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Chapter 47. Head Princess

"First off, I apologize for reflexively saying no. Please explain everything from the beginning... so I can refuse again afterward."

"Could you stop making refusal a foregone conclusion?"

"That's impossible."

Call me unlovable if you want, but I don't like diving headfirst into trouble. Just dealing with Ivy's delusions has already dragged me into enough mess. I don't need more.

"I'll explain, but I'm not asking because I have feelings for you."

"Isn't that rude? As I said earlier, it's because you don't have any friends to rely on, regardless of gender."

"Isn't that more rude?"

Oops... That was indeed rude. The truth can hurt sometimes.

"And so?"

"The thing is... I might be forced to marry the prince of a neighboring country."

"Neighboring country... which one?"

In this country, "neighboring country" usually refers to the Kingdom of Kloster, but just to be sure, I'll ask. What if she says the Elgrant Empire?

"The Elgrant Empire."

"Sigh... It's not even a neighboring country by land."

"The Elgrant Empire is our closest neighbor. It's also the country Curia trades with the most. Do you want me to tell you last year's export revenue?"

"No need."

Even if she talks economics, I wouldn't understand it.

"So? It's not like being forced into marriage is a new thing. The Elgrant Empire has always been friendly. You might as well marry him. You didn't think you could have a free romance being born into royalty, did you?"

"Why are you so cold? I did dream of free love. Are you secretly a prince from somewhere?"

No, I'm not. Besides, how could you, a second princess in a minor position, think you could have a free romance? With the first prince, the second prince, and the first princess above you, it was clear you'd marry at least a marquess.

"Frankly, marrying a prince from the Elgrant Empire is a great deal. You could end up as a countess or something worse. But as an empress, that's a fantastic position."

"That's not the issue... I wanted to join the Magic Knights in the future!"

Oh, I see. It wasn't about free romance; she actually had a dream she wanted to pursue. That makes more sense.

Naturally, becoming the empress of the Elgrant Empire means no joining the Magic Knights of Kuria. She might not even get to wield a sword.

"Moreover, the marriage might be decided while I'm still in school. This means I might have to drop out to become the empress. I can't pursue my dream at all."

"...So, why pretend to be my lover?"

No way... she doesn't actually think that pretending to have a lover will nullify the marriage, does she?

"I read it in a book."

"That's a no."

"Why not!?"

Are you dumb? Do you think saying, "I have a commoner lover," would cancel a royal marriage? What kind of crazy king would buy that?

"So what should I do!?"

"There's nothing you can do. Royalty has duties, and they sacrifice themselves for the country. They grow up with wealth and power for that reason. As citizens pay taxes, royalty sacrifices themselves for the country... That's the norm."

Seriously... This princess is naive. But, to be honest, as someone with modern sensibilities, forced marriage feels like a human rights violation. I don't know if this country guarantees basic human rights, but it certainly doesn't sit well with me.

Princess Elissa isn't my friend. I only occasionally chat with her. But hearing that someone I know is being forced into an unwanted marriage... I can't just accept that.

"Let me be clear... I'm a selfish person. I'd lick the boots of someone powerful if it benefits me, and I'd secretly punch royalty if it harms me."

"I know that."

You could deny it a bit.

"If there's something in it for me... I'll help you gain your freedom."

"So you're saying you want a reward? That's so materialistic it makes me dizzy."

"Is that the attitude of someone asking for help? Whatever... Like I said, I'm selfish. I don't want to do a job with no reward, but I also don't want to let an acquaintance get forced into marriage, leaving a bad taste in my mouth."

"You're roundabout."

"I said I'd help you!"

Why do I have to act like a tsundere? Can't she just understand that?

"If you feel that way, say it from the start... We don't need roundabout words between us."

"I don't remember getting that close to Princess Elissa..."

That line sounds like it's from a rival or friend in a shounen manga.

"So? Do you have a plan?"

"...Huh? You're asking me?"

"I thought you said pretending to be lovers wouldn't work. Did you really think it would? Seriously?"

Unbelievable. I was joking, but this girl really is a princess in her head.

"Fine, I'll figure something out. The easiest way is... to have Ivy investigate and discredit the prince."

"At least find a way that doesn't harm Kuria."

"Nice personality."

Instead of worrying about the prince, she's concerned about the country. That's proper royalty. As a person, she might be a jerk, but as royalty, she's quite decent.

"If the prince turns out to be a saint, then you should just marry him."

"If that's the case, I'll meet and talk to him myself."

Even if you refuse, do it properly.