Chapter 9: Before the Wedding

"Today’s expedition isn’t far, so I should be back before evening."

"Yeah. I’ll wait a bit for dinner, so don’t rush back."

"Mm, thanks."

Yusuke was dressed in mobility-friendly gear, reinforced with metal chest and elbow guards—different from his old traveling equipment.

Apparently, this was the standard kit issued by the knights’ order. He’d matched his gear to theirs to blend in better.

Not that he needed it. The guy could tank a monster’s charge bare-handed.

The armor was practically useless on him… but, well, socializing required some compromises.

Today, too, he was joining the knights on their expedition, hence the early-morning prep.

What a hard worker.

And so, still in my sleepwear, I was seeing him off—

"Well, uh…"

"…Right."

—when Yusuke suddenly pulled me into an embrace—

"Mmph…"

—and kissed me.

We’d been practicing like this every day until the wedding.

Morning, evening, and before bed—three kisses a day, now part of our routine.

Doing it daily had worn away the awkwardness.

It wasn’t just an obligation anymore, but the sense of it being something special had faded, too.

…Or so I thought.

"…Ngh."

Our lips parted slowly.

And in that moment, an inexplicable sense of loss settled in my chest.

"Well then, Miliarena. I’m off."

Yusuke, now perfectly at ease, didn’t hesitate—just smiled softly, naturally.

Even though we were only engaged in name, he looked at me like a real lover would.

"…Yeah, go on."

With that, he headed out to the knights’ headquarters.

Left alone in the room, I flopped back onto the bed.

"…………"

…Am I the only one overthinking this?

Of course I am. To Yusuke, kissing me is just part of the obligation.

He became my fiancé to protect me.

Even if he was awkward about it at first, now that he’s used to it… well, it’s nothing special anymore.

…And yet.

Every time our lips meet, I—

But he doesn’t notice a thing.

Oblivious. Clueless.

It’s infuriating.

"…Stupid idiot."

I clutch the pillow tighter.

We shared the same bed again last night.

So his scent still lingers.

It’s not even a particularly nice smell.

But somehow, it’s comforting.

"…Ngh."

My body feels feverish.

…I’ll stay here a little longer, until it cools down.

And so, I remained sprawled across the bed—until Jane came to wake me.

---

Two days until the wedding with Miliarena.

As the ceremony drew closer, a faint urge to flee crept in—yet at the same time, the reality of our marriage was finally sinking in.

Well, technically… we’re already married.

Legally, at least.

The moment her father, the king, gave his approval, it was official.

The wedding isn’t about making it real—it’s just a formality, a way to announce it to the world.

So really, it’s a little late for this sense of realization to be hitting me now.

I’ve grown used to living with her.

Honestly, it’s not much different from when we traveled together. Back then, we shared inn rooms too—well, we did take separate beds, but…

And when we camped outside, we’d often huddle close for warmth.

So not much has changed.

The only real difference is… her clothes are more feminine now than they were back then.

That’s all.

And yet, I’m still nervous.

Protecting her was just an excuse… but even if this marriage is only in name, I’m happy.

The daily kisses for "wedding practice"… m-make me really happy, too.

And the expression she makes afterward… is so, so cute…

Enough to make me delude myself into thinking she might actually like me.

…If I imagined her marrying someone else, my heart would shrivel up and tear itself apart.

That’s how badly I want her for myself.

Even though she only made me her "fake fiancé" because I’m someone she can trust not to expect romance…

I can’t let her realize my feelings.

She’d definitely hate it—no, knowing her kindness, she might even play along for my sake.

But I don’t want to burden her.

I’ll be the reliable male friend she wants me to be.

That’s what I’ve resolved to do—

"Mmph…"

"…………"

—And yet.

Late at night, in bed.

We share the same bed now, but we’ve divided it into territories—the left half is mine, the right half is hers.

Fortunately, the bed is king-sized—fitting for royalty, I suppose.

It’s large enough to fit five grown adults side by side.

We even use separate blankets, so we’ve managed to maintain some distance while sleeping…

"………"

Miliarena is a restless sleeper.

Not every night, but often enough, she drifts toward me.

And tonight, like always, she’s ended up right beside me.

If it were just that, I could escape to the far edge of the bed… but the farther I retreat, the more she follows.

So I’ve given up, resigning myself to sleeping next to her like this.

"…………"

I watch her sleeping face.

It’s nothing like her usual guarded expression.

Like this… she just looks like an ordinary girl.

Long lashes, a delicate nose… soft-looking lips.

All of it, right within reach.

…And she even smells nice.

"…………"

Maybe I should put a little more distance between us.

If I stay like this, I’ll never fall asleep.

But just as I think that—

Her fingers curl into the hem of my sleepwear.

"…Huh!?"

Even in sleep, she’s clutching onto me.

It’d be easy to pull away.

I’m stronger than her.

But… I might wake her up.

And she looks so peaceful right now.

…Sigh.

I close my eyes and surrender.

Surrounded by her sweet scent, her warmth…

---

The day before the wedding.

We spent the day reviewing the venue, schedule, and endless formalities under the watchful eye of the head steward.

Don’t proceed to the next stage until the orchestra finishes playing...
The outfit change happens here...
A million tiny details—rigid, convoluted, exhausting.

By the time we finished, night had fallen, and we dragged our weary bodies back to our room.

"Ugh... I'm wiped..."

Yusuke collapsed onto the sofa. I sighed.

"Hey, tomorrow's the big day. If you burn out now, we're screwed."

"I-I'll do my best! Yeah, I'll manage!"

"...You sure you're okay?"

"Urk... Honestly? I don’t even trust myself right now."

"...Wanna run through the rehearsal again?"

"Sorry..."

We pored over the documents together, mentally simulating each step while nibbling on the snacks Jane brought us.

"...Oh, right. Yusuke."

"Mmph? Wha?"

I smirked at him, mouth full of cookie.

"Tomorrow’s wedding... Look, don’t hold back with me, okay?"

"Hold back...? I don’t think I usually do..."

"...Bad phrasing. What I mean is, tomorrow, you can touch me wherever. I won’t get mad or hold it against you."

"Huh?!"

"Just act like a fiancé who's actually in love. Got it?"

"Oh... uh, yeah. Got it..."

His eyes were darting everywhere.

This idiot has no clue what I’m saying.

"Look... In this country, a lot of couples, y'know... do it before they’re even officially engaged."

"D-do what? Wait—!?"

"Why’re you shocked? It’s normal. Normal."

"O-oh... huh. Wow..."

"...Wait, you're a virgin? Oh, right, of course you are."

Wait, we’re getting sidetracked. Let’s reel this back in.

"What I’m saying is, engaged couples touch each other freely. That’s normal."

"...Y-yeah."

"So don’t hesitate to hold my hand, touch my shoulder, my waist—whatever. Even if you accidentally grab my ass, don’t freak out. Got it?"

"U-understood. Crystal clear."

...He says he gets it, but he’s absolutely doomed.

"You got used to kissing, but physical contact is still a hurdle... Should’ve practiced this sooner."

"P-practice...?"

"If I’d let you grope me daily, you’d be fine by now—"

"Wh—that’s basically sexual harassm—"

"I just said it’s normal for fiancés. But you’re still over there thinking ‘This is a bit...’ That’s exactly the hesitation we can’t afford, dumbass."

"Guh... Can’t argue..."

I sigh.

Getting my ass grabbed isn’t a big deal.

By Yusuke, anyway. If some rando tried it, I’d break their fingers.

For me, this is way less of a hurdle than kissing. It’s just his hand on my butt—not exactly shocking unless it’s out of nowhere.

Besides—

"Oh yeah, remember that time you got drunk on aphrodisiac-laced wine and forcefully groped me during that expedition?"

"Ghk—"

"Compared to that, this is nothing. You’ve got permission now."

"...C-can we not...? I still feel bad..."

I raise an eyebrow.

So he does regret it... Maybe I pushed too far.

Then again, Yusuke’s the type to dwell more on hurting others than his own mistakes.

But seriously, is he gonna be okay tomorrow?

If he just follows instructions, we’ll manage—but if some unexpected trouble crops up... Yeah, not funny.

...Better do what we can now.

"...Better than nothing."

"Huh?"

"Yusuke. Touch my ass. Right now."

"WHA—?!"

That weird noise he just made? That’s what we can’t have tomorrow.

Time to desensitize him.

"You get to touch a cute girl’s butt for free. At least act happy about it."

"Uh, ah... y-yay...?"

"...Wow. Gross."

"W-wait, then why’d you even bring it up?!"

"Your reaction’s all wrong. A gentleman should be more... refined in his joy."

"...Gentlemen don’t rejoice over touching a girl’s butt..."

I stood up from the chair and stepped in front of Yusuke.

Then—turned slightly to the side.

"Here. Just... get it over with."

"...This is definitely not a 'get it over with' kind of situation..."

"I’m not gonna get mad over something like this. It’s just a lump of fat… well, not that fatty. About the same as an upper arm."

"No way, it’s totally different from an—"

Yusuke grumbled but reluctantly reached out.

...Why is he acting like touching my butt is some kind of chore?!

I mean, I wouldn’t want him to be too eager, but this level of reluctance is just insulting.

And then—

Pat. Pat.

"Ngh... ah."

A weird sound slipped out.

I glanced at Yusuke. He froze, eyes wide in mild shock.

Which meant he heard that.

My face instantly combusted.

"You idiot! It’s the way you’re touching me that’s the problem!"

"W-wait, but... You’re the one who said I could—!"

"Hah!? So now it’s my fault!?"

"Y-you said you wouldn’t get mad...!"

I lunged at Yusuke as he tried to escape—

"Both of you."

Jane’s voice sliced through the chaos from the corner of the room.

"You have a wedding tomorrow. Kindly refrain from causing a scene at this hour."

"...Sorry."
"We apologize..."

Her scolding shut us down instantly.

It felt like getting scolded by a parent.

...Not that I’d know what that’s like. My father, the ever-busy king, never had the time, and my mother died giving birth to me.

And Yusuke... He hasn’t seen his family since coming to this world.

...Maybe I’ll go easy on him.

Watching his dejected expression, I made up my mind.