Golden Eyes, long straight hair, and the most obvious feature that makes her stand out, Wings. This is Princess Ofelia of the Flying Fortress Kingdom of Azureth if I remember correctly.

Though I am not sure why a foreign Royalty is attending a birthday party, what's important is that she is behind me. Moreover, she has her hand on my shoulder, who is a commoner.

"P-p-p-princess!"

"Good Evening, sir Red."

Because I was too nervous as Rose, I accidentally poured too much magic power on my fire magic control and made the glass crack from making my magic explode.

"What's wrong Red?!"

"The Princess of Azureth is behind me!"

I turn my full attention to the Princess and immediately swallowed the cupcake I just ate without chewing it. It hurts but I could care less about it!

"G-good evening, your highness..."

"Is there something wrong, Red?"

"Uhm, my other self is the Red, I am Rose."

"Is that so? My apologies. In my eyes, you two are the same."

I don't really get it, but I'm kinda relieved that she does see me that way. Then again, I don't know why she's talking to me. Did I do something?

"Um, is there something wrong, your highness?"

"Is it weird for a classmate to greet another classmate? I've seen our classmates do the same, did I do that isn't right?"

"N-no, actually. M-my apologies for freaking out, I mean, overreacting."

The Princess' presence is too heavy for me to bear. I think I can understand Archie a bit now. Although he can see me calling for him from the sidelines, it seems that even he is scared of walking up to a Royalty.

But for some reason, the Princess reacted in the most unexpected way possible; She giggled.

"Is there something wrong, your highness?"

"You are quite amusing."

"I-I see."

Man, her presence throws out my game tonight. I don't think I can casually go anywhere now without the nobles whispering why a royalty is talking to a commoner. Even trying to calm down at home isn't even helping.

"My deepest apologies, miss Rose. I did not mean to impose my presence upon you."

"There's no need to apologize, your highness. I am quite honored to be under your presence."

When I tried to bow, she again grabs my shoulder. But this time, it was to stop me from lowering my head.

"I am a princess, but I wish not to be treated highly by my own peers. Please consider me as classmate as you do with your noble friend."

Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

Archie is one thing! A princess is too high of a hurdle!

All of a sudden, I could see her eyes slightly change. If I wasn't close, I think I would have missed it.

"I-I guess, I could. If you're alright becoming acquainted with someone lowly as me."

After I gave her my reply, her eyes glows in surprise. She then puts one hand on her cheek while suddenly avoiding eye contact.

"Is there something wrong, your highness?"

"Princess."

"I'm sorry?"

"Refer to me as you had."

Hmm... this is odd. I don't remember calling the Princess other than your highness.

"But you always call me "princess" like just now."

"What?"

She looks at me dead in the eye while leaning towards me. After that, she holds her chin as she falls into silence while thinking.

After a while, she looks around the hall. Though there are people looking at her, it doesn't seem that she stands out that much despite her status as the only Royalty here. Well, she isn't the star of the night after all.

"Will you guide me to a more private place?"

"I'm sorry, but I don't know where that should be here."

Looking around, I wasn't really sure if there's such a private place here. There's a lot of people around.

But while doing so, I saw Archie talking to Charles.

"Perfect timing."

After asking Charles, I was able to grant the Princess' request. Archie was more than glad to assist me in helping the princess, or I should say, he was panicking as well because it IS a princess that was requesting.

The Princess and I were guided to an open garden. Though we were not alone thanks to the four guards Charles provided for us, they kept their distance from us to not hear our private conversation which the princess requested from Charles.

That aside, This garden is quite spacious despite having a lot of people around.

"Red... no, Rose."

"Yes, your highness?"

While looking at the sky, the Princess calls to me as if affirming I was still here.

"Have you ever heard of the Seven Sins?"

"What, like the Carnal Sins?"

Princess Ofelia sits on the marble bench while looking at me. Though emotionless, it feels like her gaze is peering into my soul for some reason.

"I have been told that they are called "Carnal Sins" here, we of Azureth call it the Ascension Fragments of Sins."

"What's the difference?"

"While the Carnal Sins reflect what makes one mortal, the Seven Fragments of Sins show the way to immortality."

"Sounds like a big deal."

When I said that, she looks at me like she just heard something unreal.

"So you really don't know anything."

"I'll be honest, your highness. I have no idea what you've been taking about."

From being emotionless, all of a sudden, the princess looks to the side and lets out a sigh.

"Oh how I wish I was as unaware as you, but, at the same time, your life is in danger."

In danger? How the hell did everything suddenly developed like that!? Did I piss somebody off or something? If this is a prank or something, having the princess join them is quite the a nasty prank!

"Say what you want, but I am serious. I also wish things continue to be this peaceful, but out of all the fragments, only you are in most danger. Though I did not came here for you, I am still concerned for the well-being of a classmate."

"Forgive me of my rudeness your highness, but I have no idea of what kind of grandeur event that is or do I even have any right to have a say in it."

"That is the important part, you do have the right. After all, you are the Sin of heart."

"What?"

She didn't answer. Instead, she stands up and stares into Rose's eyes, into me as Red. Though it is Rose that she is talking to, for some reason, I feel like the Princess is standing in front of Red.

"You are the Sin of Heart, and I, am the Sin of Mind."

I didn't understand what she was talking about or even idea what it was. Yet, when it's her, staring into my eyes with her golden eyes, saying it to me, I can somehow tell she wasn't lying.

"My true intention in coming down here is to be the bait. But it seems that fate had made our paths cross. The Heart and Mind."

"Wait, bait? For who?"

"That, I do not know. But my power is telling me that someone is coming, and I need to prepare for them."

Though I still have no clear understanding of what she's saying, I am hoping she'll have some sort of explanation later because man, all this heavy shit suddenly was dropped on me got me really hungry and tired.

While looking at me, the princess suddenly giggles and all of a sudden, she puts her arm around mind.

"So Rose, no, Red. Can you accompany me back to the party?"

"Your Highness, if you don't mind me asking, are you sure you want me to be your pair for tonight?"

After I asked her that, she looks at me from head to toe. Then after, she makes a light smile on her face.

"If you can promise me, next time, come here as well. I am a princess, and someone needs to play the prince."

-End of Chapter-