The Heir I Dragged Into My “He’s My Fiancé!” Lie Is Somehow Playing Along!? - Chapter 2.13

Life is full of surprises.

(Who would have thought I’d end up wearing a dress and dancing to live music in a ballroom one day? It’s so much fun! Even though I can’t dance at all!)

Alice was so bad at dancing it was almost laughable.

Since Kai was leading, it might have looked like she was dancing from a distance. But she kept stepping on his feet, and every time she nearly collided with someone, he’d pull her close and narrowly avoid it.

“I’m sorry! If I’d known I’d ever be invited to a ball, I would’ve at least watched some videos! Wait, how come you can dance, Kai? Is it because you’re a prince?”

When Alice asked, out of breath, Kai’s eyes sparkled as he replied briefly, “Maybe!”

She was captivated by the vividness of his expression.

He was so confident and dignified that he drew everyone’s attention, yet his gaze was fixed only on Alice.

For a moment, the sounds around them faded away.

In the dazzling light, the only thing reflected in Alice’s eyes was Kai smiling at her.

Even when he smiled, there was something daring about him—a wild, passionate intensity in his eyes and gaze that clashed with hers.

(How dare I cloud this expression of his…! I shouldn’t be allowed to!)

Even though he already had so much as a prince, Kai never stopped aiming higher.

Even to get this far, he must have faced plenty of ridicule and jealousy, like “It’s only because he’s the heir to the Ozora family.” But he had proven himself through his work, earning recognition from everyone around him.

Alice was aware of her growing feelings for Kai, but she had always hesitated to move forward.

She was afraid that their relationship would affect her work as a company employee, and that things would start moving for reasons unrelated to her own abilities.

If people said she was being favored because she was his fiancée, she wouldn’t be able to argue back. That fear had gradually dulled her heart.

If only she had been more honest and acted according to her beliefs.

“Kai.”

Summoning her courage, Alice called out to him, ready to confess her feelings.

In that instant, Kai let go of the hand supporting her waist. It must have been part of the dance routine, but someone took advantage of the opening and forcefully cut in from the side.

“Huh? Wha—?”

Alice let out an involuntary cry.

She had been displaced.

Her position as Kai’s dance partner had been snatched away.

Left adrift, she stared blankly at the spot where she had just been standing. When she looked up at the sound of someone asking, “Are you all right?” she saw that Kido had come over.

Meanwhile, Kai was glaring sharply at the person now dancing with him, his expression tense.

“What are you doing here?”

“Just dancing. You’re the best dancer in this ballroom, Kai. This is only natural. I don’t want to dance with someone who’s bad at it.”

“Well, I don’t want to dance with anyone but Alice!”

The person arguing with Kai while keeping perfect rhythm in the dance was Ashiya.

Though their types were different, both possessed striking good looks, wore suits well, were tall, and moved with sharp, powerful grace.

A ripple of murmurs spread through the hall like waves, drawing attention. Whispers of “Are they celebrities?” and names of popular idol groups could be heard. Alice could understand why.

“I don’t know much about dance, so I can’t tell who’s leading and who’s following, but you’re good.”

“Well, he’s Executive Vice President Ashiya. Like Department Head Yikura, there’s nothing he can’t do. He’s the all-around type.”

Scions are terrifying. Alice shivered, feeling a chill.

(They’re just from another world entirely. Even the courage I managed to muster feels like it’s turning to ashes!)

She had been about to tell Kai how she felt.

But now that they were separated, she felt a gap and distance between them, and her cowardice was creeping back.

“…No.”

Alice scolded her weakening self.

(I decided to be honest, didn’t I? So, I can stay by Kai’s side—always so straightforward—and proudly say that’s what gives my life meaning!)

I can’t afford to lose, she thought, straightening her back as she walked over to the two still arguing.

She watched their movements, predicted the next step, and reached out.

Taking Kai’s arm, she pulled him firmly toward her.

“Mr. Ashiya! This person is very important to me, so I can’t hand him over to you!”

“Oh?” Ashiya narrowed his eyes and gave a faint smile.

“You won’t even lend him to me for one short dance?”

“No. This song is almost over. You’re not even his fiancée, so don’t try to dance a second song with him!”

Alice delivered her lines with gusto, and Ashiya burst out laughing, clutching his stomach.

“I see, so that’s a no. What a shame. I was counting on him staying single forever, but who knew he’d get engaged so easily and so soon? What am I supposed to do now?”

“I don’t know. Figure it out yourself!”

Even if a man who seemed to have nothing but attractive traits came to her for love advice, what could someone like me possibly say!? Alice retorted even more vehemently in her mind, but she kept it to herself.

Kai, now held by Alice, looked stunned, blinking in surprise. Seeing his innocent, vulnerable expression, Alice felt sure that she was the only one who could protect him here and now.

Because she was his fiancée.

“Let’s go, Kai. We’ve danced enough. The rest of the time is for just the two of us!”

“Y-yeah. Okay.”

Kai’s voice was slightly high-pitched as he answered, his cheeks flushing.

Seeing him shy made Alice almost snap back to herself, thinking how embarrassing her own words had been, but she pushed through, telling herself that to think that way would mean defeat.

Taking Kai’s hand, she tossed a “Goodbye!” to Ashiya, doing her best to sound polite, and left the ballroom.

She clearly heard Ashiya’s laughter ringing out behind her again but refused to look back.

23:56

Back in their room, they stepped out onto the balcony and counted down to midnight while gazing at the starry sky and the sea.

Since Alice said she wanted to stay in her dress while they had the chance, both of them remained in their formal wear.

“We’re really not sleeping at all tonight!”

Kai said cheerfully as he sipped wine from his glass.

“It feels like a waste to sleep. I want to stay awake longer!”

Alice, playing it safe, had avoided alcohol and was drinking fresh apple juice from the room’s refrigerator.

“Sorry about Ashiya. He’s always been like that.”

“It’s pretty clear he likes you.”

“Yeah. He likes me so much he’s always showing up. He’s not the type to do things people genuinely hate, but he’ll push things right to the edge. Who’d have thought he’d want to dance with me…?”

As he spoke, Kai casually moved back inside. Alice’s eyes fell on the smartphone lying on the table.

23:58

(Who would’ve thought I’d be celebrating my birthday in a luxury cruise ship suite? A month ago, I never could’ve imagined this…)

Looking down at her pink, sugar-spun dress, Alice sighed.

Remembering the whirlwind of recent days, she wondered what the next year would bring.

Kai returned from inside the room and knelt on one knee beside her.

When she looked at him questioningly, he was opening the lid of a small box in his hand.

“I chose today’s earrings and necklace to match this ring. It’s sized for your ring finger, but for everyday wear, how about starting with your right hand?”

The faint sound of waves reached them.

The moon and stars cast their light upon the sea, making the ring glitter as well.

Alice froze, speechless. Kai took her hand, slipped the ring onto her right finger, and pressed his lips to the spot.

“…Even past midnight, the magic hasn’t broken. You’re still in your dress.”

“I’m glad it didn’t disappear,” Alice added quietly.

“This isn’t Cinderella’s story—it’s Alice’s.”

With a smile that seemed to melt into the night air, Kai stood up. He embraced Alice as she rose with him, pressed his forehead to hers, and said, “Happy birthday. From today onward, let’s continue to take care of each other,” before his lips met hers.

-END-