Betrothed to My Sister's Ex

This is my second post in a row.

From the atrium, I looked down at the salon hall downstairs.

...There are more people here than I expected.

Tonight’s social gathering wasn’t for any special celebration. It was just that my younger sister, the princess of the Dirts Kingdom, had turned sixteen and was attending for the first time.

Yet, it was livelier than usual. Moreover, high-ranking nobles with aspirations to marry the princess, as well as nearby royal family members, seemed to have come.

...Indeed, maybe I should have shown my face here too.

Just as I was about to descend the stairs—

“Guess who?”

Suddenly, someone blindfolded me from behind. The sweet scent of perfume on their wrist, the distinctive voice that tickled my nose — above all, there was only one woman in the royal palace who would do something like this. I answered.

“Who could it be? This cool, adorable, bewitching sweet voice. A fairy, perhaps? Or Princess Mylene?”

“Hehe, you got it right. It’s been a while, Ruifeng.”

Mylene laughed and removed the blindfold.

Despite this girlish prank, Mylene’s outfit was surprisingly understated. She wore a dark green classic dress, her hair neatly tied up like a noble lady of mature age. Quite unusual. Whenever she visited me, it was always one of two extremes: either a frilly pink dress or a provocative night dress.

She looked just like a proper lady. With a sudden thought, I asked.

“Mylene, are you with your husband today, by any chance?”

“No, with my son. Look over there.”

I glanced in the direction she pointed, and there stood a single well-dressed boy. He looked about the same age as my sister. That meant he was probably a suitor who had come all the way from Flaria for her...

No good. He was overwhelmed by the older men, frozen stiff. He hadn’t even stepped onto the battlefield of competition. Mylene chuckled.

“That one is hopeless. Not only does he look bad, but his personality is so weak.”

“Shouldn’t you give him some coaching? Prince Flaria seems seriously interested in my sister.”

Mylene laughed heartily. She must have thought I was joking, speaking brightly and matter-of-factly.

“Royal family members can’t afford love marriages, you know? Sooner or later, I’ll find some suitable young lady domestically for my son. As for being lovesick, that can wait until after marriage when he’s free to play elsewhere.”

“See? Connecting with the Dilz Royal Family, our former ally, must be the current king’s heartfelt wish, right?”

“I don’t care about obligations and sentiments from fifty years ago. My father is old and feeble now. Soon, my husband—or rather, I—will become the ruler of Flaria.”

“Then all the more reason why the princess of the military nation Dirts should become the Crown Prince’s consort, isn’t it?”

“Even if they have military power, they can’t really use it. This is an age of economic warfare. Our budget for weapons purchased from Dirts keeps shrinking every year.”

—I know that.

“It’s Dirts who wants Flaria’s power.”

—Exactly.

I returned a warm smile to the princess, who giggled softly.

“So, Mylene. If you’re not here for my sister, then why did you come to the royal palace tonight?”

She pouted.

“...You’re mean.”

She poked my chest with her finger, tracing a line over my clothes. When her hand reached my navel, I grabbed her wrist.

“There are people watching.”

“It’s fine. Everyone’s looking at Princess Reimia.”

“Mylene, I have important work tonight.”

“Is it work with a higher economic impact than the annual military budget of Dirts?”

Before I could answer, Mylene bit my lips.

...I knew this would happen. I didn’t resist or argue; instead, I wrapped my arms around her waist and deepened the kiss. Despite being a temptress, she liked it when I took control. Like a famished boy, I let out a needy sound for her. Smiling contentedly, Mylene whispered.

“No, Ruifeng, not here anymore... not in a place like this.”

That meant she wanted me to take her to my room.