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“Come on, Hop Harv! You’re not seriously about to say that you can’t take responsibility for Zion for the rest of your life, are you?”

Hanamana says it as if it’s nothing serious.

Someone really looks like they’re about to have their head cracked…

“We haven’t even come to an agreement with Zion, Hanamana. I can’t just announce something this important on my own…”

“Well, it does depend on your opinion, but I think you can do it alone.”

“Alone?”

Do it alone? Make a major announcement about my relationship with Zion all by myself?

“Hanamana makes a point. Right now, any event satisfying the expectations of the nobles would be good enough.”

I’m in a situation where I’m backing up Hanamana’s opinion, too.

Doing it alone…

“Is it okay if Zion isn’t the one taking the lead?”

“Although his name is on the invitation, the one who invited us here is Director Hop Harvey, after all.”

Before I knew it, the attendants finished up with Naoi’s makeup and bowed to her before leaving the room.

And once Naoi was ready to enter the ball, she turned back to me and continued speaking.

“It would be quite interesting if Director Hop, who’s known to be especially close with Zion, spreads the invitations bearing Zion’s name and proposes in front of everyone…”

“Is that really okay? If Zion isn’t the one in charge, it’ll appear as though I gathered the VIPs just to propose to him?”

“That’s definitely true, but I doubt any noble would find it disrespectful or rude.”

“Really? I’m not so sure about that.”

The nobles gathered here are the highest and most esteemed individuals in the world.

Do they really think nobody would get angry being brought to this distant kingdom just for a mere doctor’s personal event?

As much as I want to believe Naoi, it still sounds hard to swallow.

“Heh, that’s because Director Hop doesn’t really know the social scene. You can trust me on that.”

“May I ask why you’re so confident about that?”

“In that case, I’ll answer you. The answer is…”

Naoi replies playfully with a smile.

“And obviously, it’s because it’s ‘interesting’!”

“Interesting?”

“Exactly. The needs of the social scene are simple; as long as it’s entertaining, that’s all that matters. Truthfully, the social scene isn’t that amazing. It’s just a gathering of boring people. Since they’re nobles who seemingly have everything, they create a network among themselves and get excited over stories or scandals of others’ downfall. But if the world’s greatest doctor were to propose to the great hero who’s the savior of the world, who wouldn’t want to witness that?”

So that’s how it is… as long as it’s entertaining, that’s all that counts.

After all, even Pope Silane IV was getting nervous over when I would stir things up.

I don’t really know why the Pope is feeling that way, but…

Anyway, if it comes to it, I think it would be fine to make my proposal before the party ends…

“Thanks for the advice, Your Highness. And thank you too, Hanamana.”

“I’m glad it was helpful.”

“Um, Hop Harv.”

Hanamana calls me again as the conversation seems to wrap up. Does she still have something to say?

“What is it?”

“About Zion in the waiting room earlier…”

Hanamana must be planning to talk about Zion.

Since it was what she wanted to discuss right after finishing up with Naoi, I had no choice but to lend her my ear.

“Did something seem odd? That’s why I came here to ask you.”

“Yes. It seems definitely abnormal.”

“What do you mean?”

“He wasn’t really responding to his surroundings, looked dazed, and seemed to be trembling… I thought it might not be safe to let him in.”

Had he been in poor condition even before entering the banquet hall?

Out of everyone attending, Hanamana, aside from me, is the only rehabilitation expert.

She probably thought there was something off about Zion too.

“Did you have a reason for letting him in?”

“Well, it’s…”

Hanamana looks down. What kind of reason could there be…?

“Zion kept mumbling, ‘I want to see Hop Harv.’ over and over again.”

He said he wanted to see me?

Zion, who hasn’t been able to see me while I was preparing for the ball, missed me…

“…….”

I see. So that’s how it was.

Hearing that calms the worries plaguing my heart and brings a sense of peace alongside my certainty in Zion.

It’s simply that Zion said he wanted to see me.

Just this one line from Hanamana offers me immense comfort.

So I guess I really—

“That’s why I thought I’d let him in and send him to you, figuring you could do something for him. Maybe just seeing your face would help him regain his senses.”

“Thank you, Hanamana. You did well.”

“Yes? But didn’t you come looking for Zion because he was in bad condition?”

“That’s…”

It’s true that Hanamana did a great job.

She made the right choice in everything.

Letting Zion in and informing me of his condition were both excellent decisions.

So now,

“I’ll handle this, so don’t worry.”

It’s time to meet their expectations.

“Then I’ll head back first.”

“Good luck, Hop Harv!”

“…….”

Leaving the two behind, I exited the waiting room and re-entered the hall.

I walked boldly past the nobles enjoying mingling and dancing in the middle of the ball, returning to where Zion was seated.

Zion was still quietly sitting in place, staring down at the floor.

With him saying he wanted to see me but then telling me he had to move away, what did that really mean? Honestly, I’m not sure.

But considering he thought he needed to keep a distance from me, Zion probably realized…

If he asked me to hold the ball, he knew I’d be extremely busy.

Feeling calm settles in my mind, and everything seems clearer.

Yet, I still couldn’t grasp what it meant for Zion to distance himself or what he wanted from me.

Zion, Hanamana, even all the nobles gathered here…

They all seem to expect something from me here.

Everyone is watching, fixated on how I’m going to handle Zion.

Just a moment ago, I was anxious and fretting over how to meet their expectations…

“Zion. I’m here.”

“…….”

I look down at Zion sitting in his chair. He’s gazing up at me quietly.

“It’s Hop Harv.”

“Were you missing me?”

I tried to maintain a casual expression and asked Zion if he had wanted to see me.

And upon hearing my question, Zion responded,

“Yes. I wanted to see you, Teacher.”

He responds with a bright smile, like a child.

Seeing that smile makes me feel like I finally understand one thing for sure.

The reason I was anxious.

It wasn’t about ruining the ball.

Nor about upsetting the nobles by making a trip for nothing.

My anxiety stemmed simply from wondering if Zion would be okay without me.

Whether he’d become independent and perhaps intentionally keep his distance, worried he might miss me…

But look at this, just within the short time we were apart, Zion has—

“It feels nice to see you, Teacher. Hehe.”

He’s become so attached.

Zion truly can’t be without me.

Seeing this state of depending and needing me brings immense relief. I’m just—

“Zion. I came to keep my promise, so get it together.”

“Get it together? I’m perfectly fine!”

Zion looks bewildered, but that’s alright.

As Hanamana said, with me right in front of him, things will work out.

“Zion.”

Following the movements I learned from Serin, I bow as gracefully and politely as I can, extending one hand towards seated Zion.

“Would you like to dance with me?”

“…….”

A brief silence hangs in the air. Finally, Zion’s eyes widen in surprise.

While Zion was looking at me, something seemed to jolt him awake, and he quickly turned his head to look around, glancing down at his outfit and touching his collarbone with one hand, covering his chest, before finally meeting my gaze.

“Hop Harv. What’s going on…?”

“Looks like you’re finally back to yourself. Were you really struggling that much without me?”

“Th-that’s…”

Zion pauses for a moment, then shuts his eyes tight as if in pain but eventually sighs and opens them to look up at me resignedly.

“Looks like it ended up like that. But it shouldn’t have.”

“I’m not sure what shouldn’t have happened, but when are you going to hold my hand? This position is quite tiring, you know.”

Finally, Zion glances slightly down, focusing on my outstretched hand instead of my face.

“Hmm~ Should I hold it or not?”

“Well, you’re going to hold it eventually, so why the hesitation?”

“How do you know that, Teacher?”

“You can’t live without me, Zion.”

“Ugh.”

Giving up her composure after just a month, yet still playing it cool.

In the end, Zion gently places her right hand on mine and rises from her seat.

“I’ve been waiting a long time. Hurry and hold on.”

“I’ve definitely waited longer, you know?”

“What were you waiting for, Zion?”

“I was waiting for this ball to happen.”

We held hands and smiled at each other as we descended the stairs towards the ballroom.

As I glanced around while walking down, the nobles seated nearby looked at us with greedy eyes, seemingly eager for the show to finally begin.

If the Pope hadn’t hinted at it, I probably wouldn’t have noticed. It seems everyone just wants to see something entertaining.

Well, that doesn’t matter. Enjoy all you want. This Zion is mine anyway. Let them gather there and feel envious.

“I’ve been waiting more than that.”

“Really? What were you waiting for, Teacher?”

“I was waiting for you to recover. It’s been a year in the making.”

“That’s what you meant? Then I…”

Once we reached the bottom of the stairs, we began to match our footsteps and started dancing at the center of the hall.

The dance we practiced diligently while splitting our sleep hours felt so natural, almost like my body moved on its own.

And it seems Zion had been practicing just as hard over the past month because we navigated the hall as though we were one.

“Looks like I waited longer.”

“What’s longer than that?”

“I’ve been waiting for you to show up, Teacher.”

Keeping my eyes on the ground to avoid stepping on anyone’s toes, I would inevitably have to look at Zion’s face upon hearing those words.

And Zion, while still maintaining that somewhat sad expression, continued to dance as she looked up at me.

“Those three years felt so long. Even if I combined the entirety of my life until now, it probably wouldn’t match those three years. I kept waiting for you, Teacher. Waiting for you to appear before me, as the reason for my life to go on.”

“…….”

“Hop Harv, to be right in front of me like this.”

Still with a sad look, Zion gazes at me dreamily, almost like spellbound.

And whenever she calls me the reason for her life, I feel joy mix with anxiety within me.

What exactly does she mean by that? Is she talking about me or about the lies I tell?

Each time this kind of anxiety surfaces, all I can do is try to brush it aside.

Right now, as we’re dancing, I stare down again at my feet and move automatically according to my training.

If I just keep doing that…

“Oh! By the way, Zion. Do you know about this?”

I suddenly think of something amusing. Dancing hand in hand with Zion, I’d have no time to feel anxious!

I really have to enjoy the moment, or I’ll feel regret later.

Since Zion might be recalling challenging times, I think this topic will lighten her spirits.

“What do you mean?”

As I lift my gaze to meet Zion’s, she notices the big smile on my face and cocks her head curiously.

Of course, I’m bound to be happy.

I’m so eager to see what kind of reaction Zion will have when I share what I’m about to say.

This is something only for her ears, to ensure the surrounding guests won’t overhear.

I lowered my face a bit, leaning close to Zion’s ear and whispered.

“Actually, all the nobles here came to witness our betrothal announcement.”

“What?”

As I whispered this in her ear, Zion jumped back in surprise.

“Whoa!”

With Zions’s sudden retreat, I accidentally stepped on her foot.

“Are you okay?”

I quickly pulled away and checked on Zion, but she didn’t appear hurt. Instead, her eyes were wide open, staring blankly at me.

“Wha-what did you just say?”

And Zion’s reaction was exactly as I expected.

Ah, that bewildered face—it’s just too delightful.

I truly am someone who just can’t help myself.