No way! (Part 2)

A faint killing intent prickled at me.

No, it wasn’t a trick of the mind!

Maple’s right hand was already darting towards the sword at his hip.

The demon count, whose full title escaped me, clearly registered the shift in atmosphere.

I surmised that even if he wished to retaliate, within the deadly range of Maple’s iaijutsu, he had no choice but to concede, cold sweat beading on his brow.

“So you are the Prince of Britannia. In that case, I shall not disturb you two. My apologies.”

Maple paid him no mind.

The moment the count slunk away, Maple turned to me, a hint of rebuke in his tone.

“If I hadn’t shown up, would you have shaken his hand?”

“How could I possibly shake a man’s hand? Besides, I never imagined you’d be so possessive.”

I chuckled playfully. The innocent boy had unwittingly exposed the depth of his concern for me.

“Who told you to be my fiancée?”

I merely chuckled, remaining silent.

His tsundere act, no matter how pronounced, was utterly futile.

After all, the one who cares more is always the one who loses. A triumphant thrill surged through me.

Undeterred, he retorted, “What about you, then? You kept saying you wouldn’t wear it, yet here you are, in a red dress after all.”

I had “coincidentally” donned a red Lolita dress, just as he had hoped.

However, I merely curved my lips into a smile and replied, “I simply didn’t want you to make excuses if you lost, claiming my black dress distracted you.”

Indeed, that was precisely my thought!

I certainly hadn’t worn it just for him, only to deny it now.

“And if I win? Is there a reward?”

“You can pick any of the little dresses from my wardrobe.”

A look of utter rejection crossed his face. “How is that a reward?”

“Haha, if you think it’s a punishment, then so be it.”

Just then, the resounding blast of a horn signaled the commencement of the tournament.

Cutting short our banter, he pointed to a roadside well and declared with utmost solemnity, “I, Maple, would rather jump into this well than wear women’s clothes!”

“Haha! It’s your turn to enter the arena! Go on, quickly! If you lose, you’ll wear women’s clothes!”

“I can’t believe you have such a fetish!”

With that declaration, he turned and departed without a backward glance.

As I watched his retreating figure, a long-term plan began to form in my mind.

‘Well then, let’s see about that, shall we? A charming boy like you, I’ll eventually make you don a dress in my presence, and then, as you gaze at your mortified reflection in the mirror, you’ll undoubtedly admit how much you “love it”~’

The martial arts tournament officially commenced.

I settled into the VIP spectator seats, anticipating Maple’s entrance.

From the instant I took my seat, numerous nobles offered me benevolent smiles.

I offered no response whatsoever, for my amnesia rendered me utterly clueless as to their identities!

I imagine the phrase, “The Princess is so aloof,” will circulate widely after today.

After all, I rarely bother to engage with anyone.

Yet, there was one familiar face I recognized. In a seat not far away, I spotted Sharabelle.

The half-elf loli, Sharabelle, stood out conspicuously amidst the cluster of ministers.

Given the presence of the Frankish Empire’s Prime Minister, would “that person” also be attending?

My gaze then drifted towards the “dragon throne” on the main guest platform.

It was the first time I had laid eyes on my father since my memory loss.

The sensation was akin to encountering him for the very first time in my life.

Hmph, perpetually swamped with state affairs, he had never once bothered to visit me.

Each time, he merely dispatched Sharabelle in his stead.

Were it not for this martial arts tournament, I doubt I would ever lay eyes on the old man.

What a truly rare fortune!

Old man? Wait, that’s not right—!

I was stunned!

How could he be so incredibly young?