I adjusted my suit, using the full-length mirror in Elio's office.
A white three-piece suit, with a silver handkerchief folded in my shirt pocket, a golden tie the exact hue of Eve's hair, and then an ornamental golden sword sheathed at my left side. One made of pure gold and that would break before a proper sword slash was performed.
While I couldn't do anything about my average-looking face, everything else fit the part of a proper escort for a fair lady to a ball.
"Impressive." Elio clapped from the side, wearing his own three-piece suit. Unlike mine though, his was a flashy light purple with rainbow-threaded highlights.
Like, literal threads of rainbow light.
...I was fairly sure that unlike my actually normal suit, my dear sponsor there was wearing an armament that could tank siege-level spells.
But I didn't comment on it. Instead, I said, "Do you think I'll match with Eve, Professor?"
"I'd say so. My precious niece is going to be wearing white as well. Though I did notice that she has a curious spattering of emerald across her outfit. Threading, bracelets, heels... Even her ornamental rapier for tonight has emeralds embedded within in." Elio stared right into my eyes, a smile on his face but probing intention clear in his gaze. "...Is it coincidence? Or a message?"
I paused. "...I'm not the one who decides how Eve dresses, Professor."
"Of course." Elio nodded. "My precious niece wouldn't allow anyone other than her father to tell her how to act. And yet tonight of all nights, she is going against protocol to wear something reminiscent of a wedding gown with highlights that match her escort's eyes. Meanwhile, you are wearing a white suit that pairs with her outfit while carrying splashes of her own golden hair and silver eyes." He dropped the pretenses and said, "You realize the message that this sends, yes?"
Of course I did.
You didn't need to be a noble to understand it.
A man and a woman wearing complementing outfits with each other's colors...
It was the clearest claim one could make other than marking them in public.
...The problem was that Eve and I hadn't coordinated this. We had both agreed to wear white... but the colors matching...
'...Once again, I seem to have underestimated the affection of my lovely princess.'
It was a scandal- No, more than a scandal. It was anathema.
For the Imperial Princess to show up to a formal ball wearing another man's colors before being engaged... and for that man to be a commoner of all people...
It would have been barely acceptable if it had been someone of Roland's status. That or, Issac Frostblade.
But it was me instead.
'Well. It doesn't matter.'
I made my choice.
Eve made hers.
And tonight...
It didn't matter who came to try and take her from me. The Prince, the Void Sovereign, the Demon God, or Death itself.
I wouldn't let her go. Not now.
> The decisive moment draws near!
> Evaluation of genre shift: Romance - 45% / Tragedy - 55%
> Warning! The issue of physical demonification is imminent!
> At midnight, Demon God Umbrel will turn Eve into a Demon unless the demonic energy (D-Force) is removed!
My eyes flitted towards the message floating in my vision.
Elio noticed. But he didn't say anything.
I idly adjusted my tie and calmly said, "Professor."
"Yes, my dear student?"
"...Hypothetically. If one preserves the body of someone deceased and carries it into a Gate, would it be possible to retrive their soul and place it into the body?"
Elio froze.
I continued calmly adjusting my tie.
"Alex." Elio's voice was serious. "...You-"
"It was just an idle curiosity, Professor." I turned to face him and smiled. "Have a wonderful evening."
After that, I walked out of his office, ignoring him calling out to me.
===
Marisa adjusted the tie on Roland's suit and said, "At least you clean up well."
Roland let out a faint smile and said, "Though a lesser noble, I still am a noble. And you are well dressed tonight as well, Lady Marisa."
Marisa rolled her eyes and said, "Save your flattery for another time. We have a lot to do tonight remember?"
"Right..."
Roland let Marisa finish adjusting the tie on his suit. As he did, he took a look around.
They were in Marisa's private research laboratory, preparing for the Winter Solstice Ball.
According to the messages from Alex and Evelyn, those two had gone on ahead. Likely due to the fact that Evelyn had to show her face first as the Imperial Princess.
"Worried?" Marisa stepped back, finishing adjusting Roland's tie.
Roland subconsciously rested his hand on the hilt of his ornamental sword. After that, he realized what he did and sighed. "...Clearly so. It has been too calm today."
That was the problem.
Roland could sense that 'something' was afoot. But the entire day had been calm. There were guests visiting Starlight Academy, yes. There were nobles and various emissaries as well.
But no incidents. Nothing out of the ordinary. Not even a troublesome visitor.
Marisa picked up a golden wand and tucked it into a holster on her left waist. As she did, she took a look in a nearby mirror.
Roland followed her gaze to look at the two of them.
For himself, he was wearing a dark green three-piece suit with a crimson tie.
It wasn't what he originally planned to wear. He had wanted to go with a plain black suit, but Marisa had insisted, so he went along with it.
As for Marisa herself, she wore a dark crimson dress that hugged her body, with fluffy sleeves that looked like clouds.
Roland smiled and said, "We match. You're quite good at color coordinating, Mari."
"Of course we match. I picked out the outfits." Marisa held out a sapphire pendant to Roland and said, "Put this on me."
Roland nodded and did as Marisa asked, stepping behind her to place it on. As he did, he looked in the mirror at her reflection and said, "How does it look?"
"...You really are too calm doing this sort of thing." Marisa sighed.
"Hm? Ah, well I do have a younger sister. I helped her quite often for when she went to various balls or events."
"Huh?" Marisa blinked and then craned her head back to look at Roland. "You have a younger sister?"
"Ah, have I never mentioned it? Yes." Roland finished putting the pendant on Marisa and said, "Her name is Angela. She's quite sweet... It's a bit concerning, actually. She isn't suited for noble intrigue, so I'm doing my best to become successful so she can just retire to a comfortable villa and marry for love."
Marisa placed her hand over the pendant and hummed. "You did mention you had a younger sister, but you never mentioned her name. Angela... Is she like you at all?"
Roland chuckled. "No. She lacks the talent in both sword and magic. But she's quite creative." His eyes softened and said, "She loves painting. Most of the time, she spends her day at the garden, capturing flowers and the sky upon the canvas."
Marisa stared at Roland's face and said, "You must care for her a lot."