Chapter 65

When people try to escape reality, there are various methods, aren't there?

Anyway, what can be said in common is that they focus on something to avoid thinking about 'that thing.'

Anyway, I received a report that Scarlett delivered the documents properly, even though we parted ways back then.

However, it's not acceptable that she said, "Here are the documents, take them!" in a condescending manner! That's a point for correction!! ...I don't think it can be fixed, though.

But I also thought a bit irrationally that if she were here, I could focus on education. Scarlett's work starts from tomorrow. Fortunately, when I returned, there were many documents on my desk, so I could avoid thinking by working on them.

By the time I came back to my senses, the documents had mysteriously disappeared.

That's the story from morning to evening. Thanks to Sebastian, who will take charge of the lunch arrangements for the garden party, I can rest easy.

"Hehe, hehehehe..."

But my intense focus on the documents must have been quite intense.

Midway through, Maina placed the tea with slightly trembling hands. I feel bad, so when I calm down, I'll make some sweets for her. I did have enough presence of mind to notice my surroundings...

However, it's over now... Usually, I would say something like, "Let's take a break, I need a break," but I worked with a nostalgic fervor...

Because if I stopped or took a break, I would remember, wouldn't I!

What to remember? T-the feeling on my temples...?

"...sigh"

A sigh slipped out.

In my previous life, I often heard that sighing makes happiness escape, but sometimes you just have to sigh.

Yeah, well. It's to release the embarrassment.

That was definitely a confession, I thought. Even if I thought it was "like a confession," it's a confession when I think about it again. That means Lord Aldar Saul said he likes me, and if that's the case, then the hair accessory and the meal the other day were based on that affection, which means I didn't notice his affection at all, right?

How insensitive was I! ...right?

No, wait, maybe he only recently noticed his affection, or maybe it was just a feeling... no, that's not possible.

Aaaah, what have I been doing all this time?! No, I was working!

Phew, asking myself questions in my head doesn't give me any answers.

"...Hey, can't you notice by now?!"

"Oh, Your Highness, the Prince. When did you...?"

"When did I? Before you took a break!"

"No, at least knock!"

"I did! And you answered!!"

"...Oh?"

I have no memory of that. It sounds like a politician's statement, but I really don't remember. This is bad.

Anyway, I hurriedly prepared tea for the Prince, who was sitting in the guest chair.

"There was no one around when Your Highness arrived. You seem to have been waiting..."

"It's fine, it's fine. Don't worry. ...But it's quite a mess, isn't it?!"

"Not as much as Your Highness. Your dark circles are terrible."

"Yeah, the reports from the regions... dispatching the army isn't easy either."

It's about the appearance of monsters I heard about the other day. For the sake of the country, not only the army but also the guards are involved, so various documents, including supply issues, are being generated among the nobles... After all, during wartime, the lords bear the costs that cannot be covered by taxes alone, or new taxes are levied, as I know from the game.

And considering the start of the game, in winter, monsters come to human settlements seeking food before breeding, and they are repelled... but this year, there are more and larger monsters. This means the front lines must be very difficult. This is no longer a game world but my reality, so I can't be optimistic.

Because if it follows the game, the absence of the protagonist or the appearance of large monsters could change the flow.

What if that's the case?

Even if the army can deal with large or numerous monsters, what about the damage?

In my mind, I wish for Primera's happiness, but I can't shake off the anxiety that something strange might happen as a result. No, I think nothing has happened so far, so it will probably be fine.

"Well, you don't have to worry, but how about you?"

"Me? Well, there's the garden party, and I'm also dealing with the education of the new maids..."

"That's not what I mean. Something happened, right?"

"...Huh?"

"With Aldar Saul."

My body stiffened involuntarily.

Eh, is it that obvious? And why suddenly...

Did he judge it right from my reaction? The Prince's smile deepened.

"Oh, a hit. You're easy to read."

"N-no, no?!"

His smirking face is the epitome of a villain, Prince!

Still, what kind of face did I make? No, I must have turned red. Because I felt hot!!

"You react like that too, huh... I'm surprised."

"Be quiet!!"

"Oh, is the calm maid's face gone? Yuria."

"Ah, this guy has a bad personality!"

Well, I knew that even without saying it.

I feel at ease with him because he's like a quirky friend or a neighbor, but... he knows that I'm just a coward inside, as you can tell from this teasing.

Still... if he came to check on me, he should have said so from the beginning!

"Primera is worried too, and she came to me for advice."

"Really?!"

"I can give advice, you know. I have more romantic experience than you!"

"I think you have more than anyone."

"Hehe, not really! ...But, I've only been in love once."

"I know that too."

This person's love story, well, I don't have the words to tell it. It's not something I should talk about lightly?

But he told me the story of how he became a womanizer. I think he thought I wouldn't tell others lightly, but I still don't understand the reason.

But, yeah, thinking too much isn't good.

I slapped my cheeks with both hands.

Yes, I'm thinking too much and getting lost.

So here, it's better to listen to advice honestly.

If it's bad advice, I can just say, "That's no good!" and reject it!

"Will you listen to me?"

"Yeah, ...but suddenly being honest is creepy!"

"What do you mean, you slacker?"

"Who's a slacker? I'm just taking a break!"

No, anyone would know that the Prince's habit of slacking off is famous. There are limits to taking breaks, you know?!

Well, thanks to our usual pointless banter.

I felt a bit calmer and could talk more calmly.

"...Lord Aldar Saul, I think he has feelings for me."

"Huh, finally."

"Finally?!"

"Just, just go on."

He has feelings for me.

That way of saying it is probably unique to this country, and to put it directly, it means he confessed. Men don't seem to care as much, but as a lady, I do choose my words carefully!

"But, I... I appreciate it, but I don't know if I have feelings for him."

"You don't know?"

"Yes. I can understand love in stories, but I've never felt that kind of emotion for anyone when I put myself in the story."

That's probably because of my memories from my previous life.

Thanks to those memories, I can still eat chiffon cake and find ways to protect Lady Primera. But at the same time, being mentally an adult from birth means I acted from an adult's perspective as a child. In other words, I was a cold child.

I never experienced the thrill of falling in love with someone my age, and I focused on work in this world, skipping the usual romantic practices.

If I had been proposed to as a lady for the sake of my family, I would have probably accepted.

But I met someone.

I met Lady Primera and loved her so much that I wanted her to be happy, which led me to focus on my work. But in the end, I realized that I wasn't 'in love.' It was quite a shock.

Sure, Lord Aldar Saul is a good person. He's handsome, good-looking, considerate, and a bit mischievous. But is that enough to choose him? What if I can't fall in love with him?

Saying "I'm sorry, I couldn't fall in love with you" after dating would be too insincere, wouldn't it?

Worse, what if I disillusion him by dating to check? That's a real possibility, isn't it?

These thoughts fill my head.

But more than that, Lord Aldar Saul is too handsome.

I can't even look at him, which is a big problem!

Plus, saying "He's my boyfriend" out loud would get me killed.

"...So, that's the situation."

Oh?

Why is the Prince face down on the desk? What part of my story was so shocking?!

"...Prince?"

"You... aah... what am I supposed to do with you?!"

The Prince, who hadn't appeared in a while, is suddenly in a bind!