How Did I Became Ijekiel Alpehus' Fiancé?

18

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Wow, everyone's attention averted to us along with their judging gaze. It's been a long time since I've faced this kind of pressure. I looked at Athy and saw that she was very much nervous because of the nobles.

"Athy.." I called out to her which made her look at me with fear visible around her face.

"What's the matter, you two?" I moved my gaze up to daddy.

"The pressure, daddy..it's scary."

It's true, the pressure is very much overwhelming to the point that it made me and Athy freak out. I scooted closer to the man, I know Athy did the same.

I glanced at the crowd and saw that they already had themselves bowing. Relief washed over me when their judging gazes finally fell to the ground.

"I can make them keep their heads down like that until the ceremony is over, if you two want." Daddy started guiding us down the stairs.

"N-No. It's okay, daddy. Because we have you by our side." Athy finally spoke which made me smile.

"I agree, these girls waited for months and years for this day." I replied which made her look at me with a smile plastered on her face before nodding.

"I didn't take you two for the type to get nervous about such trivial things." He said which made me let out a nervous chuckle.

"It's intimidating, even Athy was overwhelmed by the pressure." I proclaimed with a small smile.

"Considering how you two were ripping my hair out and hitting my face when you were little, dancing in front of a crowd shouldn't be much of an ordeal. You two were an insolent thing back then, Annalisa's still the same in some ways." I ignored his remark and just smiled.

The three of us finally took our last step off the stairs. I let go of daddy's hand which made his eyes widen and look at me, along with Athy who averted her eyes to me with a worried gaze.

"Having to dance with both of us at the same time is not appropriate for etiquette, do dance with Athy first, daddy." I smiled as I did a curtsy before making my way to Felix who also had a worried expression on his face.

Before I knew it, I was stopped by a chest which made me raise my gaze. My eyes widened in shock when I saw Ijekiel standing before me with a smile and a hand on his chest.

"Blessings and glory upon the Obelian empire." He stated as he bowed a little to me, I was still trying to process what was happening.

W-What...WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING RIGHT NOW?! I glanced at the crowd and saw their eyes on me and on something else. I averted my gaze back to the white haired man who just stood straight.

"May I ask for your hand to dance, 2nd princess?" He questioned as he stretched out his hand to me.

He looked too charming, the feeling of being wary about him started fading away as I drowned in the look of his eyes. I pressed my lips into a thin line, what I'm about to do next is something I thought I'd never do.

"Of course, lord Ijekiel." I unconsciously blurted out as I grabbed his offered hand which made his smile widen.

"I'll do my very best to satisfy your expectations of me, my princess." He whispered the last part which made me look at him in daze.

Damn this man and his unbearable charm. Even though I thought that to myself,

I knew I was expecting him to ask me for my first dance today.

He gently guided me to the center where Athy and daddy are currently dancing. We parted a bit which made my hand miss the warmness of his.

I did a curtsy, I assumed he bowed. We stood straight and collided once again. He snaked his right arm around my waist which startled me, I placed my left hand on his shoulder.

His free hand made its way to mine, the one that's still on the side, and raised it up. He started the dance with his foot gliding to the side, taking me with him.

I looked down and tried my best to not make any mistakes. It's a good thing I practiced everyday for this. I mentally cried to myself.

"Please look at my eyes, Anna."

His words abruptly made me raise my gaze and met his eyes that seemed to be devouring me. I widened my eyes in shock before he twirled me around.

The brief wind calmed my face and left out my heart for it to continue its fast pace because of the man I'm currently with. I collided with his chest and met his golden orbs again.

"You know, Ijekiel." I finally spoke which made his smile widen.

"You're finally dropping the honorifics, Anna." He replied which I ignored.

"Why do you keep on persisting me?" I questioned as we swayed.

"With what, my lady?"

There he is, again. Acting like he doesn't know what he's doing, acting like he's just clueless.

Acting like he doesn't know how big his effect is to my heart.

"I hate you, Ijekiel. Stop toying with my feelings for it isn't a toy for you to play. Stop acting like you're clueless with what you're doing for you to get this kind of reaction from me."

I unconsciously blurted out that which made me widen my eyes. My whole world crumbled because of my honesty, I quickly moved away from him with my hand gripping on my chest.

"E-Excuse me.."

I turned around and attempted to walk away but a hand grabbed mine and turned me around, pulling me back to his broad chest. I yelped until I felt the hand intertwining with mine.

"I love you."

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