Kyle and I decided to set some rules.
Rules we absolutely have to follow while we’re in this temporary romantic relationship.
Honestly, I can’t guarantee that we’ll stick to them, but I think we’ll be fine.
The first rule is to keep physical affection outside to a minimum and if I ask to do something later, we absolutely postpone it to our room in the Imperial Palace or wherever else.
Also, keep any physical affection within reasonable limits.
The second rule was that we wouldn’t use separate rooms and would share the same one again.
Oh, by the way, Kyle suggested this one.
The third rule was not to put pressure on each other or force expectations.
This was added after the Princess next to us acknowledged it, perhaps feeling a bit sorry for me.
The Princess must have thought I seemed a little pitiful.
And the fourth rule was if we felt like we might argue, we should change the subject and compliment each other or say nice things.
Honestly, I don’t get why we should do that.
But since Kyle suggested it, I included it…
“Is this even useful?”
I have no idea.
Well, the intention seems nice, so it’s included for now.
And lastly, if we break any of the above rules, we have to grant each other’s wishes.
Nothing too weird, though.
It’s just a temporary relationship, but it got surprisingly detailed.
“Ehm…”
“Sophia, what are you thinking so hard about?”
“Just… I have a lot on my mind.”
This whole relationship began to find out if I really loved Kyle rationally or not.
If I hadn’t said what I did back then, Kyle would still be making weird confessions to me, and I’d be stressing listening to him.
“Is it okay to hug like this?”
“Yeah.”
A back hug is no biggie.
I’ve done it a few times already.
It’s a bit hot, though.
His body was really warm, almost like scientific experimentation on the bodies of northern folk if advancement had been made!
“Kyle, can you open a window? It’s a bit stuffy.”
I’m already lying in bed, and now I’m hugging this hot body?
Are you telling me to get even hotter?
Of course, Kyle opened the window to let some air in and held me tighter.
“Phew…”
But isn’t that a relief?
We didn’t really fight hard enough to jeopardize our relationship.
It was just a small argument born from a tiny mishap.
“Sophia.”
“Yes?”
Kyle whispered my name in my ear while still hugging me.
If we were outside, I would have told him not to, but this is our private space so it’s alright.
It would be super embarrassing if he did this outside, though.
“Were you that stressed?”
“Yeah.”
Tons stressed, actually!
It’s just that I say it softer, but it’s a huge burden!
After that, Kyle didn’t say much.
I wasn’t sure what was bothering him, but he continued to hold me from behind.
“Uh… uh…”
Before I knew it, Kyle fell asleep while hugging me.
He seemed a bit different these days.
Was it because we were getting closer, or was it because we were in a romantic relationship?
I really couldn’t tell.
I’m not a psychology major or anything, and I’m not some expert on relationships.
Maybe it’d be better to ask Louise or the Princess.
“Sigh…”
He’s comfortable when asleep like this.
But why does he tire me out when he’s awake?
“Sophia…”
Hearing him mumble my name in his sleep made me feel a little guilty.
Did I push too hard?
Maybe I did.
I treated him totally differently than I do Louise.
If Louise hugged me like this, wouldn’t I be cursing her instead?
“Crazy woman! What are you doing?!”
“…”
Honestly, that would probably happen.
I mean, same-sex relationships aren’t really my thing…
Louise is just a friend.
It’s nothing weird like that.
In that sense, the White family is just strange.
How can the heirs keep being lesbian?
Of course, when a guy is the heir, he likes women.
“Hmm…”
Well, it seems like the current heir of White has an interest in Kyle…
“…”
If it really comes to going to the ball, there will definitely be eyes on Kyle.
He’ll steal the spotlight for sure.
Seriously.
“Ugh…”
I’m already worried.
Will Kyle get hate because of me?
Of course, no one would be bold enough to directly insult Kyle, but still, I can’t help but worry.
A totally normal commoner suddenly appearing as a Duke’s partner?
He doesn’t quite feel like a Duke yet since he isn’t the Duke yet, but Kyle is definitely a member of the noble society.
And a high-ranking one at that.
“Hah…”
If Kyle was up on that stage alone, everyone would rave about him.
He’s handsome, tall, and fit.
And if people knew he came from a good family with a nice personality, they’d just heap more praises on him.
Kyle has never said a harsh word to me.
“Well, he is a good guy.”
I mean, there have to be loads of girls who’d like him, even if it weren’t me.
He must fit better with someone else of equal rank, right…?
“…”
Suddenly feeling a wave of gloom.
I was just feeling comfy being huddled together with Kyle, but now…
“If I had been born a suitable noble…”
Would things have been different for us?
I guess we both would have been different.
I don’t know.
All that could have happened is just a figment of imagination named ‘what if’.
*
After that, my relationship with Kyle returned to being not so bad again.
Like before we argued.
“Kyle, where are we going today?”
“Well, do you have somewhere you want to go?”
“If it’s somewhere you want to go, I’ll go anywhere.”
So long as it’s not some weird entertainment place…?
“Then let’s go to a café together. Anyway, we have nothing to do, and we decided to make a different dress first.”
“Okay.”
Oh, and just for reference, I got the shop owner’s permission to make an ordinary dress.
Of course, it’s still black, but just an ordinary and pretty dress with almost no exposure.
At the same time though, we’re also making that super revealing dress, which is dizzying, but whatever.
With a swish—
The hot coffee came into my mouth.
One of the perks of being a woman in this life!
The flavor is so different from my past life.
Whether it’s coffee or tea, I get to enjoy much richer flavors.
That’s probably a given given the background I come from, but still, it’s nice!
“Hey, Kyle, try this.”
The cake was tastier than expected.
I mean, if you’re putting your sign up like this in the capital, it better be good, and it is!
Good food is better shared, anyway.
“Ahh—”
Feeding him like I’m giving food to a baby, but it’s fine, right?
It’s not like it’s the first time I’ve done this.
“Kyle, why’s your face like that?”
While sitting comfortably in the café, I noticed Kyle’s expression wasn’t his usual cheerful self.
What’s up with that?
Is he troubled about something?
“…It’s nothing.”
What’s ‘nothing’ even mean?
His face gave it all away!
Unlike me, Kyle was really bad at hiding his feelings, so it was all clear.
What on earth was bothering him enough to hide it?
“Okay.”
I don’t know what it is, but it seems like he doesn’t want to talk about it right now.
I have no intention of pressuring him to spill.
“If you want to talk about it later, just let me know.”
I trust that Kyle will handle it well.
He’s such a good guy after all.
He always adapts well to everything, so he’ll figure it out.
And just like that, time passed again.
One day, Kyle and the Princess went somewhere for a sponsorship-related reason to the orphanage while I went with him to the shop owner’s place to check out the new dress.
To be honest, the new dress was pretty but… underwhelming?
How do I put it…
Lacking a little bit of excitement?
Is it because I’ve seen the really revealing one already?
I felt like it was somewhat bland.
Of course, it was still much better than that revealing dress.
“Kyle, the ball is coming soon, right?”
“Yeah.”
Right, the ball was getting closer.
Still, I had tons of worries, but it was too late now.
If I was going to say I’m not going, I should have made a fuss about it in Eristirol, but I didn’t.
And… while I had many worries, there was a smidge of expectation.
When would a commoner get a chance to attend a noble’s ball?
It’s impossible not to have a bit of hope.
“Ugh… I’m already nervous…”
Still a bit of time left until it happens.
We still have to travel to the territory hosting the ball.
“Sophia, is it okay for us to go?”
“Uh, yeah, it’s fine.”
The choice of not going is out the window.
“You asked to go together, so if you don’t, it makes me seem like a terrible partner, right?”
If Kyle’s happy, I’m happy too.
It’s not that I disliked going to the ball, but I was worried about throwing a wrench in Kyle’s plans.
What if we went, and nothing happened?
Sure, that’s probably slim, but…
“Don’t worry. We’re still lovers, right?”
I said that and smiled at Kyle.
After all, we’re together as a couple right now.
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