The Heir I Dragged Into My “He’s My Fiancé!” Lie Is Somehow Playing Along!? - Chapter 1.9

Someone was speaking above my head.

(I can’t stay like this forever. Let’s see, what was on my schedule today? They said they didn’t want the tribute. Was there anything else I needed to do? What’s wrong with me, my brain isn’t working at all.)

Kai seemed to have noticed that Alice was standing on her own without his support. The arm that had been around her back had moved to that perfect distance where it was barely touching.

She wasn’t being held tightly, but she could feel a faint warmth.

Her forehead against his chest was also gently warm.

Glancing absently at what was in her field of vision, Prince Yumikura’s outfit for the day was his usual undoubtedly expensive brand-name shirt and tie, paired with an executive-style three-piece suit. She’d only seen him from a distance before, but seeing Kai with his exceptional proportions wearing it so sharply despite being in his twenties had an indescribable intensity.

(Now that I think of it, he wasn’t wearing a vest when we were at the izakaya yesterday. Even so, he didn’t look ordinary at all; his sense of contrast was impressive as expected. Today his intimidating aura is even stronger, but I guess this is the real Prince.)

The practical thought crossed Alice’s mind that she couldn’t possibly get tears or snot on these clothes.

Moreover, Kai had mentioned when they exchanged messages that he still had work left. She couldn’t keep clinging to him forever.

Still looking down, Alice was about to say “I’m okay now” when, right at that moment, Kai said “Thank you” to someone before addressing her.

“Shirotsuki-san, I had Kido bring the car around, so let’s get in. I’ll take you home.”

Unable to grasp his meaning, Alice silently lifted her face.

Her eyes met Kai’s.

Slowly, embarrassment washed over her.

(He saw my awful face…! Oh no, I’ve sullied the Prince’s eyes!)

While Alice was flustered, Kai gave her a gentle smile and said, “There’s luggage in the back, so take the passenger seat.”

Kido appeared to be the name of Kai’s secretary.

The young man who’d been like a bodyguard earlier was waiting with the passenger door open.

Since it wasn’t really a place where you could park for long, Alice avoided arguing and said “Thank you” as she got in, fastening her seatbelt.

She thought about having him drop her off at the station, but Kai, who’d gotten into the driver’s seat, spoke first.

“I thought I roughly knew Shirotsuki-san’s address, but Kido entered it into the GPS. Since I have access that lets me check personal information, he’s doing this as part of his secretary duties based on my intentions. I won’t misuse it, so don’t worry.”

“If you’re taking me all the way home, that’s quite a long drive for you.”

“Depending on traffic, about an hour. I like driving, so it’s really no problem. I left my car and went home yesterday, but I usually drive myself for my commute. There might’ve still been alcohol in my system this morning, but time-wise it should be fine now. You must be tired, Shirotsuki-san, so you can sleep if you want. Or you can stay awake and talk with me. Whichever helps take your mind off things.”

“Take your mind off things.” Alice murmured before sinking into the seat and covering her face with both hands.

“Sorry about this. I seem to be really tired. I’m leaving everything to you.”

“Everything” was an understatement. While Alice had been spacing out, Kai must have been making calls. It was obvious even without being told that he’d arranged things regarding the incident not just with the car but with various other parties.

(I’m so sorry. Will he go back to the office after dropping me off? I’ve accumulated so much debt to him that even if it carries over to my next life, I don’t think I could ever repay it all.)

To Alice, who was feeling utterly exhausted, Kai spoke in a calm, steady voice.

“Just leave it to me. Since this is a company issue and I’m on the management side, I’m just doing my job. Even though Saito-san didn’t embezzle company funds, he was extorting money from colleagues. It seems other employees were involved too, and we don’t know what else might come out, so we’re involving the legal department to handle it. It might not be the full amount, but we’ll track the money flow from you as much as possible. Thank you so much for the evidence.”

“That’s really not something you need to thank me for. Even though I’m a victim, from the company’s perspective I’m just ‘the gullible fool who got tricked.’ In extreme terms, if I hadn’t been here, Saito-san might not have caused problems. It’s because I was such an easy target that he got bad ideas.”

The self-blame wouldn’t stop.

She knew it was unproductive complaining, but her heart felt completely black, and the unpleasant words kept spilling out.

(This is my regret. It’s not something the Prince should have to hear. I need to say more cheerful things. I want the Prince to laugh happily like he did yesterday.)

Removing her hands from her face, she glanced over and saw Kai looking ahead with the same calm expression as his voice.

His profile was surprisingly well-proportioned.

Almost mesmerized, Alice looked down again.

“Sorry. You’re driving me, and here I am complaining. I’ll be quiet.”

Then Kai immediately said, “You don’t have to be quiet,” before adding casually, “If you have the energy to talk, there’s something I’d like to say too. I know it’s difficult to make decisions right now, but after we head to your place today, why don’t you pack your things and come to my place? I live alone, but I have a guest room. It’s small, sorry about that.”

“…Huh?”

“Yeah, I get why you’d make that face. But my intuition is telling me I shouldn’t leave you alone today. I was going to invite you over tomorrow anyway, so why not pack for two or three nights and come over tonight? The stay itself can extend beyond just the weekend—a week or even a month is totally fine.”

She thought about it a little, but whether because her brain wasn’t working, she truly didn’t understand what he was saying.

“Me at the Prince’s house? You mean, the palace?”

“That’s right. You seem to be getting back to your usual self, that’s good.”

Still facing forward, Kai smiled cheerfully. He looked happy, which was what mattered most, but Alice wasn’t in any mood to smile.

“No, no, I’m not back to normal. Besides, even though the tribute was rejected, a commoner staying at the palace is impossible.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. My place is about the size of a palace doghouse, so don’t worry about anything. More than that, I’m worried about you being chased by Saito-san like today, or being too scared to leave your house because of it. Special treatment with a bodyguard would be difficult, but if I become the bodyguard, it’s just barely possible.”

“Aren’t you breaking through the limits of ‘special’ by avoiding special treatment? Having Prince Yumikura as a bodyguard is the height of luxury.”

“Hearing you say that makes me embarrassed but happy. But this offer is only for Shirotsuki-san. I wouldn’t say this to other women.”

“How should I put it? Even if the Prince intends to protect women, he’d probably get attacked by the very woman he’s trying to protect.”

She almost added “because his face is too good,” but Alice barely managed to stop herself.

(I almost said something that would be serious sexual harassment and compliance violation! I just wanted to reassure him by saying “I don’t have the energy or fighting power to attack anyone!” but I have a feeling it would create a weird atmosphere! My intuition!)

Thinking she had to somehow change the subject, she decided to forcefully bring the conversation back.

“Your work… is it okay? The overtime?”

Stopped at a red light, Kai turned his face toward Alice and said with a bright smile, “If I could only make decisions that keep me chained to my desk even during emergencies, that would actually be problematic. Today, I’ll go home, eat some delicious food, and call it a day. Leave the cooking to me. You should eat a lot and sleep, Shirotsuki-san. That’ll help you recover faster.”

At the mention of delicious food, Alice’s heart was firmly captured.

Certainly, if she went back alone to her dark house in this exhausted state, she’d just eat cup noodles she had stocked and go to sleep. Even if she woke up tomorrow morning, her energy probably wouldn’t have recovered, and she’d likely think “Yokohama, huh…” and find the invitation itself bothersome. Though it’s truly regrettable, when it comes to “not wanting to leave the house on days off,” Alice actually has enough personal experience that she can’t exactly call it someone else’s problem.

“That makes too much sense.”

“Right? I don’t think you have any reason to refuse. Come on.”

The light changed, and Kai faced forward.

Staring blankly at his profile, Alice stopped thinking.

“Okay, please.”

And with that, the matter was settled.