5 The Engagement Announcement

After the performance that seemed to be fireworks in my world, the guests to the celebration game back in the main hall. The duke and duchess of Heathfield together with my father were standing together at a high place where all the people in the main hall could see.

"My dear guests…" The duke of Heathfield called the attention of the guests once again. "I still have another announcement to make. Can I call on my son once more and also the lady of the De Falon Ducal house."

I was surprised when the duke called out to me. I make my way towards where my father and the duke and duchess of Heathfield were standing. On my way, I saw the male protagonist with all his splendor waiting for me.

"Let me escort you, my lady." Vladford offered his hand and I accepted.

Vladford's hand was warm in a touch. I thought that after demonstrating his power, his hands would be hot. But to my surprise they were just warm. It was a warmth that gives comfort to one that touches.

"Are you nervous, my lady?" Vladford asked.

"Huh… oh, you mean now?" I was taken by surprise with his question. I was thinking how I look with all the eyes of the guests upon me and Vladford. "Well, I will be lying if I say I am not." Vladford smiled warmly with my reply.

"Then this time, I will be the one to give you encouragement, my lady." Vladford squeezed my hand gently. "I will stay by your side, for as long as you need me."

My heart skipped a beat with the male protagonist's word. I can feel my cheeks became hot.

When the male protagonist and I arrived where my father and his parents were standing, we turned around and looked at the guests.

'As I thought…' I thought to myself. 'All of them are really looking at us.' I can feel the heat on my cheeks travel to my neck.

"Dear guests, in addition to the joyful occasion tonight I also have an announcement to make." The duke of Heathfield said. "As you know, the House of Heathfield had been friends with the House of De Falco for generations. It was my late father's wish for our to houses to united in matrimony, and thus we have decided to marry our children. From here on, the lady of House De Falon, the beautiful lady Rosaline and my son and heir to the duchy of Heathfield, the young lord Vladford are engaged to be married!"

After the duke's announcement, the guests started to applause. The guests started to swarm around me and the male protagonists, giving us their well wishes.

"Congratulations, my lord and my lady."

"You two are a lovely pair."

"You are so lucky to have the young lord. He is the epitome of a gentleman and also a courageous knight."

The well wishes were all saying how lucky I was, as if I am the only one lucky and not the male protagonist having me as his fiancee.

'Well, Rosaline has yet to debut into the social world.' I thought. 'That is good knowing how she was back then.'

"Congratulations, my dear boy." I heard my father's voice. "I could not be happier knowing that you would be my son in law."

"Thank you, my lord De Falon." Vladford said respectfully.

"You can call me father in law if you wish to, hahaha." My father laughed so carefree. I can see how happy he was of my engagement to the male protagonist.

"Isn't it too early for that, my lord?" The duchess of Heathfield came with her husband the duke.

"Nonsense Cassandra…" The duke of Heathfield said. "You know how fond Duke Frankford is since Vlad was still a boy."

The duchess seemed a little irritated that her husband did not take her side.

"Well now, why don't you take lady Rosaline for a dance, Vlad." The duke of Heathfield said. "Now that the engagement has been announced, my lord De Falon and I have many things to to talk about your upcoming wedding."

"W-Wedding…?" I was surprised. "So soon?"

"Oh no, my sweet plum." Father replied. "This kind of things takes time, especially that ours are ducal houses."

"And you still have not made your debut in the capital of the Draconian Empire." The duke of Heathfield said. "After you have debuted, that is when we can decide the date of the wedding. Isn't that right, my lord Frankford."

"Hmm, that is correct." Father replied. "Now off you to go. And enjoy the evening."

My father pushed me and the male protagonist towards the dance floor. I was feeling rather awkward seeing people dancing around me.

"Well… may I have this dance, my lady?" Vladford asked while offering his hand.

"I will be glad to." I curtsied and took his hand.

I was fortunate that I still remember how to move gracefully. Rosaline was an astounding student and a fast learner. For a spoiled brat, she had talent. She was educated with etiquette since she was little and when she perfected the studies that were given to noble ladies, she got bored and wanted to learn the lessons given to male noble children. As her father was weak when it comes to her, she was given a tutor and was given studies in math, science and history. Her favorite was that of history, the tale of the old ones. The old ones are the people that came before us a long time ago. The topic about them fascinated Rosaline.

The male protagonist and I started dancing to the music. Our bodies swayed to the flow of many people.

"Is it not difficult to dance with me?" I asked. "You are a lot taller than I am." I said.

"Not at all." Vladford replied. "You are easy to dance with. Unlike someone I know of." He chuckled.

I thought of the female love interest Hilna when he said that someone.

"Is it lady Hilna?" I asked. "You two are very close I assume. You are childhood friends."

"Yes, we are." Vladford smiled genuinely. "Her father is one of my father's vassals, and thus we see each other often. She is more of a tomboy rather than a lady."

"Is that so?" I asked with a bit of curiosity.

"Yes, she loves playing with a sword." Vladford replied. "When I started to learn the sword, she whined to her father that she wants to learn as well. Even after her father told her that ladies do not hold swords, but she was not getting any of that. In the end her father was swayed, and we sparred with each other in my sword lessons ever since."

"I see." I said. I will be lying if I said I was not a bit jealous, but I am happy to see their love come to fruition one day.

The music was about to transition into another song when I felt my shoes biting on my feet.

'Damn this shoes." I thought to myself. 'Wherever you go, new shoes really are a pain.'

"Would you like to take a break?" Vladford asked. "We can get some fresh air from the garden nearby."

I nodded instantly. If I say that my feet are killing me, I meant it literally.

The male protagonist and I walked out of the french doors and it exited directly to the garden. The moon was high above us, and the air is rather chilly.

"Here, where this." Vladford took of his coat and place it on my shoulders.

I can feel his warmth on my back, and it was rather pleasant.

"How about you sit here." Vladford said. He ushered me on a cement railing.

I take a sit, happy that my feet were given a break from these new shoes I am wearing. Not long I felt hands pull out the shoes.

"W-What are you doing?" I was surprised with what the male protagonist just did.

"Isn't it painful?" Vladford asked.

"W-Well… yes." I replied. "But it is quite embarrassing that you… well, you know."

"Do not worry, I will not do anything necessary, if that is what you are worrying about." Vladford said with his cheeks turning red.

'Oh my GOSH!!!.' I screamed internally. 'My bias is blushing. This you won't see in the game.'

"I-I know you will never do anything… inappropriate." I chose my words carefully.

Not that I see my feet, they are quite red. Blisters are starting to form.

"Here, let me out some ointment." Vladford said. "I carry this with me everywhere just in case."

The male protagonist pulled a fancy looking bottle and opened it. It got some ointment and started to smear it onto my red feet. The ointment was cool to the touch, and it gave instant relief to my aching feet.

Once he was done, he put away the ointment once more and sat beside me.

"So, you take this everywhere you go?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Well, I am a knight by all means. Holding a sword can often lead to scratches and blistering." Vladford replied. "And this ointment is one that I know to be very effective."

"I believe you are right." I said. "The pain is starting to subside."

It went silent between us. I can feel that we are still awkward with one another. I have only met the male protagonist of the game I am playing, and I am here right now engaged to him.

'Well, it is not like the engagement would last.' I thought to myself. 'When the story of the game begins, our paths will separate. I need to at least preparations so that the ending that he sacrifices himself will not come to pass.'

"I hope…. I hope to know you more." Vladford said to break the silence. "I know that we do not know each other very well, and yet here we are engaged to each other. But I want to know of you more."

"Me too…" I replied instantly. "What I mean is, I also want to get to know you." I felt rather shy.

"I hope that you would stay in the duchy for a while." Vladford said. "So that I can take you for a tour around. I am sure you will love it here."

"That would be great." I replied. "But I need to ask my father for permission first."

I frowned internally, remembering that I am still a twelve year old kid that needs her father's permission to do anything.

"I will ask your father." Vladford said.

"What?" I was surprised.

"I will go with you and ask your father if you can stay a little longer." Vladford said. "I believe he would give you permission to stay. We are… engaged after all." He blushed with the word engagement that I found it very cute.

"Then let's ask him together." I replied and giggled.