I’m Not the Final Boss’ Lover - Chapter 188: Kindred Spirits

Chapter 188: Kindred Spirits

I could understand the handmaidens being proud. Even I went dazed for a moment upon seeing myself in the mirror. Every time I blinked, Jun blinked back. Pearls shimmering in silver scattered over her bright crimson eyes, arresting my attention. I let out a soft sound of admiration at the sight. I couldn’t help being impressed, especially since her character design was the reason I fell in love with Jun in the first place. She was always this beautiful, yet it was shadowed by her gray hair, unknown to anybody…

I shook my head then, determined to shrug off such depressing thoughts on a day like this. Since the makeup was done, it was time for the hair.

The handmaidens braided my hair, which I usually kept untied and wild, then put a red rose in it. The flower was fresh despite being natural, and it was probably kept that way with magic. I didn’t think much of it at first because the nickname “Gray Rose” came to mind. But since Bellonet strongly insisted that my hair was the one thing that had to be done this way, I had no choice. When the preparations were almost finished, the three kids of my unit scampered into the dressing room.

“Vice-captain, are you read… Wow!”

“You look really wonderful, Vice-captain!”

“Woah…”

The kids were stunned for a moment, captivated. I smirked at the sight of them being speechless. “You guys are looking great yourselves.”

“Right?” Sevi replied, finally regaining his senses and spinning in a circle with a broad smile, fluttering the hem of his gray robe. I was so worried that they would end up looking like a trio of gray rats… But, just as Bellonet had predicted, the three looked rather fine dressed in gray and standing side by side. I had feared that they would look strange for having chosen the same fabric. Instead, they turned out to each have their respective charm due to their differing physiques. The title of imperial court tailor wasn’t for nothing after all. I was quietly impressed.

Julieta looked like an aristocratic girl that came right out of a picture with her hair done up elegantly, but… Feeling that something was lacking, I beckoned to her. She immediately walked over shyly. I spoke to one of the handmaidens who were adorning the red rose on my hair. “The jewelry box from earlier. Could you bring it back again?”

“Of course, Vice-captain.”

The handmaiden brought the jewelry box and opened it for me to see. I began moving my fingertips back and forth, trying to choose from among the countless pieces of jewelry.

“I think this will suit you well.” Picking up a blue sapphire earring, I reached out to try putting it against Julieta’s ear. The blue earring made for a pretty picture, hanging beneath the straw-colored hair around it. I handed the earring to the handmaiden holding the jewelry box and glanced at Julietta. “Could you give a bit of help putting on the earring?”

“V-Vice-captain! This is too expensive. If I were to ever l-lose this…”

Disregarding Julieta’s objection, I disinterestedly explained, “It’s fine since it’s not mine. It’s the Captain’s.”

But it didn’t seem like I helped put her heart at ease. Julieta’s face turned white and she looked on the verge of fainting as she cried, “Are, are you trying to kill me!”

“The captain won’t say anything about a piece of jewelry or two… Probably. He probably won’t notice even if you do lose it?”

“But… The captain must have taken great care to give these things to no one but you, Vice-captain…”

As soon as Julieta finished speaking, I saw the handmaidens share intense, meaningful looks through the mirror. They were clearly misunderstanding something, so I took a curt tone to emphasize that the relationship between Mayer and I was a flat one. “The captain just didn’t want to lose face because of me, his partner. He’d be the one getting insulted if his Vice-captain didn’t have a single piece of jewelry to show for, after all. And it’s the same for me. If you don’t show up to the banquet without a single adornment, that would tarnish my reputation.”

Julieta grimaced, looking tearful. I could tell she thought of my words as sophistry… And that was true, of course.

“It’s fine. Since the captain entrusted all of these to me, he must’ve expected that I’d lend you some of it too.” I gave Julieta a consoling, light pat. In the first place, Mayer was the kind to be strict with what shouldn’t be lent out. Like with artifacts, for example. He had even called the imperial tailor to take care of the kids so there was no way he didn’t think I would lend out some jewelry. Or that was my presumption at least.

Julieta sighed in resignation, then allowed herself to be led by a handmaiden to sit on the chair beside me. “By the way, Julieta…” I began. “Your parents said they’d be able to come to this performance report meeting, right?”

“Yes. Probably… Since they’re eager to make a connection with the Dark Knights somehow…” Julieta replied in a mumble. When I looked at her, I saw many similarities with the original Jun. Both of them were daughters who had talent but were neglected and treated unfairly under shameless parents. It was probably why my heart went out to her more.