Adjustment period (not really) (Part 4)

I: “…”

He: “…”

We stood there, staring at each other across the doorway.

The atmosphere quickly grew tense.

What game was he playing with those deep, silent eyes?

Was this a contest of wills, where the first to look away lost?

I seized the chance to study him closely.

His eyelashes curled delicately, and the more I looked, the more ‘girly’ he seemed.

I imagined he’d be absolutely adorable in a dress!

Let me be clear, though – I hadn’t been swayed by his charms!

I couldn’t help but wonder, ‘You ran off in a huff, so why are you back now?’

Yet, what actually came out was: “Why haven’t you left yet?”

He paused, then his face darkened. “Why are you speaking in such a sarcastic tone?”

“Sarcastic? How am I being sarcastic?”

He glanced at the table inside the room. “Why are you looking at a map for no reason?”

“Actually—”

“Fine, I get it. You must be wondering how long it’ll take for me to return to Britannia.”

“Huh? That—”

“Well, you needn’t trouble yourself with that! Since you’re so eager for me to leave, I’ll take a ship back first thing tomorrow morning.”

????

Would he even let me finish a sentence?

I retorted indignantly, “So you came to see me just to say goodbye? Then once you’re gone, don’t ever come back!”

“Hmph, others say you’re merely tsundere, but it seems you truly don’t want to be with me. In that case, I have nothing more to say.”

“All I know is—you’ll regret not marrying me one day!”

With that, he turned and walked away.

Was this some kind of parting curse?

I was seething with anger, pointing at his retreating figure.

“You’ll be the one regretting it if you marry me! I’ll scare you to death on our wedding night!”

The Prince of Britannia paused, startled for a moment, before vanishing completely from my sight, never once looking back.

‘Had I hurt his feelings?’ I thought, feeling a pang of regret.

“Why do you two always argue the moment you meet?” the Maid asked, looking utterly bewildered.

“The Prince of Britannia thinks you’re trying to send him away,” Sharabelle said calmly, her tone suggesting she saw right through everything.

“Since he came to find me, shouldn’t he have spoken first? It’s not my fault if I threw him off his rhythm,” I muttered.

Sharabelle sighed, pressing a hand to her forehead in resignation. “This whole situation… if your engagement to the Prince of Britannia is canceled, I’ll have no choice but to report it to the Emperor.”

As she spoke, she started walking towards the door.

A sense of foreboding washed over me, and I quickly blocked the exit, preventing her from leaving!

“What will happen if Father finds out? If the engagement is off, will he send troops to attack Britannia?” I asked timidly.

She offered a sly smile. “It’s hard to say. After all, your Father is a perfectionist. He’d probably feel quite uncomfortable knowing there’s still one unconquered nation left on the map.”

Ugh! To put it bluntly, isn’t that just obsessive-compulsive disorder?

The thought that my engagement to the Prince of Britannia also concerned the fate of countless common people sent shivers down my spine!

“Please, don’t tell Father just yet! I beg you!” I pleaded, pressing my palms together.

… Sharabelle’s expression became a complex mix, as if she couldn’t quite handle the situation.

“Very well… I’ll give you one more day.”

“You truly are a wonderful Chancellor~”

“In any case, Princess, please give it some serious thought. I actually believe you and the Prince of Britannia are quite well-matched.”

I vehemently denied it. “Well-matched? How so—!”

‘By height, perhaps?’

Only then did I feel at ease letting her walk out the door.

My father’s side was temporarily stalled, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

Yet, immediately, I felt as if I were facing a formidable enemy once more!

How was I going to deal with the Prince of Britannia?

I had just, yet again, angered him into leaving.

How could I possibly swallow my pride and ask him to stay…!

The Maid leaned in, whispering into my ear. “Princess, perhaps… I could secretly scuttle his ship?”

…

…

…

When Lucia saw the Prince of Britannia return, fuming with anger, she was immediately struck by a sense of foreboding.

“Pack your things; we’re preparing to return to Britannia!” she snapped, flopping onto the bed.

“Did you two… argue again?”

Overcome with despair, she buried her face in her hands, whimpering, “I messed up again…”

“If we go back like this, what will you tell your father?”

“I don’t know! What’s said is said; I can’t take it back now!” She remained silent for a long moment, her face still hidden, before weakly adding, “Is there a way to scuttle the ship?”