The Protagonist's Party is Too Diligent

In my previous life, I lived a life completely removed from marriage.

No—more accurately, it was a life removed from romance itself.

My friends assumed I was averse to marriage, that I had chosen to be single. But I wasn’t like that at all.

If I ever found someone I clicked with, someone I genuinely cared for and who matched me in values and ability, I was open to the idea of marriage.

In short, it wasn’t that I chose not to marry—it was that I couldn’t. That situation lasted so long that my friends ended up mistaking it as a decision instead of a circumstance.

Honestly, even I would sometimes get confused, unless I consciously reminded myself. After spending so much time alone, I eventually stopped even wanting to date. I no longer bothered to assess the possibility of a relationship.

It was like I drew a circle around myself, and only those within it were allowed close—usually family, or friends I’d known since childhood. No one I met after graduating college ever made it inside that circle. Gender didn’t matter. No one did.

And yet, even someone like me enjoyed going to weddings.

A few friends got married, and some relatives too.

It was nice seeing people I was close to, dressed in suits, nervously fidgeting, but brightening up the moment they saw me walk in. The way they’d rush over, shake my hand, and say, “Thanks for coming,” was something I appreciated. Wishing them well, reconnecting with people I hadn’t seen in years—it was something I genuinely enjoyed.

When I was younger, I’d probably looked forward more to the food after the ceremony than the people. But I guess your priorities change with age.

And honestly, after coming to this world, I never expected I’d get to attend something like a wedding again.

Well, no—this was a little different.

It wasn’t that I hadn’t. It was that I couldn’t.

There hadn’t been time.

“Your Highness.”

“...Are you using that title on purpose?”

“Well, doesn’t it feel off if I don’t call you that here?”

Was this the first time we’d seen each other since graduating from the academy?

Technically, “graduation” hadn’t been that long ago. Just last month, really.

“So what? I think talking casually like this might actually work in our favor. I mean, who else can say they speak informally with a princess?”

Even as I said that, I lowered my voice out of respect, and Jake frowned a little in response.

He glanced around quickly. There were a lot of people nearby, of course—we were standing close to the center of the wedding venue. The groom, though, aside from his outfit, didn’t seem all that different from his usual self.

Still, he did look much neater now than he had back at the academy.

“Just cut me some slack, okay? I really don’t want to be that lunatic who talks down to a princess in public.”

“Says the guy who spent all of school ignoring everyone’s opinion.”

Honestly, calling it our “school days” felt a bit odd considering we weren’t exactly old. But from the perspective of people in this world, we probably did seem older now.

Staying single for too long around here? That’d be enough to stir up gossip. Not that I was planning on marrying just to avoid that.

“Well, anyway...”

Still. This was a friend’s wedding.

There were people around, but they were far enough that I doubted anyone could overhear us.

Even so, Jake had a point. It didn’t hurt to be careful. Talking like we did back in the academy might come off as childish now.

What a pain this era could be.

“Have you seen the bride yet, Lord Jake?”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

“Unfortunately, not yet. I hear it’s bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony.”

“Is that so? And where is the bride now?”

“Of course, she’s in the bridal suite. Both of our sisters should be there too.”

“Which sister are you referring to?”

“Both, naturally.”

Ah, so they finished earlier than I expected. Not just Alice—Claire too.

Looks like I was the last to arrive.

I looked around, but I didn’t see any of our other friends. They were probably already by the bride’s side.

As I scanned the area, my eyes landed on someone.

A woman with slightly darker skin than Lottie. If Lottie aged gracefully, she might look just like that. Her features were strikingly similar. She wore an elegant gown, but—

She looked a bit anxious. As if it had been a long time since she’d worn something so formal. She held the hem of her dress awkwardly, unsure of what to do with herself, and no one around her was striking up a conversation.

“Hold on a sec.”

I whispered to Jake, who seemed to immediately understand what I was thinking and gave a subtle nod.

“Thanks.” 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Jake had actually been talking to her just before I interrupted. Maybe because she’d known him for years as her daughter’s partner, she was at least comfortable enough to speak with him. But even so, she likely had no connections to the high-status guests attending this wedding.

...No, well—technically, she did.

But they weren’t good ones.

More like... bad blood, really.

I gave Jake a slight bow and then made my way over toward Lydia—no, toward Arthur, Lottie’s mother.

“Have you been well?”

“Ah, Your Highness.”

Lottie’s mother immediately recognized me and bowed respectfully. Though she held the status of a commoner, she had worked for a high-ranking noble family for many years. Naturally, her etiquette was flawless. Honestly, it was far better than mine.

“Congratulations on your daughter’s marriage.”

As I spoke politely and dipped my head slightly, I heard murmurs ripple through the crowd.

There wasn’t a soul here unfamiliar with who I was. Even the commoners invited to this wedding were from the academy’s commoner class, and none of them would fail to recognize my face.

So, when the famously well-known “princess” bowed her head to someone seen as a “colonial-born,” it was only natural for everyone’s attention to turn.

“Y-Your Highness, please—your head...!”

Lottie’s mother hurriedly whispered, flustered.

“How do you feel? Seeing your daughter marry the one she’s loved for so long.”

Come to think of it, I should really do something about her social standing.

As promised, Lottie had been granted a knighthood. More specifically, she became a knight under “Sylvia Fangryphon.” While knighthood in the Empire didn’t automatically grant noble status, its weight was largely determined by the one bestowing it.

And with so few remaining who were officially recognized as royalty in the Empire, a knighthood granted directly by a royal carried immense significance.

Not to mention, I’m sure Alice and Charlotte had both taken the time to speak with this woman before I arrived.

Ironically, that might also be why others hadn’t approached her. She was clearly connected to high-ranking people, yet her own status didn’t seem all that elevated. It was the kind of ambiguous position that left others unsure of how to behave.

At the very least, from now on, no one would dare treat her lightly.

“...I’m happy. Truly. I never thought I’d see the day my daughter could smile like that...”

Lottie’s mother spoke, her eyes glistening, as if overwhelmed just by the thought.

Something about the sight made my nose sting a little.

“And I’ve often heard it was all thanks to Your Highness. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay such kindness.”

“Please don’t think of it as a favor. We ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) just helped each other, as friends. I’ve received so much from Lottie too—should I go around thinking of that as a debt?”

“Ah—no, of course not, but still...”

“I believe it’s enough to simply pursue the happiness right in front of you. And I’ll do what I can to ensure that my friend and her family never have to suffer anything unjust again.”

“...Thank you. Truly.”

Lottie’s mother bowed her head once more.

*

“Oh! Sis, you finally made it!”

I ran into Claire as she stepped out of the bridal suite.

“I had a few things to take care of. But I’m here before the ceremony, so all’s well.”

“I was just about to come look for you.”

In her hands was the same camera she’d been putting to good use for the past few years.

“Where’s Lottie?”

“She’s inside. She looks amazing. I already took a bunch of pictures.”

Watching Claire’s excited chatter, I let out a half-smile and followed her into the room.

And the moment I stepped inside, I knew immediately—

Claire hadn’t been exaggerating in the slightest.