A few days have passed since mom and I visited the castle and gifted her majesty Seara-sama and Lily the scented shampoo and conditioner I made.

My usual routine of self-defense training with Roland-sama, magical training with Lawliela-sama, and shampoo and conditioner making continued as usual and it is my day off!

I can relax, play with Kiara-chan, Maria-chan, and Iris, relax, play with mom, relax, and do my stuff...

Yes... At least, that's what I thought.

"Mm. As expected. The cookies you make are exceptional as ever. I love them."

"T-Thanks... Alex..."

How...? How does he know that today is my day off?!?!?!

This main capture target of a prince! Did he use the royal family's information network to find out my schedule?!?!?! SERIOUSLY!

I am currently sitting in the parlor with a cup of tea and various confectioneries on the coffee table that was served by Anne and Maria-chan. Iris was also standing by the door in her usual guard's uniform which consisted of a collared shirt and blazer, metal shoulder guards, arm guards, a small breastplate, knee guard, greaves, and a sword sheathed by the side of her waist.

Meanwhile... sitting very close to my right was the crown prince of Arcadia, the number 1 ikemen and capture target of the otome game "Lovely Happenings", and my fiancee...

No, seriously though, why is he sitting so close. His shoulders are touching me...

"U-Uhm... A-Alex? Can you scoot over? It's a little bit cramped..."

"Eh...?"

W-What? You're too close! Stop looking at me with those sad puppy eyes!!!!

U-Ughh! H-Hold it... Hold it in, Alterisa! You can't be deceived by his cute appearance!

"Please do not make such an expression, your highness."

"Hah... I understand."

Hah? Why in the world did he sigh? I'm supposed to be the one to sigh!

Seriously... And why are you only scooting over a few centimeters? Our couch is big, you know? There's plenty of room!

Moreover, aren't you embarrassed?! Anne, Maria-chan, and Iris are here too, you know?!

Hah... Forget it. At least we're not touching knees and shoulders anymore...

"So? I've heard from Lucas that you've specially opened up your weekend this week. Is there something you wish to do on those days?"

Ah! Lu-nii, why did you tell him?! Are you secretly blabbering all my secrets?!

Hah... Well, it's fine since it's Alex, I guess...

"Mm. I've invited Evelyn, Celine, Illya, Noir, and Valerie-chan for a sleepover on those days! I'm so excited!!!"

Hehehe~ It was such a lucky coincidence that we all could take a day off for those two days. Evelyn and Celine had no prior engagements otherwise, except for a few lessons early in the morning. Illya has finished her lessons far in advance so she could take a day off whenever she wanted. Noir also doesn't have anything to do on those two days, and I've also requested Valerie-chan's participation to Lawliela-sama herself, which she accepted.

Fufufufu~ It's going to be so fun! It has been a while since I've had a sleepover with friends!!! The last time would probably be during my last middle school field trip when I slept together with Hana-chan.

I can't wait!!!! I'm too excited, I can eat an entire cake!!!

I grabbed a small piece of cake Maria-chan served and took a little bite, enjoying its blissful sweetness.

"Oh? A sleepover, I see... That's good. I thought you were going to interact with that Luke or Keith again..."

Hm? What was that? I didn't catch the latter half of it...

Well, whatever.

Oh! This might be a good time to invite Lily as well! I actually wanted to invite Lily, but considering she's the crown princess, I'm not sure if she could come...

I did ask her if she wanted to join, and she did, but it would be difficult.

Perhaps, I can use Alexus to help persuade their parents to give her permission!

"Uhm... Alex."

"Yes?"

I looked up at him with puppy eyes and clasped both of my hands in front of my chest.

"Uhm... C-Can you help Lily get permission from your parents to join the sleepover...? Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease..."

I did my best to act as cute as possible. I need Alex's help no matter what!

But, contrary to my expectations, he just smiled softly and patted my head.

"I will. I'm sure she'll love it. It is a great opportunity for her to make more friends as well aside from you."

I felt a bit disappointed to see almost no reaction from him to my attempt in acting cute. But the joy of getting his agreement replaced it immediately.

"Thank you!!! Hehehe~ I know I can count on you~!"

"Mm... Ah, one moment, please. I would like to go to the bathroom..."

"Hm? Okay~"

I watched as Alex quickly stand up from his seat and briskly made his way out of the room with a confused expression.

"Please allow me to gu-"

"I'm fine. Thank you."

"...Very well."

After answering Iris, he quickly went out of the room and closed the door behind him, leaving the room silent for a moment.

Meh, it's probably urgent. Bet he's holding his pea with all the tea he had.

I shrugged my shoulders and continued to eat my cake.

"...Alterisa-sama."

"Hm~? What's wrong, Iris~?"

"...Is his highness feeling unwell?"

"Hm~? I don't think so? Why?"

"...His face was very, very red, and he seemed to be breathing heavily."

"Don't mind it~ He must be holding his pee for too long~ Anyway, come have this cake Iris, Maria-chan, Anne! It's super good~!"

"...I will hold back."

"...Please do not mind me."

"Hehehe~ I will hold back as well for now. But perhaps, we can enjoy it again later when his highness left."

"That's a great idea, Maria-chan~ Then let's have cakes together, the four of us, after Alex left!"

"Yes~"

Maria-chan giggled and smiled brilliantly at me.

Hehehe~ She's so cute~

I continued to try out all the different confectionaries Anne and Maria-chan had served, missing the deep sigh Anne let out from time to time.

--------------------------------X--------------------------------

[Third Person POV]

Making his way to the nearest restroom with a brisk pace, the crown prince of the kingdom, Alexus, quickly entered it, closing the door behind him with a loud bang, and leaned his back to the door.

He breathed heavily and covered his redly blushing face with his hand. The sound of his heart thumping filled his ears.

Slowly, he moved his right hand from his face to his left arm. His legs lost their strength and he slowly slid down the door to the floor.

A loud sigh escaped his lips as he bury his head in between his knees.

"That was so unfair... Risa."

His head was filled with her countenance, her smile, her scent, her touch, and her voice. The moment she hugged him and conveyed her gratitude kept repeating over and over in his mind.

He can't believe he had become more of a mass with this single innocent hug from her than the fantasy of spending the rest of his life with her, creating a family with her, spending countless romantic nights, and even taking those precious lips in a loving kiss.

He was so happy. It was the happiest he had been since the day they were officially engaged.

"Ah... I really can't imagine a life without her anymore..."

His lips curled in a helpless smile

She has always been in all of his happiest memories... The first being the day they meet.

To this day, he could still recall her figure vividly, dancing amongst the flowers of the royal garden in the castle. It was as if he had been whisked into a land of fantasy and met a fairy of heavenly beauty. At that moment, his heart beated for the first time and colors began to fill his world.

Since then, he began to look forward to his day, for that would mean he could meet her again sooner or later.

The more time he spent with her, the more he learned the surprising and unexpected sides of his beloved fairy.

Her amazing side. Her adorable side. Her unexpected behavior. Even her dense side. He ended up falling for all of them since they are what makes her his Alterisa.

Though he would appreciate it if she could tone down the last point in time... Even after everything he did, he couldn't believe she hadn't realized his feelings yet.

A small sigh escaped his lips once again as he touched his left arm.

"Seriously... Please notice it already, you blockhead..."











AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Please vote and comment your thoughts~!