It’s been about a month since Alexel came to the Kingdom of Beizelm.
In the meantime, Alexel had many meetings with the officials in charge of trading in the Kingdom of Beizelm, and it is said that they signed a trade agreement that would benefit both countries.
In addition, he also attended the soirees hosted by royalty and aristocrats, where he deepened his friendships and made connections with influential people.
And so, having fulfilled his role as emperor, it was nearing time for him to return home.
And now, although reluctantly, I had to think about what to do about the fact that I was still Alexel’s fiancée.
Hmmm, as expected, it’s about time to do something about it or I’ll be taken away to the Landrick Empire like this…But what on earth should I do…?
I was wondering what to do when I saw that Alexel was getting ready to go home in a hurry.
One day, Alexel came to my room and we were sitting on the couch drinking tea and relaxing while we talked about the future.
“I’m sure you’ll be able to take the bare minimum of what you need to bring to my country, Cecilia. You can find most of the things you need in my country. Choose only what you must take with you.”
“Oh, um…as I’ve said many times before, I’m not going to go to Alexel’s country…”
“You’re still saying that? Give it up.”
“No, I wouldn’t be saying this if I could just give up!”
“I’m not going to break off the engagement with you.”
“…Why are you so obsessed with me? Honestly, I’m sure there are others more deserving of Alexel than me…”
As I said this, I pictured the face of Nina, the heroine of this game.
“It’s a given. I’m going to take Cecilia…”
Suddenly, Alexel became very serious and stared at me and while saying something, when there was a knock on the door of the room, followed by Nina coming in.
“Oh welcome Nina, what’s wrong?”
“Lady Cecilia…I’m sorry to interrupt you while you’re speaking, but there is something I must discuss with you.”
“Discuss with me? That’s fine. Now, since you’re standing there, come sit over here. Oh, Alexel, I’m sorry. You were just about to say something…what was it?”
“…It doesn’t matter if it’s not now. You should listen to Miss Nina first.”
I realized that I had proceeded on my own even though Alexel was there, and I hurriedly told Alexel no, and for some reason Alexel let out a sigh with an indescribable expression on his face and leaned limply against the back of the chair.
I looked at Alexel curiously and beckoned the still confused Nina to sit next to me.
But then I huffed and realized that this might be a chance to close the distance between Nina and Alexel.
That being the case…there are still some important things I need to check first.
I sat up with that in mind and pulled my face up to Alexel, who was sitting across from me, and spoke to him in a whisper.
“Alexel…can I check something with you?”
“I…What?”
“…Does Alexel still think women are only tools to have children?”
“I…No. I changed my mind when I met you. So you can be okay to go with me…”
“Oh, I’m glad! Now I can bring you together in peace!”
“What the hell are you talking about…”
“Come on, come on, Nina, don’t be shy, sit down! Oh, if you’d like, I can leave my seat?”
I was relieved to hear Alexel’s thoughts and took Nina’s arm, who was in a good mood and confused, and sat her down on a chair, and tried to get up from the chair instead.
But Nina grabbed my arm and held me back.
“La-Lady Cecilia! I have come to consult with you! So if Cecilia-sama is gone, it’s completely useless!”
“Oh, that’s right.”
I sat back in my chair again with a hesitant smile on my face as Nina told me that she was in a ‘I’ll get rid of the disturbing insects’ kind of mood.
Alexel was looking at me with a dumbfounded expression.
“Uh, so…what is it that Nina wants to discuss with me?”
“Ah, yes. As a matter of fact, in a week’s time I will be having a ceremony as the Celestial Maiden, and I would like to ask Cecilia-sama to join me as my partner in that.”
“…Oh, I heard father told me there was such a ceremony. But why didn’t you get everyone together this time to discuss it?”
“It was…the priest and Master Reinhardt already knew who I was going to choose, so they asked me to go and ask you directly.”
“I see…”
I guessed that my father and the priest had already decided that it was a waste of time to gather everyone together, and I had no choice but to smile.
“So, Cecilia-sama…what do you think?”
“Oh, yes. If I’ve already come this far, I’ll do it to the end.”
“Really? Thank you very much!!”
Nina shook my hand with a very happy face as she said that.
And yet…as I recall, in the game, this ritual was originally supposed to be with the capture target as well…Ah! That’s right!!!
An idea flashed through my mind and I suggested it to Nina, who was smiling and holding my hand.
“Hey Nina…Of course it’s totally fine for me to be your partner, but since you’re here, how about having Alexel be your partner?”
“What?”
“Alexel hasn’t seen Nina in her duties as a celestial maiden yet, and unlike the rest of us, he doesn’t have much to do with it, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to experience it.”
And I thought that if they got to know each other better through that, he would break off his engagement with me, and Nina would be happy to be united with her original capture target.
I was smiling at that very good idea and waiting for a response, when Nina and Alexel let out a loud sigh at the same time.
I looked at them in turn, confused by their reactions, and for some reason they looked at me with a dumbfounded look on their faces.
“…Cecilia, what on earth do you want to do? You’re not thinking of putting me and Miss Nina together, are you?”
“Uh! I mean, that’s…”
“Cecilia…my feelings are the same as I have told you before. But it is indeed sad to see you do this…”
Nina let go of my hand with a sad look on her face and became depressed.
Seeing Nina like that, I panicked.
“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to make Nina sad! I just wanted to wish Nina well…”
“Then be my partner in the ritual!”
“Uh-huh! I understand! I’ll do it myself! So please don’t look like you’re about to cry like that!”
Seeing Nina’s face as if she was about to cry, I impatiently promised to be her partner.
In no time at all, Nina smiled and wiped away the tears that were about to flow down her face with her fingers.
I was relieved to see Nina’s face when Alexel spoke to me.
“I don’t know how in the world you came up with that idea, but it looks like you’ve calmed down for now.”
“Yes…”
“Well, I had no intention of taking on such a role in the first place. But if the other party is Cecilia, that’s a different story.”
“No, I’m not a celestial maiden…”
“I know. But I am curious about this ceremony. Miss Nina, may I see the ceremony in person?”
“What? I’m…I’m sorry. I’m afraid I don’t have the answer to that question. But would you like me to ask the priest?”
“Yes, please.”
“I understand.”
Then Nina thanked me once more and left the room, and after the priest’s permission was granted, it was decided that Alexel would also come to observe the ceremony on that day.
***
On the day of the ceremony…
I entered Nina’s waiting room with Alexel.
“Nina, I’m sorry I’m a little late.”
“No, it’s okay.”
When I apologized to Nina for taking so much time to prepare and arrived a little late, she appeared from the back of the room, dressed in her shrine maiden costume, and smiled at me.
Oooh! I knew Nina in her shine maiden outfit was the cutest thing ever! You look really good!
As I was enraptured by the sight of Nina, her cheeks were embarrassed with a slight blush as she met my gaze.
I was desperately trying to hold back the fact that I was about to faint at the sight of her cuteness.
“Ho~”
Then an exclamation of admiration escaped from Alexel, who was standing next to me.
As soon as I heard that voice, I looked at Alexel’s face.
And I was thrilled to see him staring at Nina.
Oh!! It must have been enthralling for him to see Nina’s lovely appearance!
I was so convinced of this, that I had to do my best to suppress my smiles.
“… Miss Nina. That outfit looks great.”
“What? Oh, thank you.”
“By the way…do you have another outfit like that one?”
“What? I do, but…”
“If so, can I borrow it right now?”
“Alexel, what the heck are you doing with that…Huh!? No way—!”
I was puzzled by the suddenness of Alexel’s words and actions, and then an idea occurred to me.
The image of Alexel frolicking in a shrine maiden costume.
But as a man, the costume was too small for Alexel’s body.
The image of such a figure came to mind, and I had an indescribable expression on my face. Alexel squinted at me expressionlessly and suddenly grabbed my head from the top.
“Ow, it hurts!!!”
“Cecilia, I’m guessing you’ve been thinking about some silly nonsense.”
“No, no! With a few tweaks, you can wear it Alexel! It will be fine, I’m sure it will suit you…”
Alexel silently tightened the grip of his hand.
“…I knew you were thinking of something stupid. There’s no way I’m going to wear it!”
“So, who would…Ah! Princess Victoria? Hmmm, a little less dainty with Princess Victoria, but on the contrary, it will look good in a bewitching way!”
“Hah~ How can you think like this?”
Letting out a dismayed sigh, Alexel removed his hand from my head.
I held my aching head in my hands and looked towards him.
“Then…ah! No way…Noel—”
“You want to be grabbed again?”
“No, no!!”
“Cecilia, I’m borrowing it for you to wear. Now go get dressed.”
“Eh!?”
Alexel’s words, which I didn’t expect, took me by surprise.
“Well! I’d love to see that too!”
“Wait, Nina, what are you talking about? As expected, you can’t wish for two women in shrine maiden costumes to be at the ceremony…”
“Are there any rules against partners wearing them?”
Alexel asked the two female priests with Nina. They were confused but looked at each other and shook their heads.
“Then there’s no problem.”
“Yes, you are right.”
“No! I think there’s a lot of problems!”
“Don’t worry Lady Cecilia, it’s all right. I’m sure you’ll look great! Now, let me help you get dressed!”
Then Nina, who was smiling happily, dragged me to the back of the room to change clothes.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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