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
I had parted ways with Iris and was being welcomed by Lilium san.
โWould you like some tea?โ
โOf course.โ
Iโd be happy to have wine, but getting drunk in a brothel seems a bit unwise. Since Iris brought me here, Iโm sure that wouldnโt happen, but Iโve heard plenty of bad rumors about brothels. Stories of women being plied with alcohol and then stripped of everything they own.
I should at least keep some sense about me.
As if she knew exactly what I was thinking, Lilium san smiled and personally brewed the tea for me. Perhaps it was a high-quality blend, for the aroma wafting from the cup was delightful, and my tense body relaxed just a little.
โThereโs no need to be so wary. I have no intention of acting on Lady Irisโs concerns, you know?โ
โโฆโฆI think sheโs just being cautious around me.โ
When Lilium san volunteered to keep me company, Her Royal Highness the Princess twisted the corners of her eyes as far as they would go. Her face clearly said, โDonโt you dare lay a hand on he,โ and I could tell she had zero trust in me. How sad.
I bring the cup to my lips. It tastes more like the tea leaves than the sugar. Itโs sweet and smooth.
You donโt need to worry about that. I do have some self-restraint.
โYou donโt need to worry about that. I donโt have the means to buy a night at a high-class brothel.โ
โIt doesnโt matter to me.โ
Huh? Startled, I turned my head to see Lilium san smiling across the small table. She narrowed her violet eyes, which held a certain intensity, and traced her wet lower lip with a slender finger.
โSince youโre accompanying Lady Irisโฆ Itโll take some time, wonโt itโฆ so in the meantime, shall I keep you company?โ
Her demeanor shifted completely from the demure atmosphere of moments ago, revealing a seductive allure befitting a courtesan. A thick, oppressive atmosphere filled the room, so dense it felt as though even the air itself had grown stagnant.
Facing her inviting gaze, I closed my eyes and exhaled softly.
โโฆIโll pass.โ
Raising both hands in a gesture of surrender, I pleaded for mercy, but Lilium san shifted her demeanor once again and let out a refined โHehe.โ
โMy apologies. I was simply curious about what sort of man Lady Irisโs fiancรฉ might be. Iโm relieved to know heโs such a kind and sincere person.โ
โโฆAre you sayingโฆ you were testing me?โ
โIf youโd nodded in agreement, we would have continued in bed, wouldnโt we?โ
Her tone didnโt sound like she was joking, and I felt a twinge of disappointment. Iโm a man, after all. If a beauty like her invited me, even my iron will would waver. Itโd be as wobbly as a baby tooth about to fall out.
Or rather,
โYou knew, didnโt you? About the fiancรฉ?โ
โFrom a letter from Lady Irisโjust the basics, though.โ
Am I the only one who didnโt know?
Iris only ever says sheโs going to the brothel. Feeling like the odd one out, I let out a sigh.
โJust so you know, weโre not actually engaged, okay?โ
โBut the letter referred to you as fiancรฉ.โ
โโฆโฆRumors sure spread fast.โ
From His Majesty to my parents, and even to Irisโs friendsโฆ or at least people she knowsโthe word is steadily spreading. We havenโt made an official announcement, and we havenโt exchanged any formal documents.
So, while itโs true we arenโt engaged, everyone around us is treating me as if we are.
โDo you mind being treated like a fiancรฉ?โ
โโฆItโs not exactly that.โ
Maybe itโs because of her profession as a courtesan. I bite my lower lip, trying to resist the urge to open up in this atmosphere that makes me want to talk. I donโt like baring my soul.
I pop a piece of the fruit she offered into my mouth. A sweet, tart flavor spreads across my tongue.
โAre those two sisters?โ
โNo.โ
Lilium smiles and goes along with my blatant attempt to change the subject.
โThey arenโt related by blood. But they care for each other just like real sisters, donโt they?โ
โThey did give off that kind of vibe.โ
The young maidโs joy at seeing Iris was one thing, but Iris herself was also overflowing with happiness. Combined with the fact that they both had black hair and black eyes, they looked so much like sisters that I could almost believe they were related by blood.
Iโd been wondering why she was so eager to come to the brothel, but it seems she came to see her. Even if they arenโt related by blood, their relationship must be as close as sisters.
โBy the way, that girl isnโt a prostitute, you know?โ
โI didnโt ask.โ
I donโt even care.
Her beaming smile makes me feel like sheโs treating me like a child. Come to think of it, I did notice she had a big bust, but that doesnโt mean Iโm having any kind of perverted fantasies. No, really.
As I sipped my tea to calm my nerves, Lilium san glanced toward the entrance. โWhat?โ I thought, turning toward her, and she asked as if sheโd just remembered something.
โDid you know that in this country, people with black hair and eyes are shunned as unlucky?โ
โโฆโฆ?โ
What on earth is she talking about all of a sudden?
โWell, I suppose I do know that.โ
โUfufu, is that so?โ
Lilium said with a radiant smile.
โIf itโs you, Iโd be happy to keep you company, so please feel free to ask anytime.โ
โHoh?โ
โโฆโฆWhat are you so happy about?โ
I felt a sharp tap on the back of my head.
When I turned around to see who it was, it was Iris, looking down at me with her lips tightly pursed. For some reason, I felt like her face was slightly red. A cold?
As I dramatically clutched my headโwhich didnโt really hurt that muchโLilium chuckled softly and asked Iris a question.
โIs it all right now?โ
โโฆโฆItโs not, but I brought him here, so I donโt think itโs right to just leave Lucian alone, and I want to talk to Eliza properly too.โ
โIโll keep him company properly.โ
โโฆโฆโฆโฆNever mind.โ
The more Iris sulked, the more cheerful Lilium seemed to become. A young maid peeked her head through the open doorway and asked, โIs something wrong?โ She looked as cute as a squirrel, so I waved at her. She gave me a tiny wave back.
That was the most soothing moment of the day.
ใใโใโใโ
When we stepped outside, the sky was tinged with red.
Since it had gotten late, Lilium san thoughtfully arranged for us to take a carriage home. At first, Iโd planned to stop by the brothel and then tour the capital, but I ended up staying at the brothel so long that I ran out of time for the rest.
Not only did she treat me to sweets, but she even treated me to a full meal.
I know it sounds weird to ask what I was doing at a brothel, but if I had fun, thatโs all that matters.
โThanks for hanging out with me today.โ
โItโs not like Iโm hanging out with you.โ
โโฆโฆJust accept my thanks without complaining.โ
For some reason, Iris, who was sitting next to me, leaned in gently.
She rested her head on my shoulder.
โThe carriage jolted.โ
โOh, really?โ
โIs that so?โ
โI didnโt say it was a lie.โ
But she didnโt try to pull away.
Maybe it was because Iโd been playing with my little sister, but I must have used up more energy than usual. Pretending I was tired, I gazed out the window at the sunset sinking behind the shadow of the royal castle.
โHey.โ
โWhat?โ
โTouch my hair.โ
She made the same request she had made before.
I wondered why. Keeping that question in my heart, but seeing no reason to refuse, I touched her silky, delicate black hair. As I ran my fingers through it, Iris shifted and shook her shoulders, looking ticklish.
There was no conversation until we reached the mansion; only the sound of the carriage rolling over the cobblestones echoed. When we stopped, Iris, who hadnโt moved even with her head resting on my lap, made a soft, whimpering sound as her throat trembled.
โHey.โ
โWhat is it?โ
โCome to think of itโฆโ
โYeah.โ
โThe Queen wants to see you.โ
โWho?โ
โLucian.โ
โHuh.โ
The Queen wants to see me, huh.
I snorted and nodded deeply, as if to say, โI see.โ
I really, really, really donโt want to!