Oh how time has gone by in a rush! I have already lived in this world for over half a year and has gotten quite used to everything.

I realized I had three problems I had to solve, and the success of all of them depended heavily on how I acted in high society.

First, Prince Horus will soon be imprisoned for being gay, if left alone.

Second, I’m gonna be married off at some point, and basically have no say what-so-ever unless I find someone that is higher ranking than the one my father finds.

Third, in the original novel, it’s all about the poor commoner girl, Alisha, who meets the crown prince of the empire and they fall in love. After a lot of trials and misunderstandings, they declare their love to the emperor who does not approve. Then the crown prince gets the task of winning the war against this empire, so he can prove his worth. This empire is at that point in time in turmoil with Prince Chaker being a real di*k and even though the military forces are splendid, the crown prince wins the war, takes over the empire, and marries the girl. Which means, if I somehow end up making them lose the war by covering for Prince Horus, the crown prince isn’t allowed to marry Alisha. Which means my ship is dead.

But what could little me possibly do to solve these problems that other people don’t know about, when I would sound like an absolute nutcase if I tried telling them?

Six months ago, I found the answer. Become the perfect daughter of a duke, marry Prince Horus and save both the empire and the ship!

In other words,

BECOME THE PRINCE’S BEARD!

This also means I have been doing nothing but socializing and learning the ropes of everything. Though I might not look as much like I’m floating when I walk as Duchess Burtwell, I don’t lose to any of the other ladies.

While I was busy socializing, I also kept my gossip on Prince Horus up to date to make sure he wasn’t in any trouble. But since I read the novel, and the crown prince election is coming up, I know that I have to make my move soon.

Oh how I miss my fangirl-not-so-much-thinking-days. This is exhausting.

I also have gotten close to Sir Windsor, who keeps talking up the prince to me. He must really like him. He keeps praising him up and down, but then he suddenly talks about his favorite colors and tries to make me wear them, as well as suggesting I try to match my dresses with Prince Horus’ suits to different social arrangements where we might meet.

Sir Windsor is nice and polite, but he is a bit weird. He also kept telling me where the prince was and what parties he would attend.

In any case, I have laid out all of my groundwork. The only thing left to do is to lay out my Beard-proposal to our dear Tsundere, in a way that indicate what I know, without actually saying it directly.

Let the trial begin!

Luckily there is a party tonight where the plan goes into action.

“My Lady, you are doing it again” a maid said from my side, reminding me that even though I had upped my manners, I still spend the most time in my head.

“We are done, My Lady. The carriage is awaiting you outside” another maid said.

They maids had had a change in attitude the more I had changed as well. Even Sebas….Hans, had stopped talking down to me.

I don’t quite feel like myself lately.

Arriving at the party Sir Windsor stood ready to escort me. He had done this a couple of times already though we hadn’t arranged it. A good friend indeed.

Walking in, the room was glorious. With a lot of people. Fleur Harmon, the one that’s a bit stupid but doesn’t let it show, came my way smiling.

“Lady Amy, have you heard? There are rumors about you and Sir Windsor. Of course I’m not one to talk, but I thought it would be nice for you to know” she said, very silently.

Giving it my best smile, I took her hand in the most noble way.

“Thank you for telling me, Lady Fleur. I greatly appreciate it. Have you seen Lady Rosa Montes today? I would like to have a talk with her”

Lady Fleur looked at me a bit, and afterwards pointed me in Rosa’s way.

Our dear genius, Rosa. My intuition when first meeting her had been spot-on. She was intuitive, knew her way around the world and the men in it, but was clever enough to keep it to herself. She had been a great help, and a great friend. Not only has she taught me a lot, but she feels like a fangirl if this had been my own world. I can relate to her.

“Lady Rosa, may I have a word?” I asked, taking a hand on her shoulder.

Lady Rosa courtsied to the people she was talking to, excused herself and walked with me.

“Thank The Sun you came, Lady Amy, they just WOULDN’T SHUT UP”

Haha… Yea… A genius… With a crude mouth. I love her.

“Lady Rosa, I don’t think it appropriate to talk that way here” I tried, but the smell of alcohol suddenly reached my nostrils.

“Is anything wrong, Lady Rosa. You do not usually partake in enough wine for it to leave a stench”

“They want me to marry the prince” She said.

“Prince Chaker. They want me to marry the tyrant”

Oh damn, this isn’t good. Huh? Was this in the novel? Did Prince Chaker have a wife when taking over the throne?

Hmmm, I don’t think so. Which would mean it either wasn’t worth mentioning in the novel or that it has somehow deviated from the original so much that this happens. Or maybe the engagement just doesn’t go through.

“Lady Rosa, I am deeply sorry to hear that. But if anyone could make him a better person, it would be you” I tried, not really believing what I said, but she was probably drunk enough for it to work.

“Yea, I’m clever, aren’t I?” She said.

Aaah, this wasn’t the plan. I needed her advice on how to talk to the prince, but it seems she is hopeless today.

Just then I notice Prince Horus standing near the wall only accompanied by Sir Windsor.

I excuse myself to Rosa after finding her somewhere to sit.

It’s now or never.

“A pleasure to see you this evening, Prince Horus, sunshine of the empire, I am terribly sorry to disturb you, but I have a matter I would like to talk with you about” I hold a pause and look at Sir Windsor.

“In private, if possible” I finish.

Prince Horus gives me an uncomfortable elevator look, sighs, and gives sign for me to follow him.

Wow, that was easy.

As we sit down he is the first to take the word.

“It just so happens that I, too, wanted to speak with you, Lady Amy”

Huh?

“But I will let you state your matter first, as you went out of your way to come to me”

Huh huh??

“Eeeeeeeeeeh”

I’m so dumbfounded all of my social etiquette training seems to have been flushed down the toilet.

I desperately clear my throat to try and save the situation.

“Hrm hrm. As You know, My Prince, my father is searching for a husband for me. Unfortunately I do not have the same wishes or standards for a partner as my father, and fear I would end up being terribly unhappy the rest of my life if he gets to choose.

This is why, My Prince, I came her today to make a proposal. One which I think would benefit us both. As I know you are not merely looking for a ‘wife’ but for a ‘person’ while having a lot of eyes on you. I would be able to help with this.”

I take a break to look at the prince and the shock he shows on his face from my insinuation. He should know I know now. I get ready to continue, but Prince Horus speaks first.

“Lady Amy, I told you I too had something to discuss with you today. It just so happens to be the same thing as you, it seems. As a matter of fact I have indeed heard of the search of a husband for you. I once said to you that I would marry the person most qualified to be empress, and after keeping watch for this half year, I have seen how you have grown tremendously. It is not something any ordinary person can do. It also seems you know of my… Hrm hrm… Secret. Which is why, Lady Amy, could I ask for your hand in marriage?”