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
When I crossed my arms and rejected her with every fiber of my being, Aisia just gave me a refreshing smile.
“Haha, I knew you’d say that.”
“Then don’t make the suggestion.”
“I just thought it might work out.”
She tilted her head slightly, and her blue eyes shimmered with a hint of disappointment. When she looks at me like that, it just makes me feel even more guilty, so I wish she’d stop—but if I actually said that, it’d probably just make things awkward, so I keep my mouth shut.
“Actually, why the student council?”
It was just a simple question, but once again, Iris and Aisia gave me that ‘Oh, come on’ look. What’s with that? Are you saying I’m that clueless?
Aisia laughed awkwardly and tapped her cheek with her index finger.
“I’m the student council president.”
“Seriously?”
“Even I know that.”
I feel like they’re treating me like I have no common sense.
But isn’t that understandable?
I never intended to enroll in this school, and I still have zero interest in it. If I’m not interested, I don’t feel like looking things up, so the fact that I know nothing is about as unsurprising as an apple falling to the ground.
“The fact that students don’t know what the Student Council does is a failure on my part as Student Council President. I’ll work even harder from now on so you’ll remember me.”
“Stop it… It’s my fault, so why are you saying things like that?”
I’m going to feel guilty.
“Hehe, I just can’t help myself when I see that look on your face.”
So you did that on purpose?
What am I supposed to do with this smoldering sense of guilt? Anyway, what kind of face am I even making? Just as I thought that and reached to touch my face, Iris—who had pulled her chair closer for some reason before I could even lift my hand—grabbed my sleeve firmly.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
That’s not the voice of ‘nothing.’ It’s the opposite.
What is she trying to say with those pouting lips? Since I can’t read minds, there’s no way for me to know; I can only tell from her obvious attitude that she’s in a bad mood.
“That’s nice.”
“What is?”
“That kind of thing.”
What kind of thing? She’s just telling me she’s in a bad mood without saying a word, and I’m getting a headache wondering if I’m supposed to cheer her up or something?
“It’s a shame about the Student Council, but you’ll have to join something.”
“…I don’t want to hear it.”
“A faction, I suppose.”
I told you I didn’t want to hear it.
“A club would be fine, too. Joining something is… well, not exactly a school rule, but it’s become an unspoken custom.”
“I hate that kind of thing.”
“Me too.”
Iris agreed with me.
I thought I’d won this round, but Aisia didn’t seem ready to give up on persuading me.
“It’s not an absolute rule, but if you want to avoid trouble, you should join something. For nobles, public image and face are more important than anything else. Even though this is just a small, sheltered world within the academy, there are plenty of people who’ll make a fuss if they think you’re taking it lightly.”
Aisia’s blue eyes turned to the person next to me.
“You stood out quite a bit during the entrance ceremony. No one has said anything directly to you guys yet, but you never know what people are thinking. If you don’t want to cause a stir, it’s important to go along with things within reasonable limits.”
“……I get what you’re saying, but—”
That’s exactly why obeying her is so infuriating. Even if going along with her leads to peace. I’m still at that age where I can’t seem to grow out of my rebellious phase.
…If only I could just reject what I dislike like a child and have her forgive me with a sigh of “Oh, well.”
Glancing up at Aisia, I saw an apologetic look on her face, as if she were saying, “I’m sorry?”
It’s probably partly because she knows me, but the fact that the student council president went out of her way to come here must mean something.
A warning, a caution.
Even if it doesn’t reach us, gossip is probably already swirling around her. If Aisia came here to quell that, it wouldn’t be right to just brush it off.
“It’s more about Iris than me, isn’t it?”
“I know, but… I don’t want to.”
I figured. I get it.
I don’t think either Iris or I could ever fit into the existing cliques.
“It’s just… well, you know. Can’t you even do that ‘ohoho’ laugh?”
“Yes, ohoho—”
“Ah… you can’t do it.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
Even Aisia agreed, and Iris sulked, pressing her cheek flat against the table.
It’s not that she can’t act like a princess. In fact, she used to do it for her mother and such. I won’t say it out loud, but acting like that all the time is a stretch, and I also wonder, “Is it really necessary to go to school just to do that?”
That said, going around crushing every single person who picks a fight with us is a hassle.
I mimic Iris and plop my face down on the table, then ask Aisia.
“Don’t you have anything? Like… a hassle-free, easy solution?”
“That’s why I recruited you for the Student Council, isn’t it?”
“I don’t want to work.”
“Words of wisdom.”
It’s just the height of laziness, isn’t it?
Hmm, I pretended to think while purring softly, and maybe feeling sorry for me, Aisia offered a modest suggestion: “Well, there is something, actually.” Yay.
“So, what is it?”
“It’s a bit indecent, so maybe we should sit up first?”
“Okay.”
I sit up with a snap.
But Iris next to me keeps her cheek pressed against mine, reaching out to play with my sash. Well, how indecent of a princess. I think to myself, ignoring my own behavior, but as long as she’s behaving herself, it’s fine.
Aisia, watching the scene with a wry smile, spoke up.
“It’s no big deal. It’s the simplest solution—anyone could think of it, but not everyone can pull it off.”
“Aren’t you going to get told your preamble is too long?”
“I just was.”
Iris chuckled merrily.
“You should just form a faction—the two of you.”
I almost let out a “Whoa.”
First, the honest thought “This is such a hassle” rose to the surface of my mind. Next, I wondered if that was really the best solution. I wouldn’t have to do what the other students do—maintaining connections and saving face for the sake of my family.
If it’s just about protecting myself, it’s probably a good method.
“The leader of a faction needs a certain level of status to avoid unnecessary interference, but I’m sure Lady Iris will be fine.”
“Well, technically, I guess? I mean, she is a princess.”
“Why did you just assume that?”
Because the girl with her face plastered against the table, looking so listless, doesn’t look like a princess at all. When I nudged her forehead, she grumbled, “Stop it,” but didn’t even try to sit up.
She’s definitely not a princess.
I ask Aisia with my eyes, “Are you really okay with this?” but she just gives a wry smile. Say something.
“It’s a hassle, but I guess we have no choice.”
“I think there are benefits for Lucian and the others, too.”
“Like what?”
“We’ll be able to rent the salon.”
“You wanted that, didn’t you?” Aisia said smugly.
I stood up, reached out, and squeezed her hand tightly. Her hand was smaller and more delicate than I’d imagined, and it was cold. Aisia’s eyes turned into round balls of ice.
“Just like my best friend. You get it.”
“……Um, well, thank you?”
With her cheeks flushed and looking bashful, Aisia was just a cute girl.