Chapter 2

It has been a week since I started consciously calling An and the others by their names.

Since then, I feel like my relationship with them has improved quite a bit. Today, An is taking the lead and preparing the afternoon tea. Siena, the other maid who alternates with her, still has a stiff attitude, so I'm happy when it's An's turn.

However, the main issue is still completely unresolved.

"Does Luke really dislike me? I'm so beautiful and cute..."

"...... The master does not differentiate based on likes and dislikes, let alone beauty."

"But it's been a week. Even if I am just a fiancée, it's impossible to ignore someone who has been in convalescence for a week, right?"

"Um... well, that... I think the last time you met Lord Justine was..."

"Last time? Oh, I apologized sincerely and properly then, didn't I?"

An, who usually nodded along with my stories, suddenly averted her eyes.

Why does she look so awkward?

After that, I thought a lot, but I still can't talk to Luke himself, can I?

After all, most of the reasons for his dislike are misunderstandings. If we talk properly, he should realize that I'm not the kind of person who would do such things. I tried to meet him during meals or when he was moving around, but he kept being busy or out, so I was always turned down.

(This is for sure, he's completely avoiding me.)

When I realized this, I felt disheartened and was about to cry and return to the capital as he suggested... That must be his plan. Indeed, an ordinary lady might be hurt by being avoided and lose the will to resist. But I am Princess Justine, after all, even if I have changed my ways.

(If only once, there is a way to meet him.)

In my previous life, I was so bored that I wandered around the castle and discovered a 'secret move.' Even I, who usually do as I please, think this method is a bit much. However, if time drags on without resolving the misunderstanding, there's a possibility that my worried father will call me back.

(Anyway, I'm already at rock bottom. If it's going to end ambiguously, I might as well do everything I can!)

◇◇◇

The next morning, early in the morning.

Soft sunlight was seeping through the gaps in the curtains. I was dozing comfortably in a much warmer bed than usual.

(The futon is so warm... It's the best...)

I felt like I had a lot to do, but I pushed those thoughts out of my mind and sank into the present comfort. I could stay in bed forever.

"......"

Don't move, don't move. If there's a gap in the futon, cold air will get in. I hugged it tightly and pressed against it.

(Ah... The heartbeat is so reassuring.)

"......?......"

After a moment of silence.

Thump!!

"Ah! It's cold!"

The futon was ripped off, and the sudden cold woke me up instantly. Through the gap in the beloved feather futon, Luke's face looked as if he had just discovered a black insect.

(Ah, bad. I was supposed to wake up first, but I overslept.)

My plan was to sneak into Luke's room last night and make him listen to me no matter what. But the person who fell asleep was me, and no matter how much I called, he wouldn't wake up. I returned to my room reluctantly, thinking there might not be another chance. As I gradually got cold, I decided to take a little warmth, and before I knew it...

(Strange. I was supposed to be careful and stay at the edge, but somehow I ended up in the middle.)

"Princess Justine...!"

"Shh! Be quiet!!"

I covered Luke's mouth as he jumped up and put my finger to my lips. Well, if you wake up and find a woman you don't recognize in your bed, that's what happens.

On the other hand, I was already resigned to this point.

"First, be quiet. Don't worry. I'm not the type to take advantage before marriage. Your chastity is safe!"

"That's my line..."

"You looked cute when you were sleeping."

"I don't want to hear that. Can you tell me how you got in? I might have to restrain you."

Even I, who usually don't care about others' feelings, can tell. His tone is calm, but he is incredibly angry. Wow. I thought he couldn't possibly dislike me any more, but there's still a bottom.

"The person who designed this castle is the same as the royal castle. I'm a royal, so I know all the secret escape routes. The design quirks are the same, which helped me."

"...... What a disaster."

"Master Luke, are you awake?"

A voice came from the other side of the door, and we both fell silent.

I put my finger to my lips and quickly slipped back under the futon.

"If you're seen in this situation, we'll have to get married right away. If you don't want to break the engagement, hide me! Got it?"

"Wait... what?"

As I pulled the futon over me, I heard the door open.

"Master Luke, good morning. You woke up much earlier than usual today."

This voice is definitely the butler, Hannes. He's quite capable to come and greet you as soon as he senses you're awake. The question is Luke's reaction. Will he cover for me? Or...

"...... Today... I had a bad dream..."

Safe!

He seems to be covering for me. He must really want to break the engagement. As I listened with a satisfied smile, Hannes reported something difficult to say.

"By the way, there's a report about Princess Justine this morning. Apparently, she just threw a vase at a maid who came to greet her..."

"...... What?"

Luke asked, but the butler didn't seem to understand the shock. I could hear Hannes's heavy sigh, full of exasperation.

"Let me ask again. Did the troublemaker... no, the spoiled... Princess Justine really cause trouble just now? Not yesterday?"

"Yes, the maid reported it while crying on the way here. It's definitely true. Poor thing, blood was still flowing from her hand."

Hannes clicked his tongue in disgust. I met Luke's eyes, which were looking down, and put my finger to my lips again. I had been here since last night. Yet, the report said I had just injured a maid.

It's a good timing, even if it's a coincidence.

(Maybe he'll be a bit more willing to listen now?)

My actions were clearly reported as malicious lies.

◇◇◇

"I think we have a misunderstanding."

After the butler left, I sneaked back to my room, got dressed properly, and visited Luke's room. His room, seen in the bright light, was neatly organized, as if measured with a ruler.

Luke, who was dressed neatly with all his buttons buttoned up to his neck, was deep in thought, unlike his disheveled morning appearance.

"...... All the reports I've heard so far were false?"

"Exactly. On the day I was told to break the engagement, I was accused of things I didn't do. By the way, what kind of reports?"

"Whipping maids and servants he didn't like, pulling out their hair, peeling off their nails one by one..."

"Ah! I wouldn't do that! It would hurt just to watch!"

"Calling for jewelers as soon as we arrived and spending the budget allocated for the princess in an hour, cutting down a memorial tree that the gardeners had carefully nurtured because it ruined the view..."

Ah. I might have done that.

...

"Interesting. All lies. How despicable."

Well, there might have been a grain of truth. But I haven't done anything that would send me back to the capital immediately, I think.

"Especially that memorial tree, which was planted by my late mother, made me emotional."

"It's okay, Luke! Everyone makes mistakes. What matters is the present and the future, not the past. Right?"

I spoke quickly to cover up.

"So first, we need to find out who spread these stories and whether it was intentional. Some might have said it based on assumptions, others might have repeated what they heard, and some might have blamed me for their own mistakes, like breaking a vase by mistake."

After all, no one is willing to protect me. I was too unprepared for hostility, having done as I pleased under the royal family's influence.

"So, under the pretext of formally judging me, let's re-take the testimonies. Who said what, in detail."

"Of course, I have no objection to re-taking the testimonies... but is the reason for judgment necessary?"

Hmm. This person is really a good person.

"Absolutely! Necessary! You see, the people here dislike me and want me to leave. If you say it's to drive me out, what will they do? I would recall every detail and tell everything!"

"I see. That's how it works."

Luke, who would treat everyone fairly even if he had likes and dislikes, probably never thought of such a thing. But normal people are not like that. I felt the gaze directed at me become a bit colder, but I am just normal.

"Maybe we can even get new testimonies. Hehe, I'm looking forward to it."

Luke looked at me as if I were a rare creature.

"You are really different. Aren't you afraid that people might say bad things about you?"

"Not at all! No matter what anyone says, my value doesn't change."

"To be able to say that so clearly, you are quite bold."

"Yes. I'm often told that I'm impudent, annoying, and need to be taught a lesson."

Apparently, my personality is not very well-received. But that's just me, and I don't think it matters.

"I like you."

......

Ah, that's the kind of personality. Yes, in this land, a person who cries easily probably can't survive!

"But you accepted my story quite smoothly. I thought you would reject it more."

"...... Recently, there have been some unsettling movements in the neighboring country, and I haven't had much time. Also, meeting the princess requires a lot of preparation."

"I appreciate your consideration, but a simplified approach like today is fine."

"Yes. We are already in the most simplified form, so let's keep it that way in the future."

(Uh... the most simplified form... that's about this morning, right?)

I glanced up to check his reaction and met Luke's eyes. He was sitting on the sofa in casual clothes, looking relaxed, unlike his usual stiff formal attire. He didn't seem angry... rather, he was looking at me as if I were an interesting object. Maybe he's teasing me?

(As if I were a rare animal... Well, I do admit my methods were a bit too forceful, but if I hesitated, I would be driven out. And I think this person can handle a bit more.)

He only gets angry when the people in his domain are harmed. He doesn't care if I am rude to him or play around in the domain. Despite his cold appearance, his tolerance might be quite broad.

"May I ask one question?"

Luke asked as if it were an important question.

"Why did you hide when Hannes entered the room just now?"

"Uh? Because it would prevent the engagement from being broken."

"Yes, even if there was nothing between us, if that scene had been seen, it would have been impossible to break the engagement. So, I'm curious."

His ice-blue eyes, which were looking straight at me, seemed to become even colder.

"If you wanted to stop the talk of breaking the engagement, that situation should have been convenient for you. Why?"

Indeed, as Luke said, it would have been convenient. But my answer is very simple.

"I don't like to take away someone's choices and leave them with no options."

I said it clearly without flinching at his icy gaze. Luke's eyes widened at my answer, and then he smiled slightly.

(Ah, I might have seen his smile for the first time.)

For some reason, I felt warmth in his eyes, which had always seemed cold.