Chapter 3

After thinking for a moment, Luke raised his face.

"Why do you resist the idea of breaking our engagement so much?"

"Eh?"

"Although it's true that I had other priorities, I didn't bother to confirm the report because the outcome wouldn't have changed regardless of its truth. You've consistently wanted to return to the capital since the first day."

I was at a loss for words.

"I thought that was your wish, so I proposed it. But why are you suddenly refusing to return to the capital as if you've changed into a different person?"

"......"

"To be honest, I'm confused by your actions. It's as if you became a different person the moment you declared the engagement null and void."

(So, so sharp...!)

My memory did indeed return at that moment, and his thoughts were almost the truth. Surprisingly, Luke had observed and understood me well, even though we hardly conversed. I was far from him, sulking and only thinking about escaping and myself.

"The current Barthenlink is not a safe place. Especially, the small neighboring country is not a good rumor, and there are even rumors that they are secretly conducting terrifying magical research. Given the proximity, it's highly likely that this land will be targeted."

That's right, my father was so concerned about this that he sent me here.

"I think you should leave this place."

The tension was rapidly rising. He knew this from experience, and I knew it from my past life.

"Father's thinking is the opposite. By deliberately sending me here, he aims to suppress the surrounding countries. With me here, more soldiers can be dispatched under the pretext of protecting the royal family without opposition from other nobles. Moreover, considering the potential retaliation, the royal family would find it difficult to take action."

At first, I resented my father for sending me to such a place, but now I realize how correct his judgment was. Surely, Luke must understand this too.

Yet, he still wants to break our engagement.

"Is it because you want to marry the viscount's daughter?"

I don't want to be fooled with words like worry and wanting to return. I've been hearing them since the first day, and I'm prepared.

But Barthenlink needs me. So, regardless of my true feelings, I had to make this proposal to him.

"I'm fine being a decorative wife. If you truly love someone, you can live in a separate residence with them."

For a man as fastidious as Luke, this must be a difficult choice, but as a noble, he must endure it. However, the separate residence should be far away. Just thinking about it makes me restless and irritable. I nervously bit my nails, recalling a question from my past life.

(Come to think of it, the last Luke didn't get engaged or married to anyone for almost a year after I left. Why was that?)

This had been bothering me.

I thought he would immediately get married if I were gone, but it felt like a letdown. In a letter he sent me later, he didn't mention the viscount's daughter or our marriage at all.

Thinking about the distant past, Luke tilted his head in confusion.

"Are you talking about the Mondria viscount's daughter? It's true that the viscount has approached me several times, but—"

...Why is he pretending now? It's incredibly frustrating.

"I don't need your silly excuses at this point. I want to speak honestly for both our sakes!"

"Then, to be frank, I don't think the Mondria viscount's daughter has the qualities to lead others."

"......Eh?"

"Why are we even having this conversation? If I had any intention, wouldn't I have married her long ago?"

"Umm, well, I thought so too...?"

However, the maids often talked about it as if it were a fact, so I assumed there was some reason behind it. Besides, she treats me so formally and coldly! Normally, people would at least say something flattering or try to please the person they like, right? ...But, thinking about it, maybe she was just being her usual self.

"Then, what about the rumor that you and Flore are lovers? That you can't marry because of me!"

"I have never been in that kind of relationship with her, not even for a moment."

Preconceived notions are scary.

And give me back my days of worry.

"The only person I consider as a potential marriage partner is you, Princess Justine."

Just me.

It's only natural, given that it's a royal engagement. But those words slowly seeped into my heart, and a wave of happiness welled up. As I smiled, Luke's monotone voice cut in.

"So, may I ask again, why have you changed your mind so much?"

"Ugh..."

His ice-blue eyes scrutinized me.

He is cautious. If I can't persuade him here, I'll be sent back by force this time. But I can't reveal my reincarnation, even if I don't understand it myself.

(But, if I tell a half-hearted lie, he'll see through it immediately. How should I explain this inconsistent and contradictory behavior?)

I thought Luke wanted to marry the viscount's daughter, so I naively believed he would jump at my proposal. This is an unexpected counterattack.

"I... I changed my attitude because..."

How can I...?

At that moment, an idea flashed through my mind like a revelation.

"I fell in love with Luke at first sight!"

"Eh?"

Once the words slipped out, they kept flowing.

"I felt destiny the moment I saw you. But when I fell in love for the first time, finding out you had a girlfriend was devastating. It's only natural to feel hurt and sad and want to run back to the capital. But when it came to breaking the engagement, I didn't want to leave at all. I wanted to stay by your side, even as a decorative wife!"

I'm not boasting, but I've heard "I love you" so many times that my ears are tired, but this is the first time I've said it. Oh, this embarrassment. Moreover, while I'm feeling so embarrassed, Luke's poker face is unreadable.

"......I see? I didn't notice that at all."

I shuddered.

Well, I just thought of it now.

"So, what about me do you like so much?"

"......Huh?"

"You like me, don't you?"

This man is asking an unbelievable question with a calmness that doesn't seem appropriate for someone who just received a confession. No way! Is he seriously asking me to explain what I like about him? Unbelievable! ...Wait, didn't I do this to people who confessed to me?

"Um, well, I like how quiet and composed you are."

"Is that so? Anything else?"

"O-Other things!?"

"Oh, is that all? You must like me so much to want to stay in this remote and dangerous place."

"It's your face! I really like your face. You're tall and slender too."

"Hmm. Anything else?"

(Are you teasing me...?)

Or is he being cautious? But if I don't want to be sent away, I need to come up with a reason why I like him.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.

The key to lying is to mix in the truth.

To lie about my reincarnation, everything else must be true.

"......Your eyes. I like your ice-blue eyes, which are rare in the capital."

"Really, my eyes?"

"Yes. Your eyes are always calm and fair, suppressing emotions at all times. You're the complete opposite of me, who has lived impulsively and emotionally."

Thinking about it, you are the complete opposite of me. Always calm, planned, and meticulous, you are a person of self-restraint, despite your appearance that could make a hundred women cry. Your serious face, as if you've never done anything wrong in your life, hides your true feelings.

"That's why I want to see what's behind that calm and composed mask."

Hmm. I just said what I was thinking. Is this the reason I like you? Or will it lead to forced repatriation? My heart racing, I secretly glanced up. As usual, Luke was calm, but...

(But, his cheeks seem a bit red...)

"......As I said, I have no objections to the re-investigation. Let's wait for the results and decide what to do next. By then, your mind might have changed again."

"You must have some interest in me too. After all, we are too different to ignore each other."

Pressing my advantage, Luke unusually averted his eyes.

His face is definitely red.

What is this? I feel like I've won.

That night's dinner was unusually lavish for some reason.