Chapter -3 The Final Fiancées
After the intense meeting with the king and queen, and Rei's sharp-edged challenge, I thought I had seen enough surprises for one day.
I was wrong.
Rin, Mi, and Rei—each graceful, composed, and strong in their own right—escorted me to a private chamber deep within the castle. Ornate chairs formed a half-circle around a glowing crystal table. There were no guards. No servants. This meeting was meant to be secret. Only the Yuma family knew the truth: I had come from another world.
Rin glanced at a time crystal embedded in the wall.
"They should be arriving any minute."
"The final two fiancées?" I asked.
"Yes," she nodded. "They're our half-sisters. From a different mother. But they're family—fully and without question."
"And there's no conflict between you?"
"None," Rin answered firmly. "We love each other more than anything. Our mother raised us equally. Even those who weren't hers. There's no favoritism in this family."
Rei folded her arms, gaze serious.
"This isn't some royal soap opera. We were sisters before we were princesses. That hasn't changed."
Minutes passed.
Then the chamber doors opened.
The first to enter was a tall, relaxed woman with golden-blonde hair cascading freely down her back. Her outfit was informal, playful—both in color and in design. Her emerald eyes sparkled with teasing mischief.
"Yuuuu~ So this is the famous outsider fiancé?" she said with a grin.
Before I could respond, she threw her arms around my neck.
"I'm Meria Yuma! Twenty-six. Your fourth bride-to-be! Don't worry—I'm the fun one."
Her energy was intoxicating. She held me like spring wind. She smelled faintly of wildflowers.
"You don't need to look so stiff, future hubby~" she teased. "Geez, are you always this serious?"
"Only when strangers hug me unexpectedly."
Rin let out a sigh, though there was a faint smile on her face.
"Meria, behave."
"Fiiiine~" Meria released me and spun in place. "Different mother, sure—but we grew up like real sisters. I even gave up the title of Crown Princess. No one treated me differently."
"You gave it up?" I asked.
"Yep!" she said, dropping into a chair beside me. "Too much responsibility. Rin deserved it more."
There was no resentment in her tone. Just pure honesty.
Then I noticed a second presence.
A girl entered slowly—delicate, quiet, almost ethereal. Pale skin. Long, icy-blue hair. Gentle blue eyes that held entire seasons of emotion. Her every step felt measured, graceful.
"Riem?" Rin called out gently.
The girl nodded with hesitation.
"Y-Yes… I'm sorry I'm late…"
"It's alright," I said. "You don't need to apologize."
She bowed softly, fingers clutching the hem of her dress.
"I'm Riem Yuma… I'm twenty-one. I've been looking forward to meeting you, Yuu-sama."
Rin placed a hand on her shoulder, reassuring and warm.
"She's the youngest. Her mother was a wolf beastfolk. She passed during childbirth."
I nodded. Riem's aura was unmistakable—gentle, calm, yet strong.
"That explains the feel around her. Soft, but powerful."
Riem flushed, eyes lowered.
"I-I'll do my best… even if I'm not as strong as the others."
"You're stronger than you think. Kindness is a form of strength too."
With all five sisters now gathered—each stunning, distinct, and tightly bonded—I looked back at the king and queen in my mind.
If they were entrusting their daughters to me, I would protect them. Not as an obligation.
But as a choice.
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Training & Growth
The days that followed were intense.
I trained in secret under Rei Yuma—my third fiancée and swordmaster. Every morning before sunrise, we met in the private training courtyard. Her strikes were sharp. Unforgiving. Exact.
"You'll never survive a real battle with footwork like that," Rei barked during one session.
"Then show me how to stand."
She didn't go easy on me. I didn't want her to.
We sparred until I collapsed. I stood up again. Over and over.
When training ended, I studied. Magic theory. Political structure. Battle records. Ritual breakdowns. Rin brought documents from the castle archive. Mi and Riem sat with me at night, reading late by candlelight.
I discovered journals written by a previous hero. He was chosen—but not prepared.
I wouldn't repeat his mistakes.
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A Moonlit Promise
One evening, after another exhausting day of training and research, Rin appeared at my door.
"Yuu," she said. "Come with me."
We walked through the royal gardens. The moon hung bright and clear above us, silver light glistening across the flowers. Floating lanterns lit our path. The air smelled like lavender and rain.
Rin stopped beneath a cherry blossom tree, petals drifting softly around us.
"You've changed," she whispered. "You're stronger than before."
"I missed you. After everything, when I saw you again… all I wanted was to hold you. Kiss you. Tell you that I love you."
Her cheeks turned pink. Her smile was radiant.
"Then do it."
I stepped forward and kissed her. Gently. Deeply. Under the moonlight. The moment felt suspended in time.
When we finally pulled apart, I embraced her.
"I don't know what lies ahead. But I'll make all five of you happy. I swear it. I'll protect you all—with my life."
Rin rested her head against my chest.
"And we'll protect you too."
Above us, the stars shimmered.
And for the first time in this strange world, I truly felt like I belonged.
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