A Fake Marriage? Sure! …Wait, Is It Actually Fake? Something’s Not Right Here! - Chapter 19

“I don’t know how to thank you for your help!”

Alex bowed deeply to Michelle. Finley followed suit.

“Thank you. It seems my sister will finally be able to get married now.”

Lidoria let out a pained groan at that.

Wait.

Wasn’t this supposed to be a fake engagement?

And three years later, Lidoria and Alex were supposed to break off their engagement, after which she would become engaged to and marry a “suitable man” that Alex would find for her.

“…Thanks to you! It seems the marriage will proceed smoothly.”

Alex said this with his face still lowered.

The onlookers had already scattered in small groups, so probably no one else heard it, but Lidoria heard it clearly. That he’d added “fake” before “marriage.”

“Finley!”

Hearing someone call her brother from afar, Lidoria turned her head despite feeling dizzy.

The knights of the Unicorn Order were beckoning, saying, “Come on, it’s about time.”

“Got it! Um, Your Majesty Michelle. I’ll come again another time to properly thank you.”

Michelle smiled warmly at Finley as he bowed energetically. “You’re a good kid, aren’t you?”

“And Lord Alex! Um, since you haven’t been coming to visit much, I was actually suspicious that your relationship with my sister might be fake.”

Lidoria and Alex both stiffened with shock, but the excited Finley didn’t seem to notice.

“I mean, think about it. I was genuinely wondering why someone as great as Lord Alex wasn’t married. Maybe you have some weird sexual preferences or something.”

“Finley!”

Lidoria scolded him with a shrill voice, but Finley remained unfazed.

“But to think you care so much about my sister. I’m ashamed for doubting you.”

“…No, I’m the one who should apologize. I’m truly sorry for not visiting sooner. Let’s have a proper meal together next time.”

“Yeah!”

“You should say ‘Yes, sir’! Honestly, this child! Lord Reading! My brother is usually more polite, but ever since he started at the military academy, his language and everything have become well.”

“He’s always like this.”

“That’s not true! I don’t remember teaching him such language!”

“Anyway, can I go now?”

“No, you cannot!”

Lidoria tried to scold Finley with her eyes glaring upward, but…

She stopped moving when she suddenly heard a small laugh.

Moving only her gaze, she saw it was Alex.

It was rare.

Truly rare, but he was laughing, hiding his mouth with a closed fist.

Noticing Lidoria’s stunned gaze, Alex relaxed his eyes and said, “No, I was just thinking how close you two are. And if he’s at the military academy, he’ll be influenced by other boys his age, and his language and attitude will get rougher. You’re worrying too much, my lady.”

“I-Is that so?”

“That’s right.”

“Finley, be quiet!”

She slapped her brother’s shoulder with a whack, and although he made an exaggerated fuss—”Ow!”—Finley bowed to Michelle and Alex before running off to join his friends.

“Energy is the most important thing. Right?”

Michelle smiled cheerfully, and Alex nodded silently in agreement.

“Now, I’m sorry to ask, but could you guide us to Crown Princess Sophia’s tent? We were about to visit her when this commotion happened.”

Michelle chuckled lightly.

“My apologies! This way!”

Lidoria took the lead and started walking.

Alex fell into step beside her.

“Lady Lidoria.”

Alex called her name in a very small voice.

Without stopping her feet, she turned only her gaze toward him.

“I have a proposal for you.”

“What is it?”

“A fake marriage.”

“At this point, that’s the only path left for us.”

She couldn’t possibly say now, “Oh, by the way, it was a fake engagement.”

Well, Lidoria might just barely manage it. She could push all the responsibility onto Princess Melissa and play the tragic figure.

But even if she acted out a tragedy, Alex would still have to marry Princess Melissa.

That was probably a situation Alex wanted to avoid at all costs.

(Marriage… huh)

She glanced sideways at Alex, who was walking beside her with a grim expression.

His lineage and appearance were flawless.

He would be the envy of anyone as a partner.

But as a marriage partner? What then?

Building a home, raising children, handling problems together.

Staying together until their hair turned white.

Alex Reading.

Lidoria still didn’t know his true character.

What he liked, what he disliked, what made him laugh.

(Do we even have any common topics to talk about?)

Living with him might be acceptable, but it felt like it would be a relationship akin to “boss and subordinate.” Or perhaps comrades-in-arms.

Was that Lidoria’s ideal married life? No, it wasn’t.

(…Well, it’s a fake marriage anyway.)

She couldn’t hope for love.

He would probably only be someone she lived with.

And Alex must feel the same.

Thinking such thoughts, they arrived at Crown Princess Sophia’s tent.

“Your Highness, the Crown Princess. Her Majesty Michelle, the former queen, has arrived.”

Announcing their visit, they entered the tent, and Crown Princess Sophia, who had been drinking tea, stood up in surprise.

“Oh, Crown Princess Sophia. It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?”

As Michelle entered with a calm demeanor, escorted by Alex, Sophia showed the utmost respect and instructed Amanda to prepare chairs.

“Likewise, it’s been too long. I’m delighted to see you in good spirits, Your Majesty Michelle.”

“Thank you.”

Confirming that Michelle had been seated in a chair pulled out by Alex, Sophia also sat down and asked in a puzzled tone.

“And so… um. Today, you’ve come.”

“That’s right. You see, I heard from Their Majesties about Princess Melissa.”

For the first time, Michelle furrowed her brows and showed a troubled expression.

“That she might cause problems regarding marriage. They asked for my help… I declined, saying a retired old woman like me has no power left, but just now, when I happened to witness that scene.”

She sighed with a worried expression.

Michelle’s maid bowed and approached Sophia’s side, explaining in a low voice the earlier exchange between the Marchioness of Reading and Lidoria.

“Such a thing! Lidoria, you must have been hurt. I should have kept a closer watch on Princess Melissa’s movements. My oversight.”

As Sophia flustered, Lidoria panicked.

“Not at all! Her Majesty Michelle came to my aid, and she even agreed to become my guardian.”

“Oh!”

“As they say, ‘Failing to do what is right is cowardice,’ isn’t it?”

Michelle then smiled mischievously.

“Besides, a wonderful knight was there to protect Lady Lidoria properly. Well, there was no need to worry, though.”

“Lord Alex. Thank you too.”

Sophia spoke as if relieved. Alex bowed in thanks.

“No. My mother caused you trouble.”

“Speaking of which, why don’t you just get married already?”

Michelle suggested leisurely.

Here it comes! Lidoria and Alex straightened their backs as if struck by a bolt from the blue.

“That’s right! If you create a fait accompli, even Princess Melissa should give up. Let’s do that, Lidoria!”

“No… um, well, I still have a minor brother, so I can’t leave home to get married.”

She tried to stammer out an objection, but Michelle and Sophia were already hitting it off.

“Such a capable child will be fine, won’t he? How about spending half the month at your new home with Lord Alex and the other half with your brother to handle the transition?”

“Thank you for the wonderful suggestion, Your Majesty Michelle. Lidoria, let’s do exactly that.”

“No… um, I also live in the knights’ dormitory so even if you say ‘new home’.”

Alex tried to come to Lidoria’s aid, but suddenly Michelle stood up from her chair.

“There should be several royal townhouses near the castle. I’ll go ask His Majesty right now and get one for you.”

“Oh, what a good idea! Your Majesty Michelle, I’ll accompany you.”

“Eek! Wa… wait! Please stop!”

“Please wait… wait! Such… such a proposal is unnecessary!”

Lidoria and Alex desperately tried to stop Michelle and Sophia as they briskly headed for the exit, but they just smiled and pushed through, saying, “Don’t be shy,” and “That’s right. His Majesty will surely cooperate.”

“W-we want to choose the new home ourselves! Right?! Lady Lidoria!”

“Y-y-y-y-y-yes! We want carefully chosen interior design! Wallpaper!”

Urged by Alex, Lidoria blurted out something nonsensical, but the former queen and crown princess stopped in their tracks.

“That’s true too. I’d hate an old house myself.”

“Indeed, that’s right. Lidoria must have her own preferences too.”

The two looked at each other and nodded, then turned to Alex and smiled brightly.

“Then decide on a wedding date soon and find a new home.”

“Understood? Lord Alex.”

Alex could only nod and say, “Yes.”