Chapter 20:Too sweet, and the road ahead looks challenging

Leefe believed that Oliver’s marriage proposal must have had some reason behind it, and she nodded firmly.

“Understood. If that’s the case, I will play the role of a temporary fiancée.”

“Then let’s reply to this letter. We want them to attend our engagement announcement party.”

“P-Party…!? I-Is that really necessary!?”

Wait a moment. Even if it’s temporary, she doesn’t want to appear in such a public setting. Leefe, flustered by the sudden turn of events, was in a hurry, but Oliver remained nonchalant.

“If we firmly hold an engagement party, we won’t receive such letters.”

“Well, I wonder about that.”

“Any concerns?”

“No, it’s about our conversation!”

Sending a letter like this undoubtedly had to be Aria’s doing. No matter how trampled or kicked around, if Aria said to bring back her sister, they would send a letter.

(Is it because of Aria…? Maybe I shouldn’t have tried to help her after all.)

She laughed half-jokingly, but it was too late. However, being by Oliver’s side made her feel like she could escape from Aria and her parents’ pursuers.

(And if I stay here, I probably won’t be alone.)

Oliver’s assertive smile and the magic emanating from him. At least compared to the Tarrant Duke’s family members, it was a nostalgic and reassuring presence.

Perhaps we can become people who can understand each other a little.

(No, I can’t think like that. It’s disrespectful to Prince Oliver.)

Instead of just being friends or lovers, she had become a fake fiancée. However, having accepted the benefits, Leefe decided to nod.

“I-I understand. I will attend the party.”

“Looking forward to it. Let’s prepare right away.”

“Right away!? Um, well, even if it takes about a year for preparations…”

“If you take that much time, your family might come to pick you up, you know? It would be troublesome.”

“Well, that’s true!”

By the way, Rene, who had been quietly nibbling on cookies all this time, seems to be suppressing laughter for some reason. Leefe thinks her flustered state is amusing, but she wishes to be left alone.

(Suddenly being told such a thing… My heart isn’t prepared! But why would someone like me be chosen as a fiancée? Because this fake engagement has benefits that only I can enjoy.)

Perhaps sensing Leefe’s confusion, Oliver suddenly smiled.

“Isn’t it strange? We’ve just met, and yet I’m making such a proposal.”

“Yes. Honestly, I don’t understand the meaning.”

“Haha. You don’t understand the meaning, huh?”

Although it was a question that could be taken as disrespectful, Oliver laughed joyfully. As if he had been waiting for an unrestrained exchange, Leefe could only tilt her head in response to his composure.

“It’s okay, even if it’s just a temporary relationship. As long as you’re by my side.”

“Are you perhaps teasing me…?”

In her past life, she didn’t have lovers, let alone friends. Every well-intentioned action backfired, and her only memory was crying while being comforted by Rene.

(Although I know it’s a joke, I’m too happy because I’m not used to it… What should I do!?)

To the blushing Leefe, Oliver gently directed a smile.

“That might be true. But I do like Leefe.”

“!?!?”

What on earth does he mean? Leaving Leefe, who was taken aback, at the table, Oliver stood up, smiled refreshingly, and said, “I’ll be right back.”

“Well, I’ll be back.”

As Oliver was about to leave the room, he murmured, “Oh, right,” and approached Leefe, who had stood up to see him off.

The soft smile he had just moments ago was gone, replaced by a serious expression.

“!?”

To put it simply, he was close. The scent of perfume wafted gently, and memories flashed back to when she was embraced on the grand staircase a while ago.

Even though it was more of an accident, Leefe had never experienced such a thing. Just recalling it made her cheeks flush with warmth.

However, Oliver seemed to have no consideration for Leefe’s feelings. Leaning down a bit more, he drew even closer and whispered near her ear.

“…Oliver.”

“Huh?”

“I said I wouldn’t leave this room until you called me Oliver.”

“!”

(Isn’t this impact too powerful…!?)

Oliver’s eyes, up close, were incredibly beautiful. Leefe almost found herself entranced, but she blinked and managed to hold herself back. In any case, this situation was not good.

(For the 18 years of this life, I’ve never had my magic go out of control until I heard the story of being kicked out of the house. But now, I feel like my magic is going to go out of control again due to this agitation…!)

With a sudden welling of moisture in her eyes and a sensation of heat throughout her body, Leefe admitted defeat.

“Ol-Oliver.”

When she called him in a hoarse voice, he loosened the serious expression, was satisfied, and smiled.

“I’ll be back.”

“Y-Yes.”

As Oliver left the room, the door closed with a soft click. Leefe remained seated, feeling limp.

(…Is this what Lord Oliver is like?)

For Leefe, whose communication skills were somewhat lacking, the road ahead seemed too challenging.