FMY 15

Silently observing that expression, Serge also leaned back against the sofa and crossed his legs.

“…This is surprising, Prince? That you, bearing the titles of prince and duke, would mention a lesson that only bourgeois merchants would be interested in. Besides, wasn’t Monsieur Dumont’s class, on the whole, quite distant from the perspective of the social elite who control the economy?”

Serge let out a small snort. For some reason, it was a sneer filled with sarcasm towards him, one of the most powerful members of the social elite in this country.

He had experienced life at the very bottom in the modern world.

He knew exactly what it meant to go hungry from direct experience, and he had lived a life without any backing, no, what backing? A life without even a proper guardian. That was why he found it laughable that Raphael brought up stories of ordinary merchants. As if he knew anything about the lives of commoners.

However, Raphael paid no mind to Serge’s reaction and continued to speak in a low voice.

“Yes, I thought you would remember. As you said, Monsieur Dumont’s class focused on those who run small businesses. But it was very informative, was it not? We need to know what they are thinking and how they do business to understand the economy in more detail.”

“…I agree with you on that.”

That was why he liked Monsieur Dumont’s class. He was an excellent teacher who saw and taught the world from a perspective that they, as high nobles, could not see. Because of that, he was treated as an eccentric teacher at the private school for the upper class.

‘This is another unexpected side of him.’

Until now, Serge had thought that Prince Raphael was similar to Crown Prince François.

In fact, the two brothers were very similar in that they were dominant alphas, had handsome appearances with blond hair and blue eyes, or were popular in society. Serge recalled the vague information he knew about the crown prince and compared him to Raphael in his mind.

Blanche’s crown prince, ‘François Dauphin de Blanche’, was the very picture of a stereotypical crown prince from a fairy tale. A dominant alpha prince whom everyone admired. And the next ruler of the kingdom. A person who knew how to win the favor of the high nobles of society with smiles and kindness, yet was moderately arrogant, authoritative, and befitting of a crown prince.

But perhaps the difference between the two brothers, which he had clearly learned today, was this? Serge silently recalled the information he remembered about the crown prince.

The crown prince had probably never once thought about the market economy or its principles that Raphael spoke of.

Unlike Serge or Raphael, the crown prince had never studied at a private school and had only received lessons for the heir from renowned scholars in the palace, so he had no way of knowing such things.

But Raphael was different. He had met various people and taken classes at a private school, learned about the techniques of merchants and the principles of the market, and it seemed he knew how to use them.

“Take a look at this.”

Raphael pulled Serge, who was deep in thought, back to reality. He reached out and picked up a lady’s hat ornament that was on the table. It was a beautiful apple-shaped ornament.

“Let me explain using this apple as an example. According to Monsieur Dumont, merchants often place their best quality goods in the most visible spot. Just like placing the most beautiful apple on top of the box and the ugly, lower-quality apples at the bottom.”

“You talk a good game for someone who has never bought an apple with his own hands.”

“Why do you think I have never bought an apple myself? It would be better not to make assumptions with such prejudice, Sir Serge.”

At those words, Serge’s face flushed red. It could certainly be seen as Serge’s weakness, his quick temper. Because of that weakness, he had misjudged Raphael and spouted nonsense, making it impossible to refuse this contract engagement any further… Serge bit his lip, recalling their last meeting where he had made a rash judgment about Raphael and blabbered on about premarital chastity.

“So what is the conclusion of this grand explanation that you have dragged in Monsieur Dumont for?”

“I am saying that this engagement I proposed is no different from that box of apples.”

Serge was dumbfounded by Raphael’s words, who grinned as he returned the apple-shaped ornament to its place.

Raphael had definitely said at first that he just needed to be a contract fiancé. He did not explain in detail this part about ‘acting like lovers’ that he was being forced to do.

So Serge had thought it would be simple and easy. He figured he would just have to pester his father and hold an engagement ceremony. Or, if the family was strongly against it, he had even had the silly thought of stealing Duke Arthur’s seal and stamping the engagement documents. He had imagined a more nominal engagement relationship.

“…You just admitted with your own mouth that this lover act is the poor-quality apple, right?”

“Precisely.”

“So you are saying you cleverly deceived me for your own purpose?”

“Deceived you? This is just a kind of business technique, just as Monsieur Dumont explained about the methods of merchants. To make the product look more valuable. I just did not bother to explain the tricky and difficult parts of our contract.”

“For a noble prince and the Duke of Bernadotte, you act quite like a swindler…!”

It was an alliance he would not have accepted if he had known he had to go around high society acting like a lover. As the truth dawned on him, Serge’s head grew hot.

“Those titles are uncomfortable between us. I told you to call me Raphael.”

“Raphael, my frozen ass! Raphael…! Raphael! Are you happy now?!”

Sweet potato, sweet potato, sweet potatooo!

That, that sweet potato bastard…! Serge shouted the prince’s name, fuming.

“Very good, chouchou[9]. You are performing the first step to looking like passionate lovers well. I was right to choose you.”

“Ugh…”

Chouchou, my frozen ass chouchou. You greasy bastard. Serge gagged at the sight of Raphael calling him by a cute pet name usually reserved for small children.

“Calm down, Serge. You need to get used to calling me by my name or a pet name from now on.”

Raphael said that since they had to act like the closest of companions from now on, he would allow Serge to call him whatever he wanted and understand if he spoke casually. Well, well, look at the great and merciful king. A little more and he’d be on his way to saving all of mankind.

“I saw you have some acting skills last time.”

Some?

At Raphael’s provocation, Serge trembled with rage. What do you take the winner of the Academy Award for Best Actor for…? Do you know how many year-end acting awards I have received in the country? My goodness, instead of being awestruck and saying, ‘It is an honor to meet the great star!’ Serge was now blazing with anger, unaware that his opponent was deliberately pouring gasoline on a burning house.

“Fine…. I will show you what true acting as lovers is from now on.”

Serge affirmed, falling for Raphael’s provocation. To challenge his acting was, for him, tantamount to touching a sacred and inviolable domain. Raphael hid a meaningful smile and continued his explanation.

“Besides, if I tell you why we must appear as lovers, you will have no choice but to agree.”

At those words, Serge let out a sneer. Isn’t it obvious? His face was saying.

“Do not underestimate me. I obviously know the reason. Did you think I came here without even considering that?”

Realizing he had gotten a little excited by the provocation, Serge grumbled as he leaned back deeply into the plush sofa. Apart from not wanting to act, it was easy to figure out why he was demanding such a thing with just a little thought. Serge raised his index finger and opened his mouth.

“The first reason you insist on showing off our lover-like appearance in society is because of my father. My father, Duke Arthur, wants to place me in the position of crown princess or an equivalent.”

Just how unlucky must one be to fall into such a situation. Father, why have you thrown me into this pit of hardship…. Just thinking about it made Serge feel utterly miserable.

“I honestly do not know why my father still has not given up hope. As you know, Raphael, I was not exactly suited for such a position, was I? If you remember what I looked like until recently, you would have to say the same.”

Was he a doting parent full of pride for his son…? He did not know with what confidence he was so desperate to place a hulking omega, who looked like he belonged somewhere in the subtle section between Australopithecus and Neanderthal on the textbook evolutionary chart, next to a member of the royal family.

“He is a man who is overflowing with pride in the noble bloodline of Arthur, so, well, yes. I know very well that it is a lost cause to persuade my father on that point. That is why I am here now. And as you said, if we do not look like real lovers, it is highly likely that my father will not permit the engagement. And the second.”

Serge naturally extended his middle finger next to his raised index finger.

“The same goes for Her Majesty the Queen. Very unfortunately, it seems I caught her eye at the last salon of Her Majesty the Queen.”

“Correct. After the salon, she even called my brother and me to speak to us separately. She asked us to be good to you.”

Hearing those words, Serge’s expression soured again. To think she would make such a request to her two alpha sons, who were influential figures in society. He could not even begin to fathom how much she had taken a liking to him.

“In conclusion, two of the most powerful people in Blanche are eyeing me as a candidate for crown princess. And I, who have lived in seclusion from society, suddenly get engaged to you? Yes, I would not believe it either. Anyone would think it is a hastily concocted lie.”

It would look like a couple of swindlers who had colluded to pull off a big score.

In matters of marriage, the opinions of the head of the family and parents were more important in this society. Unless a rumor spread that they were so passionately in love, it was obvious that the parents would just push their own opinions.

As Serge finished speaking, Raphael raised a large hand and clapped slowly.

“Very precise. The two of them will probably never believe that we are lovers and that we are getting engaged out of love. So you will have to act it out properly, Serge. A relationship of lovers passionately in love, so much so that rumors spread throughout the entire high society of Blanche.”

Like a very hot and messily entangled relationship.

“Damn it…”

“So that they can never pair the person who was so clingy with the younger brother, as if they could not live without him, with the older brother. So that even if they try to force it, they will be too embarrassed by the eyes of society to do so.”

Raphael’s plan was all based on logic. Serge swallowed his nausea and silently nodded his head in agreement.

‘It is my fault for not thinking through these parts meticulously from the beginning…’

This time, too, it was due to his own haste, so there was nothing he could do. Serge reluctantly decided to participate in Raphael’s ugly apple strategy. He did not have much time.

If he did not act properly, it would be a strategy better left undone. This absurd contract engagement plan could easily end up as a clumsy clown show by a couple of swindlers if it went wrong.

Just like a star couple who were once adored by fans, but when it was revealed that their relationship was entangled with all sorts of sordid sponsorships and contracts, they were shunned by the public and both were ruined beyond recovery.

Serge had seen many such situations in his past life. So, the plan must never be exposed. And for that, perfect acting was essential.

“That is why we came to the tailor shop today.”

Raphael grinned and spread open a section of the booklet he had been flipping through earlier, holding it out to Serge.

The design book from Monsieur Gautier’s tailor shop, filled with drawings of various garments, contained a wide variety of copperplate engravings…. What Raphael showed him was a very, very blatant couple’s look. Although the overall style of the clothes was different, not only were the fabric and decorations the same, but even the details like embroidery were kept intact, making it a truly cringe-worthy outfit.

So, it was not like they were wearing identical clothes like twins, but it was the kind of outfit that seemed to boast, ‘we are so in love that we had these made together.’ The kind of custom-made clothes that only the most ostentatious couples in this promiscuous high society would wear.

“……This?”

Is this guy out of his mind? Serge’s face was saying.

“Unfortunately, I am perfectly sane. What other way is there to advertise that we are passionate lovers? Are you planning to just hug and kiss each other in front of people every time?”

“Disgusting…. Get that horrible thought out of your head right now.”

“Of course, I am fine with that too.”

“Who gave you permission to be fine with it. Your vow of chastity was all a lie, wasn’t it…”

This bastard’s vow of chastity must be a scam too. I have been thoroughly scammed by a swindler…! Despite having agreed, the feeling of injustice did not subside, and Serge muttered through clenched teeth.

“You should not be so irreverent about a vow.”

“You degenerate prince bastard…”

“When you hear things like that, it makes you want to live up to the expectations.”

Serge’s face soured at the words that he would become even more of a degenerate.

“Wearing things like this and spreading bijoux will now become a daily routine.”

“My god…. To think I would be doing such a cringeworthy thing myself.”

“Just so you know, we are going to order at least five or six outfits today.”

As Serge pressed his forehead like someone suffering from chronic dizziness, Raphael kindly gave him a heads-up.

“The next stop is the jeweler’s, so be prepared for that.”