Chapter 8: Kiss Practice
Chapter 8: Kiss Practice
> Chapter 9: Before the WeddingAfter returning to the residential quarters and finishing dinner…
Yusuke and I sat across from each other in our assigned room.
"Um… what did you want to talk about?"
"The schedule for our wedding has been finalized."
"Ours? …Ah, right."
He blinked, looking visibly nervous as I pulled out the documents. The magically processed wooden paper was filled with neatly written dates and details.
"The ceremony is in a week. It’ll be held at the chapel in the royal palace’s annex."
"…Y-yeah."
"You nervous?"
"Well… yeah. It’s my first time."
Obviously...
Like it’s not my first time too, idiot.
"The servants will handle most of the preparations. All we have to do is memorize the schedule and follow the priest’s instructions. Simple."
"G-got it."
"And don’t panic and make it awkward. Even if you’re unsure, act confident."
"Okay…"
"Now, let’s go over it step by step. Starting from the night before—"
I flipped through the documents, explaining each point as clearly as I could. It’s easier to understand when someone who’s already gone through it all breaks it down—though, in truth, I was just as new to this as he was.
Still, Yusuke was taking it seriously, so I wasn’t too worried. He might seem unreliable most of the time, but when it really counts, he pulls through.
And so, I went over the schedule, the preparations—
Until we reached that part.
"Then, at the ceremony, we’ll have the ‘vow kiss.’"
"…K-kiss."
His face turned red.
…Ugh. Don’t do that.
Now I’m getting embarrassed too.
"In this country, close friends of the opposite sex kiss casually all the time. So for engaged couples, it's something you should be able to do without hesitation."
"I-Is that so...?"
"Which is why, if we even hesitate during the ceremony—"
"If we hesitate...?"
"Well, normal couples wouldn’t have a problem, but in our case... it might give ammunition to those opposed to our marriage."
Yusuke blinked rapidly. He didn’t seem to get it.
"Look, here’s the thing—me, a royal, and you, an outsider... Sure, our statuses don’t match, but our culture respects free love, so they’re tolerating it."
"Yeah..."
"But what if they realize we’re not actually in love? The nobles who want your power will start making noise."
"Oh… r-right, that makes sense."
"Exactly. Nobles care about appearances more than anything. Sentiment overrules law."
"...I see."
"So the key is not showing weakness. If they can’t find an opening, they can’t stab us in the back."
Yusuke averted his eyes guiltily.
"Ugh... politics between nobles is complicated, huh?"
"Well... our country’s a monarchy, but the nobles can’t be ignored. Thanks to generations of idiot kings siring tons of children, most nobles have royal blood."
"…And what does that mean?"
"It means they have a legitimate claim to the throne. Worst case, they could use it as justification for a coup. That’s why we can’t just ignore them."
"...O-oh. I get it now."
Yusuke crossed his arms and nodded, looking more serious than before.
"So this wedding can’t fail. We have to make it as flawless as possible. Not a single guest should have doubts."
"...Yeah, I understand. I'll do my best."
Good. Now we’re on the same page.
…But, well.
There’s still the main issue left.
"So... about that vow kiss. Think you can handle it?"
"U-uh... I’ll manage."
"The wedding’s gonna be packed with nobles. Important ones too."
"...P-packed?"
"Yeah. A royal and the Hero getting married isn’t just some normal ceremony. This could affect national policy."
"......R-right."
Yusuke’s gaze flitted away nervously.
"So? Let me ask again—can you handle the vow kiss?"
"...I-I'll... try. Sorry, I might not be confident."
"...Yeah, figures."
Yusuke bowed his head apologetically.
Honestly, I'd rather he admit this now than lie and screw it up in front of everyone.
As Yusuke slumps, Jane sets down tea in front of him—and me.
Then, she looks straight at me.
"Princess, there's a simple solution."
"Oh? Really? What is it?"
Jane's lived more life than me—well, technically, I'm on my second life, but still.
Her experience is worth listening to.
Meanwhile, Yusuke sips his tea awkwardly.
"You just need to get used to it, Princess."
"Ghk—!"
Yusuke chokes.
I ignore him and keep my eyes on Jane.
"...Yeah. Guess that's the only way."
"Indeed. You are engaged, after all. Practicing in private is perfectly acceptable."
"Logically, sure, but..."
I rub my temples, then glance at Yusuke.
...His face is red.
But then again—so is mine, probably.
"You heard her, Yusuke."
"Eh? Uh, yeah..."
"Sorry to put you through this, but... we're gonna practice kissing. Got it?"
...Now that I say it out loud, "practice kissing" sounds ridiculous.
Isn't that just... kissing?
Well, phrasing it like this makes it feel less embarrassing—like an obligation, not something intimate.
But let's be real, it's still just kissing.
"U-uh... yeah. L-let's... do this."
Why the polite speech? Don’t act so stiff.
The moment I think that, Jane claps her hands together.
"Well then, why don’t the two of you try it right now?"
"Hah?!"
"Wha—?!"
Right… right now?!
Wait, wait, I’m not mentally prepared for this!
"W-we don’t have to do it today, right?! Tomorrow’s fine—"
"Princess, you have a habit of putting things off. Tomorrow, then the day after, then next week—you’ll delay it as long as possible, won’t you?"
"Guh—"
Bullseye.
Back in my previous life as a student, I’d procrastinate on summer homework until the very last day, scrambling to finish it in a panic.
I haven’t grown at all since then.
"Now, both of you, please stand up."
Following her urging, Yusuke and I rise from our seats… and are positioned in front of the window.
Moonlight spills over our faces.
The glass reflects our ridiculously tense expressions.
And right beside us—a maid.
Yeah, the mood is completely ruined.
"…………"
"Uu………"
We freeze, neither of us knowing what to do.
I thought I could handle it, but… now that we’re actually about to do it, I’m lost.
How the hell do you even kiss someone?
Like… do I just go for it?
I glance at Jane for help.
…Why the hell are you giving me a thumbs up?!
You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?!
Hey—HEY, cut it out!
…Ugh, she’s just here to watch.
She’s not gonna help.
"……Sigh."
I let out a deep breath.
Then, steeling myself, I turn to Yusuke.
"Yusuke… let’s just… try it."
"Y-yeah…"
We shift to face each other fully.
My heart is pounding so loud it’s obnoxious.
"…………"
"Uh…"
Yusuke’s hand touches my shoulder.
I flinch—just a tiny, involuntary jerk.
Then, slowly, he pulls me closer.
Our faces are near.
…Good thing we’re practicing.
If this had been the real thing, we probably would’ve messed it up.
I’m not composed enough… and I wouldn’t have been able to fake it.
"…Ah—"
And then, his face inches closer—
—CRUNCH.
Our teeth collide through our lips.
"Ow—?!"
"Ghk—?!"
A sharp sting shoots through my upper lip.
Gritting through the pain, I glare at Yusuke.
"Hah… y-you’re terrible…!"
"S-sorry, Mili—w-wait, you’re bleeding?!"
"Huh…?"
I touch my upper lip.
Oh, crap. He’s right.
A slick smear of blood coats my fingers. My lip must’ve split.
"I-I’m so sorry…!"
"Tch… this much’ll heal with a basic recovery spell."
I channel mana into my thumb and wipe the blood away, sealing the cut as I do.
As Yusuke slumps in defeat, Jane gives him a light pat on the shoulder.
"Lord Yusuke, you must be gentler… a kiss should be soft, you know?"
"Ugh… sorry, I just… didn’t know how to…"
Jane smiles warmly at the dejected Yusuke.
"Then, shall I give you a few pointers?"
"Y-yes…"
"Relax. Don’t tense up… let your lips part just slightly."
"Okay…"
"Then, press them together for about three to five seconds—"
Jane continues her impromptu lesson.
…This is kind of awkward.
I avert my gaze and brush my fingers over my lips.
The cut’s gone… they’re just soft and slightly damp now.
The feeling of our teeth clashing—but right before that, I did feel Yusuke’s lips against mine.
The bloodshed kinda overshadowed it, but…
We did kiss.
We must have.
…Yeah.
Yeah, we did.
"All right, Princess. He's ready now."
"Huh? Ready for what?"
"Why, Lord Yusuke, of course."
Yusuke stands there again, his expression tense.
"Hah? ...We're doing this again?"
"Yes. But this time, it won't be like before. Isn't that right, Lord Yusuke?"
"U-uh... yeah. I'll do my best."
"You heard him. So it's fine, yes?"
"...Yeah, sure."
...I thought we were done after that last attempt.
My heartbeat, which had just started to calm down, suddenly kicks back up again.
"Well then... I'll take my leave. I shouldn't get in the way of you two."
And with that, Jane steps away from us.
Wait, she's seriously just going to leave us alone in this atmosphere?!
"H-hey—"
"Call for me when you're finished. I'll be waiting outside."
Ignoring my protests, she walks right out of the room.
...She's my personal maid, isn't she?
Since when does she get to ignore her master's orders?!
Did she get too comfortable while we were traveling? I swear she used to be way more formal.
As I sigh, Yusuke speaks up.
"...So, uh... Miliarena?"
"Huh? ...Oh. Yeah, right."
Without thinking, my fingers brush against my upper lip.
Am I... scared?
Of the pain from before—or the fact that we did kiss?
"This time... I-I won't mess it up."
"...Yeah."
I can't think of anything clever to say.
We're both too nervous.
Yusuke slowly steps closer... then lightly touches my shoulder.
His grip is gentle, like he's handling something fragile—and I let myself lean into it.
Our eyes meet.
He still looks tense, but more composed than before.
...It's the same face he'd make sometimes during our travels.
And now, that face is looking right at me.
"So..."
"...Yeah."
I close my eyes.
Because it's embarrassing—both to be seen and to see him like this.
And then, slowly—
"Mm…"
Our lips meet.
This time, gently—soft against soft.
Slowly, carefully, as if rewriting the memory of that clumsy first attempt.
Yusuke’s arms slide around my back, pulling me closer, holding me like something precious.
"……!"
This was supposed to be just for show.
This kiss was just an obligation.
We don’t even love each other.
So why… why does it feel like this?
…Damn it.
You better take responsibility for this, idiot.
How ridiculous is it that I’m the only one—getting swept up in these stupid feelings all on my own?
"…Ngh…"
"…Ah…"
A moment that feels both endless and fleeting passes before our lips part.
When I open my eyes, Yusuke is smiling awkwardly.
"…Miliarena… was that okay?"
"…Y-yeah. It was… fine."
…A thin strand of saliva stretches between us. I hurriedly wipe it away.
"…Oh, good… that’s a relief."
"…Yeah."
Yusuke relaxes, his expression easing—while mine stays stiff.
Shit, shit, shit—why am I the only one like this…?!
"…How long are you gonna keep hugging me? Let go."
"Ah, sorry…"
He steps back, putting distance between us.
I didn’t hate it.
I didn’t feel disgusted.
If anything—
"...I'll go call Jane."
"O-okay."
What the hell is this?
I thought I'd made my peace with it... I thought I wouldn't let it bother me.
But now, after this…
I open the door and step outside—only to find Jane already standing there, waiting.
She smiles the moment she sees me.
"Finished already?"
"...Yeah."
At my response, her smile widens.
"So… how was the kiss with Lord Yusuke?"
"How was it…?"
"Was it nice? Or was it still a disaster?"
…What the hell is this?
I always saw Jane as an older sister—no, because she is like an older sister, is that why she’s so nosy about this kind of thing?
"It was… fine. Just fine."
I keep my voice low, just in case Yusuke is listening.
"Hmm~? So, if you had to pick one…?"
She won’t let this go until I give her a real answer, huh?
…Fine. Swallowing my pride, I force the words out.
"...It wasn’t like it felt good or anything… but, well, it wasn’t bad."
"My, my… is that so? I’m glad, Princess."
She’s enjoying this. She’s totally using her master’s love life as entertainment.
For someone who’s usually such a top-tier maid, what the hell is this?
"Well then, let’s do our best again tomorrow, Princess."
"…Huh? Tomorrow?"
"Yes, it’s practice, after all. We can’t have you looking like that during the real thing, can we?"
"L-looking like… what?"
I touch my face.
There’s no mirror, but I can feel the heat radiating from my skin.
Am I… blushing?
Am I really getting flustered over that kiss—to the point where it’s showing on my face?!
Was I making that kind of expression in front of Yusuke?!
"We’ll continue every day until you’re used to it—right up until the wedding."
"E-every day… with this…?"
"Yes. This."
That same kiss—the kind that shatters my composure—every day?
Every single day… with Yusuke?
My fingers brush against my lips.
I can still feel the lingering warmth from his.
My heart pounds.
Is it from nerves?
Anxiety?
Maybe.
But more than anything… it’s something much simpler.
"...I... see."
Heat crawls up my neck, spreading across my face.
I turn away from Jane, my gaze drifting to the window.
The glass reflects my own face back at me.
And in it…
There’s no trace of Yusuke’s friend.
No dignity of the Ninth Princess.
Just—
The flustered, reddened face of a young girl.
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