The first egg hit the palace gates at precisely nine in the morning.
This was how Aerin learned that not everyone approved of his "engagement."
He watched from an upper window as the egg slid slowly down the white stone, leaving behind a streak of yolk that felt deeply judgmental.
"…Is that a protest egg?" he asked.
"Yes," Lina replied, sipping tea beside him. "That's actually a restrained one."
Aerin paled. "Restrained?"
She gestured to the courtyard below.
Dozens of former candidates stood behind barricades, holding signs.
HE PROMISED FAIR COURTSHIP
I BOUGHT A DRESS FOR THIS
SHE NODDED FIRST, NOT HER
Aerin sank into the chair.
"I didn't promise anything," he whispered.
"You nodded," Lina reminded him.
"I nod when I panic."
"That's most of the time."
Another egg hit the wall.
The Harem Alarm gave an irritated buzz, then stopped—as if it too was tired of the situation.
Inside the council chamber, the mood was worse.
Lord Halbrecht paced.
Lady Merrowin pinched the bridge of her nose.
Master Orrick pretended to be invisible.
"This fake engagement has destabilised the courtship process," Halbrecht snapped. "We have offended foreign houses, humiliated nobility, and angered women who are very organised."
"They formed a schedule," Lina muttered.
Halbrecht glared. "We cannot simply let this continue."
Aerin raised his hand weakly.
"I could… stop?"
Everyone stared at him.
"Stop?" Merrowin echoed.
"Yes," Aerin said, gaining a dangerous amount of confidence. "End the courtship. No queen. No alarm. No eggs."
The room went dead silent.
Then—
The Harem Alarm screamed.
WEEEOOOO WEEEOOOO
Red light filled the chamber.
⚠ ROYAL LINE INSTABILITY ⚠
ACTION REQUIRED
Aerin shrieked. "WHY DOES IT YELL AT ME LIKE THAT?"
Merrowin folded her hands. "Because quitting is not an option."
"I'm the king!"
"Yes," Halbrecht said. "Which makes your personal happiness a secondary concern."
Aerin deflated instantly.
"So I'm trapped," he said.
"Not trapped," Merrowin corrected. "Guided."
"That's worse."
Meanwhile, the palace had developed a new problem.
Sir Cassian Valecrest was jealous.
This was alarming.
Cassian stood in the training yard, swinging his sword far harder than necessary. Guards gave him a wide berth. One recruit fainted when Cassian split a practice dummy clean in half.
"Everything alright?" Lina asked from the sidelines.
Cassian smiled.
It was not a happy smile.
"Perfectly," he said. "Why wouldn't it be?"
She glanced toward the balcony where Aerin and Mira stood talking quietly.
Cassian followed her gaze.
"…Oh," he said flatly.
He sheathed his sword with unnecessary force.
Aerin and Mira were not discussing anything important.
Which was the problem.
They leaned against the railing, watching birds argue over crumbs.
"This wasn't supposed to last," Mira said.
"I know," Aerin replied.
"And yet," she added.
"And yet," he echoed.
They stood in comfortable silence.
The Harem Alarm hovered nearby, quiet, glowing softly.
"I tried to quit today," Aerin said suddenly.
Mira looked at him. "How did that go?"
"It yelled at me."
"That sounds right."
Aerin hesitated. "Do you… want this to end?"
Mira considered.
"I didn't plan for this," she said carefully. "But I don't hate it."
He smiled. "Neither do I."
That was when Cassian cleared his throat loudly behind them.
Both jumped.
"Sir Cassian!" Aerin said. "I didn't hear you."
"That's new," Cassian replied.
Mira sensed danger and stepped back politely. "I should go."
She left quickly.
Cassian leaned against the railing beside Aerin.
"So," he said. "Engaged."
"Fake," Aerin corrected.
Cassian nodded. "Right."
The Harem Alarm made a suspicious click.
Cassian smirked. "You know people think she's already won."
Aerin winced. "That wasn't my intention."
"I know," Cassian said. "That's the part that bothers me."
Aerin blinked. "Why?"
Cassian sighed. "Because you're not trying."
"And that's bad?"
"It makes it real," Cassian said.
Aerin opened his mouth.
Closed it.
He had no response.
The backlash peaked at dinner.
The Great Hall was filled with tense politeness and suppressed rage. Former candidates sat in rigid rows. Mira sat beside Aerin, hands folded.
A noblewoman stood suddenly.
"I challenge the engagement!" she declared.
Several others stood with her.
"I second that!"
"So do I!"
Halbrecht slammed his staff. "ORDER!"
Aerin panicked.
"I didn't choose yet!" he blurted. "This isn't final!"
The room erupted.
Mira leaned close. "You might want to be clearer."
"I don't know how!"
The Harem Alarm rang once.
Then—
Cassian stepped forward.
"Enough," he said calmly.
The room quieted instantly.
"I've trained kings, soldiers, and fools," Cassian continued. "And I've never seen one look as miserable as His Majesty does right now."
Aerin stared.
Cassian turned to him.
"If you don't want this," he said quietly, "say so."
The room held its breath.
Aerin looked at Mira.
She met his eyes.
No pressure.
No demand.
Just honesty.
"I don't want the process," Aerin said clearly. "I don't want competition. I don't want a parade of expectations."
The Harem Alarm glowed.
"I want to choose slowly," he continued. "Without chasing. Without forcing."
The crystal pulsed.
"And if that means I choose no one for a while… then that's what I'll do."
Silence.
Then—
The alarm chimed.
⏳ COURTSHIP MODE: PAUSED ⏳
STATUS: PERSONAL SELECTION ENABLED
Aerin sagged with relief.
Merrowin smiled faintly. "Well done."
Halbrecht groaned.
The crowd murmured.
Some stormed out.
Others stayed.
Mira exhaled softly.
Cassian watched Aerin with new respect.
Later that night, Aerin stood alone in the garden.
Mira approached quietly.
"You didn't have to do that," she said.
"I wanted to," he replied.
She smiled. "Good."
The Harem Alarm hovered above them, calm.
Cassian passed by, nodding once at Aerin.
"No hard feelings," he said. "Just… don't waste it."
Aerin nodded.
"I won't."
Mira looked up at the stars.
"So," she said lightly, "still fake?"
Aerin thought.
"…Let's keep pretending," he said. "Just a little longer."
Mira laughed softly.
"Alright," she agreed. "But carefully."
The alarm hummed.
Not loud.
Not warning.
Just… waiting.