26 Chapter 25
It was another day, and thus another round of anxiety and stress for Edward, as yet again, he was being forced to share a tea table with the crown prince, who once again came to his family's residence uninvited and without any prior announcement. But differently from yesterday… The prince had arrived at a horrible time for Edward because he had just returned from a routine inspection of the city, and the reason it was horrible was that Nanako would always be waiting for his return so that she could be the first one to greet him back.
In other words, there was no chance for Nanako to go hide somewhere else, and because it was the prince, she was forced to accompany him to serve him and Edward as the two "socialized."
However, just like the other time, no one was talking, Edward because he wanted to avoid doing anything that could be accused as lese-majeste, and Nanako because of the wariness she had towards the prince.
"Today's weather is quite nice, wouldn't you not agree, Nanako-san?"
"…"
"…"
At that cliched conversation opener, Nanako remained quiet, while Edward also remained quiet both because he felt like the prince would give him a death glare for getting in his way, also because he could feel his stomach acid acting and going in the wrong way from seeing Nanako ignore the prince's question.
"! Edward-sama, would you like some more tea"
"Ah… Yes, I'd love to…"
When Nanako spoke with Edward, it almost seemed like she had a tail happily wagging from side to side as she poured more tea into his teacup. However, after doing so, she didn't even bother asking the prince whether he wanted more tea or not, which was enough to cause him to give Edward a death glare.
"… … … W-Would you like some more tea, your highness?…"
"I would like some more yes"
Not wanting to feel his throat burning a second time, Edward was the one who spoke in Nanako's place, since she was too wary, and antagonistic, towards the prince, thanks in most part due to Lysette's influence. And when the prince begrudgingly accepted Edward's offer, Nanako went to pour more tea for Ludovic.
However, different from Edward in that she stood as close as possible to him in a way that wouldn't cause him trouble, for the prince, she kept as much distance as she could from him, but not all that much so that she wouldn't spill outside his teacup, and after doing so, she returned on standing close to Edward.
"…"
"…" <Lysette-sama, please save me…>
The prince remained quiet at seeing the person he was interested in, clearly showing affection to someone else, but his anger was openly visible to Edward, who for a second time in a row, begged for Lysette to come and save him from this situation. Luckily for him, his wishes were granted for a second time, again, as a familiar voice called to him.
"Edward-sama!"
"! Ah! Lysette-sama! What brings you here today?"
"I just wanted to spend more time with you. Ah, Your Highness Ludovic, may I know your purpose here today?"
When she spoke with Edward, Lysette's voice was bubbly and upbeat as she showed a bright smile, that immediately turned into a cold one, as she spoke with the prince in an emotionless, yet annoyed, tone.
"… I was just here on a passage, however, it appears that I need to take my leave now"
Knowing very well that he couldn't simply go against the Neville Ducal family without a good reason, the prince took an early decision to leave while Lysette was still in a good mood. The three watched the prince leave the premises, until he was completely out of sight, allowing for Edward to finally let his stress and anxiety go free as he loosened himself due to his relief.
"Edward-sama… I'm sorry for not coming earlier, I should've guessed that he would come again"
"Don't worry, Lysette-sama, I'm already happy that you came to help me"
"! Y-You're welcome… … …"
Lysette became a little flustered at Edward saying such a thing, then she looked at Nanako, who was making a somewhat worried expression as she looked at Edward, it was clear to both her and Lysette, that he had been on the edge whenever the prince was present.
And they both had an idea why he was like that, though what they thought was the main cause, was more of an addition to his actual reasons for being on the edge. Still, they both felt that they should do something to solve the prince's problem. And Lysette had an idea, that she felt rather embarrassed about.
"H-Hmm… E-Edward-sama, if you don't mind, I have a proposal to make to you"
"And that would be?"
"H-How about I start l-living h-here with you and Nanako-san… A-At least, until that guy stops coming here"
That was Lysette's idea, living together with Edward since she was keenly aware of the fact that the prince wouldn't try to take Nanako away from Edward if a direct member of one of the four ducal houses was present to keep him in check. And as a bonus, she would get to spend more time with Edward.
"… I don't see a problem with it, Lysette-sama"
"Really! Ah! I-I mean, thank you, Edward-sama"
Without any questioning, Edward accepted Lysette's proposal with a gentle yet tired smile.
"Haa… Now, if you two can excuse me, I need to go back to doing my tasks"
Having said that, Edward got up from the chair he was sitting on, but before he began walking away he first went towards Lysette and stood right in front of her, which caused her to blush a little, then when he suddenly hugged her in a tight embrace, Lysette's blush intensified as she was caught by surprise. While Nanako also showed surprise but with jealousy instead of bashfulness.
"… … … H-Hmm… E-Edward-sama? I-Isn't this eno- MNNPPHH!?"
"Yeah, Edward-sama! Lysette-sama already go- Wha!?"
Just like yesterday, Lysette was kissed by Edward without any prior warning, causing both her and Nanako to freeze. Though luckily for her, different from yesterday, this kiss was a short one, as Edward let her go after a few seconds… Only for him to look at Nanako, whose jealousy, immediately turned into flusters.
"W-Wait a-a m-minute, E-Edward-sama, I-I- MMMMNNN!?"
Nanako attempted to walk away, but due to how close she had gotten to Edward in her initial attempt to have him hug her as well, she was immediately hugged and kissed by him.
After hugging and kissing his two fiancées, Edward showed a much more refreshed and livelier expression, a stark contrast to their beet-red faces as they looked down in embarrassment. Then he gently held one of their hands, causing the two to look at him.
"Lysette-sama, Nanako. Thank you for always being here to help me. And I really, really love you two"
" "…" "
The two looked away as they couldn't endure the feelings they felt from hearing his words, and seeing the two do that, caused Edward to make a small smile before giving them a second kiss, but this time on their cheeks, which was more than to make their red faces become even redder. After doing so he finally walked away to do his usual routine of helping around the manor.
As for Lysette and Nanako, they both staggered towards the unoccupied chairs of the tea table and sat down as they began covering their faces with both hands. Even though Edward kissing them was becoming almost a routine thing, neither Lysette nor Nanako had gotten completely used to it, meaning that they always ended up like this whenever he did so, yet at the same time… They kept wanting to receive more kisses from him, but their embarrassment always kept them away from asking for such in most situations.
.
.
.
The next day
It was the morning of a new day, the birds were chirping, and there was currently a stare showdown at the Harding manor, between Lysette who was showing a smug atmosphere around her, and the crown prince, who was showing an annoyed atmosphere at her presence in front of him.
"Welcome, Your Highness Ludovic. May I know what is your purpose here today? After all, I have not heard of any appointment between you and Edward-sama for today"
"… I was just on a passage here today as well, however, why are you here this early in the morning, Lady Lysette?"
"Your Highness, as Edward-sama's fiancée it is well within my rights to visit and spend time with him whenever I want, and how I want to, and this includes living together with him under the same roof as a training for our future married life. So please do not misunderstand it, in the same way as you are doing… In trying to meddle in someone else's officially recognized relationship"
"…"
Once again, being reminded of the limitations that he had due to his position as the crown prince and heir to his father's throne, Ludovic had no other option than to take his leave before he began putting his, and by extension his father, position in jeopardy by making enemies with the Neville Family.
"…"
Lysette watched in silence the prince's image disappearing behind the closing door, and once he was out of her sight, she made guts pose in her mind at getting back at the prince for his rudeness towards her in all of their previous encounters, which helped improve her mood quite a bit after it was dampened by having to meet with him just now.
So having finished in scaring away the crown prince, and being in a good mood, Lysette left the entrance hall, to change away from her dress to a set of maid clothes that she had brought from her actual residence.
Sometime later
"*Humming*"
Right now Lysette was sweeping one of the manor's corridors as she hummed a tune, as for why she was doing so, it was because she refused to do nothing productive while Edward and Nanako had to do their usual routine around the estate, so at her insistence Lysette was given some small tasks to do.
"Ah! Lysette-sama"
"Hm?…! Edward-sama, how may I help you?"
"It's nothing, I just want to thank you for handling the prince earlier today"
"Fufu, it was nothing, in fact, I'm the one who's happy for being able to help you"
"I didn't do much for you having to this far for me, Lysette-sama"
"That's not true, Edward-sama. It's because of you that my days have been happier"
"… Ahaha, well, as long as you're happy with me, then I have nothing to worry about"
"Edward-sama, I hope you continue to make my days as bright as always"
"Of course, Lysette-sama, now if you excuse me… Ah! Before that…"
"?… MMNNN!?"
When Edward was about to go back on his way, he quickly turned around to face Lysette again, and then gently lifted her face, only to give her a surprise kiss followed by headpats on her silky golden hair.
"You're looking very cute as always, Lysette-sama"
"…"
After saying that, Edward finally began walking away, leaving behind a frozen Lysette with a red and surprised face with steam coming out of her head.
"…"
Nanako would shortly after receive the same treatment as Lysette and end up just like her as well.
.
.
.
A few weeks had passed since Lysette began living at the Harding manor as a measure to keep the crown prince away from Edward and Nanako, and to also spend more time with Edward. And so far… Her plan had been going well… Way too well…
The crown prince stopped from "passing by" the manor after being greeted by Lysette for a week, but instead of being in a good mood from not seeing his face, Lysette right now was making a regretful atmosphere as she covered her face with both hands as she sat down.
"…"
"…"
And not only that, she was also accompanied by Nanako who was making the same atmosphere and pose as her. Yet, Edward couldn't be seen anywhere, a very odd sight as the three would almost always be hanging together in their free time, which always ended with Edward flirting with the two.
"… Nanako-san…"
"… Yes, Lysette-sama?…"
"… Are you feeling the same towards Edward-sama as me?"
"… Yes…"
"I see…"
" "…" "
After that short exchange, the two returned to being silent, only for it to be broken again shortly after by Lysette finally having enough of her situation.
"I can't take it anymore! Every time Edward-sama passes by me, he always pulls me for a kiss! And now I can't stop thinking about it!"
"Every night, before we all go to sleep, he insists on giving me a good night kiss! And become unable to sleep because I keep wanting more!"
The two started… Complaining… Bragging?… Something in between that, about all the flirting Edward had been giving them every day, they both showed frustration in what he did, but at the same time…
"… Nee, Nanako-san? Should we ask Edward-sama to stop doing that… At least for a few weeks?"
"… … … Lysette-sama… I'll have to disagree… Because… Because… I don't want him to stop…"
"… M-Me too… I… I don't want to stop getting goodnight kisses… A-At least for now…"
"… Hm… Lysette-sama… Then how about we… Get Edward-sama another fiancée?"
"Huh? Why?"
"Well, because… That way he'll give her some attention, meaning that we can get a little bit more time to recover?"
"…"
Hearing Nanako's suggestion, which was close to her situation, of getting Edward a new engagement partner without his knowledge, Lysette began to ponder about it. After all, she preferred to not share Edward with anyone else, with Nanako being the exception due to her situation and personality, yet at the same time… Lysette could feel that she was reaching the limit of how much attention from Edward she could endure before she became uselessly attached to him… Although, she was already very attached to him
So after long minutes of thinking, Lysette finally decided on an answer.
"Although I would prefer not… … … We need to get another fiancée for Edward-sama… Or else, I'll become a useless person…"
"Yes, we need to find someone suitable for Edward-sama, before we become useless…"
With the two agreeing on finding a new fiancée for Edward, they would begin their search for one without getting Edward's suspicion, however little did they know that their work would solve itself rather quickly.
.
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In another city, near the coast, inside an inn.
"Nee… Kenichi-san, how much longer is going to take for Father to arrive here again?"
"About six weeks or so, the damage the ship he was on, took was a minor one, but annoying, to fix, so the one we used, will have to go to bring him here, therefore please endure for some more days, until our preparations are finished… Princess"
"Okay~… … … Haa I want to go sightseeing…"
The so-called princess, slouched herself on the open window as she looked towards the harbor, where a several ships could be seen coming and going from it. And as she did so, a sea breeze caused her long and curly white hair with many black streaks of hair to flutter on the wind alongside the black lace that held a part of her hair in a half-up hairdo.
