SBTSML

thirteen.

Aha. This is what you truly want.

I grinned at Luna's clear heart. She still didn't give up on getting close to Cassis.

"Did you receive an invitation to Cassis, too?"

"Yes, I just got back from him."

As soon as I heard that, I jumped up and ran to Cassis's room.

Cassis was unresponsive when I opened the door without knocking. I think he already expected me to come in.

I sat in front of him and asked,

"Did you see the invitation, Cassis?"

"Wow, did you run that far to ask that?"

Cassis grinned. I asked without denying it.

"Are you going?"

"No, I'm not going."

Cassis answered bluntly and read his book again.

Even before, he didn't really like parties.

Still, I was puzzled to remember that he attended a party casually in the original novel.

"Does Cassis hate parties?"

"Why?"

"I'm just asking. You didn't like it much last time when Dad said we would throw a party."

Cassis did not answer my question.

A moment later, without answering his question, reversed the question to me.

"So do you like parties?"

Is there anyone who doesn't like parties?

Delicious food, good music to listen to.

It was a place to spend time with people who are happy, without knowing, unaware of the passing of time.

I nodded quickly.

"Parties are fun. Occasionally there are incidents that can't not be laughed at."

It was then. Cassis's face got cold.

Cassis smiled coldly, not even trying to hide his face.

"I wish I were like you. Because you could enjoy it that much."

"Huh?"

"If it's so fun, go alone. I hate crowded places."

At the end of that remark, Cassis pushed the book close to his face and refused to talk.

I was already accustomed with his cold attitude, but somehow I felt a chill.

Maybe it's because of his eyes that were colder than usual, or his words that were full of thorns.

Cassis's reaction seemed to protect himself from something, like a rose that was erecting a thorn to protect itself.

I left Cassis's room in bewilderment, unable to reply.

***

After that, Cassis and his awkward state continued.

I couldn't adapt to his strangely changed mood.

He acted unnaturally, as if he had froze.

If it were originally like before, either side would have been the first to tool and evoke the atmosphere, but somehow Cassis and I were just quiet.

Luna's party was only invited to the Count's children's home. Naturally, the Baron's child, Elisha, was not invited.

Philip and I were the only ones invited to the gathering.