I Was Rejected by the Main Character in a Romantic Fantasy-Chapter 102: Ashillya (3)

We visited the art gallery, had lunch, chatted about trivial things, and walked together.

Seeing the same things, walking the same paths, eating the same food, talking about the same topics.

While doing these seemingly meaningless activities with Ashillya, I slowly began to realize something. But I tried to suppress those feelings and focused on my time with Ashillya.

“Shall we go over there?”

I hadn’t actually planned out every detail of the date, so later on, we moved spontaneously. Still, Ashillya seemed satisfied with that as well.

‘...That’s a relief.’

Even though Ashillya had no experience dating other men, I was still quite worried inside. I agonized over what to do since the date with Ashillya was set. Of course, that didn’t mean I was neglecting the dates with the others.

Anyway, as I was fully focused on Ashillya now, I couldn’t help but marvel anew at her beauty.

Her silver hair looked soft and silky at a glance, and her flawless snow-white skin was almost dazzling.

Her ruby-red eyes shone brilliantly, her sharp nose bridge that looked like it might cut if touched, and her cherry-like lips.

Ashillya possessed such outstanding beauty that even if she hadn’t been born a princess, she could probably have the Empire in the palm of her hand if she wanted to.

“Hmm...?”

As I stared at Ashillya’s face as if entranced, she noticed my gaze and looked at me puzzled.

Afraid of being caught staring at her, I tried to manage my gaze and expression, walking calmly.

“Hehe.”

Of course, it wouldn’t work on the perceptive Ashillya.

As I walked, trying to act nonchalant, she pressed her body close to mine. We were already arm in arm, but now she completely eliminated any gap [N O V E L I G H T] between us.

Trying hard to ignore the ample sensation on my arm, I looked at the surrounding scenery.

Spring.

The season that would soon turn to summer.

So many events had happened that it felt like time had passed quite quickly, but it was surprising that not even a full season had passed yet.

We walked down the street as the evening sunset, feeling the still-cool breeze.

Hearing that academy students and couples in the city often took walks here, I took a stroll with Ashillya, and the scenery was quite nice.

The setting sun was beautiful, and the street scenery was gorgeous, too.

I had been worried about running into academy students who might recognize us. Still, for some reason, there were very few people out today.

We occasionally saw people, but no one recognized Ashillya. Thanks to that, we could walk comfortably, enjoying the scenery.

“It’s beautiful.”

“...Yes, it really is.”

After speaking informally all day, it now felt a bit more natural.

Responding to Ashillya’s words as if used to it, she smiled brightly and quickened her pace.

“How have things been lately?”

“...What do you mean?”

“Just, this and that.”

There are imperial matters and academic matters. Naturally, I couldn’t help but worry as she took time out of her busy schedule to spend a day with me.

Even with my vague answer, Ashillya seemed to easily grasp my meaning.

“Everything is fine, these days.”

“...Really?”

“With thee around, why wouldn’t things be fine?”

Ashillya’s expression as she said this was utterly serious. Realizing it wasn’t her usual playful tone, I could only close my mouth.

Somewhere... no, something heavy seemed to be weighing on me.

But even though Ashillya sensed my attitude, she didn’t stop.

“Since meeting thee, my life has changed. Everything is enjoyable, everything is joyful. Just thinking of thee gives me strength.”

It’s heavy.

Her feelings are heavy.

It wasn’t because I had never received such deep feelings from someone before. Even if I was inexperienced in love, I couldn’t help but understand why Ashillya and the other women showed such vague goodwill towards me.

But I had deliberately pretended not to notice those feelings.

I was afraid that this peaceful daily life would be shattered and that I didn’t belong in this world.

From the moment I accept one person’s feelings, our relationship will go awry. Well, even if my feeling of not belonging in this world was no longer an issue since I had already resolved that long ago...

But I couldn’t run away forever. If I keep running away, the relationships will break anyway. At some point, I have to make a choice. And I vaguely knew that Pamela’s wish for me to date everyone was forcing that choice.

“That’s why thou art precious to me. One of the few sources of happiness in this world for me.”

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Ashillya, who had let go of my arm, walked ahead with light footsteps as if she might float away. I followed behind her with slightly slower steps. All the while, my gaze remained fixed on Ashillya as she spoke.

“...Why.”

I couldn’t help but ask.

Although I knew it was a foolish question, I still had to ask it. Without realizing it, I opened my mouth and asked Ashillya.

It was because I couldn’t understand their... no, her feelings, even while knowing them.

“Why me?”

Why would it be me?

I knew well that I wasn’t that special of a person.

I was reincarnated into a novel.

But I didn’t have outstanding talents like other protagonists, nor had I saved the world. I wasn’t particularly strong, special, or righteous.

I had simply been by their side.

...Like any other person.

At my question, Ashillya, who had been walking ahead, stopped in her tracks. I stopped following her, and a slightly chilly wind blew between us.

She stood still with her back to me, looking at the sky.

The sky that had been dyed golden was now gradually turning black.

It was a sign that the day we had promised for our date was ending. One might feel rushed, but Ashillya just quietly gazed at the sky for a long while.

I quietly waited for her answer.

Am I anxious? Am I uneasy?

I asked myself, but I didn’t have such feelings. I was simply... blank.

I could only stare absentmindedly at Ashillya’s profile as she looked at the sky.

“The sky looks no different than usual.”

“...Yes.”

A somewhat unexpected comment came from Ashillya. But while others might not notice... I, who had been watching her closely, could tell.

Her voice was trembling slightly.

It meant that Ashillya, the Iron-Blooded Crown Princess, was nervous.

“But being with thee makes it so beautiful.”

“...”

“Isn’t that enough? That an ordinary everyday sky becomes so beautiful because of thee.”

...I felt the same way.

Today spent with Ashillya was beautiful. It was enjoyable.

Then does that mean I have the same feelings as Ashillya?

‘...I’m not sure.’

It wasn’t some meaningless statement about not knowing my own heart.

Sylvia.

Helena.

Pamela.

The daily life spent with the others was also immensely enjoyable. Sometimes beautiful, sometimes happy.

Though each in their own way, it was ultimately the same. Then, who am I in love with? Such questions kept leading to more questions.

“...So.”

Lost in thought for a moment, I was startled back to reality by Ashillya’s voice suddenly close by. At some point, Ashillya came right up to me and smiled with her face close to mine.

As if telling me not to think of anything else while I was with her, I unconsciously took a step back, seeing her red eyes strongly asserting themselves.

‘...She’s incredibly forceful.’

Smiling faintly at Ashillya’s even more forceful than usual appearance, I could finally look at her properly.

A faint blush had spread across her snow-white skin. I could see her bright red ears through her brilliantly shining silver hair.

Before I could wonder about that, Ashillya continued speaking.

“I love you.”

“...”

Crown Princess, member of the imperial family, future Empress, Iron-Blooded Crown Princess.

Shedding all the modifiers that described her,

Ashillya said those words.

Because she looked so beautiful, so... lovely, I could only silently gaze at her.

I should say something in response. But the words wouldn’t come out.

As if reading my mind, Ashillya smiled slightly and shook her head.

“I’ll receive your answer after everything is over. That’s the rule, after all.”

Ashillya’s smile as she said this,

It didn’t have any of her usual composure,

It was a shy, lovely smile.