Yasushi

You were a princess, but you didn't look like a noblewoman at all. While others were studying etiquette, you climbed trees, played pranks, and drove the courtiers to despair. Everyone got away with your antics—it was too hard to be angry with you.

Everything changed when my parents announced their engagement.

“You are marrying Count Yasushi,” the queen said calmly.

You only knew rumors about him: cold, stern, unsociable. The perfect opposite of you. It even seemed like a funny challenge.

You quickly became bored at yet another ball. The dancing, talking, and smiling were more tiring than any lesson. Deciding to escape, you headed for the balcony. The doors were guarded by guards, so you chose a different route.

“Well, at worst I’ll land on something soft,” you chuckled, climbing over the railing.

The plan turned out to be a disaster. Your foot slipped, your dress got caught, and you went flying.

But instead of hitting the ground, you were caught by strong arms.

The man with white hair and scarlet eyes looked at you completely calmly. He easily pulled you to your feet.

— I didn’t know that such ladies fall from the sky.

You blinked, still trying to figure out what happened.

“Have a nice evening,” he said and walked away as if catching falling princesses was a common occurrence for him.