Chapter 37: Darling~ Honey, This Guy Is My Fiancé

"Helle~ Just tell me, who gave me these black eyes?" I carried a mountain of bags, trailing behind Princess Komor, Nana, and Cindira, pestering Helle. "I promise I won’t retaliate."

"Hmph. It was chaos back then—I don’t know. Just carry your stuff."

"Ah, nothing happened! I was drunk."

"I don’t know, I just don’t know." Helle hurried ahead to join the others.

I sighed deeply, watching the four ladies in front. Wasn’t this undeserved misery? Last night’s dinner: I drank too much with the Old Mage and lost control. Little Bobo, just a kid, retreated to his big water sphere after eating. Monaluna couldn’t resist my urging; she took one small sip, flushed red instantly, and Cindira sent her to bed early. Only the Old Mage and I kept drinking, with Princess Komor joining occasionally.

In the end, Master Joseph and I both passed out. Helle escorted the Old Mage away, while Princess Komor volunteered to take me back. Then she accidentally fell asleep on my bed.

Simple aftermath: Cindira, who treats night raids like clocking in for work, got startled. She summoned Helle and Monaluna. My wallet got confiscated…

Tears streamed down my face as I stared at the gifts in my hands—all my money! Hard-earned cash I squeezed from the Old Mage!

Worst part? They called it "punishment for wrongdoing!" Claiming it redeemed my sins. Nothing’s more frustrating than someone spending your cash while you say thanks.

"Princess! Look—the Silver Scale Guard!" Monaluna pointed at distant soldiers.

"Tch. Annoying tail-followers."

I followed her gaze. Kasa led neatly dressed troops from a luxury inn toward us. Our eyes met; his face paled. He jogged over.

"Your Highness, I pay my respects." Kasa knelt in a knight’s salute.

"Hmm~ Rise."

"Why wasn’t I notified of your outing? It’s dangerous for you to roam alone here."

"Hey! ‘Alone’? Am I invisible?" I might be a bag-carrying sucker, but I’d assert myself!

"Bro—"

"Stop!" I cut off Kasa before "big brother." It was just drunken bravado—no need for a burly man to call a kid that. Embarrassing.

"I was joking, Captain Kasa. No need to take it seriously. As Deputy Director of Reception, I failed to notify you. My apologies."

"No need, Master Klath… but your eyes?"

"Ahem! Bumped into a doorframe."

"A doorframe gave you black eyes?"

"Pfft—HAHAHA! A doorframe?!" The four girls behind me collapsed laughing.

"Captain Kasa! Prioritize protecting the princess! Not trivialities!"

"You’re right! Form up! Diamond formation—shield Her Highness!"

Whoosh—the Silver Scale Guard snapped into a diamond shape, enclosing the girls.

"Hey! Why am I outside? I’m vulnerable too! Look at my face—I’m injured!"

"Forgive me, Master Klath. We block all dangerous individuals from approaching Her Highness."

"Big guy! Who’s dangerous? Do I look threatening? Ever seen a dangerous guy trailing ladies, carrying bags and grinning?"

"Heh…" Kasa smiled silently.

"Ah! You scheming jerk! After my kindness! At least get help with these bags?!"

"No one helps him! This is his punishment!" Princess Komor declared firmly.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Damn it! Acting high and mighty? Princess, you caused last night! You provided the drinks! You took me to my room! You slept on my bed!

"Can I store them in my spatial item?"

"No! That defeats the punishment!" Cindira refused.

Why play victim too? Objectively—or flat-chestedly—I can’t argue. But honestly, you’re a culprit! I was just a bystander! Why am I the unforgivable sinner?! Where’s justice?!

Sigh… Being a man is tough. Life’s weight crushes me.

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After hours of shopping, I watched my wealth vanish. Carrying bags, I wobbled toward the commercial street exit.

"Hurry! You’re a man—can’t handle this little?" Monaluna shouted, arms crossed.

"This is ‘little’? I’m fourteen—a kid!"

"Oh~ Only fourteen? You tricked me into calling you ‘senior’! Call me ‘sister’!"

"Heh! No way." I won’t yield, even to a princess.

"Wow! A new carriage at the gate—so fancy!" Cindira tugged Monaluna’s sleeve, pointing wildly.

"Noble lady, can’t you be composed?" I seized my chance to retaliate.

"What? I haven’t seen such luxury in years. Sure, I own dozens at home—but not for three or four years."

Rich brat, scram! I forgot she’s heir to the War God Clan. Self-inflicted pain.

"Ugh—he followed me again. That clingy pest!" Komor bit her nails, muttering.

"Who? A friend?"

"Hmm. Son of the Imperial Capital’s governor. My damn fiancé—Kimor Stans." Komor scowled.

"Junior sister! Terrible taste!" I teased, watching the blond youth step off his carriage using a servant’s back.

"I’m furious! And you joke?!" Komor stamped. Monaluna, Helle, and Cindira glared. I shut up.

The blond pretty boy spotted Komor. He hurried over, beaming.

"Oh~ Beautiful Komor, my beloved fiancée—reunited at last!" Kimor bowed elegantly.

"Stans! I warned you: don’t say my name or ‘fiancée’!"

"You lowly soldiers! Move! Let me reach Komor!" The governor’s son ignored her rage, shouting at the guards. "Make way!"

"Hey! You—acting like a big shot over there!"

"Lowly commoner! Addressing me?"

"Lowly commoner cursing whom?"

"Lowly commoner cursing you!" Young Master Stans played along perfectly.

"PFFT-HAHAHA!" Everyone roared.

"Bastard! You insult me?!"

"Bastard cursing whom?"

"Bastard cursing… you think I’ll fall for that again?" He caught on.

"Hmm. Don’t quit treatment—you’ve hope!"

So refreshing! Today’s gloom vanished. Joy blooms from others’ pain—especially with Young Master Stans feeding my intellectual superiority. Kasa subtly gave a thumbs-up. This clown really is universally hated.

"Komor, who’s this lowly attendant?"

"Oh~ Him?" Komor pushed through, hooked her arm through mine. "My darling. We’ve pledged our troth. Right, darling~?"

"Huh?! Me?"

"Who else?!" She stomped my foot.

"URGH!!!! Yes!" I glared through the pain. "I just remembered—it happened!"

"You! Liar! I don’t believe it!" Stans looked shattered.

"That… what’s his name?"

"Kimor. Kimor Stans," Kasa supplied.

"Ah~ Whatever. This girl’s mine. Harass her again—I break your third leg. Clear?"

I yanked my hand free, wrapped an arm around the princess’s waist, pulled her close, and smirked at the fuming Stans.

"You! Fine! This isn’t over!" Stans stormed off.

"Huh? Leaving already? I just got a toy—not enough fun!" I watched him go, disappointed.

"Really? Had enough cuddling? Want your third leg broken too?" Monaluna appeared behind me.

"So bold, Master Mashang Klath—pledged troth already. What’s for dinner tonight?" Helle’s voice turned icy.

"Oh~ Pledging troth works? Should’ve said earlier, Klath~" Cindira chimed in.

"Hey! Fair? I chased away the leech for the princess! No praise—just threats? That was a threat, right?! Only a threat?! Hey—don’t walk off smiling! I’m scared!"

"Quick… let go!" The princess slapped my face.

I held my cheek, watching her stride away, near tears.

"Kasa! Was I the hero just now?!"

"Master Klath, you’re truly humorous!"