I Will Not Allow Marriage (4)

I collapsed onto the bed in irritation.

Arka and Semirena watched me with worried expressions.

“Soji-kun, about the princess…”

“Is it truly all right to leave things as they are?”

“It doesn’t matter whether it’s fine or not. She decided it on her own, didn’t she? That’s the kind of woman she was. From the very beginning!”

She found her ideal partner, so she won’t travel anymore?

That’s way too selfish!

So that’s what she was like?

What a disappointment.

I hurled curses in my mind.

On the other hand…

“Is it truly acceptable, I ask?”

“……”

‘What are you talking about?’

“You and I are connected. Even without words, I understand.”

“……”

This body really was a nuisance.

It felt like my heart was being forcibly exposed, reflected in a mirror.

“I think it would be better to bring her back.”

“Arka…”

“She’s a companion we traveled with. I don’t want to part like this! If she’s getting married, I want to celebrate properly because I want her to be happy!”

That was such an Arka-like opinion.

Then Semirena spoke to me.

“I will follow the Hero’s will.”

She would say that.

The current her, who revered me as her master, certainly would.

“However, without Lady Erika’s power, I believe defeating the Demon King will be difficult.”

“Losing a mage would be a problem.”

“Yes.”

“True.”

She was an excellent mage.

There was no mage in the Kingdom of Etoile who surpassed her.

That was precisely why she had been chosen.

It was a massive loss of combat power.

Something clicked.

Considering everything we had experienced so far, this development might mean—

“So that’s it?”

If that was the case, Erika was in danger.

There was probably no time to verify things properly.

This was purely as a Hero, for the sake of world peace.

I wasn’t acting on personal feelings. Definitely not!

“You are not honest, I say.”

Shut up!

This was important.

“Fine then. Really.”

I was a Hero, after all.

To avoid being exposed as a fake, I might as well act like a proper Hero.

There was a church within the royal castle of the Suer Kingdom.

It was a place used for ceremonies and also for royal marriages.

“I’m surprised. When did you find yourself a fiancée?”

“Just recently. I had a fateful encounter with her.”

“My, how wonderful. Lady Erika, you look beautiful as well.”

“Thank you.”

I arrived at the ceremony hall wearing a wedding dress.

Things had progressed beyond an engagement, and it had been decided that we would marry.

Because it was rushed, only the royal family, a handful of nobles, and the guard knights had gathered at the venue.

They would conduct a simple ceremony and report it to the citizens later.

“I’m happy, Erika. To think this day would come.”

“So am I.”

Meeting one’s destined partner and being united.

The ending I had wished for.

…Was it really?

Something felt wrong.

I had been thinking that all along.

I turned my thoughts over, trying to identify what was wrong.

That’s right.

I should have refused back then.

“Princess Erika, I believe this meeting is fate.”

“Yes.”

I spent several days at the royal castle with Prince Kaiser.

It was comfortable.

It reminded me of life in the royal castle of Etoile.

Anything I wanted was provided.

I didn’t have to do anything myself.

I spent all my time chatting pleasantly with Prince Kaiser.

Ah, how boring.

The thought suddenly crossed my mind.

This was supposed to be the life I wanted, yet it was unbearably dull.

Perhaps it was because the past month, spent traveling to defeat the Demon King, had been so intense.

Time where nothing happened was painfully boring.

Was that all?

I felt a little… suffocated.

“This may come as a surprise to say so suddenly, but I can no longer restrain my feelings. Will you become engaged to me?”

“Eh…”

“I truly wish to be together with you.”

“Prince Kaiser.”

He confessed and took my hand.

With elegant, flowing movements, he slipped a ring onto my finger.

It was a little forceful.

“This is…”

“How about it as a token of our engagement?”

“I…”

I hadn’t said I would get engaged yet.

But he was a prince of a neighboring country, with both good character and looks.

If my partner were a prince, even my stubborn father would surely approve.

Still, I was in the middle of a journey.

I should keep things on hold for now.

“Thank you. When my journey ends, please allow me to speak with you formally.”

“No, you don’t need to continue such a dangerous journey. Leave the Demon King to the Heroes.”

That was impossible.

“I understand. Yes, you’re right.”

Huh?

Why did I agree?

“Thank you. It may be a bit soon, but let us inform my father and mother.”

“Please do.”

That was wrong.

I hadn’t agreed.

Why did I make the choice to remain here…?

My memories gradually returned.

I had never intended to abandon the journey.

Even when Soji and the others came to fetch me, I had planned to return.

And yet, my words and actions differed from what I had been thinking.

I rejected them.

The ones who came out of concern to check on me.

I had to apologize.

“Then let us begin the ceremony.”

“Yes.”

No.

I had no intention of getting engaged, let alone married.

Something was wrong.

I understood it in my head, yet I couldn’t put it into words.

“At last. Now you belong to me.”

“—!”

Seeing Prince Kaiser’s smile sent a chill down my spine.

I finally understood.

I had been completely ensnared.

It was this ring.

Ever since it was placed on my finger, my actions had become strange.

I wanted to remove it.

But I couldn’t take it off with my own strength.

“Let us share the kiss of vows.”

“Yes.”

No.

I had decided that my first kiss would be with my destined partner.

He was not that person.

I didn’t want my first time to be like this.

And that wasn’t all.

My instincts told me.

If these lips touched mine, everything would be over.

Someone help me.

Please.

Someone—

“Hold it right thereeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!”

The doors of the church flew open.

With tears in my eyes, I turned toward that voice.

“You can’t just go and get married without permission!”

“Soji—”