Ch. 2: Fiancee of Lies
Byakuyo: "Father, I plan to marry this girl."
Byakuyo and I, married!?
At Byakuyo's words, everyone gathered there began to stir in surprise.
Only Byakuyo stood there still smiling calmly.
King: "What is the meaning of this Byakuyo!? Wh-who on earth is that girl…"
Byakuyo: "Oh my, she's not just a simple girl. She is a full-fledged princess of a certain country. Of course, which country that would be is a secret. She doesn't want her lineage to spread to other countries…right?"
With a mischievous smile, Byakuyo seductively stroked my cheek.
I looked at Byakuyo, my heart pounding with confusion and nervousness, and my gaze locked with his large eyes.
OO: "U-um, Byakuyo."
Byakuyo: "Hm~ it's alright. You have nothing to worry about."
He whispered so that only I could hear, then winked at me.
This is what he meant when he wanted me to come with him I guess?
King: "So you have someone like that in mind…"
Byakuyo: "As you can see, the two of us are very much in love."
[CHOICE]
-
Match his words (SUN)
-
Deny it (MOON)
King: "B-but Byakuyo. You have a formal marriage interview with Princess Kazuki of the neighboring kingdom tomorrow.
Princess Kazuki? A marriage interview!?
Byakuyo: "But you see Father… there's nothing to be done about it, since I've fallen in love. Right?"
King: "You say that but…-"
Byakuyo: "Let us end this discussion Father. Come now OO. You've only just arrived so you must be treated hospitably. Please excuse us Father."
Everyone was still in a commotion as Byakuyo, still with his arm around my shoulder, left the room with an elegant gait.
OO: "Byakuyo, wh-what is going on?"
Byakuyo: "Just what you heard. I would like you to be my fiancée starting today. You'll help me out right?"
Byakuyo closely examined my expression, his cheek just a hair's breadth from mine.
Byakuyo: "I'm actually in a bit of a pinch right now."
OO: "You mean the marriage interview?"
Byakuyo: "Precisely! I'm an only child, so everyone's worried that I haven't found a lover. But you see, what I love is being beautiful, and cute girls like you."
He softly stroked my cheek, and the sweet smell of plums once again filled my nose.
My heart is pounding…
Byakuyo: "Dressing up all fashionable together is great, but socializing and marriage isn't really my style… My father couldn't stand to just watch me like that, and he went off and set up this marriage interview. So I wanted to set a pretense with you as my fiancée. Give them the impression that we're toootally in love!"
He smiled like a flower suddenly coming into bloom.
It really was like a large, beautiful flower blooming there in front of me.
Byakuyo: "You don't mind do you? I figured I could trust you with this."
OO: "But when you say you want me to pretend to be your fiancée, what do you want me to do…?"
Byakuyo: "Isn't it obvious? If I say I'll cooperate with sitting in on the marriage interview, there's just one thing I want you to do."
OO: "Eh?"
He looked at me with those beautiful eyes as he smiled, clearly scheming something.
OO: "Y-yes."
I thought to simply agree with what he was saying, so I spoke with earnestness even though my heart was trembling.
Byakuyo put his arm around my shoulder and gently adjusted a strand of my hair.
OO: "Th-that's not…-"
I spoke up without thinking, and Byakuyo covered my mouth.
Byakuyo: "OO. I said to work with me on this alright?"