“This is not to condemn you for your pretenses or uncouthness, but because I think I’ve succumbed to a curse. I’m unworthy of being the emperor—or your spouse, for that matter.”

—This is the development I’ve been waiting for.

Neither I nor the Lamneria family would be punished in any way. It was the best ending, as I was able to leave the engagement unscathed.

But is it, really?

As expected, Prince Redmond was under some kind of a curse. Moreover, according to Irene’s story… It was the Goddess’ curse. It wasn’t something that Prince Redmond could prevail against as an ordinary human being without magic.

…Yet, I distanced myself from him, and in such a brazen way, too. Namely ‘Kyururun.’

As his fiancée, I was the worst.

Despite my treachery, Prince Redmond still treated me with utmost respect.

I began to shed tears. I had no right to act like the victim of the situation.

“I’m truly sorry.”

—He even apologized to such a despicable woman.

What did I do to him…?

“Milady.”

Someone gently pushed me from behind. I didn’t need to turn around because I knew who it was—Silver.

His voice was unusually gentle, which caused me to tightly shut my eyes.

I deeply bowed my head to Prince Redmond.

“I-I’m truly sorry for all the pretenses and deceit…”

—I stuttered!?

Due to the pity and regret, my lips quivered.

Bruno, Hielo, Ragri, and Prince Grimwald were also present. I bowed my head to them and apologized.

My face is a mess right now, I’m sure of it. My face must be unbearable to look at, and as a noble lady, I should be deeply ashamed about it.

Will they abuse me? Will they hate me?

As I hung my heard, waiting for their answer, I heard something I hadn’t expected at all.

“…So cute.”

What?

—I must be hallucinating. It must be so.

When I looked up in fear, the gentlemen besides Silver seemed to be covering their mouths and turning away for some reason. Then, I saw their ears…

Wait, are they blushing!?

By the way, Silver was the easiest to read. After all, he was suppressing his laughter.

While I was stunned by such a strange atmosphere, Prince Redmond slapped both of his cheeks.

“Your Highness…?”

“Pardon me. There’s more to the story.”

For some reason, Prince Redmond got down on one knee in front of me. His expression was tense.

“…I want us to start all over again. I love you as a woman. I want you to be my wife.”

“…Hawawa?”

The habit that I was forced to develop over one week was unexpectedly deep-rooted.

Just as I stood there in a daze, Bruno took my left hand, while Grimwald took my right.

“I see, that makes it easier for me. In other words, I can simply steal her away, right?”

“If you want to start over, does that mean I can try again? I won’t commit any mistakes this time.”

By the way, Hielo, fron at the door, said, “…I already have Lady Constanze.” He seemed to be struggling with himself.

For some reason, Silver, who had burst out laughing, embraced me from behind instead.

“Well then, everyone, it’s time to compete once again. The Goddess has bestowed this woman upon me. I won’t give her up so easily?”

“Hawawawawa!?”

—What the heck is going on!?

When I was completely overwhelmed with tears and confusion, Irene offered me helping hand by saying, “Good grief…”

She spoke, “Now is the time to say, ‘Don’t fight for me,’ and ‘Kyururun’!”

“What kinds of instructions are those!?”

After that, my brain unable to handle it anymore, prompting me to say, “Aah, I’m about to faint.” In real life.

—Then, the next day arrived. I was out cold for an entire day.

Even before I started feeling dizzy, I was already feeling the effects of having stayed up all night the day before.

…In other words, it was all Silver’s fault that I was missing class and sleeping.

“Milady, how are you feeling?”

“…The absolute worst.”

I was relieved when I saw that I was alone in my dormitory room with Silver tending to me.

“Excuse me.” He propped me up and helped me to take a sip of water.

As I swallowed the water he gave me, Silver dropped a bomb.

“So, how far did you go with His Highness Redmond?”

“Pfft—!!”

What is he asking me all of the sudden!?

By spurting out the water, I was already disqualified as a noble lady.

Silver, this is your fault!!

But he only laughed and asked again. “How far?” while wiping my face, nudging me for an answer.

“…He pushed me onto the bed and almost kissed me. Well, that’s all.”

“Oh, so it was just an attempt?”

“O-obviously!?”

When I answered in a hurry, Silver smiled wryly.

“…So, kind of like what I always do?”

—In the next moment…

I was lying on top of the bed. My vision was somewhat blurred.

How did this happen?

Silver had crawled on top of me. His fingers slid under my chin, lifting it. He showed me a boyish smile.

“Like this?”

Don’t ‘like this?’ me!! Ugh!!

As heat began to pool on my face, I turned away.

“…Silver’s all right. You don’t scare me.”

“Fu~~~~n♡”

With that sweet nod, he propped his elbow and drew his face closer to mine.

“Have you figured out the reason why?”

“B-because we’re like a family?”

“Your face is flushed red, though?”

I rolled in the opposite direction.

Then, Silver finally stood up and tugged at the red collar around his neck.

“Well, as long as I have this collar, I won’t be able to do anything. Please take your time and think about it until my collar comes off. I have to warn you, though. By then, I believe you’ll become even more dependent on me.”

…This is what I, too, have learned over the past ten days.

 Somehow, even though his comment sounded like that, it didn’t give me goosebumps.

“…I’ve just realized this.”

“What?”

“Silver, are you a yandere?”

“Who knows? What do you think?”

Ever so slowly, he licked his lips.

I sure hope that no more yandere will be mass-produced…

~fin

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