Curtain Rises

"Here and now, there is something I wish to tell you all!!"

In the very middle of the dance floor. All eyes turned to Harks as he made his declaration.

It had finally begun; Koleha tensed ever so slightly.

"Kurushu, Kenho. Bring Hiiro."

"Yes. I'll escort you."

"What? Well, let's go, Lady Hiiro."

"Y-yes… I'll go…"

And so Hiiro and the others approached.

All the players were assembled.

Jangaria wasn't here, but surely watching from the shadows.

"Koleha Nyarlathotep! I shall expose your misdeeds here!!"

"Oh my! My, my, my! Whatever do you mean? My misdeeds—!?"

A grin spread across her face before she could stop it. No, don't. Not yet! Koleha hid her rising cheeks behind her fan.

"Yes. For the graduating third-years, this may be their last chance to learn the truth about you. So, today! Here! The truth must be laid bare!! Indulge me, Koleha!"

"Oh my! My, my! The truth, is it! Very well, I shall oblige you, Your Highness Harks!!"

Hiiro trembled, whether from fear or something else, and Kenho drew her protectively into his arms.

"It's alright. I'll protect you."

"Eh, n-no, y-you're too close… P-please step back…"

"Hey, Kenho!! Don't touch Lady Hiiro, not when I'm her escort! Have some sense of propriety!"

Kurushu pulled Hiiro back into his arms, reclaiming her.

Splendid, a tug-of-war over the Heroine, witnessed with her very own eyes! Koleha was thrilled.

Meanwhile, Harks stood apart from the tug-of-war, facing Koleha directly.

Meeting his resolute gaze, she straightened and matched it.

"Koleha. Do you know of the rumor—'you are unfit to be the future queen'!?"

"I do."

Naturally. Koleha herself was the source of that rumor.

"But it's only a rumor, isn't it? Is it something a prince should worry about?"

"Hmph. I think the truth should be made clear. You don't mind, do you? If you truly have done no wrong—then there should be no problem. Am I wrong?"

"Indeed! You are not!!"

Yes. Koleha was not in the wrong. Not at all. And so she answered proudly, chest held high.

For this, for this alone, she had lived the last ten years.

Her preparations were complete. Perfect.

"Ah, to think even Your Highness Harks harbors such doubts! As your fiancée, I am so, so sad～!"

"You don't look the least bit sad… but fine. Let us go one by one, in order. Ready, Koleha?"

"I shall answer all and face you head-on!"

Harks nodded.

"Koleha, there are many charges. But first, let me say this—Today, I intend to shouka our engagement. Are you prepared?"

"Oh? Is that so…"

At Harks' words, Koleha felt a faint sadness.

Not 'annul.' He'd chosen 'shouka': 'sublimate', 'digest', 'extinguish', 'elevate'… None fit the moment. He must have misspoken kaishouannul.

He'd flubbed his line at the most critical moment.

That would not do. She would paper over it with sheer momentum.

"Ooh-ho-ho-ho! Very well, come at me, prince!!"

"Uwooooo!!! Here I come, Koleha!! Prepare yourself!!!!"

She had been prepared for ages.

Like a Demon King meeting the Hero. Elegant, the villainess faced the assembled capture targets head-on.