Promises Under the Starlight

“But that freshman, he seems incredibly overprotected by his family. Apparently, it’s a three-hour round trip from the Academy to his family estate, but his parents refused to let him stay in the dorms.”

“A three-hour round trip by carriage every single day sounds more dangerous than staying in a dorm, though.”

“……That’s true.”

“Come to think of it, that reminds me of something.”

“Ronia told me this. His fiancée started self-studying this year, but before that, she trained under a certain mage. There was a student training with her who would bolt home the second class ended. Apparently, he promised his parents he’d be home by six o’clock no matter what—even though training finished at five.”

“Then that kid would never have time to hang out with friends.”

“Exactly. But the more absurd part is that staying late for training was perfectly fine. They’d even praise him for being diligent.”

“……How can a person only train? Everyone needs to play late once in a while.”

“There are a lot of contradictory parents in this world.”

“Tell me about it.”

“…….”

I leaned my head against Michael’s arm in silence for a while before finally speaking up.

“I miss my mom and dad.”

“We’ll definitely go visit them once summer break starts.”

“Yeah, just wait until break. I’m going to visit their graves until they’re sick of seeing my face.”

“How could they ever get sick of you? When you’re this lovely.”

“In my eyes, you’re the lovely one.”

“Really? Which part?”

“Your green eyes are beautiful, your warm brown hair is beautiful……. Ah, and your muscles are beautiful, too.”

Even I thought the conversation was incredibly cheesy, but we laughed foolishly nonetheless. Then, a sarcastic voice drifted from behind us.

“What a pathetic display.”

Since he had been so focused on my compliments, Michael hadn’t sensed any presence. He reflexively shielded me and turned around. I blinked, my nose buried against Michael’s firm chest. Fendil, the student who had snatched the top rank away from me in our first year, stood there clutching a stack of books.

“Cecil, you must be really confident this year, huh? Seeing as you have the leisure to play house like this.”

“…….”

Remembering to pick my battles, I scratched my head as I looked at Fendil—the only person who spoke to me with such blunt informality. At Owl Academy, formal titles like ‘Your Highness’ are forbidden, and discriminating based on status is strictly against the rules, but those were largely toothless regulations. Even the professors discriminated based on rank.

Fendil was a commoner and faced his share of prejudice, but he was handsome, brilliant, and tactful enough that many nobles shielded him. His reputation was miles better than mine, too.

Wait, reputation. That reminded me of Senior Serman’s advice to always face others with a smile. I quickly lifted the corners of my mouth.

“Yeah, I finished my group project successfully, so I’ve gained some confidence. You’ve got a sharp eye, Fendil.”

“…….”

Fendil’s face contorted immediately. I had purely agreed with him and even offered a compliment, but it seemed Fendil took it as sarcasm. What should I do? In times like this, directness is best. I placed a hand over my heart.

“I’m not being sarcastic. I’m genuinely complimenting you.”

“…….”

Fendil’s expression soured even further. It seemed I still had a long way to go under Senior Serman’s tutelage. Fendil brushed past us, and Michael and I looked at each other.

“He’s gone.”

“Yeah, he’s gone.”

I tugged on Michael’s arm.

“Let’s go somewhere more secluded before someone else shows up.”

“What are we going to do in a secluded spot?”

“You’ll find out when we get there.”

“Really?”

At that, Michael’s eyes sparkled, and he swept me up into his arms. Startled, I called out his name.

“Michael?!”

“I just want to find out as soon as possible.”

Speaking playfully, Michael kissed the tip of my nose and strode toward a quiet corner of the grounds. My mind was filled with the thought that we mustn’t be caught.

While a few students from the General and Swordsmanship departments knew we were dating, the rumor hadn’t spread widely yet. However, as long as we kept having these “pathetic”—no, romantic—conversations in public, it was only a matter of time.

I had planned to transform my image before the rumors fully broke so I wouldn’t be a burden to Michael.

—This is the fastest and easiest way.

Was apologizing to Lian in public really the best path? If I thought about it a bit more, maybe a better way……. No. I can do anything for Michael and Ronia.

My pride had already been crushed dozens of times by professors; what was one more time? Besides, I already promised the Senior. Still, I should probably discuss it with Michael and Ronia first.

“Um, Michael.”

Just as I cautiously called his name, Michael spoke.

“Here we are, Your Majesty.”

“Your Majesty?!”

The forbidden title startled me, but only for a moment. Michael sat down on the edge of a flower bed, pulling me onto his lap.

I tried to scramble up, but Michael gripped my waist firmly. He drooped his eyes like a puppy caught in the rain and asked:

“Do you hate it? There’s really no one around.”

How could I say no to that look? I shook my head, and Michael began to trail kisses from my face down to my neck. I felt a soft, fuzzy sensation, like soaking in warm water. My fatigue seemed to melt away.

“I feel like I can finally breathe.”

“Why? Did someone pick a fight again?”

“No, you know. Just being in the same space as other people is exhausting for me.”

“Then you don’t have to go out.”

“Don’t say such dangerous things. I’m going to go out even more often from now on.”

I spoke while interlacing my fingers with Michael’s.

“Today taught me how important connections are among the nobility. I need to expand my network, if only to find a good job later.”

“True. There’s no downside to having a wide network.”

“Actually, there is a downside.”

I turned my head and kissed Michael. Pulling back just an inch, I whispered like it was a secret.

“It means less time for us to be alone together.”

Michael grinned, his eyes crinkling.

“How lecherous.”

“You know you like it.”

Our lips met once more. Michael asked teasingly:

“Are you really the same Cecil who was blushing at every little thing until recently? Are you a doppelgänger?”

“You know I’m a quick learner.”

“I didn’t expect that to apply to dating, too.”

Michael lightly nipped my earlobe. I quickly clamped my hand over my mouth to stifle a stray sound.

When I looked up at him while still covering my mouth, Michael was still laughing. I felt a sudden surge of mischief.

“I want to do it, too.”

“Where?”

I hesitated before reaching for Michael’s shirt. Slowly, the sleeve slid down, revealing his firm shoulder. I swallowed hard and slowly brought my lips to his skin. The texture was entirely different from touching him with my hands; goosebumps broke out across my skin.

I squeezed my eyes shut and bit down on the supple, resilient flesh. Michael laughed and stroked my hair.

“Do you think you can leave a mark biting like that?”

“……Am I allowed to leave one?”

“Of course.”

“But if other people see……”

“I’ll just have to be careful in the changing rooms.”

Emboldened, I pressed my lips to his shoulder again. Michael’s breathing grew heavy. The air, which had been cool just moments ago, now felt scorching.

Michael pulled me close, his hands tracing my waist, while I buried myself in his embrace, obsessively nipping at his shoulder. After a moment, I caught my breath and pleaded:

“I want to lie down.”

“Alright, let’s do that.”

Michael and I lay side by side on the grass. The sky was speckled with stars like scattered jewels. I gazed at the heavens while holding Michael’s hand. In this moment, I felt I could claim we were the happiest people in the world.

If only we could live like this forever. But I knew that was impossible. A sudden gloom washed over me.

“What’s wrong?”

“Why does the happy time pass so quickly?”

“Hmm?”

“The hard times feel so long, but the happy ones are so short. I hate that.”

“…….”

“It’s unfair. I should be as happy as I have suffered.”

At my complaint, Michael remained silent for a beat before calling my name.

“Cecil.”

“Yes, Michael.”

“We’ve been together since we were kids, but there’s still so much I don’t know about you.”

“…….”

Of course. How could I tell him I’d been reincarnated? I’d hidden it over and over. They say you shouldn’t keep secrets from your partner, but this was something I could never say, not even if I died. Just as I was about to say ‘I’m sorry’—

“I’m sorry.”

Why are you the one apologizing? I stared at Michael, bewildered. He continued.

“That’s why I can’t say anything right now. I’m afraid a half-hearted consolation might hurt you more.”

“…….”

“But I can promise you this.”

“……What promise?”

My throat felt tight, and my voice barely came out. When I asked with a trembling tone, Michael said:

“We’re eighteen now, right?”

“Yeah.”

“The average lifespan in our kingdom is around eighty. So we haven’t even lived a quarter of our lives yet, right?”

“Yeah, I guess. But why…….”

“Why? Because I want to find out with you.”

Michael squeezed my hand firmly.

“We’ll find out together if the happy times are truly short.”

“Are you saying you want to be together until we die?”

“Ah, you caught me.”

“…….”

“Sorry, was I too greedy? Even after you said it was too early for this kind of talk.”

I stared at Michael in silence before opening my mouth.

“You know, Michael.”

“Yes, Cecil.”

I rested my hand against his chest and said:

“If it’s you, I think I’d be okay spending my whole life together.”

Michael’s eyes widened instantly.

“Then that means……!”

I reflexively covered his mouth.

“But I’m not saying it today.”

I wanted to propose properly later. I recalled the books I had read in my past life. No matter how stoic the protagonist was, the proposal was always grand enough to move the other person to tears.

So, I was going to make sure my proposal was just as magnificent.