[35.2] Jealousy Makes an Appearance

I looked through the crowd to find the family in question and noticed Felix speaking to someone I didn't recognize.

Ah, there's that fake smile again.

I snuck away from my parents and tapped Felix's back once the others walked away. I whispered in his ear, "Oi, Felix."

He turned to me in surprise, "I didn't see you!"

I grinned, "I purposely snuck over, that's why you didn't see me."

He looked around, "Your date didn't come?"

I looked around a bit disappointed, "Eh. His letters were cryptic so I'm not surprised."

He smiled at me as if to encourage me, "Don't give up yet. There's still time."

I gave an indifferent shrug and looked at the crowd in boredom, "Where's your sister and her date?"

His face twitched awkwardly, "I'm… They're around."

As if they heard me, a pretentious girl walked towards me with her arm wrapped around Cyrus. Priscilla grinned at me, "Hello, Reika. You know my date, Prince Cyrus?"

I clenched my jaw in annoyance.

How would I not know him!?

She continued with an innocent look, "He's so sweet. See this corsage? He gave it to me. Oh! And I'm sure you noticed how well we are matching. Blue is definitely our color. All the other couples are clearly jealous of how well we look together."

Cyrus rolled his eyes and looked away in irritation.

I suddenly felt slighted and bit down on my lip in frustration, "Oooh. How nice."

She batted her eyes, "Isn't it? I think we are the best-dressed couple here."

Gods, please stop me from killing this girl.

Why does she keep saying the word 'couple'?! They aren't a couple!

She tapped Cyrus flirtatiously, "Come on, my date. Let's grab something to eat. They have really nice food here that we can share."

I started tapping my foot in annoyance, "Who would ever want to share food?"

Cyrus snuck a glance at me before walking off with Priscilla. She turned to me and stuck out her tongue.

I clenched my fists, "Oooh. I'm going to kill her."

Felix forced a laugh, "Please don't. She's my sister."

I let out an irritated sigh, "She's annoying."

"But she's still my sister."

I scoffed.

He held out his arm, "Shall we go get something to eat?"

I laughed at his innocent smile and wrapped my arm around his, "I thought you'd never ask."

After we each grabbed a plate of food, we went to the table where Zephyr and Hazel were already sitting. I sat down next to Zephyr, staring at him in disgust as he shoved his mouth full of food.

He looked at me with a full mouth, "What?"

"You could at least use a fork."

I started shoving forkfuls of food into my mouth.

Hazel laughed, "Are you sure you two aren't related?"

I gulped down a bite, "I'm sure."

Felix smiled affectionately and moved a piece of meat from his plate to Zephyr's, "Here. Have mine."

Hazel glared at him, "Why would he want your filthy seconds?"

Zephyr licked his lips, "I will take anyone's filthy seconds."

I snickered, "That sounds bad."

Priscilla and Cyrus suddenly appeared beside us holding plates. It was obvious Priscilla was purposefully dragging him around to annoy me, but it still annoyed me regardless.

Priscilla grinned, "Can my date and I join you?"

My lip curled in irritation, "No."

"Thanks!" She sat down next to us and forced Cyrus to sit down beside her, "It's been so exhausting listening to everyone compliment how cute we are together."

I gripped my fork so tightly that it bent from a sudden heat.

Hazel turned to Zephyr and scooted closer to him. She flirtatiously rubbed the hem of his tuxedo, "You look very dashing tonight. Red really is your color."

He gave a toothy grin and pulled at his bowtie, "I gotta look my best to get all the girls!"

Her hand paused, "..Hm?"

He nodded, "Yup. I'm a player now."

The glass in Hazel's hand shattered, but the smile never left her face, "Hm?"

"Yeah! If I can't fall in love again then I can at least have fun." He motioned to me, "Reika gave me the idea."

I spat out my drink over the table and shouted, "Don't bring me into this!!"

He looked at me in confusion, "But you were the one who told me to be a player."

"I didn't tell you that! I gave you the suggestion!!" I looked around the table to see everyone staring at me with accusatory looks. I felt a cold sweat break out over my back, "I-I really didn't tell him to do it."

He opened his mouth once more, "But-"

I quickly put my hand over his mouth to shut him up.

I let out an awkward laugh then changed the subject, "So where's Caldwell? I haven't seen him tonight."

Cyrus spoke indifferently, "He had an errand to run so he couldn't make it. He should be back tomorrow."

I nodded, "Ah. I see. I'm surprised he left you alone."

Priscilla abruptly cut in, "He's not weak. He doesn't need his familiar around constantly like you do."

I grit my teeth in annoyance, "Oi! I wasn't talking to you!"

She ignored me and pick up a piece of meat with her fork and held it up to Cyrus's mouth, "My darling, aren't you hungry? Say ahh~"

Cyrus's eyebrow twitched as he leaned away, "Stop."

She giggled and pursed her lips, "Would you rather have a bite of me?"

I pushed away my plate with a grimace and stood up, "Suddenly I'm not hungry."

Felix reached out to me, "Wait! Reika, don't go!"

I ignored him and walked down the nearest hallway to be alone.

I don't care where I go, as long as it's not here.

Priscilla snickered as she watched me leave, "Heh. I think we've successfully driven her crazy."

Cyrus let out a sigh and shook his head, "I can't believe you. I told you not to act like that."

She scoffed, "I was doing you a favor, you ungrateful man."

Zephyr licked his lips, "You two are digging your own grave."

Cyrus sighed, "No matter what I do, I can never do anything right. I wanted to make her jealous, but I didn't want to hurt her."

Zephyr stared at him with vibrant red eyes, "Stop hesitating."

Cyrus paused, "...Huh?"

"You're always second-guessing yourself and never being honest enough. If you keep hesitating, you will lose everything. Just be confident." He snickered, "You are so confident with a sword, yet shy with a girl. It's embarrassing to watch."

"You're… You're right! I can't give up before I even try!!" Cyrus stood up with passion, "I need to find her."

Felix watched him run out of the room and drummed his fingers on the table. He stood up with a forced smile, "I think I'm going to take a walk. I need to clear my head after this melodramatic scene."

Priscilla jumped up, "I will go with you!"

"No, stay here in the ballroom. I'm sure father wants you to talk to a few supporters." His smile faltered, "Plus, I just want to be alone."

Priscilla watched him leave and let out a frustrated shriek. She turned to go back to the ballroom in a huff.

Zephyr took another chicken leg, "I guess I should go help him find her… After this chicken leg… Or the other one… Okay, I will go eventually."