“T-This place is especially beautiful within the Royal Palace, blooming with various flowers throughout the year.”
I guided her to the Royal Palace courtyard, my voice trembling as I explained.
Seriously, my favorite (waifu) is holding my hand, okay? Of course, I’m nervous. My palms are super sweaty. What if she thinks I’m gross?
But.
“………………….”
Perhaps she finds being with me boring, as Alexandra remains silent the entire time.
If only I could say something interesting, but unfortunately, it’s an impossible game for a socially awkward person like me.
“W-Well then. Since we’re here, let’s have tea on the terrace.”
Feeling awkward, I tried to break the ice with that suggestion, but she remained completely passive, just silently following me.
Even after we sat down and I prepared tea from the Royal purveyor and the finest sweets, she didn’t touch any of it.
Haa… Maybe Harold can’t change his fate no matter how hard he tries…
The situation was depressing, not only because the worst outcome of death awaited me, but also because even my favorite, who was supposed to be my fiancée, wouldn’t even look at me. I lowered my gaze… Wait, no! What am I doing giving up so easily!
If this keeps up, not only will I face a bad end, but Alexandra will be executed too!
T-Then!
“L-Lady Alexandra!”
“Eh!?”
I raised my head with a start and called her name in a loud voice, causing her to widen her eyes in surprise.
“W-Well, um! …Well, you might know this, but I haven’t been a very good prince until now. I’ve only caused trouble for people, been selfish and willful… So, I understand that you don’t think highly of me…”
“……………………”
The initial momentum vanished. My tone gradually diminished, and the last part was almost a whisper.
But Alexandra just listened to my words in silence.
“On the other hand, I understand that this engagement was proposed by the Royalty, and Duke Chevalier… that you couldn’t refuse…”
“What is it that Prince Harold wishes to say?”
Alexandra finally opened her mouth, looking at me with eyes filled with icy coldness, and asked in a low voice.
Moreover, she was slightly furrowing her brow, and I could sense that she was angry.
I almost let out a strange sound, but I somehow regained my composure and looked at her.
“Three years… Give me three years! In that time, I’ll become a man worthy of you! If, after three years, I’m still an insignificant man in your eyes, then I’ll ask His Majesty to dissolve the engagement!”
“Wh-…”
“Please… Please, I beg you!”
I jumped off the chair, prostrated myself, and begged, rubbing my forehead against the ground.
Harold, the infamous Third Prince, was lowering his head to the daughter of a vassal of the kingdom, begging in a pathetic and miserable state. She might be even more disillusioned now.
But… I thought about it this way.
I’m destined to die if things continue as they are, but if I can become a man that Alexandra acknowledges before the ‘EnHaza’ main story begins, then I might be able to change our fate.
In other words, if Alexandra and I were to be together, the event of breaking off the engagement to find the World’s Greatest Fiancée wouldn’t happen, and by avoiding conflict with the protagonist, I might be able to avoid the bad end.
“……………………”
I could feel her gaze above my head in the silence.
And then.
“…I understand.”
“Eh!”
“I am looking forward to seeing Prince Harold’s future self in three years.”
“T-Thank you very much!”
Alexandra’s answer made me so happy that I bowed my head repeatedly.
I accidentally hit my forehead on the ground in my excitement, but more than that, I was truly happy that there was still a possibility of staying connected with her.
Then.
“U-Um… Your Highness, it’s almost time.”
“Ah…”
I messed up. There were servants here to take care of us. They saw my pathetic state perfectly. What should I do?
“Ahem… W-Well, um, thank you.”
“Eh!? N-No… problem.”
I coughed to cover it up and thanked the servant who had told me, and she quickly scurried away, surprised for a moment.
She’s probably making fun of me in her heart for showing such a pathetic side to my fiancée, even though I’m usually arrogant and overbearing. I don’t know how to interact with the servants from now on. This is troubling.
“L-Lady Alexandra, your hand…”
“Yes…”
Regaining my composure, I knelt in front of her and offered my right hand, and she immediately placed her hand on it.
Then, we returned to the reception room where King Aival and Duke Chevalier were waiting.
“Harold, were you able to deepen your relationship with Lady Alexandra?”
“Eh!? W-Well, um…”
I didn’t know how to answer, so I gave a vague reply.
If I had to say whether our relationship had deepened with that exchange, it might have been by about one millimeter, so it wouldn’t be a lie, right?
“Your Majesty, please excuse us.”
“Please excuse us.”
“Hmm. Lady Alexandra, you may visit Harold anytime from now on.”
Duke Chevalier and Alexandra bowed respectfully and left the reception room.
I stared at the Door in the reception room, where her scent lingered, for a long time.
I clenched both hands into fists, filled with resolve and determination.
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