“Both.”
Nigel was resolute. Since entering the Academy, Nigel Kaiserion had never brought an official partner to any festival or banquet. That was his iron rule.
The seat beside the Crown Prince signified the landscape of power. The moment he chose someone, there would inevitably be talk. What he had to be most wary of to become Emperor was unnecessary scandal.
He planned to leave behind a perfect and aloof presence, one that wouldn’t be subjected to any gossip until graduation.
But of all people, Veil Khalid. A prince from another country and the Academy’s troublemaker. The moment he entered holding hands with him, the image he’d carefully built over the past two years would come crashing down. Moreover…
I can’t attend with Veil Khalid when there are already half-baked rumors going around.
Rumors of a passionate romance with Rowen were already rampant throughout the school. Having decided to use those rumors without denying them, to show up at the Eve Festival with a different student as his partner?
That would be more than deceiving Rowen—it would deal a fatal blow to the Crown Prince’s morality.
“If I go to the masquerade ball with you, my plan will get twisted.”
“Plan?”
Ha, Veil let out an incredulous laugh. He took another step forward and cornered Nigel against the wall.
“Why don’t you be more honest? Are you afraid your plan will get twisted, or are you scared that your precious Rowen Ashfield will get hurt?”
“…What nonsense.”
“Not even funny. Nigel Kaiserion, since when did you care about other people’s feelings?”
Veil’s eyes grew cold. It was obvious jealousy.
“Don’t misunderstand. This isn’t a date invitation—it’s a transaction.”
Veil gripped Nigel’s wrist tightly. Through the bracelet, the vibration reached Nigel’s palm again—thump, thump.
Veil’s whisper was as sweet and fatal as a devil’s temptation.
“Choose. Either protect your little playhouse game with Rowen, or…”
He pulled out a silver mask from his pocket and pressed it against Nigel’s chest with a thud.
“Come to me.”
What is this… As Nigel looked down at the mask he’d inadvertently received, Veil smirked.
“Didn’t you know this year’s Eve Festival theme is a masquerade ball? No one will notice you’re Nigel Kaiserion. Just cover your face, and you’ll simply be my partner.”
Masquerade ball.
Nigel bit his lip. There was no more justification to refuse. Rowen was a solid shield, but he was ignorant about this strange phenomenon eating away at his body. The solution might lie in Veil Khalid’s bracelet.
It would be better to investigate.
Nigel accepted the mask with trembling hands.
“…Fine.”
Just one dance.
Nigel answered through gritted teeth.
“I’ll go. But if you try anything funny, be prepared—I’ll punch you in the face right then and there.”
“Oh, how scary.”
Veil smiled with satisfaction.
“Tomorrow night at 8. Mirror Lake central stage. Don’t be late. Ah, I forgot to mention this. Intruders are not welcome. Got it?”
Veil winked once, then disappeared whistling.
“……”
I don’t know if this was the right choice.
Nigel looked down at the silver mask in his hand. An ornate and intricately crafted mask.
If he wore this, he could hide his face.
…Then he could deceive Rowen.
“……”
Nigel frowned. Why do I keep worrying about that guy?
Unlike what the other students at school knew, he and Rowen weren’t truly lovers. That meant if he explained he had circumstances and was attending the Eve Festival party with another student, Rowen would understand.
But.
Then what was this? This uneasiness.
He simply couldn’t muster the courage to tell Rowen directly—that he was going with someone else, leaving him behind.
…Because he’s got no talent for lying.
Nigel recalled Rowen’s reaction at the training grounds. How he’d frozen stiffly, unable to even make eye contact properly.
He was an honest guy who’d lived his whole life wielding only a sword. Though he followed along without complaint because it was the Crown Prince’s request, he must be uncomfortable inside.
On top of forcibly dragging such a guy into the frog curse commotion, now he had to add another lie. That wasn’t the proper way to treat a long-time friend.
…Right. It would be more comfortable for him not to know.
Nigel let out a heavy sigh, forcing rationalization. He hid the mask deep in his uniform pocket, right next to the leather pouch containing Silvanus’s scale.
As soon as he returned to his dormitory room, there was a knock at the door.
—”Nigel, it’s me.”
Nigel, who had been sitting at his desk organizing things, turned his head toward the door.
“……”
It was Rowen Ashfield’s voice.
How does he know I’m thinking about him? Nigel rubbed his neck, which had been frozen for a while, and said,
“…Come in.”
The door immediately opened and Rowen entered. But instead of his usual energetic appearance, there was something cautious about him. In his hands was a deep navy box that seemed to have been prepared with considerable care.
Rowen confirmed Nigel was sitting in the chair and said,
“What did you talk about with Veil Khalid?”
Straight to the point?
Nigel’s head was already aching because of that matter anyway.
“Nothing important.”
Nigel, who had no intention of telling Rowen about the Eve Festival right now, immediately changed the subject.
“What’s that box?”
“Well…”
Rowen scratched the back of his neck and drew out his words.
“This is kind of a long story.”
“…What is it.”
He placed the box on Nigel’s desk with a thud. From the sound, it seemed to have considerable weight.
“I guess the rumor reached my family home.”
“Your family home?”
If it was a rumor… Nigel narrowed his eyes and let out an “Ah.” There was only one rumor from the past few days at Kaiserion Academy that would reach the Ashfield family.
“…Already reached there?”
“Apparently. My father was quite… pleased, I heard.”
Rowen rubbed the tip of his nose as if embarrassed. Unlike Nigel’s lukewarm reaction, Rowen’s mood didn’t seem bad. It was truly like Rowen Ashfield not to be angry about such a suspicious rumor with his old friend, even if it was unintentional.
He lifted the lid of the box to check the contents. Inside was formal wear similar in color to what Nigel often wore to official events at the Imperial Palace. True to the quick-acting Ashfield family, they’d made clothing that fit Nigel perfectly in such a short time.
“I have one too. They said to wear them matching…”
Rowen smiled awkwardly and shrugged.
“Of course, I know you won’t wear it. You’ll say you need to maintain neutrality as Crown Prince, that you detest bringing a partner to the Eve Festival party. It’s your iron rule.”
“……”
“Still, since they went out of their way to send it, I thought I should at least show it to you. It’s nothing much, right?”
Rowen tried to close the box again calmly, as if he already knew Nigel would refuse. His attitude held deep understanding as a long-time friend rather than disappointment.
Nigel couldn’t bring himself to speak.
The promise with Veil Khalid was directly connected to survival. If he confirmed the bracelet, he could find a clue to escape this damn transformation curse, or perhaps find a way to control his body.
In the end, Nigel decided not to tell Rowen the truth. If he knew that Nigel had broken his long-standing iron rule because of Veil Khalid’s condition, he would obviously be shocked.
…Sorry.
Nigel silently apologized briefly and averted his gaze.
He pretended to be tired, frowning and pressing his forehead. Since the throbbing headache wasn’t an act, it wasn’t difficult to grimace.
“What should I do about this.”
Nigel made an apologetic expression toward Rowen’s smiling face.
“…I think I’ll have to skip this Eve Festival entirely.”
“Really? Why?”
Nigel raised his hand to stop Rowen from approaching.
“I think it’ll get worse if I go somewhere crowded.”
Last year, he had attended the Mardinia Eve Festival party, though not with a partner. The purpose wasn’t to enjoy himself. It was simply to witness the beginning of Kaiserion Academy’s festival with his own eyes.
Disappointment crossed Rowen’s face, who had thought Nigel would attend the Eve Festival party this year too, but he immediately forced a smile.
“Ah… I see. Well, you did overdo it today. Got it. Since you’re not feeling well, it would be better to just rest.”
However, Rowen fiddled with the corner of the box as if disappointed. Then, as if he’d made up his mind, he looked at Nigel and said,
“Then I won’t go either. I’ll just stay by your side.”
