(Vern side)
Hah... what a pity, Lotte couldn't stop this wedding...
Even though he himself said that he would try his best to make the princess fall in love with him.
I did live with her for quite a long time, but our relationship was not that close.
The princess had only talked about herself to me a few times. Other than that, not much.
But even so, that doesn't change the fact that she's someone I must serve forever.
—
Honestly, from the bottom of my heart, I feel like this marriage is very rushed.
Especially since the princess has just reached the minimum age to get married.
It's not that I object to her getting married, but... I feel like it would be better if she married one or two years from now.
The reason is simple — she's still too young to marry.
Unless, the Milhert family only wants to get engaged with the princess.
I've never heard any rumors or news about why the Milhert family wants to marry the princess so soon.
Looking at the current state of the kingdom, it seems they only want to have a closer relationship with the royal palace.
——
At that time, I thought Lotte would be scared when he wanted to tell the princess that he was actually a man.
And I was already sure that he wouldn't have the courage to confess it.
But he completely shattered my assumption, and told the princess right to her face that he was a man.
I know, the reason might not be enough for me to say Lotte is better than the Milhert family.
But from that small act of courage alone, I was already convinced that Lotte is a man the princess can rely on.
—
And just now... the princess asked Lotte for help... if that's not love, then what is?
Hah... princess, how long are you going to keep hiding it?
——
(Yukito side)
After that long and boring wait, I finally managed to put the veil on her.
I placed it carefully, just like when I put on her earrings and shoes.
"How is it? Does it fit?" I asked.
Rosa-chan looked at her reflection in the mirror, checking if her dress was neat now.
"Not bad..." she replied.
I smiled faintly. Her answer might sound like an insult, but for me, it was the kind of praise I really needed right now.
Hah... I hope I can get another chance to be with Rosa-chan again.
If that happens, my mission will be a success, and I won't have to keep feeling guilty toward her.
I turned to look at the clock — only fifteen minutes left before the ceremony begins.
"Rosa-chan! Look at the time!" I said, my voice filled with panic.
Rosa-chan also looked at the wall clock, and her eyes immediately widened in shock.
She quickly stood up from her chair, wanting to rush to the hall.
But she almost fell because of the shoes she was wearing. Reflexively, I caught her hand so she wouldn't fall.
"Hah... good thing I was watching you," I said while helping her stand straight again.
Then it hit me — with those shoes, it would take her forever to reach the hall.
With those shoes, Rosa-chan wouldn't be able to run, or even walk fast. She could only walk slowly and gracefully.
Uh oh... what should I do now?
The quickest way for Rosa-chan to get to the hall in time... the only thing that came to mind was carrying her.
That's the best and fastest way I could think of right now.
"Rosa-chan... would you mind if I carried you?" I asked, looking straight at her face.
She stared back at me silently, but from the look on her face, she was clearly surprised.
"The time we have left is running out... and I can't do anything else but carry you," I continued.
I kept trying to convince Rosa-chan to let me carry her. It was probably a tough thing to ask—
"Ehmm... you're right, maybe just this once, it's fine..." she said.
Eh? That easy? Really?
I thought Rosa-chan would feel uncomfortable if I tried to carry her.
And I intended to carry Rosa-chan in my arms — not on my back.
Back then, I carried her in front because she was unconscious.
But now, she's fully aware, and she can choose whether she wants it or not. Still, I never expected her to accept my offer so quickly.
"Excuse me..." I said softly, then lifted her up.
My right hand supported her below the knees, and my left arm held her upper back.
So far, no problems — my hands weren't in any awkward or painful positions.
"Are you okay?" I asked, just to make sure she was comfortable.
It's possible that I carried her wrong and made her feel some pain.
"I-I'm fine..." she said, her cheeks slightly flushed.
Seeing that reaction made my own cheeks heat up a bit too. Yeah, with an expression like that... it's hard not to blush.
After all, this was the first time I'd ever carried a girl while she was fully conscious.
——
I started jogging toward the front of the hall. I made sure not to run too fast since I was carrying her.
But still, this was much faster than if she were walking on her own.
If I ran any faster, I'd lose my strength and might end up dropping Rosa-chan.
So I just needed to keep this pace steady until we reached the hall.
By my estimate, the distance between Rosa-chan's room and the hall was quite far.
Well, whatever... I had to keep running so she could make it in time.
"Huff... Yosh! Let's do this!!" — that's what I kept telling myself.
No matter if my arms and legs hurt, what's important is that we make it on time.
Physical pain is easy to deal with, but pain inside the heart... that's the kind that never goes away.
——
We were almost at the hall's front door, and I could already see Vern-san standing there.
She seemed to be talking with some of the other maids.
Maybe she was discussing something related to tonight's ceremony.
Usually, the bride waits outside first, right? Then she enters when it's time.
Well, that's just what I learned from watching weddings on TV.
When Rosa-chan and I got close, Vern-san turned toward us and came over.
Seeing that, I instinctively lowered Rosa-chan to the ground. I don't know why — it was just reflex.
"Good thing you made it in time... just a few more minutes before the ceremony begins," said Vern-san, looking over Rosa-chan's dress.
"Lotte, come with me," Vern-san said, grabbing my hand and leading me into a room.
This room was right next to the hall, and I had no idea why she brought me here.
"Listen, from this room, there's a door that leads directly into the hall."
"You can only enter from here, because the main door can only open when the princess makes her entrance."
I simply nodded, showing that I understood what Vern-san meant.
Basically, I just had to enter the hall through this room. Well, that's not a big deal, right?
As I was about to open the door and step into the hall, Vern-san grabbed my right shoulder.
"What now—" I asked.
"Lotte, I... thank you for making the princess look perfect tonight..."
"And... I'm sorry that I couldn't make her choose you..." said Vern-san, her voice carrying a hint of regret.
Ah, right. I did tell her that I would marry Rosa-chan.
But Rosa-chan was still going to marry Luis. I guess Vern-san still felt responsible for bringing us closer.
I actually felt happy hearing her words. But even so, I had no reason to hate her.
Well... except maybe a little, because of that whole "dressing like a girl" thing... but still—
"Don't worry... I guarantee tonight's ceremony will end happily, and no one will get hurt," I said, giving her a thumbs-up.
From her expression, she already seemed to regain her energy.
"Hah... I got a bit carried away... well then, shall we go in?" Vern-san asked, pointing at the door to the hall.
"Of course!" I replied enthusiastically.
Tonight will be the moment of truth.
Will my mission finally end, allowing me to return to my comrades?
Or will I remain trapped in this fake world, until I can exchange wedding vows with Rosa-chan?
Hah... I just hope nothing bad happens.
Even if the hall gets loud and chaotic later, the only thing I'll probably hear is the sound of my heartbeat pounding so fast.
Joy, happiness, anger, sadness, envy, jealousy...
—all those emotions will flood my heart tonight.
But this time... I won't back down.