"Oh my, from childhood friends to an engaged couple! Isnβt that so romantic?"
"Yeah. No, itβs not."
"You two were always together back in the academy, right?"
"Ah, thatβs true."
It all began during our academy days.
I was exhausted from the constant stream of marriage proposals.
βWhat about me?β
βWhat?β
βAs your marriage partner.β
And so, I ended up signing a contract engagement with my friend, Aivert!
Thus, we began acting like a couple who couldnβt live without each other.
Of course, I can swear that heβs just a friend.
But as time passed, and when the end of the contract was approachingβ¦
"Soon, I'll be free!"
I thought the embarrassing couple act would soon be over! Butβ¦
βClank.
An unexpected event occurred.
I stared, bewildered, at the handcuffs now on both my wrist and Aivertβs.
What kind of situation is this?
*
I thought weβd just be stuck together, and as long as we did our part, everything would be fine.
After all, acting as a couple would get easier, right?
I kept thinking positively about it, butβ¦
Holding the key to the handcuffs, Aivert Royden subtly tilted his head.
βIf I break this, would you be disappointed?β
Rodellaβs eyes went wide.
The shy and cautious childhood friend from her memories was gone, replaced by a stranger, yet someone familiar.
He wore a look that stirred strange feelings in her.
"You said it yourself. A madman should be tied up."
Clank. He shook his bound wrist.
"If I take this offβ¦"
If I drift away from you, if I let this opportunity slip awayβ¦
"I think I might go crazy. What should I do?"