Leonard Cortez, 12 yrs old, 1st prince of Firriët kingdom.

The engagement meeting was abruptly interrupted when the Duke and his daughter were ambushed on their way to the capital. When he heard the news, Leo was a bit worried. Later that day, he received news that the duke’s daughter had received an injury and fainted. The next day, he was told that she returned to her fief.

Two weeks passed and then he was told that the meeting would continue in a week’s time, their location the villa of marquise Hearts.

(Is this a curse?) He seriously thought to himself. He consulted his best friend and his bodyguard, Terence, the only one who knew of the relationship between the marquise’s second daughter and himself to seek advice.

His words were “Just see what kind of girl she is. If you don’t like her, then just refuse.”

A bit harsh, don’t you think?

But what other choice did he have? Even his parents didn’t know of their relationship.

And finally, that day came.

Luckily Leila wasn’t there at the villa, so he didn’t need to worry about her. As he was waiting while enjoying the scenery, a young girl’s voice brought him back to reality. He turned around to see the not too gaudy dressed girl curtsying as she politely introduced herself.

She was two years younger than him, yet she gave off this mature feeling. She was beautiful compared to other girl’s, but in his eyes, Leila was still the prettiest.

It started off as awkward, but as they began to speak, he found her rather pleasant to chat with. Unlike other noble daughters he had met in the past, who would always try to cling to him or seek his attention, she gave him this comfortable feeling. She wasn’t unbearable and spoke politely, to the point where he who had been strictly taught was beaten by her in etiquette.

(Is she really nine years old?)

Physically speaking; probably.

Mentally speaking; nope.

They kept on chatting about unrelated topics until time was over.

(Ah, I forgot to do what I had actually planned.)

He even allowed her to call him by his nickname that only those he trusted were allowed to.

When they were about to part ways, she suddenly called out to him, but stopped midway. He was curious as what she wanted to say, but seeing that had a hard time trying to, he didn’t force her.

“So, how was your fiancé-to-be, your~ high~ness~?”

Back inside the carriage, Terence teasingly asked Leo as soon as he spotted him coming back.

He sighed “To be honest, she isn’t so bad. But, my heart already belongs to Leila.”

“So you were unable to stop the engagement?”

“Pretty much. …although I guess you could say we became friends.”

“Ha! You were planning to break the engagement but instead you went and made friends with her? Do you know how ridiculous you sound?”

Not even minding their positions, the two were chatting as friends instead of superior and subordinate.

“I know. But I didn’t get the feeling like she actually agreed to the engagement.”

“So you both don’t want to get engaged with each other but do nothing about it? ….Leo my friend, you are seriously making me worried here.”

“Jokes aside, what of the matter I asked you about previously?”

Leo stopped joking and looked seriously at Terence who still had a trace of mischief on his face.

“Yeah yeah. If you’re wondering about who kept harassing Leila, then it’s those three as you had suspected.”

Leo clicked his tongue, a flash of anger passing through his eyes. He also still needed to deal with the matters in the castle, now there were people who were bothering his lover?

It’s been two months since a rumor about the two being in love spread through the capital. Since she had also visited the capital, Leo guessed that Charlotte might also have known of this. But he didn’t sense anything out of place, thus excluded her from being one of the people who could be harassing Leila.

“Let’s head back to the Castle. I need to report back to father.”

He didn’t enter the carriage, but instead took a horse and sped off. Terence sighed. He got out of the carriage and followed after Leo, leaving the driver behind without any explanation.

Back in the capital, it was as lively as ever. In front of the main gate, a subjugation squad had just returned and was dragging the monster’s corpse to the research facility in the castle. Mages and magic researchers would often use parts of the monster’s body for various experiments.

He didn’t understand any of the things they were doing, but was clear that it was for the good of the kingdom to develop new technology and to defend their home.

As Leo and Terence were just about to enter the king’s study, a high pitched voice called out to Leo. It was only a split second, but Terence saw that his friend’s his lips twitched when he realized who the owner of that voice was.

“Your highness~! Welcome back~”

Bright purple clothes, the sound of jewels clattering, a huge amount of make-up and a thick smell of perfume that it almost made those nearby choke. Marionette Von Lukedium, daughter of Duke Troy Lukedium who is one rank below Duke Adrian Ionesse.

Unlike Charlotte, Marionette lives in a mansion inside the capital, thus avoiding contact with her has sadly been proven impossible. Also, it has been confirmed that this girl has a superiority complex with Duke Adrian’s daughter and is practically smitten with Leonard.

As for the person in question, he really wanted to smack that girl senseless or just run away, but he needed to think of his position and endure. Endure!

“Lady Marionette, what can I help you with?”

“Hehe~ your highness how was your trip?”

As if she didn’t know any shame, Marionette kept coming closer and closer until she wrapped her arms around Leo’s arm, pressing her modest breast against his arm.

…he really wanted to hit this girl.

Leo coughed “Lady Marionette, you are aware that I am already engaged, are you not? Please mind my standings.”

(Lotte, I apologize, but I’ll have to use your name)