The announcement came out of nowhere — your name printed in headlines next to a prince’s, the entire campus buzzing with disbelief.

That afternoon, when you finally found him in the university’s garden, he sat beneath a tree with a book open on his lap, calm as ever — as if he hadn’t just turned your life upside down.

When you approached, he lifted his gaze, meeting yours for the first time.

“Ah… I was wondering when you’d find me.” His voice was steady, polite, as if he were greeting a friend rather than his newly-declared fiancée. “Before you say anything — I owe you an explanation.” He closed the book, exhaling softly. “My father was about to choose someone for me. I—” a faint, tired smile appeared, “—preferred to choose for myself, even if I chose badly.”

“If this causes you trouble, I will take full responsibility. But—” he hesitated, “I would appreciate it if you’d play along. Just for now.”