I refused the crown prince's proposal because I'm gay!

Chapter 20

Anri stood with her lips pursed as she stared at the entrance of the ducal house. Well, she can't really call it a house now can she. Her fingers fidget nervously at the letter embroidered with a certain platinum blonde color. She glances back at the carriage she arrived in only to sigh as she watches it drive away. "I look like an idiot just standing here."

"Yes you do." the goddess chides at her. "And after I spent so much effort making you look presentable, you are forbidden from embarrassing me."

Anri laughed lightheartedly as she took a deep breath and stepped forth.

The two guards standing in front of the gate gave her a glance over before reaching a handout. Anri stared at them confused for a moment.

"You're invitation please miss."

"Oh, right." She gingerly placed the letter into their hands and watched tentatively as they opened it for examination. Of course, she wants it back, it's good quality paper. It's not like she wants it back to frame it above her bed to read and pray over it every night like a bible.

"Welcome, you may enter Holy Saintess." They stepped aside with a bow allowing her to enter, after returning her invitation.

"Entering the Holy Saintess."

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"So..." Anri inquires to the goddess privately. "Great wise Goddess Empusa any wisdom to shed on this interesting predicament."

"As an overseeing all-powerful immortal, we shouldn't meddle in the lives of the nons.' quote by the Goddess Empusa's entrusted familiar Kaguya," The Goddess offers. "sometime last month."

"So you won't be helping."Anri pouts feeling incredibly wronged. To her left is the first and undeservingly crowned prince of the empire. And to her, right is the more accomplished but less acknowledged second prince of the empire. He was also not in the original canon novel. Then again the Goddess Empusa and her raven companion are also not in the canon material.

Also, can you guess who's in front of her? Anri shivered as she felt those sharp crystal eyes glare in her direction.

"To put it in simpler terms, will you be mine?" The first prince bent down on one knee and placed a kiss on her hands. "My dear Saintess."

The gasp that followed this statement was astounding. Don't even get her started on the side eyes she was getting from the other noble ladies.

"I- um." Anri froze at his proclamation. Is he serious? Should I tell him that I'm gay? Actually, these people probably don't even know what that means. I mean the only reason I liked him in Enchantment was because he was a compelling character... written by a dumbass anyway. But I was too inexperienced in the reverse harem genre to notice he was a shit character. Those haters were absolutely right for bashing him on Twitter.

Maybe tell him he's not my type?

"I promise to make you the most joyous empress in this realm," the manchild gleamed at her. Then turned to give Lady Blanca, his actual fiance, a smug look. "All those other maidens would be so jealous of your happiness."

Why does he look so proud of himself for saying that? For a split moment, Anri almost forgot about her promise to not embarrass the goddess. But she composed herself quickly, internally grimacing at the idea. She's already busy enough as the Holy Saintess, why in the world would she take on the Empress mantle and gain more work for herself.

The saintess looked over to the platinum blonde to give her a look that contained a mixture of an apology, a plea for help, and disgust for men like the first prince in general. Only to yelp in shock as the lady she was searching for collapsed onto the floor, her hands bloodied as a familiar gem fell out and slid across the floor. It was the pin in her hair.