Two days after the ball. I invited Raphael home to fulfill my promise to Sophia. Cremant the escort is naturally with him. My father was in shock at first when he heard that Sophia had someone he liked who had just turned sixteen.

Relationships are usually prepared by parents, and it is very rare to say romantic marriage. Finding someone before your social debut. In response to my astonishing father, Raphael and I decided to theorize about a good place for Clément.

"No one stands up better than him. One of my most trusted."

"My attitude as an escort, of course, is calm and gentle, and he thinks of Sophia. It's a lovely thing."

For what it's worth, my parents admitted so much to Sophia and Cleman's socialization. I guess Cleman's honest attitude also said things. Sophia, as always, was perfect for him, though.

Unexpectedly, the difference in age of twelve didn't seem to be an issue. That's why being somewhat firm can be entrusted with the Duke's house.

In this world, I respect the opinions of my parents more than the blood muscles. Because preserving the family name is the first priority, rather than causing the incompetent to inherit the title and fall. In the absence of remoteness, the head of the clan may also freely nominate a successor.

That's why the Prince who broke up with Veronica in "Branois" was able to get along so well with Sofia. The Duke nominated Sophia as his successor, not Veronica, his real daughter. On behalf of my sister-in-law, who was stripped of her aristocratic status, Sophia dowries the royal family as successor to the Duke's family. By the way, the Duke Roses family will then be the depository of the royal family, to be succeeded by the second son of Heroin and Hero.

They decided to do the same this time. Although there is no blood connection between my father and Sophia, my sister-in-law plans to succeed me and welcome Cleman as my son-in-law. Now the Duke's house is cheap, and I think it's a great thing. My mother-in-law was in agreement with me with great joy, and she seems quite happy with the honest and good looking Cleman.

And then, Sophia and I got along so well. As if they were real sisters.

My mother-in-law hasn't felt giddy lately either, and she's getting a little gentler. According to Sophia, it's not because the couple is doing well, or so on. My father, who has become one of the King's advisors, has often been at home these days. I guess I got rid of the obsession too because I had more time to talk.

My stepmother was burning up against my real mother. I thought my father wasn't home because he loved his ex-wife and didn't love himself at all. But it was actually convenient for me to work, and I kept my distance because I didn't want to hurt my family.

Now that I love Rafael, I feel like I know somehow. She hit me hard because I wanted my father to mind. Weren't you expecting me to tell my father?

But how much I want to see my father, it's not good to hurt my stepson. Prioritize your greed and do not bully people. I've been mean to scattered Sophia, though what I say may be odd.

I honestly grew up surrounded by such a stepmother and me, I think it's amazing to be clear.

One day, after refraining from the ceremony about two weeks later, I was about to go home after a costume match and practice in Tenmiya, and Raphael called me off.

"Hey, Nica. Shall we go to the prison of the Mizumiya now?"

"... Huh?

Raphael, what are you doing now?

That was the guy I wanted to visit, but I didn't have to go at a time like this for anything.

"I just have some business to attend to. If you don't want to, I won't say. What do we do?"

When I'm given a choice, I get in extra trouble. If I say I'm not interested, I lie. But what if we go to jail before we get married and we meet Zildo? I can't be tempted by anyone other than Raphael, but sometimes just in case...... maybe?

Look at me lost, Raphael laughs.

He doesn't seem to care.

Well, Zildo's not my ex-boyfriend or anything, so it's weirder to care. Then I guess I'll go.

"I'll be with you. Are you going on your way?

"Oh. I don't think we're gonna be home that late."

"Okay."

Going home, I'm horrified by what they say. It's weird how you associate being caught when you hear about jail because you read too much of the out-of-the-box part of "Branois". Nothing bad at all... even though I haven't done it lately.

You don't have to be impossible and mean. I can't believe how easy it is to be on your own. Because I was studying seriously, my Queen's education is not painful. I can work hard if I'm busy preparing for the ceremony and practicing, but I think that's also to be a couple with someone I like. Raphael encourages me and says, "I want to be with you soon," so I can feel confident in who I am right now.

Even during the journey from Heavenly Palace to the Water Palace, I was smiling in the carriage remembering Raphael's words.

"Nica, even though you're with me, think about it? You can afford it."

I've been thinking about you.

"He says cute things. Look, come on."

"Hey, you don't have to stick around that much. Something Not Cold."

"It's not about the cold, is it? Because I just want to do this."

Raphael turns his arms around my hips and tries to make me sit on my own lap. I rush to say no, but still feel like I'm too close. Before marriage. Now, what happens when we get married?

"Can I be this sticky to go to work?

"Betty? This isn't enough yet. Smells good. Nica still smells like roses today."

Raphael pulls his nose closer to my neck muscle.

The high nose and lips touch the skin and become musty.

"Hey, stop tickling me. If you like the smell of roses, I'll give you fragrance oil."

"I don't need it. I'd like Nica herself."

"Become..."

There's an escort outside, but there's only two of us in the carriage. Rafael's sexually harassing remarks, he's in excellent shape today.

"Oh, you seem to have arrived. What's the matter with you? My face is red, though."

"I made him red, and I made him red."

"That did something I'm sorry about. But it's time to get used to it."

Not bad at all, he says with a beautiful face. What the hell does it mean that a moving carriage is more tiring than a local? I don't think so, but when you get married, is this what you do all the time on official business?

Look at me slacking, and Raphael laughs fun. That look is no different than it was when I was a kid, and when I saw him like that, a grin also appeared on my face. Arming myself with him, I decided to head to the jail at the Water Palace.

Just say 'Water Palace' and there are many water-related things on the property. The court has a water-colored roof with white columns and a large fountain with symmetrical left and right in front of the entrance. There's always tons of water erupting, and they glow at night. I thought it was more like a museum than a court of law.

Behind it, above the lake, is the prison of the Water Palace. It looks more like a villa than a prison, like an ancient castle with gray stone construction and fun. It's not luxurious, but from the outside, it seems easy to spend. Wouldn't that be a luxury?