"I've kept you waiting for so long... Oh, Lord Ely?"
"...."
Without even looking at Serena, who had returned, I was just standing there, utterly bewildered. My understanding couldn't catch up.
Presumably, King Evial instructed Chris because Samantha, his lover and Vikir's mother, requested it behind the scenes. However, Samantha has never shown any maternal affection to Vikir, and 'Engage 100 times' even depicts Vikir as hungry for a mother's love.
'So, why would something like this happen?'
"Lord Ely!"
"!? Hya!"
Serena, who had stretched my cheek quite a bit, shouted in my ear, and I involuntarily jumped, making a weird noise.
"What were you thinking, Lord Ely? ... Even when I addressed you, it seemed like your mind was elsewhere."
Oh no, Serena looks really mad with her cheeks all puffed up.
But, even this expression of hers is cute...
"I-I'm sorry. Actually..."
I explained what I had been informed... no, ordered by Chris earlier, about Vikir joining the faction and telling me to show some concern for that man.
"I don't understand what His Majesty is thinking."
"I don't know either. Even for Chris, adding the 'tainted prince' to his faction is a risk. However, my brother seemed somewhat delighted."
Yeah... Chris' reaction suggests that despite being suddenly entrusted by King Evial, he didn't show any disgust towards Vikir. In other words, he somewhat welcomes Vikir.
However, Chris has likely secured some promise from King Evial in return for accepting Vikir. While it's true that in Engage, they eventually reconcile with the protagonist, until then, Chris did not hold a favourable opinion of Vikir. This is true in the game and should be here...
"Lord Ely, how do you intend to interact with Prince Vikir?"
Serena peeks at my face from below.
Hmm... I've decided not to get involved with the main characters for the sake of avoiding a bad ending.
So...
"Well... Actually, I never intended to have any kind of relationship with Vikir from the beginning. At most, we'll cross paths during royal events, I suppose?"
I can't think of any other opportunities for contact with Vikir. Unlike me, who lives in the main palace, he lives in the detached palace, so there's not even a chance to pass by each other.
"In any case, considering our history and the fact that he probably dislikes me too, unless I actively seek to meet him, we'll probably just be like strangers to each other."
"I see..."
Serena sighed with relief upon hearing my answer. It seems she has some concerns about my interaction with Vikir.
The reason might be related to the exchange she had with Vikir after the dance.
"Serena, would you like to get some fresh air outside?"
"Yes."
Feeling uneasy, I decided to take her hand and head towards the balcony.
Actually, I'm probably jealous of Vikir.
The possibility that Serena, before becoming engaged to me, might have had a romantic relationship with him.
And then..."Um... What kind of relationship do you have with Vikir?"
I asked. I asked even though I shouldn't have.
For the sake of her happiness, maybe I should just have requested King Evial to annul the engagement and satisfied myself by daydreaming about being her boyfriend in the background.
But in 'Engage 100 times,' I've seen so many different sides of her that I couldn't see in the game, and I can't imagine letting her go, let alone breaking off the engagement.
'I can't endure that.'
So... even if it means getting hurt, even if it involves a past I don't want to know, I want to know.
I want to be by her side beyond the main story of 'Engage 100 times.'
Then...
"Hehe..."
For some reason, Serena gave me a wry smile.
"Uh, well..."
"I'm sorry. Yes... Even if you remember, perhaps you wouldn't understand."
Huh? Even if I remember... Could it be that I'm also somehow involved?
Or rather, even if I remember, I wouldn't understand. 'What does that mean?'
"Well then, it might take a bit long, but please bear with me. Between you, me, and that man... Vikir, let me tell you about that happy yet foolish day..."