I Just Wanted to Call Off the Arranged Marriage With the PrincessโSomeone I Could Never Possibly Be a Match ForโBut for Some Reason, She Took a Liking to Me and Is Now Closing in on Me
โYouโre going to meet the Third Princess soon.โ
No sooner had I been summoned to the study in the mansion than my father suddenly started rambling. I shrugged my shoulders in exasperation and gave him a particularly gentle smile.
โYou are tired. Letโs call it a day, shall we? Come on?โ
โIโm not senile.โ
โYour gray hair has really increased.โ
โItโs silver.โ
A vein throbbed at my fatherโs temple.
I tried to change the subject and pretend I hadnโt asked, but if I pushed it any further, Iโd be in for a lecture that would last until dawn.
The sun had already set, and the room was lit by candlelight. I was feeling sleepy and wanted to wrap this up quickly.
โAnyway, youโre going. Itโs a done deal.โ
Was this an offer I couldnโt refuse? I didnโt know how Iโd ended up in this position, but the atmosphere didnโt feel like one where I could run away.
I guess I have no choice.
โFineโฆ but when?โ
โTomorrow at noon.โ
โWhy are you telling me this now?โ
Itโs nighttime, isnโt it?
There wasnโt even a dayโs notice left, and there was no way I could prepare myself mentally.
โYou had plenty of time, didnโt you? Why the night before? Wait, you didnโt just ride in on a fast horse, did you?โ
โI was notified over three months ago.โ
โSo why now?โ
It wasnโt that he didnโt have time to tell me. He only had time to tell me now. But why did it have to be at the very last minute?
โYou didnโt just keep it tucked away in your desk, did you?โ
โDonโt lump me in with you.โ
โI wouldnโt do something like that either.โ
โYouโd hate it, wouldnโt you?โ
I was at a loss for words.
โโฆWell, I suppose so.โ
โI donโt think youโd run away, but having to listen to complaints every day is a hassle. Thatโs why Iโm telling you now.โ
โIโm incredibly grateful that you understand me so well.โ
โBecause Iโm your father.โ
โThatโs sarcasm.โ
โWe get along well.โ
Ha ha haโฆ This is too much. Iโd love to see what his parents look like. But if I said that, heโd probably bring over my grandfatherโwhoโs the very picture of a stick-in-the-mudโso Iโm definitely not going to say it.
โใโใโ
Everything was all set for the arranged marriage meeting.
โDamn it, theyโve got everything prepared down to the last detail.โ
Iโd even bought a new formal suit, and the tightly cinched sash was making it hard to breathe. The venue for the meeting was a restaurant favored by the royal family.
As I stood in the waiting room, frowning at my reflection in the mirror, my father walked in. He gave me a once-over from head to toe and nodded in approval.
โYouโre being swallowed by the suit, but I suppose itโs passable.โ
โThank you very much for the kind wordsโ
โDonโt flatter meโitโs embarrassing.โ
How on earth am I supposed to make this father understand thatโs sarcasm? He must be planning to attend the meeting himself, because Father is also dressed in a full formal suit.
I thought about stepping on his foot, but he pulled it back so quickly I missed. His crisis-avoidance skills are top-notch.
โDonโt sulk like that. Todayโs matchmaking is just a formality anyway. No need to stress. Just answer politely and itโll be over.โ
Perhaps to get in the mood before the meeting, Father began drinking the wine that had been sitting on the table.
Does that mean he has no intention of paying attention to his whining son?
โโฆFine, whatever.โ
Itโs with a princess.
I canโt just go through the motions, but if I think of it as a mere formality, even if I donโt feel motivated, I can at least see it as my duty as a noble.
โThis is delicious.โ
โโฆโ
I snatched the glass from my father, who seemed to be genuinely enjoying himself, and gulped down the wine. It was infuriating that it actually tasted so good.
โใโใโ
When I arrived at the matchmaking room, the other party was already waiting. I was sure Iโd arrived well before the scheduled time, but I never imagined Iโd be keeping them waiting. Especially when the other party was a princess.
Isnโt this the worst possible first impression?
I glanced at my father, and he patted me on the shoulder as if to say he understood.
โIt seems Their Majesties are not here. In that case, itโs best to leave it to the young people today. Be sure not to be rude to Her Highness the Princess.โ
Hey, wait a minute.
Even though I glared at him to stop, Father just nodded and left the room. That damn old man. He just drank some wine and went home. And turning back at the entrance? Thatโs just the worst. I wish heโd choke to death on a wine cork.
Complaints kept popping into my head and vanishing.
But I couldnโt just keep cursing him in my heart forever. Left in the room were me and Her Royal Highness the Princess. And one of her maids.
Itโs a relief not to have the Emperor or Empress here, but being practically alone with the Princess is a bit much. In that case, Iโd have preferred even that drunken jerk of a father to have stayed. Besides, why is there only one attendant on the other side? Seriously, they shouldโve brought a whole entourage.
Putting on a smile while sighing deeply inside, I took a seat at the table where Her Highness the Princess was sitting.
โI apologize for being late. My name is Lucian of the Viscount Magnolia family. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Highness.โ
โYeah, nice to meet you.โ
โฆโฆThat was light.
It was so casual, it felt like a commonerโs greeting. Even though this is a private gathering, a matchmaking meeting is still a small social event. Since itโs one-on-one, any slip-ups stand out, and both good and bad impressions stick easily.
Iโve never spoken to a princess before, but is this what the royal family is like these days? Should I try to match her tone?
โNice to meet you, Your Highness.โ
โHa?โ
โโฆMy apologies.โ
The princess looked up and glared at me as if to say, โWhat on earth are you talking about?โ I guess so, right? Her deep black eyes, as if questioning my true intentions, were terrifying.
I kept her waiting, and now this blunder. Will I even make it home safely today?
I cautiously sat down in the chair and curled up into a ball.
Being stared at like that made me feel incredibly awkward. I couldnโt stand it. The hem of my shirt, which Iโd clenched in my nervous grip, was soaked with sweat.
โItโs such a beautiful day today.โ
โAh, just skip the pleasantries.โ
I thought, โWell, letโs at least start a conversation,โ and was about to utter a stock phrase when she cut me off sharply. Everythingโs been going wrong since a moment ago.
โThis arranged meeting today was forced upon us by His Majesty and the Queen, who decided it was about time the two started thinking about marriage. Iโve lost count of how many times this has happened, and honestly, I donโt even want to remember your name.โ
โIs that so?โ
I try to put on a brave face, but Iโve heard similar stories from my father. So, I assume this meeting will fall through too, and judging by her reaction, thatโs probably how itโll end.
She clearly has no interest.
โSo, itโs fine. Just be casual. You donโt have to speak so stiffly eitherโdo whatever you want. I wonโt get mad at you for being rude to a princess or anything.โ
โOh, really?โ
Thatโs a huge relief.
My neckโs been feeling tight for a while now, and this unnatural, polite way of speaking was unbearably stiff. If Iโve been given permission, then it should be fine.
I loosen my sash and unbutton a few of the buttons Iโd fastened.
โโฆโฆI said it was fine, but youโre the first person Iโve ever seen who actually lets their guard down.โ
โHuh? Was that a lie? Was it not okay?โ
She looked at me with wide, surprised eyes.
And I, in turn, was surprised by her reaction. I mean, I gave my permission, didnโt I? Thatโs why I stopped. So if it actually wasnโt okay, this is a trap, right?
My body started shaking uncontrollably. Just then, Her Highness the Princess burst out laughing.
โWhatโs that supposed to mean? Youโre weird.โ
โIโm gladโI got a compliment.โ
โFine, Iโll let you have that.โ
She leans her elbows on the table and laughs at me.
Sheโd been frowning the whole time since she came in, but she laughs in a surprisingly childlike way. It seems she doesnโt usually have a sour expression on her face.
โWant something to eat?โ
โWhat about you, Your Highness?โ
โSome fruit, I guess.โ
โIโll have the same.โ
โSure.โ
I raised my hand, and the maid standing by rang a bell. A waiter immediately appeared, took our order, and left.
I let out a small sigh.
At first, I was worried I might mess up since I was dealing with Her Royal Highness, but she turned out to be surprisingly easygoing, which was a relief. This could be some grand trap, and I might get called out later for being rude, but Iโll cross that bridge when I come to it.
Itโs my dadโs fault for leaving me behind.
โBy the way, do you know my name?โ
โโฆโฆSuu.โ
A breath escapes through the gap between my teeth.
Even I canโt believe it, but I really didnโt know. I figured it wouldnโt matter anyway, so I didnโt even bother reading her profile.
Even I think I shouldโve remembered the name of my own countryโs princess, but names of people I donโt interact with just vanish from my memory. Thatโs why I hate social events.
While the princess grins, clearly amused, Iโm drenched in cold sweat. It felt like Iโd been stabbed right when I let my guard down.
โโฆโฆโฆโฆIf I apologize, will you forgive me?โ
โNo way.โ
It seems I wonโt be forgiven.
Just as I was resigning myself to the fact that, no joke, Iโd have to make my father take responsibility for this, she let out a soft, bell-like chuckle and smiled sweetly.
โIris. Donโt forget me, Lucian.โ
โใโใโ
Whether I can say it went โsmoothlyโ depends on your point of view, but in any case, the arranged meeting with the princess concluded without any major issues.
Phew, what a relief, I thought, feeling a sense of relief wash over me, and within a few days, I had completely forgotten about it.
I remembered it when I was summoned by my father once again.
โWhat did you do?โ
โAre you talking about when I secretly drank your prized wine with my older brothers?โ
โDonโt mess with me!โ
Apparently, that wasnโt it.
Glancing at my father, who was frantically checking the shelves and shouting, โItโs really gone!โ I tried to think if there was anything else I might have done, but nothing came to mind.
Iโm sure I didnโt do anything that would get me scolded.
โโฆFor now, letโs put the wine aside.โ
โI only had one glass. My older brothers drank a lot.โ
โIโm not judging your guilt by how much you drank!โ
Heโs unusually worked up this morning.
He seems to be serious, but I really have no idea what heโs talking about. Hmm? Just as I tilt my head in confusion, a letter is handed to me.
โWhat is it?โ
โYouโll find out when you read it.โ
My sullen father clearly has no intention of explaining.
I look at the front of the envelope. I wonder whose family crest is on the broken wax seal. I feel like Iโve seen it somewhere beforeโฆ but I canโt quite place it.
Thinking Iโd understand once I saw the contents, I opened the letterโand what is this?
[Iโve decided on you, so please take care of me, fiancรฉ.]
Thatโs all.
Itโs so blunt I canโt make out the intention.
Wondering what on earth this was, I looked closely at the letter and found the senderโs signature.
โThird Princess Iris Nightbloom
I see, Her Highness the Princess.
Aha, an engagement. With whom? โฆWait, me?