Chapter 3

In the corridor of the castle, where I witnessed my brothers' love scenes, I reflected on my situation as a princess and sighed, tilting the tip of the closed fan.

The future of my life is heavy...!

I might even want to become a tragic heroine. ...Although I'm not a heroine. In the BL world, I'm just a side character!

Then, the air shifted.

My brother stood before Sir Sil.

"...You won't bless us no matter what?"

Oh, my brother has butted in! When Sir Sil is involved, things get intense. Brother. Originally a perfect superhuman, this human side is appreciated by his fans.

...Blessing. A blessing, huh.

My brothers, in terms of visual pleasure, are good. They tickle my fujoshi soul. The reason I see my brothers' couple with preconceived notions is due to the issue of succession. If my brother could make a child in the future, it would be fine.

Should I ask him here?

Because, at this stage, it's only my prediction based on my knowledge of novels. Also, I've never been able to have such a deep conversation with my brother before. There was no lead! Fortunately, both my brother and Sir Sil are here, and I can hear both of their opinions. I also want to know what Sir Sil thinks. The original sister had a casual relationship with Sir Sil... but I... I'm subtly guarded by my brother, and meeting Sir Sil alone is out of the question.

"Will you and Sir Sil get married, brother?"

The ceremony is planned for that. The kiss scene I just saw was probably due to the anxiety surrounding the marriage and some subtle attacks on Sir Sil. The court is full of intrigue. But, on the contrary, it adds spice, and my brother and Sir Sil deepen their bond, leading to a kiss.

"Yes," my brother nodded without hesitation.

"But you two are both men."

I opened the conversation.

"What do you think about the heir?"

Sir Sil's face darkened. My brother looked at me with a stern expression.

I'm not scared or anything!

I opened the fan to block his gaze. I have to defend myself from his death glare!

"Are you suggesting that we take another wife?"

"Whether you take one or not is fine. I'm asking about your thoughts on children. Sir Sil, you can't have children, can you? ...That's right. I would like to hear your thoughts, Sir Sil."

"Hmm." It doesn't seem like Sir Sil has been completely oblivious to the idea of children. The best option would be for my brother to have a child with another woman. I know that's the best, but emotionally, it's hard to accept.

Ugh... The feelings from when I was obsessed with novels in my past life are coming back...! Sir Sil! It's so sad! I understand! I really do!

"I only love Sil."

My brother declared. Thank you, brother. You brought me back to my senses when I was about to be swayed by Sir Sil!

But! The issue isn't about that! You're dodging the question, aren't you?

"You, who have no one to love, wouldn't understand."

"..."

I was speechless.

I was completely speechless.

I realized that touching someone's sore spot means this.

No one to love? In the context of romantic love, right? That's right. As Makoto, and as Octavia, I've never deeply loved anyone.

When I was Makoto, I went to an all-girls school, and I was obsessed with the 'Noble King.' I thought I had a long life ahead of me, so I wasn't interested in real-life relationships.

So, since I was reborn!

This time, I want to fall in love and get married. But Octavia is the one who resolves convenient situations, and this is a BL world, where male-male relationships are abundant! Male-female couples are a minority! My first love as Octavia was my guard knight, but he ended up with a man! Besides, even if I had someone I loved, even if it was a mutual love, if it didn't benefit the country, I couldn't marry that person as Octavia!

Click.

"I also have someone I love."

"What?"

My brother's face showed that he had never heard of this. Of course, he wouldn't. I made it up on the spot! It was just a spur of the moment!

But.

Sometimes, a spur of the moment can be terrifying.

My momentum didn't stop.

"That's right. I'll introduce you to the person I love soon."

...I found myself saying that.

I'm scared.

I don't have anyone I love.

Moreover, I don't even have a male acquaintance I could introduce.

This is bad.

Should I apologize now and say it was a lie?

Should I apologize to my brother?

'You, who have no one to love, wouldn't understand.'

The words echoed in my mind.

I don't want that!

So, I.

"Then, have a good day."

I smiled on the surface and gracefully exited.

--- I will find a suitable man no matter what!

I made a firm resolution in my heart.

Fortunately, I said 'soon.'

So, I still have some time.

A few days... If I avoid my brother in the castle, I can buy a month's time.

Men... Men!

The place where I can freely enter and exit and where there are many men is!

I had come quite far from the corridor where my brothers were. I looked back.

"I'm going to the training ground."

The guard knight, who had been standing nearby during my conversation with my brothers, responded briefly and bowed.

As a princess, I always have a guard knight with me, even within the castle. The knights assigned to the royal family are usually handsome and capable, but they are regularly rotated.

--- Why?

Because they fall in love with men and get transferred!

Being a princess's guard is time-consuming and dangerous.

...My first love as Octavia was a guard knight. His name was Gray. I still remember it. He was kind, strong, and handsome. Of course, I fell for him. But my first love ended tragically. In fact, this was where I first experienced the BL world.

Where is Gray now?

Gray is married to the son of a childhood friend's noble family! He adopted the family name and lives as the lord of that noble family's territory! The end.

In this world—mainly in my country, Esphera—homosexuality and same-sex marriage (usually through adoption, with royal family members being an exception) are not uncommon among the upper class. However, it's less common among the common people.

But my surroundings are, of course, all upper class. Male-male relationships are the norm.

The closest romantic prospects for me as a princess are the guard knights. After Gray, every knight assigned to me as a guard was, without exception, involved with a colleague, a junior, or a commoner of a different social status. However, they all fell in love with men and left happily or were transferred.

Yes. I, despite everything, fell in love with the guard knights several times. By the fifth time, I finally learned.

Guard knights. They are out of bounds! They are not to be considered as romantic prospects.

No way, I don't even have a tiny bit of interest in being protected by them for a long time!

When a new one is assigned, they soon leave, and another is assigned. I decided not to remember their names.

...But, this one has been here for quite a while?

"..."

I fixed my gaze on the knight. He returned my gaze, and we stared at each other.

Short black hair that reached his collar, deep blue eyes, a high nose, and a well-defined, handsome face. He was tall, and as a knight, he must have a well-built body under his armor. --- What a good-looking man. Damn. But this guy will probably end up with some handsome man or a pretty boy.

It's probably true, but...

Hmm?

I tilted my head in my mind.

I found it strange.

This knight. His family and background are from a noble family. The eldest son usually inherits the family, so he wouldn't become a knight unless there was a reason. So, he must be a second or third son. And he's in his early twenties.

Most importantly, his appearance. He looks like a prime catch.

So, I thought he would fall in love with someone and leave soon. He's been here for three months, hasn't he? ...Usually, they leave after a week.

--- No, wrong! Three days! The shortest period was set this year...

Until now, I felt that the duration was determined by how good-looking they were. The better-looking they were, the faster they would fall in love with a man and leave. ...But.

"You..."

Should I ask his name?

"Yes, Your Highness. Is there something wrong?"

His deep, good voice echoed.

Ah. No need.

I shook my head. Yes, I realized. This guy is no good. Good-looking face, good voice. He'll sell! He will definitely end up with a suitable man and be transferred soon! Asking his name would be a waste.

"No—nothing."

"..."

"..."

Ugh. I hardly ever talk to this guard knight, but calling him "you..." created an unnatural silence!

...I should say something.

"--- Guard me well."

I issued a harmless princess command to cover it up. The guard knight's expression slightly changed.

"Understood."

He answered and bowed his head.

"Yes. I count on you."

Good! It sounds like a proper exchange!

I regained my composure and resumed walking. My destination is the training ground.

The training ground is full of men! Soldiers! ...There are many male-male couples, too!

Ah. Is there anyone who could play the role of a lover somewhere?

Not too low or too high in status.

Within the range where the princess's authority is effective!