95 5. Masquerade: Part I

"Cold bareback is also fascinating. I can't wait to be seen in your face with an innocent mask..."

That said, the man's fingertips creep Tiara Rose's jaw.

Immediately, Tiara Rose uses the fan she had and pays off the man's hand. I suck at being a married woman and doing that to myself.

"It is not appropriate for me to be so, because I have not put on flowers which are proof of my unmarriage. Of course, for unmarried women..."

"Mmm, that's tough. But I also think that's a nice place... because I'm attracted to you?

…………

I should have been strong and careful, but I haven't enjoyed it at all.

On the contrary, there's nothing I can do about it because I even feel like I'm watching Tiara Rose more with a hot eye in her puckering appearance.

Somehow, you should get away from this man.

When Tiara Rose thinks so, the man says "Ah".

"Pretty girl you cared about, now you're being called out by another guy, right?

"Huh?"

That's what they say, Tiara Rose also sees Filine.

Sure, he's separate from the gentle looking man we were talking about earlier.

Soft warm suit with brown hair. At first glance, though I get the impression that it seems moderate - something's wrong with Filine.

It gives me a tingly vibe and I don't like it. From being a little distant, a man may have been rude to Filine... but from here on out, I can't even hear what he's talking about.

- I hope you don't be rude to my maid!

As I stared at him, the brown man, who had a little bit on Tiara Rose, grinned in a dull manner.

"You're quite obsessed with her, aren't you? Your friend or something?

"... Yep. We've been together ever since we were little, so I don't want to be bothered by some weird guy. And to you, of course."

"Really?"

Then I glanced at the brown man, but he just grinned.

"Then we need to get closer! You two can't hear each other here, can you?

That said, the brown man takes Tiara Rose's hand and walks to the center of the party hall.

"Hey! Get off me!"

"Well, that's good."

Tiara Rose immediately protests, but the brown man doesn't seem to care and is free to run.

Sometimes it was a pair of men and women, nothing particularly noticeable. If Tiara Rose had been alone, she would have been heard from other men.

In a way, maybe I should be a man (bug)...

Going near Filine, I heard the conversation between the two of them.

"Philine, thanks for the engagement reply"

"Huh...? You, could it be Lucas?

Listening to the conversation between the two, Tiara Rose opens her eyes. The brown man gives a voice similar to praise without thinking "hiu".

- What's this about?

Philine was reluctant to get engaged, so there's no way she'd respond with an acknowledgement. If it's possible, does that mean my parents replied on their own......

"I mean, that man... was it Master Lucas?

I'm surprised about that.

Because the Tiara Roses haven't sent an invitation to Lucas Dunston. I call myself the brown man next to Tiara Rose right now, can anyone enter this masquerade......

For once, if I knew you, I would have given you permission to enter, so I guess there was some kind of handover.

"I say fiancée, but it sounds like the woman you're obsessed with hates you."

"... right"

"Do you treat women poorly?

If we don't do it better, the brown man laughs.

Tiara Rose returns her gaze to Filine.

"Why... because Lucas should be in Lapis Lazuli, right? You said you came all the way to Marine Forest for today?

"You're going to meet Filine, so there's no reason for this. Plus, Philine's with me when I go home. Even your parents have permission."

"- Huh!!"

Apparently, a lot of things have been decided in Lucas.

Hearing that, Tiara Rose gets angry. What an unsolicited man, he said. It's also natural that Filine doesn't like it.

As Tiara Rose was trembling in anger, Filine moved.

"Now that I know I have no choice but to talk to you, I beg your pardon"

"Wait, Philine. You think you're allowed to do that?

When Filine walks out, Lucas also walks to follow it.

I can't run, but I have no heart or fast feet. Lucas walks beside him with a face that doesn't eat, even though Filine shows so much of the color of rejection.

"Hey, Philine. I wanted to dance with you because it was a night club."

…………

- You're a terrible person...

Lucas is speaking to Filine, but has not responded.

We managed to get out of the party hall, and the courtyard we reached was liberated. It's winter so it's a little cold, but I guess I decided it was better than being in the party hall with Lucas.

Filine makes sure there's no one around, then stops.

"Come on, Lucas! I will not marry!!"

"Don't talk to me like that, Philine"

"I can't believe I... Huh!

It's a noble political marriage, isn't it? But Lucas said so.

Philine and I thought one day it would be something to get married. But I definitely don't want to just marry Lucas.

I know it's possible that I won't be happy because I'm in a political marriage, but I can't be a millimeter happy in my marriage to Lucas. That's all I don't like.

Nothing, you don't have to be as happy as Tiara Rose and Aquasteed. But at the very least, I thought someone would take care of me...

Tiara Rose looks at them as she tries to smudge her lips. Shouldn't we go in between and have an arbitration, though I try to get close to thinking so - I can be stopped by the brown man who was following me.

"What are you doing?"

"Those two are nobles, aren't they? Then you shouldn't be in between. Or do you think you have any power? It doesn't make sense if you don't leave it to the right person."

"Oh, that's..."

True argument, I think Tiara Rose.

And being Queen of Marine Forest, I have power. If you order Lucas to leave, you can even kick him out of Marine Forest.

But that won't be a fundamental solution, and Philine will have a crack in her relationship with her parents.

I had no choice but to see just a little more.

Lucas also sighs deeply because he left the party hall and lost his eyes.

"Filine."

"Come to me."

"I don't like it!

Lucas takes Philine's hand because she's a good girl. Looks like Filine tried to shake it off somewhere, but besides her thoughts, she seemed to have strong Lucas powers.

I can't shake it off, I flaunt my face.

"Because I will never marry you! Get your hands off me!

"I like Filine so much. Besides, I've already sent money to my parents, so you can't shake my hand."

"Oh no... Huh!

Apparently, something was happening back there as I had expected.

I can't believe he wasn't just accepting an engagement, he was already assisted with money. Philine feels miserable wondering if she can run away from Lucas anymore.

I guess that's what Lucas thought when he saw Filine lean over silently and accepted her engagement to herself. I stroke Filine's head and say, "You just have to know," with my eyes from above.

"Look, let's go back inside and dance and go home. You should come to the mansion where I'm staying today."

".................. I don't like it"

"! Come on, Philine. Or can't you just say it with your mouth?

"...... Huh!?"

Lucas raises the corner of his mouth and smiles disgustingly. I drew Filine toward me for a long time, hugging her and trying to take her lips away - Tiara Rose couldn't bear to jump between them.

"Come on!

- I can't forgive you for forcing me!

"... Huh!

Though it was Philine and Lucas who were suddenly surprised by the appearance of Tiara Rose, Philine was relieved to grasp Tiara Rose's dress.

He shook Lucas's arm at the mercy of his strength and came under Tiara Rose.

"Are you all right? I'm sorry, I should have checked with you more firmly in the entrance..."

"No, never mind. It's Lucas' fault for coming on his own."

Filine shook her head, saying it was never Tiara Rose's fault.

"You said I was talking to Philine because of you... would you please stay out of my way?

"... talk, is it? I've been watching, but Philine doesn't like it, does she?

"That would be your mistake. Me and Filine are engaged. She was just a little lit up."

He wears a mask, so Lucas doesn't realize his opponent is Tiara Rose. For this reason, Lucas does not break the tone of his strong temper.

Some sort of warrant lady... but I guess I'm looking down.

If they found out she was the queen of this country, they would bluish immediately - but I'm sure Filine wouldn't be happy if Tiara Rose used her power to help. If you bother me, you'll blame yourself.

Tiara Rose and Lucas stare at each other, "No," a cheerful voice goes in between.

Of course, the Lord of that voice is a brown man.

"Don't you have that attitude towards these pretty kids?

"... who. This is our problem, so I hope the outsiders don't squeak out."

I don't need a reason to help a girl.

The brown man shelters Tiara Rose and Filine on his back and confronts Lucas.

Seeing that, Filine blued.

Filine tells him in a fine voice that she wasn't going to involve others to make things bigger.

"Duh, what can I do..."

"It's okay, Philine. More than that, are you okay? Are you hurt?

"Yes, I'm fine... inconvenience you both"

"Don't worry, it's not a nuisance"

Instead, I even think it's chara about this much because the brown man bothered me.

A little more, and I'm sure Aquasteed will come looking for you. So Tiara Rose didn't think it would be a problem if she protected Filine.

Fortunately, the brown man is on my side here...

If that's what you think, Lucas roughed up his voice.

"Come out, you guys! I'm taking Philine home like this!!"

"- Huh!?"

In response to Lucas's voice, several men came out. Apparently, Lucas hired an escort or something... but those eyes, they don't seem to make sense to the discussion -.