— — — — — —
Yukina froze.
For some reason, she suddenly remembered the past year and a half of "home economics" training… which, in hindsight, felt suspiciously like bridal classes.
No way…
But if Ryo was right — if the Lion King Agency really intended to send them as wives — everything lined up.
The selection test six months ago was checking which girls Ryo didn't dislike.
Those embarrassing interview questions from Senior Shirona tested how well she and Sayaka could accept Ryo.
Having Ryo watch the exams was to familiarize him with his potential fiancées.
And this "escort mission"… wasn't escorting at all, but a job-labeled blind date?
Yukina's cheeks burst into bright red.
Any pure girl who suddenly realized she was basically on a date would react the same way — panic, confusion, and a wave of shyness.
Sayaka stared blankly. "You're kidding, right?"
She and Yukina were being gifted as companions to Ryo? Was Shirona really that evil?
Not only forcing them to not date each other, but marry the same man? To live a secret, forbidden… wait.
Actually, that didn't sound bad at all.
If they married the same guy, then minus that guy, it was basically her and Yukina being married.
Perfect.
And if that guy happened to be Ryo — someone she didn't hate — even better.
If they could fake-marry him while using him as cover for their real relationship, that would be checkmate.
Senior Shirona, I misjudged you. You were doing this for me all along. What a brilliant setup.
Ryo listened to Sayaka and nodded solemnly. "Yeah. That part was a lie."
"Eh?" Yukina tilted her head, stunned.
Ryo smiled, crossing one leg over the other. "I meant the companion thing was the lie."
"Wha—?" Sayaka squeaked, genuinely shocked.
Yukina narrowed her eyes suspiciously. Clearly not buying it.
"Think about it. No matter how messed up I am, I wouldn't consider minors as potential partners."
Ryo calmly lied with a smile.
"The truth is, the Lion King Agency planned to pledge allegiance to me over a year ago, but because of their ties to the government, it had to be done secretly."
"You've studied history, right?"
"A bit," Yukina nodded.
"Then you should know the concept of hostages."
Yukina turned to Sayaka. Sayaka looked just as stunned.
"Got it? Lion King Agency wants to side with me. You two are their hostages. So logically and morally, I'm obligated to keep you safe. Understand?"
"Mostly," Yukina nodded calmly on the outside.
Inside, she was sighing.
So… Senior Shirona even managed to fool Ryo?
Hostages? She didn't buy that at all.
She wasn't that important. Hostages in history weren't random girls with no political weight.
So the "hostage" story was clearly a cover.
The real plan was to become Ryo's lover.
I see… Sensei, now I understand why you all demonstrated housewife skills in class and told me I'd make a great wife. You were hinting at the higher-ups' intention.
And when you dragged Sayaka to the podium every day to study embarrassing romance topics… you thought she wouldn't get the hint.
I can't condone your methods, but I finally grasp Lion King Agency's plan thanks to your guidance… Although it was so vague I still have no idea what to actually do!
Am I supposed to cooperate and deceive Ryo? But I could never do that!
Yukina stared at Ryo with a complicated look.
She was supposed to live with this man from now on? Become husband and wife?
And realizing Ryo was being tricked by Lion King Agency and turned into an unwitting "King"… that made her oddly sympathetic.
She wanted to tell him the truth, but the Agency had raised her for years — she couldn't betray that.
"So in the end we're just hostages…" Sayaka muttered, clearly disappointed.
Ryo's eyelid twitched as he stared at her strangely.
Something was wrong with this girl.
Most girls would reject the bride idea and accept the hostage idea.
She looked like she regretted not being allowed to marry him.
'I held your hand one time a year ago, that's not a binding contract… am I that charming?'
After a moment, Ryo coughed. "Anyway, just know your position and do your actual job."
"Of course, publicly you're my bodyguards, so during the visit to the Aldegyr Kingdom, I expect you to handle that part properly."
"We understand," they answered.
Satisfied, Ryo smiled and asked. "Have you had lunch? I can have the flight attendant prepare something."
"No, we ate before… huh? What's with your face? Did something happen?"
Yukina blinked at Ryo's sudden serious expression.
Ryo turned his head.
Outside the window, the clouds vanished, revealing a small volcanic island.
"Well, that's interesting."
His lips curled in amusement.
Then the intercom crackled and the captain's voice came through, "Emergency notice: the plane cannot identify navigational signals, repeat, cannot identify navigational signals."
"Wait… strange alerts incoming?"
"Demon Special Zone: Onrai Island? What even is that?"
.
.
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