Chapter 36

I have advanced a grade and am now a third-year student at the academy.

It's already the middle of the second semester of my third year. In just half a year, I will graduate from the Royal Academy and become a bride in the Baltsline family.

At this time, I was preparing for a "tea party" at the Steizen Duke's mansion.

This tea party was proposed by my older brother Carlos.

...I decided to talk things out with my older brother Carlos.

"Brother Carlos, is there something you want to say to me?"

"...Angeline"

Thinking that he would continue in the same manner until graduation, I called out to him.

I'm finally leaving home, and it's not good to keep things as they are, so I initiated a conversation with my older brother.

The hostile atmosphere that used to exist between us has disappeared, and he accepted my proposal to talk face-to-face.

"Something you want to say, huh?"

"Yes. It's not good to keep things as they are, right?"

"...I see."

"Brother Carlos, what do you really think of me?"

Let's have an honest talk.

My older brother remained silent for a long time in front of me, and finally, he spoke his true thoughts.

"...I have something to apologize for to you."

"Apologize?"

"Yes."

What is it about? No, is it about his attitude all this time?

"...But I don't have anything to apologize for to the 'current you.'"

"Huh?"

I tilted my head. What does he mean?

"I didn't trust you. I doubted you."

"Doubted..."

"But I was wrong. After hearing many stories, making inferences, and observing from a distance, I became certain of it. ...But"

"Yes?"

"...I think I shouldn't bow to the 'current you.' I think it would be self-satisfaction. It has nothing to do with the current you. ...It would be an escape. Asking for forgiveness from someone who doesn't know anything would be a cowardly act. I don't deny the actions of others, but..."

"Huh...?"

So, what does that mean?

"Angeline"

"Yes, Brother Carlos"

"...Does Lord Baltsline love you?"

"Um, that's..."

It's a bit embarrassing, but should I say 'I love him'?

"He treats me well. I believe there is mutual affection."

"...I see. That's the only solace. This time, you chose him yourself. ...Perhaps, it's your destiny."

"Destiny?"

It's a bit much to be called destiny.

After all, I initially contacted Baltsline just for a convenient marriage.

I only realized we were compatible after meeting him.

Calling it 'destiny' is embarrassing.

Of course, I do have those feelings...

"Angeline. I won't interfere with the path you choose to live. If being with Lord Baltsline is your happiness, then even more so..."

"Brother?"

"On that note, there's something I'd like to ask of you."

"Ask of me?"

"Yes. ...Would you meet someone for me?"

"Someone?"

The distance between me and Brother Carlos has slightly narrowed.

I still don't fully understand his words, but...

Well, I guess it's a phase... it might take some time.

But I was able to have a normal conversation with him.

For now, this is enough.

So, I decided to hold the tea party that Brother Carlos wished for.

Misha will be there too.

Misha and I welcomed two noble ladies...

"Welcome to the Steizen family. Lady Sandika. And... Lady Schlegel"

Lady Sandika Roddick, the daughter of the Duke.

Lady Melk Schlegen, the daughter of the Baron.

This tea party, with the four of us—Misha, me, and these two—began.

"Thank you very much for inviting us, Lady Steizen."

Lady Schlegen performed a somewhat awkward curtsy.

She seemed quite nervous.

I haven't interacted with her before, but...

This tea party was realized at Brother Carlos's request.

Now that we are third-year students, with graduation half a year away,

Lady Sandika and Lady Schlegen are receiving princess education as the 'betrothal candidates' for Prince Leonhardt and Brother Carlos.

Initially, many noble ladies were receiving this education.

However, with Lady Sandika present, many ladies thought they had no chance.

As the education progressed, many ladies withdrew.

Even if they were inferior to Lady Sandika, the second choice could become Brother Carlos's fiancée, and thus the future Duchess.

However, there was a catch.

It was Prince Leonhardt's attitude. And Lady Sandika's attitude.

It seems that the Prince has a clear preference for Lady Schlegen.

That's why Brother Carlos proposed this tea party.

This means the 'second choice' will inevitably be Lady Sandika.

If Lady Sandika could properly push Lady Schlegen away, it would be different.

Lady Sandika approves of the Prince's preference for Lady Schlegen and actively interacts with Brother Carlos.

For example, there's an upcoming dance party that requires partners.

There, Prince Leonhardt's partner will be Lady Schlegen, and Lady Sandika's partner will be Brother Carlos.

...This means that for the other noble ladies, they must do something about Lady Sandika to become the Duchess.

Well, some have given up, saying, "I can't deal with this," and are quickly looking for a 'suitable' fiancé.

Considering this situation, Misha confessed at a good time.

Misha and Lord Fried confessed to each other at the end of our second year.

They are now engaged.

I also helped them. Of course, it's an engagement based on their own will.

I'm also happy that Lord Fried wants to serve as a knight in the borderlands.

He wants to marry Misha, his fiancée, and live as a simple knight in the borderlands.

Lord Fried is one of the top knights in the kingdom.

As a future border baroness and a friend, it's a very desirable engagement.

Of course, because of his promising future, there was a situation where he was sought after by Prince Leonhardt.

However, Lord Fried made his own decision, and his and Misha's future is almost set.

The only concern is that Prince Leonhardt seems reluctant to give up on Lord Fried.

But I think he can't ignore the will of the person involved.

My fiancé is Ash Baltsline, the border baron.

Misha's fiancé is Fried Marcott, the son of the Marquess, who will be a border knight.

From their actions, it seems Lady Sandika's partner is Brother Carlos.

And... the one standing next to Prince Leonhardt will be Lady Schlegen.

Brother Carlos wanted me to meet her.

Melk Schlegen.

Why did he want me to meet her?

◇◆◇

【Melk's Side】

◇◆◇

Lady Angeline... is sitting in front of me, looking at me.

Since I was confronted with the reality that this world is not a dating sim,

many things have happened.

Most of the events I know from the game didn't occur.

I wasn't bullied at the academy.

...Lady Angeline wasn't the 'villainess.'

And now, I belong to Lady Sandika's 'faction.'

The Schlegen Baron family, who adopted me, and my adoptive parents also became 'foster children' of the Roddick Duke family.

That might be why...

I wasn't harmed by anyone at the academy.

This means that the main events of the dating sim didn't happen.

This world is just similar to a game, but not a game.

However, the basic settings are the same... which is the most complicated part.

I have many thoughts.

But if I think about it, what would happen to the Schlegen family if it was known that I am a descendant of the Alstroemeria royal family?

I thought about my 'family' first.

The game doesn't detail the fate of the Schlegen family.

It only shows the heroine's happy ending...

Now that I know more, I'm also afraid.

If it's known that I am a descendant of the Alstroemeria royal family, I might be adopted by another family.

The most likely candidate is the Marquess family.

That means... what will happen to the Schlegen family?

In reality, I was raised by the Schlegen family.

I thought it was 'normal' at the time, but...

My adoptive parents were good to me.

Even though we weren't blood-related, there was affection and gratitude.

They didn't pick me up as an orphan because I was a descendant of the former royal family.

Even if they considered political strategy, they genuinely cared for me.

So, I need to think about my future actions for the sake of the Schlegen family.

Lady Sandika patiently guided me, despite my lack of knowledge.

Because of her, I have more to think about...

Many of the characters in the game are living different lives in reality.

...Only Prince Leonhardt seems similar to the game.

Thinking about this, I feel a bit anxious.

There are two points of concern.

First, whether I am truly a descendant of the Alstroemeria royal family.

If this is false, I can't become the fiancée of Prince Leonhardt.

It would also be difficult to become the fiancée of Carlos, the Duke's son.

It would be 'beyond my station.'

At the same time, there's another concern.

If I am truly a descendant of the Alstroemeria royal family...

...I carry the blood of the former royal family.

This means... I could be a 'seed of conflict' in the future.

From my past life, this is unimaginable.

If I abandon the responsibility of this blood, I would need to live quietly somewhere without being discovered.

And... if I have children.

Their children and descendants could also become seeds of conflict.

Of course, the former royal family is just that.

In reality, they might not have legitimate rights.

This country is the Berzurian Kingdom.

But just having this blood gives me the influence to become the Prince's fiancée.

...I need to face this 'responsibility.'

To solidify it, I need to learn high-level magic.

Do I truly possess the 'power of the holy flower'?

Actually, I can already use high-level magic. But...

I haven't used it yet.

I always stop just before using it.

...I'm afraid.

Now that I know many things,

Can I properly face this 'responsibility'?

When it's known that I am a descendant of the Alstroemeria royal family,

The talks with Prince Leonhardt will likely intensify.

There are benefits. I have feelings for him.

I am also receiving princess education.

...Although my grades and evaluations are not as good as Lady Sandika's.

My good academic performance is due to my memories from my past life.

I knew how to excel in 'school tests' from my past life.

But in practical matters, it's different.

In my past life, I didn't know these things. I didn't know 'society.'

I think I died as a student in my past life.

That's why I'm even more afraid.

Becoming an 'adult.' Entering society. Graduating and moving forward.

I once talked about these concerns with Lady Sandika.

"I don't know either?"

"Well, I might know more than you. Forgot? We're the same age and students."

...That's true.

With status, there's a sense of seniority.

But in reality, I might be the most mature mentally, but it doesn't feel that way.

I was troubled.

And my troubles were apparently noticed by Carlos, the Duke's son.

I recalled our recent conversation.

"...Lady Schlegen"

"Carlos... Duke's son"

"...The Berzurian royal family has made some assumptions about you."

"Huh?"

"About what your blood contains. The royal family is quite perceptive."

"......!"

I was shocked.

Maybe there's a way to investigate the 'power of the holy flower' in reality.

Or perhaps the family tree and information are well-preserved.

I thought I could get away with it if I kept quiet, so it was a shock.

"...Even so, as long as you don't use that magic, people won't acknowledge you as such."

"That's..."

Even if it's proven.

Showing the magic and not showing it have different levels of credibility.

So...

"If you don't wish to become a high noble or a member of the royal family.

...Seal the magic. The technique has already been developed."

"Huh. Seal it?"

"Yes. There's a talented magician in the magic tower who is researching how to seal magic."

"That's..."

The image of a young boy came to my mind.

In reality, he seemed uninterested in me.

And he seemed content living in the magic tower.

I think that's good. I didn't need to help him.

It's a bit lonely, though.

"...So, it's up to you. Melk Schlegen.

You will choose your path based on your own will. How you want to live. How you want to live your life."

"Carlos... Duke's son"

"If you need help to make that decision, I'll lend you my strength.

There are things you can't discuss with the Prince."

"...Thank you."

What should I do? What should I do?

I can't stay silent forever.

If the Berzurian royal family knows my true identity, I can't even run away.

And... I. My true feelings.

"...Carlos, Duke's son. I have a request."

"What is it?"

"...Can I talk to Lady Angeline? The Steizen Duke's daughter..."

And so,

I met... just a duke's daughter with pink-blonde hair.