*****

In the city of Anjou—Sapphire Palace.

A lone girl sat in front of her room's window, absentmindedly gazing at the blue sky. She was merely seventeen, and the glistening on her blue eyes that resembled the sky hadn't completely disappeared yet.

There was a reason as to why Kiara, infamously known for her antics, was so deep in her own thoughts like this. Coincidentally, the color she had in her mind was also blue.

'Cecilia... de Orleans.'

Remembering that person's blue hair wasn't hard. It was light blue, a color one wouldn't see very often, and coupled with Cecilia's own beauty, there was no way Kiara would forget about her.

No, Cecilia's existence certainly impressed Kiara... but why?

It wasn't only because of the hair.

'Perfect nose, kissable lips, a nice scent, and...'

''...That's right.''

The eyes.

Those striking red eyes.

Even thinking she had nailed it, Kiara spent a while mulling over the exact part of Cecilia's eyes that impressed her. The color was, once again, rare, yet it wasn't as though she hadn't seen a red-eyed person.

[Kiara, I found another beautiful rock!]

Right then, an eagle with distinct blue eyes flew in from the window, dropping a round, slightly red stone from his beak. Unstartled, Kiara waved at her Soul Guardian.

''I told you not to bring trash into my room anymore...''

[Hm? Are you thinking about something, Kiara?]

''Mhm... the girl we met yesterday at the capital.''

For her Soul Guardian, Mr.Chief's birthday, she decided to go to the capital to get his favorite snacks and landed herself inside a famous restaurant. It was there that she encountered Her Highness, the imperial princess, and the ladies of Orleans.

[Which one? The small one? Big one? Or the princess?]

''The girl with blue hair.''

[Ah... she kept looking at you. I thought it was weird.]

''Oh, that's it.''

[Hm...?]

Kiara nodded to herself, having finally deduced the answer to her question.

It was because Cecilia focused her attention on Kiara. From start to finish, the girl was always looking at Kiara with an indiscernable stare. For some reason, the princess of Anjou was really hung up on that.

In reality, it wasn't that difficult to figure out why.

Since childhood, Kiara has always been an unfavored kid. Being the youngest of the three siblings, especially in a royal house, was one reason for it. Having trouble expressing her emotions was another reason.

She had fellow children tell her that she was emotionless many times. They weren't good experiences, yet they helped her to adapt. Gradually, she would act more and more outrageously to get people's attention, leading to the birth of 'Kiara, the prankster.'

Perhaps without those acts, she would be overlooked, and perhaps if she weren't trying to be funny, she would be isolated.

It had been like that for years. Yet, in the case of Cecilia de Orleans, things were different.

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'That sickly girl...'

That sickly girl was watching the princess of Anjou intently as if drawn into her. It wouldn't be because of the glasses and the funny hat she wore since her subordinates also had them on.

If so, the answer was clear.

''Hey, Mr.Chief.''

[What?]

''Am I... attractive?''

[...]

No one would want to blame Kiara if they knew her circumstances. She was a royal—a royal that knew a thing or two about romance. Not because she had experience, however. Her mother, the one from whom she inherited the extra organ, simply rambled too much about the topic when she was younger.

''No ordinary woman would attempt close contact with you if she didn't want your romantic interest.''

'Mother said so.'

''If she claims so, it means she is either lying or she doesn't know boundaries. The latter are rare cases.''

''...''

Based on all the evidence, Kiara came to a conclusion—Cecilia was into her.

The moment it hit, her azure eyes shook. Then, her mind began to spin unnecessarily, causing her to rock the chair back and forth. Startled, Mr.Chief tried to calm Kiara down, but to no avail.

The mere thought that someone as gorgeous as Cecilia was interested in her was thrilling. After all, the brain of a teenager, the kind that had more strong sexual desires burning in them, was present in Kiara's head.

'No, I can't get ahead of myself like this.'

But Cecilia was clearly with Her Highness, the imperial princess. Their distance seemed close, too. Was this a case of attempted 'catching lovers with both hands'?

In the end, Kiara couldn't figure it out.

Still, she was enthusiastic about bridging a new relationship, be it romantic or platonic. Kiara was just about to plan her next visit to the capital when the King of Anjou, her mother, summoned her.

''Mother, I'm here.''

''Come in.''

In the Libre empire, the position of a 'King,' or more broadly, heads of families, wasn't always held by a man. Generally, it was reserved for the one in real power—the dominant person in the relationship.

Facing her imposing mother, Kiara stood quietly. There was no need to do her antics here. If anything, it would get her punished.

''Kiara.''

''Yes, mother.''

With the same azure eyes, Kiyuel d'Anjou solemnly addressed her daughter. After twirling around with the ball pen in her hand for a moment, her lips parted,

''Did you... find someone?''

''...No, mother.''

There it was.

In Kiara's mind, Kiyuel was a good mother. She wasn't affectionate, yet she didn't do anything distasteful to her either. She was good enough for the young princess.

However, if there were one thing Kiara wanted her mother to change... it would be her obsession with marriage.

To briefly summarize, Kiyuel had a hard time finding her partner when she was young, leading to multiple complications that almost cost her the throne. Now, she wanted her children not to suffer the same fate as hers.

As much as Kiara wanted to remind her mother that she was only seventeen, she didn't have enough courage.

''I see. Take this, then.''

A bit confused, Kiara took the letter that Kiyuel handed her.

''Mother, this is...''

''A letter of mine to the marchioness of Orleans.''

''...!"

In an instant, the quick-witted Kiara understood it—her mother was determined this time.

Before, Kiyuel would only pressure Kiara to get a fiancé, but with this letter, 'pressuring' had turned into 'forcing.'

''The daughter of Orleans is perfect for a marriage partner. Though there is fierce competition, you can give it a try.''

Kiyuel didn't forget to add, ''Don't take it too seriously either.''

At heart, she only wanted her daughter to have someone.

When the King of Anjou checked Kiara's expression again, she was shocked to find that her daughter... was smiling, albeit faintly.

''So... I only need to engage with the lady of House Orleans, right?'' She asked, carrying a certain enthusiasm in her tone.

''...Yes.''

''Thank you, mother. I shall give my all to accomplish your wishes.''

''No, that's not...''

''Then, farewell.''

''...''

Left alone in her office, Kiyuel silently massaged her temples.

'Have I finally gone mad...?'

*****

On a sunny day.

The weather was somehow quite warmer than usual, allowing me to roam the mansion more comfortably. Still, Lyra clung to me everywhere I went, which was definitely a plus.

''Fufu... my little sister is such a baby~.''

''...''

I stroked her head as she pouted.

Ever since she found out that I would be meeting Penelope frequently on top of going on dates with Rachael, this little cotton of jealousy had been even more adorable.

Sometimes, I wished her eyes would gain some luster, however.

Nevertheless, with such weather, what should we do...

''My ladies.''

''Oh, Albert. How are you today?''

''I'm doing fine, my lady. Thank you.''

''Did something happen?''

''...You have a visitor, my lady. Her Highness, the royal princess, Kiara d'Anjou, is waiting for you in the guest room.''

''...I see.''

So the time had come.

To be honest, deflecting Kiara wouldn't be the hardest thing. I would just have to manipulate her emotions a bit, which wasn't something I was keen on, but I had to regardless.

Taking Lyra's little hand, I swiftly moved to the guest room and seated myself opposite Kiara.

Now that I had a chance to admire her closely, I realized that she was indeed a breathtaking beauty.

''Greetings, Your Highness.''

''Greetings, Lady Cecilia, Lady Lyra.''

After the boring introduction stuff ended, it was finally time for the main battle. I clutched Lyra's palm tightly, hoping to provide her with as much reassurance as possible.

''Today, in light of the effort to bridge a close relationship between our families, I am here to propose an engagement...''

Here it was...!

''...between me and Lady Cecilia.''

''...''

''...''

''...Eh?''