Chapter 6: The cute and spoiled princess
"Once again, it's just the two of us, isn't it...?"
After Rion and Aira-chan had left, Luna, who seemed restless and eager for attention, pointed out the fact that we were alone.
She's probably waiting for me to make the first move.
"How about we watch some anime?"
I had planned to cook dinner before Aira-chan and the others arrived, but Luna had already explained everything to Rion and me, and she must have been tired, so I wanted her to rest a bit.
"Thank you♪"
Luna said with a cheerful voice, then cuddled up to me and rested her head on my shoulder.
She probably likes this position.
When a beautiful girl like her snuggles up to me, my heart starts racing, and it’s a bit overwhelming, but since Luna seems so happy and is smiling, I can’t bring myself to tell her to stop.
I turned on the TV as usual and played the anime from the streaming site.
As we watched the anime Luna liked, she suddenly asked me a question.
"Seito-sama, is there anything you would like to ask me?"
"Where's this coming from all of a sudden?"
"Rion-sama asked me many questions, but you remained silent, Seito-sama."
It seems Luna thought I hadn’t asked anything because I was being reserved.
To be honest, I was just struggling to keep up with the conversation…
"Rion asked the things she wanted to know, and there was nothing I found unpleasant, so I’m fine. Just having you next to me is enough for me."
"—!"
When I said that with a smile, Luna gasped and turned her face away from me.
I wonder what’s going on…?
Her ears seem a little red, though…
<I'm really happy, but… Seito-sama, you say things so directly, it’s a bit embarrassing…>
Luna muttered something in English under her breath.
It was probably just to herself, but I couldn’t help but wonder what she was saying.
"Luna, is something wrong…?"
"N-no, it’s nothing! I’m just so happy that you said that, Seito-sama."
When Luna looked at me again, her cheeks were flushed, and she gave a sweet, adorable smile.
She was probably embarrassed.
She really is cute…
She’s a princess—well, an actual princess—but when I'm with her like this, she doesn’t seem any different from a regular girl.
I never feel like there’s some kind of wall between us or that we come from different worlds—she’s just so easy to be around.
I think it’s nice that she tries to act dignified as a princess, but I prefer this natural, gentle, and somewhat spoiled side of her.
"I don't know what the future holds, and being the princess's fiancé might mean difficult days ahead, but... I’ll try my best."
I still don’t really feel like her fiancé, and I don’t know what will be expected of me, but Luna did her best to come back to me.
Now it’s my turn to do my best.
...Well, if I’m told to become as skilled in combat as Aira-chan, I’m not sure I could keep up.
"I’m really happy, even though I’m pushing my own convenience on you like this..."
Luna said that, then rubbed her face against my arm in a way that was almost like she was clinging to me.
From my perspective, it was almost unbelievable that someone as incredibly cute as Luna—both in looks and personality—had chosen an ordinary guy like me.
I was happy, but there wasn’t a single thing that felt inconvenient.
"Being engaged to a princess feels like something straight out of one of the anime or manga you love, doesn’t it?"
Thinking logically, it was impossible for something like this to happen in real life. If I told anyone, no one would believe me.
They’d probably think I was dreaming, or that I couldn’t tell the difference between reality and fiction.
"Hehe, I think so too. The way you helped me, Seito-sama, it was just like something from an anime."
Luna agreed with my words, looking pleased.
As she said, it was completely unrealistic to run into a situation where someone was about to be kidnapped and then end up saving them.
Well, it wasn’t exactly a kidnapping—it was more like they were trying to take her away, but still…
That was where everything started.
"It must have been something like the strength you get in a crisis. Looking back, I don’t think I could ever help someone like that again."
Luna had said those black-clad guys had received intense training.
For someone like me, who had lived a carefree life without doing any sports, to have defeated those kinds of people was nothing short of a miracle.
I definitely wouldn’t be able to do it again.
"At that time, Seito-sama, you looked like a hero coming to save a princess."
"That’s a bit of an exaggeration."
If I were a hero, I’d be far too unreliable.
I’d be taken down by the Demon King in an instant.
"That’s how it looked to me."
It seemed that she didn’t like me laughing, as Luna puffed up her cheeks.
It was hard to imagine her like this compared to her usual dignified appearance in front of others, but deep down, she really did have a childlike side to her.
"Sorry, I didn’t mean to make fun of you…"
"Of course, I understand…"
Still looking displeased, Luna pressed her face harder against my arm.
I couldn’t help but find her cute, though it also put me in a bit of a tough spot.
Honestly, I felt completely healed by it.
"Oh, that’s right…"
As I looked at Luna, I suddenly remembered something that had been on my mind and decided to ask her about it.
"Rion didn’t ask, but is Luna using a false name to hide the fact that she’s a princess?"
The name Luna used at school was Lunara Alford.
However, her real name was completely different—and she hadn’t revealed that she was a princess either.
The most likely reason for this was to keep her identity hidden.
"Yes, if it became known that I am a princess, I would lose my freedom, and danger would follow. Not only that, but it could also put Seito-sama at risk. That is why I was asked to use a false name."
It seemed my hunch was right.
I guess there was no other reason to explain it, so it couldn’t have been anything else.
That’s probably why Rion didn’t ask about it either.
"Is Aira-chan also using a fake name?"
"You always talk about Aira. Is Aira better than me, Seito-sama?"
When I asked about Aira-chan, Luna puffed her cheeks out again, this time with a slight pout.
It seemed she had misunderstood.
"N-No, that’s not it! It’s not that I’m interested in her romantically, but I do care about her. She’s always with you, Luna."
I immediately explained myself to clear up any misunderstandings. I wasn’t interested in Aira-chan in that way, but naturally, I was concerned about her, especially since she was always with Luna.
It was surprising to see Luna act jealous over something like this—maybe she was more possessive than I thought.
"I see… That’s alright then…"
Luna seemed to accept it, nodding slightly as she looked up at me.
"Aira’s real name is known. She is someone whose name hasn’t been publicly disclosed, so there was no need for her to use a false name."
From the way Luna spoke, it seemed like Luna and Aira-chan hadn’t made that decision themselves.
There must have been people who made those decisions on their behalf.
If we were being cautious, it might be better for Aira-chan to change her name too, but if her name is only known within the royal family and those close to her, it seems there’s no issue.
"Changing the subject, I understand you might have some concerns about being with a princess like me. However, please rest assured about your safety. Aira and the other excellent guards are disguised and are always watching over us."
Luna seemed to understand my feelings, but she quickly shifted the conversation, likely wanting to end the topic of Aira-chan. She had been talking proudly about Aira-chan just a moment ago, so there were clearly complex feelings involved.
Maybe it would be best not to praise or pay too much attention to Aira-chan in front of Luna.
That being said, it made sense now why Aira-chan had distanced herself from Luna earlier.
I hadn’t realized it, but it seemed like another guard had been following us during our way back.
"Then, I feel reassured."
I smiled, wanting to convey that I wasn’t worried at all.
Perhaps my smile got through to her, because Luna didn’t say anything more about it. She once again rested her head on my shoulder.
And then—
"Seito-sama… could you please pat my head…?"
It seemed that Luna, having grown tired of talking and anime, just wanted to be spoiled, as she made the adorable request.
◆
"I’ve got nothing to do now…"
After pampering Luna, we had dinner together, but as soon as we finished cleaning up, Aira-chan came to pick up Luna.
That meant Luna went back to her room, and I took a bath—but then, there was nothing left for me to do.
In the past, I would have watched anime or played games by myself to kill time, but ever since I started watching anime with Luna, doing it alone just didn’t feel satisfying anymore.
"I guess I’ll just go to bed..."
─Ding-dong♪
Just as I turned off the TV and stood up from the couch, the doorbell rang unexpectedly.
"At this hour...?"
It wasn’t that late yet, but it wasn’t a time when people usually come over.
Maybe...?
I thought so, and immediately opened the door.
"Ah... Seito-sama, good evening."
Standing at the door was a kind-hearted, smiling blonde girl.
As I thought, it was Luna who had rung the bell.
She was wearing a beautiful pink-themed pajama—or rather, a nightgown, so it seemed like she had just gotten out of the bath.
Behind her stood Aira-chan.
"Is something wrong? Did you forget something?"
Not understanding why Luna was at my door, I tilted my head and asked.
In response, Luna bashfully smiled and hesitated.
"Well... I was wondering if I could... stay with you again..."
"Huh? Oh, could it be... you want to watch anime with me until it's time for bed?"
Since Luna liked anime, I assumed that was the reason she came to my room.
But then—
"........"
Aira-chan, standing behind Luna, squinted her eyes as if to say something.
It seemed I had misunderstood.
"No, that's not it... Ah, of course, I would love to watch anime with you, but...!"
While I was distracted by Aira-chan, Luna tried to express something, but she seemed unusually hesitant—unlike her usual self when she would eagerly seek affection.
Meanwhile, behind Luna, Aira-chan seemed to be silently pressuring me, as if to say, Figure it out.
Even though Aira-chan looked so cute and young, she was surprisingly forceful.
"Um... How about coming in for now?"
Not knowing what Luna wanted to say, I decided to buy myself some time.
If I had a little more experience, maybe I’d be able to pick up on it, but unfortunately, I hadn’t gained that kind of experience yet.
Rion—surprisingly—was more direct about what she wanted to say, so there wasn’t much I had to figure out on my own when it came to her.
Because of that, even though my intuition wasn’t great, I was able to get along with her fairly well.
While thinking about this, I let Luna and Aira-chan into the room, but Luna remained bashful and didn’t say anything.
The way she fidgeted, her fingers touching as she glanced up at me, was really cute, but if there was something she wanted to say, I wished she’d just say it.
By now, I didn’t think anything she said would surprise me anymore.
After all, Luna had already surprised me so many times.
"Luna-sama, if you don't say it, Seito-sama won’t understand," Aira-chan, unable to bear the silence any longer, urged Luna.
"Well... it’s embarrassing to ask again..."
"Why are you embarrassed now? Haven’t you already experienced it before?"
"That time, I had no choice but to do it, and I was trying not to show it, but inside, I was completely overwhelmed...!"
The two of them started whispering, and Luna seemed to be earnestly trying to explain something to Aira-chan.
What in the world were they talking about...?
"Ah, um, Seito-sama...!"
When I stayed silent and watched, Luna, with her face bright red, tightly shut her eyes and called my name.
"Y-Yes!?"
Naturally, when my name was suddenly called so loudly, I was surprised and instinctively tensed up.
In response to me, Luna...
"I would like to sleep together with you...! Please lend me your white shirt...!"
It wasn’t as bad as I had imagined.
Though, I wanted to ask why she’d want a white shirt...
"Sleeping together... isn't that a bit inappropriate...?"
For now, I decided to ignore the white shirt part and focus on the earlier statement.
"It’s fine...!"
Luna nodded earnestly in response to my question.
What exactly is fine...?
Even though we’re engaged, I thought it wasn’t appropriate for a princess to sleep with a man.
That’s probably why I had her stay in the room next door instead of coming into my room.
"It’s not okay for us to live together, right...?"
I decided to confirm it.
"Yes, it’s not okay," was Aira-chan’s immediate reply.
Luna looked away awkwardly at the moment I asked the question, so it seemed Aira-chan already knew Luna wouldn’t answer from the start.
"—However, in this case, since we’re not living together, there’s no need to worry. Luna-sama’s room is, after all, right next door."
"...Isn’t that a bit of a technicality...?"
Understanding what Aira-chan was getting at, I scratched my cheek with a wry smile.
The reason Luna was acting awkward was probably because of what I just said.
"Though we’re told we cannot live together, there’s no rule against sleeping together or staying over."
Aira-chan indirectly denied what I said.
"Isn’t that a technicality... Won’t the queen or someone get angry?"
"Luna-sama returns to her room properly in the morning, and—besides, how would anyone know that Luna-sama is staying in Seito-sama’s room?"
Aira-chan answered with a smug, defiant smile.
Logically speaking, Luna probably wouldn’t say anything about it.
Though Aira-chan might report Luna’s whereabouts, I didn’t think she would ever mention anything that could harm Luna.
But Luna has several subordinates, doesn’t she?
There’s always a chance for information to leak from them. For Aira-chan to make such a confident declaration, it must mean she’s already taken measures to prevent that.
Did she intimidate them? Or are they so loyal to Luna that they wouldn’t dare betray her? Both possibilities seem plausible, but given that mischievous smirk, the former feels more likely.
"Luna, you’re not pushing yourself, are you? Just because we’re engaged doesn’t mean you have to go this far, you know?"
Since I understood there wasn’t much of a problem, I decided to ask how Luna felt about it.
We’d slept together before, but that had been due to unavoidable circumstances.
Now, she has her own room and a bed prepared for her, so there’s no reason for her to insist on sleeping with me.
Honestly, I had a feeling Aira-chan might’ve encouraged her to come here.
As I was thinking that, Luna shyly glanced up at me and lightly pinched the sleeve of my shirt between her fingers.
"I... want to sleep together with you, Seito-sama... okay?"
—No, seriously.
That’s just way too cute.
◆
"Hehe..."
As soon as Luna entered the room, she put on my shirt and smiled happily.
She even took off her bottoms, and I could see glimpses of her underwear and the white of her thighs peeking out from under the shirt.
It wasn’t the kind of attire a princess should be wearing.
"Why isn’t Aira-chan saying anything…?"
Since Aira-chan is supposed to be both her bodyguard and caretaker, shouldn’t she be the one to reprimand Luna for what she’s wearing?
She must realize that what Luna is wearing is inappropriate.
"Luna-sama is so happy, there’s no reason for me to interfere," Aira-chan replied.
It seemed that she was allowing it because it was what Luna wanted.
It could also be that, as a servant, she found it hard to go against her master’s wishes… but Luna didn’t strike me as the type who would easily show such straightforward affection.
"Seito-sama, won’t you come to bed?"
As I got distracted by Aira-chan, Luna puffed out her cheeks and pulled on my shirt sleeve, looking at me as if she were a bit jealous.
This girl really does have a strong sense of possessiveness…
But, well, it’s cute, so it’s fine.
"What about the anime?" I asked, remembering that she had mentioned wanting to watch it earlier.
It still seemed a little too early to go to bed.
"Ah… I do want to watch anime, but… not right now."
Luna seemed hesitant as she spoke. What was bothering her?
"Luna-sama wants to be pampered by Seito-sama in bed," Aira-chan chimed in, making sure Luna could hear.
"You didn’t have to say it out loud!?" Luna’s face turned bright red as she scolded Aira-chan.
"Apologies," Aira-chan said with a bow, but when she raised her head, she didn’t seem to mind much.
Her mental strength was impressive.
She had this strange, unfathomable air about her, yet she had such a good nature. No wonder she could stay by Luna’s side.
If it were me, even if I were entrusted with being the princess's bodyguard, I don’t think I could handle the pressure.
"But, Seito-sama, I believe it’s best to tell you directly," Aira-chan continued, glancing at me.
It felt like she was saying that a dense guy like me wouldn’t get it unless it was spelled out for me.
—Well, that was pretty much what she was saying.
I couldn’t argue, as I hadn’t understood Luna’s feelings either.
"Love is like this..." Luna said, though still angry with Aira-chan.
Her cheeks puffed out so much that I could almost hear the sound effect of her being upset.
Luna, at her core, was still a child.
Maybe that’s why the two of them got along so well.
"Seito-sama, are you ready for bed?" Aira-chan asked, glancing up at me as she gently dealt with Luna’s pout.
"I was planning to sleep anyway since I didn’t have anything else to do, so I just need to brush my teeth," I answered.
"Hmm..." Aira-chan placed a hand on her chin, seemingly pondering something.
And then, it seemed like an evil plan crossed her mind.
I didn’t miss the slight smirk that appeared at the corner of her mouth for an instant.
"Well then, Luna-sama, shall we head to the bedroom first?"
I didn’t know what she was thinking, but Aira-chan bowed her head and pointed toward the door with her hand.
At that, Luna, looking bashful, fiddled with the ends of her hair and glanced at me.
"I’ll be waiting for you in the room…?"
With a cute smile, Luna said this, her face lightly flushed, and hurriedly left the living room.
Aira-chan followed right after her, leaving me alone in the living room.
I hadn’t had the chance to ask yet, but given the situation, I wondered if Aira-chan would be sleeping with us too. My bed could fit two people, but even with Aira-chan being small, three people wouldn’t fit.
Besides, it’s not like a princess and her servant would sleep together… What on earth were they thinking?
I felt a bit cautious, but headed to the bathroom to brush my teeth.
---
While brushing my teeth, I heard a click, like a door unlocking.
Maybe Luna or Aira-chan had left?
Perhaps they’d forgotten something?
While I was idly thinking about that, I heard the sound of the door unlocking again.
It was probably just the person who left coming back, so I didn’t pay it much attention and continued toward the bedroom.
"—May I come in?"
I knocked three times on the door before calling out.
It’s my own room, but it’s still polite to check before entering.
In romantic comedies, there’s always a scene where the protagonist, unexpectedly, catches the heroine while she’s changing. So, even though Luna would probably let me in shyly, with Aira-chan there, I figured it was better to be cautious.
"Y-Yes, come in…!"
From inside, I heard Luna’s voice, a bit shaky.
Hmm? Is she nervous…?
We’ve slept together before, though?
With that question in mind, I opened the door and—
"I-I’ve been waiting for you… nya?"
In the dim light of the moon filtering through the window, Luna was sitting on the bed in a girl’s sitting posture. Her hands were shaped like paws, and she was cutely tilting her head.
And, for some reason—there were cat ears on her head.
Yeah, why…?
"L-Luna…?"
I couldn’t hide my confusion at the unexpected sight and found myself staring at Luna.
Then, Luna, her face bright red, turned her gaze toward Aira-chan, who had been standing in the corner of the room.
<See? I knew he would be confused…! I was certain this was strange…!>
And then, she started rattling something in English.
<It’s strange, isn’t it? According to my research, more than 90% of Japanese men love cat ears and want their women to act like cats.>
In response, Aira-chan calmly tilted her head.
I couldn’t understand exactly what she was saying, but from the atmosphere, I could tell that this girl was the cause of all this.
Thanks, Aira-chan.
<Where on earth did you get this information…!?>
<Isn’t this something that occasionally happens in the manga and anime Luna-sama loves? When the heroine wears a cat costume, the protagonist is secretly excited, right? probably Seito-sama is same. He is just trying not to show it, but deep down, he is probably thrilled.>
<Someone who’s thrilled wouldn’t be so confused…!>
It seemed like Aira-chan was teasing Luna, and Luna was starting to get more and more flustered.
Well, it wasn’t like she was actually angry, but more like she was embarrassed and frustrated, so there was no need to worry.
It was so unexpected that I was caught off guard, but thanks to Aira-chan, I got to see something interesting.
It was a little cruel, so maybe I should throw her a lifeline.
"Luna, do you like cats?"
I approached Luna, who was sitting on the bed, and smiled as I asked.
"Eh… Y-Yes, I do…"
"I see. It really suits you, and you look so cute."
Luna is an absolute beauty, so she’d look good in anything.
The cat ears and her shirt were a little niche and… seductive, but the cuteness overwhelmed it all.
I almost wanted to pat her head, but… I didn’t have the guts to do that without her asking for it.
<──!? T-That’s so cute, no…!>
Hearing the compliment, Luna placed both hands on her cheeks and squirmed in embarrassment.
She must have spoken in English because she was flustered.
She probably wasn’t used to being told that, yet she was truly adorable.
Since I’m her fiancé, I can tell her how I feel without fear, but seeing Luna happily yet embarrassed made me want to keep expressing my thoughts.
<Hmm… It seems you’re not just a herbivore after all. This is a plus.>
Aira-chan, who had been looking at me, nodded with a satisfied expression.
That girl sure wears her emotions on her face more than I thought.
I wondered if Aira-chan usually tried to hide her emotions and not show them.
<Mu… You’re looking at Aira again…!>
As I was distracted by Aira-chan, Luna, now seeming to calm down, puffed her cheeks and said something.
She got off the bed and then clung to my arm.
"Luna…?"
Not understanding her intentions, I stared at her face.
And then──
"Please, Master, pamper Luna… Nyaa…?"
'──!?'
This time, I was the one caught off guard, and my face heated up in an instant.
Was this Aira-chan’s idea too…?
"Master, this is a little embarrassing…nya"
The cat language was so cute that I almost wanted to leave it as it was.
"Isn’t it to your liking…?"
She must have thought I didn’t like it.
Luna looked up at me with a worried expression, as if waiting for my reaction.
"Well, I’m not Luna’s master…"
Luna’s imitation of a cat was incredibly cute, but as soon as I got involved in that play, I became embarrassed.
If possible, I just wanted to watch it without getting pulled into it.
"But, right now, I’m a kitty… Nyaa…"
However, Luna wasn’t willing to let it go.
When I came in, she was so embarrassed, but now she was totally into it…?
"I-I’ll pamper you even if you don’t call me master…"
Trying to avoid calling me "master," I thought about what Luna wanted and suggested a compromise.
Upon hearing this, Luna happily rubbed her cheek against my arm.
"If you’ll pamper me, I don’t mind anything…"
It seemed like she had been calling me "master" just to be pampered.
Well, yeah… she was incredibly cute, but why?
It was still so embarrassing, though…
"So, um, should we get into bed…?"
Caught up in Luna’s clinginess, I led her into the bed.
──I noticed that, sometime during this, a futon had been laid out on the floor.
It was probably Aira-chan who had brought it in.
"………"
Once we were in bed, Luna stared at me with heated eyes, clearly waiting to be pampered.
She seemed to be expecting it.
"Does Aira-chan always sleep with you?"
I knew I should probably pamper her right away, but I couldn’t help asking Luna about Aira-chan, who was sleeping on the floor.
But this couldn’t be helped.
With someone else around, I couldn’t bring myself to act affectionately; I was just too aware of it.
'You’re thinking about Aira-chan again…'
However, my intentions seemed to be misunderstood, and Luna puffed her cheeks, looking annoyed.
The reason I was concerned about Aira-chan was because of her behavior, which made me curious, but Luna seemed to automatically turn it into something related to romance.
She was probably jealous and possessive, so I figured I shouldn’t make statements that could lead to misunderstandings, but… until I got used to Aira-chan’s actions, it was a bit tricky.
"There’s no romantic meaning to it, so don’t worry. It’s just that I’m curious about her actions, that’s all."
I tried to suppress my embarrassed feelings as I gently stroked Luna’s head.
As Luna focused on being petted, her body relaxed, and she began to enjoy the sensation, her eyes narrowing in pleasure. She really looked just like a cat.
By the way, Luna had already taken off her cat-ear headband. It seemed she couldn’t sleep with it on after all.
"I’m Luna-sama’s bodyguard. Just in case, I’ve always slept nearby," Aira-chan explained from beneath the bed.
"Is being a bodyguard really that thorough?" I asked Aira-chan while continuing to stroke Luna’s head, trying to keep her from getting jealous.
"It depends on the master. When sleeping, it’s the most vulnerable moment, so some masters don’t want their bodyguard in the same room, while others feel uneasy without one," Aira-chan replied calmly.
It seemed like there wasn’t a simple answer.
Luna, however, seemed like she’d sleep just fine without a bodyguard.
After all, she was the type to sneak out on her own.
"Arcadia is a pretty safe country, right?"
"Not as safe as Japan, but I don’t think there are many fools doing anything reckless," Aira-chan answered.
When she said "reckless," it was probably in reference to crimes. It seemed that firearms were allowed, so it might be a little more dangerous than Japan, with its strict gun control laws. But with their advanced technology, their security and law enforcement were probably top-notch.
"Is being part of the royal family dangerous, though?"
I asked, since Aira-chan had mentioned she slept by Luna’s side. It might have been a bit of an insensitive question, but if Luna were at risk, I wanted to be cautious.
Aira-chan let out a laugh through her nose.
"Hah, someone reckless enough to harm a royal is nearly nonexistent. It’s like throwing your life away. Even without doing anything, you’d make an enemy of the entire world."
She was right. Trying to harm a member of the royal family in Arcadia was terrifying. Not only would you be risking your life just by doing that, but with Arcadia’s high technological capabilities, their influence spanned the globe. If a royal in Arcadia spoke up, most countries would probably cooperate.
The country’s politics were stable, and the citizens seemed content, so it didn’t seem like there was much to worry about after all.
"Now that I think about it, I’m really in an outrageous position, aren’t I?" I said, realizing that I had become engaged to a royal family member with such immense power.
I was just an ordinary person with no power, and there were likely many people in the royal family who didn’t think well of me. The queen, for example, was probably the worst of them.
Even if people couldn’t harm the royal family directly, they might try to kidnap me and make some demands, thinking that getting rid of me would solve their problems. In that case, the royal family might actually be relieved to be rid of me. If that happened, I would be in serious danger.
"We will protect you with our lives, so don’t worry," Aira-chan said flatly, as if she had already understood my concerns.
To think she would say "with our lives"...
Hearing that from someone younger than me didn’t feel too great.
"You should take care of your life, you know?" I said, even though I knew it was probably unnecessary advice.
No life should ever be treated carelessly, no matter whose life it is.
"I’ve trained for this, so don’t worry," Aira-chan said confidently.
She was probably saying that she could protect both Luna and me while also protecting herself.
I had seen her in action and knew how terrifyingly strong she was, so maybe she really could do it.
"Well, I think it’s safe while we're in Japan," I replied, but just then, Luna tugged at my clothes.
Looking at her, I saw she was staring at my face with an unhappy expression. It seemed like the petting effect had worn off.
"I’m just learning a lot from her... there’s nothing inappropriate about it," I quickly tried to explain, hoping to avoid making Luna jealous.
But then...
"Please pay attention to me too..." she said, tugging at my clothes with a lonely look on her face, and I was completely defeated in an instant.
"Eh-hehe..."
When I pulled her close in bed and gently stroked her head and cheek, Luna smiled sweetly, just like a child.
She looked so happy, it warmed my heart just watching her.
Since Aira-chan didn’t say anything, it seemed it was okay as long as we didn’t do anything inappropriate.
"Do you like being petted, Luna?"
Anyone could tell that Luna was enjoying being petted at that moment.
When a cat is petted, it often closes its eyes and pushes its head into the petter's hand, and Luna was doing the same, rubbing her head and cheek against me.
So, I asked her...
"...It’s because it’s you, Seito-sama... It’s not just anyone..."
Luna said, embarrassed, as she pressed her face against my chest.
I wasn’t sure exactly how to interpret it, but there was no way I could not be happy to hear that.
She really was good at being affectionate.
Though, for Luna, she was probably just being naturally affectionate without realizing it.
"Can I keep petting you from now on?"
There were times when Luna was so cute that I wanted to pet her head.
I had been holding myself back, not wanting to do it unless she asked, but if she liked being petted, I figured it would be fine as long as I got her approval in advance.
"There's no need to ask... I’m very happy, you know?"
In response to my question, Luna pulled her face away from my chest and looked at me with expectant, passionate eyes.
As her words indicated, she seemed to be happier when she was petted.
If that was the case, then as long as we were out of sight, I didn't have to hold back anymore.
"I’m relieved to hear that."
"You’re so kind, Seito-sama. I’m sure you’re being considerate of me... but if it’s something you can do for me, I would be happy with anything..."
Luna said, then snuggled her face against my chest again in an affectionate way.
She probably didn’t mean it literally, but if I did something she disliked, she would obviously be upset.
What she was really saying was that I shouldn’t hold back and should spoil her more.
I was happy about that because I liked spoiling Luna too.
"Even if I did something outrageous, Luna, what would you do?"
"I wouldn’t mind. After all, we’re already engaged. As long as you take responsibility, that would be enough for me."
So, in other words, if I didn’t take responsibility, she wouldn’t forgive me.
Well, it seemed like she wasn’t planning on anything more than kissing before we got married, so she was probably referring to that level of intimacy.
She seemed innocent, so she probably didn’t have much knowledge beyond that.
...Although, maybe Aira-chan has been telling her things...?
Seeing how Aira-chan liked to tease Luna and had her do various things, it wouldn’t be too surprising if she’d been teaching her.
I wondered about how the royal family’s education worked.
How much did they teach? I was curious, since it would affect me as well in the future.
“.......”
As I was thinking about such things, I suddenly felt a gaze from behind me.
It was probably Aira-chan, who had sat up and was staring at me intently.
"It’s fine, I would never force anything..." I said.
"...?"
Luna seemed confused, unable to understand what I meant, and she looked at me with a puzzled expression.
However, it seemed that the person I had directed my words toward understood, as the gaze I had felt on my back disappeared.
Then, I heard the sound of fabric rubbing together from beneath the bed, suggesting that she had gone back to bed.
...For now, I thought it would be best to avoid any misunderstandings.
If I caused one, I might very well be erased from this world by the small girl who was currently holding her breath behind me.
"Umm... if there's anything on your mind, don’t hesitate to tell me, okay? I'm not very good at reading the room, so it would help if you just said it."
I smiled at Luna, trying to smooth things over.
"That’s... difficult..." she replied.
"Eh?"
Her answer was so unexpected that I couldn’t help but stare at Luna.
Luna looked up at me, her cheeks slightly flushed, then turned her gaze away as she slowly began to speak.
"It’s... embarrassing to ask you to spoil me, you know...?"
She told me this, then pressed her face into my chest again.
This time, instead of acting affectionate, she pressed her face against me as though trying to hide her embarrassment.
What in the world was this adorable creature?
"I-I see, sorry."
Seeing Luna wriggle with embarrassment made me apologize while gently stroking her head.
However, I wanted to offer a bit of clarification.
What I had meant to say was that if she ever felt uncomfortable with something, she should feel free to tell me. But it seemed Luna’s mind was entirely focused on being spoiled.
She was so cute, it completely melted me.
Not only was she breathtakingly beautiful and cute on the outside, but her personality was equally adorable—truly unfair.
"It’s embarrassing to say in words... but if I ever feel that way, I’ll do this..."
Perhaps because I apologized, Luna continued with an alternative suggestion.
She was referring to the act she was currently doing—rubbing her face against my chest.
Since it was too embarrassing to say it, she was showing it through her actions. She wanted me to figure it out.
Though, to be honest, this might be even more embarrassing...
"Alright, I understand."
Her affectionate behavior was so cute that I had no choice but to accept it.
That said, it would be a problem if she did this in front of other people.
After that, Luna continued to snuggle against my chest, hold my hand and playfully squeeze it, and spoiled me as she pleased.
I simply accepted whatever she did, occasionally stroking her head or her cheek in return.
Even so, it was an incredibly enjoyable, blissful time, full of comfort.
"---Suu... suu..."
Eventually, exhausted from being so affectionate, Luna began to make cute sleeping sounds while still clinging to me.
She had only just arrived from Arcadia, and with the move and taking care of Rion, she must have been tired.
I wanted to let her sleep peacefully and quietly.
Thinking that, I waited for Luna’s sleep to deepen, then after about two hours, I carefully got out of bed.
I made sure to be as quiet as possible and headed for the balcony.
When I stepped out onto the balcony, the only light was from the street lamps, and everything else was completely silent, with no other lights in sight.
The atmosphere was quiet and somewhat lonely, but I didn’t mind it.
Looking up at the sky, the stars and full moon were shining brilliantly.
I’d heard that in cities, with all the houses and shops lit up, the sky wasn’t as clear as in the countryside. So, being able to see such a beautiful night sky might be a privilege of living in a rural area.
In this quiet setting, I found myself muttering to no one in particular.
"Her highness’s... fiancé, huh?"
I couldn’t help but feel uncertain if this was really the right choice.
Luna was so cute and such a good girl. I really liked seeing her smile and being able to spoil her.
More than anything, the time I spent with her was incredibly happy.
––And that’s exactly why I started to feel uneasy about our mismatch.
In terms of status, appearance, and character, I felt like I was completely out of place compared to Luna.
Could I really create an environment where she, who grew up in luxury as royalty, could live a fulfilling and happy life?
The anxiety threatened to overwhelm me.
"––Are you unable to sleep?"
"––!?"
I was startled by the sudden voice and quickly turned around.
There, standing silently and staring up at me with a blank expression, was Aira-chan.
"Sorry, did I wake you?"
"No need to apologize. I just wasn’t asleep yet."
Was she on alert, making sure I wouldn’t do anything weird to Luna since I wasn’t asleep?
She was a child, so I wanted her to get a good rest, but…
"I should mention that there is only a two-year age difference between me and Luna-sama, and a three-year difference between you and me. Please, do not treat me like a child."
I must have shown my thoughts on my face because Aira-chan narrowed her eyes in dissatisfaction.
So, a three-year difference… That would make her thirteen, since I’m sixteen.
She still seemed like a child to me.
I kept that to myself, though, since I figured she would get mad if I said it out loud.
"So, Luna is younger, huh?"
"It’s just that she hasn’t had her birthday yet. Please, don’t worry."
I see, so she wasn’t lying about her school year.
Since I’ve already had my birthday, the age difference just came naturally.
"I’m relieved to hear that."
Not in a romantic sense, but in an ethical one.
If she had lied about her age just to attend school with me, I would have felt guilty.
Well, saying that kind of confirms Aira-chan was lying about her age, but in her case, she was doing it to protect Luna, so I couldn’t hold it against her.
––I had to accept it, that was all.
"Is there something bothering you?"
I thought the topic of age was finished, but Aira-chan asked me why I was out on the balcony, looking at the night sky.
"……"
Normally, I’d probably try to dodge the question, but...
"I guess... I just can’t stop thinking. I wonder if someone like me is really okay as Luna’s fiancé."
I figured she’d see right through me.
So, I decided to just be honest and talk to her, hoping she would listen.
"If you were to compare him to Luna-sama, there is no man in this world who could be considered her equal."
It seemed clear that Aira-chan really loved Luna.
If that weren’t the case, no one would say something like this, even if they were her servant.
"Even so, there must be better men out there, right? Like, for example, that nobleman who was her former fiancé."
From what I had heard, the man Luna had been engaged to before didn't seem to fall short in terms of status, appearance, or character.
At the very least, he was undoubtedly a man far superior to me.
"I've already told you, but Luna-sama chose you, Seito-sama. That is all there is to it."
Since Luna made her choice, there was no point in arguing.
Aira-chan probably wanted to say that it wasn't just a simple matter of comparison.
"I wonder what it was about me that Luna liked?"
It was a pure question, and I was looking for an answer to it.
Luna had passionately spoken about Rion, but was that really the whole reason?
"…Luna-sama is very intelligent and kind, but she is not naive. Having grown up around many adults since she was young, she has developed a keen eye for people. She chose you, so please, have more confidence in yourself."
Aira-chan said this as she placed her right hand on my left chest.
As she spoke, it seemed like she was encouraging me to have confidence in myself.
Indeed, as a member of the royal family, Luna must have had many opportunities to see various kinds of adults.
She must have encountered plenty of adults who hid ulterior motives or ambitions.
Despite her pure and innocent image, I had thought she didn’t know anything about bad people—but it seemed the reality was the opposite.
And yet, talking to Aira-chan one-on-one like this, I found her impression of me changing considerably.
She was still speaking in her usual expressionless way, but there seemed to be a warmth in her words.
Maybe she was a kind person at heart after all.
Though her type was a little different, she reminded me of Rion.
"Confidence, huh... Luna may be certain of my character, but I still think it would be difficult for someone like me to support the princess without any hardships..."
Luna would probably have the royal family covering living expenses, so she wouldn’t have to worry about money.
However, if I had to rely on the royal family even after we got married, that would make me a failure as a man.
At the very least, I wanted to be able to support the woman I loved on my own.
"Don’t worry about that. Luna-sama doesn’t desire the life of a royal or a life like that of Arcadia."
"Wait, really…?"
People who have lived in luxury usually consider that the standard, so I had assumed Luna would want that kind of life as well.
"Has Luna-sama ever expressed dissatisfaction with the life she’s living now?"
"Well, no..."
She had never said a word of complaint.
In fact, she seemed very happy.
But, I thought, that was probably because Luna was such a kind person, and she was just being considerate of me.
"Luna-sama has dreamed of living as an ordinary housewife, not as a princess, since she was young. The life she has now is like a dream come true for her. That’s why she doesn’t wish for a life like that of the royal family."
Listening to Aira-chan’s words, I remembered.
Luna had mentioned several times how she had "longed" for something like this.
I see… I hadn’t thought too deeply about it from the start.
"Luna-sama’s childhood dream has been fulfilled, and she is living a very happy life. For Luna-sama, just having you by her side is enough. Please stop overthinking things. If you continue like this, you might make her unhappy instead."
With that, Aira-chan smiled at me—a sweet, gentle smile.
Without a doubt, this child was kind at heart.
"Overthinking, huh... I guess you're right."
The thing I had been thinking about was that I wasn’t worthy of Luna.
So, what was I going to do? When I thought about it, I realized I probably wouldn’t come to the conclusion that I should try to improve myself to match Luna.
If I could reach her level through hard work, I would certainly try, but even with all my effort, I could never reach Luna's level.
At that point, the only thing left would be to step aside—and from what I saw in Luna now, that would only make her sad.
"Thank you, Aira-chan."
I expressed my gratitude to Aira-chan for stopping me from coming to a foolish conclusion.
"No, I have only said the most obvious things."
In response to my words, Aira-chan returned to her usual expressionless demeanor and gave a cold attitude.
It was as if she didn’t want to show much emotion to others.
Despite her youth, she acted as both Luna’s caretaker and bodyguard, so there must be something behind it all…
"By the way, what should I be doing as Luna's fiancé?"
There must be various formalities and obligations for a royal fiancé.
In manga and anime, they often have to go through special training or tests, but…
"For now, there is nothing in particular. The royal family is troubled over what to do regarding Luna-sama and Seito-sama’s future."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Normally, Luna-sama would be taken to Arcadia with you, but neither Luna-sama nor the other princesses wish for that."
It was reassuring to hear that she wouldn’t be forcibly taken to Arcadia, but it was also a little unexpected.
I had thought she would be taken there immediately after graduating from high school.
"Does Luna dislike Arcadia, then?"
It bothered me that, even though it was her homeland, she didn’t want to return.
She had always longed for a normal life, so I wondered if there was something unpleasant about it.
"No, Luna-sama loves her homeland."
It seemed my assumption was wrong.
"Then, why...?"
"She thinks of Seito-sama first and foremost, and doesn’t want to involve you in the troubles or formalities of the royal family. If she returns to Arcadia, she would have to resume her life as a princess and couldn’t live as she does now, which is why she doesn’t wish to go back."
From what I gathered, Luna didn’t want to return because she was prioritizing me.
While I was relieved that there was no option to separate us, I also felt uneasy knowing that she was worrying about me.
But, honestly, I was grateful that I wouldn’t be dragged into the royal family's issues.
Even if I were accepted into the royal family, I couldn’t see a future where things would go smoothly.
I had no education in the things required of royals or nobles.
In fact, I could barely speak any English…
"Do the other princesses prioritize Luna’s feelings and support her decision?"
I understood why Luna didn’t want to go back, but I couldn’t believe that the other princesses didn’t want her to return.
"Princesses number one and eight likely do, yes."
However, it didn’t seem that way.
From the way she said it, there seemed to be other reasons for princesses two through six.
"What are the other princesses thinking?"
"As I mentioned, Luna-sama is second in line for the throne. This means that if something were to happen to the first princess, Luna-sama would succeed her as queen. Naturally, this is not a pleasant situation for her older sisters."
Normally, the line of succession would follow birth order.
So if Luna, the seventh princess, was second in line, it was understandable that the sisters, excluding the first princess, would have issues with it.
"Does that mean Luna is disliked by them?"
"It’s not as simple as that. Luna-sama has a personality that makes her loved by everyone, so the others likely don’t dislike her. However, deep down, they probably see her as an obstacle. Even princesses feel jealousy and inferiority."
Hmm…
I had imagined the princesses of Arcadia, the so-called ideal country, to be similar to Luna in personality, especially her older sisters. But it seemed that wasn’t the case.
Luna was good at reading people, and if she had seen all the dirty adults when she was young, she must understand her sisters, who probably harbor secret resentments.
I wondered what Luna thought when her sisters supported her decision to go to Japan.
I became a little worried.
"Could it be that they might try to harass or sabotage her...?"
"You needn’t worry about that either. Since Luna-sama is no longer seen as a threat, there’s no reason for anyone to hold ill feelings toward her. And more than that, if anyone were to cause trouble now and Luna-sama were to return to Arcadia, it would be the princesses who would be in trouble."
I see…
It seemed like there was no need to worry about that.
If Luna is in Japan, she’ll be safe.
"However, I can’t say the same for the eighth princess."
My moment of relief was short-lived.
Aira-chan said something unsettling.
"The eighth princess... that’s Luna’s sister, right? Wait... she was the one who prioritized Luna’s feelings…?"
"Yes, the eighth princess loves Luna-sama dearly. Of course, she prioritizes Luna-sama’s feelings, but… because she loves her so much, sometimes it could lead to troublesome situations."
"...?"
I tilted my head, unable to understand what Aira-chan meant.
I couldn’t imagine her causing trouble when she loved Luna so much…
"Furthermore, the eighth princess, despite being the same age as me, has a somewhat childish personality. There are times when she does things that are… well, things you might want to cover your eyes from."
Wait, did she just almost say she’s stupid?
She definitely was about to say it, right?
Even so, I could tell from Aira-chan’s expression that she wasn’t allowing me to comment on it.
So I decided to keep my mouth shut.
"Should I prepare for something, just in case...?"
I didn’t fully understand, but if there was a chance that she would cause trouble, I wanted to be ready.
But then—
"No, you don’t need to worry about it too much. As long as Luna-sama is on your side, the eighth princess won’t be a problem."
Aira-chan calmly reassured me, though it was clear she didn’t have much fondness for the eighth princess.
Her tone wasn’t one of saying that they wouldn’t be opponents, but rather implying that the eighth princess wasn’t even on the same level.
"Well, if that’s the case, then it’s fine…"
"Rather than worrying about that, Seito-sama, you should focus on Luna-sama."
Aira-chan, leaving the matter of the eighth princess behind, urged me to think about Luna.
Indeed, Luna was far more important.
"What can I do to make Luna happy, or to help her?"
I asked the question without much thought, just curious.
But apparently, that was the wrong question, as Aira-chan let out a sigh, as if exasperated.
"That’s obvious. Just pamper Luna-sama as much as you can."
Aira-chan looked at me as if saying, "Why ask such an obvious thing?"
Well, if I pampered her, she would definitely be happy, I thought…
It seemed like a silly question.
As I was thinking that, Aira-chan continued speaking.
"Luna-sama behaves gallantly and gracefully in front of everyone, but that’s because it’s expected of her as a royal. The real Luna-sama is very much a spoiled child, but only the first princess and I knew that. Among those who know this, Luna-sama shows her true self to you… because she wants you to love the real her. So, Seito-sama, all you need to do is face the current Luna-sama and pamper her. And please take her out to have fun in Japan. Luna-sama has never been to an amusement park, you know."
Aira-chan, who had said all this, was once again wearing a kind smile.
She truly must love Luna very much.
And I also wanted to see her happy, so I decided in my heart to take Luna to an amusement park on the next holiday.
◆
"──Mmm..."
The sun had risen, and sunlight began streaming into the room through the gap in the curtains.
Luna slowly opened her eyes.
She was probably still half-asleep.
With sleepy eyes, she blinked slowly.
Her expression was like that of a young child, and it made me feel happy from the start of the day.
I didn’t say anything to wake her up; I just quietly waited for Luna’s awareness to fully return.
"Mmm..."
As I waited, Luna, still groggy, snuggled up against my chest, pressing her face against me in an affectionate way.
Was she awake, or was she still half-asleep?
I watched her closely, but her eyes had closed again, and from the way she was acting, it didn’t seem like she was fully awake.
She was probably still sleepy, just instinctively seeking affection.
I wasn’t sure if she even recognized me, but she was so adorable that I gently hugged her and patted her head.
"Hehe..."
Luna, who loved being petted, smiled sweetly and wrapped her arms around me.
She applied gentle pressure, returning my hug in the same way.
The face that had been rubbing against me earlier was now pressed against my chest.
So, she must be awake, right?
──As I was getting distracted by the sweet, spoiled Luna, I suddenly felt a gaze.
Looking in the direction of the gaze, I saw Aira-chan, watching me and Luna with interest from above.
No, judging by her gaze, it seemed like she was watching Luna affectionately cling to me.
"Good morning, Aira-chan. Did you sleep well?"
Our eyes met, so I decided to greet her.
Aira-chan tilted her head slightly.
"I got as much sleep as I needed, but it seems like you didn’t sleep very well, Seito-sama?"
She answered my question with a hint of avoidance, but Aira-chan had already noticed my lack of sleep.
"I slept fine."
"I can tell that’s not true."
I tried to avoid worrying her by responding lightly, but it seemed that Aira-chan saw right through me.
As she said, after our conversation on the balcony, I got into bed with Luna, but I couldn’t sleep due to the stimulating, seductive sight of her.
Even though it wasn’t the first time I’d slept next to Luna in one of her oversized shirts, knowing she liked me made me more aware of her than ever before.
"There’s still time before we need to get up, so I’ll make sure to wake you up. You don’t need to worry about oversleeping. Why don’t you take a quick nap?"
Worried about my condition, Aira-chan kindly suggested I take a nap.
I glanced at Luna.
Luna, still in my arms, had stopped moving, and I could hear the gentle sound of her breathing as she resumed her peaceful sleep.
She was probably satisfied after a little affection and had fallen back asleep.
When we had slept together before, Luna had always had trouble waking up, so it seemed like she wasn’t a morning person.
Since Luna had already fallen back asleep, I thought I could take a nap too, but honestly, I didn’t think I’d be able to sleep.
"Taking a short nap would probably just make me feel worse, so I’ll pass."
"Will you be able to stay awake during class?"
"Well, if I take a nap now, it’ll probably end up the same way."
I couldn’t deny that I might fall asleep later.
Of course, I would try my best to stay awake, but even without sleep, class for a student is a constant battle against drowsiness.
In this state of sleep deprivation, I couldn’t firmly say I wouldn’t fall asleep.
"If you can’t manage yourself properly or appear sloppy, I’m sure the royal family’s evaluation of you will drop."
Aira-chan subtly warned me that my lifestyle and behavior were being observed.
Since Luna was in the classroom, the guards were likely watching from a distance.
It seemed like I, as her classmate, was also being watched, and my actions would be reported to the royal family.
"If I lower my evaluation too much, does that mean the engagement will be broken off...?"
"No, that won’t happen. Luna-sama would never allow it."
As I muttered my thoughts, Aira-chan immediately denied them.
"Then, what will happen...?"
I had a bad feeling and was scared to ask, but it was even scarier not to ask, so I nervously inquired.
"It’s already decided. We’ll beat that attitude out of you. By force."
In response to my question, Aira-chan gave me a very cute smile.
Yeah, she’s definitely into S-type behavior.
And I think she’s on the extreme side of it.
"So, that means you’ll be the one to carry out that role, right...?"
"I’m glad you understand quickly. I, too, do not want to be harsh with someone who is dear to Luna-sama. That’s why I’m giving you a warning beforehand so it doesn’t come to that."
Is that really true...?
It seems to me like she’s eager to do it...
"──Well, putting aside the serious talk for now."
"No, I think that’s the part where you should stop joking."
"If it ever comes to that, I’ll carry it out for real, so it’s not a joke."
When I made a quick retort based on the flow of the conversation, she answered me with a serious expression.
That’s strange; Aira-chan was the one who started joking in the first place.
"There are herbs from Arcadia that are very effective for sleep deprivation and fatigue, so I’ll make you some tea right away."
Aira-chan said this and headed toward the kitchen.
Really... she can be so mean, but deep down she’s such a kind person.
As I silently thanked Aira-chan in my heart, I turned my gaze toward Luna, who had fallen asleep, still clinging to me.
I could understand why Aira-chan had been looking at Luna earlier; she probably wanted to see her sleepy face or sleeping expression.
Luna’s adorable sleeping face was so soothing to watch, and I completely understood that feeling.
"Luna is so lucky to have such a cute and caring attendant."
Thinking of Aira-chan, who devotedly served Luna, I gently stroked Luna’s cheek as she slept, defenseless like a child.
