Before It's Too Late

"Mm."

"...Ah."

When I opened my eyes, Kania was right there in front ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of me. No, it wasn't just that—she was lying in bed, snuggled right up against me.

"Good morning, Young Master... Eek."

"...I told you not to peek into my subconscious."

In that situation, I stared blankly at Kania for a moment before pinching her cheek and frowning as I began to speak.

"I told you last time, you don't have to do that."

"I apologize."

After listening to those peaceful lessons about five times, I finally noticed something was off—and that was the moment I escaped the long dream. I'm not one who particularly likes classes to begin with, but seeing how my mind had calmed down, it must have had some effect.

"...Don't do ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it next time."

Still, just in case, I checked the status window's special notes before sighing and speaking. Kania had done it for my sake, so how could I get mad? And without her help, I wouldn't have woken up this quickly.

"Then, the report..."

"Young Master, wait a moment."

As I released her stretched cheek and tried to get up, she tightened her grip on my arm, holding me back.

"What's wrong?"

"Just for a bit, let's talk."

".....?"

With that, Kania quietly buried her face in my chest.

"Kania, for now..."

"Don't you prefer it this way too, Young Master?"

"Huh?"

Cutting me off, Kania looked triumphant as she spoke.

"I know everything."

"Know what?"

"Everything about you."

She seemed oddly cheeky, so I grabbed her cheek again, and she started flashing a loose smile.

"Hehe..."

"You're acting weird."

"Is that sooo?"

Normally, she'd apologize and bow her head, but now she was being unusually forward.

"So, what do you want to say?"

A bit flustered, I asked, and Kania, who had been giggling, spoke in a low voice.

"On second thought, I don't think I need to."

"What?"

"They're questions I can answer without even asking."

Frowning at Kania, who kept beating around the bush, I sighed and stood up.

"Report everything that's happened so far."

"...As expected, no rest for you."

"I've rested plenty in the dream you prepared. Time to get back to work."

Hearing that, Kania sighed too, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠putting on a businesslike expression I hadn't seen in ages as she pulled out her notebook.

"First, it's been two weeks and five days since you collapsed in the forest."

"...A bit short? Last time, even with overlaps, it was three months."

Kania looked a little guilty at that, then quickly composed herself and replied.

"That was especially long due to the overlaps. And we applied special treatments this time."

"...Really?"

When I asked, puzzled, Kania nodded calmly.

"Yes."

"Well, if you say so. Then... the Slave Market side?"

"The Slave Market... will reopen in a few days."

"It's here."

I showed a hint of anxiety at the main event of the second semester approaching, and Kania asked worriedly.

"Will you be okay? You've been out for over two weeks, so no disruptions to the plan...?"

"...No issues. It's something I've prepared for ages. But it's such a crucial event, so I'm a bit burdened."

I pulled up the Slave Market liberation mission window in front of me.

"What's with the failure penalty?"

"Reputation greatly decreases."

"Isn't that better than losing life force or lifespan?"

To Kania's question, I replied in a somber voice.

"It's a mission I have to succeed no matter ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠what, even if it weren't a main quest."

"...True."

If I fail, all those slaves can't be saved. The aftermath would massively impact the main scenario, and it'd haunt me forever. So, this mission must succeed, come hell or high water.

"Classes today, Kania?"

"It's the weekend."

"Perfect. I need to head out... Ugh!"

As I stood, I lost balance and staggered. Kania caught me urgently, sighing in relief.

"Why head out suddenly? You need rest..."

"I need to discuss the Slave Market liberation with Clana."

I added in a low voice.

"And we've been through a lot with Clana, right?"

"So?"

"So... maybe use this chance for an honest talk..."

Kania's expression sharpened. For some reason, she looked like an angry cat—pretty cute.

"...Ugh."

At that thought, Kania's facial muscles twitched.

"Take that staff over there."

"...Oh?"

Staring at the unusually cute Kania today, she averted her gaze and pointed to a staff in the corner.

"From the dream?"

"Yes. Everyone pooled their power to make it specially for you, since you're so weakened."

"...Oho."

As she said, I could feel various powers emanating from it. Even if I don't know much, taking it to the Magic Tower would get artifact grade at least. Probably the strongest staff in the world? Plus, it had a cat and moon ornament I like. Those really hit the spot.

"Then, I'm off."

"Oh, and..."

As I left with those silly thoughts.

"...I love you, Young Master."

"Cough."

Her sudden words made me cough.

"...Yeah."

After stroking the staff for a moment, I replied softly and left the room.

"...I know you answered 'me too' in your head."

I ignored Kania's mutter behind me.

- Knock knock knock

I arrived at Clana's dormitory room quicker than expected.

"Are you in?"

Because we were in the same noble dormitory to begin with. Only top nobles like dukes or imperial family could live on the top floor.

"Come in."

Waiting briefly, I heard Clana's tense voice.

- Creeeak...

Opening the door and entering, Clana was frozen in her chair. Seeing me, she gulped.

""........""

Silence hung between us for a moment.

"...Must be evening already. The sun's setting."

"Y-yes..."

"You knew I was coming."

"W-well... Kania told me in advance..."

She finally responded, but awkwardness lingered.

'Maybe try casual speech to break the ice...?'

Sitting uneasily across from her, that thought tempted me, but I shook my head. In past loops and now, using casual speech with her always pricked my conscience. She's fought her whole life to be treated as princess and emperor. Casual speech denies that struggle.

"I came because there's something I must discuss with you, Princess Clana..."

"Use casual speech."

"Pardon?"

So I endured the awkwardness with formal speech, but her unexpected reply came.

"A-are you sure?"

"Please."

Flustered, I asked again. Hearing her soft plea, I hesitantly switched.

"O-okay... Then, back to the point..."

"How's your body?"

"Oh, fine. Slept two weeks straight—feels great."

But Clana interrupted unexpectedly again, biting her lip quietly. Did I say something wrong?

"...Anyway, first topic: your emperor position."

Glancing at her, I continued. She nodded, pale-faced.

"Like I said before, I'll make you emperor."

".....Ugh."

Declaring seriously, I began in a low voice.

"Can't put Starlight Duke upfront, but I'll back you with my wealth. And the underworld forces too."

"......."

"If you don't take the throne, this empire has no hope. You know that."

She bowed her head deeply.

"Clana, no need for pointless guilt. You've done nothing wrong."

Knowing her mental state had been unstable, I grabbed her hand urgently. She flinched.

"Shake off the past, plan for the future. Time's pressing, right?"

"...Yes."

"Good. Looking forward to working with you."

After persuading her to a positive response, I sighed in relief and moved on.

"Next topic. Slave Market opens in days, so I need your help... Huh?"

Feeling something odd in our clasped hands, I tilted my head.

"Clana, what's this?"

"...See for yourself."

Puzzled, I opened my hand.

".....?"

In my palm was a golden and silver orb.

"What is it?"

"A byproduct of the Blood Oath."

".......What!?"

Staring at it, her words made me jump up shouting.

"You—you! Who'd you make this contract with!!"

"Fr-Frey."

"Tell me now. I'll find a way to break it, whatever it takes."

She widened her eyes.

"Who blackmailed you? Those damn fiancée bastards? The promiscuous first princess? Or the first prince after all?"

"Frey."

"Just name the bastard. I'll beat him first, then figure out—"

"You, Frey."

In my heated rant, her cautious point at me froze me solid.

"I... made the Blood Oath with you."

"...What?"

"At the ball, you used the remaining oath authority on me to propose, right?"

Recalling the past clearly, even dropping formal speech.

"...I want to serve only you—not the empire, its people, or the sun."

Blushing quietly, she finished.

"So marry me, Frey."

"...Pardon?"

"Second, third, whatever you want."

My hand trembled in hers; she added a sad smile.

"Just... give me a chance to atone before it's too late."

At that moment, the sun outside fully vanished.

Meanwhile, at that time.

"Serena! Is Frey really here?"

"...Yes."

"Got it! Prepare yourself, Frey!"

Serena and Perloché descended the academy stairs—down and down.

"What evil scheme this time... Eek."

Trusting Serena blindly, Perloché entered the basement but froze.

"S-Serena... It's too dark here..."

The academy basement was filled with the darkness Perloché hated most.

"Hurry in."

"Hiiiik!!"

Frozen at the entrance, Perloché was pushed in by Serena's hand.

"...To stop the West Continent trip, tricks are all I have."

Stroking a wound on herself, Serena.

"Anyway..."

Pulled out a device identical to the moon ornament on Frey's staff.

"...Something keeps tangling with my husband?"

Finishing, she followed Perloché in and closed the door.

Silence fell.