Chapter 26:  Engagement Party (4)

What is it about this man who can treat Leefe without any discomfort, as if he were a real lover?

(As expected of the Crown Prince of a great nation… He’s on a level that’s too high for me!)

Leefe, accustomed to being alone, grabbed Oliver’s arm, and her hand trembled. She didn’t know how to deal with such a difference in experience.

However, Oliver showed no signs of belittling Leefe. On the contrary, he continued with meltingly sweet words and tone.

“Sir, I would appreciate it if you didn’t interfere with us anymore. Just when I finally got her to accept my proposal, it’s disheartening to have other men proposing to her. I love her so much.”

(Love!?)

Even Leefe, who understands that this is a temporary engagement, is tempted to believe it with such convincing acting. The same seemed to be true for Leefe’s father.

“…I found it strange that the Crown Prince of the Shinwood Empire showed interest in my daughter, but I never expected him to care about Leefe to this extent.”

“Father!?”

Seeing her father crying, Leefe’s flushed head suddenly cooled. If she were such a beloved daughter, he should have intervened when Aria and Easton’s affair came to light.

(The Enchanting Saint, she’s truly a troublesome existence…)

Aria, forcibly distorting people’s affections in an unnatural way, might indeed be a force capable of tipping a whole nation.

“So, Father, if you truly wish for my happiness, please leave us alone.”

“Understood. I’ll refrain from seeking any further proposals. Actually, I brought a good proposal today.”

“Just to be sure, may I ask for the family name?”

“He’s the second son of the Smith Earl’s family, a fine young man just a bit older than Leefe.”

“When you mention the Smith Earl’s family, they produced the current leading mage in the Distoria Kingdom. And the second son of that family… I haven’t heard any significant rumors about him.”

Finally, her father had prepared a decent proposal. Perhaps, if the ending is good, everything that happened before can be forgiven. Just for a moment, Leefe felt that way.

“No, he recently suffered from amnesia. Quite a pitiful situation.”

“!? I understand.”

It seemed that Leefe, who had anticipated something, was a fool. She sighed, and Oliver reacted to that.

“Amnesia, huh. Come to think of it, I heard that Leefe’s previous fiancé also suffered from amnesia.”

“Yes. One day, he slipped, hit his head, and completely forgot about only us sisters.”

“Did you investigate thoroughly?”

“The attending physician diagnosed it as unknown cause, but they might not have looked into it from a different perspective. I’m a magical pharmacist, but I’ve been completely treated as an enemy.”

When Leefe mentioned the “different perspective,” it referred to whether the amnesia was caused by magic or a curse.

Upon Leefe’s response, Oliver thought deeply.

“Amnesia is not something that happens easily. The previous fiancé of Leefe and the second son of the Smith Earl’s family are royalty and nobility. Moreover, Leefe mentioned that the Smith Earl’s family currently has the leading mage in the Distoria Kingdom. Normally, it should be investigated from a different perspective.”

“Indeed, it seems strange.”

“I know we shouldn’t interfere in the affairs of other countries, but it bothers me.”

…

Unnoticed, Leefe’s father had disappeared somewhere, moved to tears by emotion. While praying that he wouldn’t bring any more proposals, Leefe reconsidered the issue of amnesia.

(Indeed, it’s strange that it hasn’t been investigated. For example, it would make sense if they were preventing it using the power of the Enchanting Saint, but there’s no way Aria has that kind of wisdom.)

Come to think of it, Aria had gulped down the amnesia cure magical potion Leefe brought to the banquet the other night.

Back then, Leefe thought, “Is she going to such lengths to hide her lies?” But now, a slight discomfort lingered.

“‘Memory’ is the most popular as the cost of a forbidden spell. Regarding Lord Easton’s amnesia, it might be worth investigating from a different angle.”

By the way, today’s party was intended to showcase the engagement of Leefe and Oliver. However, it seemed that Oliver had many official guests as the Crown Prince.

“Leefe, sorry. I need to step outside for a moment.”

“Oh… Don’t worry about it.”

Having bid farewell to Oliver, who left the venue after being approached by someone who seemed to be his aide, Leife was smiling when René appeared next to her.

“It looks good.”

“Yes, did you know what I saw that just now? He lightly kissed your crown before leaving! He’s too perfect a lover; I almost made a strange noise…”

“Hahaha.”

“Don’t make fun of me! Who is that person!? I didn’t hear that he’s so perfect! My heart hurts! It’s suffocating! Rene, how do you know him?”

“But doesn’t he give off a bit of a playboy vibe?”

“…Yeah. He seems incredibly accustomed to escorting and treating women with care, but it doesn’t feel like he does that with just anyone.”

“Miss, have you gained quite a bit of experience to be self-conceited? That’s impressive.”

“Don’t joke around. If I get kicked out of Oliver-sama’s circle, I’ll end up with an unnecessarily discerning eye for men. Heading straight for a solitary life! Maybe I should have accepted my father’s matchmaking!?”

As Leefe was making a bit of a fuss in a hushed voice, a refined voice, like the sound of rolling bells, spoke.

“――It seems that the fiancée of Prince Oliver has a contract with a very beautiful spirit, ”