I Just Wanted to Call Off the Arranged Marriage With the Princess—Someone I Could Never Possibly Be a Match For—But for Some Reason, She Took a Liking to Me and Is Now Closing in on Me
I don’t think my impression of her as a gentle, married woman was far off the mark.
Her gentle, smiling expression lacked the solemn air that usually heightens the tension associated with a queen. Her casual outfit—a frilled blouse and black skirt—also felt far removed from the typical image of a queen.
Iris, in her dress, actually looked more like royalty.
“I’m so glad to meet you. Iris and her father told me all about you, and I’ve been looking forward to seeing your face.”
“That’s… an honor.”
“Hehe, you don’t need to be so nervous, you know?”
The Queen gently touched my cheek and spoke in a soft, gentle tone.
If only I could just say, “Oh, is that so?” and relax, but my mind isn’t built that simply. If I could just switch my mindset with a single thought, I wouldn’t have a single worry.
A maid served me some tea, and I sipped it to moisten my dry mouth. As it spread from my tongue to my throat, I felt as though the lump in my throat had been washed away a little.
Iris, sitting on the same sofa, was amused by my reaction. With a smirk—the exact opposite of the Queen’s—she watched me nervously from beside her, clearly finding it entertaining.
“That’s a rare expression.”
“Phew…”
I was about to say, “Relax,” but the Queen’s eyes were on me.
I washed the curse down the back of my throat with tea.
“…It’s a rarity you hardly ever see in the royal castle, isn’t it? Doesn’t it seem like a novelty to Her Highness the Princess, who’s been sheltered all her life?”
“You’re trying to put on a front, but your nasty personality is showing through.”
“Hahaha, I’m no match for Princess Iris.”
“Who’s the one with the bad personality?”
“I could never dare utter such a presumptuous thing.”
But honestly, Iris is mean for trying to draw out my true self right in front of the Queen—and my own mother. Even I, despite my “just a little” caveat, have a delicate sensibility that cares about public image and reputation.
I really wish she’d show a little more consideration.
I tried to convey that feeling with my eyes, as if to say, “Got it, Your Highness?” but she just snorted in derision. As I thought, I’m not exactly the type to go around badmouthing other people’s personalities.
“You two really are close, aren’t you?”
I’d gotten so caught up in the moment that my attention had drifted entirely to Iris. It’s not that I’d forgotten the Queen was there, but I’d let slip some of our usual banter—the kind I never meant to show her—and my cheeks burned.
I cleared my throat softly to cover it up, but Iris poked my thigh with a teasing look on her face, as if to say, “Gotcha!” Hahaha… Just you wait, I’ll definitely get you back later.
“I’ve never seen Iris-chan look this happy before.”
“…N-no, it’s nothing like that.”
With the spotlight suddenly shifting, it was Iris’s turn to panic.
Her dark eyes darted around as she fidgeted with her hands on her lap. She was the one teasing me, after all. When I tried to smile at her, she glared back as if to say, “Shut up.” Faced with that sharp glare, I shrank back dramatically, thinking, “Whoa, scary.”
“Iris-chan used to be alone a lot, so I’m glad you’ve made a friend.”
“Not a friend—a fiancé.”
“Oh? Is that so?”
Is she… playing dumb?
She turned her round, pale peach-colored eyes toward me as if hearing this for the first time. “So, what’s the deal?” the princess next to me asked with her eyes, but my answer hasn’t changed since the beginning.
“I’ve been told as much, but I am not her fiancé.”
“Iris chan, Lucian-kun is saying this, you know?”
“Kun”…
I’m 17, an adult, you know. Well, fine. It’s fine… but “kun”? It feels like a tickle, as if the nape of my neck were being stroked by a bird’s tail feathers.
“You’re just being shy.”
“I haven’t admitted it, so it’s not official.”
“Then let’s just call it that for now.”
Why does Iris keep trying to make me her fiancé? I shoot her a half-closed-eye glare as she casually fabricates this, but she won’t even meet my gaze.
“I see. Hehe, what matters most in situations like this is how you both feel. you shouldn’t rush into tying yourself down. Right, Iris-chan?”
“……It’s not like that.”
Iris, with her face downcast, says in a voice so soft it’s almost inaudible.
“Is that so?”
“That’s right.”
“Hee.”
When I tried to make a joke, she glared at me. Pretending not to notice, I spread thick cream on a pastry and took a bite. As you’d expect from something fit for royalty, it was soft and of excellent quality. Just as I was indulging my greed, thinking I should eat my fill while I had the chance, I was suddenly called “Lucian-kun” and choked slightly.
I coughed lightly, “Ahem,” and looked at Her Majesty the Queen through tear-blurred eyes.
“W-what is it?”
“Could we… talk for a moment, just the two of us?”
“Huh?”
Why just the two of us?
This isn’t… a joke, is it? I wiped my eyes with my thumb to clear my vision. The Queen was simply staring at me with the same gentle smile she’d had from the very beginning.
I didn’t sense any malice, ulterior motives, or schemes.
“Your Majesty, why—”
“Mother, isn’t it?”
“…mother.”
“Yes, very good.”
The Queen smiled happily.
“I have something I’d like to ask Lucian kun.”
“It’s okay for me to be here, right?”
“If you’re here, he won’t be able to speak honestly, will he?”
“…He can, right?”
“I have a secret or two of my own, you know?”
Please don’t frown like that. That’s not a look a princess should be making.
I don’t want to talk to the Queen alone either. If there’s any way to avoid it, that’d be best. But Iris and I just silently plead with each other to refuse, then pass the buck back and forth.
“It’s okay, Iris chan. I won’t steal the guy you love.”
“Do whatever you want.”
That seemed to be the final straw. Iris stood up, kicking the sofa as if in a huff. If she’d provoked me on purpose, she might be more scheming than her laid-back, carefree demeanor suggests.
Just when I thought she was going to walk out, Iris leaned in close from behind. She whispered in my ear, “Don’t do anything weird to the Queen,” and left.
I covered my ear, feeling ticklish. I wanted to shout, “Who would do that?” but with the Queen present, that was difficult. When I turned around, Iris was already at the entrance, sticking her tongue out and hurrying out.
Is she a child?
“You really do love Lucian kun, don’t you?”
“Love?”
It seems the Queen and I have very different standards.
I watched as the maid politely closed the door, then turned back to face forward. The Queen was still smiling. When I first saw that smile, I thought she seemed kind, and that impression hasn’t changed.
But what is she thinking?
Just as that question crossed my mind, I suddenly realized that her smile was actually a thick mask, concealing her true emotions. Well, she is the Queen, after all. There’s no way she’s really the gentle, demure married woman she appears to be.
So, what is this “talk” she wants to have with me?
The tension that had eased returned. Perhaps it showed on my face, because she gave me a wry smile and said, “Don’t be so nervous.”
“It’s nothing major. I just thought it would be difficult to say in front of Iris-chan.”
“Then… what kind of story is it?”
I leaned forward—maybe I was too eager.
I thought that, but I was genuinely curious, and I also found myself hoping this throat-tightening tension would end soon. As I waited for an answer, the Queen took a sip of her tea.
With a soft clink—the first sound the cup had made all day—the Queen’s smile grew slightly shallower.
“I’d like you to tell me the reason you’re breaking off your engagement to Iris Chan.”
It wasn’t an accusatory tone, nor was she reprimanding me.
Just looking at the soft, relaxed expression around her eyes, I could tell she was simply seeking clarification.
…I know that, but…
My stomach clenched as if I’d eaten something sour for breakfast.