Another Life, Another Me

54. Light Steps

But when I imagined the kind Ace becoming burdened with endless floods of work and corruption of politics...I realized how fortunate it was that Ace was not a part of that life.

Because Ace wasn't a royal.

He told me so in the past.

"Cordelia, we should be back in around fifte-"

"Your eyes are beautiful, Ace. I love them so much," I said with a content smile as I continued to walk.

"..." Ace didn't say anything as he stopped walking.

"Hmm? Why did you stop walking?" I asked with concern as I stopped walking too.

Suddenly, Ace slouched to the ground as if he lost all feeling in his legs.

"What's wrong, Ace??" I asked with increasing worry as I looked around to see if there was any adult or teacher that could aide me in giving Ace help.

"...That's not fair..." Ace mumbled as I noticed his flushed face.

His ears were red and his lips were pursed in embarrassment.

"Huh? What's not fair???" I asked loudly.

Was Ace feeling a little ill as well?

Ace suddenly turned his head upwards at me with a small pouting expression on his face.

"...I'm not telling you," he said childishly.

...

...Cute.

"Aww...Ace, I didn't know you were such a baby," I said as a slight tease as I booped him on the nose.

"..." Ace didn't say anything as he stared at me straight in the eyes.

What was it now?

"I think your eyes are beautiful...I love them as well..." Ace said with extremely obvious embarrassment and awkwardness.

I wanted to say something in reply but my throat tightened and I choked up.

"H-Huh? That was random..." I said as I also began to blush.

My heart was pounding really hard for some reason.

Ugh...I might really be sick...

My heart has been really jumpy lately, which is supposed to be a sign of premature death.

I'll go to visit the infirmary tomorrow.

For the next few moments, both Ace and I were walking in complete awkward silence as we continued on our way back.

"Haha...I wonder why your eyes are so green though..." I awkwardly chuckled as I tried to start up another conversation.

"I don't know much about it either...Even if I knew why my eyes were green before...I can't remember the reason anymore..." Ace replied slowly.

"Oh...I see," I murmured.

I probably brought up something I shouldn't have...

"No, it's fine. I really don't mind it anymore," Ace said quickly when he realized I felt bad.

"...Are you sure?" I asked.

"Yeah," Ace nodded with a smile.

I see...

Ace doesn't even care about his amnesia anymore.

I feel like an idiot for always making a big deal about it.

"If that's the case then, we can just say that the color of your eyes is one of the seven great wonders of the world since it's a mystery!" I said energetically.