Hmmm, I'm nervous.

What are you talking about now? Pull yourself together.

'Yes!　Say the word for me. 'This is my girl!　Don't touch it! Hand me down.

You want me to say that?

I'm still embarrassed.

　We were being rocked by the carriage while talking about such trivial things. The reason is to meet the second prince of the Ciria Kingdom who arrived at the royal palace the day before yesterday.

　The person riding in the carriage right now is Aeris, who is my closest relation to him. And since she is the princess of this country and is related to Aeris, Alexia has arrived.

　Everyone else wanted to go as well, but there was no way to go with such a large group of people, so they refrained from doing so.

　Ferris and Caro, even though they were princesses, had nothing to do with this time, and Helen couldn't come this time either, since only royalty and officials would be gathered there. Not to mention Pricia and the others.

　Eileen-sensei is going to be picked up from the royal palace at the Lanwalker family's residence, so she's going to get on that. So we are supposed to meet at the royal palace.

"Come to think of it, I don't know anything about the prince of the Ciria kingdom. Do you know Alexia?

I don't have much contact with him, and I don't know much about him, but he'll be twenty years old this year, and he'll be assisting his brother on the throne as captain of the army in the kingdom of Ciria.

So you're pretty strong then?

Yes, I've heard that he has one of the Eight Magic Weapons from the Kingdom of Ciria.

　The Eight Demons?　What's that? Is it some kind of legendary weapon?　I'm a little curious, but I'm not going to duel with the prince, so I guess I'll never know.

　As I'm swinging in the carriage while asking Alexia a lot of other things about the Kingdom of Ciria, the carriage stops and a door is opened from the outside. It looks like we arrived before I knew it.

''We've been waiting for you. Ray-sama, Alexia-sama and Aeris-sama.

　Oh, this is an attendant who often accompanies the king. He was probably sent by the king to meet you.

"Oh, speaking of which, has Miss Eileen arrived already?

'Yes, Master Eileen arrived just now, sir, and she's here to see you.

　Well, that's good. Well, that's good. With that in mind, we follow the attendant's guide. As we walked through the palace, we were bowed to by passing attendants, soldiers and clerical-looking people.

　At first I thought they were bowing to Alexia, but it seems that they are bowing to me as well as Alexia. Is it because I'm a customer?　I asked Alexia about it and she gave me the most dismayed look I've ever seen. It's a bit of a shock when a beautiful woman does that to you.

'What are you talking about? I'm doing this to you because you're the hero of this country by becoming my fiancée. This royal palace, so to speak, is your home, too.　How could I not bow to that person?

　That's what I'd say. After it was announced, I just went to report on Haku and he didn't come at all. I was thinking about what to say then, and I had no time for that.

　As I walked through the royal palace with that in mind, the attendant stopped. This is the political office, which is familiar to me every time. Externally, I use the throne room, but I use it for important matters.

'His Majesty is waiting for you inside.

I understand. Thank you.

　Then I knock on the door. Then Mr. Gain appears from inside.

''We've been expecting you, Lady Ray, Lady Alexia, and Lady Aeris. His Majesty is waiting for you. Come inside.

　...What?　There's something different about the way Mr. Gains has been responding to the situation. Is this also because he officially announced his engagement to Alexia?　When I turn around, Aeris looks a lot like me, and Alexia is smiling bitterly.

'Well, I know what you mean Ray, but let's go into the room first. Your father is waiting for you.

　We were urged to enter the room. Inside, His Majesty, the Prime Minister, and Dr. Eileen were seated.

It's good to see you, Ray. It's Aeris. Is Alexia having a good time at Ray's house?

Yes, we're all in this together and it makes every day better.

　That's what Alexia smiles at. I'm glad to hear that too.

''It's been a long time, Your Majesty Raymond. Thank you for making a place for us today.''

What? No, don't worry about it. Don't worry about it. I'll help you as much as I can.

　The king smiles as he says so. The Prime Minister is nodding yes and nodding. Come to think of it, I was invited to a party at the prime minister's house at the end of the year. You were asked to attend the party with Helen. I also had to attend the party at the palace. I've been busy.

　You know, I've been thinking about such unimportant things right now.

'Now that we're all here, I'd like to show the Prince of the Kingdom of Ciria here, if that's okay with you?

　The king said. We all nodded at his words. A prince of the Kingdom of Ciria, huh? What kind of person is he? It would be nice if we could end up discussing it, but he is so far away that he came all the way to Nanor in person. Maybe he'll ask for something else.

　A few minutes of waiting like that.

''Your Majesty, Prince Mistgardt is here.

　And an attendant knocked and came in. 'It's not the same guy from earlier.

'All right. Let him in.

　And the one who came in was a beautiful sturdy man, about 180 in height, with dark blue hair pulled back in a single bun and skin burned sallow black.

　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇.

Ravert Lanwalker?

'Yes, sir. He is engaged to a princess of Nanor, Warbestos and Arcadia, the most famous person in the land at the moment. The frontier lord Lanwalker himself is unable to be here at this time due to preparations for war with the Regalian Empire, so he is acting in his stead.

Yes, I see. I'm sure the Beast King would agree. He must be very good at his job. Your brother, who had never heard of martial arts, was the one who refused to marry the princess.

Hey, little man. I am in the presence of King Nanor's personal attendant. They're ready for you.

'I see. Would you be offended if I told you the real reason?

'Of course. I don't care how many lives are at stake, I'd rather die trying to duck a woman's engagement.

''........I wish you would stop that tongue-in-cheek talk, it's quite painful. But it's no use. I'll be prepared to go.

　I'm looking forward to seeing if I can achieve my real goal this time.