Chapter 3

The night of the wedding—meaning the first night as newlyweds.

I wish they had just left me alone, but Prince Alexis came to where I was lying on the bed.

After all, I’m supposed to be the princess who met the prince by fate, and if he were to ignore me on the first day, it would lead to strange rumors, which would be troublesome.

To be honest, this is the most awkward situation I could be in, but I can’t tell him to go back, so I reluctantly decide to make some tea for him.

"Here you are, Your Highness."

"A, ah..."

The prince, sitting on the luxurious sofa, looked as if he were about to die.

He married me out of spite after being dumped by Ela, but now he’s finally coming to his senses, and the regret is slowly creeping in... something like that.

I wish he had regained his sanity earlier. Really, I do.

Because we are already officially married!

As I look at the exhausted prince, I wonder what to do...

In any case, it’s best to decide on a proper course of action for the future.

I cautiously observe the prince and gently speak to him.

"Um, Your Highness. May I have a moment to talk?"

"...Let me make one thing clear, I don’t intend to love you just because we’re married."

"Yes, I understand."

When I respond, the prince looks up in surprise.

No, no... I was practically dragged here as a replacement for Ela?

I don’t feel lucky at all about marrying the prince.

The prince is quite a narcissist.

"I don’t desire your love at all. So please rest assured."

I don’t want the prince’s love, so it’s fine. I participated in the ball to choose a princess to find a suitable match among the attendees.

Prince Alexis, taken aback by my quick agreement, mumbled something.

I couldn’t hear him clearly, so I’ll just say what I need to say.

"Prince, this marriage is an accident... a kind of mishap."

"...That’s true."

"Therefore, you can forget about me. Feel free to have lovers or concubines."

"......Huh?"

"Let’s just say I’ll stay out of your way if you provide me with basic necessities. When the dust settles, you can divorce me. And..."

I kneel before the prince, who looks somewhat perplexed, and bow deeply.

"I sincerely apologize for the trouble my younger sister has caused."

The situation got out of hand and there’s no going back, mostly because of the prince, but Ela, who ran away with the magician, also lacked tact.

As her older sister, I feel responsible, and for my own safety (this is important), I decided to apologize to the prince.

I waited for a while, but Prince Alexis didn’t respond.

Is this atmosphere not a bit tense...? Is his anger flaring up again? He’s not going to behead me, right!?

Just as I started to panic, a calm voice came from above.

"Look up."

I slowly raised my head, and the prince looked... a bit awkward.

...Good. It seems he doesn’t intend to execute me right away.

"It’s not your fault. Why are you apologizing like this?"

"The root of this commotion is my younger sister. This is my apology as Ela’s older sister."

And to build a record of having apologized.

Maybe if the prince wants to behead me in the future, he’ll remember this bow and hesitate.

"...Fine. I’ll do as I please. You do the same."

With that, the prince turned his back to me and lay down on the large sofa.

I observed him for a while, but he didn’t move.

This... does he plan to sleep here tonight?

Normally, I should say, "I’ll take the sofa, so please use the bed, Your Highness!" but... I was tired.

I want to sleep in a soft, comfortable bed, not on the sofa.

I slowly moved to the bed and observed the prince.

Good, no change. I turned off the lights.

...No change. It seems this is how the night will end.

To be honest, I’m relieved. No matter how high his status and good looks, I don’t want to share a bed with someone I don’t like.

"...Good night."

I said it out of habit.

I thought he wouldn’t hear me, but a small voice came from the darkness.

"...Ah."

...I didn’t expect a response.

I’m in trouble. I’m very tired, but I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep tonight.