Cold Attitude
"We did it! The witch's threat is finally gone for good."
At Forte’s triumphant words, I collapsed into a delicate, girlish sitting position, exhausted. Just as Forte reached out for a high five with Tenuto, Tenuto turned away, rejecting it coldly.
"Could you two leave? You’ve caused enough trouble by dragging me into this ridiculous fight. I almost died."
"I’m sorry for involving you in the battle, but you don’t have to be so harsh about it."
"This wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t meddled with the witch. She was just living peacefully, and you two barged in and destroyed her life. She must’ve thought you were the real menace."
Tenuto’s words hit hard. He was right. If we hadn’t gone to the witch’s mansion, none of this would have happened. What we did was bring chaos upon ourselves by approaching a suspicious place, and in the end, we just defended ourselves. But still, no matter how evil she was, we extinguished a life, a soul.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it. I thought we could’ve been friends, but whatever."
As Forte began to leave, the butler stepped in to stop him.
"Now, now, it’s late. Why don’t we let them stay the night, Master Tenuto? After all, this is a forest where the witch lived. It wouldn’t be surprising if other creatures showed up."
"Do what you want. But they’re gone by morning."
We were shown out of the room.
"Please don’t think too poorly of the young master. Despite how he appears, he’s a kind person," the butler said apologetically.
We were led to a large room with twin beds, the kind that married couples might use. Staying in such a room with Forte, while our bodies were still swapped... My heart wouldn’t stop racing.
I’ve figured it out. The reason her body glows.
Earlier, I lied, pretending to have color blindness. It was just a way to act like I hadn’t noticed the glowing.
The Cobalt Princess—a boy with a female body whose heart awakens to 100% maidenhood, glowing like a Christmas tree.
There’s no mistake. Those two are under a body-swapping curse. Forte is really Largo, and Largo is really Forte.
I’ve read about curses like this in academic papers. It’s said that if the swap is revealed, death will follow. If the swap lasts for a year, they’ll switch back. But if one gets pregnant, they’ll never return to their original body.
Though I’ve realized the truth about their situation, for some reason, they haven’t died. I can only assume one thing: I’m keeping up the act, pretending I haven’t noticed. The moment I reveal I know, they might be lost forever. So, I have no choice but to continue this charade.
I distanced myself from them earlier for a reason. I’m afraid I’m falling in love. With Largo, in Forte’s body.
The moment I pushed her down to protect her, I must admit, I became aroused. I even found myself sniffing her hair. I wanted to devour her right then and there.
I can’t get any closer to her. If I do, I’ll fall deeper in love. I’ll want to make her mine.
But I already have a fiancée, chosen by my parents. The engagement cannot be broken. If it were, my father would lose his noble status. I may be a man, but I’m nothing more than a tool to secure my family’s social standing through marriage.