~Chapter 84~
The engagement ceremony was simple.
Richard and I read aloud the engagement vows and signed them. Then Bastian, as the emperor’s representative and joint witness, confirmed and sealed them.
After that, Richard and I exchanged the engagement rings he had shown me before.
“Do you know, Lady Amelie? The ring you’re wearing is actually a treasure of the imperial family.”
“What?!”
Right after we exchanged rings, Bastian whispered that it was once the engagement ring of the former emperor and empress.
Because of their touching love story, it became an imperial treasure. But why on earth did Richard bring it here…?
The diamond in the middle suddenly felt so heavy, I thought it might slip right off my finger.
While I was too conscious of the ring on my left ring finger, the final part of the ceremony began—the high priest’s blessing prayer.
“May eternal love dwell upon this promised vow, and may this bond never waver before any trial.”
But this wasn’t even a real engagement. Was it okay to receive such a blessing?
The solemn prayer pricked at my conscience.
‘What if I get punished for this?’
I glanced sideways at Richard.
“It’s all done. Just endure a little longer.”
He must have thought I was bored, since he didn’t even meet my eyes as he spoke.
While the high priest prayed for witness Bastian, I whispered quietly to Richard.
“It’s not that. I just feel guilty. Don’t you feel anything?”
“Not really.”
How could someone who looked like they’d received the most blessings from God say something so irreverent?
If he still wasn’t struck down, then the god Ellion must truly be merciful.
“In the name of the great Ellion, I declare that these two are bound as one.”
The engagement was finally declared complete.
Thank goodness it was only an engagement. That meant there was no vow kiss.
If this had been a wedding, and we had actually kissed, my heart would’ve raced until I died.
But then, Bastian suddenly came toward us.
“How about a vow kiss, to show your sincerity toward the engagement? It’s sometimes done even in engagement ceremonies.”
Crazy crown prince.
I thought we’d gotten past it, but Bastian, grinning, threw us into trouble.
If only people who knew this was a fake engagement were here, I could have refused. But since many priests who didn’t know the details were watching, refusing would look strange.
This was clearly revenge for what I said at the last ball. He pretended he’d gotten over it, but he must have held onto it the whole time.
Bastian’s behavior could only be explained that way.
“We’ll be doing that plenty while living together in the imperial castle. There’s no need to do it here too.”
“…What did you just say…?”
Richard’s sudden words left me speechless.
Of course, I understood he was only trying to get us out of this situation, but I still couldn’t believe it was Richard Bender who said it.
Was he always this shameless? His face was calm, almost sly.
“Hahaha. I didn’t know my younger brother could be this bold.”
“Ahem—!”
In front, Bastian laughed, and behind us, Father cleared his throat in disapproval.
But since Bastian was satisfied with Richard’s answer, there was no vow kiss.
Instead, Richard finished the engagement ceremony by lightly kissing the back of my left hand.
“We’re leaving for the imperial castle right now.”
“Right now?”
I thought I could finally relax, but then it was off to the imperial castle immediately?!
I thought there would at least be some time to prepare, but everything was rushed.
“An article will be published soon, so it’s better for you to be in the castle than at the baron’s house. They won’t be able to bother you there.”
“But I didn’t bring anything with me. Can I really just go?”
“Clothes and accessories are already prepared. If you want to bring something from the baron’s house, you can have the servants fetch it.”
“Your level of preparation is starting to scare me.”
I shivered dramatically.
Richard let out a dry laugh and escorted me into the carriage.
He followed me in, and the horses began to move.
“I didn’t even get to properly say goodbye to my parents or Lysa.”
“You’ll meet Lysa soon at the castle. And you can invite the baron and his wife anytime you want. Just tell the chief steward.”
“This really feels like I just got married and left home.”
In reality, I had never even been engaged, let alone married.
I absentmindedly fiddled with the engagement ring.
Come to think of it, if this was a contract engagement, shouldn’t there be actual terms?
“Don’t we need a contract?”
I asked Richard, since this was a romance novel world, after all.
“A contract?”
“Yes. It’s a ‘contract engagement,’ so shouldn’t there be one?”
“…I didn’t think about writing one. Did you have something in mind?”
“Well…”
What kind of clauses should a contract engagement have?
I recalled all the contract-marriage stories I had read.
A set period, the purpose of the contract, the demands from each side—those were all standard.
But the more I thought about it, the more it seemed this engagement only benefitted me. Richard didn’t seem to gain anything.
“I know my situation forced this, but what do you gain from it?”
“I don’t have to face my mother’s pressure anymore.”
“What if something worse than pressure is waiting?”
From what I’d seen, she wasn’t easy to handle. Just imagining it scared me, so I didn’t finish the thought.
Of course, she wouldn’t glare at her son the way she did at me.
“Don’t worry. I won’t let you get hurt.”
“No, I’m worried about you.”
“…You’re worried about me?”
“Of course. I’ve always been worried I’d cause you harm.”
Richard looked a little surprised at my reply.
He even covered his mouth with his hand, as if he never thought I’d say something like that.
“What? What do you think I am…”
“No. It’s just… surprising.”
When he lowered his hand, the corner of his lips curved up slightly.
Why was he smiling?
Lately, he’d been smiling more often, but this time, I really didn’t know why.
Well, it looked especially good on him, so for me, it was only a nice thing.
“Anyway, if Her Majesty bothers you too much, tell me.”
“And what will you do if I tell you?”
“I’ll become the main character of a tragic love story. I’ll show them how hardship and trials make love stronger. Like a practice performance.”
Richard chuckled softly at my words.
“That could work. My mother would love it.”
“Careful. My acting is so good, she might faint from shock.”
“She’s too strong for that to happen.”
“Yeah, she did look strong.”
Since Richard also had something to gain, it felt easier to talk about the engagement.
Now the purpose of the contract engagement was clear.
The most important thing left was the duration.
“Then how long will we keep this contract?”
“…You mean the engagement period.”
“Yes. Even if we rushed into this, we should set a clear time limit.”
The faint smile on Richard’s face disappeared, replaced with a firm expression.
Of course—it was an important matter for him too.
I also didn’t plan to drag this out, since I was still conscious of Lysa.
At most, six months? That would be short enough to call it just a little fling.
While I was still thinking, Richard spoke.
“I have no intention of setting a time limit.”
His words hit me like a stone—clear, unwavering, and leaving me speechless.
