The Heir I Dragged Into My “He’s My Fiancé!” Lie Is Somehow Playing Along!? - Chapter 1.3

The engagement between Yumikura Umi and Alice was a lie made up on the spot. In reality, they were complete strangers.

(I have no way to contact him. I’ve always thought modern Japan had no class system, but companies are hierarchical societies, and getting an audience with a department head from another division is a high hurdle! Plus, Yumikura Umi is a prince—meaning he’s practically royalty. For a commoner like me to get an appointment is basically impossible.)

What about their dinner plans? Alice had been worried about it all day at work, but since she couldn’t get in touch with Umi, it was hard to make a move.

Alice felt responsible for having dragged Umi into her lie. Even if Umi was willing to make time for dinner, she figured she should be the one to arrange the venue and, to the extent it didn’t hurt his dignity, cover the bill.

(In romance novels, this is where the rich heir would take you to a high-floor restaurant with a beautiful night view, sit you by the window with a glass of wine, and say something like, “Actually, this works out for me too. I’ve been getting pressured about marriage, and it’s a hassle. I want you to be my fake fiancée to convince my family.”)

Moreover, Alice had just been betrayed by her fiancé. It wouldn’t be unusual for her to drown her sorrows in alcohol, lose all sense of time and place, end up in a hotel room the heir had prepared, spend the night, and sign marriage papers the next day.

It’s just a one-year contract marriage…! He’s the kind of person I mustn’t fall for!

Even as she’d say that, she’d sink deeper into the relationship.

“Nope, nope. That’s definitely too much fiction consumption.”

She accidentally said it out loud, then hurriedly shut her mouth and checked the time on her phone.

6 p.m. Work hours were over. She was pondering how to get in touch with Yumikura Umi when she felt a shift in the air.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. I rushed to finish work today.”

A beautiful voice fell from right beside her. Looking up, she saw a prince spilling sparkling stardust from his smile standing there.

(Prince Yumikura! Even up close, his beauty is unreal!)

Looking up at Umi standing by her desk, Alice voiced her thoughts.

“To not notice someone as divine as Your Highness approaching this close. Sorry, I was spacing out.”

“Haha. I’m not sure what you’re saying, but it’s funny. Sorry for sneaking up without a sound or presence. How’s your work, Shirotsuki-san? Can you leave soon?”

“Yes. Somehow, our whole department was told not to do overtime today.”

The moment she said it, she realized what it meant and nearly slumped.

(Akihisa’s farewell party! That’s why we were told to finish work without overtime. Wow, if I hadn’t heard from Ishizuka-san, I wouldn’t have known.)

It’s fine since I don’t really want to go anyway, she thought from the bottom of her heart.

She didn’t think she was expressive enough to make a hundred faces, but maybe her thoughts showed a little on her face. Umi, who had been smiling cheerfully, said in the same lively tone,

“I’m glad Alice kept her schedule open for me today. There’s a restaurant I’ve been wanting to go to. I think it’ll be good for work study too. We have a reservation time, so let’s head out now.”

He had that celebrity-executive aura.

Employees within earshot were clearly eavesdropping.

(After hearing this, anyone’s mood would drop having to attend a farewell party for an employee under dusty suspicion… As expected of the prince, he knows how to wield power.)

Moreover, Alice’s standing from tomorrow onward might not just be better—it could improve dramatically.

But that wouldn’t be trust earned through work results or attitude; it’d be brown-nosing Umi.

Not knowing what kind of person Umi was yet, Alice thought relying on him for solutions might backfire later.

This was the time to draw a line.

“Huh? Yumikura-san, we agreed to go to my recommended izakaya today. Their mentaiko tempura is incredibly delicious. The batter is crispy, but the inside isn’t overcooked; it’s a divine skill that keeps it rare. They have a great selection of sake and shochu too~. I used to have a vague dislike for young women who put on airs saying ‘sweet potato shochu is delicious,’ but that place changed my worldview. The combination of karashi renkon and sweet potato shochu is god-tier.”

In a flash, Alice recalled her usual izakaya’s menu and presented it like water off a duck’s back.

Umi, who had been listening silently, suddenly turned serious and looked away.

(Huh!? Was it the mentaiko? Or the karashi renkon? Does Prince Yumikura not like spicy things?)

Or maybe he really made a reservation and is in trouble? As Alice grew worried, Umi murmured earnestly in her line of sight.

“This is bad. Everyone who heard Shirotsuki-san just now is thinking, ‘Where is that!? Tell us!’ If all the employees here start going, we won’t be able to eat in peace. You shouldn’t say things like that in public. Tell me secretly when we’re alone.”

“Urgh,” Alice let out a strange breath.

(Why is he reacting more seriously to this than when I made up the fake engagement in front of all those employees this morning…!? Prince Yumikura, your shochu love is too strong!)

She felt like she’d really said something she shouldn’t have in public, but it was an illusion. In Alice’s values, she hadn’t said anything worse than this morning. Probably.

But Umi, still with a serious face, gave Alice a sharp look.

“We can’t stay here. Let’s leave quickly before the employees here find out the place. And watch out for tails.”

Not knowing if he was serious or joking, Alice couldn’t help retorting.

“Um… Department Head Yumikura, aren’t you being too narrow-minded? The idea that delicious things are better shared—that kind of thinking will surely make life go smoother, you know?”

After saying it, Alice mentally facepalmed herself.

(No matter what mindset I live by, I’m currently in the midst of my own life not going smoothly at all, thanks to a marriage scam and broken engagement!)

Realizing this wasn’t the time to mope, she quickly said “Good work today!” to those around her and left the company with Umi.

Walking toward the station, trembling under the palpable presence of Umi drawing sidelong glances from passersby, she managed to broach the subject.

“Thank you for everything today. I’m also grateful you made time to talk. For explanations, or about the future. I really want to say, ‘Let me treat you to a drink,’ but if we’re limited on time, maybe somewhere nearby.”

Umi, walking beside her, looked down at her with a surprised expression.

“Your mouth is already set on mentaiko tempura and nothing else. Weren’t we heading for the izakaya?”

Ah, so his serious face earlier was genuine, Alice thought, and as someone who believes “delicious things should be shared,” she promptly launched Presentation Part Two.

“I was wondering what struck a chord so it was that. By the way, their katsuo tataki and chicken tempura are delicious too. Their potato salad is exquisite.”

“We’re going. Absolutely going. I love all of that. I barely ate lunch. I’m about to collapse.”

Looking up at Umi’s profile filled with determination, Alice couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing.

Once she started laughing, she couldn’t stop, and she kept laughing for a while.