Standing with my family near the set of stairs leading to the "stage", we all waited for the royal family's entrance.
It was finally time... The time for the announcement of my engagement with Alexus.
When I first heard about the event, I couldn't help but be surprised. After all, Alexus's engagement with Alterisa wasn't announced in such a grand manner in the game. If I'm not mistaken, it was announced on one of Alterisa's birthdays, maybe on her 10th.
But now, my engagement with Alexus is announced on the largest even in the kingdom more than four years in advance.
I was very confused when it happened. I wondered if my being friends with Alexus caused the change, or because I showed how smart I am to my dad. But now, all I'm feeling is nervousness.
After all... This is basically an announcement that we'll be marrying in the future! Isn't this just a public confession?!
No, I know it's not something rare in nobility, but it's still very embarrassing for me!!!
"Risa baby~ Are you ready~?"
"U-Uhn... I'm ready mom."
"Ufufufu~ Good girl~ There's no need to be nervous, okay? Luke will be the one saying everything. You just need to step forward before them and curtsy, then talk a little with Alexus."
"Yes."
Mom lowered herself slightly and pulled me into her embrace, stroking my back softly to calm me down.
"You're going to be fine, sweetie. You are mom's beloved daughter, after all."
"U-Uhn!"
Then, I felt a large, warm hand on my shoulder.
"You don't need to worry. After the announcement, her highness the princess had prepared a way for you to escape. You can take a plentiful rest then."
Hm? Lily? Escape? W-What's going to happen after the announcement?
But before I could ask my dad, the royal family made their entrance to the grand ball, stealing everyone's attention as they all turned their heads.
Wooowww... Sonia-sama is so pretty~!
They were all dressed magnificently in regal white and gold ceremonial outfits that seemed to be specially made for this single night.
His majesty and Alex looked incredible, but Sonia sama looked like a Goddess. She's dressed in an all-white gown with flower-patterned golden embroideries decorating the edges of her dress. Her neck was adorned in beautiful golden necklaces and diamonds that glittered under the chandelier light, and on top of her head was a magnificent crown that signified her position as queen.
I stared at her in a daze, and suddenly, our gaze seemed to meet.
She let out a beautiful smile in my direction, and I instinctively curtsied and beamed a smile as well in return.
Ah~ Her smile is too beautiful~ And being a mother of two children just makes her already mature, gentle smile even more motherly~
If mom and Sonia-sama were to stand side by side now... What a heavenly sight it would be...
Upon entering the grand ball, the royal family headed towards the elevated space at the end of the grand ballroom, keeping their greetings to the higher-ranked members of high society brief.
Dad, mom, Lu-nii, and I all took a bow and curtsied as the royal family approached us. His majesty and dad exchanged a few words of greetings, while mom and Sonia-sama also exchanged greetings.
They, fortunately, didn't go "best girlfriends" mode in front of the entirety of nobility.
Then, Alexus came into my line of sight and smiled ever so beautifully with his cheating ikemen face.
"It is my greatest happiness to see you this evening, Alterisa-sama. You look absolutely beautiful this evening."
"Thank you very much for your praise, your highness. It is an honor to be in your presence."
I lowered my head and lifted my dress slightly in a curtsy as I smiled at him.
Pheeeeew~ Thank goodness he's acting like an actual crown prince. I was afraid he'll act like he usually does and call me "Risa".
"..."
Hm? Why is he suddenly so silent?
I raised my head and saw him staring at me with a small smile.
...Is there something on my face?
Just before I could ask him what was wrong, Alex began to speak.
"It is finally time... I have been waiting for this night for so long."
"Your highness?"
Alexus smiled sweetly at me, his beautiful golden eyes staring right into mine.
"Let us do our best together from now on."
"Eh? Ah, yes..."
And just like that, he walked away along with his majesty and Sonia-sama.
Hm? What did he mean by that last one?
...Oh?! Is it about the announcement? Oh, I see~ He's nervous too~
Ufufufu~ Now I'm not that nervous anymore~ Let's just get this over with and I'll dive back into dessert heaven with my cuties~!!!!!
Several small green magic circles appeared before his majesty, a sound amplifying magic that essentially functioned as a mic before he began his long speech.
His majesty started by greeting and thanking all the nobles who have attended this grand ball on the last day of the Kingdom's Founding Festival before giving his praise to all the nobles in attendance for making the kingdom even more prosperous, encouraging them to do their best as a result, while still maintaining his majesty to his people.
It was a heartfelt and genuine speech, yet formal, dignified, and majestic at the same time. And despite being long, everyone kept their attention on him, as if they were mesmerized by his majesty's charisma.
Umu. As expected of a true monarch. Their speeches can't even be compared to our school principal's boring opening speeches...
"And lastly. I have an announcement to make. May I call upon Lady Alterisa von Lorya to step up and stand before me."
Ah!!! T-This is it!
Alright, calm down... Think of it as performing... You are the drama club's prince! You can do it!
Switching into my actress mode, I walked forward calmly with hands in front of my belly and a bright smile plastered on my face.
My eyes stared forward, calm as a still lake, as I walked. And the moment I was before his majesty, I did my best curtsy and greeted him with an ever calm voice.
"Greetings, your majesty. Alterisa von Lorya has arrived before you as you will."
"Mm."
The king nodded with a small smile on his face, and I begin to hear murmurs from behind me.
They all seemed quite surprised by this turn of events. I could hear them exclaiming "wow" and gasping in surprise as I stood there before his majesty.
I raised my head and returned to my elegant standing pose after his majesty gestured me to raise.
He then turned his gaze back at the attendees and announced with a loud voice that reverberated throughout the entire grand hall.
"I hereby announce the engagement of my son, the Crown Prince Alexus von Derium, and Lady Alterisa von Lorya!"
As expected, the gasps and exclamations became louder, before the applause began to resound behind me.
Then, from his majesty's side, Alex came to me with his hand raised towards me, asking for mine.
Oh, that's right. We need to show them that we're actually getting along.
I took his hand with a brilliant smile and we stood side by side facing all the guests.
"I'm so happy right now, Risa. We're finally officially engaged."
He whispered softly from my side as his grip on my hand tightened. I could feel the heat in his hands. He was slightly sweaty as well, but he did his best to hide his nervousness.
"We are. Hehe~ It still feels a bit unreal."
"Mm... It's like a dream."
"Hah~ I can already see my future where I'm targetted by your admirers, your highness~"
"...I'm already dealing with yours right now."
"Hm? What was that?"
"It's nothing. You don't have to worry, Risa. There is only one girl that I have eyes for. It's you."
K-Kuh... T-That was not bad... My heart skipped a beat right there. Ah, I can also feel my cheeks blushing.
"Risa...?"
"E-Eh? W-What? Ah, his majesty is done with his speech. We can go now right?"
"Yes... I will walk you back to your family."
"Thank you."
Still hand in hand, Alexus and I excuse ourselves from his majesty and Sonia-sama before he led me back to my family.
"Oh my~ Thank you for escorting her back to us, your highness~"
"It is my greatest pleasure, Lady Lorya."
"...You may let go of her hand now, your highness."
"A-Ah... Yes."
Hmm...? What's with this weird dynamic?
Mother seems to be very cheerful and happy, but dad is in his cold prime minister mode. Well, I guess holding hands for his long would still be a bit inappropriate given our age, even if we're engaged.
Alexus let go of my hand and bowed toward mom and dad.
"Then, I shall be excusing myself."
"Mm."
"Ufufufu~ It has been a pleasure, your highness~"
"Thank you very much, your highness. I hope to see you again soon."
"Likewise. Then..."
Alexus walked away and returned to his family, while I stayed with mine.
"Risa, stay here until the princess's maid comes to pick you up."
"Hm?"
I looked at dad confusedly. I wanted to go back and find Evelyn and the others and resume our dessert expedition.
But when I followed his gaze, I noticed a lot of nobles were locking their eyes on me like hawks.
Ahhhh, right. Now that I'm officially engaged to Alexus, a lot of people must be trying to curry favor with me since I'm essentially the crown princess at this point.
Ugghhh... That will be a pain... I can handle them if I started acting like a princess, but I just want to relax with my friends and eat sweets...
"I understand, dad. I will wait here."
"Good."
"Hehe~ Then, in the meantime, let's eat these sweets together with mom, Risa~"
"Yes~"
After a while, a maid sent by Lily arrived and told me that the princess is asking for me.
And of course, I followed her and went to a private lounge that's slightly far away from the grand ballroom.
Upon entering, my eyes widened in shock.
Eh?! E-Evelyn, Celine, Valerie, Noir, and Illya are also here?!
Along with Lily, they're all already having a small tea party and having fun together!!! That's not fair!!!
Lily quickly turned towards me when I entered, and beamed off a beautiful smile.
"Welcome, my dear sister~ We have been waiting for you~"
AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Please vote and comment your thoughts~!