Home/I Became the Emergency Food Supply of the Bear Family/ch115

Chapter 115

"Hey, Ber. I..."

Just as Einja carefully began to speak—

"Verdiana?"

At the familiar voice from behind, Ber turned.

The moment she looked back, she froze.

Before her stood a man more impeccably dressed than she had ever seen.

A white blouse embroidered with gleaming gold thread, barely covering his solid chest beneath a black vest.

A white, one-shoulder cape adorned with golden epaulets draped from his shoulder down past his arm.

With each step of his black boots, the cape swayed, revealing a mysteriously shimmering gray lining.

Unconsciously scanning him from head to toe, Ber finally met his eyes.

Even the luminous gray moonstone adorning his cravat seemed to pale beside his gaze.

"......"

"......"

Thus, with only a step between them, the two stood frozen, entranced.

For he, too, had been captivated by her.

Over the princess-line dress, over the delicate neckline covering her shoulders, over the jeweled ornaments on her silver pumps—

Everything was flowers.

Appliqués of lilac-hued sheer fabric layered like blossoms on the dress. Flower ornaments of white topaz blooming on her shoes.

As she slowly inhaled and clasped her gloved hands before her chest, the small amethysts adorning her dress rippled and sparkled with every subtle movement.

Her white hair, cascading over the lavender dress like a cloud of blossoms, gleamed like silk.

Neither Ber nor Kaien could even offer a greeting, lost in each other's presence.

Unable to bear it, Einja sighed deeply and clapped her hands.

"Alright, you two! Stop standing there dumbfounded and dance, just dance!"

"Uh—oh, right."

"Ah..."

They're broken again, totally broken.

Honestly, they couldn't be more obvious. Why on earth weren't they dating yet?

Kaien Noirel—unquestionably the most handsome and well-born fourth-year, stealing the hearts of countless female students even now.

Verdiana Grizzly—the adopted daughter of the Grizzly family, rumored to be a mythical yeti, and the most popular female student at the Academy.

Though some feared her as a yeti, many male students secretly admired her from afar.

Of course, Einja had made sure the riffraff couldn't even approach, so they all quietly harbored their crushes.

But the two had never expressed romantic interest in anyone.

Kaien had rejected every confession, leading to rumors that his duties as young viscount kept him too busy.

But after seeing them together, could anyone still hold such optimistic hopes?

"By the way, Einja—you were about to say something to me, weren't you?"

"Yeah—that your dress looks amazing, and that you're the most beautiful in the world!"

"...Huh?"

"I need to find a dance partner too, so I'll be going. Hurry over to Senior Kaien—go!"

Waving vaguely, Einja pried Ber away and crossed the ballroom.

I wanted to be Ber's first dance partner, but oh well.

It's fine—after Kaien graduates, that plan can still happen.

Resigned, Einja grabbed a male student wandering alone nearby.

"If you don't have a partner—huh? You are..."

It wasn't an Academy student she'd grabbed.

It was Alexei Malamute, recently promoted to vice-captain of the Sled Dog Knights and a promising young knight.

"M-Miss Einja?"

"Wh-what are you doing here?"

Utterly surprised, Einja frowned at Alexei. His eyes narrowed.

"Don't look at me like a suspicious intruder. I was formally invited."

"Ah, you'll be heading back to Bjorn right after the ball, I suppose."

"Yes—escorting Lady Ber safely is also my duty."

Saying that, Alexei scanned the room. His gaze soon settled on one spot. Einja, as if expecting it, also turned.

In one corner, Ber was blushing furiously, clutching her dress—probably because Kaien was kneeling before her.

Soon, Kaien took her right hand and gently pressed his lips to her knuckles.

Gasps of admiration and envy rose from all around.

Truly a passionate courtship—no, a dance invitation.

As the music began, the two spun across the floor. Some students frowned in sorrow, others blushed with longing.

Einja and Alexei belonged to the former.

Gnawing her lips and swallowing her sadness, Einja turned to Alexei. He looked close to tears.

"Hoo... Hey."

Sighing, Einja extended her hand to him.

"The music's started. What are you doing? Dance."

"...Pardon? Me?"

"Yes—you, Alexei Malamute."

Even when she called his name, Alexei remained dazed. Einja frowned, leaning closer.

"What—were you really about to cry? You're so hopeless—why are men so foolish?"

"W-well, you looked like you were about to cry too."

At his unexpectedly sharp retort, Einja flushed and began making excuses.

"This—this is just... the lighting is too bright!"

Snapping, she grabbed Alexei's hand, forced it onto her waist, and began to move. Still tear-eyed, Alexei followed her steps.

Watching him dance obediently with glistening eyes, Einja looked down at her own feet.

"...Still, since it's Senior Kaien, I'll let it go."

"Exactly."

At her muttered words, a reply came surprisingly quickly.

"If it had been anyone else, I would never have backed down."

"Right—for example..."

As Einja hesitated, searching for words, Alexei spoke at the same time:

"Someone like the Crown Prince."

"Someone like the Crown Prince."

Silence fell between them.

In the quiet, the music sounded loudly in their ears. Alexei was the first to stammer an excuse.

"I-I mean, not that the Crown Prince is bad... and I, I'm just someone who serves Lady Ber...!"

"You don't need to explain."

To Alexei, flustered and unsure which to clarify first, Einja said calmly:

"I already knew you liked Ber."

Silence fell again.

"...Pardon? H-how long have you known...?"

Alexei's face showed shock—no, terror—and he stopped moving entirely.

Einja snorted and smirked.

"You're very easy to read."

"......"

"Your feet have stopped. We need to keep dancing so we don't bump into others—come on."

Smiling like a little devil, Einja guided Alexei back into motion.

Dragged along, Alexei returned to the center of the hall and began dancing.

Beyond Einja's brown hair, Ber and Kaien came into view.

The two kept meeting each other's eyes shyly, then looking away—but their gazes kept crossing in the air, unable to stay apart.

Yet strangely—

He felt no jealousy, not even a flicker of attention toward them.

...How strange.

Alexei wanted to clutch his left chest. But he couldn't muster the courage to pull his hand from Einja's grasp.

Finally, unable to take his eyes off Einja's face, he blurted out:

"I—I still haven't heard your answer! How long have you known!"

"What? Wait—are you trying to step on my foot right now?"

And so, even as they danced, the two kept bickering.

Like a well-matched pair.

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