All I wanted was to go home after witnessing that horrible accident. But even though I had just rescued the gods damn princess of Steylia, I was treated like a criminal and forced into the back of a royal car.

Also, I hit my head on the roof when the mean lady tossed me in the vehicle. That’s neither here nor there but you can bet your ass I was bitter about it.

Pain aside, I’d been stuck in the car for nearly an hour. The roads had been cleared, which made sense, given the nature of the situation. The only other cars on the road were the other royal vehicles comprising the motorcade.

In that time, we had exited my home city of Valport and crossed over from the province of Fabrea to Freywich, also known as “Old Steylia.” The change in scenery was quite drastic, with the tall, modern skyscrapers disappearing from the skyline in favor of cobblestone roads and traditional style buildings. It was like going back in time to a place I couldn’t give any less of a crap about.

The entire ride had been uncomfortably quiet up to that point. Silence is golden, but not the kind of silence that involves being stared at the entire time by a man in black as if you’re some kind of terrorist. Especially if you’re the one who is there against your will!

BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ

My phone vibrated furiously in my pocket, but the agent sitting next to me grabbed my arm tightly before I could check it. I glanced at him, and he simply shook his head at me before releasing me from his grasp.

Yeah, I’m about to be killed, aren’t I?

We entered the capital city of Alofast, and the grand castle quickly came into view. It looked as though it was constructed of pure light with the way it shined against the starry sky.

Gorgeous? Yes. Pompous? Absolutely.

The motorcade crossed over the main bridge, and we descended a spiral ramp leading down below the castle. In a short while, we reached an underground garage where all the cars, including the one I was in, parked neatly in their respective spaces. The agent beside me exited the car and rounded it, coming to my door and pulling it open before yanking me outside.

“Start walking.”

He and another agent ushered me through a metal door that led to a stairwell.

My family had dragged me to Old Steylia on vacation a few times when I was a kid to go see the castle, but we were never allowed inside. It was a bit jarring to see a more modern parking area beneath the traditional-looking castle, but not unexpected. Most of the places around the area likely weren’t as old school as they appeared on the outside.

“Up the stairs.”

I did as I was asked until he grabbed hold of my shoulder at one of the landings.

“Okay, through here.”

Stop touching me.

That door led me inside the castle this time. The area in which I emerged appeared to be some kind of guard station. Magic rods, staffs, swords, crossbows, and other weapons lined the walls, as well as computers and a myriad of screens playing security feeds from both inside and around the castle. A sweet and bitter scent emanated from a coffee machine in the corner of the room as more men and women in black suits and sunglasses surrounded the device, chatting away. Their attention was drawn to me the second I entered the room.

Nothing to see here, clones.

“Let them know we’re bringing him in now,” the agent leading me ordered the others. A few of them mumbled something into their radios in response.

He kept me moving by obnoxiously nudging me forward with his shoulder, eventually pushing me out of the station and into the main castle. Everywhere I looked, elaborate crimson carpets stretched endlessly over immaculate hardwood floors. We walked that decorated path through enormous hallways, surrounded by gorgeous white walls framed with ornate, gold trim, and passing breathtaking paintings and statues every few steps.

It was a house of royalty, that’s for sure. But I couldn’t help but feel bad for the poor soul in charge of cleaning the place—especially the ceilings. That seemed like something that could qualify as its own extreme sport, even if you used magic to do it.

But honestly, who cared about that? I was probably about to be executed for absolutely nothing, and those were my final thoughts? Talk about far gone.

My long stroll through the halls finally ended in front of a giant pair of double doors. Two guards slowly pulled them open, and the agent shoved me inside. The doors closed behind me, and, thankfully, that handsy assclown stayed outside the threshold this time.

I hope he trips going back down that gods forsaken stairwell.

“Bow!” a woman’s stern voice commanded, shocking me back to attention.

“What?”

I was so wrapped up in my frustration that I hadn’t even realized that scumbag pushed me into the throne room, of all places.

“I said bow!”

“Easy now, Helena,” a deep, warm, male voice hummed through a chuckle. “Can’t you tell he’s confused? Bring him closer.”

The woman, apparently known as Helena, bowed her head. “Yes, your Majesty.” She took me by the arm and released me in the center of the room.

Three thrones sat atop a platform with stairs bookending each side. Much like the rest of the castle, each throne individually represented the colors red, white, and gold, respectively.

The leftmost throne was pearl white. It was engraved with gorgeous carvings

The platform that held up the thrones was wrapped in a spectacular mural depicting Idos, the God of Prosperity carrying the thrones above him on his back.

As stunning as the designs in the room were, what captured my attention the most was sitting on the pearl white throne. Against all logic, there, atop that magnificent chair, sat a girl wearing a pristine white and pink dress. Her legs were crossed, and her hands lay rested upon one another in her lap. Golden hair flowed down her torso while a jeweled crown rested on her head. Her jade green eyes stared down at me disapprovingly and her pale pink lips pouted in displeasure.

It was the princess I had saved just an hour and a half prior. Somehow, there wasn’t a hint of injury upon her perfect skin.

But what was with that glare she was giving me? That wasn’t any way to look at the person who just saved her life.

Damn royals.

My eyes jumped past the middle throne to the crimson one beside it. A long, midnight blue dress covered an equally long pair of legs that hung over the edge of the seat, meeting the platform beneath it at the tip of black high heels. The woman wearing the dress covered in a black, dreamlily pattern also had blonde hair, tied elegantly in a fancy updo, completed by a grand, silver crown. Her ocean blue eyes also glared down at me, not only with disapproval, but also outright disgust.

Grr.

At last, my eyes drifted to the golden throne in the center. Sitting proudly in the chair was the man who had ordered me to the middle of the room. He wore a majestic red and black robe, and his impressive, full, beard was a wild contrast to the neat, short, reddish-brown hair that rested beneath a crown grander than the other two, and more gold than the throne he sat upon. Creases like faults in the ground lined his forehead, and his eyes were the same jade as the princess’. But unlike her eyes that projected disapproval, his gaze carried an air of amusement.

“Tell me, what is your name, boy?” the man asked.

“Shinsuke Watanabe.”

“Shinsuke, hm? That’s a fine name.” He stroked his beard and nodded. “I am the King of Steylia, Immanuel von Eisenhardt. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

I was far from a fan of the royal family, but even I was somewhat pleasantly taken aback by the king’s behavior. Any idiot in the world would know who he was, yet he took the time to introduce himself like an ordinary person. It was…unexpected.

Despite my feelings, I found myself bowing. For some reason, this drew hearty laughter from the king. “That isn’t necessary, young man. Not after what you’ve done tonight. This is my wife, the Queen of Steylia, Luitgard von Eisenhardt. And, of course, this is my daughter, Princess Cynthia Rose von Eisenhardt.”

My gaze scanned Cynthia again. From her toes to her golden bangs, from the tips of her heels to the crown on her head, not a single scratch or scuff existed. The king must’ve noted my expression, because yet another deep laugh came booming from his throat.

“You’re wondering how perfectly healthy, aren’t you?” He patted Cynthia’s shoulder with his large paw of a hand. “We have the best healers in all the kingdom, dare I say the world. Both my daughter and her driver you pulled from the wreckage were right as rain in no more than three minutes.”

I knew the royal family had access to superior health care, but it was staggering to see a girl who had been a bloody, unconscious heap of dead weight in my arms no more than an hour and a half ago now sitting on her throne, looking to be in better shape than yours truly.

“Hm, were you hurt during the ordeal, son?” he asked.

“Oh, uh, just my hands.”

My palms had been thoroughly cut up from crawling over glass shards.

“And you weren’t treated? Helena, fetch a healer and tell them that this boy’s wounds are to be treated immediately!”

Anger rose in his tone with every word.

“Right away, your Majesty!” she replied. A hasty exit from the room followed.

The king shook his head.

“I’m sorry about that, Apparently, there is much incompetence I need to address. From the worthless police who blindly neglected my daughter’s safety, to my staff who did not see fit to tend to your wounds. There will be many without employment come tomorrow morning, I assure you that.”

Whoa.

The doors swung open, and Helena returned with a man in a white cloak and gold trim. He hovered his palms over mine, and a pair of small, translucent orbs appeared. In seconds, my cuts and scrapes were gone. He turned to the king and bowed before he was led back outside the room.

“Good as new, yes?” the king chuckled. “Now then, from the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you, Shinsuke Watanabe, for saving my daughter’s life. Truly, had it not been for your act of selflessness and bravery, I would have lost my precious baby girl.”

“You’re welcome, uh, your Majesty.”

This was all a bit much, I thought. Yes, I had saved the princess’ life, but did they need to kidnap me in the middle of the night just to say thank you? The whole spectacle could have waited until the morning. But I wasn’t about to tell the King of Steylia that I’d have preferred sleep over accepting his gratitude.

“Isn’t there something you’d like to say as well, Cynthia?” the king asked his daughter.

“Yes… thank you.”

The way she said it was less than enthusiastic.

“Please, Shinsuke, look at my daughter. Cynthia, please look at Shinsuke.”

We both obeyed his request, allowing our eyes to meet in awkward fashion. Her expression was still quite unpleasant.

“Shinsuke, Cynthia, it is with great pride that I congratulate the two of you on your engagement!”

“Our what?!” Cynthia and I cried in unison. She shot up out of her throne as she expressed her confusion.

“Cynthia, sit. You are well aware of the terms of the White Knight Contract by now. I don’t know why you are feigning surprise.”

“I’m sorry. The what?!” I interjected, my voice louder than I think it’d ever been.

“You don’t know it?” the king asked, puzzled. “Do they not teach this stuff to the children of the kingdom anymore?”

“Father, that stupid law is outdated and hasn’t been relevant in two-hundred years. Of course they aren’t teaching it!”

“Can someone please tell me what law we’re talking about here?” I urged.

The king cleared his throat and explained, “the White Knight Contract declares that any individual that saves the princess’ life during a time of crisis shall be granted her hand in marriage as reward for their courageous efforts and as recognition of their worthiness of her hand. You, Shinsuke Watanabe, have proven your worthiness of my daughter’s hand in marriage with your valiant actions this evening.”

“But father—”

“Silence, Cynthia! And sit down, I won’t tell you again.”

The princess dropped down onto her throne with her arms crossed, visibly furious.

“Tradition must be upheld at any cost,” the queen said, allowing me to hear her frigid voice for the first time. “But really, now. The boy resembles Satan.”

“Luitgard, where are your manners!”

“Look at his eyes and tell me I’m wrong.”

Her tone was laced with disgust.

“This is the boy who saved our beloved daughter’s life, shouldn’t you show him a bit more gratitude?”

“I am grateful for his actions. Especially because our foolish daughter should not have taken a detour home without our blessing.” She paused to glare at Cynthia who turned her face sheepishly. “However, just look at him. Even without his horrible eyes, the boy is skinny as a rail, wears a collar like that of an untrained mutt, and has effeminate hair and stature. Is this truly the boy you want to entrust our daughter to?”

What a lovely woman.

“I understand your concerns,” the king said. “But this boy has already proven his worth, and it is settled law.”

“An unfortunate truth,” the queen agreed.

“Is anyone going to ask what I think?” I cried.

I’m sure my tone was inappropriate for addressing royalty, but I was too desperate to care.

“Come again?” asked the king.

I pointed at the princess and said, “what about her? She clearly doesn’t want this, and neither do I!”

Cynthia flashed a look of surprise at me but nodded vigorously in agreement. “That law makes no sense anymore! We’re in a time of peace, father. Why would you enforce it?”

“Besides,” I added. “I also pulled her driver out of that wreck, are you gonna make me marry that guy too?!”

“Silence, both of you!” the king yelled, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Helena, bring the rings over here at once.”

“Yes, your Majesty!”

Cynthia and I traded terrified glances as the woman rushed across the room to retrieve a small, black box. She scurried back to the center of the room and placed a ring in my hand, then made her way up the stairs and placed another ring in Cynthia’s palm.

“Bring Shinsuke up here,” the king ordered. Helena obliged and positioned me before Cynthia. “Now, you two. Place the rings on each other’s fingers.”

“But—”

“Now!”

At the risk of drawing the king’s ire even further, I took Cynthia’s hand in mine and slipped the silver ring onto her finger. She took my hand in hers and did the same.

“Good. Now, it’s been quite a long evening for all of us. The two of you are exhausted and not thinking clearly. Shinsuke, a room has been prepared for you. Helena will take you to it. Cynthia, let the servants take you to your room and get some rest. Tomorrow, the two of you will have breakfast in the garden and get to know one another.”

Yes, after we’ve been forced into engagement, we’ll get to know each other. Makes perfect sense.

“Come on, this way,” Helena said, guiding me out of the throne room.

In the most handsy way possible, of course, I was ushered through the halls and into a spacious bedroom with a giant bed and regal decorations everywhere the eye could see. My phone was going crazy in my pocket again, but when I tried to retrieve it, Helena snatched it from my grasp.

“I’ll be taking your phone until the king gives his blessing to return it to you.”

She pointed out some pajamas in my size neatly folded on the large bed’s fluffy, plentiful blankets and stepped out of the room. With no other choice, I changed into the clothes that had been prepared for me. They were cozy, but they weren’t mine.

Fatigue, both mental and physical, rapidly set in. I was already tired back at home, but after the myriads of absurdities I had experienced in such a short span of time, I was spent. The forced, unpleasant social interaction, space invasion, and unwanted engagement didn’t help either.

I crawled into the unbelievably comfortable bed and held my hand up above my face, examining the ring that had been forced upon my finger.

“I’m so screwed,” I whined through a yawn.

As I drifted into the darkness of my eyelids, I thought of those innocent days of nursing a pudding cup, wrapped in warm blankets. How could they feel so far away when they were there just hours ago? Somehow, I was closer to having breakfast with a princess than I was to my ideal life, and that fact made me pray for death to take me before the morning sunrise.