Command this is Alpha 0-1. I got her!
2495 Words
After the graduation ceremony, the royal palace conducted a celebration for Gerald del Stuard and Roland del Stuart. Also, their social debut is celebrated along with their graduation ceremony, meaning that everyone who attended this event is the sons and daughters of the nobles who were in lavish suits and gowns.
One of them is Catarina Belmont, who seems to be wearing a long sleeveless white gown that accentuates her peachy soft skin. Her ample bosom has grown up as well. Everyone who gazes their eyes at Catarina can’t help but sigh in admiration.
If this girl were to be engaged to someone. Then that guy must be super lucky. Gerald watched her from the distance surrounded by noble girls who seemed to be casually holding a conversation. He never saw Catarina being more lively than before. Also, she’s not the only one who is noticeable at the party. Elise Clorance, the second girl he made friends with. She was going along with the conversation of the girls. She has grown into a fine woman as well.
In the past, they were adorable but now they are beautiful. The most beautiful woman he was in love with and the woman he made friends with, became even beautiful.
His eyes are only locked on to Catarina to guard her against any man who seeks her. He cannot let that happen. Meanwhile, someone tugged his sleeves. It was his brother who’s likely observing him for some time now.
“Your lady is becoming more beautiful than I imagined huh?”
Roland told him with a slight red on his cheek. Is he perhaps stunned by Catarina?
“Oi, don’t even think about stealing my girl. She’s mine. I already declared my love eight years ago.” He protested.
“Okay, okay. By the way, I’m already engaged to someone.” He said boastfully.
“Huh? Who might that be?” He said dubiously.
“You’ll know in the future. It was not formal yet so I don’t want to get ahead of myself hehe.”
He teased him with those words. As if that girl is more beautiful than Catarina. Also, his engagement to Catarina has not been yet formal since he declared a challenge to her when they were eight years old.
The days passed by really fast, and ever since he recalled his memories during spring when he was eight years old, another seven years has passed before he even noticed.
Declaring her love to Catarina every day like it was his everyday routine, traveling with her throughout the Empire, and spending time with her in the library. He is so confident that all of his efforts will not be in vain but rather he will get the reward he’s been longing for.
In this world, fifteen is the age at which noble children are required to make their debut.
And this day has arrived. Since he convinced his father to celebrate his graduation and social debut together. His father agreed. Although it was not as easy as it is. He insisted but in return, he will make his debut grander than anyone.
He has a leeway of personal money to be able to execute this kind of high-ranking party. Thanks to the war that stopped the revolution of the colonies. It seems like the Brittia Empire is stable again.
Speaking of Brittia Empire, he has small concerns regarding the timeline. If stopping one major doom of the Empire. Does that mean that the other major doom will change? Like will the Krimean war happen? The epidemic and so forth? Altering the timeline and messing with it was not a good thing. Especially on a global scale. Meaning that time beyond this point is unpredictable here.
He has no choice but to face those consequences of an undetermined future. He can only use foreknowledge attained back in the modern world to get ahead in life.
Well, this is not the time to get him concerned about this matter. If major doom showed up. He can just face it bravely and act accordingly. The Unified States grew larger and larger to the point that it was the second-largest territory in the world behind the Canadium Kingdom. The Unified States are now named Brittia Columbus.
Today is the day where he shall have fun. This party has been planned ever since several years ago as his social debut, and it was held in the Royal Palace.
By the way, this party will be a dance party. Meaning he has to greet guest, and will even have to dance.
Even though he is a great engineer and scientist back in the modern world, unfortunately, he didn’t have much of a sense of rhythm, he’s not very good at dancing. Which is embarrassing for the male lead. How is he going to assert dominance if he’s not good at dancing? Thinking that made him cringe the hell out of him.
However! He trained under his mother’s supervision for this birthday party. Which gave him a glimpse of how to dance properly. There’s no need to worry. Just follow the instructions. Dancing is like science. It has a process that will attain you favorable results.
Since the party was scheduled in the evening and the graduation ceremony was held in the morning. He rushed himself back to the royal palace and groomed himself properly. The attendees also did the same. So, the guests here properly groomed themselves favorable to this party.
And so, he saw Catarina in a very elegant long sleeveless gown. He is wearing his full formal attire.
Then he escorted Catarina through the dance hall after greeting all the guests. As expected, she is so beautiful that he can stare at her forever. If he was granted the power to slow down the time. This is the moment.
“Catarina, you’re very beautiful tonight.”
“Thank you very much.”
When the blonde-haired blue-eyed prince paid her a compliment and smiled, the women around them swooned a little at the sight. To them, Gerald is a full package, both his appearance and abilities are superb. That’s why, as his fiance, she received the jealousy of all other women. Especially Elise Clorance who’s looking at him filled with jealousy.
Though, he’s barely holding up in dancing. To the women who surround them, it looks completely fine.
And after he danced with Catarina, his second dance partner is Elise Clorance who’s longing for his affection for a long time.
These two have a history since Elise occasionally visits the Royal Palace so Gerald can tutor her regarding biology. As a result, she became fond of biology and even the man who taught her the wonders of it.
To her, Gerald is her life-longed prince. Her affection towards him is clearly obvious even to the point that she declared her love to him whenever they ended a lesson.
Seeing Elise who was so close to her. He then realized that her beauty is on par with Catarina, Her auburn hair drooped all the way to her waist wearing an indigo long sleeveless dress. A body is so slim that Gerald can’t get but aroused when he touched her waist. Though, he repeated to himself that Catarina is the best girl he can’t help but fight his nature.
“Ara, Gerald-Kun are you perhaps stunned by my beauty? You’re looking at me intensely as if you’re planning something for me.”
She teased her with those words. Gerald who’s holding up his face which is completely turned red denied her circumstantial claim.
“Huh? It’s true that you’re beautiful but you know that…”
He wants to say he loves Catarina so she can stop her teasing. But it may hurt her emotionally. Even though he declared his love to Catarina six years ago. It was because she was a child and immature. But this time her personal development increased a lot and is acting maturely even at their time in school. He cannot reciprocate her love.
“Never mind,” He averted his face trying to hide it.
“I know that you love her right? But that doesn’t mean that I will give up. I believe in myself that I have a chance.”
She said but her tone is weak and full of sadness. She’s trying to keep up an appearance of ‘I’m fine’ expression. But to Gerald, he can read it like a book.
Polygamy is illegal in this Empire and even though he’s hurt seeing her sad like this. He wishes that there will be a man that will love her as much as she does.
Then they finished dancing. Gerald was hurt seeing her sad like that. Catarina noticed her and asked about it.
“I see, It’s really sad to see her like that. She was a bashful girl back then who’s afraid of socializing but with your help. You really changed her. Gerald? Why do you love me so much? Even though I haven’t shown you any affection when you declared your love to me at the library. You persisted.”
“The reason is the same. That’s because I love you. Feelings are abstract and can’t be explained in a simpler way. If there is a word that can describe my love to you. Then it contains eight letters and it’s spelled I-L-O-V-E-Y-O-U”
“Hmm, by the way, I have a gift for you.” She grabbed something on the ground and it was covered exquisitely by plastic tied in a red ribbon.
“A cookie?” He noticed, “I can’t believe you really made one.”
“I made it for you because you were being cheeky and said ‘Catarina, can you even bake?’”
“I’m sorry. I’m the one at fault. I was cheeky. ‘I’m sorry’” He said politely as he bows his head.
“It’s fine if you understand”
“Then let’s taste the cookies.”
…
Gerald took a handful of cookies made by her beloved. It was delicious. He can taste that love is put on the cookies. Is Catarina conscious of me? Does she have feelings towards him that he has been waiting for so long? He gathered his resolve again and said.
“Uhm, Catarina.”
“What?” It was a repulsive response, which was completely normal to her.
“I love you. I want you to be my wife.”
She felt nothing! She just bit a cookie and showed no expression. She even averted her face trying not to look at him.
“Huh? You’re ignoring me?” He was worried at this point that he’ll be rejected again.
“When I hear the same thing for an entire seven years, I stop feeling anything. My heart doesn’t race.”
“After you made me say it...that’s cruel.”
Gerald knew that he was teasing him, so this is how she wants to do it huh? Gerald readied himself and acted along the way.
“I see. I’ve been denied. I guess I’ll have to look over for a new romance, then.”
He said in a gloomy tone that made Catarina worried a little.
“Huh? Wait…”
“Thank you for everything up until now.” He politely bowed his head.
“I didn’t exactly say no! Why are you giving up?” Her tone is getting louder a little.
“Then, will you?”
When she was asked by Gerald’s ultimate trump card. Catarina perplexedly jumped a little.
“This is so cheeky of you, Gerald.” Her bashful cheek turned red and still avoiding eye contact with him.
“Will you?” He said straightly
“Hmm.” She nodded bashfully, “I will.”
She’s not making eye contact with him instead she’s acting bashfully. It was a cute scene to Gerald making her act like that.
“So, Catarina, how do you feel about me?”
“How I feel? That’s…”
“That’s?”
She’s twiddling her fingers.
“That doesn’t matter right?”
She said, trying to keep her emotion to blow out.
“It does because it's not alright.”
Then Catarina composed herself confidently and said.
“You really want me to tell you?”
“Yes.”
“Look! A bird”
“Huh?” Gerald looked at the window she pointed at. And then a warm gentle lips pressed on his cheeks. He saw Catarina kiss her on the cheek that made Gerald blushed all around his angelic face.
“You understand now, yes?”
Gerald was speechless and no words can describe his feelings whirling inside of him. He then pressed his cheek that touched Catarina’s lips. Caressing it gently and said.
“I wish it was a mouth-to-mouth kiss. Hehe,” He teased her.
“Don’t get carried away.”
“Ow…” He felt someone’s on top of his foot. It was Catarina.”
“Gerald! Your Majesty wishes to see you!” Roland shouted across.
“Okay!”
After what was considered to be the first kiss he received from Catarina, Gerald couldn’t keep the goofy grin off his face all the way home. When he came to the front door of King’s office, he jumped in it but didn't come close to tripping.
“Father? What’s your humble son need to do? I’ll be glad to do anything.” He still has the goofy grin on his face remembering the blissful memories. The warm lips touched his cheek. It was the best thing he received on his birthday.
“You look so happy Gerald. But that happiness will grow even more when I say something to you.”
“And that is?”
“Your engagement to Catarina will be announced later!”
Hearing those words, Gerald couldn't help but jump in joy as if he won the lottery. This is the best day of his life if he became a king. He might add this day as a national holiday to see how proud he is to have Catarina as his wife.
- Writer
