Chapter 8

Since then, I have continued to stretch.

However, my development is in a delicate state—somewhere between success and failure. I don’t want to admit it, but the fact is that I am far from well-endowed.

When I recall the conversation I overheard, a creeping jealousy wells up inside me. Yet, I am also glad that Bernard has been proven to be attractive even by general standards.

The problem is that none of my close friends ever comment on Bernard’s appearance. Even my brother says something incomprehensible like, “Bernard’s features? ...Yeah, he has the face of a mad warrior.”

But to the female officials in the palace, Bernard is incredibly attractive. There’s no doubt about it. He’s a wild type of handsome. I guess he really is a once-in-a-century beauty.

...And yet, my brother tells me to marry Bernard.

I can’t help but sigh.

If my brother’s marriage is set, it’s necessary to quickly decide on my marriage and announce the engagement. I agree with this.

The issue is that I don’t have any marriage prospects. In this situation, I thought I could rely on Duke Ridge’s offer.

...But given my brother’s attitude, he won’t approve of my marriage to Duke Ridge.

Indeed, even if we set aside Bernard, making my sister marry someone nearly 60 years older than her would be a bit embarrassing for my brother. It might lead to unnecessary speculation that we, who were known as close siblings in the royal family, are actually not on good terms.

In that case, the only option left for me is to either let Bernard go to avoid forcing him, or ... not to force him but to seduce him so that he wants to marry me.

No, I think the latter option is impossible.

If at least my chest had developed successfully, I might have been able to use my feminine charm. But in my current state, the only charm I have is my position and power as the princess. I know Bernard isn’t interested in either. If I continue like this, I might end up using my position and power to force him into marriage. I want to avoid that.

But I don’t want him to leave my side.

So, I guess I have to seduce Bernard...

Seduce.

Bernard.

...How...!?

Damn. I’ve only ever considered political marriages, so I don’t really understand how to fall in love.

How do relationships usually start in the world?

The most memorable love story I know is when Chester, during the rebellion, was desperately fighting, saying, “I have a cute fiancée waiting for me at home! I can’t die here!” But when he returned to the capital, his fiancée shouted, “Why did you come back!?” and he collapsed on the spot. I saw the end of their relationship, not the beginning.

But, I remember that the reason his fiancée started dating another man was that at a ball she attended without an escort, she was left alone and feeling lonely, and someone approached her and asked her to dance.

Inviting someone to dance at a ball. This seems like something I could do.

I haven’t been asked to dance in about two years. My brother always acts as my escort, and while he sometimes asks me to dance out of courtesy, it’s not in a romantic sense.

As a princess, I don’t end up being a wallflower, but the people around me are mostly older. If I were to measure the loneliness at a ball, I’d probably score quite high.

If I invite Bernard to dance, he’ll probably take my hand out of pity, thinking, “There’s no one else to dance with, huh?”

Then, while dancing, I’ll whisper to him:

“That outfit suits you well. You look very handsome tonight...”

“It’s just my usual guard uniform, Your Highness. Is something wrong? Did you drink some wine while I wasn’t looking?”

...No, that’s not right. Bernard would say something like that, but it’s not romantic.

I need to try a different approach. For example...

“You’re a great dancer. My heart is racing...”

“You must have had some wine, Your Highness! You’re always so weak with alcohol. I always tell you not to drink at official events!”

...No, no, stop, Bernard, stop worrying about the wine...!

I pleaded with the imaginary Bernard in my mind, but he firmly believed it was the wine and quickly ended the dance, leading me to the lounge and calling a doctor... I can see how it would end.

I’ve known him for a long time. I know what Bernard would say and what he would do.

I couldn’t help but put my hand to my forehead. Balls are no good. I should give up on them.

I need a method that doesn’t make him worry about the wine. Balls are probably not good because they happen at night.

How about, for example, inviting him to go for a walk outside the palace during the day?

This would be a proper date. Bernard would likely agree.

After all, we’ve done it many times before. We go down to the city incognito, see how people live, and sometimes buy small items from street vendors. This is one of my favorite activities.

Bernard would accompany me as my guard.

...No, that won’t work...!!

I felt like pulling my hair out.

I’m sure Bernard will definitely come with me, and if I leave him behind, he’ll scold me severely. But this is clearly not a date. It’s just the princess and her guard knight. There’s no romance at all.

...But, what if I ask him to see me as just a woman, not as a princess...?

Let’s forget our positions today. I want you to see me as just a woman.

...This is heavy. It’s heavy and it would be awkward.

If I were a man and someone in a higher position asked me this, I would be very troubled. I would be at a loss, not knowing what to say, but I would want to decline their advances without causing problems.

...Maybe I should start with a more indirect approach. Dancing or a date might be too direct. How about, for example, giving him a gift...?

I’ll give him something he likes or something he wants.

The first thing that comes to mind is a sturdy sword. I know he often complains about his swords breaking.

He once said, “Well, if it breaks, I can just take one from the enemy. I won’t run out of swords on the battlefield,” but it would be better if he had a sturdy sword of his own.

I’ll find a sword that can withstand Bernard’s battles and give it to him as a gift. He’ll surely be happy and say, “Thank you, Your Highness. With this sword, I will protect you for the rest of my life,” and reaffirm his knight’s oath...

...No, that’s not right. What am I going to do with a knight’s oath...! It’s not romantic...!

I was at a loss.

What should I do?

No matter how I imagine it, the imaginary Bernard doesn’t seem to be seduced.