It sounded like he was joking so I tilted my head to the side as if pondering and let out a sigh.
“Alois. Is that truly the only reason you want to become my companion?”
For me, it wasn’t.
It was true that he would be politically helpful, but that alone wasn’t the reason I chose Alois.
It was because we were interested in the same thing.
And because there was no one else who understood me or thought about me the way he did.
That alone was enough…
“Well… even so, for now, I’ll say that’s the only reason.”
At Alois’s answer, I thought maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to give up the position of companion.
“I see.”
From the start, emotions like love or shallow affection were useless.
“Isn’t this kind of relationship better anyway?”
“Why?”
“Your Holiness cares for me deeply, don’t you?”
“I do. Because you’re a precious person. Beautiful, and in sync with me.”
I smiled softly as I stroked his face.
He pressed his cheek against the back of my gloved hand, placing his hand over mine. The warmth through the glove was pleasant.
“And that’s why I decided I don’t want you be able to throw me away easily.”
“Is that so.”
“If I had to fill the role of companion anyway, I thought it should be you.”
The music ended. Alois didn’t let go of my hand as he began to lead me somewhere.
“Because it’d be a waste. I thought losing someone like you would be a waste. And I’d regret it.”
“Then what about you, Lady Emilone? When you say those things… do you really feel nothing else for me?”
He brushed aside the curtain with the back of his hand.
It revealed a door to the terrace, and without hesitation, Alois opened it.
A cool breeze greeted the two of us. I swept back the hair that fluttered in the wind and looked up.
The moon glowing in the sky matched Alois perfectly. The way he shone under the light of the moon in the dark—it really did feel like Alois.
Whenever I saw him shine by borrowing someone else’s light, I couldn’t help but think that. His hair, though a soft brown, seemed almost pale blond when it caught the moonlight.
“If I had different feelings for you, I wouldn’t be here like this, would I?”
“Like this?”
“Mhm. Like this. Standing here, talking while looking at the moon. If I felt that way, we’d be talking about how to make you love me, how to make you like me more.”
“Would that be so different from now?”
“It’d be very different.”
I slipped my hand out from his.
The hand that lost its warmth felt strangely empty, and I folded my arms and leaned against the terrace railing.
“I’d probably be looking at you more. Meeting your gaze, holding your hand.”
“…”
“If that were the case, then it would mean I had affection for you…”
Right now, the person I cherish most is probably Reneben. Then maybe Princess Ronella.
Even after learning Ronella’s true identity, nothing had really changed. I still found her quite adorable.
“When that time comes, you’re free to love me.”
“And why is that?”
“Because having my heart means you can sway me.”
“Would you let me sway you?”
Alois gently gathered my hair and swept it over one shoulder.
A cool breeze brushed against the nape of my now-exposed neck. My body instinctively tensed up—and then his lips touched my neck.
“I’ll let you sway me. If I end up loving someone… I’ll care for them a lot… I might even entertain some whining?”
Alois laughed. Every time he did, his breath brushed directly across the nape of my neck.
“You’re already humoring my whining, Lady Emilone.”
“That’s because I care about you.”
“Yes, I know. That’s why you came to my country, and why you’re even considering my request to become your companion, right?”
I raised my hand to shield my neck. Then, as I pushed his face away and turned my head, I found Alois looking down at me with a softened expression.
It was probably a face he only showed to me. I was certain no one else could draw out this look from him.
“So, Lady Emilone.”
He didn’t take his eyes off me. I couldn’t avoid his gaze, as if he were peering straight into my heart.
“Will you make me your companion?”
“…I’ve said it already, haven’t I? I care about you. Politically, emotionally, I think having you by my side would be a good thing.”
“I think it’s good too.”
“What part?”
“Becoming your companion, Lady Emilone.”
We shared a brief silence. Wouldn’t it be weirder if he didn’t like it? It was what he wanted, after all.
“I just mean… it feels better than I thought. I expected you to choose me, of course… but it still feels really good to hear it.”
His voice was soft as he spoke.
I liked that kind of voice from Alois. A voice full of sincerity.
The way he spoke so openly about what was on his mind…I liked that too.
“So take care of me while you still care.”
“Of course.”
I really did care about him.
At least for now.
I quietly lifted my hand and firmly grabbed him by the neck. I applied pressure, forcing his head to lower, and as his eyes widened, I kissed him, with perfect timing.
“Make sure I never regret choosing you.”
Alois didn’t answer.
It was a kiss I pushed onto him, hardly the first. No need for any reaction like it was something new.
I loosened my hand and smiled faintly.
***
I left the party, bathed, dried my hair, and got dressed.
It was already late into the night.
Since everyone had gone home after I left the banquet, I wondered if anyone else was still awake.
Maybe it was the aftereffect of the party, but it still felt like there was noise in my ears.
When I stepped out onto the terrace, Alois, who was in the room next door, waved at me.
“Alois.”
“You’re out early.”
“…How long have you been standing there?”
“Not long. I just finished bathing too.”
Alois stepped back slightly, gesturing for me to come over.
Letting out a sigh, I stepped up onto the terrace railing.
“If I fall from here, will you take responsibility?”
“That’s not going to happen. Just jump.”
Alois tapped his ear gently. The earring hanging there shimmered with a curious hue. It was likely an artifact.
Feeling a bit more reassured, I leapt without hesitation.
There was some distance, but I landed safely on the terrace where Alois stood.
“Whoops.”
He caught me but staggered slightly.
“You’re not wearing shoes either.”
“You said you’d take me to the street festival, didn’t you? I figured I’d need proper shoes to have fun, but I didn’t have anything like that.”
“Hmm…”
Alois tilted his head, looking troubled. Then, with a slightly concerned face, he asked:
“I do have some clothes prepared. There are shoes too, but they might be uncomfortable. Are you okay with that?”
“Why? Do they not fit?”
“No, it’s not that. But they’re the kind commoners wear. They’re quite different from anything you’ve worn before.”
What Alois had suggested was for us to secretly attend the people’s festival happening tonight.
I didn’t think it was a bad idea.
It wasn’t like staying up one night would cause any problems. In fact, it felt like a good opportunity.
“These shoes will hurt if you step on a stone, so be careful.”
Alois brought me inside.
He handed me clothes that looked exceedingly plain, clearly prepared in advance.
Right before stepping out wearing them, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and I looked… honestly, just plain.
“It looks like rags.”
I’d met commoners several times, but even they didn’t dress like this.
“Alois, why did you prepare clothes like this?”
When I came out dressed, he smiled in satisfaction. He was dressed similarly, but he’d added another layer of robe, concealing his face entirely.
“No matter how simply a noble dresses, it still shows. Smooth skin, uncalloused hands. Scented hair, pale complexion, an air of arrogance… things like that.”
I lifted my arm and looked down at my hand.
Aside from the calluses on the middle fingers of my right and left hands, there were no signs I’d done hard labor.
“A nice scent… I don’t really notice that.”
“Of course. The person wearing it doesn’t usually notice. So, Lady Emilone—”
He held out his hand.
“What do I smell like to you?”
“Hmm… like honey and flowers? It smells like you used perfumed oil, but it’s not overpowering.”
“Right? It’s common among nobles, but not so much for commoners.”
He took out another robe identical to his and draped it over my shoulders.
“So we’ll try to be as plain as possible. To hide ourselves.”
“I’ve never tried blending in among commoners before, so I wouldn’t know.”
I also used the oils the maids prepared for me.
My whole body probably smelled like sweet fruit. That definitely counted as luxury.
Even just being able to bathe in warm water was already a privilege.
“Maybe I should build something like a public bathhouse.”
“What?”
The robe smelled strongly of straw. It did seem like it would cover up any other scent.
“Hm? What is it?”
“What did you just say?”
“What do you mean…ah, the public bathhouse?”
Now that I thought about it, it wasn’t a bad idea.
It would be difficult for the temple to build something like that on its own, but if Alois became king, it might be possible.
“What is that?”
“It’s just what it sounds like. a bathhouse that everyone can use.”
“That… is that even possible?”
“Why not? If it’s for commoners, not nobles… as long as it’s managed properly, it wouldn’t be unhygienic. In fact, being able to bathe in warm water would be a good thing, no?”
If people paid a reasonable amount to use it, it wouldn’t run at a loss. I thought it sounded like a good business idea, and Alois, having seemingly finished his calculations, spoke up.
“I’ll bring you to the office later. Please tell me more then.”
“Oh, sure.”
“For now, let’s enjoy ourselves.”
He brushed away the conversation like shaking off a burden and took my hand, leading me back to the terrace.
I hadn’t realized before since I always wore a priest robe or dress but the fabric of this outfit was so thin and light that the wind felt sharp and biting.
Since we were sneaking out while avoiding notice, I once again had to rely on the artifact Alois possessed.
“This is my first time flying in the sky wearing such flimsy clothes.”
“Are you cold?”
“Not exactly, but it’s so thin. How do people endure winter like this?”
“The Empire rarely sees winter, or it’s very short, right? In our country, we line clothes with cotton to make them thicker.”
When it got cold, I usually just wore a thick shawl.
I sighed. I shouldn’t complain about the sacrifices I’d made.
In return, I was living a comfortable, luxurious life. Eating delicious food every day, enjoying leisure and entertainment.
Living in warmth, never even feeling the cold.
“I think I should do some reflecting.”
“Huh?”
“Ah… nothing. I was just surprised at how thin the fabric is. It feels like it could rip any second.”
At my impression, Alois responded almost too readily, as if he had expected it.
“There’s a duchy about two hours from our country where the people enjoy a very high standard of living.”
“Hm?”
“There’s a fabric material that can only be made there. It’s cheap and easy to source, so we’ll be trading for it soon.”
“Soon… meaning when?”
He glanced down at the ground, then gently descended toward a back alley that seemed likely to be deserted.
“Well… I’m just giving you a tip. It’s actually my older brother who handles the trade.”
Even though it was an empty alley, it was remarkably clean. If this were the Empire, it would be reeking with stench and waste.
“More importantly. Let’s stop with that talk…”
While I was still marveling, Alois started walking.
“Shall we have some fun?”
Blinding lights. Loud noises. A mix of all kinds of food smells.
He was leading me into a space that seemed to lack all order.
“It definitely…looks a lot more fun than anything up till now.”
*.*.*
- Honey, I’m Going on Strike – Chapters 47 – 49 - November 22, 2025
- Honey, I’m Going on Strike – Chapter 44-46 - November 14, 2025
- Honey, I’m Going on Strike – Chapters 42-43 - November 8, 2025