Chapter 6

After finishing my gloomy dinner, I was summoned by Father.

Father is always extremely busy, and even the times for breakfast and dinner are separate.

There were also many days when we didn’t see each other at all.

So, the fact that he called me home must mean he has heard about the annulment of the engagement.

As my spirits, already lowered by the excessive use of spices, continued to plummet, I headed to Father’s study.

"You seem to have done something quite outrageous."

As soon as I entered, a baritone voice, as if coming from the depths of hell, greeted me.

It was a deeply intimidating, low-pitched voice, one that didn’t seem to belong to a real father, but the owner of that voice was indeed my father.

Galdosia Gramwell, the Duke of Gramwell.

Father’s name gives an imposing and powerful impression, and his face lives up to that name, being quite stern.

Even if I were to remove the bias of family, I would think that his face, with its mustache, is quite well-featured.

However, it’s the kind of beauty that instills fear and pressure, the type that might make a child cry.

I felt relieved that my appearance resembled my late mother.

The only thing I have in common with Father is the purple eyes; my golden hair and facial features are inherited from my mother.

Moreover, Father is not only stern in appearance but also has sharp eyes and an imposing presence.

To be honest, even as his daughter, I find him a bit intimidating and not someone I can easily talk to.

"Letitia, are you listening? Do you not understand what you did today?"

"……I apologize, Father. Regarding the annulment of the engagement and my exile, I deeply regret it."

Even though it was the best choice at the time, accepting the unreasonable demands of the Crown Prince was a decision that tarnished the reputation of the Duke’s family.

It’s only natural that Father is angry, and since the root cause of the conflict with the Crown Prince lies with me, I can only apologize.

In response to Father’s silent prompt, I reported the details of today’s annulment.

As I spoke, Father’s frown deepened, and I could almost see a dark aura emanating from his body.

"So, you were outdone by a sudden upstart girl who claims to be a saint, and lost your position as Fritz’s fiancée?"

"……That’s correct. I deeply regret breaking the engagement that Father arranged."

As I bowed my head, a dull pain pierced my chest.

Originally, my efforts to be a suitable fiancée for the Crown Prince were for Father’s sake.

I wanted to acquire the knowledge and culture befitting a future Crown Princess and deepen my relationship with Fritz.

I had a faint hope that Father would praise me for being such a fine daughter, and I worked hard for five years to become a proper princess.

The disappointment and reprimand from Father hurt deeper than when the Crown Prince broke the engagement.

"Raise your head, Letitia. You are the daughter of a Duke. Hold your head high with pride and stand straight."

"……Yes, Father."

"Since your exile cannot be reversed, I must find a suitable country for you to go to. I will be even busier, and it will be a while before we can talk again."

"I am deeply sorry for causing you so much trouble……"

My apology to Father was sincere.

……The reason is Father’s eyes.

His sharp, upturned eyes are usually like that, but now they are slightly bloodshot, and the shadows under his eyes are darker.

This makes his face even more intimidating………but it’s definitely a sign of overwork.

Thinking back to my days as a salaryman surrounded by colleagues with sallow faces, I can confidently say this is a sign of overwork.

"……This is the least I can do. I cannot let my daughter, the Duke’s daughter, suffer a miserable fate. ……Since you have incurred the Crown Prince’s displeasure, you should not show your face at the academy. Stay in this mansion until a decision is made."

"I understand. I will do as you say."

"……You no longer need to continue your education as a Crown Princess. If there are any books you haven’t had time to read, I can have them sent to you. Do you have any preferences for how you spend your time in the mansion?"

"Preferences, you say……"

I thought for a moment.

……I might as well ask for something I really want, even if it’s a long shot.

"Father, could you allow me to enter the kitchen?"

"The kitchen? What do you intend to do there?"

"I want to cook. I know it’s an unconventional request……. Is it not possible?"

In this country, noblewomen generally do not enter the kitchen.

While preparing a little tea and snacks is acceptable, it’s rare for a noblewoman to cook.

So, I was just expressing my hope, not expecting it to be granted.

"Very well, I will allow it."

"Eh?"

I was so surprised by his quick agreement that I blurted out a response.

"Father? Are you really okay with this?"

"Is this just a whim? Were you not serious?"

"……No, I was serious. I’ve always wanted to try cooking, so I’m very happy."

"Happy, huh……. It’s fine to be pleased, but be sure not to draw attention from outsiders. Do not injure yourself with fire or knives. Try to enjoy yourself as much as possible."

I offered my heartfelt gratitude to Father, who spoke in his deep voice, and left the room.

Father will be very busy from now on, and I didn’t want to overstay my welcome.

When I returned to my room with Lucian, who was waiting outside the door, I let out a sigh.

"I can’t believe he actually allowed it……"

Considering our relationship, I was as surprised as I was happy.

What a strange turn of events?

"Could Father be worried about me after the annulment……?"

Although his expression was stern and his words formal, there were hints of concern, like telling me to be careful not to hurt myself……

"……That’s unlikely……"

After all, Father never smiled.

……Not just today.

From as far back as I can remember, I have never seen Father smile.

……I’ve heard that Father rarely smiles.

However, when my three older brothers were young, he occasionally showed a smile.

The reason Father doesn’t smile at me must be related to my late mother.

Our family has four children, and I am the eldest daughter and the youngest child.

Father and Mother, like most nobles, had a political marriage, but they were a happy couple.

……I say “happy couple” because I don’t remember Mother’s appearance; I only know her from portraits.

After giving birth to me, Mother’s health declined, and she passed away.

In exchange for the death of the woman he loved, I was born into this world.

……That’s why I had almost given up on Father ever doting on me.

He never shouted at me or abused me, but there was always a distance in our interactions.

Of course, Father is very busy, and he didn’t have much time to spend with me.

Even so, I have never seen Father smile, and it was hard to believe I was loved.

I respect Father as a public figure and a noble, but there is a wall between us as father and daughter.

Even when he speaks kindly to me, it feels like it’s out of a sense of duty as the Duke.

“……My father in my previous life was so different……”

In this life, my father is Father.

In my previous life, my father was Dad, and I call them differently.

Dad often complained about his job and had his weak points, but he took me to many places when I was a child, and we maintained a good relationship even after I grew up.

……Dad, I wonder if he managed to lose weight after his belly started to show.

I’m also worried about the Shiba Inu, Jiro, I left behind at the accident scene, and my parents’ health.

Although I can’t do anything about it now that I’ve been reincarnated, I can’t help but worry.

I can only hope that my reliable younger brother, Tomoya, will take care of my parents.

“Hmm……?”

There’s a small nagging feeling.

What’s causing this sense of unease?

Is it my brother, Tomoya?

Why am I so worried about my brother———

“It’s not that……”

Suddenly, it hit me.

It’s the name.

I remember my brother’s name, my parents’ names, and even my elementary school teacher’s name, but———

“What is my name……?”

A chill ran down my spine.

The fact that I couldn’t remember my previous name, which I should have been familiar with, and that I hadn’t noticed this until now, sent a shiver down my spine.

It felt like a part of my memory had been eaten away.

I couldn’t recall either my first name or my last name.

“Is this the effect of reincarnation……?”

I was hit by a truck and woke up in this world.

I don’t remember meeting any divine beings or being given any special mission.

However, this gap in my memory could only be attributed to the effects of reincarnation.

Once I noticed, it felt unnatural.

I tried to recall my previous name, searching my mind.

Remember. Remember. Remember.

What was my nickname?

I remember being called by a nickname throughout elementary, middle, and high school.

But I couldn’t remember what that nickname was, which might be a clue to my real name.

Remember, remember, remember———

———Capibara.

“Huh?”

The out-of-place word that popped into my mind made my thoughts freeze.

Then, I remembered a memory from my early elementary school days.

“Hey, you’re so relaxed and easy-going, like a capybara.”

“Yeah, you’re usually spacey, but when you need to, you can move quickly, like a capybara.”

I remembered my classmates calling me “Capiko” because I was like a capybara.

“Pfft, what’s that……”

The ridiculous sound made me chuckle.

In my previous life, I was “Capiko”……

As soon as I remembered, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders.

……Since I can’t remember my real name or a nickname derived from it, there’s no point in worrying about it.

There are many things about reincarnation that I’m curious about, but I can’t do anything about them now.

After all, in my previous life, I was a laid-back and ordinary office lady.

I tried to think about the future of the country as a Duke’s daughter and worried about my relationship with Father……

But I think I’m not the type to worry seriously for long.

A Japanese office lady and a noblewoman in a different world.

They seem like completely different personalities, but they are both me, I’m sure.

Even though my memories only resurfaced today, I felt that the core of my personality was the same.

If that’s the case, maybe I can relax a bit more now.

I’ve been tense every day, trying to be a future Crown Princess and a Duke’s daughter.

I wanted to believe that I could live a little more freely and in my own way.

“……I’ll go to bed for now……”

Today has been eventful.

I need to rest and———

———I want to try making delicious food.