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 really want to go to school, though.”
I showed my mother the enrollment form, which I’d received as if it were a love letter.
Sitting at the desk in place of my father, she didn’t even glance at the school enrollment form on the table; she just gave me a gentle smile.
“You’re going.”
“I don’t want to.”
“It’s a done deal.”
“……Veto power?”
“You don’t have one.”
What rights do I even have? If I were told I only had the right to live, even I would cry.
Breaking her unyielding smile, my mother let out a weary sigh.
“I won’t make a fuss about the engagement now. Neither His Majesty nor Princess Iris are concerned about the fact that you refused. …Just be aware that there was a problem with the way you refused.”
She really laid it on thick.
Even though it was a spur-of-the-moment decision, I’ve been deeply reflecting on it myself. That’s precisely why I think it’s an impossible situation—that Her Highness would follow me all the way to the mansion.
“However, regarding the academy, it is also a request from His Majesty. Princess Iris is actually of an age where she should be attending the academy, but I hear it was put on hold because she refused.”
“Ah… that sounds plausible.”
Even if it were His Majesty, she’d probably just say something like, “The academy? No way,” without batting an eye. To begin with, with that personality of hers, she’s not cut out for group living.
With her blunt attitude, she’d probably be disliked, especially by other girls. She’d definitely be unpopular with noble young ladies.
Just as I was nodding in agreement, she suddenly gave me a look of exasperation and said, “That’s not something you should be saying.”
Why? I’m more than sociable enough. I can even go to bars at night, you know.
“Setting aside Lucian’s twisted personality…”
“Even if it’s twisted, it’s still growing straight.”
“…Anyway, Princess Iris has stated that she would be willing to attend the academy if it were with you. Not only His Majesty, but the Queen is overjoyed as well. It wasn’t just a letter—an envoy came by this very morning and personally emphasized that it must happen.”
So that was the reason for the tea party in the salon. I suppose that makes sense, but I find it hard to accept that things are being decided right over my head like this.
When I voiced my dissatisfaction, I was told, “Then you’d better get up early,” in a tone just like my mother’s. Well, she is my mother.
Still, even if I had woken up before the messenger arrived, it’s doubtful this decision would have been overturned. I glared at the enrollment form as if it were my sworn enemy.
“But we did talk with Father before about whether I should go to the academy. He just said, ‘Since your two older brothers have already graduated, you’re all set,’ and that was the end of it, wasn’t it?”
“I don’t know about that.”
“It happened.”
I didn’t really want to go anyway, so I just shrugged it off with a “Fine, whatever,” but I never expected her to bring it up again now.
Ever since Iris arrived, my life has been changing at a dizzying pace. It’s all so intense that time seems to be flying by.
“What exactly am I, the third son, supposed to be learning at this point?”
“General education, reading, writing, history, horseback riding, dancing, and etiquette.”
“Am I really that much of a failure?”
I suppose I did have a private tutor at some point, but am I really that hopeless? Especially being told I need “general education” now—even for someone like me who isn’t exactly keen on studying, that stings a little.
“Reviewing is also studying. Above all, since this is a request from His Majesty, the state will cover all expenses—tuition, dorm fees, and everything else. You’re getting to attend and study for free at an academy in the capital that normally requires high tuition, so if you complain, you’ll be punished, won’t you?”
“…The reason Mother is pushing for this isn’t the tuition, is it?”
She smiled. She didn’t say a word.
……
“You haven’t… received a lump sum of money under the guise of a congratulatory gift or something, have you?”
“Apparently, my husband agrees as well.”
She’s just casually added another accomplice.
◆ ◆ ◆
“What kind of family do you want?”
In the morning, I was woken up by someone shaking my shoulder in my own bed. I have no intention of repeating that “lady” nonsense, but that doesn’t change the fact that I’m sleepy.
I let out a soft yawn and rubbed my sleepy eyes. Maybe my brain is still half-asleep, but I feel like Her Royal Highness said something strange just now. Probably just my imagination.
“Hey, what kind of family do you want?”
“……Am I the one who’s sleepy, or is Her Highness the Princess just talking nonsense? Which is it?”
“Iris.”
I thought she was confirming that I was the one who was sleepy, but apparently she was unhappy with the way I addressed her. Is the way you’re addressed really that important?
“Yeah, yeah, Iris-Iris.”
“So, what about the house?”
“Um… could you please stop pushing me so hard?”
Why are you so energetic first thing in the morning? You always look like you’re on the verge of collapse, so why are your eyes shining so brightly today of all days?
She leans her flawless face close to mine, as if to say, “Make up your mind already.” The visual and olfactory stimuli are too intense to handle first thing in the morning; I’m starting to feel dizzy.
I tap her forehead with a “smack” and push her away with a firm shove, pulling back from the forward-leaning Iris.
“So, what’s with the house? I’m not planning on becoming the lord of my own kingdom just yet. I’d rather keep living off my parents’ fortune for a while longer.”
“I’ll just pretend that was a sleepy-headed remark.”
It’s actually pretty serious, but since she gave me a blank stare, I kept quiet.
“You’ll need a place to live when you attend the academy in the capital, won’t you?”
“…Isn’t it a boarding school?”
I’d woken her up first thing in the morning, wondering what she was talking about, and it turned out to be about the academy.
“There are dorms, but commuting is fine too.”
“Then I’ll stay in the dorm.”
It’s a hassle enough just enrolling in the academy; I don’t even want to think about buying a house just for that. My father and mother wouldn’t approve either. Even if the government covers the cost of dorm living, I don’t think they’d cover the cost of buying a house.
When I said that, Iris pouted, looking annoyed.
“If that’s the case, we can’t live together, can we?”
“…Do we have to live together?”
“Are you half-asleep?”
“No, that’s what I should be asking you.”
I haven’t agreed to the engagement, and even if we were engaged, I’ve never heard of couples living together. It would be considered scandalous, not just among the nobility, but even among commoners.
Besides, why did she suddenly start bringing this up? Until yesterday, she hadn’t even hinted at it.
When I stared at her suspiciously, she covered her cheek and turned away, saying, “Eww, that’s embarrassing.” It sounded completely forced, and her cheeks were an unhealthy shade of pale.
I ignored her obvious reaction and kept staring. Then, looking embarrassed, she gently averted her gaze.
“…I sent a letter to His Majesty saying I hated living in the castle, and he told me to move into the dorms. When I said I really, really hated the dorms too, he said he’d buy a mansion in the capital if I lived with Lucian.”
“Am I your guardian?”
“Isn’t that pretty much the same thing?”
“Legally speaking, we’re still complete strangers, aren’t we?”
“Should I call the priest?”
I fell silent because it looked like she was going to force me into marriage.
So, in short, that’s it. She wants to be independent, so she wants a house of her own. Is that even allowed when we’re not married?
If it’s within the same capital, maybe it’s not entirely out of the question, but I have no idea why I’m getting dragged into this.
Could it be that the real reason she started talking about going to the academy was actually this?
“…Is that a no?”
“You’re cute.”
“I am doing that on purpose.”
She tilted her head and gave me that adorable look, and I almost fell for it right then and there. She quickly snapped back to a serious expression, so I managed to hold my ground. As you’d expect of a princess, she really is beautiful. It’s a bit of a problem.
“So, what do you say?”
“…Well, if it’s just looking…”
“Yay!”
such a pushover.