival.

“Well, I wanted to give you the letter, and I was curious if you were okay since you seemed to overdo it yesterday, and also……”

“……?”

It was strange that Ethan was uncharacteristically dragging out his words, so Connie tilted her head to one side and quietly waited for his next words.

“If you’re feeling okay, I thought we could go see an opera performance together. There’s a daytime performance on the weekend. Shelly’s opening performance is this afternoon.”

“Shelly’s opening performance?”

She remembered seeing such an article in the culture section of the Noble Channel. It was an article about ‘Shelly,’ a famous female singer from the Temparan Kingdom, having a special performance in the Kingdom of Greet. The article also mentioned that it would be difficult to get tickets because she was such a world-famous singer.

He wants to go see that? With me? Why?

“Looking at your condition, it seems it will be tight to get ready and go out.”

Ethan said, looking Connie up and down.

Her face suddenly flushed.

“I was a bit tired yesterday……”

Connie found herself making excuses without realizing it.

She could sleep in on a holiday, the dormitory was her home after all, and Ethan had come without any prior notice.

Yet somehow, seeing Ethan appear so impeccably dressed made excuses flow naturally.

“Yes, understandably so. But why did you even do the three-legged race with Duke Wayne?”

“Huh?”

It wasn’t just because of that race.

“Even if parents request it, you don’t need to accommodate everything.”

“……”

It wasn’t because of the parents. It was because of the students.

“There’s still time, so get ready and come out. Ah! You probably haven’t eaten breakfast either? I was planning for us to have dinner after the performance, but wouldn’t you be too hungry then? It would be troublesome if you fainted.”

Why is he bringing up fainting again?

After fainting once, she had heard about it from so many people.

It really made her never want to faint again.

Anyway!

“No, I never said I would go to the performance with you.”

She clearly drew the line with Ethan, who was vaguely trying to get her to see the opera with him.

Seeing an opera performance and having a meal with Ethan.

She thought she could handle having a meal with him, but seeing a performance together and then eating…

Didn’t that feel a bit like a date?

She knew Ethan didn’t have such intentions, but still…

She and Ethan weren’t that kind of relationship, and they never would be, so she didn’t want to create situations that might unnecessarily stir her feelings.

“I already bought tickets. It was difficult to get them.”

“……”

Why did he buy tickets on his own? Why did he come without any notice?

Ethan’s behavior wasn’t particularly pleasant.

She didn’t think she had ever felt this way because of Ethan before… Ah! Actually, she had.

Ethan had been a bit strange on the day of the parent participation class too. And of all times, in front of Count Brightling.

“These are tickets for the 2 p.m. opening performance today. If you don’t go, I’ll have to throw them away.”

She felt a sense of déjà vu.

The servant from the Brightling household who had brought food, saying he would have to throw it away if she didn’t take it.

This time, was she being saddled with tickets?

She didn’t want to accept unwanted favors.

“Actually, I don’t have suitable clothes for an opera performance. So go with someone else.”

Go with Hazel Gracious.

She couldn’t understand why he would want to use tickets that were difficult to obtain on her.

Literally, among the clothes she owned, there was nothing suitable for attending an opera performance with Ethan, who had dressed up so impeccably.

“There’s no one else.”

“……”

At Ethan’s words, Connie stared blankly into his eyes.

Asking with her eyes what he meant by that.

“You’re the only person I want to go with. I bought the tickets to go with you.”

“……”

“So hurry up and get ready.”

What did he mean, really?

Did things not work out with Hazel Gracious again? Had they finally broken up completely?

Even so, what did he mean by saying she was the only person he wanted to go with?

Just as a friend?

Or…

“Let’s go together. It would be a waste of tickets.”

Ah, because the tickets would be wasted?

But didn’t he say he bought the tickets to go with her?

That meant he intended to go with her from the beginning.

“These are expensive tickets.”

As I thought…

There probably wasn’t any special meaning.

He just bought expensive tickets, perhaps broke up with Hazel Gracious, and since he had no one else to go with at the moment, he was asking her.

“……”

The brief excitement she felt when guessing Ethan’s intentions quickly subsided.

Why are you getting excited like a fool?

What would change if he broke up with Hazel Gracious?

Do you have any hope? Of course not.

In fact, Hazel Gracious wasn’t the only obstacle between Ethan and herself.

Obstacle?

It was almost laughable to call it an obstacle, as there had never been any special feelings between them to begin with.

To Ethan, she was only considered a ‘friend’ whom he could visit at home without notice on a holiday and propose going to a performance and having a meal with.

“Do you have an evening dress? Or should we go buy a new one? If we hurry, we might have time.”

Ethan urged Connie, who was mentally defining exactly what kind of relationship they had.

Saying such surprising things about buying a dress just to see one performance.

“……No, I have a dress. Wait, I’ll get ready quickly.”

Just meeting as ‘friends’ on a holiday to see a performance and have a meal.

That’s all it was.

If there was no possibility of a relationship other than friendship between Ethan and herself, then it would be more natural and better to maintain a comfortable relationship as colleagues from the same workplace and classmates who graduated from the same university.

And if they were truly friends, shouldn’t she be grateful that he invited her to see a performance together and suggested having a meal together on the weekend?

If she forcibly refused, it might be due to an inferiority complex stemming from an emotional imbalance.

Without complete certainty that she had fully moved on from her feelings for Ethan, it was like a thief feeling guilty.

Besides, on one hand, if he had completely broken up with Hazel Gracious, going on such an outing with him would be less burdensome.

At least she wouldn’t be causing misunderstandings for anyone or making the mistake of coming between a couple.

Perhaps she was so surprised by his suggestion to go buy a dress that she even remembered the dress she had treasured but never worn.

So she should just shake off any uncomfortable feelings and cheerfully accept his kindness.

And as she made that decision, her heart truly seemed to lighten, and she even began to look forward to seeing an opera for the first time.

‘How strange, I really don’t seem to mind at all.’

Returning to her room to get ready, Connie found herself surprisingly calm about the situation.

In truth, she might have been excited about going out alone with Ethan, but somehow it felt like she was excited about the ‘opera’ itself and the fact that, regardless of who it was with, she would be spending private time with another person after so long.

She wasn’t deliberately pretending to deceive herself.

⁕⁕⁕

Upon arriving at the Royal Opera House, Connie thought that the article in the ‘Noble Channel’ had actually understated the scale of this performance.

From the entrance of the opera house, carriages were lined up in a row, and there was such a crowd of people that it took quite some time just to enter—it seemed as if every noble in the capital Barfal had come.

Now she understood why Ethan had said they were pressed for time even though he had come to find her with two hours to spare.

The waiting hall of the opera house, which they had barely managed to enter, was filled with women dressed in colorful dresses that could be described as a festival of colors, and men like Ethan wearing perfect tuxedos. Among them were several Steen University alumni whose faces were familiar from four years of passing each other on campus, even if she couldn’t remember their names.

What was surprising was that all these people, with whom she had no memory of ever having a single conversation during her university years, approached her and Ethan as if they knew them.

‘Ah, it’s because of Ethan!’

During university, Ethan was always at the center of any gathering of people.

It seemed his presence and popularity remained unchanged even now.

“Ethan! Oh! Bravo!”

Why are they acting like this?

What was strange was that some of the men approaching Ethan and herself were shouting such peculiar exclamations.

Moreover, it felt like their gazes were scanning her, which made her feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Was it ironic mockery directed at her for standing next to Ethan when she hadn’t been acquainted with him?

This thought seemed too self-deprecating, but she couldn’t help having negative thoughts in response to their incomprehensible reactions.

“It’s Connie Clarence.”

Some women who approached also pretended to know her with ambiguous smiles.

“Umm. Hello.”

Since they knew her name while she didn’t know theirs, she didn’t want to make them uncomfortable by showing it, so she just mumbled a response.

She hadn’t anticipated this situation when coming to the opera house with Ethan, and the women’s smiles were also uncomfortable.

It seemed this was how an ordinary person felt when accompanying a very famous friend.

If it had been Hazel Gracious, who was as famous as Ethan, she wouldn’t have felt this way.

She suddenly felt relieved that she and Ethan weren’t in a special relationship.

“Is the dress code fairy? Don’t fairies usually wear just enough to cover the important parts? It’s extremely minimal?”

While feeling uncomfortable with the strange gazes and atmosphere, a woman—whose name she couldn’t remember but recalled had hung around with Elaina—suddenly blurted out.

“……!”

Connie unconsciously frowned as she looked at the woman.

How could someone be so rude and aggressive to say such things to her face?

It was almost unbelievable.

While she had thought about reconnecting with people and expanding her relationships, she knew that having more relationships didn’t necessarily mean only good things would come of it, but she didn’t expect to feel that so immediately.

What she was wearing today was a green dress that she had received as a gift but had never worn, keeping it carefully stored away.

There was a small detail of a white ribbon that could be tied around the waist, but otherwise, it was a dress without patterns or frilly decorations. It was clothing that wouldn’t stand out much—if the other people gathered at this theater were colorful flowers, she would be like the grass in the background.

But even so…

⟨Oh my, Connie! It’s really beautiful. I knew this fitted design would suit you well.⟩

⟨No. I’m embarrassed because my thin body is all exposed.⟩

⟨What are you saying! Where else could you find a girl with a body as beautiful as yours! The dress looks even better because you’re wearing it.⟩

⟨Oh, please! Teacher. But isn’t this too expensive?⟩

⟨Not at all! It’s not even silk, just satin. Now that you’re a young lady, you should have at least one dress like this. When you graduate from university, I’ll buy you a silk dress. By then, you might need many dresses, right?⟩

⟨Oh, what are you saying? By then, I should be the one buying for you!⟩

The conversation from the day she received the dress as a gift from her teacher was still vivid.

How grateful and happy she had been that day.

It was a precious gift from Ms. Lisa to commemorate her university entrance.

Although she had been a bit embarrassed that it showed her figure so clearly and had never worn it until now because she hadn’t had an occasion for such a dress.

Still, it was a gift from her teacher, more precious to her than anything else, and she had thought she would wear it when it was truly needed.

How dare you belittle this precious dress as ‘minimal’?

But you know what, not-so-friendly friend?

When my Dad was alive, I rarely lost arguments with provocative friends!

“Hmm… You, are you a classmate who graduated from Steen University with me? I had no idea. Why didn’t I see you in university? Or is it because today you’re wearing such a flashy and mature dress that catches the eye? I thought you were the singer ‘Shelly,’ today’s main character.”

As it happened, the woman who had provoked Connie was wearing a dress so flashy it would only be suitable as a stage costume—it was so excessive it bordered on tacky, with frills that almost buried her not-so-small body.

If Connie was too minimal, the woman was too excessive.

To the point where having too much looked worse than having too little.

Moreover, this woman looked too old to be the same age as her.

She definitely had a complex about ‘looking old for her age.’

She had read in the ‘Noble Channel’ that today’s prima donna Shelly was a woman over forty, and she didn’t realize that subscribing to that magazine as advised by Teacher Anna would help her in such an argument.

“What?”

The woman’s face turned red and blue.

Fortunately, this woman also seemed to know Shelly’s age.

If she was going to tremble so much at such a mild comment, why had she started with such an unreasonable provocation in the first place?

Not only the woman but also the classmates with her seemed to be looking at Connie with wide eyes, but these people weren’t important to her anyway. They had only brought unpleasantness from the beginning.

“Sorry, we should head over there now.”

Ethan intervened in the conversation between the woman and Connie, slightly pulling Connie away while blocking the woman.

“No, Ethan!”

“Sorry. See you next time.”

Ethan pulled Connie in another direction without acknowledging what the woman was saying behind them, and Connie followed his lead without much resistance.

“I never knew until now, but you’ve got quite a temper, Connie.”

After walking a few steps, when they were sufficiently far from the previous group, Ethan spoke to Connie again.

“You didn’t know? I’ve always had everything I need. So you should be careful too.”

Ethan was the one who had caused this unpleasant encounter with so many Steen University classmates.

Of course, Ethan had no bad intentions.

He was just popular with people.

Still, when he mentioned her ‘temper,’ she responded like someone with a temper, displaying what she had kept carefully hidden.

“Hahaha! You’re charming.”

Connie glanced at Ethan, incredulous at his words.

“I told you I have everything I need. Be careful not to fall for my charm.”

“Hahahaha!”

Ethan laughed so loudly that his laughter echoed throughout the hall.

Really! Why is he laughing like that?

You don’t know, but I have some hidden charms.

But I won’t reveal them to you.

“Stop laughing. Let’s go into the theater, where are our seats?”

She didn’t want to stay in the hall any longer as she felt people’s gazes occasionally turning toward Ethan and herself.

“Well, about that…… Miss Connie Clarence with the temper, our seats aren’t in a box. They’re in the pit, fifth row. You won’t throw a fit if you don’t like the seats, will you?”

“……?”

“Box seats would be nice, but they were already sold out.”

Ethan added with a regretful tone, but since this was Connie’s first time at the Royal Opera House, everything just looked splendid and wonderful to her.

Whether pit seats or fifth row, it didn’t matter at all.

“It’s all good to me. Thanks to you, I get to see an opera performance.”

“Hmm…… You talk like someone who’s never seen an opera before?”

“It is my first time.”

Her father wasn’t the type to attend opera performances, and even if he had been, she wasn’t old enough to be admitted to the opera house when her father was alive.

After entering middle school, she would have been allowed entry, but by then her father had passed away.

After that, her life didn’t allow for cultural activities like opera.

“Ah……! Well, that…… could be the case. By the way, that means I’m the first person to show you an opera.”

“That’s right.”

“The first experience of opera is important.”

“……?”

“If your first time is good, you’ll keep enjoying it. But if it isn’t, it might be hard to be moved by it later.”

“Ah…”

“Hmm… Thinking about giving you something that important makes me want something in return.”

She became anxious.

For many years, she had avoided relationships for fear of situations like this, and even though she had resolved not to do that anymore, these kinds of conversations were still burdensome.

Her situation was still not financially comfortable.

“What is it?”

Although Ethan had practically forced her to come here, it was still her decision to follow him with expectations of enjoying the opera at the last moment. So she couldn’t just receive without giving as friends.

“About dinner after the opera performance today.”

“You want me to pay?”

She mentally calculated her living expenses.

As long as it wasn’t somewhere as expensive as Maison, it seemed okay to pay today since she had already decided to treat him once.

“No, let’s eat with friends. You saw a lot of university friends here today, right? Let’s go have dinner with them later. We’re university classmates, so it would be nice to socialize. You can build connections too.”

Connections? Those people from earlier? I’ll pass on those kinds of connections.

However, she couldn’t say that outright.

“No, that might be a bit awkward. I’d make things uncomfortable. They must all be close to each other……”

In truth, they would probably find her uncomfortable too.

“It’s fine. I’ll be there. And these are different friends from the ones we met earlier.”

“……”

Would these different friends be any different from those earlier?

And I’m not comfortable with you either.

“That’s what we’re doing!”

“……Okay.”

She had no choice. Ethan had been continuously suggesting they socialize with friends.

Wasn’t he always surrounded by friends since university?

So that’s probably what he prefers.

Perhaps Ethan never intended to have dinner alone with her from the beginning.

‘Ah! It’s not just a possibility, that’s definitely the case.’

Finally, she clearly realized that Ethan’s invitation to see the performance together and have dinner was truly just a proposal as a pure friend.

Somehow it felt a bit bitter, yet also as expected.

‘Thank you. For making it so clear.’

Even though she had expected this, the fresh confirmation shot made her mood sink, and somehow it felt like her feelings for Ethan were cooling as well.

Despite Ethan having done nothing wrong.

She had unnecessarily gotten excited on her own, making a fuss about sorting out her feelings for Ethan.

“Fifteen minutes until the performance begins. Please take your seats.”

Just then, an employee’s voice announcing the start of the performance echoed through the hall.

“Let’s go in!”

“Mmm!”

She was about to head toward the entrance of the theater at Ethan’s words.

“Teacher?”

“……?”

A familiar voice came from behind her.

Connie reflexively turned her head and froze.

It was Duke Wayne.

But what froze her wasn’t the Duke.

Meeting the Duke here wasn’t that surprising, considering the number of nobles who had flocked to this performance today.

But the person standing next to the Duke…

Connie’s gaze unconsciously flickered up to Ethan.

Sure enough, Ethan’s gaze was also fixed on the woman standing next to the Duke, Hazel Gracious.

His face looked as surprised as Connie’s.

What exactly was going on?

When Ethan said he had no one else to come with, she had thought he might have completely ended things with Hazel Gracious, but why were that woman and the Duke attending the performance together?

“Teacher, hello. Vice Principal, hello as well.”

“Ah, yes! Sir. Hello.”

Only then did Connie realize she hadn’t properly greeted the Duke and hurriedly responded to his greeting. Ethan also bowed his head in greeting beside her.

“What an unexpected place to meet.”

The Duke said, looking back and forth between Connie and Ethan.

“Indeed, Father.”

“Connie Clarence, right? Hello?”

But before Connie could answer, Hazel Gracious also greeted her as if she knew her.

‘……?’

It was surprising how this woman knew her name, but it seemed awkward to question it.

Since they were graduates from the same university, it was possible she knew her.

“Yes, hello. Hazel Gracious.”

Connie also deliberately used Hazel Gracious’s full name, showing courtesy to Hazel Gracious who remembered her name.

In fact, this was the first time they had ever spoken, so even using informal speech felt very awkward, but since the other person had spoken informally first, she couldn’t be the only one using formal speech.

She felt Ethan glancing down at her, but Connie deliberately ignored his gaze and maintained eye contact with Hazel Gracious.

It would be too awkward to look back and forth between the two.

“Ethan, it’s been a while.”

But instead, Hazel turned her gaze away from Connie and acknowledged Ethan first.

“Yeah.”

Compared to Hazel’s natural greeting, Ethan’s response was quite stiff.

“Ah! I see you all know each other.”

The Duke said, looking back and forth between the three of them.

“Yes, Duke, the three of us are classmates from Steen University. We graduated together this year. Although this is actually my first time talking with Connie. Ah……! But you called her ‘teacher’? Could it be that Miss Clarence is William’s homeroom teacher?”

For some reason, Hazel Gracious asked with a quite surprised expression, looking back and forth between Connie and the Duke.

What was strange was that the form of address that started with ‘Connie’ changed to ‘Miss Clarence’ in the middle.

Well, it would be really awkward to call her ‘Connie’ anyway.

In any case, judging by her tone and manner of speaking as if she had seen William often, she seemed to be quite close to Duke Wayne.

“Yes, that’s correct, Miss Gracious.”

The Duke answered Hazel with an extremely polite tone, almost too formal.

“Ah……! I see……”

Something was off.

Hazel’s face seemed to darken a bit as she answered.

Connie couldn’t understand why she had such an expression.

Was it just her imagination?

There was no reason for that woman to be displeased about her being William’s homeroom teacher.

“Sir, it seems you came to see the performance with Miss Hazel Gracious.”

Connie shook off the uncomfortable feeling and addressed the Duke.

“Ah, I am a member of the opera house, so I come often when I have time. I just happened to meet Miss Hazel Gracious here.”

Ah…… He’s a member of the opera house.

She had read in the ‘Noble Channel’ that wealthy nobles pay large annual donations to the opera house and own reserved seats.

The opera house sends monthly performance brochures to such customers, and those with reserved seats choose performances they like from the brochure each month.

In other words, the Duke didn’t have to obtain tickets; he had seats that were always reserved just for him.

Well…

Thinking about it, she realized someone of Duke Wayne’s status would certainly be able to afford that.

Actually, more surprising than the Duke owning reserved seats was his tone, which, unlike Hazel’s attitude, suggested he didn’t consider Hazel particularly close—that was more unexpected.

The expression “just happened to meet” had a negative connotation embedded in it.

“Somehow I really wanted to come today…… Perhaps it was fate that I would meet you here like this, Duke?”

But what surprised her even more was Hazel’s subsequent words.

Fate for meeting at the opera house?

For something to be called fate, it seemed like more than half of the nobles living in Barfal had gathered here today…

“Rather than fate, it’s coincidence. More importantly, how did you come together, Vice Principal and Teacher Clarence? Did you two also meet by chance……”

Wow…

At the Duke’s words, Connie felt her face might flush for no reason.

The Duke not only showed no interest in Hazel but also outright denied her words in a manner that seemed almost rude, unlike his usual self.

Hazel seemed to have openly shown her interest in the Duke.

Anyway, she was about to say that she and Ethan hadn’t met by chance but had come together from the beginning.

“Ethan must have come after a long time, specially to see Shelly’s performance today. It’s a reserved seat that he pays for but usually leaves empty, so he should use it on occasions like this. Teacher Clarence…… came with Ethan to his reserved seat, right?”

“Ah…… yes.”

It seemed she had completely switched to addressing her as ‘Teacher Clarence’ now.

Even using formal speech…

The sense of distance she had felt earlier wasn’t just her imagination.

Ah, but reserved seat?

Distracted by Hazel’s tone, Connie belatedly realized something and looked at Ethan.

Didn’t you say you had difficulty getting tickets?

You had reserved seats all along?

Ethan, meeting her eyes, seemed to understand the question in her gaze and made an expression that was hard to tell whether he was smiling or frowning as he subtly averted his eyes.

“……!”

So it was a seat you already owned.

From Ethan’s behavior alone, she could tell he had lied.

Why did you lie to me? To bring me here? Why go to such lengths?

You have many friends even without me.

Even if not Gracious, you must have had many friends who would have gladly accepted an invitation.

Even that ‘Shelly-like’ classmate from earlier seemed to have said those unpleasant things out of jealousy for seeing her with Ethan.

In a way, it was a trivial lie.

If she thought about it, she hadn’t suffered any harm from Ethan’s words.

Still, it didn’t feel good.

Even if he really wanted to come with her, he could have just said he had seats instead of claiming he had difficulty obtaining tickets.

But having already come this far for whatever reason, she didn’t want to question his lie in front of others.

It would be meaningless anyway.

She simply learned that Ethan had lied to her, that’s all.

“Ten minutes until the performance begins. Please hurry to your seats.”

Once again, the usher’s resonant voice was heard.

“We should go in now. But Duke, I have a pit seat, could I join you in your box seat?”

Watching Hazel ask the Duke, Connie was surprised once more.

Isn’t she being too forward?

She’s so assertive.

Meanwhile, she herself was ending her one-sided love without ever having properly confessed to Ethan during all that time.

In some ways, Hazel’s boldness seemed admirable.

That must come from confidence, right?

By the way, the Duke has box seats.

The Royal Opera House was known for having very few box seats.

This was because when it was first designed, box seats were provided only for royal family members.

Although it was no longer owned by the royal family, the basic structure hadn’t changed, so box seats were still few in number, and the donation amount required to obtain reserved seats was said to be astronomically high.

As a result, it was said that only a few top donors owned box seats, and the fact that Duke Wayne had one meant that the Duke was not only high in status but also extremely wealthy.

Anyway, with such an earnest request, naturally……

“The view from box seats isn’t actually that good. The pit seats would be much better.”

“……!”

Connie doubted her ears at the Duke’s unexpected response.

As the Duke said, while box seats offered the advantage of providing a special and private space distinct from others, the view from them wasn’t actually better.

That may be true, but Hazel Gracious surely knew this, and asking despite knowing meant she wanted to be alone with the Duke in that private space.

The Duke couldn’t possibly have missed Hazel’s intention, which was obvious even to Connie, yet he gave such a textbook answer.

Though it seemed roundabout, it was actually an unmistakable rejection that anyone would recognize.

“Duke, I appreciate your kind consideration, but I don’t mind. I didn’t come to the opera house just to watch the stage.”

But at Hazel’s response ignoring the Duke’s rejection, Connie was more than surprised—she found herself staring at Hazel with widened eyes.

To openly say she came because she wanted to be with the Duke in the box seat!

Now it was truly impossible to pretend not to understand that Hazel Gracious was expressing her interest in the Duke. Hazel was revealing her feelings toward the Duke without even trying to hide them from anyone—not just from the Duke, but also from Ethan, her former lover, and even from Connie, whom she barely knew.

“I actually prefer watching performances alone and focusing, so you might find it boring to be in the box seat with me. Therefore……”

Connie somehow felt embarrassed herself and wanted to flee from this place.

To reject her that explicitly……

“That’s fine. I’m not particularly fond of conversation during performances either.”

“……!”

Why did I have to meet these two people here and listen to this conversation!

At this moment, she regretted even coming to the opera house.

“If you insist……”

The Duke finally accepted Hazel’s blatant request.

Well…….

With such persistence, probably not just the Duke but anyone would find it impossible to refuse anymore.

If he continued to reject after a woman was being so forward, it would be the Duke who would appear rude.

Nevertheless, the Duke made no effort to hide his reluctant expression and tone.

But Connie understood the Duke’s attitude as well.

In truth, an ordinary noble lady would have backed off when the Duke indirectly rejected her the first time.

Even Connie, who didn’t use aristocratic speech patterns, could tell that the Duke’s initial response was already a rejection.

But she brushed off his rejection not once but twice.

Hazel Gracious was apparently not an ordinary noble lady.

Was that confidence?

Isn’t that a bit rude?

It was uncomfortable to witness such a scene between a man and woman she knew right before her eyes.

Moreover, the man was her student’s parent and the woman was Ethan’s former lover, making them already uncomfortable people for her.

Connie glanced at Ethan.

Sigh…….

As expected, Ethan’s face had hardened even more than before.

Seeing an ex-lover act that way toward another man would naturally cause such an expression.

Besides, Ethan seemed to still have lingering feelings for Hazel.

“Ethan, shouldn’t we go in now?”

Connie nudged the frozen man, urging him.

To break the awkward atmosphere and to pull Ethan’s mind back from under the ice where it seemed to have fallen.

“Ah…… Oh! Y-yes.”

“Sir, Miss Gracious, I hope you enjoy the performance.”

“Ah, yes, Teacher.”

The Duke also answered with a face noticeably more rigid than when they first met.

“See you later, Teacher Clarence. Goodbye, Ethan.”

Amid everyone’s stiffness, only Hazel Gracious’s face remained bright.

⁕⁕⁕

It was the moment when Connie had found her seat with Ethan and sat down, feeling uncomfortable.

Though there were still a few minutes before the curtain would rise, suddenly the stage lights came on and a man stepped onto the stage.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I have an announcement before the performance begins. Today, we are especially honored by the presence of Prince Ryan Stanton, who is here on behalf of His Majesty the King, our Royal Opera House’s greatest patron. The Prince will be entering shortly, so please rise from your seats and show proper respect to His Highness.”

Even the Prince is coming to watch the performance!

This opera house, originally built by the royal family, had its ownership transferred to a private individual about 200 years ago. The royal family had sold it to raise war funds. Since then, the ownership had changed hands repeatedly whenever major renovations were needed, but the identity of the current owner remained veiled.

Unlike previous owners, the current one neither maintained a designated box seat nor ever appeared at the theater as the owner.

Although ownership had changed hands, the royal family and nobility remained the theater’s largest source of income through patronage. Since designated seats were allocated according to the size of donations, both the first box seats on the left and right were owned by the royal family.

However, the royal family’s box seats were usually empty during most performances.

Royal figures occasionally made appearances but didn’t attend performances frequently.

They never announced their attendance in advance, only notifying the theater shortly before the performance, and today appeared to be one of those days.

Connie stood up as instructed by the man, and all spectators rose, looking alternately at the left and right box seats.

They couldn’t tell which box seat the Prince would enter.

When almost everyone had stood up, a dim light finally illuminated the left box seat, and the Prince appeared.

So he’s using the left box seat today.

Connie blinked at the sight of the Prince in an impeccably smooth outfit that looked as if it had been measured with a ruler and trimmed with a knife—completely different from the simple and comfortable attire she had seen at the sports day.

To think that this person is the same as yesterday……

Yesterday’s casual and active appearance suited the sports day and looked handsome, but this perfectly formal appearance was different.

Is it because of the lighting? Why does he look more…… than before?

His Highness approached the box railing, raised one hand to wave once, and nodded his head in greeting. In response, all spectators bent their knees or bowed to show respect.

With a newfound awareness of the Prince’s appearance and observing the audience’s behavior, Connie truly realized the Prince’s status and felt strange.

To think that this person was the one who participated in the three-legged race with Her Highness the Queen at the elementary school playground yesterday, and who performed the Steen preparatory exercises with a natural and elegant posture.

The gap between yesterday and today was too great.

But she couldn’t say which version was more handsome.

Because both were charming princes.

The Prince, true to his widely known reputation for kindness, slightly moved his head to acknowledge everyone in the theater.

Box seats, balcony seats, mezzanine seats, and finally pit seats.

“Ah……!”

For a moment, a short syllable escaped Connie’s lips.

It was because her eyes met exactly with the Prince’s as he looked down at the pit seats last.

Their eyes met so directly that Connie, tense, could only blink before belatedly coming to her senses and bowing her head in greeting.

“……!”

However, when Connie raised her head, she froze again.

The Prince, who she had expected would have turned his gaze to greet others or would have sat down by now after finishing his greetings to everyone, was still looking at her.

Flustered, Connie averted her gaze first.

Eventually, seeing people sitting down, it seemed the Prince had finally taken his seat.

Connie, soothing her strangely pounding heart, slightly turned her head to look at the Prince’s seat again.

Since the box seats protruded, she thought she could catch a glimpse of the Prince.

“……!”

Why?

For some reason, the Prince seated in the box seat still hadn’t taken his eyes off her.

Feeling as if she’d been caught trying to peek at the Prince, her left cheek facing the Prince’s box seat felt hot and flushed.

Oh my, how silly.

Even if the Prince looked more like a fairy tale prince today, still.

Why am I getting caught sneaking glances?

I’m Daniella’s homeroom teacher, after all.

She felt embarrassed for being caught secretly looking at the Prince whom she had met just yesterday as a parent, and was also curious why he kept looking at her.

But she didn’t have the courage to turn her head again to check if he was still watching her.

Well……. The Prince might have been surprised too. Seeing the woman who was his sister’s homeroom teacher by chance.

Or not?

Actually, is this really that surprising?

This is a well-attended performance, and an elementary school teacher can certainly come to see an opera. They might run into each other.

No, it is surprising.

Pit seats, center of the fifth row.

Ethan had pretended these weren’t good seats, but anyone could see these were royal seats, except for the box seats.

So perhaps it was curious to see an elementary school teacher sitting in such expensive seats at such a popular performance.

No.

Would these seats even appear expensive to the Prince?

Her mind was in a whirl as she kept feeling the Prince’s gaze lingering on her cheek.

But she still couldn’t confirm if he was really watching her continuously.

If their eyes met again, the Prince might misunderstand.

That his sister’s homeroom teacher was captivated by his appearance…… some embarrassing misunderstanding like that.

Which was somewhat true.

It was a strange thing.

She had never thought that way when seeing the Prince before.

Anyway, she absolutely must not meet his eyes again.

She was worried about revealing her fan-like admiration for the Prince, like most citizens who felt excited seeing him, but there was actually another reason.

The look in the Prince’s eyes when they met.

That gaze somehow made her uncomfortable.

To the point where she had a premonition that she could no longer view him plainly as a prince in that distant, high place, or as a student’s brother who was a parent.

“Looks like everyone really came today.”

At Ethan’s muttering beside her, Connie finally shook off thoughts of the Prince and looked at him.

Ah! That’s right. Ethan’s mind was complicated too.

Remembering the Duke and Hazel Gracious, whom she had momentarily forgotten due to the Prince’s appearance, Connie looked toward the right box seats of the opera house.

Since those two weren’t in the left box seats where the Prince was sitting, they must be on the right.

Sure enough.

The Duke and Hazel Gracious were clearly visible sitting in the second box seat on the right.

But why…….

Strangely, the Duke was looking at her.

Connie, meeting the Duke’s eyes, slightly bowed her head while tilting it in confusion.

Why is the Duke looking at me?

It wasn’t her imagination. The Duke had already been looking at her the moment she found his box seat, and he continued to look at her even after she gave him a slight bow.

Feeling awkward, as if her right cheek was also heating up, she averted her gaze from the Duke and looked at the center stage.

The curtain was just rising anyway.

And until the end of the first act when the intermission came, she didn’t take her eyes off the stage for a single moment. Or rather, she couldn’t.

The Duke sat on the right, the Prince on the left, and whether it was just a feeling or an illusion, she felt their gazes fixed on both her cheeks throughout the first act.

She couldn’t turn her gaze either right or left to confirm if her feeling was real.

Fortunately, Ethan didn’t speak a single word throughout the first act.

She thought it was not because he was focused on the stage but because of Hazel Gracious. Since she had nothing to say about Hazel either, she kept her mouth shut and eventually forgot about his state.

In her forced concentration on the performance to avoid the gazes from both sides, she became so immersed in the play that by the end of the first act, she was on the verge of tears.

Connie remained motionless with her head bowed even when the staff announced the intermission.

She didn’t want Ethan to see that she had shed tears watching an opera for the first time in her life.

“Aren’t you getting up?”

Ethan asked from beside her.

“You go first. I want to rest sitting here for a bit.”

“……Alright. I’ll be at the central bar in the first-floor hall, so come there.”

Fortunately, Ethan didn’t insist that she get up with him.

He probably had his own complicated thoughts to deal with.

Connie remained alone in her seat for a while after people had ebbed out like the tide. When her heart had calmed a little, she pressed both eyes firmly with her index finger and finally stood up.

“Ah……!”

But as soon as she stood up, she almost staggered because her eyes met the Prince’s again.

She had let her guard down for a moment and raised her head, not imagining he would still be watching.

Why is the Prince still sitting there and not leaving?

Still looking at me?

This is really uncomfortable…….

Connie, barely managing to compose her face that felt like it might freeze from awkwardness, bowed to the Prince again.

The Prince finally rose from his seat.

It seemed he was now going to the hall.

If they happened to meet in the hall, she should treat him as Prince Ryan, not as a parent, right?

With such thoughts in her mind, she went to the entrance. But soon, she realized that people wouldn’t leave the Prince alone, so she probably wouldn’t encounter him.

It seemed she had worried unnecessarily.

But just as she was about to turn toward the bar from the entrance, Connie was so startled that she even made an audible gasp.

Incomprehensibly, the Prince was standing right in front of her, having somehow descended from the second floor to the first-floor exit so quickly.

“I greet Your Highness.”

Connie quickly greeted him with proper respect as she had thought earlier.

“Hello, Teacher Connie Clarence.”

“Yes, yes……”

She tried to say something but couldn’t think of anything, so she ended up giving a foolish response.

“I see you came with Vice Principal Ethan Schwab……”

“Yes, um…… yes.”

Ah, has Connie Clarence become an idiot!

It was strange.

She didn’t think she had felt this uncomfortable before, but now meeting the Prince’s eyes was uncomfortable.

Was it because of the intense gaze he had fixed on her in the theater just now?

But thinking carefully, it had actually started yesterday.

After seeing His Highness doing the Steen exercises, hugging Daniella and Her Highness the Queen, her heart had felt strangely excited, and then at that exact moment when her eyes met the Prince’s as he cheered right before the relay race.

She had felt her heart drop, and perhaps because she had been so excited, she felt an equally sharp sense of falling.

What kind of psychology was this?

He had looked so handsome…… and beautiful.

Today he looked handsome in a different way.

Yet she felt even more uncomfortable.

Why?

“I didn’t know you enjoyed opera performances that much.”

When she only gave foolish responses, the Prince spoke again.

I didn’t know either. This is my first time seeing one.

But what did he mean by “that much”?

Ah! Did he see me crying?

But even Ethan who was sitting next to me didn’t notice?

“Ah, yes.”

Thinking that he might have seen her in such a state made her too embarrassed to face the Prince, so she ended up giving another foolish answer.

Then suddenly she realized that the Prince’s earlier words were subtly strange.

Not completely strange, but upon reflection, they didn’t fit the context.

Saying he didn’t know she liked opera performances.

What else would the Prince not know about her?

He wouldn’t know anything about her to begin with.

Sigh…… why am I acting like this?

Although the tone had sounded slightly off, it wasn’t an important statement and was probably said casually without much thought. What was stranger was that she was overthinking every word the Prince said.

“I saw the Count leave for the hall first. Are you going to join Count Schwab now?”

“Ah…… yes.”

At this rate, the conversation would end with her just saying “ah, yes” repeatedly.

“Do you really have to go?”

“Pardon? What do you……”

“Why did you come with Vice Principal Ethan Schwab anyway?”

“Pardon?”

“You only say ‘yes.’ Your answer……”

She became completely speechless, unable to even say “yes.”

Why was this getting more and more uncomfortable?

The discomfort she felt being alone with the Prince intensified with each exchange.

Anyway, she felt she should give some different answer now.

“The Vice Principal said he had tickets. It would have been a waste to throw them away……”

Idiot!

Even so, what a foolishly honest answer to give.

“Ah! So Miss Connie Clarence would attend a performance with anyone if it were free? I didn’t know that……”

Connie felt herself turning red from her neck to her forehead.

It wasn’t just the content of his words, but the coldness she sensed in the Prince’s voice.

Thinking about it now, his expression had seemed cold from the moment their eyes first met. Unlike what she had seen at the sports day yesterday.

Why did this person seem to have a different temperature each time they met?

When she saw him at the sports day, he had seemed kind, polite, and warm-hearted. That’s why she had liked him…….

Why was he so cold now?

Today he resembled how he had appeared on the day of the parent-teacher meeting.

‘Ah!’

While thinking about the Prince’s inexplicable changes in attitude, Connie almost exclaimed aloud at her sudden realization.

‘Didn’t he just call me “Miss Connie Clarence”?’

He had always called her “Teacher Clarence,” hadn’t he?

No matter how she thought about it, he had definitely said “Miss Connie Clarence.”

That meant the Prince was now addressing her not as Daniella’s homeroom teacher but as a citizen of the kingdom.

In fact, since they weren’t meeting as teacher and parent at the opera house, that might be natural.

But the problem was that the Prince didn’t seem to be treating her the way he normally would treat citizens as a prince.

He seemed to be treating her like someone he found disagreeable.

What did I do wrong?

Reviewing her actions, she didn’t think she had violated any protocol in how she addressed His Highness.

“That’s not it. The Vice Principal said it was a good performance, so I wanted to see it too. This is actually my first time seeing an opera. They say the first time seeing an opera is important, and perhaps that’s why I enjoyed today’s performance so much.”

Feeling somehow wronged, she blurted out words rapidly as if to compensate for her repeated “yes” responses.

It was too much, and she ended up saying meaningless things.

The first time seeing an opera is important?

She felt embarrassed for repeating what she had just heard from Ethan as if it were her long-held opinion.

Stupid, stupid Connie!

“First time…… Again, first time……”

The Prince muttered incomprehensibly, almost to himself.

His expression had worsened.

“Pardon……?”

First time? Was he referring to her saying this was her first opera?

“Again, the first time is not me…… Huu……”

“Your Highness?”

She felt not just discomfort but anxiety as the Prince sighed as if suppressing something.

“So this opera was also your first time. Well……”

What on earth had she done wrong to make his expression worsen?

And what was that “well” at the end of his sentence?

Was it something like, “Well, an elementary school teacher like you wouldn’t have seen an opera before,” or something similar?

No! That couldn’t be it.

The noble and dignified Prince wouldn’t have spoken to one of his citizens with such intention.

He was a member of the royal family who lovingly cared for all citizens, rich or poor, and would one day become the ruler of this country.

So there was absolutely no way he meant that.

Nevertheless, she felt offended.

Perhaps it was just the insecurity of someone seeing an opera for the first time.

Or maybe it was the combined effect with his earlier comment about going with anyone if it were free.

In any case, she was the one feeling bad now, so why was the Prince’s expression worsening when he was the one making these incomprehensible remarks?

What is this? Is he someone with a different personality yesterday and today?

She felt her heart hardening.

“Your Highness, I seem to have monopolized too much of your time. There are so many people waiting for you. Please enjoy the opera performance. I will go to my companion now.”

She noticed people rushing toward the Prince after spotting him. Thinking this was fortunate, she decided to end this unpleasant conversation and go find Ethan.

“Miss Connie Clarence.”

But the Prince wouldn’t let her go.

The Prince even gestured somewhere after seeing the people approaching him, and immediately the bespectacled aide she had seen before appeared, blocking them and preventing them from coming near the Prince.

“Yes, Your Highness, do you have something more to say?”

“Isn’t your outfit too eye-catching?”

“Pardon?”

Connie unconsciously looked down at her own clothes.

A green dress with no pattern, just a white ribbon around it.

This is eye-catching? Really, what is this Prince saying after all this?

Is he saying this dress doesn’t fit in this luxurious theater, like my Steen University classmates suggested!

Now he was even finding fault with her attire.

Having already received unpleasant comments about her clothes, Connie couldn’t interpret the Prince’s words in any other way.

“Wearing such clothes, in such a seat, sitting like that, I…… hmm.”

The Prince frowned, stopping mid-sentence.

Connie bit her lower lip.

Was he saying he found it that unpleasant to look at?

She wanted to retort, ‘What’s wrong with my clothes? If you don’t like looking at them, then don’t look! Why are you picking on me?’

But how could she do that?

This irritable man was a prince, and a parent of her student.

A doubly uncomfortable person.

“I seem to have disturbed Your Highness’s peace of mind, which I deeply regret. I should now……”

“When we met at the restaurant called ‘Maison’ before, I believe we agreed to have a meal together. When would be convenient for you? I think we agreed to meet after the sports day ended.”

Picking on me and then asking to set up an appointment?

She hadn’t known His Highness was such an inconsiderate and rude person.

“How could I dare to have a meal with Your Highness? I think I failed to clearly express my refusal before due to my confusion. I will consider just your words an honor. I really must go to my companion now. I hope you have a pleasant time, Your Highness.”

“Connie……”

The Prince tried to stop her again, but Connie ignored him and turned away sharply.

She could sense the people who had been blocked by the aide finally swarming around the Prince behind her.

Why…… did she feel this way?

First uncomfortable, then offended, and now slightly heartbroken.

Perhaps fairy tale princes are best viewed in fairy tales after all.

With a gloomy mood, she went to find Ethan, but to make matters worse, Ethan wasn’t at the central bar.

He said to meet here…….

Either the central bar itself was a designated bar for opera house members only, or the people gathered here were naturally drinking beverages continuously provided by the bar staff while chatting.

Connie felt a burning sensation inside, perhaps from the conversation with the Prince, but with Ethan absent, she hesitated to drink alone and stood awkwardly waiting for Ethan to appear.

Connie was the only person, male or female, standing alone at the central bar. Being alone was as familiar to her as a habit formed over many years, but that didn’t mean she enjoyed being alone in places where everyone else was socializing.

In such cases, she usually moved to a place where being alone was more appropriate.

But she decided to wait a little longer because Ethan had asked to meet her here.

From a distance, she could see Duke Wayne surrounded by people.

He was listening to people with the proper posture and expression that Connie knew well, but at some point he turned his head, and his eyes met Connie’s who had been watching him.

Connie quickly bowed her head and turned her body.

She had been staring blankly without thinking because she hadn’t expected him to suddenly turn his gaze while enjoying conversation with others, but when their eyes met, she remembered their eye contact in the theater and felt somewhat embarrassed.

“Teacher.”

However, within seconds, the Duke had left the crowd and approached her.

“Ah, Sir.”

She answered with a forced smile, trying to hide her awkwardness, when suddenly she wondered where Hazel Gracious, who should have been with the Duke, had gone.

“Miss Gracious seemed to have some business with Vice Principal Ethan Schwab. I’m alone, and you seem to be alone as well, so I came over.”

The Duke, immediately noticing that she was looking around for Hazel, informed her not only of Hazel’s whereabouts but also of Ethan’s.

“Ah……”

While she had been alone, the Duke had been surrounded by people…….

Connie nodded, inwardly admiring the Duke’s considerate way of speaking.

“Over there.”

Looking where the Duke gestured, she indeed saw Hazel and Ethan standing together.

The two were standing facing each other behind a pillar in a secluded part of the hall.

Due to the distance, she couldn’t see clearly, but even from afar, the atmosphere between them appeared quite serious.

Hazel was showing interest in the Duke after completely breaking up with Ethan, but was Ethan not on the same page?

Seeing him with Hazel elsewhere after telling her to meet at the bar made her feel somewhat bitter, but at the same time, she felt indifferent.

Strangely, Ethan’s actions didn’t seem like an important issue right now.

She wasn’t sure why she felt this way.

No, actually she did know.

She was so preoccupied with the Prince she had just parted from that she had no mental space to worry about Ethan.

In truth, the Prince’s mercurial attitude shouldn’t be more concerning than Ethan’s behavior.

The Prince was the Prince, after all.

It was probably just…… because he was a parent that she was concerned.

The Prince had nothing to do with her personally, but as Daniella’s brother, there would be opportunities to meet him again.

“Did you enjoy the opera?”

At the Duke’s question, Connie turned her gaze from Ethan to look at the Duke.

“Yes, I really enjoyed it.”

The Duke drank the beverage prepared at the bar with complete naturalness as he listened to Connie’s answer. Connie stared at the Duke’s bobbing Adam’s apple and unconsciously swallowed.

It was, how should she put it.

Perhaps the drink the Duke was having looked particularly delicious.

Her throat felt parched.

In truth, she had wanted to drink that beverage since earlier.

She still hadn’t cooled down from her heated conversation with the Prince.

I want to drink too…….

“Indeed. It showed.”

“……?”

Connie was momentarily confused by the Duke’s words that came after a slight pause following his drink, but she eventually realized it was a response to her saying the opera was enjoyable.

Hmm…….

But even after understanding the context of the Duke’s words, she still found them a bit strange.

He’s speaking as if he had been watching me enjoy the opera.

Ah! That’s right. When the performance started, why did he stare at me like that?

In fact, she was curious about what the Duke had just said as well, but somehow she felt hesitant to ask directly.

While Connie was inwardly pondering the Duke’s words, he took another sip of his drink.

Ah, I want to drink too.

“Would you like some?”

The Duke asked, offering her another glass from the bar.

She felt her face warming slightly.

Apparently, the Duke had noticed her licking her lips or swallowing.

She felt embarrassed that he had seen through her thoughts.

The Duke seemed particularly sensitive to others’ reactions and exceptionally considerate.

From coming to her side when he noticed her alone, to naturally informing her of Ethan’s whereabouts before she even asked, to offering her a drink now.

Well, William is like that too. Like father, like son, I suppose.

As she was truly thirsty, the cool drink sliding down her throat to her stomach made her feel as if the lingering effects of her infuriating conversation with the Prince were being washed away. Her favorable impression of the Duke rose sharply in contrast.

“Did you enjoy the performance too, Duke?”

Perhaps relaxed by the drink, Connie finally had the composure to ask the Duke a question.

“I…… actually found it hard to concentrate.”

“Why?”

Because you were distracted by Hazel Gracious who was with you?

“Because I was distracted by you sitting with the Vice Principal in the pit seats.”

However, this unexpected response instantly evaporated her curiosity.

“……Pardon?”

“Miss Hazel Gracious and I are not particularly close.”

“That…… pardon?”

She couldn’t tell if the Duke’s successive statements were related to each other.

First saying I was distracting, then saying he’s not close with Hazel?

Why would he be distracted by her sitting with Ethan in the pit seats to begin with?

Ah! Is that why he was looking at me? Because he was distracted?

Was he concerned that while he was sitting in a box seat, a homeroom teacher was sitting in a pit seat?

But the pit seats actually offer a better view.

And while the Duke and Hazel Gracious didn’t appear particularly close, she couldn’t understand why he would tell this to her, his son’s homeroom teacher.

“I was concerned that you saw me watching the performance with Miss Hazel Gracious.”

“Why?”

She finally asked.

His words were too incomprehensible.

“That’s what I wonder. Why indeed?”

If you’re asking me, do you think I know the answer? If I knew, I wouldn’t be asking, would I?

“Ah!”

Suddenly she thought she understood.

The Duke was a parent.

A student’s father.

The student’s mother had passed away recently, and this father had been alone for less than a year.

So…… he felt awkward about being seen with another young woman!

But how could she say such a thing to the Duke?

How embarrassed he must feel.

Perhaps his reluctance earlier when Hazel asked to sit together in the box seat was also for this reason.

Because he was conscious of his son’s homeroom teacher.

Thinking about it, everything made sense.

Hazel Gracious was beautiful and charming enough to be called the goddess of Steen University.

It had seemed strange that such a woman would throw herself at a man who had no interest in her.

It must have been mutual, not one-sided.

The Duke had acted unlike himself because he was conscious of the homeroom teacher.

That’s it! Since Hazel had become involved with the Duke, things were definitely over between her and Ethan.

Yet Ethan, who still had lingering feelings for Hazel, must have been upset after witnessing such a scene directly.

“It seems you’ve figured out the reason, Teacher.”

Connie stopped her train of thought at the Duke’s words.

Indeed, the Duke’s powers of observation were sharp. He could read her thoughts just by watching her facial expressions.

Being such a sensitive man, he might have been more conscious of his child’s homeroom teacher.

He doesn’t need to feel so uncomfortable about it…….

It’s not as if people’s hearts can be controlled at will.

“No, rather than that, I just…… think it’s understandable. Timing isn’t always important. Hearts don’t follow our intentions, after all. So you don’t need to be so cautious around me. Please feel comfortable. Your feelings are what matter most. It might even be better for William that way.”

Connie spoke as indirectly as possible to put the Duke at ease.

There’s no rule saying you absolutely cannot meet someone else shortly after being hurt.

If a father becomes happy, it’s actually good for his son too.

Perhaps William might get a good mother sooner.

“Ah……”

But why is the Duke looking at me with that expression?

She had told him to feel comfortable, but judging by his expression, he seemed more uncomfortable.

He looked confused, as if wondering if he had heard correctly.

Connie found it too awkward to keep staring into the Duke’s eyes, so she turned her head to look again in Hazel Gracious’s direction.

Hmm…….

Duke Wayne and Hazel Gracious.

Now that she understood the context, she finally thought the two of them really did look good together.

That may be true, but…….

Why did Ethan and Hazel Gracious look so serious?

The two were so deeply engaged in conversation that they almost looked like they were fighting.

Does Ethan still have strong lingering feelings for Hazel?

He shouldn’t by now.

“You seem to have a low tolerance for alcohol.”

At the Duke’s words, Connie suddenly realized her face felt hot and looked at the Duke while placing her hand on her cheek.

Alcohol?

“Ah! Was this drink alcohol?”

“It’s champagne…… Did you drink it without knowing?”

“Ah…… I didn’t know. Is my face red?”

“Yes, it complements your green dress very well.”

The Duke said as he raised his drink to his lips once more.

“……?”

Connie looked down at herself in confusion.

Green dress, red face…… Green apple, red apple? Is that what he meant?

Was that a compliment or criticism?

Connie looked at the Duke with a slightly furrowed brow, puzzled by his ambiguous remark.

“I meant you look pretty……”

The Duke smiled gently as he wiped the moisture from his lips with the thumb of his free hand.

“……!”

Is today a day for being speechless?

What was that smile? And what did those words mean?

If she hadn’t known he was involved with Hazel, his gaze and words would have seemed like seduction.

Unable to respond to the unexpected smile and words, she could only blink when a staff member announced the resumption of the performance.

“I hope we’ll have an opportunity to watch a performance together from a box seat next time.”

After making another statement that hammered home his incomprehensible words, the Duke nodded slightly and turned.

Gesturing with his eyes as if suggesting they enter the theater together.

Connie headed toward the entrance with him, still bewildered.

She had clearly heard him say before the performance began, “I actually prefer watching performances alone and focusing, so you might find it boring to be in the box seat with me.”

Even as she returned to her seat, she couldn’t understand the intention behind the Duke’s words.

⁕⁕⁕

“Let’s go in.”

Hazel said to Ethan as the usher’s voice called them.

“Are you that happy to go to the Duke’s box seat? You’re so eager.”

Ethan sneered at her as if she were pathetic.

He found Hazel Gracious detestable, was furious with her, and his pride was still wounded.

Enough to want to mock her a hundred or thousand times.

“Yes, I am. That’s why I didn’t make this request to you, isn’t it?”

“Should I grant your request just because you ask? Such a childish and pathetic request?”

During the intermission, while waiting for Connie to come out, he had been dragged here by Hazel Gracious, who suddenly said she had something to tell him.

Seeing her still hanging onto the Duke made him feel somewhat pleased out of revenge toward the woman who had betrayed him, but also disgusted as if he too had been lumped together as a loser since she wasn’t being accepted by the Duke at all.

He had followed her because she said she had something to tell him at the bar, wondering if perhaps she regretted betraying him.

But what Hazel told him completely shattered that sliver of hope and thoroughly trampled his already damaged pride.

‘The Duke’s son is too fond of his homeroom teacher, I didn’t know that homeroom teacher was Connie Clarence. Connie Clarence seemed to like you, so try to be good to her even now. You probably don’t intend to have a serious relationship like marriage with that Connie woman anyway, but she’s actually a good woman for a brief relationship, isn’t she? Cute, pure, naive, and moreover, beneath you socially. I need to target the Duke’s son, but that woman bothers me, so I’d really like you to have that woman.’

That was essentially what she had said.

He had always known what kind of woman Hazel was.

Beneath her elegant and charming exterior was a woman who was devoted to her own greed and desires, and who had no reservations about expressing them.

Endlessly honest to the point of seeming materialistic.

However, due to her exceptionally beautiful appearance and solid background, her blunt words and actions were seen as honesty and confidence, which were attractive qualities, and he hadn’t had many complaints during their relationship.

Far from having complaints, he had even considered marriage to the point of satisfaction.

Strictly speaking, it would have been a marriage where neither party lost anything.

In aristocratic marriages where loveless unions were more common, he had thought himself quite fortunate to marry Hazel Gracious.

Many kept wives and lovers separately, but Hazel had been supremely satisfying even in bed.

But now what? After throwing herself at Duke Wayne, who had lost his wife, and dumping him, now she was saying what? That she wanted to get close to the Duke, so he should play around with Connie Clarence, the homeroom teacher of the Duke’s son?

Ha! Was she this low?

She hadn’t just seemed materialistic—she actually was materialistic.

And what made facing this materialistic nature even more disgusting at this moment was that this woman saw through him too well.

A serious relationship with Connie, marriage? He had never once thought of such things.

He just found her cute, pretty, and smart, making him increasingly desire her, but only as a short-term relationship partner to date for a while and then break up with.

In fact…… it would be strange to even call such a relationship “dating.”

He had literally thought of her as a woman to “play around with.”

And precisely because he had been accurately called out on this, he felt so disgusted.

“You want to do as I say. You have nothing to lose. Didn’t you bring that woman here today to show her off as a trophy? It’s not like just one or two of our university classmates came here today, ah…… Were you perhaps planning to take her to dinner too? To clearly boast, ‘Look, the Study Fairy of Steen University is now in my hands.’ I’m just helping you do what you were already planning to do. I even told you that woman used to like you, to help you work on her more comfortably.”

“……”

It was really pathetic that he had no response.

Because she was exactly right.

From the moment they entered the waiting hall, it was so thrilling to see the envious eyes of his university classmates directed at him as he appeared with Connie.

It was amusing to see how clearly the overdressed women envied Connie’s beauty, who had simply put on a single dress, and the lewd and base desire in the eyes of men scanning Connie’s body was so clear and distinct that even he found it unpleasant.

Well, it was understandable.

He had even been thinking that if her outfit wasn’t appropriate to show off to his classmates, he would buy her a new one, but the moment he saw her in that dress, that thought instantly vanished.

She was perfect.

Though Connie, who had actually put on the dress, had been quite embarrassed despite confidently saying she had something to wear.

⟨The dress is too tight…… isn’t it a bit much?⟩

What did she mean by “a bit much”?

“Was she saying it’s excessively pretty?”

The green mermaid dress, made of material that clung naturally to her body as if flowing down, revealed Connie’s slender yet perfectly curved figure completely due to its plainness without any of the common lace or ruffles.

To the point where one might wonder if her body had always been this beautiful.

Precisely like the Study Fairy’s image—modest, simple, and plain—yet in reality, it was a dress that fully displayed a beauty and charm impossible to look away from.

She seemed completely unaware of it herself, but it was sensual enough to make any man want to turn his secret fantasies into reality at first sight, making it surprising that a “Study Fairy” would even own such a dress.

Regardless of whether his classmates’ gazes in the hall bothered him or not, he had no intention of merely showing her off briefly.

How much annoying work had he done, enduring the noisy Osteum for this day?

The university classmates who came to the opera house needed to witness his achievement without exception.

That’s why he had prepared the fifth row in the center of the pit seats.

Because it was a position visible to anyone seated anywhere in the theater.

In fact, the reserved seat he actually owned wasn’t the central fifth row of the pit.

It was the left-side tenth row.

But since that wasn’t a seat visible to all spectators in the theater, he had enlisted the well-connected Osteum to find the owner of this seat and rented it for an additional fee.

So his claim about having obtained the tickets with difficulty wasn’t a lie.

Of course, he had to keep quiet about it, as it was better to let her think it was a lie than to know the real circumstances.

Having visited the opera house several times while dating Hazel, she must have known what he had done.

No, she probably realized it the moment they met at the opera house. That he had brought Connie to show her off to people.

Just looking at how she mentioned “reserved seats” in front of Connie when they first met…….

And after learning he had even changed seats, how much she must have laughed at him internally.

Well, perhaps that’s why she could make such a brazen request to him with such confidence.

He wasn’t the only one who had seen the other’s lowest point.

Just as he had seen Hazel’s true nature, Hazel had clearly seen his as well.

Moreover, she was a woman without reservations. She might even expose to Connie that he had brought her here and changed seats just to show her off.

She simply wasn’t saying it now because it wouldn’t benefit her either.

So it was natural for Hazel to read his next plan.

She had even pinpointed the most ambiguous part: that Connie Clarence had liked him.

In truth, he hadn’t been certain about that, which had caused moments of impatience.

Despite being someone who could instantly recognize women’s level of interest, with Connie, strangely, he couldn’t be sure…….

Yet Hazel Gracious was surprisingly assertive about that point.

Did she really like me? On what basis?

Even in this situation, I’m curious about that—I’m really hopeless.

“You don’t believe Connie Clarence liked you? I’m not sure about now, but during university, it was certain. I saw that look in her eyes several times. You probably didn’t notice because you were looking at me, but there’s something only women recognize.”

As if reading his mind, Hazel scratched his itch once more.

Sigh. This woman was so compatible with him. So compatible that even the depths of their hearts matched.

“Let’s go, me to the Duke’s box seat, you to the pit seat where you can boast your victory to the whole world. And I hope you get that woman beneath you. Preferably as quickly as possible. You’re good at that part. That’s why I dated you. Well, you already seem to have that intention.”

“……”

‘Already have that intention.’

Showing off Connie to as many classmates as possible, taking her to dinner to certify the first victory of the game.

Of course, he didn’t plan to stop there.

He intended to progress to the next step as quickly as possible.

Just as Hazel said.

Anyway, when it came time to end things after sufficient enjoyment, he wouldn’t need to worry about announcing the breakup and dealing with an awkward relationship.

By then, he would have lost interest in her, and he would be inheriting the chairman position instead of being vice principal, disappearing from the elementary school.

Being a smart woman, she wouldn’t foolishly cling to her employer and risk her job, making it a very clean ending, he had thought.

But now, with his true nature completely exposed and unable to offer any rebuttal, he could only move his lips silently as Hazel walked toward the theater entrance.

Since all the audience members who had been in the waiting hall had already entered, her high heels clicked loudly, almost ostentatiously, through the empty hall.

But to him, who had seen her true nature, the sound of her shoes seemed endlessly pathetic—a woman who, having failed to win the heart of the widowed duke with a child whom she had chosen over him, now had to beg for his son’s affection as well.

It was as if she was trying to prove with her high heels that where she stood wasn’t the bottom.

He suddenly looked down at his own feet.

Indeed, the heels of his men’s shoes, matching his tuxedo, were quite high.

What kind of shoes had Connie Clarence—the woman who looked even smaller due to her simple clothes and short stature—been wearing?

He couldn’t recall no matter how hard he tried.

“You’re back?”

“Yes.”

Answering Connie Clarence, who spoke to him as he finally returned to the theater and took his seat, he looked down at her feet.

Ivory shoes with almost no heel, closer to flats, with slightly worn toes.

Unlike her plain but eye-catching dress, they were truly simple and unremarkable shoes that didn’t stand out at all.

“Are you okay?”

Connie Clarence, whose feet looked particularly small because of this, whispered softly to him.

Ethan lifted his gaze from her shoes to look at Connie.

“What…… is?”

What was this woman worried about?

After telling her to meet at the bar and not showing up, only returning just before the performance resumed—what could she be concerned about?

He had brought this woman as a trophy to show off to his classmates.

He planned to take her to dinner to show her off more, and soon intended to “go all the way,” yet why was she asking if he was “okay”?

“No, you just looked a bit upset. If you’re fine, that’s good. And you, I should be upset that you lied about getting the tickets with difficulty, but since today’s performance is so good, I’ll forgive you.”

The woman smiled brightly as she absolved him of his sin.

“……”

What is this dirty feeling?

Why do I feel this guilt?

The sin I committed isn’t the simple lie you think it is.

I was planning to boast about you, who supposedly liked me, as a victory trophy, and to thoroughly play with you in the future.

What do you know to forgive me?

Suddenly everything felt extremely annoying and infuriating.

“Connie.”

He called to the woman who was watching the stage, waiting for the second act to begin.

“Yes, what is it?”

Your stupid face, looking at me so innocently with a bright smile, irritates me.

“Do we really have to have dinner together tonight?”

Somehow, he no longer wanted to show her off.

Despite her supposedly liking him, he didn’t even want others to see her anymore.

It wasn’t because of Hazel Gracious’s detestable request.

He just didn’t want to do it anymore.

“……You’re so selfish.”

Connie said coldly, her face hardening.

Seeing the woman’s cold expression finally calmed his anger a little.

Yes, look at me with that expression.

That way I can at least…….

“I’m sorry.”

Have the audacity to apologize.

“If you know you’re sorry, that’s enough. Since you canceled, I’ll also cancel my promise to buy you a meal.”

What I’m sorry for isn’t about canceling dinner. But whatever, I’ve said I’m sorry.

“……Alright.”

Connie had already relaxed her expression and turned her gaze back toward the stage.

Forgiveness comes so easily.

Finally, the lights came on and the second act began.

The second act…….

Could he start a completely new second act with Connie Clarence too?

Looking at Connie’s face, glittering in the stage lights, such a thought suddenly occurred to him.

Because Connie Clarence looked exceptionally radiant.

“IMPOSSIBLEEEEEEEEEE!”

‘……!’

His body jerked at the sudden thunderous high note he heard while looking at Connie’s face.

It was the singer Shelly belting out a waterfall of high notes.

Right. The second act of this opera began with that sudden high-note aria.

‘Ha!’

Ethan smirked self-mockingly at Shelly’s line, which seemed to rebuke his thoughts.

What second act? The conclusion would be the same anyway.

The end between this woman experiencing opera for the first time and himself couldn’t change.

Today he would let her go, but tomorrow his thoughts might change again. And if so, he would “go all the way” as Hazel Gracious had demanded, and eventually see the clean end of their relationship.

Because the worlds of Connie Clarence and Ethan Schwab were as different as the shoes they wore.

There could be no completely new second act between Connie Clarence and Ethan Schwab.

⁕⁕⁕

“She’s smiling.”

Connie was smiling as she talked with Ethan Schwab down below.

Ryan’s mood sank even lower as he watched her.

Why was she smiling like that? What conversation could they be having?

She shouldn’t be smiling like that when I’m trying so hard to hold myself back.

The royal box seats were empty most days of the year.

Though the royal family owned two box seats at the front on both the left and right sides, his parents weren’t leisurely enough to frequently attend opera performances.

While he enjoyed opera, in recent years he had no time to attend due to his princely duties combined with his work as a writer.

So this visit was his first in nearly a year.

He had followed Eric’s advice that since the famous singer “Shelly” would draw crowds to the opera house, it would be good for the Prince to visit the theater in person on a day like today when all the nobles gathered, partly to promote culture and arts.

But then he had seen an unexpected face.

In the center of the pit seats, visible from anywhere—the fifth row, no less.

Of all places, that seat.

As if deliberately chosen to be noticed, in a seat visible to everyone’s gaze, sat a woman as delicate, small, cute, and lovely as a butterfly that might flutter away at any moment.

Wearing a clean and simple green dress that revealed her silhouette, making him even more anxious.

Why, why had she appeared with Ethan Schwab wearing such an attention-grabbing outfit?

Well, it wasn’t really about the dress.

It was merely the outfit she happened to wear today.

The problem was that she looked beautiful in any clothes.

Was she really dating Ethan Schwab?

Already, so soon?

He felt so angry that vulgar curses rose in his throat.

He hadn’t even had a chance to show his feelings or make any attempt!

He had been waiting just for the sports day to end.

The woman had even canceled the very appointment he had been counting down the days for.

Of course, he knew.

He hadn’t been sufficiently composed with Connie today.

But even that had been his desperate attempt to maintain his composure.

How could he be expected to remain calm when she appeared with a man who had even confessed his love to her?

Moreover, every time he looked up from watching Connie, he saw Duke Wayne sitting across from him.

The Duke, who had seated a woman strongly resembling his deceased wife in his box seat, was staring at Connie.

Without giving even a single glance to the woman beside him.

Why on earth was this widowed Duke looking at Connie? It bothered him as much as Ethan Schwab, who might already be dating Connie for all he knew.

At least during the first act, the Duke hadn’t stared so openly at Connie. He had occasionally looked at the stage.

But for some reason, since the second act began, the Duke hadn’t taken his eyes off Connie for even a moment.

As if he wasn’t even aware that Ryan was watching him.

He seemed to have completely forgotten that a woman resembling his dead wife was sitting next to him.

Why was he staring so persistently at Connie?

He was curious about what was going on in that widower Duke’s mind.

But more than anything, he was curious about Connie’s feelings.

Had she finally decided to date Ethan Schwab? Is what I’m seeing now your true feelings?

He couldn’t bear to watch anymore.

Though he wanted to remain in his seat until the end as a prince, today even his princely duties felt burdensome.

He finally left the box seat during the climax of the second act.

“Are you leaving?”

Eric, who had been sitting in the front row of the mezzanine seats, hurriedly followed him out.

“Yes.”

“……Shall I find out?”

“……What?”

“If they’re really dating.”

“Ghostly fellow.”

The instruction to ‘find out’ was dangling on the tip of his tongue.

“Ethan Schwab is quite active in social circles. If you want to find out, we could know immediately.”

The capable and quick-witted Eric was even suggesting methods.

As if all that was needed was to give the order.

But somehow that instruction wouldn’t come out.

For fear that he might return with confirmation they were dating.

That’s what he was afraid of.

“We can find out for certain and then decide. If they are really dating, Your Highness can give up. She was a difficult woman anyway, in many respects.”

No, that wouldn’t do.

“Don’t look into it. I’ll handle it myself.”

He didn’t know how far he could go.

If those two were already in that kind of relationship…….

But one thing he knew for certain.

Even if Connie Clarence had begun a romance with Ethan Schwab, he would not be able to give up on that woman.

Until the very last moment.

Unless another man’s wedding ring was placed on her finger.

⁕⁕⁕

Graham Wayne was looking down at the teacher in the pit seats when he suddenly felt movement from across and raised his head.

The Prince was leaving his box seat.

His expression hadn’t looked good whenever their eyes occasionally met. Perhaps he wasn’t feeling well?

He had seemed fine at yesterday’s sports day…….

In truth, it had been distracting throughout the performance when the Prince occasionally seemed to look at him with fierce eyes.

There hadn’t been any recent issues with the Prince, and nothing special had happened at Steen Elementary School yesterday either.

If anything, hadn’t the Prince’s team won the two-against-three race with Teacher Clarence?

Though he pretended it didn’t matter, in reality, even if it was just a game at an elementary school playground, it hadn’t felt particularly good for someone who had rarely lost in any competition.

Nevertheless, he had accepted it graciously as his duty as a subject when he saw Her Highness the Queen, now in her later years, rejoicing.

Anyway, the Prince who kept sending sharp glances had left, and now only Connie Clarence remained—the one he couldn’t take his eyes off.

Just Teacher Clarence, who had come to the opera house wearing that bright dress so simple it revealed her body’s silhouette.

In truth, he had thought the excitement and tingling he felt on the playground yesterday might have been an illusion.

That when he saw her again, he wouldn’t feel that way.

But seeing that delicate woman in the green dress today, strange emotions he had never felt before rose up.

The woman who had seemed like a young student now appeared as a mature woman, making him feel thirsty.

He didn’t usually drink the ambiguously flavored champagne provided during opera intermissions.

Yet how many times had he gulped it down today?

Perhaps it was because he had been in close contact with that delicate woman during yesterday’s race, and he remembered her warm body temperature.

As ridiculous as he found himself, when thinking coolly, he was certain of his attraction to her.

He hadn’t expected his heart to move so quickly toward a woman other than Laina.

Moreover, his mind grew more confused when that woman made comments suggesting possibilities for him.

Meanwhile, the woman beside him kept throwing flirtations. She had been visiting his home frequently to the point of annoyance for several months. Today she had even demanded to enter the box seat right in front of Teacher Clarence, nearly making him frown.

As a gentleman, he couldn’t refuse her to her face and had to let her into the box seat, but he couldn’t just let it pass, so after speaking honestly about women, the teacher’s words had left his mind blank.

⟨No, rather than that, I just…… think it’s possible. Time isn’t always the most important thing. The heart doesn’t follow one’s will, after all. So you don’t need to be so cautious with me. Think of it comfortably. The Duke’s feelings are most important. Perhaps that would be better for William too.⟩

What on earth did that mean, Teacher Connie Clarence?

He wanted to grab the teacher and ask what each sentence meant.

‘Time isn’t important.’

Did she mean it didn’t matter that it hadn’t been long since he lost his wife? Or that it didn’t matter that they hadn’t known each other long?

‘The heart doesn’t follow one’s will.’

Did that mean he could let his heart flow as it wished?

‘Think of it comfortably, the Duke’s feelings are most important.’

Was she saying to prioritize his feelings for her?

The teacher’s words swirled chaotically in his mind.

So much that since the second act, he couldn’t take his eyes off her for even a moment as he pondered their meaning.

Especially the last sentence about it possibly being better for William stuck to his brain like sticky adhesive.

What William liked. Who William liked. That’s you, isn’t it, Teacher Connie Clarence?

The person William needs most right now is also you.

William liked and valued that woman so much that there wasn’t a single day he didn’t talk about his homeroom teacher.

William, Connie Clarence, William, Connie Clarence…….

His thoughts connected in circles, going round and round until, near the end of the second act, a strange formula emerged.

‘Person good for William × Person my heart goes to = Connie Clarence’.

By then, the performance had ended, and applause erupted from the audience.

Teacher Clarence also stood up and clapped.

With a bright smile.

“Hmm……”

Yes, that smile was the problem.

From the moment he saw that smile on the playground yesterday…….

Connie continued clapping until the stage went completely dark and brightened again, then smiled brightly again as she said something to Vice Principal Ethan Schwab standing beside her.

Only then did he more clearly see the presence he had neglected while examining his own feelings.

Connie Clarence and Ethan Schwab…….

Why had she come alone with the Vice Principal?

They looked too close?

⟨All three of us were classmates at Steen University. We graduated together this year.⟩

Finally, he remembered the woman who was still watching his profile from the box seat without leaving.

“Miss Gracious?”

“Yes, Duke.”

The way the woman answered with sparkling eyes felt a bit burdensome.

He wasn’t going to ask about her.

Well, nothing to be done about it.

“Were Teacher Connie Clarence and Vice Principal Ethan Schwab close since university?”

He needed to know about the woman who was best for William and who had stirred new emotions in himself.

This much could be considered payment for suppressing his dislike and allowing her into the box seat.

“Yes, I believe Connie Clarence has liked Ethan Schwab since university.”

Surprisingly, the woman answered calmly without showing any displeasure or puzzlement, even though he wasn’t asking about her.

“……”

Conversely, her words made his mood completely unpleasant.

“It seems Miss Clarence’s long-time crush has finally borne fruit.”

“……”

His face almost frowned, but he quickly regained composure.

Because he had found an obvious lie in this triumphant-looking woman’s words.

Bearing fruit? What a preposterous, naive lie…….

He had watched Connie Clarence throughout the second act.

Because he simply couldn’t take his eyes off her.

But what about Teacher Clarence?

If she had really had a crush on Vice Principal Ethan Schwab, and had finally seen it come to fruition, could she have spent such a long time without giving him a single glance, only watching the stage?

No! That didn’t make sense.

They say coughing and love can’t be hidden.

During the time when he and Laina first confirmed their feelings for each other.

When together, he and Laina still longed for each other.

It would have been impossible to not look at each other even once for hours, as if unaware whether the person they liked was beside them or not.

But Teacher Clarence didn’t give Vice Principal Ethan Schwab a single glance except before the performance started and after it ended.

If anything, it seemed the Vice Principal looked at Connie Clarence.

So what nonsense was this about a crush bearing fruit?

This woman became less appealing each time he met her.

“Were you close with Teacher Connie Clarence?”

He didn’t want to talk more, but he needed to understand this woman’s intentions.

He also needed to collect whatever information she had about the teacher.

Of course, he would have to be selective about how much to believe.

“No, not particularly. But I do know that Connie Clarence was a famous woman at the university.”

A famous woman?

Graham slightly frowned.

“……How so?”

“A target for all the male students? Including Ethan Schwab.”

“What is a ‘target’? Is this a new culture at Steen University?”

By now, the audience was leaving the theater. Connie Clarence and Ethan Schwab too.

Graham glanced once at Connie Clarence and Ethan Schwab heading toward the exit, then asked again.

“Since you’re also an alumnus of our university, you must know. Men’s childish games, bets, that sort of thing. Connie was the highest difficulty target. No one had claimed her…… Though it seems Ethan Schwab might be the final victor.”

‘Was a target’…

There was no reason for her to lie about this.

There probably wasn’t, so this was likely true.

Except the part about Ethan Schwab being the final victor.

Hmm…….

Why was this woman telling me this?

This woman’s target is ‘me’…….

Ah! I understand now.

This woman had already noticed his interest in the teacher.

“Miss Hazel Gracious.”

“Yes, Duke.”

“I have never given you any indication whatsoever. Today I allowed you into the box seat only because I couldn’t publicly embarrass you in front of others, not because I have any interest or attraction to you. Though you seem to already know this.”

“Duke! Why do you speak so definitively? A person’s heart……”

“Wouldn’t my definitive statement about my own heart be far more accurate and certain than your hasty conclusion that Vice Principal Ethan Schwab has won the game? So please stop your reckless comments about Teacher Clarence. And one more thing. Please also stop the strange behavior of visiting my home without permission to meet William. My son shares my taste and has no interest in women like you, Miss Hazel Gracious.”

“……”

The woman’s face twisted unpleasantly.

He knew that this woman was originally quite beautiful.

However, he also knew that when a beautiful woman in whom he had no interest kept pursuing him, it was proper to reject her clearly like this.

Beautiful women who know they’re beautiful tend not to take hints seriously.

Evidenced by how this woman had completely ignored all his previous indirect rejections made out of minimal courtesy.

“Then I trust there will be no more visits to my home. Goodbye.”

Graham quickly left the box seat, and by the time he boarded his carriage, thoughts of the woman left behind in the box seat had already been completely erased from his mind.