It"s the fourth arc! And this arc will be started with more AlxLily moments~ enjoy the chapter!

TL: clover

ED: clover

Al visited my mansion when the month changed.

"I"m sorry. I couldn"t come that often."

Because there is Noel, my father gave me permission to use my room for today, so I led him there. As soon as I sat down on the sofa, Al apologized with an apologetic look.

"It can"t be helped because Al has work to do. Please don"t worry about it."

"But, I wanted to see you. Did you not feel the same way?"

When he said so without hesitation, my cheeks became hot. Of course, I also wanted to see Al. While we couldn"t see each other, we exchanged letters, but it was completely different from meeting face-to-face.

"I, I also wanted to see you……wait, Noel, no!"

"Uwah!"

Noel, who had a reputation for always being obedient to everyone, suddenly attacked Al.

Toward that unexpected attack, Al shielded his face reflexively with his arm. Noel, who had bitten that particular arm, intimidated Al with a hiss.

"Al. Are you okay……oh no, Al, you"re injured."

"Ow, ow……it"s okay, it"s not a big injury, it"s what an animal does. I don"t mind."

"I"m sorry……"

It is only natural that I apologized for my pet cat"s blunder. As I lowered my head, Al shook his head.

"I really don"t mind. Besides, somehow I understand why Noel attacked me. This guy is a male, right?"

"Y-yes."

As I nodded to affirm Noel"s gender, Al said, "As expected."

"This guy is probably jealous of me. I wonder if he thought that I would steal his dearest owner. That"s why he attacked me. Even if he"s small, he"s still a male."

"Eeh? Noel? But, he never did things like this until now……"

When I was together with Luke, Victor-niisama, or Yugo-niisama, he was always quite obedient. After I explained it, Al said as if amazed.

"This guy is really smart. Perhaps, he knew that I am the only one who poses a danger to him."

"Danger……but Al has protected Noel together with me……"

"It doesn"t matter for him. But, he is quite observant. Because he knew exactly that I"m the one who will steal you away from him."

"Eh."

I stared at Al who was chuckling. Al looked back at me who was staring blankly.

"What do you mean "eh"? Isn"t it only natural? You will marry me after all. Do you disagree?"

He stated that as if it was a matter of course, my eyes widened.

"Umm……does Al want to marry me?"

I asked unintentionally, but I couldn"t help it.

Because, we were originally engaged so that it would be more convenient for us to cooperate in order for me not to become a 『villainess』, or that was how it should be. And yet, he told me clearly that we would get married, and I became confused.

However, when he heard my question, Al said with a voice full of anger.

"Haa? What are you talking about? You are my fiancée. Who would I marry if not my own fiancée?"

"Um, that is……"

"Answer me, Lily. I have been wondering since a while ago. You, when you are with me, there are occasions when you strangely seem to be trying to distance yourself from me. That is certainly related to the current question—who do you think I will get married with?"

He"s watching me keenly, so I opened my mouth despite feeling awkward.

"Um, that is……with the person that Al loves."

Hearing my answer, Al told me with an exasperated expression.

"It"s you. So I don"t think you need to worry about anything."

"M-me? B-but, our engagement is only a camouflage to make it easier for us to cooperate……"

That was not how I remember it.

I remember being pressed to get engaged with him if I don"t want to become a 『villainess』.

That"s why I"ve been desperately trying to avoid misunderstanding his behaviors up to now.

When I told him that, Al nodded, as if in understanding.

"I see. That was what I said. I"m sorry about that, but that was the only way to make you agree to our engagement. I was applying for engagement with the intention to get married with you from the very beginning."

"Eh……b-but, I have a bad personality, and besides one day Al will……"

"I don"t care about that kind of thing. On that note, I have never felt that your personality is bad, and even if that were the case, you will keep trying to fix it. Your figure who is doing your best is very beautiful and likable. I think there is nothing I hate about you."

"E-eh……."

Due to the large amount of information suddenly given, I feel like my mind is about to go into panic for the first time in a long time.

—What does this mean?

I don"t want to become a 『villainess』, that"s why Al said he would cooperate and that I should get engaged with him, I thought the future where I will marry him will never come, but was that just my misunderstanding?

This whole time, Al wanted to marry me and stay by my side?

Al p.r.o.nounced his words one-by-one to me who was in a confusion.

"I don"t want to be misunderstood anymore, so I"ll say it again, I love you. In fulfilling this engagement, when you become 18, I want to accept you as my princess. This is my real intention."

"A, Al……"

I stared at Al in a daze.

He got up from the sofa and came to my side. Then, he bent his body and kissed my cheek while I was frozen stiff.

"Eh!"

"I love you, Lily. I love you since the first time I laid my eyes on you. I have decided to make you my princess. Even if you have gotten away from becoming a 『villainess』, I will not let you get away, so prepare yourself."

My eyes widened as I looked at Al.

My cheek that was kissed feels hot.

I thought that my relationship with him will be over when I successfully get away from becoming a 『villainess』. But that was just my misunderstanding and Al is willing to fulfill our engagement, huh.

No, that"s not it.

That"s not what is important here.

He told me that he loves me. Even if I were no longer a 『villainess』, he told me that he would be by my side as always.

I see.

—I wonder if it is fine to love Al.