“—I couldn’t openly say that I love her because I wasn’t ready to welcome the viscount’s sole daughter, Lithia, as my wife… But now, the preparations are finally complete.”

“—!? Hold on, Your Highness!”

At Andrew’s words, one of his two former fiancée candidates, Adora Drese, shouted.

“U-unlike us, she hasn’t receive any of the princess education! Yet, to appoint her as the princess…”

“T-that’s right! If you were to make her your mistress, that’d still be understandable. But to make her a princess!? What would His Majesty say—!?”

For both women, winning Andrew’s affection was akin to a dream come true. Although originally, marriages to the royal family were woven through politics rather than love. There was no way that a daughter of a nouveau riche merchant would be able to perform the official duties of a princess.

For the same reason, it should be impossible for a prince to do away with his fiancée candidates because they were perfectly educated.

“—Ha! Were you hoping that I’d reduce her to a concubine? Lithia didn’t receive any princess education, you say? Again, you misunderstood. Alright, listen carefully—”

However, as if he could see through them, Andrew’s cold gaze pierced them.

“At this point in time, Lithia has completed most of her princess education. She’s far more educated than the two of you combined.”

“Eh—!?”

It was Lithia’s turn to scream. Until now, she always believed that the prince despised her. She didn’t remember ever receiving any princess education?

“Pfft, it’s no surprise not even Lithia herself knows—for I had concealed the truth. Those ‘supplementary lessons’ she been receiving to date have actually been the princess education. Lithia, thank you for working hard for our future. I instructed the teachers to be strict, but you managed to keep up brilliantly.”

Andrew smiled gently as he stared at Lithia. On the other hand, his expression as he turned towards Adora and Orienne was freezing cold.

“…On the contrary, the two of you always cut corners and even asked for a lenient tutor. Had you studied on your own and exercised some discipline, there might have been room for consideration—but I received no such reports. And yet, you still deem yourself worthy to the title of princess? Ignorance sure is bliss!”

“T-that’s…!”

Far from winning his affection, they were slapped with the reality that even their accumulated achievements and confidence were nothing. Thus, the two ladies crumpled onto the floor.

Even if they were to undertake a strict princess education, they’d need many years to complete it. By that time, Andrew would’ve graduated and taken a wife for himself.

“I’ve already reported to my father the lack of progress you two made in your princess education even after a decade. On the contrary, Lithia is about to complete it. My father prefers action over words. Now, as to whom is the most suitable for the title of princess, do we even need to ask?”

—All for the sake of turning Lithia, a low-ranking aristocrat, into a princess.

Apparently, for that purpose, he deemed it necessary to not only give Lithia a princess education, but to also drag others down.

“I always acted dismissive to Lithia to prevent others from learning that she’s my true wife candidate.”

—Ten years ago, from the day he saw the girl with pure white hair and golden eyes, Andrew’s ploy had begun.

“…Seriously? I thought he was just making a fool of her.”

“To think that he’s been looking forward to this day ever since he was 8-years-old… It’s kind of scary.”

“As expected, you should never make an enemy out of him. Lady Lithia can’t escape anymore.”

Andrew’s display of competency and wicked cunningness instilled both fear and awe in the male students.

“—Finally, your turn has come, Geo Wales! The filth who’s been lurking around Lithia!”

Of course, Andrew’s tactics didn’t end there.

The ones who’d bear the brunt of his wrath weren’t only his former fiancée candidates, but also the man who incited his ire.

“Listen everyone! I’ve prepared a place for this rare light magic user to devote himself! At the far East of this country is the territory of Baron Selvi! The baron wishes to make use of his power! I’ve already completed all the procedures! As a courtesy, I’ve allowed him to attend school until today to witness the day where Lithia finally becomes my fiancée. However, he shall depart from the royal capital as soon as tomorrow!”

He’d show no mercy to those who got in the way of their love.

Surprisingly, Andrew had already worked out a plan to banish his love rival to the farthest wasteland by using various connections and his authority.

“Starting three years ago, the lakes—the territory’s sources of water—dried up one after another, and the water shortage has become serious. The land has become barren, and the crops won’t grow. Everyone, let’s pray that his light magic, which boosts the growth of plants, will be of use there! Hahaha—!”

Even though the had students fixed their gazes on Geo, he remained unperturbed. Had he been rendered speechless out of shock? No, judging from the way the prince had spoken, he must’ve been notified of the fact before hand.

…Then, did he deliberately offend the prince in realization of his fate?

Either way, such was the prince’s punishment for those who dared to lay their hands on his fairy princess. While it might be cruel, it also attested to how much he loved her.

“…That’s how much His Highness Andrew thinks of Lady Lithia!”

A female student swooned at his decade old love.

Soon after, a round of applause enveloped the venue.

“Now then, all that’s left for you is to accept. Lithia Album, will you be my princess? …Even if you say no, I won’t let you go.”

Somehow, his melty sweet smile also hinted to a fathomless abyss.

When the unexpected, charming side of Andrew hit them like a stray bullet the female students keeled over.

The audience was giddy with excitement as they waited for her reply with bated breath.

“Pardon me, I’m not Lithia Album—but Lithia Wales.”

“…Huh?”

The round of applause abruptly ended.

Such was the reply of the girl who was supposed to tearfully say yes.

“I said it from the beginning, you got the wrong person.”

…As silence descended, the man who couldn’t read the atmosphere—the man who was also Lithia’s husband—Geo Wales, spoke while embracing her shoulders.

---

***T/N: Oh my god! Now that I know the prince’s true feelings, I realize how dreamy he is and how much of a prince charming he is! Everything he did is for her! Look guys! A husbando material!

…Not.

Yeah prince, no amount of gloating will unfeck your relationship with Lithia.

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