Engagement

Hehe, I must've heard wrong. Hehe Haha, princesses are sure good at making jokes.

"Ara ara."

The queen said as she placed her hand over her mouth.

"I-I'm sorry, could you say that one more time Emilia?"

The king tilted his head, his face all shocked.

"I... I wish to marry Noctem."

The king asked again and Emilia repeated the same thing. The queen had her eyes wide opened and looked at her daughter. Even Grisha and Anastasia were surprised.

"May I ask why you proposed this?"

"Yes... well, he did save my life, that's one reason. Father, you've never talked with someone so openly before, you are always on guard. But when Noctem came along, you've looked happier than ever. It's the first time I've ever seen you and mother smile like that before. If he is able to do that, I want to live with this person. He is also the first person that I've ever thought of wanting to be with."

Fritz and Floura looked at each other, and then they nodded.

"If that's how you see it, then we won't stop you."

"Wait a minute!"

I jumped up from my chair and yelled out. Everyone shifted their attention towards me.

"Is there a problem?"

"Aren't we being a bit too impulsive here? I mean, we just met like two minutes ago and she suddenly declares that she wants to marry me?! Who knows, I could be a criminal?!"

"If you were acknowledged by Emilia then there is no mistake. She can tell whether or not you are a villain. It's the ability that she was born with."

Ability? Ability to tell if someone's a villain?

"Emilia possesses 'Mystic Eyes of True Intuition'. She has the ability to look past a person's true nature with just a glance. You could also call it intuition, but in Emilia's case, she has never been wrong."

Floura would explain. Fritz, Grisha, and Anastasia nodded in agreement. As Floura continued to explain, she was born with that power when she was born. It was also a result of her eyes, that's why they were pink, though I don't know how your eyes could become pink because of that result. I'd expect gray or silver. She was able to tell who the person that poisoned her was before she became bedridden, a useful ability I must say.

But back to the matter at hand.

"But how old is the princess anyway?"

"Hmm, she's 15 years old."

"15 years old... wait what?! But isn't that-?"

"Nope, all nobles can marry at the age of 15. Heh heh, though that rule didn't really apply to us. I was married to my husband when he was 13 and I was 16."

The king looked away in embarrassment. So... the queen is older than the king? Other worlds... they are so different.

Well crap, I don't have any reasons to back me up now. I think I've been led into a trap. There was a slight tug on my coat sleeve.

"D-do you not like me, Noctem?"

Princess Emilia glanced at me with such sad eyes. No, that's cheating! My heart, it won't stop pounding.

"O-of course not, it's just a bi-"

"Then there isn't any problem!"

Emilia broke in a bright smile. How can there be someone this cute? S-she rivals Aurora. M-maybe marrying isn't such a bad idea. Even her parents are alright with it. I mean, there isn't any problem right? But wait, there is! I'm only a commoner and I'm getting married to a princess?! I can already see how many people will be enraged by that, even the nobles!

"But you guys are royalty! Whilst I'm only a commoner! I'm sure a noble could suit her, or someone at your level!"

"Noctem."

The king's voice was suddenly sharp. He was glaring at me with scary eyes. I gulped and sat down.

"It does not matter who or what you are. You could be a Demi-human or a beastman-"

He glanced quickly at Anastasia, and she nodded.

"My great grandfather, Crest Von Regium, married a commoner. There was a backlash, but does love need a barrier? I don't think so."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Damn, they're making me look like the guilty one here. But if what he says is true, then there is no problem. That reminds me, this is kind of like what that goddess said. That I would have a love life with a princess, though I'm supposed to be the son of an aristocrat. But I guess that still happened.

"You got me there..."

"Hehe!"

Emilia had a warm smile. N-no more smiling, my heart will burst!

"Hoho, we should celebrate."

"Indeed we shall."

The king and queen said. Grisha and Anastasia nodded in agreement. Wait, celebrate? Isn't this speeding up a bit too quickly? All my chances of escaping from this thing are getting blocked. Must act fast.

"Aren't we going a bit too quickly? Maybe we can do the celebration on a later date!"

"...you are right."

The king placed his palm over his mouth and began to sink into his thoughts. Whew, this was going a bit too quickly. Having a celebration right as soon as I get confessed to is a bit hasty.

"Then your engagement party shall be next week!"

That's alright... wait what? Next week?!

"Is that alright with you?"

"Uhh... yeah."

If I resist again, I don't know if I'll even be able to leave this place. The royals began to chat happily while I was there with a dry smile.

How did this even happen? The king invited here me and then I suddenly the princess wants to marry me?

So this is what it feels like to be in your popular phase.

***

"""Care to explain?"""

At the front gates, the girls asked me in perfect sync. They were glaring daggers at me, sending chills down my spine. They were taking quick peeks at the girl clinging onto my left arm. Yes, the princess was hugging onto my arm, happily smiling.

"Noctem."

Luna was giving off a chilly and dark aura. Whoa girl, calm down.

"Care to explain how you got this country's princess to treat you like you're her consort?"

"Hehe, long story..."

After I explained to them what happened, their serious faces shifted.

"""You're getting married!!!"""

Again, in perfect sync. Yes, do I have to repeat that?

"And his engagement party is next week..."

I looked over at Kage, who was staring at the castle. Dude, can you at least say that while looking at me and not the building?

"Yeah, I am. It was decided a bit too quickly but it's next week."

"Hehe, I can't believe I'm getting engaged. I'm so excited, aren't you as well, darling?"

The princess gazed at me with dazzling eyes and a vivid smile. D-did she just call me darling?

"D-don't call me that, w-we haven't even gotten m-mar-marrie-"

I can't even say that word. I've never even thought about marriage. I've never liked marriages and to think I'd get my own! One of my cousins got married, and he got divorced after a year. His wife ran off with another man who was a playboy. Every time we meet up at thanksgiving, he's always there crying, and he'd always become fuddled after dinner. We do our best to comfort him, but he just never gets over her. Feels bad, I can hear him talking to me. His voice just echoing "good luck."

But... the princess is pretty cute. She doesn't look like she'll do what his wife did.

"Well then, guess I'll be back here in a week. Y-you can wait till that... right?"

"Of course, but darling."

"Yes?"

She leaned in closer and grabbed my collar. Then she kissed me on the lips.

"""""!!!!!"""""

Her grip on my right arm was getting tighter. Eventually, she let go. I then just stood there, frozen, trying to register what just happened.

"T-that was my first kiss..."

She giggled and she backed away. Her face was bright pink and I must've been the same. She turned around and sprinted towards the entrance of the castle. Then she turns around and yelled out.

"That seals the contract. Don't break it!"

Then she walked away, humming happily in the distance.

She's so bold...

As she disappeared behind the doors of the castle, I felt a tight grip on my shoulder.

"What form of enchantment did you perform on her?"

Aurora glared at me with cold eyes.

"Whoa Aurora, y-you aren't like this, c-calm down now! I-I did nothing to her! I swear!"

"You swear to the gods?"

Suddenly, Luna grabbed my coat collar and lifted me up. Oh god, she's strong. Oh no, she's beginning to choke me.

"Answer her question."

"Y-yes! I swear to the gods, I didn't do anything! C-can you let go, I-I can't breathe!"

Heading back to the Crossfield, the girls have been staring at me all the way there. I've noticed that Luna had bought new daggers and a light chest plate. Eve was carrying a bunch of bottles while Aurora had bought a new... necklace? Well, at least they bought better stuff than Kage. He bought bandages.

"Why do you need so many bandages?"

"... no reason..."

Kage muttered. He is mysterious... and weird. And while we were heading back, I was touching my lips while blushing.