Chapter 27: Without You.

Dinner time arrived, and Cedric and I sat across from each other in the dining hall.
Not at the far ends of the long table, but close together, as always.
Yet the air between us felt strangely stiff, still stained by what had happened three days ago.

“How is your graduation thesis coming along?”
“Yes, I just need to run a few experiments for concrete examples and write up the results.”
“You’re already that far along with months still left… As expected of you, Cedric.”
“Thank you.”
“……”
“……”

Polite, harmless conversation, yet somehow awkward.
Normally we could talk so much more naturally.
Cedric must have felt it too; every so often he glanced at me, as if checking my expression.

(I really do have to talk to him properly.)

But it felt wrong to bring up something heavy during dinner, so in the end we only made small talk until dessert.

After the meal, I returned to my room for a moment.
I closed the door and let out a long breath.

“Haa…”

Standing in front of the mirror, I saw a slightly weary face looking back.

(Calm down. You’re going to talk to him properly, Amelia.)

I lightly slapped my cheeks to psych myself up.

After dinner Cedric always worked in his study.
Territory affairs, capital duties, everything that came with being head of the house.
He had mountains of work.

(I’m sorry to interrupt when he’s so busy…)

But I couldn’t keep putting this off forever.

I left my room and headed for his study.

Knock, knock.

“Come in.”

Cedric’s voice answered, and I opened the door.

The spacious study.
He sat at the desk, wrestling with documents.
His quill flew across the page; occasionally he frowned in concentration.

“I’m sorry to disturb you when you’re busy.”
“No, it’s fine. Could you wait just a moment? I’m almost finished.”
“Of course, take your time.”

I settled onto the sofa.

Cedric turned back to his papers.
His serious profile.
The slightly stern look he wore when focused.
And yet it only made him more handsome.

(Ahh… my favorite really is cool…)

His pale golden hair glowed under the lamplight.
Long lashes cast shadows.
Every so often he rested a finger against his lips in thought.
Every gesture was picture-perfect.

(This is exactly why favorites are sacred…)

I was openly staring when he suddenly looked up.
Our eyes met perfectly.

“—!”

My heart leapt.
I somehow managed to keep a straight face.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Cedric stood and sat on the sofa across from me.
Face-to-face, close enough that I could reach out and touch him if I wanted.

“Um… I’m sorry about the other day. I said something completely out of the blue.”
I started with an apology.

“No, I’m the one who should apologize. I was so flustered… I ended up touching you without thinking. I’m sorry.”

He bowed his head.

Touching me—pulling me into his arms, whispering in my ear, the hand that had begun sliding toward my thigh—flashed through my mind.
My cheeks burned.

“N-no, that much was fine!”

I blurted, trying to hide my embarrassment.

“That much…?”

Oh no, I said something unnecessary in my panic.
I hurriedly waved my hands.

“I-I mean, it’s nothing! Yes!”

“…Is that so?”

He tilted his head, clearly unconvinced.

“But why did you suddenly bring up divorce?”

We finally reached the heart of it.
Cedric’s blue eyes looked straight into mine.

“I thought… it would be better for you if we divorced.”
“That’s impossible.”

Instant, unwavering denial.
I was a little shocked.

“But you could… if we divorced, you could immediately fall in love with some other girl. You’re young, you have status, you’re brilliant, you’re handsome—”

“I have no interest in any other woman.”

Another immediate, decisive answer.

“…Really? Not a single one? For example… the transfer student, Miss Emilia?”

I couldn’t help testing him with the heroine’s name, wondering if he was still drawn to her as in the original story.

His brow twitched.

“None whatsoever.”

His voice dropped, clearly displeased.

“I don’t know why everyone treats that transfer student as special, but I dislike her.”
“Eh…?”

I never expected him to say outright that he disliked the game’s heroine.
This was far too different from the original plot.

“Did something happen between you and Emilia-san?”

I asked cautiously.

“She seems to believe for some reason that I’m already divorced and keeps saying things that insult you. Innocently, without malice… but I don’t like it.”

Anger seeped into his voice.

(She’s been insulting me…?)

At the same time, guilt surged through me.

Is the reason Cedric and Emilia aren’t getting along… because of me?
Because I changed the story to avoid the villainess execution ending?

(I suddenly feel really sorry…)

But another question rose.

Why does Emilia think Cedric is divorced?
In the original game, yes, but in reality we’re still very much married.
There are almost no rumors of discord between us.

It would be hard for Emilia, who rarely appears in high society, to hear such gossip even if certain nobles wanted us separated.

(Could it be… that Emilia also knows this is a game world?)

Is she in the same situation as me?
It’s still too early to tell.

“On the contrary, what were you planning to do after the divorce?”

Cedric’s question pulled me back to the present.

“Were you thinking of marrying another man?”

His tone was probing.
The very idea was so alien to me it was almost funny.

I shook my head vigorously.

“Of course not.”

I denied it instantly.
Because I have never met, and will never meet, a man better than Cedric.
No one in this world could surpass my ultimate favorite.

“I was going to return to my family’s margrave territory in the borderlands and live quietly. Fortunately, I’m skilled with water-purification magic, and I’ve learned the basics of territory management. I could help my parents.”

“…Haa.”

I calmly laid out my plan.
Cedric let out a deep sigh.

“Amelia… doesn’t it bother you to leave me?”

His voice was almost sulky, like a child’s.
His expression looked hurt.

(Ugh… so cute…)

Seeing my favorite make a face like that made my resolve waver.

“Of course it bothers me.”

The honest words slipped out.

“Then—”

Cedric started to lean forward.

“But more than that, I want you to be happy.”

I cut him off.

Because a fangirl’s happiness is her favorite’s happiness.
That’s my creed.
My favorite has to be happy.

Cedric’s face clouded with dissatisfaction and something almost pained.

“Then stay by my side.”

Quiet, yet filled with unshakable will.

“Because without you, it’s impossible for me to be happy.”

“Eh…”

The unexpected words sent heat rushing to my face.
I could feel my ears turning crimson.

(What destructive power in a single line…!)

To be told something like that by my favorite.
This is peak fangirl fulfillment.

No, wait—this isn’t right.
I’m the villainess, he’s supposed to end up with the heroine—

While I was mentally clutching my head, the study clock let out a low chime announcing the late hour.

“Shall we go to bed?”

Cedric smiled gently.

“We have that soirée tomorrow, and it’s been a while since we’ll attend one together.”

Right.
Tomorrow there was a social gathering in the capital.
Lately we’d been going separately, but tomorrow we would appear as a couple for the first time in a while.

“Yes, let’s.”

My face was still burning, but I somehow managed a normal voice.
I stood to leave the study.

“Good night, Cedric.”
“Good night, Amelia.”

He answered in that same gentle tone.

Back in my room, I closed the door, pressed my back against it, and slowly slid to the floor.

“Haa…”

My face was still hot.
My heart was still racing.

(Calm down, calm down, me.)

I took deep breaths.

But Cedric’s words kept echoing in my head.

“Because without you, it’s impossible for me to be happy.”

(It’s no good… just remembering makes my face burn again…)

I stayed like that for a while.
I still needed to ring for the maids to prepare my bath.

But just a little longer.
Just a little longer… I wanted to bask in this afterglow.