Chapter 40

Due to the Einhorn Duchess's incomprehensible actions, I entrusted my grandfather and the Duke to settle the matter regarding the damage to my reputation. However, the Einhorn Duke insisted on a personal meeting with me to apologize.

Why? Why does he need to be so persistent?

Even if I say I don't want to meet here, it won't end there. He will definitely keep insisting until I nod in agreement.

Moreover, it seems the Duchess requested that an apology session be set up.

Ugh, it's becoming a troublesome situation again.

After all, by saying she wants to apologize, it means that her attitude towards me, someone she has never met, was intentional. In other words, does this mean I am disliked? Is there a need to meet? Probably not, right?

Even though I'm complaining, there's no point, so I decided to steel myself.

Still, I don't want to invite someone who has spread such malicious rumors about me in my home, the Sturmwind Palace. The other party is doing such a thing, so they must be wary of me too.

I asked the Chancellor to arrange the meeting in the palace's conference room. Originally, the meeting was supposed to include the two parties involved, me and the Duchess, as well as our guardians, my grandfather and the Einhorn Duke, and the Chancellor as a witness, making it a meeting of five people. However, my grandfather's schedule is not set.

You see, as the manager of the Forest of No Return, my grandfather must prioritize hunting magical beasts, so he is really busy.

This time, it was decided that the meeting would be a one-on-one between me and the Duchess, with the magic device for recording activated to document our conversation. This way, neither of us can complain.

The Einhorn Duchess who arrived has the characteristic colors of the Lave Kingdom's royal family: silver-blue hair and purple eyes. She is more beautiful than cute. She will probably grow up to be a sharp-featured beauty, like a queen.

"Lave Kingdom's shining—"

"Stop."

I interrupt the Duchess as she begins the formal greeting for royalty.

That greeting is way too much.

"Einhorn Duchess, that is a greeting for the Crown Prince. If you are to use it, it should be for Ignatz, who has been made Crown Prince. Please do not use that greeting towards me."

My words make the Einhorn Duchess look up in surprise. She seems a bit unbalanced.

"Let's skip the greeting. Please take a seat."

"Excuse me."

She performs a curtsy again and sits on the sofa I offered.

The twins serve tea on the table between us, bow, and silently move to the corner of the room.

After they leave, I reach for the spherical magic device on the table.

"I will record our conversation from here."

"...Yes."

As I activate the magic device, the Einhorn Duchess bows to me before reaching for her teacup.

"First Prince, I deeply regret the great inconvenience I have caused you due to my shallow attitude. I have no way to apologize. This incident is entirely my fault. I realize that my failure to consider the impact of my actions led to this situation. I will accept any punishment, so please do not hold the Einhorn family responsible."

She apologizes without making excuses and clearly understands the impact of her actions.

However, I can't quite tell if the damage to my reputation was intentional or accidental. Was it a coincidence or a calculated move?

"I have a few things I want to confirm. Can you answer them?"

"Yes, I will answer anything."

She is so honest. But why did she do such a thing?

"Until today, I had never spoken to or even met the Einhorn Duchess. I think we didn't know if we were compatible or not. Yet, I heard that the Einhorn Duchess showed an attitude of not wanting to be involved with me to the people around her. I think there must be a reason for this. Why is that?"

At my question, the Einhorn Duchess's expression stiffens.

I can't say it's okay if she doesn't want to answer, because her actions are too deliberate to be a coincidence.

The Einhorn Duchess, with a stiff expression, looks back and forth between me and the recording device, then tightens her lips and calls out to me.

"First Prince."

"Yes."

"Your Highness... do you believe in reincarnation?"

Not rebirth, but reincarnation. The choice of words is not a coincidence, right? You used those words on purpose, didn't you?

"I have memories of my past life."

Ah, I see, that's what it is.

"In my past life, I lived in a world different from this one."

"Wait a moment."

As the Einhorn Duchess was about to reveal her secret, I stopped her and reached for the recording device.

Well, it's definitely not a good idea to continue recording.

Regardless of how much her family knows about her, if this recording leaks, it will definitely cause a commotion.

And at that moment, my worst fear was confirmed.

I am very sorry, but I will not respond to comments. Please refrain from leaving questions.

If you enjoyed it, please like, bookmark, and rate it with a star. It will boost my motivation, so I would appreciate it.