Chapter 1

"Angeline Steizen, I am breaking our engagement."

The one who called Angeline Steizen, the duke's daughter, and presented the termination of their engagement was her fiancé, Prince Leonhardt Bartzuri. By his side were three other men, glaring at her sternly.

Fried Marcott, the son of a marquis and the prince's guard knight. Dennis Colden, the third son of a marquis and the son of the prime minister. Carlos Steizen, Angeline's brother and the son of a duke.

There was also another female student present. A girl with black hair and ruby-red eyes, Melk Schreigen, the daughter of a baron. It was a week before the graduation party, and this place was the scene of Angeline's 'condemnation.' Angeline was being denounced by Leonhardt and the others as the 'mastermind' behind the persecution of Melk.

It was Melk who had orchestrated this situation, and she was a 'reincarnated person.' The kingdom of Bartzuri, where they lived, was the setting of the otome game 'The Night Clears When the Flowers Bloom.' Melk Schreigen had used the knowledge from the game in her previous life to achieve a happy ending with Prince Leonhardt.

Melk was the only one who was a reincarnated person and possessed knowledge of the game. Angeline, the 'villainess,' had no memories of her previous life. This was something Melk had confirmed multiple times, so it was a certainty.

Melk had been working hard to win Leonhardt's heart up until today, as he was the character she had loved from her previous life.

The condemnation drama was about to end. The termination of the engagement had already been settled between the royal family and the duke's family, and Angeline was not allowed to argue. Despite being faced with her downfall, Angeline did not lash out as they feared. She only directed a cold, disappointed gaze at them and chose to remain silent, swallowing her words. Then, led by her brother Carlos, Angeline left.

Watching her retreating figure, Melk finally thought that everything was over. The happy ending for Melk, who had possessed memories from her previous life since childhood. She had been united with Leonhardt, whom she had loved so much in her previous life, and the 'game' was over.

They had condemned the villainess and celebrated the union of their lord, Leonhardt, and Melk with smiles. They were satisfied. They were happy.

Yes, it was a perfect happy ending, everything was in place.

──Or so it seemed.

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"Prince Leonhardt. Good morning."

"Hmm...?"

Morning arrived. It was a happy morning. Leonhardt had finally obtained true love. However, as he got out of bed, he felt a sense of unease.

(What is this...?)

The scene in his field of vision was indeed his own room. But something about the 'perspective' felt low. The furnishings in the room had somehow been changed, and they seemed familiar to Leonhardt.

"What is this...?"

Leonhardt stood in front of the mirror, shocked. His height was much shorter than the figure in his 'memory.' He continued to pick up on the oddities around the palace. The people around him seemed younger, and the events happening were all familiar to him.

"How old am I now...?"

He asked one of the maids serving him. The answer was five years younger than the age Leonhardt was aware of.

"Why? Time... has been... rewound..."

Leonhardt had awakened in a time five years in the past. It was before the otome game 'The Night Clears When the Flowers Bloom' began. Before he met his true love, Melk Schreigen. ...And before he became engaged to Angeline.

"Prince Leonhardt, it seems that the emperor will soon choose a fiancée for you."

Leonhardt, upon hearing this, rushed out. He thought he could still make it in time. There was no need to become engaged to Angeline, whose engagement was already set to be terminated. If time had indeed been rewound, then this time, he could become engaged to Melk Schreigen from the start.

Leonhardt already knew that Melk's lineage was noble. If he revealed her true identity from a young age and set her as his fiancée, he could have her receive princess education from now on. This way, their true love could be united without any hindrance.

Thinking this, Leonhardt petitioned the king to cancel his engagement to Angeline. His wish was granted. In this world where his second life had begun, Leonhardt and Angeline were never engaged.