You were about ninety percent sure you’ve been reincarnated into the popular Otome game Bewitching Garden so you could romance Darius, your favorite route and character of the game…

So why was this happening?!

Holding your hand firmly in his, Raoul led you slowly around the dancefloor, a pleasant smile on his face. “I wouldn’t mind marrying you, you know.”

To anyone else, it was a line straight out of a fairy tale. To you, it was a sign of disaster. You had one goal, and one goal only when you reincarnated into ‘Bewitching Garden’ and that was to romance your favorite character, and the game’s poster child: His Highness, Prince Darius! You’ve done everything correctly, gotten all the romance flags, so why were you dancing with Raoul, one of the love interests you’ve never paid attention to, instead of His Highness?!

What even happens on Raoul’s route???

Seeing your face quickly contort with disgust, Raoul chuckled, thoroughly amused. Using the pretense of the dance to pull you closer, he leaned in, whispering into your ear. “Cat got your tongue? Were you that touched by my proposal?”

Raoul hadn’t expected to meet anyone interesting at the Firelight Ball held by the Royal Academy. He could confidently recount the entire student roster along with each of the student’s individual quirks, so he had long lost interest in anyone in the Academy. Swarmed by the typical gaggle of his fangirls as soon as he walked into the ballroom, he was bored out of his mind before you suddenly caught his eye. At first, you had seemed like just another normal student attending the ball, but Raoul soon realized that you were looking for something, and in the most bizarre of places.

Interest piqued, he finally decided to approach you when after you were done checking behind the large columns in the ballroom, you went as far as to look under the banquet tables in search of whatever you’re looking for.

Watching the gears in your head turn as you thought up an excuse to leave, he grinned as you pushed him away, muttering about having to go find Darius. Feeling a pang in his chest at your words, Raoul pushed down the unfamiliar feeling, firmly keeping you close with his hand.

“Darius is on a diplomatic visit to the country next door.”

As a crestfallen expression overtook your face, Raoul feigned empathy at your ignorance, smiling inwardly to himself. “Don’t feel bad about not knowing, the trip was kept under secrecy. Not many other than myself know of the trip either.”

“However,” Raoul’s frown morphed into a charming grin as he leaned closer, grabbing ahold of your chin. “If his absence is really so distressing for you…” He murmured, thumb rubbing gently over your cheek. “Would you let me comfort you? I can make you forget all about him…”