♦　♦　♦

—The king should always be on top.

Encouragement to establish that image across the kingdom began in my childhood.

“Oh my, as expected of His Highness Redmond. You learn fast!”

My studies were forced to start before everyone else, and not just about the court affairs. Ever since I could remember, I’d been made to study both manners and foreign languages rigorously.

Of course, I also couldn’t afford to lose in swordsmanship and equestrian.

“Wow, if it’s to His Highness Redmond, I don’t mind losing!”

Whenever ambassadors from foreign countries came to visit, he’d have to spar against older training partners. However, they always went easy on him.

It’s frustrating.

Thus, he strove even harder.

That way, he wouldn’t have to mind others that much.

Eventually, everyone else began to take his preestablished image for granted.

Even though no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t achieve perfection.

“Lumiere, do you feel unwell?”

“No, not at all.”

At the queen’s birthday party, he was escorting his fiancée, Lumiere Von Lamneria. However, he noticed that she was acting odd.

At that time, he was 15-years-old, while Lumiere was 13-years old. She had just made her social debut, so he wondered if she was just nervous about her big day.

‘I see…’ Deciding that was the case, he danced with her.

Red went out of his way for her, intending to make it easier for her even if there was a misstep. After all, if they made a mistake, he wouldn’t suffer from any repercussions. Rather, she’d be blamed for “disgracing him.”

After the dance, they began to greet the other guests. However, when he was about to escort Lumiere around the venue—

“—Your Highness Redmond, may I borrow this lady? Her father wishes to speak to her.”

“Duke Lamneria?”

The one who spoke to him was a boy named Silver, a servant of the Lamneria family. Silver was a year younger than him. Originally, someone as young as him shouldn’t be able to accompany her to such a party as an attendant… Nevertheless, when he solemnly bowed his head to me, I could find no flaw in his respectable demeanor.

Thus, Redmond glanced at Lumiere. She seemed clueless about the supposed call.

In spite of that, it was apparent that the boy named Silver was trusted by the Lamneria family—and of course, by Lumiere as well. It’d be strange for her to refuse such a polite call.

“All right, Lumiere, you can go. Don’t worry about me.”

“Thank you. I’ll be back soon.”

After curtseying, Lumiere left the venue.

She rarely made any demands of me. Perhaps, those around me intended for her to enhance my presence as the future emperor. She always firmly stood behind me, smiling softly. Such was my fiancée, Lumiere Von Lamneria.

But that day, the way she walked seemed unnatural.

Redmond hastily followed her, only to see the girl extending her feet to her attendant.

“They’re full of blisters. Don’t overdo it. You should’ve just worn your usual shoes.”

“But I have to, His Highness has grown taller. We wouldn’t match otherwise.”

Although her smile was unladylike, he couldn’t help but admire it.

It’s true, I’ve grown taller recently.

Even the sleeves of his clothes felt shorter, and he recalled how the maids were in a hurry to mend them. But as he had no interest in clothes whatsoever, he didn’t care at all.

“There’s an ideal height difference between men and women. It’s a woman’s role to match it with the weapon called heels.”

“Hmm, I think only bastard would mind such details.”

Perhaps, that’s her true self.

“Anyway, it’s my duty to care for the young lady.”

As the young attendant treated her feet, she reached for his long hair, and began to braid it while saying;

“I mean, isn’t that your job?”

What a cute prank!

However, there was no way she’d show such a side to Redmond, so he turned on his heels.

She won’t show that face to me.

Furthermore, he didn’t even notice her discomfort.

I made her dance with me while wearing such tight shoes…

　♦　

Lumiere had enrolled into the academy.

Until now, the distance between the two had never shortened.

On the other hand, he knew that it wasn’t necessary. After all, it was an arranged marriage. Her role was to fulfil her duty as queen and conceive an heir. Therefore, having the bare minimum of interaction didn’t matter as long as it didn’t affect their personal lives. If anything, he shouldn’t overstep his boundaries.

—But while he was still a student…

He would only be able to attend the same academy as her for a year.

She was probably anxious living away from her family. In fact, there were many men and women who married while still pursuing their education. With such an atmosphere, wouldn’t they at least be able to make some memories as lovers?

“You’re really bad at romance! What’ll you do if another man steals her away?”

“As in, you’re going to succeed the throne in my stead?”

“That’s not a bad idea.”

Bruno, his right hand man, had often made such jokes for a long time. Perhaps, he was half-serious. However, if he were to prove a decent ruler, then Redmond had no qualms about letting him ascend the throne.

The same went for his younger brother, Grimwald, who was second to the throne.

“Hey, Older Brother! To celebrate my enrollment, I want your attendant!”

“All right, I’ll arrange for that.”

“Then, can I have your fiancée, too?”

“…I won’t allow that.”

As the second child, Grimwald probably had to endure a lot. As such, Redmond thought of being indulgent towards his younger brother, even if it involved conceding the throne, but…

…For some reason, when it came to bestowing Grimwald his fiancée, he couldn’t entertain that idea.

—On a certain sunny day, it was as if the sky was shining.

“Oh, good morning, Your Highness Redmond.”

—Zyukkyuuuuun ♡

To have an arrow pierce the heart—was that how it felt?

Lumiere, whom he chanced upon, smiled and curtseyed.

Has she always been so beautiful?

No, without a doubt, she was definitely a beautiful young lady. Perhaps, the most beautiful in the entire kingdom. No, no, ‘the entire kingdom’ was an understatement—the whole world. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that she was the most beautiful woman in history. Moreover, she was also dignified and cute.

Is she a goddess? She must be a goddess incarnate! Otherwise, a goddess’ beauty is inferior to her.

Is Lumiere the reincarnation of the goddess?

I’m sure of it. My fiancée has to be a goddess.

—Wait, is she?

My fiancée was a goddess.

The shocking fact was akin to a revelation. The truth of this world.

World, thank you for opening my eyes. My fiancée is a goddess.

The shock was akin to a lighting bolt striking his head.

Then, do the men around me desire her?

“You’re really bad at romance! What’ll you do if another man steals her away?”

“As in, you’re going to succeed the throne in my stead?”

“That’s not a bad idea.”

For example, Bruno.

 “Hey, Older Brother! To celebrate my enrollment, I want your attendant!”

“All right, I’ll arrange for that.”

“Then, can I have your fiancée, too?”

“…I won’t allow that.”

…Or Grimwald, for that matter.

—But above all, her attendant Silver who always stood behind her and was closer to her heart more than anyone else.

This is a grave situation.

Marrying a goddess was the responsibility of the future king.

That alone I shan’t concede on.

“—Lumiere, it seems that I have awakened to true love.”

“What?”

He took her hand and proceeded to lean closer to her than he ever done so.

Her rose-tinted, white porcelain skin is so beautiful!

She is, without a doubt, my goddess.

---

***T/N: So what’s wrong with these folks!?

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