*****

''...Hic...!''

'''' ... ''''

I let out a silent sigh, looking at my lover - Sylvia, who's lying on the sofa, drunk out of her mind.

''Who gave her alcohol?'' Father asked annoyedly. ''God, she's just like her mom.''

''Father, I have an objection.'' Raeliana raises her hand.

''What?''

''She didn't drink in front of any of us, and she asked for a private time earlier, so...''

''...Fine, just let her rest a bit. You all can still go to the festival later.''

''Um... Wouldn't that be too late?'' Anna asked.

''Not at all. I've been to these a few times, and midnight is usually the busiest time. There's a firework show at 1 A.M as well.''

''I see...''

''Alright then, I'll go first.'' He waves his hand, turning to the exit. ''Hah... Those annoying bats...''

Father exits the private resting room.

''Poor father.'' Emilia shakes her head.

Ultimately, father didn't get the chance to dance with Sylvia, which was pretty unfortunate. Maybe the spinning movements during the dances with us got her.

Turning to Sylvia again, I once more wonder.

How can a person be this attractive?

I completely lost my control after seeing her crying face the other day. Although I knew that it was fake...

...Ridiculous. Truly ridiculous.

''Heyyy, Sylvie.'' Raeliana pats Sylvia's face a few times.

''Mhgm... Hic!... Liana...''

''Can I bang you real quick?'' She said teasingly.

''Please...'' Sylvia murmured, half asleep.

Wait, no. That's dangerous.

''Thanks- Wait! What are you doing??''

Fortunately, Emilia catches her before she could pull out her penis.

''Let her rest.''

''...Tch, fine. I wasn't going to do it anyway.''

''So, what do we do now?'' I said after a sigh. ''We'll have to wait quite a bit here.''

Unfortunately, for whatever reason, healing doesn't help you get sober. I wonder why.

Whatever, let's just train.

''There's a few hours... Let's just train here.''

Emilia is truly an excellent opponent for me, I think I might have passed 3 stars already. With this pace, I could probably reach Master in one or two years... I don't really need it anymore though.

Sylvia has already broken the cage for me. Now I don't need to worry about being sold off anymore. Even if the Emperor still wants to sell me, I would still be marrying Sylvia, because no one can surpass her status anyway.

I'm truly blessed... To be able to marry such a charming princess.

Hmm... But how can I see Sylvia's crying face again... I want the real one this time.

Oh well, training first. We still have to fight that goddess...

-----

''Ugh... This is the worst...'' Sylvia muttered, leaning back on the sofa.

''Don't drink from now on, alright?'' Anna said softly, patting her back.

''I swear... If I drink in the future, you can sell me to a brothel...''

Instantly, all of us frown at the same time.

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What a bad joke. Just thinking about it makes my blood boil...

I think she's still drunk. Normally she would never do that kind of joke.

''What a distasteful joke. Sylvie.'' Raeliana said coldly. ''I will cripple anyone other than us who has even the slightest idea of touching you, Sylvie. Let alone willingly putting you in a brothel... Ugh.''

''Agree.'' Emilia said.

''I'll have to agree as well, Sylvia. Please don't make that joke again.'' Anna said.

''Eh? I-I'm sorry... I guess I'm still drunk...'' She replied, biting her lips.

''Rest some more. And I'll literary make you an unmoving cumhole for a whole week if you dare to make a joke like that again, alright?''

''Ah! I love brothels! Please sell me to one...!''

''You fucking bitc-

-----

Fortunately, Sylvia recovered a bit after that. Now we're on the street, enjoying the festival in earnest.

''Mhm~! This is so sweet!'' Sylvia exclaimed, her ears twitching adorably.

''Right? They only sell these on special occasions like this.'' I replied, taking a bite of the cotton candy.

''That's such a waste... This is so delicious.'' Anna said.

''Mfpeh afhg.'' Emilia said something, still chewing.

I agree with whatever that was, Emilia.

''We should we go next?'' Raeliana asked.

''Hmm... Maybe that one?'' I point to the music stage not far from where we're at. ''You can sing for prizes, they say.''

''And Sylvia will sing?''

''Yeah.''

''Eh... It's not like we need any of those prizes.'' Sylvia objected.

''It's for the experience. Not the prizes. Right?'' I replied.

''I want to hear you sing too~'' Anna nuzzles at Sylvia.

''Mfh tpoh.''

''...Fine.'' Sylvia said resignedly.

-----

♫ I was all alone with the love of my life 𝅘𝅥𝅮

𝅘𝅥 She's got glitter for skin, my radiant beam in the night ♫

''Wow... She sings so well. But where is the instrumental even coming from...?'' A random man near us muttered.

Most of the observers are listening intently right now, absorbed into Sylvia's captivating voice. Even the judges.

Hah, now you know what my Sylvia can do. She's using an illusion though, so now she looks like a normal pretty girl.

♬You slow down time♫

♪In your golden hour♬

The music stops after a bit, and the whole area falls into silence.

'''' ... ''''

*clap*

*clap* *clap* *clap* *clap* *clap*

-----

''Why'd they give me a ring...'' Sylvia frowns, looking at the silver ring on her hand. ''Wearing this one together with our rings is almost blasphemous.''

''I agree.''

''Mhmm.''

Yeah, the design of that one is not very elegant.

...Actually, I'm feeling a bit restless right now.

They've had those rings since a while ago, meanwhile...

I let out a silent sigh, looking at my empty ring finger. Or do I need to give her the rings myself...? Is that the way? But she told me to wait on these...

''Mhmm...''

It looks like Anna is feeling the same as well.

''Well, let's just go to the next one.''

-----

''Hm~ The festival was better than I thought.'' Sylvia flashes a bright smile.

''True! I enjoyed the shooting booth so much!'' Anna replied.

''We basically scammed them.'' Raeliana added, grinning mischievously.

''They're scamming people too, so.'' Sylvia shrugged.

Looking at Sylvia's smiling side profile like that, I unknowingly raise my hand and stroke her cheek.

''You're so beautiful tonight, Sylvia.'' I said.

''...Why so corny suddenly, Tina?'' She raises an eyebrow.

''...Nothing.'' I said, diverting my gaze.

''Hm...? Oh well, It's almost time for the fireworks already, let's go somewhere nice to watch.'' She replied.

-----

''Heh~ The view here is top-notch for sure.'' Raeliana commented.

We're now on top of the Crimson Palace, the place where the broadcast stone is. Sylvia just flew us onto here.

''It's pretty windy though.'' I said.

''That's even nicer.'' Sylvia replied.

I guess?

''Five minutes until the firework.'' Sylvia suddenly said. ''Liana, Emy. Would you mind?'' She turns to the two with a mysterious smile.

Emilia and Raeliana shrug, then step back obediently.

''Tina, would you mind getting a bit closer?''

''Hm? Sure.''

I walk closer to Sylvia until our chests almost touch.

*chu*

She locks her arms around my neck, kissing me deeply. I immediately hug her back as well.

'''' ... ''''

After a bit, she backs away.

She then pulls out a small wooden box from her space bag.

''Tina.'' She smiles sweetly, opening the box.

Inside the box is a pair of exquisite rings with the same slender design, one made from ruby, the other one made from lapis lazuli.

''This...''

''Would you mind?'' She said, letting the box float while giving out both of her hands.

Shakily, I take the ruby ring out of the box and place it on her right ring finger, right beside the obsidian ring.

She smiles even more brightly, taking the remaining lapis lazuli ring out of the box, and grabs my hand.

With a swift motion from her, my right hand now has a brilliantly shining ring.

*chu*

She gives me another kiss on the lips, then briskly backs away again.

''I love you!'' She said merrily.

''...Me too.'' I replied.

This joyful face of her... Ah... I'm falling so hard. It's unfair, Sylvia.

''Anna, would you come here?'' She turns to the fidgeting Anna this time.

''Eh?! A-Alright!'' Anna nervously walks towards us.

...I see. So she was planning to give us two the rings tonight.

Staring at my hand contently, I can't help but smile like an idiot.

*****

I-It's here! The rings!

The tokens of our love... I've been jealous of those two for a while now, but finally!

*gulp*

Standing before the grinning Sylvia, my heart can't help but jump.

Sylvia stretches out her hands and strokes my cheeks a bit, then-

*chu*

Kisses me.

Just like Christina did, I hug her back and close my eyes, enjoying her tender and sweet lips that I've always loved.

''Phew~...''

''You know the deal, right?'' She pulls out another box and hands it to me.

Opening the box, a pair of blue rings greet me. One has a lighter color than the other.

''Don't shake so much...'' She grabs my trembling hand. ''Here... Carefully.''

*gulp*

I-It's on! It's on her finger...!

''Here, for our beautiful Anna as well.'' She takes the lapis lazuli ring and slowly places it on my right ring finger.

''Whoa...'' I exclaimed, admiring the sparkling ring on my hand.

''Anna.'' She spreads her arms wide, smiling contently.

*chu*

I immediately jump into her embrace, kissing her deeply.

''I love you.'' She said, touching her forehead with mine.

''I-I love you too...''

*sniff*

Agh... Why am I crying...

''Don't cry...'' She strokes my head gently.

*fizzzz* *boom*

Suddenly, a bright light flashes before our eyes, and a few booms could be heard in the distance.

''Ah, the firework.'' Christina muttered.

*chu*

Sylvia gives me another kiss.

''Let's go out the balcony!''