Souta still followed behind Meliora.

  Meliora kept walking.

  — “Where are you going in such a hurry?” Souta asked, a bit timidly.

  Meliora did not stop.

  — “I don’t know. But I don’t want to keep walking with two perverts.”

  Pikonota chased after them.

  Almost half-dressed.

  Happy to feel justified.

  Souta drew closer.

  — “Princess, could you stop for a moment? It’s embarrassing.”

  — “People think we’re a couple fighting… because I was caught fooling around with Pikonota. We’re drawing too much attention. And not in a good way.”

  Meliora froze for a second.

  Face flushed.

  But she kept walking.

  Eyes firm.

  Still blushing.

  — “I don’t care what people think.” she replied, voice trembling.

  — “Why don’t you go back and finish your dessert?”

  Pikonota melted in a comical way.

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  Imagining the situation.

  Satisfied.

  Creamy appeared.

  — “Meliora still stirs you deeply. You can’t even smile now. You’re vulnerable. You’re hesitating.”

  Souta stopped.

  Eyes firm.

  His timid smile widened.

  Provocative.

  He grabbed Meliora.

  Lifted her onto his shoulder.

  Meliora, confused.

  Face flushed.

  — “Lord Kihara?! What are you doing? Put me down!”

  Souta only smiled.

  Sarcastic.

  Provocative.

  Meliora trembled with shame.

  — “Lord Kihara… people are watching. It’s embarrassing to be like this!”

  — “I order you to put me down now! I am royalty, so put me down immediately!”

  Her voice was firm.

  Authoritative.

  — “N-O.” Souta teased.

  All of the princess’s firmness vanished.

  — “Aren’t you listening? I sa—”

  — “Quiet.” Souta interrupted.

  — “Where are your manners with adults?”

  Meliora wilted.

  Melancholic.

  — “I’m sorry…”

  — “Good girl.” Souta, still with a piercing smile.

  He looked toward the crowd.

  — “And this play is called ‘Love in Royalty.’ With me, Souta, the Harlequin of Fear. With me, everyone dies of laughter.”

  The audience applauded.

  Believing they were actors performing a play.

  Souta kept carrying the princess.

  Back to the boutique.

  Meanwhile…

  Dark Lands.

  Obscure Sky.

  A hooded figure walked.

  Until stopping behind a massive black throne.

  The throne faced outward.

  An open view.

  The hooded figure looked ahead.

  Face still hidden in shadow.

  White hair escaping from the hood.

  — “My Lord…” he began.

  — “He managed to escape my labyrinth. But it’s nothing serious. He won’t even be able to defeat the Fifth Celestial General. Pikonota is traveling with him. Shall I kill her?”

  The throne seen from behind.

  Only the hands of the Demon King were visible.

  Covered in black armor.

  — “No. For now, leave them as they are.”

  The figure consented.

  Vanished into the shadows.

  — “Yes, my Lord.”