"Sorry I'm late, Eve." Alex walked into the waiting room, wearing a perfectly tailored white suit with a golden tie the color of her hair as well as a silver handkerchief the color of her eyes.
Evelyn froze. Then her vision blurred a bit as she processed what Alex had done. What he was stating by choosing those colors. "Alex..."
Alex walked over and wrapped his left arm around Evelyn's right. Then he said, "It seems our hearts are aligned. Wearing each other's colors like this." He smiled and idly traced the emerald thread highlighting Evelyn's dress, as well as the light brown stars hidden at the corners. Faint enough that you would have to be close enough to see them.
Evelyn leaned against Alex's arm and murmured, "...That's not fair. Attacking my heart like this when I'm already..."
"Shh." Alex hushed Evelyn and gently kissed her lips. "It'll be alright."
"But-"
"Announcing Evelyn vi Eternia and her escort!"
Evelyn froze.
She had planned it, yes. She had chosen it, yes. She had wanted to walk in with Alex wearing his colors and declaring her intentions to be his.
But she hadn't expected him to wear her colors in return.
Something like this...
Evelyn looked at Alex and hurriedly whispered, "If we walk in like this, you'll make an enemy of every noble in the empire."
"So be it." Without an inkling of doubt or hesitation, Alex took a step forward, holding Evelyn close. "I already decided."
Evelyn walked beside Alex and looked at him. "Decided what?"
"Tonight..." Alex chuckled, letting out a carefree smile that contrasted with his fiercely determined gaze. "...Even if death tries to claim you, the world will burn to ash before I let you go."
Evelyn's breath hitched. Then she leaned against Alex and murmured, "You stupid, reckless, lovesick fool. I will be the death of you."
It wasn't just a saying. It wasn't a joke either.
For a commoner, a mere student at Starlight Academy... For one like that to lay claim on the Imperial Princess, the one that countless nobles and factions were vying to put on the throne as the Empress...
Evelyn closed her eyes and murmured, "I don't want you to throw your life away for me, Alex."
She could feel it.
One way or another, her life was coming to an end tonight.
Her brother was here, and he had already determined himself to end her and clear the path to the throne.
Even if Alex performed a miracle and resolved whatever malady was afflicting Evelyn...
She knew her older brother. While he preferred to keep his hands clean, if push came to shove, if he had resolved himself... he wasn't above taking overt action.
So-
A soft and carefree laugh.
Evelyn blinked and looked up. "Alex...?"
"I told you, Eve." Alex looked into her eyes. "Tonight... if anyone wants to take you away from me, they must be resolved to have the world burn to ash. I've been holding back until now. I won't anymore." He reached up and placed a hand on her cheek. "You are mine. I am yours. You chose me, and I choose you. However this night ends, we'll set off together."
"Idiot." Evelyn leaned against Alex's side as they walked forward. "...I don't have anything to lose. No one will really care if I disappear. You still have a younger sister to find. You can't just throw everything away for-"
"I can. I will." Alex's voice cut through Evelyn's words, firm and decisive. "And I'll care. I already caused your death before, I won't again."
Evelyn froze. "What?"
Alex... already caused her death?
Alex froze too, clearly realizing he said something he didn't intend to.
Gears spun in Evelyn's head. Pieces of information she didn't realize, oddities that she'd noted about Alex but never connected until now.
Knowledge about magic far beyond the current era. Extensive experience that could not have been gained in a few scant years. Bone-deep hatred towards Gates and monsters. Not only that, but the casual familiarity he had with herself, Roland, and Marisa...
Familiarity that could only have been gained through years knowing them all.
Evelyn's eyes widened. Her silver eyes stared into Alex's emerald ones and she said, "Alex. Are you-?"
'A time traveler?'
Evelyn bit the words back.
If they were true, saying it when she didn't know who was listening was a fatal mistake.
Even if they weren't, Alex had done enough that someone could mistake him as one.
And if anyone thought that Alex had returned from the future... if the forbidden magical feat of traversing the river of time itself was thought possible...
Alex gently placed a finger over Evelyn's lips, a mix of emotions crossing his face. After a moment though, he let out a sad smile and said, "Tomorrow. I'll explain everything about who I am. I swear."
Tomorrow.
Something that could possibly never come for Evelyn.
A vow that required miracle upon miracle to fulfill.
"...You are a bad man." Evelyn let out a helpless laugh and then composed herself. "Fine. Tomorrow." She tightened her grip around Alex's arm and said, "But I swear to any deity that might be listening, if I perish before then, I will return as a vengeful wraith to plague you until your last breath."
Alex laughed and said, "I'm counting on it."
Evelyn paused.
That... hadn't been a casual response.
"...Alex? Just what are you planning-?"
"Come on, Love. It's showtime." Alex winked and then walked her through the entrance into the main hall.
Evelyn clicked her tongue, but she composed herself and walked through. But just before they crossed the threshold, she deliberately let go of Alex's left arm and walked around to his right side. Once there, she wrapped her arms around his right arm.
Alex's eyes widened. "Eve-"
"If you're going to take responsibility for my death, do it properly, you terrible man." Evelyn looked up at Alex, her eyes soft. "...I don't know how or why. But if I am fated to die tonight, let it be as yours."
Alex's breath hitched. But then fierce determination filled his eyes and he pulled Evelyn close. "Fine. Then..." He grinned. "If we're doing this, let's go all the way."
"Go all the-?"
Before Evelyn could finish, Alex swooped her up in a bridal carry.
"A-Alex?!"
Without a word in response, without a care in the world, and without a shred of hesitation, Alex walked across the threshold, holding Evelyn in his arms like she was his bride.
Evelyn felt her face burning. And it burned even hotter when she saw the reactions.
The student who had announced their entrance visibly paled.
Evelyn's brother, Crown Prince Maximilian. Mid-sentence in discussion with his date, he froze and reflexively crushed his glass of wine.
Headmistress Lux's eyes widened enough to show the whites inside them.
Professor Elio, Evelyn's uncle... he visibly facepalmed and appeared to be muttering prayers under his breath.
And as for the other guests... the students, their families, and visiting nobles who weren't important enough to be announced, but important enough to be admitted to the hall in the guest area...
"NO FUCKING WAY."
"ALEXANDER SMITH YOU LEGENDARY FOOL AMONG MEN!"
"Is that commoner ACTUALLY carrying the Imperial Princess in like his bride?!"
"Why is Lady Evelyn blushing like a bride?!"
"This cannot be! This MUST not be!"
...An uproar would be an understatement.