Translator: Elisia
Editor/Proofreader: TempWane
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Elsie is beautiful.
This isn’t just a biased opinion from a close friend; it’s an objectively acknowledged fact.
Of course, the opinions of those around her were subjective. Most of the people near Elsie, including myself, held her in high regard.
But even putting aside such favorable perspectives, the original novel I read described Elsie’s appearance as beautiful.
From Adele’s point of view, and even from the perspective of those meeting Elsie for the first time.
Elsie, with her reserved and dignified demeanor, seemed very stoic, possibly due to her upbringing or the wars she had experienced. Even in the illustrations released by the author, Elsie seldom showed any expression.
And her seemingly cold impression combined with her enigmatic looks made her a compelling figure, even as she stood alongside Amelia in the antagonist’s faction.
…Well, the Elsie in the novel and the Elsie I knew gave off slightly different impressions.
The Elsie in the novel had bangs and a more princess-like image. Despite riding a wolf, she carried the image of a noble knight.
The Elsie I know… well, she reveals her forehead. This gave her a more lively impression rather than the noble one, making her somewhat different from the original portrayal.
Not that I disliked it. The Elsie in the novel was someone I had “read about,” but the Elsie before me now was the one I had spent my life with.
“Come on, put a smile on your face. A tense expression might have its charm, but if you keep it up, your partner might not appreciate it.”
“My partner is only you, isn’t it?”
Truthfully, I prefer this Elsie. I’ve never met any other Elsie.
The way Elsie spoke to me like this—there was only one Elsie I knew.
“Split it apart, cut it, and if neither works, break it,” she had once said. It was about the second family motto passed down in her household.
Whenever Elsie thought about solving a problem, she always resolved it in the simplest way. Literally, she would use force to erase the problem on the spot. Considering how even two proud princes ultimately bowed to her approach, maybe it wasn’t the wrong way after all.
But Elsie only resorted to strength when such methods could resolve the issue.
“Your hands around the waist need to be firm. Hold tightly so your partner can feel secure and entrust themselves to you.”
“Is… is that so?”
Elsie’s hands had never held me with enough force to make me feel uncomfortable.
Even now, although she nodded at my words, she couldn’t quite bring herself to grip firmly.
The hands wrapped around my back were gentle. They felt like they were touching fragile porcelain, cautious as though one wrong move might leave a crack. Even though a thin fabric separated her hands from my skin, her touch was so light it felt as if she feared leaving a mark.
“Your grip on my arm should be firm as well. If your arms slacken, it may drop and your partner might feel unsteady”
“Got it.”
The other hand Elsie used was the same. Her hand under mine felt stiff, as though unsure of what to do. It was almost like an art only people from Delkis could master—a mix of rigidity and softness.
Though her hand was stiff, it remained warm and gentle.
How could someone’s palms remain so soft even after wielding a sword so much? Maybe it was because she was from Delkis. Could it be connected to how she could break a thick wooden dining table with her forehead and remain unscathed?
…And, it wasn’t just her hands that were soft.
When men and women danced together, there were often noticeable height differences.
In this world, it wasn’t unheard of for men to wear heels. While the trend had somewhat faded by now, it hadn’t vanished to the point of being seen as strange.
With men generally taller than women, wearing heels could often make a woman’s cheek end up resting against a man’s chest.
Of course, the height difference between Elsie and me wasn’t that dramatic—but, well, admitting this feels a bit embarrassing, but both of us have rather curvaceous bodies.
Thus, when I leaned into Elsie and turned my head to rest my cheek against her, I could hear her heartbeat. It was the perfect height for it.
Soft, warm.
If I stayed still and listened, I could hear her heart pounding fast.
-Thump, thump, thump.
I knew full well it wasn’t because she was tired or exerted herself.
Even if I threw myself at her until I was drenched in sweat, Elsie would effortlessly block every attack without changing her expression.
The reason Elsie’s heart was racing now was because of this situation—because of me.
“Aren’t you leaning in too close?”
“No, this much is natural.”
It wasn’t a lie.
“A man trying to seduce a woman should use his body to appeal to her when she leans on him.”
“…I’m learning the man’s part in the dance, aren’t I? You’re my partner. Am I… supposed to seduce you?”
“Well, if you’re going to learn, wouldn’t it be better to do it properly? You never know when it might come in handy.”
“… Me, seducing someone else? With the man part of the dance?”
At my words, Elsie murmured in disbelief.
Right.
I couldn’t imagine Elsie seducing someone else either… If Elsie ever did try to seduce someone else, and I happened to witness it, how would I feel?
I wouldn’t be very happy.
It would feel like Elsie was preparing to leave my side. The one person in my life who completely understands me would be leaving.
Was it that I didn’t want Elsie to like someone else?
It was a terribly selfish thought, but maybe I really did wish for that.
-Thump, thump, thump.
Elsie’s heart raced.
All because of me.
*
Elsie is beautiful.
Objectively speaking, no matter what she wore or how she appeared, she was undeniably stunning. When she dressed up, even I, as another woman, couldn’t help but find myself momentarily captivated.
Honestly, I could understand why the Crown Prince kept trying to flirt with her.
I wondered if Elsie was aware that every time the Crown Prince seated far away turned his gaze toward her whenever she looked elsewhere.
The dress she wore was a subdued shade of dark red, like fine wine. It covered her front modestly, but the fabric at the back was noticeably sparse.
Of course, it wasn’t as if such an expensive dress lacked material—it was clearly designed that way. To reveal her back.
In a time when corsets were still popular, it was undoubtedly a bold choice of attire.
And it was a dress I had chosen for her.
“…”
Elsie’s face flushed red as she pressed her lips tightly together, a shade that perfectly matched her crimson eyes.
True to the exceptional physical prowess of someone from Delkis, Elsie flawlessly recreated the dance steps we had practiced, performing the male role to perfection. Yet, her face was painted with the embarrassed blush of a boy attending his first ball.
Her eyes, like the finest rubies, were meticulously polished gems.
In the original story, some said they looked ominous, but I couldn’t understand the aesthetic sense of anyone making such remarks.
If her eyes were ominous, then every red gemstone in the world must be cursed as well.
“You’re doing well.”
When I whispered softly, the tension on Elsie’s face melted into a faint smile.
That expression suited Elsie best.
I wondered what expression Elsie would have on the day I got married.
Would she smile like she is today? Or would she cry tears of discontent?
Either way, I’d be happy, but—
I naturally found myself hoping for the latter.
“…”
Why was that?
We were such close friends, after all. We knew each other so well, shared countless thoughts and memories as friends.
And yet, how did I really feel about Elsie?
Gradually, the sound of the music faded.
The footsteps of those around us and even the dazzling chandelier on the high ceiling—all became distant.
All I could see was white light.
Within that light, it felt as though Elsie and I were the only ones dancing.
Though it was surely just my imagination—
In that dreamlike atmosphere, I found a small flame flickering deep within me.
Every time I saw Elsie’s face, held her hand, or embraced her like this,
—each time we lay on the same bed.
The flame grew larger bit by bit, warming my body slowly.
Was it because we were pressed so close together, separated by only a thin layer of fabric?
A small bead of sweat rolled down my skin.
My ears pounded. This time, it was the sound of my own heart beating.
“Ah.”
“Hm? What’s wrong, Amelia?”
When Elsie called my name, my heart raced even faster.
…I think I understand now.
Though I’d heard of such things in my previous life, I never imagined I’d experience it myself—in this kind of situation.
A friend, yet someone I want by my side forever, someone whose presence with others makes me jealous, someone whose closeness simply makes me happy—these feelings are,
Because I love Elsie.