"Good morning, Rio!""It's morning—wake up!"
A girl who looked about my age was shaking me lightly.
"Hmrr… five more minutes…"
"Hey, sleepyhead," another voice chimed in—cuter, slightly mischievous. "Wake up, or I will do something."
Half-asleep, I mumbled a silent prayer to be left alone.
Then—
Splash.
"HA—! It's cold! It's cold!!"
I jumped straight out of bed, heart pounding, water dripping from my hair.
"Who in the hell would throw water—"
I froze.
"Pri—Princes—!"
Standing there with an empty jug and a proud smile was Princess Tesselia.
That smile.
Bright. Confident. Too perfect.
"W-What are you doing here?!" I yelped.
"I was waking you up, Mr. Sleepyhead," she said smugly. "And how many times do I have to tell you? Call me Tess, not Princess!"
She puffed her cheeks slightly, arms crossed.
Another smile followed.
Natural. Cute.
Fake.
"It's been a week since we met," she continued. "We're going to be adventurers together, you know? Open your heart a little!"
"D-That's not the issue!" I sputtered. "How did you even enter my room?!"
She tilted her head. "Huh? You never lock the door. So I just came in."
She beamed again—wide, carefree.
I looked away.
Royal smiles were practiced since childhood. I knew that better than anyone.
"Anyway," she said cheerfully, "my father asked you to come meet him after breakfast. He wants to discuss something important."
"…The King?" I muttered. "Alright."
I gently but firmly pushed her toward the door. "Now please leave. I need to change."
"Huh! You act completely normal around Father, but you're all awkward around me. That's not fair!" she protested.
She laughed lightly—almost teasing.
Another smile.
Another mask.
"Yeah, yeah. Out. Now."
She stuck her tongue out before finally leaving.
When the door closed, I let out a slow breath.
Why did she keep smiling like that?
At first, I'd thought King Edward was strict—intimidating even. But after spending time with him daily, I realized he was surprisingly kind. He loved games, jokes, and casual conversation.
People avoided him because of his title and his face.
I didn't.
Maybe that was why he treated me differently.
I changed quickly and headed to meet him.
"Good morning, sir. You called for me?" I asked, knocking lightly.
"Yes. Come in."
Inside, Father and Mother were already seated, their expressions serious. Tess entered after me and sat beside her father.
She smiled politely.
Perfect posture. Perfect expression.
Something important was happening.
"Is it true," Father began, looking straight at me, "that you wish to go on an adventure with Princess Tesselia?"
"Yes, Father," I answered immediately. "I already made a promise."
Mother studied my face. "You understand there's no turning back?"
"Yes. I'm sure."
King Edward turned to his daughter. "And you, Tess?"
"Yes, Father," she replied smoothly. "But if this causes trouble, we can postpone it. The minimum age to officially register as adventurers is twelve. There's still time."
She smiled as she spoke.
Calm. Responsible.
Like a princess should.
"No one," the King said, his voice firm, "will dare raise their voice against my daughter."
For just a moment, regret flickered across his face.
Then he exhaled. "Very well. Until the time is right, you will stay with Rio. And when the time comes—"
He smiled.
"I will announce your engagement."
"…Huh?"
"What?" I stood abruptly. "Engagement?!"
"I said I will announce your engagement when the time is right," the King repeated calmly.
"No one asked me about this! I didn't even know this was an option!"
Father folded his arms. "Rio. You asked to travel the world. You said you were ready to handle the consequences."
"When did I say that?!"
"I was talking about adventuring! Exploring the world! This has nothing to do with marriage!"
"It has everything to do with it," King Edward said firmly. "Do you think people would allow a man and a woman—especially a princess—to travel together without assumptions? Rumors would spread. Pride would be damaged. Futures would be ruined."
I clenched my fists.
"…He's right."
I hated that he was right.
I looked at Tess.
She was red—ears, cheeks, everything.
For the first time, her smile was gone.
"I told you to call me Tess!" she snapped suddenly."And if I didn't want this, do you think I'd suggest it?!"
The room fell silent.
Her eyes met mine.
For just a second, her expression wavered.
Fear?Resolve?
Then—another smile.
Forced.
As if daring herself not to look weak.
"That settles it," the King laughed. "Congratulations, Amane and Lady Alisa."
"Same to you, fat-bearded Edward," Father replied, shaking his hand.
"My son is growing up so fast," Father added proudly.
I ignored him.
When I glanced back, Mother and Tess were whispering together. Tess smiled again—softly this time.
Was that one real?
I couldn't tell anymore.
…As long as it ends well.
Still—
Why does her face keep appearing in my thoughts?
Why do all her smiles feel rehearsed?
Like she's convincing herself of something.
My first wife belonged to my first reincarnation.
This life is different.
I need to remember that.
X—X—X—X—X—X—X—X—X—X—X—X—X—X—X—X—X—X—X—X—X
Tesslia's POV:
That calm.That distance.
It irritated me.
No—it scared me.
"I told you to call me Tess!" I snapped suddenly, the words sharper than I meant."And if I didn't want this, do you think I'd suggest it?!"
The moment they left my mouth, I regretted how harsh they sounded.
But I didn't take them back.
I couldn't.
Because if I softened now… I might hesitate.
And hesitation was dangerous.
All my life, people had decided things for me.
A princess must be graceful.A princess must be useful.A princess must secure the future.
I'd heard the whispers since I was little—spoken softly, as if kindness could hide their weight.
Why no second child?A boy would have been better.She's all the kingdom has—how fragile.
Even the kind ones looked at me with calculation behind their smiles.
And the boys?
Every single one of them bowed too deeply.
Their eyes always lingered just a second too long—on my title first, and then on my body.As if I were a reward waiting at the end of obedience.
But Rio—
He didn't look at me like that.
No hunger.No ambition.No hidden eagerness.
And somehow… that unsettled me more than anything else.
If he wasn't here because he wanted something—then why was he willing to accept this burden?
Traveling with me meant rumors.Scrutiny.Chains disguised as honor.
So I told myself a story.
I told myself he was like the others.
That he'd do anything to stay close.That calling me "Tess" meant he'd already crossed that line in his heart.
If he chose this—then I wouldn't be forcing myself into his life.
Then I wouldn't be stealing a future from his family.
That was the lie I needed to believe.
Yet when I looked into his eyes—
I didn't see devotion.I didn't see desire.
I saw sadness.
Deep.Old.
The kind that comes from losing things you never talk about.
For just a moment—just a moment—I wondered if I had misjudged him.
Someone was speaking—his mother, I think—but her words barely reached me.
No.I'm right.
All men are the same.
He's no exception.
…He has to be.