The month changed, and finally the wedding with Freed is drawing near.
In the last third of the month I"ll marry Freed and become an official member of Wilhelm royalty.
I"ve lived with Freed for quite some time already, so I think my life shouldn"t change too much, but as expected, being recognized as Freed"s consort inside and outside the country comes with various duties. I mustn"t neglect my work as the Crown Princess then, so I won"t be able to frequent the kitchen like I do now.
Of course I"ll do my absolute best, but after all I feel deeply moved.

"The Crown Princess… huh."

Only around half a year ago I was desperate to not become one, and yet now I"m looking forward to it. You never know what life will bring.
While I was sitting on my favorite sofa and drinking tea, thinking back on the last half a year with a smile, I was hugged from behind by Freed, who came back who knows when.

"… What are you thinking about?"
"Wah, you surprised me. Are you on a break?"

Still in his embrace, I looked up at the clock. Its hands were pointing at just the time of the afternoon break.
Freed buried his face in my hair and breathed in.

"Yup. Lidi, I wanted to see you, so I slipped out for a moment… Say, Lidi. You looked absentminded. What were you thinking about?"
"Nn? The last half a year. Thinking that the wedding is soon, I was recalling various things."
"I see…"

Listening to my words, Freed nodded like he was convinced.

"It was a turbulent half a year. Really. Various things happened. We could talk about it forever… But for me, the best thing was the meeting at that masquerade ball after all. Lidi, I have you now because I spotted you on that day. I didn"t feel like going to that ball at all, but now I"m glad I did. If I hadn"t, you might have been taken by another man… Even now I tremble while thinking that."
"… It"s alright. I think I would have probably run away."
"Really?"

Under Freed"s questioning gaze, I nodded.
At that time, although unconsciously, I fell in love with Freed at first sight. That"s why I decided to keep him company, probably n.o.body else could touch me.
That"s why I can say it with confidence.

"Yup. I think it would be impossible if it was anybody but you, Freed. I"d probably suspend the plan and run home."
"I see…"
"But well. I remember well how at a loss I was when you came to the mansion the next day, Freed."

I was honestly surprised. Father came home… and brought Freed with him. I thought my heart would stop at that time.
Having heard my story, Freed said with a gentle smile.

"Lidi, I immediately knew you were my only one. I decided to find you no matter what it took. I desperately searched for your ident.i.ty… I was really happy when I noticed you were my fiancée, Lidi."
"It was an amazing coincidence…"

Thinking about it again, it"s really amazing.
But Freed said in a serious voice.

"It wasn"t anything like a coincidence. Lidi, we"d have met each other anyway. For example, even if we hadn"t met on that masquerade ball, we"d have met at a formal marriage meeting soon after. And Lidi, when I met you… I"d immediately kneel before you and propose. Then I would take you back to my room… and make you my only consort."
"Hmm, so things would turn out the same?"
"They would. Do you dislike that?"
"No."

Regardless of how it started, I love Freed now. That"s why, not meeting my beloved Freed sounds painful. It"s not bad that we would"ve met either way.
However, I reminded him.

"But, I"m sure even if we had met somewhere, I would have run away."
"Don"t worry about that. Lidi, I"d absolutely not let you go. I"d catch you in my arms right away."
"Muu…."

I groaned at the confident reply.
Somehow it seems I"d really get caught by Freed no matter what.
But well, I don"t dislike it.

"I don"t really mind now. Well, and that"s why I was thinking that various things happened."

When I summarized our conversation, Freed said, "I see," and released the arms entwined from behind.
Instead he went around in front of me, and I looked up at him.
His eyes narrowed charmingly. While I was startled by the greedy feeling in his gaze, Freed said in a coaxing voice.

"Hey, I want my cute Lidi. Why don"t we try for a child now? We have enough time now."
"… E… Err… Why have it suddenly come to this…?"

Being straightforwardly invited, I became bewildered. Freed took the teacup from my hand and put it on the table.

"While we were talking about the time we"d met, I also remembered various things. And - I"ve come to want to embrace the Lidi who loves me now with all my strength."
"I don"t really get it…"

I really can"t comprehend how he reached that conclusion. However, Freed said pleadingly.

"Isn"t it fine? Lidi… I love you. Hey, let"s do it?"
"…"

There was no particular reason to decline. I thought a little, and thinking that we might as well, I spoke.

"… Fine- "Listen here. Stop acting to drive me out when you know I"m here." … Eh?"

I blinked my eyes as I heard the familiar voice. Freed immediately made a disappointed face.

"… Really, you could"ve read the mood a little. What an insensitive guy."
"If I had read it, I don"t know when I could greet Princess… I"m going down."
"Wah…"

Together with that voice, Cain got down from the ceiling.
The familiar, ninjlike outfit was a little worn-out from the long trip. However, he looked to be doing very well.
Seeing him for the first time in a while, my eyes sparkled.

"Cain!"
"Princess, I"m home."

Cain smiled bashfully. Happy, I rushed over to him.

"Welcome home! Wow! You"re safe! I"m gla—! Kya."
"Yes, that"s enough. Anything more is forbidden."

Overcome by emotion, I was about to cling to him, when Freed"s hand caught my waist from behind. Just like that I was pulled to Freed and hugged. A sulky voice struck my ear.

"Hey? What do you mean by trying to embrace a man other than me?"
"Eeh? My friend returned from a dangerous long trip. So isn"t it fine?"

There was nothing romantic about it. When I looked up at Freed wondering if even doing it out of affection was forbidden, he said, sullen.

"Of course it"s forbidden. I"m the only man who can touch you, Lidi."
"You said you weren"t jealous of Cain though…"
"This and that are different."

Looking at Freed as he clearly said that, I realized it"s pointless to say anything.
At the same time… I became happy about his blunt desire to monopolize me.
… Yup. I"m well aware it"s a serious illness.

"… Err… I"ll be careful."

"Yup, and."

When I obediently nodded, Freed, who was looking at my expression, for some reason cheered up in a twinkling of an eye.

"Fufu… Lidi, your cheeks reddened. Perhaps, you are happy about it?"
"… Ugh."

When I was at a loss for words from embarra.s.sment, Freed made a bewitched face.

"Cute. You are happy to be monopolized by me. Really Lidi, you"re skilled at leading me by the nose. If you make such a face, I can"t be sulking."

Freed grinned. As he did, I told him sulkily.

"Because… I love you, Freed. It can"t be helped that I"m happy, can it?"
"Yup, me too. Lidi, you"re mine only."
"… Nn."

I was also considerably happy to be reminded that. However, I think I"m fortunate, so it can"t be helped.

"I won"t let anyone touch you. Lidi, stay in my arms forever."
"Err, that"s… a little…"

Too much.
Sure, I"m happy, but that would be too much. However, Freed asked me in a sweet voice.

"Don"t like it?"
"I-I don"t dislike it. T-That"s not it…"

When I discomposedly answered, Freed"s mood further improved.

"You don"t dislike it… Really, my wife is cute."
"I"m still not your wi—. Hyan…"

While giggling, Freed pressed his lips to my cheeks and neck again and again.
I writhed from ticklishness, but being hugged closely, I couldn"t run away.
The heat from Freed"s hot lips felt like it got transferred to me.

"… Hey. How long will you keep this sugary exchange going?"