Chapter One: Death or Engagement
THE Micheli Royal Academy of Magic had gone on summer break a week ago. Yesterday, I’d practically fled the capital to our family estate. My mother—who’d accompanied me here—sipped tea with a delighted smile.
“Thank goodness everyone recognized your engagement without a hitch,” she said.
You’re one amazing woman if you consider that a success, I thought while responding with a dry laugh. Personally, I was worried for all our lives.
Thus, I recalled yesterday’s events.
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SHORTLY after the beginning of summer break, my mother and I received a summons to the castle. During the carriage ride there, my mother let out a disappointed sigh. “You should have dressed up more.”
She had a point. We’d been summoned to the castle to hear the announcement of Prince Embert’s engagement. His engagement to me. That said, I had no intention of dolling myself up and strutting in with a smug grin. My engagement to Embert would only be announced to a handful of key figures today. After imagining the backlash, my will to wear a nice outfit had deflated.
Before long, we arrived at the castle and were led into the audience chamber. Unease lingered in the pit of my stomach the entire time. That aside, a handful of people had already gathered in the chamber. Was it just my imagination, or were the king and queen grinning with excitement while sitting on their thrones?
Royalty usually arrives after everyone else has assembled, right? Why are they waiting for us with such giddy smiles?
My father stood behind the excitable king and queen, radiating a frigid aura.
How does he manage to be so terrifying and so dashing at the same time?
As that thought crossed my mind, a familiar voice called out to me.
“Oh, is that you, Lady Alexandra?”
The speaker was Lady Anegio. Like me, she was also the daughter of a duke. She wore a royal blue dress for this occasion. Furthermore, she wore an emerald necklace and earrings, the same color as Embert’s eyes. Her brunette hair had been tied up elegantly, and of course, she also wore an emerald hair ornament.
Before I could answer, Lady Palagani—another duke’s daughter—smiled at me. “We haven’t seen each other since the tea party, have we?”
Her dress sported a great deal of amber-colored lace. Though the designs differed from Lady Anegio’s, she also wore an emerald necklace and earrings. The ends of her straight, honey-colored hair had been curled into beautiful ringlets. In summary, both young women had chosen resplendent outfits. Their choice of clothing seemed directly proportional to their lofty expectations.
Finding myself at a loss for words, I only choked out, “Yes, it’s been too long.”
“Pardon me, but why are you here?” Lady Anegio asked me.
My facial muscles twitched.
Yeah, good question. Of course you’re wondering why I’m here. Still, I’m too terrified to admit, “Actually, I’m a surprise fiancée candidate!” to these pageant queens. I might as well be signing my own death warrant.
“Um, well…” I mumbled, unable to find the right words. “The royal family summoned me here because they have something to discuss, I guess?”
The two women smiled in response to my pitifully uncertain answer.
“Perhaps you were summoned here to serve as a witness,” Lady Palagani said. “Not only are you one of Embert’s students, but you’re also the daughter of a duke.”
Lady Anegio nodded in agreement. “I think so too. You must have been chosen as a representative of the academy.”
They’re completely off base, but what else are they supposed to think? Especially considering my choice of clothes.
I was wearing a simple, purple one-piece dress without any accessories. After all, I’d expected the other women to come here dressed to the nines. What horrors might have awaited me if I’d dolled myself up, too? Regardless, the other women didn’t comment on my clothes. Instead, both heaved a deep sigh while placing a hand on their chests.
“Can any of you understand how long I’ve waited for this day?” Lady Anegio asked. “I could hardly fall asleep last night because I was so nervous.”
“I could say the very same,” Lady Palagani agreed. Her catlike, almond-shaped eyes sparkled with joy. “I’ve been counting down the hours until this moment. My heart has been racing nonstop at the mere thought of finally standing beside the beautiful Prince Embert.”
Lady Anegio snorted. “My, you certainly live in a fairyland.”
“You’re the one who’s living in a fantasy. I expect to see you bawling your eyes out when this is over.”
The battle between the two young ladies commenced once more, just as it had at the tea party.
Do I have to suffer through this again? I wondered with exasperation. Could I sneak out of here while they’re at each other’s throats, maybe? I inched backward, hoping they wouldn’t notice. Alas, fortune didn’t favor me.
“Is something wrong?” Lady Anegio asked.
Could you not turn those eagle eyes on me, please?
I deflected her question with a smile. “No, nothing’s wrong.”
A moment later, Lady Palagani wrapped her arm around mine. “Please stay close to us, Lady Alexandra. You’re our witness, after all.”
My path of retreat had been blocked.
Would someone please come to my rescue? Would Custode swoop down and crush this castle if I asked him to?
As I indulged in escapist fantasies, the door behind the thrones opened. To no one’s surprise, Prince Embert gracefully strode into the audience chamber. In the blink of an eye, Lady Palagani let go of my arm. She and Lady Anegio joined hands and squealed with delight. Back in Japan, people often forgot their quarrels when their favorite idol appeared on stage. At that moment, sharing their excitement and joy was all that mattered.
Speaking of which, I nearly squealed with delight upon seeing my older brother standing behind Embert. At any rate, the prince took center stage in front of the thrones. Was it just my imagination, or were the king and queen squealing with delight behind him? All the while, my father’s frigid aura intensified. That one definitely wasn’t my imagination.
Embert spoke in a resonant voice. “Thank you, everyone, for gathering here today on my behalf.” Everyone’s gazes had already focused on him, and thus, he continued his opening speech. “I have remained undecided about my betrothal for a long while. However, I finally found the young lady I wish to spend my life with.”