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
A luxurious white two-horse carriage.
Unlike ours, it was solidly built; the plush cushions gently cradled my buttocks, yet at the same time, they made me acutely aware of how uncomfortable the seat was.
Her Royal Highness, sitting across from me, looked composed—unlike me. Was she gazing at the scenery outside the carriage, or was she simply staring blankly into space?
Her vacant eyes gave no hint of her inner thoughts.
“Are you really coming to my place?”
“If not, I wouldn’t be riding with you, would I?”
“Well… that’s true.”
Having turned down her proposal of engagement, I felt a sense of guilt. I didn’t regret it, but that didn’t mean I was so carefree as to not be bothered by her presence.
To begin with, why on earth is she staying at my place?
It’s not unusual for nobles to stay at the mansion. There are plenty of guest rooms, and since they’re kept clean on a daily basis, we can handle it even on short notice.
That said, whether we can actually accommodate a princess is a whole different matter. The fact that I can’t read her intentions only stirs up more anxiety.
“That look like you’re thinking, ‘I feel bad for breaking off the engagement…’”
Did I hit the mark?
The princess, who had shifted her gaze to me through the window without me noticing, asked. She was smiling in a way that seemed to imply something, making it incredibly hard to answer.
“……Well, of course.”
“I like that honest side of you.”
“Are you complimenting me?”
“I don’t know.”
She laughed again.
She seems to be in a good mood, though. Even though I’d been rude, Her Highness the Princess was endlessly forgiving. Though maybe she just didn’t care.
“You don’t need to worry about it that much.”
Looking out the window again, Her Highness the Princess said.
“Anyway, I’ll make sure you can’t worry about such trivial things.”
The fact that she said “I’ll make sure” instead of “it’ll happen” was exquisitely terrifying.
◆ ◆ ◆
After a journey of several days, we arrived at the mansion and were first led to the reception room. Following the guidance of a familiar maid, we found my mother there; as soon as she saw Her Royal Highness, she stood up and bowed deeply.
“Thank you for coming all this way, Princess Iris. We wholeheartedly welcome your visit.”
“I am grateful that you accepted our sudden invitation.”
I was lost in thought, watching this aristocratic exchange, when a sharp gaze suddenly shot my way. She seemed to know the situation. This was what they meant by “my blood ran cold.” “Um, shall we sit down for now?” I suggested, trying to prompt her to take a seat.
As I sat down next to Her Royal Highness, a maid served us tea. I wanted to moisten my throat, parched from nervousness, but under my mother’s stern gaze, I couldn’t move a finger.
It’s frustrating to hear muffled giggles coming from beside me—I suppose my frozen, frozen-frog-stared-by-a-snake expression must be amusing.
When Her Royal Highness set down her cup, my mother furrowed her brow apologetically.
“I read the details in your letter. It seems my son was rude; I apologize for his discourtesy.”
“Please don’t worry about it. I was just being hasty.”
That’s true.
Besides, Her Highness the Princess is also at fault for trying to settle something as important as an engagement with just a letter saying, “I’ve decided on you, so please take care of me, fiancé.”
In other words, I’m not at fault.
Just as I convinced myself of that, a teaspoon flew at me. It hit my nose and hurt like hell. “Why?” I thought, but she smiled and said, “Oh, I’m sorry.”
“My hand slipped.”
“No way, you definitely did that on purpose, didn’t you? You aimed right for my nose, didn’t you?”
“Goodness! Are you suggesting that I deliberately threw a spoon at my foolish son, who rejected Her Highness the Princess’s proposal of engagement with a single ‘No’?”
“……What a coincidence!”
It couldn’t have been more sarcastic. At this point, it was almost refreshing. Sure, I was partly to blame, but throwing a spoon was a bit much, don’t you think?
As I rubbed the tip of my nose where she’d hit me, Her Royal Highness giggled.
“You two get along well, don’t you?”
“What else did it look like to you—other than a mother hurling a weapon at her son?”
“Oh, look, another one.”
Thwack—this time it hit my forehead. Why are there two of them? Usually, wouldn’t there just be one in the cup?
A maid came to collect the fallen spoons. Perhaps finding the whole sequence amusing, Her Highness the Princess covered her mouth and shook with laughter.
“So… I heard Her Royal Highness the Princess will be staying for a while.”
“Of course, that’s fine.”
When I asked sulkily, Mother nodded magnanimously.
“I don’t know what your plans are, but please feel free to stay at our home until Princess Iris is satisfied.”
“Thank you.”
Was that the end of the formalities?
It had taken an unusual amount of mental energy. I exhaled inwardly. I hoped nothing would go wrong during the princess’s stay, but I had a nasty feeling that probably wouldn’t be the case.
As if to prove it, Her Highness the Princess dropped a bombshell with a smile.
“I will do my best to have Lucian’s family accept me as his fiancée.”
The room froze.
Lately, winter seems to be arriving early all around me. In my head, her words echo: “Being rejected is different from giving up.”
My mother, who seemed to have had a hard time swallowing, finally moved and picked up her cup with awkward movements. With trembling hands, she managed to bring it to her lips and took a sip.
She composed herself and smiled brightly.
“I welcome you as his fiancée, Her Royal Highness Princess Iris.”
“Wait, wait, wait.”
It’s not a matter of accepting things too quickly or anything like that.
As if to say, “You’re such a troublesome child,” Mother placed a hand on her cheek.
“We’re in the presence of Her Royal Highness, you know? You mustn’t make such a commotion.”
“Why is that the only time you’re being reasonable…! But listen? I turned down the engagement proposal, so isn’t it wrong for Mother to say she’ll accept it?”
“Oh? It’s not wrong at all.”
With a beaming smile, Mother continued.
“This isn’t Lucian’s personal response; it’s the response of the Magnolia Viscount family. You have no right to object.”
“……I don’t?”
“Yes.”
What even is human rights?
“But, you know. Father is the head of the family.”
“He was lamenting in his letter that you’d refused.”
“Even so…”
I want to resist, but Mother doesn’t let her impenetrable smile falter.
Ah, this is hopeless.
Once she’s made up her mind, Mother won’t change it no matter what. Father often gets the better of him by her impenetrable smile, so someone like me stands no chance.
“Lucian, make sure to get along with Her Royal Highness the Princess. Understood?”
It was as if she were lecturing a child not to fight with their friends. I let out a long sigh and could do nothing but nod weakly.
◆ ◆ ◆
“That must be tough.”
“…You know what you’re doing, right?”
From the arranged marriage to now.
I’d been so busy—both mentally and physically—and caught up in one incident after another that my head was spinning. It had been ages since I’d felt at ease in my own room, and just as I thought I could finally rest—despite all the problems—Her Royal Highness the Princess showed up.
She looked around the room with interest, sat on the bed, and then sat down next to me.
I glared at her, as if to reprimand her for that.
“A lady shouldn’t be coming into a man’s room.”
“It’s fine since we’re engaged, right?”
“I haven’t approved of it, though.”
“Your mother did approve, didn’t she?”
She smiled defiantly.
Can you really call that “approval”? I can’t help but feel like they’ve abandoned me, telling me to deal with the mess I created myself.
What terrible parents. Though I guess I’m in no position to say that, since I was the one who rejected the engagement without thinking about the future.
I heard a soft thud next to me.
When I looked over, Her Royal Highness was lying on my bed. What is this person doing?
“You’re way too vulnerable.”
“…Are you going to make a move?”
That smile was seductive, and combined with her words, it almost seemed like an invitation.
I glanced at the dress that hugged her slender figure, then turned my back on her sharply. Then, a clear laugh echoed from behind me.
“You’re such a coward.”
“It’s not a matter of courage.”
“Maybe not.”
She agreed without hesitation.
She really isn’t the typical princess. That said, if you asked me if she’s like other noble ladies or commoner women, I’d say she’s different from them, too.
She didn’t fit into any mold; she was uniquely her own.
“Even if you say I’m not acting like myself, this is just how I am. I don’t really care if I walked into a guy’s room or not.”
“……Did it show?”
“Totally.”
I felt something roll over behind me and turned to see Her Royal Highness lying on her side, smiling softly.
“I like that about you.”
“Are you calling me an idiot?”
“I’ll just take that as you being honest.”
“That’s not a compliment.”
It was just a playful word game.
It started to feel silly to dwell on it, so I fell back onto the bed. I didn’t plan on sleeping, but I closed my eyes.
My private room, where I usually live. But as I was being tickled by a sweet scent I didn’t usually notice, Her Royal Highness let out a sleepy voice, almost like a purr, saying, “Hey.”
“What is it?”
“Touch my hair.”
“…………Isn’t that a bit sudden?”
“Not really.”
When I turned my head, a pair of black eyes were staring at me. Even living in the kingdom, it was a color I rarely saw. I’d never seen that lustrous black hair either.
I thought she was joking again, but her eyes looked strangely serious, and for a moment, I felt as if ripples were spreading out from them.
I reached out and touched the hair falling across her cheek, and as if to say it made her incredibly happy, Her Royal Highness let out a soft chuckle.
“For now, let’s just call it a provisional engagement.”