Chapter 3 - Palace

A familiar state of emptiness, where as if all my worries are gone, just floating in the air.

"Again?" I mumbled.

After opening my eyes I was back in the seemingly endless white place where I first met the figure who claims to be 'God'.

A white door appeared. It opened and a girl came out.

"Greetings, I am 'his' proxy for today. I know that you may find it weird why you are here but-"

"It's about the mission, right?"

"Well, yes it is"

You would obviously wouldn't put the effort of calling(?) me all the way here just for some idle chatter. Besides, I don't think that I would come here for a second time if I were to die again.

"Anyway, in summary, your memories are currently being sealed which is the reason as to why you can't remember anything about the world [Eclipse]. As you progressed you will vividly remember the events in each part of each volume one by one"

There are three volumes and each volume has four parts. The first part of the first volume was about Alexander's declaration that he will take revenge and destroy the kingdom of Dilirea which he did along with the grand duchy of Temal. That would mean that I'd be getting my memories back about the nobles and the royals in the Dilirea kingdom.

"So, I will get them once I go back?"

"That's right"

Wait, why am I talking so casually to her? It is as if I'm being forced to.

"May I ask something out of curiosity?"

"If you answer my question next, with honesty, I won't mind"

She nodded as a sign of agreement.

"Why did you decided to seduced that guy? As far as I know there were at least thousands of other routes you could have go with"

"That would be because only that way would ensure my life"

While there are thousands of routes to choose it would have ended in the same ending.

Now it's my turn to ask.

"Since this world is the novel I've red in the past, I take it that this world would have had the exact same outcome if I wasn't here"

"That is correct. Well to be more precise it was a sacred text regarding this world"

Huh?

My existence alone changed major things in this world to begin with. It is a shame that I didn't knew that this world was . If I did I would have enjoyed my time with Al a bit more. What she said is quite disturbing though.

"My turn. Do you see the individual Alexander Dilirea as a human?"

"..... No. At the moment I don't. That's why I proposed the three year courtship plan to him"

While I do have the advantage as I have the wisdom as to what is to come, that doesn't change the fact that I was caught by surprise by the sudden appearance of my favorite character.

Too much information flooded my brain and I just went and go with what I think was the best.

"Since I do not have any more other questions this will be the last"

"Go ahead"

"Will I remember the part of the volume before it happens or after it happens?"

"Before it happens. It would be useless if you were to received it after it happens after all"

My body started to glowed.

It felt like my mind was being cleared by all thoughts.

"Remember to live... a happy life"

The voice faded as the bright consumed me.

...

I opened my eyes and saw the ceiling I was used to for the past five years.

Beside me was the main character of the story I've red, who is also naked from head to toe.

"Ack!"

The information... about the novel was bursting its way in to my mind.

After some time, I was able to calm myself down. I felt like I run after being chased by pursuers like in my previous life.

"Whew"

I wore my dress and went to cook some breakfast.

It was already eight in the morning.

After I finish cooking the food I put it on a tray and went back upstairs with it.

"Oh, you two are awake already"

The prince was yawning the moment I entered the room.

"What do you mean by 'you two'? Only the two of us are here"

"For someone who was going at it all night long you sure are healthy as a man"

"Huh?"

He look down and quickly covered his lap with a pillow. Flustered, he turned and look at the other way.

I put the tray on the table beside the window. There were already two chairs prepared for the two of us. I sat down on one of the chair and gestured him to eat with me.

"Don't be shy, I already saw every part of your body last night anyway"

He sure is innocent despite being a sex freak.

After wearing his clothes he sat down and we started to eat.

"You made this?"

"Obviously. Why would I feed my fiance some food that were cooked by someone else's hand, hmm?"

Though we are using the engagement as a pretext so that he can court me, that doesn't mean that I won't act like a proper lover.

"H, how can you say such things so nonchalantly? Are you perhaps used to doing things like this?" He said with a sad expression.

He's so pure that i just want to tease him more.

"That's right. I do it with everyone that I meet up with"

The ends of his lips curved upwards as he desperately try not to smile visibly.

It was because of his power. Since he can passively tell whether someone is telling the truth or not he probably saw the color of a liar when I answered his question.

"I'm going to be frank with you, this house of mine is the headquarters for an unregistered information guild. Long story short, I am the head of a group of vigilantes who are wrecking havoc through the kingdom of Dilirea so that people would be able to live with a smile"

"Why are you saying all these to me?"

"Because telling this information to you as early as possible would work out better for me. This way you won't suspect me of cheating when I am just conversing with my colleagues in secret"

The fact that the black earing on his right ear turned white meaning that he already used his second demon to monitor all my movements and report it back to him.

Vassago, the second demon who have sworn her loyalty to Alexander. If I remember correctly she has the power to shapeshift into any animal as long as as the weight does not exceeds hers as well as to read some thoughts who are in front of her, in a vague way.

Because of Vassago Alexander never trusted anyone since he knew what they were after for. Especially for the two villainess, whoever they are.

Since I am not a witch I won't be able to see Vassago unless she reveal herself just like Theodore does.

"Why are you making nobles to go down in such a manner? It will only add fuel to the greed of those who are near them and take their power"

"That's also why I proposed the three year engagement with you. You want to prove me that you love me, not as a replacement, right?"

"Of course"

"Then I will be using your name to my hearts content"

"For what purpose will you use my name for?"

"So that innocent people would live a happy life. I also want women to have more rights and to remove the discrimination that we face. This way the two of us will be together, meaning that you will have more time to court me. A good plan if you ask me"

He went to my side and knelt down. He gently took my right hand and kiss it.

"My name. My wealth. I don't care what you take or use. So long as you are by my side you can do whatever you want"

Wow~ This is the line he said to Rose Haiden as he beg on his knees before he rampaged. The only difference is the mood. This time instead of begging from desperation he is saying it happily.

I wasn't able to stop myself from blushing since my favorite character said one of my favorite lines to me. Not to someone else but to me.

Using my left hand I patted his head.

"Thank you"

The knights had a good time since all they need to do was the collect the raw ingredients while I make their food.

At noon we departed to go to the capital to where Alexander's palace is located.

Before leaving I took all the documents and left a note on the hidden basement written in a secret code so that Jerome would be the only one who would be able to read it.

...

"Is the carriage uncomfortable in any way?"

"Not at all"

Hm? The earing on his right ear went back to being black. That means that Vassago isn't around me anymore.So he already trust me to the point of thinking that monitoring my movement as a waste, huh.

During the time we were in the carriage we talk about what we like and dislike. It was purely one sided since I already know everything about Alex.

We reach the city before evening to rest. The baron welcomed us with open arms and let us stay for the night.

I, not so rudely, borrowed the kitchen for a while to make dinner for the two of us. Since Alex was adamant at eating the food I make.

After eating our dinner we went back to our room. Yes, we're going to sleep in the same room.

Alex was like a dog. He was nuzzling on me as soon as we entered the room.

He started undressing as his movements started to get faster.

"Hey, we're aren't in my place right now. People would hear us if we do it here"

"It's fine"

He snap his fingers.

"I'm the sorcerer of the century. Now no sound would be able to escape from this room"

"You are a what?"

He froze. Both of us were surprise. I already knew he was a sorcerer but I didn't thought that he would tell me about it so soon.

Meanwhile, he was shock at himself as to why he made such a slip of a tongue in a moment like this.

"You can tell me about it tomorrow. For now, shouldn't you be..." I took off my clothes, "busy as to what in front of you? Don't tell me that there are more pressing matters right now"

"Of course not! I promise that I'll tell you all about it tomorrow"

"Okay"

What a truly wonderful night it was.

We left at dawn and continued on our journey towards the capital of Dilirea.

The journey took us three days before arriving at the city. But it was enough time for Alex to narrate his childhood and his history to me.

Just like what he promised, he did explained to me everything without missing a single detail.

The carriage stop. The door open and a velvet red carpet was laid down. On the left was a line of maids, and on the right was the line of butlers.

Alexander went out.

"Welcome home your highness-"

The head butler stop.

I took Alexander's hand and went out the carriage. Everyone was surprise. The heart-broken seventh prince brought back a woman with an angelic smile.

The head butler regained his composure, he bowed down and introduce himself like a professional.

"I am Duncan, the head butler of the palace of prince Alexander Dilirea. I greet you milady"

"Nice to meet you. I am Marie Anne. The fiance of this guy over here" I pointed towards Alex.

Everyone gasp, even the coachman and the knights.

With a red face, Alexander abruptly took me onto his arms, carrying me princess style.

I can walk by myself but I don't wanna burst his bubble so I'll let this one slide.

After a while Alex stop in front of a golden door.

"From now on this will be our room, 'kay?"

"Sure"

After entering the room he quickly lock the door and gently laid me down on the bed.

Just like how toddlers who miss their parents he hugged me tightly without making me feel uncomfortable.

I brush his hair with my hand as he dozed off for a bit.

...

"Good afternoon. You sure did took your time, huh"

"What time is it?"

"It's past noon. Three to be exact"

"Eh? I've been sleeping in your lap for more than four hours?! Why didn't you woke me up?"

"It does numb a bit but how could I possibly disturb a handsome man sleeping on my lap, hm?"

He then pulled me to rest my head on his shoulder, so I did.

"I'll introduce you to my family tomorrow. Is that okay?"

"Of course"

I looked somewhere else. He placed his head on top of my shoulder while nibbling on my neck.

"Is something wrong? I feel like you lied just now"

His voice was shaking.

Of course I'm not comfortable around your siblings.

The royal family of Dilirea are full off weirdos left and right. I think the author of must have based the seven brothers based on the seven deadly sins.

The first prince who is filled with envy, Alfonso Dilirea.

The second prince with his never ending hunger, Lucas Dilirea.

The prideful third prince, Oliver Dilirea.

The psychopathic fourth prince, Charles Dilirea.

The lazy schemer, fifth prince Ezekiel Dilirea.

The sixth prince with a bottomless greed, Leonard Dilirea.

Lastly, the lustful seventh prince, Alexander Dilirea.

Though the order is somewhat jumble it still lines up perfectly with the seven deadly sins.

Of course, the siblings don't know what their siblings' true colors are.

In my opinion, I am not ready yet to faced the fifth or the first prince. Among them, these two are the only ones who actually have a decent brain whether it is political or sabotage.

If I do meet them now, I'm sure that they will track my origin all the way to my house near the village. Estimating, the time it would take them would be three to five days, depending on when they notice my presence.

Thankfully, I left some traces here and there while we were traveling. This should buy Jerome enough time to get back and take the copied documents and the letter I left to finish off the viscount in the west.

"Marie!"

"Yeah?"

"Let's go take a bath together"