Chapter 7

Leonhardt's love interest, Merk Schreigen, has memories from her previous life since childhood.

She was a "reincarnated person." In her previous life, she was a Japanese person living in the modern era.

Merk's memories as an individual from her previous life were vague.

However, she had a strong recollection of the knowledge from the otome game "A Night Clears When the Flowers Bloom."

Why were only the memories of this game so vivid?

Merk would come to understand this after being taken in by the baron's family.

"…Is this world the world of 'A Night Clears When the Flowers Bloom'?"

Merk was an orphan in this world but was taken in by the baron's family due to her abilities and appearance.

After being groomed by the baron's family, she stood in front of a large mirror in the room she was given, looking beautiful.

The reflection in the mirror was exactly the same as the "heroine" from that otome game.

Black hair and ruby-red eyes. By the standards of her previous life, she was very cute.

"I'm the 'heroine.' …Then!"

She had a character she liked from her previous life. It was Leonhardt.

If she was the heroine, then there was a happy ending where she and Leonhardt were together!

Merk realized this and felt happy.

Moreover, she realized she had a hidden "secret."

She was not just an orphan.

She was a descendant of the Alstroemeria royal family, the predecessor of the Berzelli Kingdom.

She had a background story fitting for the heroine.

This identity was supposed to be revealed at the climax of the story.

"The game starts when the heroine enrolls in the academy…"

The heroine's name is Merk Schreigen.

An orphan taken in by the Schreigen baron's family. So far, the story is on track.

After enrolling in the academy, she is supposed to meet six "target characters."

The "Crown Prince" Leonhardt Berzelli.

The "Young Master" Carlos Steizen, the son of the Duke.

The "Squire Trainee" Fried Marcott, the son of the Marquis.

The "Son of the Chancellor" Dennis Colden, the son of the Marquis.

The "Genius Mage" Schurk.

The "Academy Teacher" Neil Drought.

Leonhardt and Carlos are one year older than the heroine.

Fried and Dennis are the same age as the heroine.

Neil is eight years older than the heroine. Schurk is three years younger.

The heroine meets them at the academy, builds trust, and increases their affection.

Then, she progresses through each route and aims for a good ending.

If she doesn't end up with any of the target characters, it is called a "normal ending," a generic ending.

While there are elements like magic and monsters, there is no threat like a demon king.

It is a world where the heroine's efforts do not determine the fate of the world.

At the start of the story, the heroine enrolls in the academy as a "scholarship student."

"I have to work hard to achieve that…"

Scholarship students are given preferential treatment, such as exemption from tuition and fees.

However, it's not something that can be achieved without effort.

She must demonstrate her excellence to the academy.

Otherwise, she won't even reach the starting point of the game.

Additionally, Merk needs to train her magic.

This is because to prove that she is a descendant of the former royal family, she needs to manifest special magical power.

The "Sacred Flower Magic," a symbol of the Alstroemeria royal family.

When using high-level magic, cherry blossoms, like those in modern Japan, will dance in the air.

Revealing that the heroine is of royal blood will be the turning point to reverse her unfortunate circumstances and lead to a happy ending.

In other words, if she cannot use high-level magic by the end of the story, she cannot prove that she is a descendant of the former royal family, and the plot will fall apart.

"…I will be bullied, won't I?"

Even if she achieves excellent grades as a scholarship student.

However, she is an orphan and a foster child of a low-ranking baron's family.

Due to jealousy and other reasons, the heroine will be bullied at the academy.

The main culprit is… the "villainess" Angelina Steizen.

In "A Night Clears When the Flowers Bloom," the villainess appears, and the heroine falls into an unfortunate situation due to her.

However, after enduring the difficult times, it is revealed that the heroine has royal blood.

The heroine's hard times will come to an end.

The villainess Angelina is punished and expelled from the academy.

"I don't want to be bullied. But, if so…"

She just needs to avoid doing anything that would draw the villainess's attention.

"…But, I…"

She was reborn with the destiny to be with Leonhardt.

Merk liked him. Even if he was just a character in a game.

Now, in this world, she might be able to be with him.

And this is "reality." In reality, Crown Prince Leonhardt… exists.

Since he exists in this world. Since she is destined to be with him.

Should she just give up out of fear of the villainess?

"I can't give up… I can't do that."

Absolutely. Merk thought that.

"I will win over Lord Leonhardt…!"

Merk made this decision. And there are other things to consider.

The punishment of the villainess, known as "serves you right."

And the reversal of the villainess, known as "payback."

"I need to be cautious… but I shouldn't overdo it."

It's a common story for the villainess to take severe revenge if she is cornered too much.

Merk genuinely wants to avoid such a situation.

Merk Schreigen focused on her studies and magic training until the game began.

When she successfully became a scholarship student, it was a joyous occasion for the Schreigen baron's family.

"Yes, it's just the beginning. Everything is about to start."

She is determined to secure a happy ending with Leonhardt. With this resolve and anticipation, she headed to the royal academy.

…But there, Merk saw something she had not imagined.

"Angelina. That. I, I will try my best…"

"Yes. Lord Ash, thank you very much…"

(What!? Angelina!?)

The two were blushing, clearly in love with each other.

And, of all people, one of them was the "villainess" Angelina Steizen.

"…Why?"

The man was someone Merk had never seen before. Naturally, he was not one of the target characters.

The otome game she knew started in a completely different way from the beginning.