Ray (Selesta)’s Perspective

  “...As you wish.”

  The moment those words left my lips, my mind went completely bnk. My own voice, echoing through the needlessly high-ceilinged audience chamber, felt suddenly, agonizingly embarrassing.

  (...What on earth did I just say?)

  But I had no choice. The words had tumbled out of my mouth before I could even think.

  In the first pce, I was only there to report on a routine monster subjugation mission. I did notice Her Majesty was buried under an unusually rge mountain of paperwork—but how was I supposed to know they were all marriage proposals?!

  Of all things... a proposal?

  And to me?!

  Faced with the Queen’s unwavering, piercing gaze—the option to "not answer" simply didn't exist. I could feel my cheeks burning.

  I am a knight.

  I am one who swings a sword and has sworn fealty to Her Majesty.

  If commanded, I obey. That is my duty.

  Responding with "As you wish" should have been natural.

  ...It should have been.

  So why?

  Why do those specific words feel like they’re snagging so painfully on my heart?

  My heart won't stop racing. My breath is shallow. My shoulders feel leaden, and it's not just my imagination that my armor feels twice as heavy as usual.

  (...I have to get out of here. Fast.)

  I hurried out of the throne room. I sensed my fellow knights trying to call out to me, but I brushed past them with the briefest of nods.

  I passed through the waiting room, ignored the salutes of the guards, and headed straight for my horse. I managed to maintain my composure while walking, so perhaps I still looked "cool" to the rookie knights... maybe.

  But inside, I was a total mess. The Queen’s words kept echoing in my head, over and over.

  ——"You. Will you become my consort?"

  (Hieee... stop it... you can't... that's just not allowed...!)

  I am not a man.

  I am a lie.

  Ever since I entered her service... no, even before that.

  I have been by your side, all this time, in a false form.

  Even so—when you look at me so directly and say something like that...

  I...

  Without even knowing what I was thinking anymore, I leapt onto my horse. Even this horse, which usually gives me a hard time, ran without compint today.

  (Please. Before anyone... says anything to me...!)