The Dance Court was lively, with many couples dancing around the area in a circular pattern.
Vince slowly had the hang of dancing with Alice.
'She's the successor to the Layton family?'
I thought while Alice was smiling at me.
I only found out the information while I was eavesdropping on the surrounding gossip.
The Layton family owned the Mercedes Organization, a powerful family with numerous underworld connections.
But their business was more on trading energy crystals used to power AE technologies.
AE is a highly advanced technology and has invented mind-blowing techs.
It includes humanoid artificial intelligence, magnetic levitation trains, cybernetic body customization, sentient drones, advanced computerized servers, plasma weapon technology, and many more.
'I never thought a young girl would be the one to inherit such a large business. She's supposed to be a genius, but why do I feel like I am looking at a young countryside damsel?'
I held her hand and waist and performed a slow dance.
The repertoire of the musical ensemble changed into a quieter melody with a romantic aesthetic.
'I know that she likes me, but to what extent? Even if she does, it's difficult for me to accept getting into a relationship.'
My repressive memories started to ignite, but I shook my diffused thoughts away with a calm expression.
I couldn't do it. I was afraid.
It was an unknown fear deeply ingrained within my soul.
'In the first place. I don't know why I came into this world.'
But my fear of getting into a relationship and low self-esteem gnawed my opportunities in my past life.
Although, I have gotten another chance in life. My choices of living alone hadn't changed.
Just holding hands with someone was uncomfortable for me.
Alice narrowed her eyes at Vince, who wasn't reacting.
"Is there something you want to say?"
Alice asked in a worried tone, and Vince replied quietly.
"Nothing."
Alice questioned with a slightly sad face.
"Do you not like me as a partner?"
Vince felt his conscience hurt by her changed expression and said something to comfort her.
"..... no, it isn't that. It's just that.., I don't know how to deal with this situation. And I think Alice is the prettiest in this party as a partner, so I find it difficult to react."
'Ugh. F*ck, that's such a cheesy line.'
I felt myself breaking down into a single molecular atom after saying that.
But Alice reacted to it with a blushed face, and steam came out from her head.
Bam!
"Huh..?"
I felt a warm feeling from my chest and smelled a sweet scent from her, prevalent when we weren't moving so much.
Alice placed her head on my chest, and I fearfully turned around slowly to the crowd.
The two of us stopped, and I finally glanced at the spectators watching the scene with intrigued and jealous expressions.
"Alice..? Can you get off me now?"
I was dying of embarrassment from this situation.
I tried pushing Alice away from me without being forceful, but she wouldn't budge.
'I am done... I don't even care anymore.'
I blankly stared at the ceiling with my soul leaving my body.
"Everyone! The fireworks event is about to begin! Let us all move to the rooftop to celebrate this year's anniversary!"
The Mayor shouted with excitement.
'This Mayor..... is my savior. I don't think I find him suspicious anymore.'
I sighed with relief as I looked at the crowd moving to the enormous terrace.
The crowd's attention diverted itself to the beautiful scenery of city lights with cheerful expressions.
"Alice?"
I called her again, and she broke off from her dazed state.
She tilted her head to me with dizzying eyes and a blushed face.
"Uh?! Y-yes?"
"The fireworks event is about to begin. I think you should go."
"O-okay."
She pulled her head off my chest and turned around frantically.
Alice was not listening to what I said, 'you should go.' I thought as I looked at her shaking figure.
'But, she's distracted! It's a good time to run away!'
Just when I thought I could leave the place without any disturbance. Alice grabbed my hand without looking at me.
'..... I can't believe you've done this. Hey, you're doing this on purpose, right..? Right?!'
I cried inwardly and followed Alice to the terrace.
Archduke Harry saw the two and signaled them to a quieter place where most nobles of Alvarez gathered.
He observed Vince's deadpan yet exhausted expression and Alice's slightly blushed face.
The Archduke sighed and shook his head at this unrequited love scene.
'The two of them will have a long way to go. I can't guide you two since this old man has no experience with this ordeal.'
'Maybe I should ask the sage or the headmaster in the Clocktower Academy? I will need to make a recommendation letter for Tiara's Child.'
The Archduke thoughtfully made plans without the two's knowledge.
"Hey, Vince."
Alice turned her eyes to Vince with a nervous expression.
"Hm?"
"Do you like me?
"..."
'What should I say? Should I be honest?'
I quietly glanced at Alice and finally concluded.
"I don't know. I only got to know you for a little. I need more time to answer that question. But I think we'll get along as friends."
'Hm. A logical answer is always the best thing to say.'
I knew denying or accepting would make things go wrong for me. As long as I get away from here and bid for a time until Alice's infatuation with me disappears. I might avoid that situation where I have to answer her confession.
"Is that so?"
It was a surprising response since most men would've answered with a yes to that question. Alice had looks, background, and sincere feelings for him.
'Am I not sincere enough? No. Perhaps I am not showing all of my sides.'
Alice bit her lips in frustration but soon smiled mischievously.
'I'll make you fall over heels for me.'
Alice thought as she made plans in her head.
"Alright. Let's be friends for now. Remember to reply to my text messages, okay?"
Alice brightly smiled while glancing at the darkened sky with longing eyes.
'Wait, what? For now?'
I shook off my doubtful expression and reluctantly agreed.
"I will."
Whistle~
Boom!
Crackling~
The luminosity of diverse colors flashed a message displaying 'Elk City' and '100th Anniversary.' Before exploding into petals of smaller fireworks.
I turned my sights to the fireworks and felt nostalgic for a long-lost dream in my past life.
-'Hey, xxxxx. What do you want to be once you grow up?'
-' I'll become a king and unify this world.'
-'Crazy bastard.'
-'Hey, where was the rule of respecting each other's goal?'
-' I can't help it. I thought you were crazy, but you were even crazier!'
-' What about it? I'll make it happen. I'll make sure everyone gets to eat and live a comfortable life. And end this world war once and for all. I'll thoroughly make preparations. But I'll need a commander position first in the Federation military.'
-' You're serious about it, huh? Well, if you succeed, make me your minister of agriculture, alright?'
-' Yeah, I'll use my position as the monarch to grant you that.'
-' Great! With that, we can both succeed in our goals. I can finally plant more potatoes for my little sister!'
-' Hey, you're as crazy as me.'
-' I guess I am, heh.'
-' Hahahaha!'
-' Muhahahaha!'
Both of us laughed like lunatics in the frozen snowy world.
I don't remember my best friend's name anymore.
It was a long time ago when we were only teenagers.
He soon died in the war like a cattle fed to the enemy frontlines.
The world in my past life was a sad place, with many people not having the privilege of having a single meal within a day.
Political conflicts evolved into gunfight warfare and nuclear wars.
Weaker nations were the victims of this ordeal, with nuclear threats and annexed territorial rights.
The destruction of the environment had continued at ever-increasing speed to the point where the surface of the Earth was hopelessly polluted.
It was a world facing armageddon through the greed of humanity.
It was for some twisted secret when the Great Euphria River dried up.
The world countries turned insane for the secrets they had unveiled.