Dear Ex-Fiancé, I Hope You Regret Everything - Chapter 6

And so, that’s how it ended up happening. Lord Skyford said, “I want to adjust those clear glasses, so come with me,” and before I knew it, I was following him all the way to the royal castle.

(So, these are called clear glasses, huh.)

Once you put them on, you wear them all the time. Apparently, they’re designed so you can adjust them whenever the prescription changes.

It’s hard to believe right away, but they say that continuing to wear them can sometimes even improve nearsightedness.

“I’ll pass you off as my companion, so just follow behind me without worry. Besides, the prince here has been my friend since we were children. He’s quite easygoing.”

“N-No, I’m not good with being casual.”

“Pfft… Hahahahaha!! What’s this? You were so confident displaying your deductive skills with me, but you get nervous around this prince? You’re making me jealous, Fan Number One.”

“But Lord Skyford…”

“Hmm?”

(Lord Skyford, I feel like I’ve known him for much longer. …Huh? …But that’s just because I’ve read about him in books. Lord Skyford is the crown prince of Haira Kingdom and I only met him today.)

“My deepest apologies.”

“Hahahaha!! You really are amusing, Lady Iris.”

He was laughing so hard he was clutching his stomach.

Hearing him say my name made my heart jump.

(That’s the first time he’s called me that since we met today.)

I averted my gaze, not wanting Lord Skyford who was peering into my face to notice the pounding in my chest.

“Hey! Skyford! You look well!”

The person who appeared before us was this country’s crown prince, Prince Trad Casion.

“We just saw each other last month!”

“Was that incognito? You come here too often, Skyford. Is this espionage?”

The content of their conversation startled me, but they both burst into loud laughter.

Apparently, it was some kind of royal inside joke.

Bad for my heart. I wish they’d consider their surroundings. What about the guards…? I thought, glancing around, but everyone looked completely unfazed.

(Maybe they’re just used to it…?)

Remaining thoroughly confused, I kept my head bowed.

“Hmm? And who is this young lady with you?”

“Ah! Prepare to be amazed! She’s my Fan Number One!”

He pulled me forward by the arm, and I found myself making direct eye contact with Crown Prince Trad.

I hurriedly bowed in greeting.

“It’s been a long time, Your Highness, Crown Prince Trad. I am Iris Dostoevsky.”

“Eh!? Wha—!? Skyford, you… Ah, no, Lady Iris, I didn’t recognize you because you always wore glasses.”

“?”

“To think Lady Iris is Skyford’s companion.”

The two men started whispering secretively to each other.

This feeling, I’ve experienced it before. When Lord Caine was walking with me and ran into his friends, they’d huddle together and whisper like this.

A sharp pang twinged deep in my chest.

(How foolish. What right do I have to feel this sting? It’s terribly presumptuous of me toward both princes.)

But all I could do was keep my eyes downcast.

After a while, Crown Prince Trad glanced my way and said, “You should stay and enjoy the festivities.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“Now, shall we go? There’s something I’d really like you to do.”

With his arm around my shoulder, I was being escorted by none other than the crown prince of the neighboring kingdom.

“Really, it should be me guiding you.”

“We used to play hide-and-seek here all the time and get scolded by His Majesty the King.”

I’d never heard that our country was that close with Haira Kingdom.

Even if he was traveling incognito, it’s not a distance royalty can cover so frequently. It’s a three-day journey by ship.

(The more I hear, the less I understand.)

I pretended not to notice the faint warmth spreading through my shoulder where his arm rested.