Chapter 5

The continuation of the short story is as follows:

"Ah, it feels so good..."

I sank into the bathtub, letting out a sigh as four maids massaged me.

"It's an honor to please you."

Maimi, the maid who was gently kneading my head, spoke with a calm voice. I was in a bathtub that could only fit one person, and the four maids were massaging my head, right arm, left arm, and both legs.

It feels so blissful, truly wonderful.

The fatigue from yesterday's National Foundation Day party has completely vanished.

"This is the best, I could ask for a massage all day long."

"If you stayed in the bath for that long, you might dissolve, Lady Asaria."

"That's true, I feel like I'm dissolving right now."

The other maids seemed a bit tense, hearing Maimi and I having a conversation. These girls were the maids who, before my regression, I had treated quite selfishly and caused them a lot of trouble.

Maimi talks to me casually, so they seem to be worried that I might get angry at her.

"Thank you all, it feels so good."

"That's good to hear."

"I'll give you a special bonus in the form of jewels. Think about whether you want a necklace, brooch, or ring while I'm in the bath."

"Wh-what? That's just part of our duty as maids."

"I want to give them to you. Please continue the massage for another ten minutes."

"Yes, ma'am!"

They massage me with even more enthusiasm, despite their confusion. I really could ask for a massage for the rest of my life.

"Lady Asaria, I want a necklace!"

"Hehe, okay. I understand."

Maimi can talk to me casually, but back then, I was quite troubled because I knew that Prince Lewis was cheating on me with Oline.

I need to gradually improve my relationship with the maids and dispel the bad rumors about me.

While enjoying the massage, I close my eyes and think.

It's been a full day since the National Foundation Day party. It seems this is not just a dream.

I was supposed to be engaged to Prince Lewis and then have my engagement broken off two years from now, and be framed by the Holy Maiden Oline and executed.

However, I found myself regressed two years back, and I have the chance to start over. Yesterday was a perfect opportunity to confront those two.

But it's not enough yet.

The humiliation of being cheated on and having my engagement broken, and the pain of being framed and killed despite my contributions to the empire—unless I take revenge, I won't be able to rest easy.

I need to think carefully about how to get my revenge.

Killing Oline would be relatively easy. I come from the Spencer family, one of the four great dukes, while she is just a baron's daughter.

Just as she used the royal family's power before my regression, I can use the power of the duke's family to frame her and have her executed easily.

But that would be too simple. I want to give her something more humiliating.

As for Prince Lewis, giving him humiliation is quite troublesome. It's impossible to use power against the royal family.

I need to think of a way.

First, I should break the engagement myself. As I said at the National Foundation Day party, Prince Lewis is the first heir because he is engaged to me, a duke's daughter.

If I don't make any mistakes, Prince Lewis will have to give up his position as the first heir if he breaks the engagement with me.

He would definitely want to avoid that. Therefore, I need to use this position to my advantage.

First, I should start preparing to break the engagement.

"Lady Asaria, it's been about ten minutes. Do you want to continue?"

"Oh, has it been that long already? Thank you, I'll get out now."

I get out of the bathtub and have my hair and body dried by the maids. Before my regression, I was so stressed that I never had the luxury of a massage from the maids.

Having peace of mind is really important. Revenge is important, but enjoying life is also essential.

"Lady Asaria, your hair is so beautiful."

"Really? Thank you. It's because you take care of it for me."

"I'll work harder to make it even more beautiful."

"I look forward to it."

I sit in front of the mirror, and Maimi starts to take care of my red hair. The Spencer family, known for their ability to control fire magic, often has red hair that resembles flames.

I think my face is quite beautiful, but the upward slant of my eyes might give a harsh impression.

That might be why the servants are a bit afraid of me.

"Maimi, is Father in his study?"

"Lord of the house? He's probably there."

"Okay, let's go see Father."

After getting dressed, I head to Father's study.

The butler opens the large door, and I enter. The room is spacious, with piles of documents and books on the desk, and several stewards and knights around it.

Sitting at the desk, working, is my Father, Liero Luca Spencer, the head of the Spencer family, one of the four great dukes.

He has short, red hair, a very handsome face, and despite being over forty, he looks like he could pass for his twenties. He has a commanding presence, even if his physique isn't particularly impressive.

"Father, it's Asaria. Do you have a moment?"

"Ah, Asaria. My beloved daughter, of course. Come, sit on the sofa."

He had a serious demeanor as the Duke of Spencer, but his face softened when he saw me. I sit on the sofa, and Father joins me, drinking tea.

"It's unusual for you to visit at this time, Asaria."

"Did I cause any trouble?"

"Not at all. You're always welcome, Asaria."

Father says this kindly. Before my regression, when I was about to be executed, he protested so strongly that he was called shameless, even as the head of a duke's family.

I was so shocked by being dumped by Prince Lewis that I didn't realize how much Father loved me.

Now that I've regressed, I want to build a strong relationship with Father.

"I haven't seen you in a while, so I came to visit."

"I've missed you too. I'll finish my work quickly, and we can have dinner together."

"Yes, I'd like that."

It seems the stewards and subordinates behind Father are holding their heads, but I must be imagining it.

"Also, I have something important to discuss."

"What is it?"

"I want to break my engagement with the Crown Prince."

Father's eyes widen in surprise at my words. His expression becomes stern as he asks me.

"Break the engagement? Are you serious?"

"Yes, of course."

"Hmm, is it because Crown Prince Lewis has been cheating with a baron's daughter?"

Ah, so Father knew about that too. After the party yesterday, it must have spread among the upper nobility.

"If you don't like Crown Prince Lewis's infidelity, I can make it disappear."

Father's demeanor becomes sharp, and he says this in a low voice. This means that a baron's daughter can be eliminated using the power of the duke's family.

Since she hasn't done anything as the Holy Maiden and isn't famous yet, she can be eliminated easily, even her entire family.

"No, that's not necessary. The reason is that I don't see any future where I would be happy if I marry Crown Prince Lewis."

"Hmm, I see..."

Father puts his hand on his chin, closes his eyes, and seems to be thinking. Ideally, it would be better for the Spencer family if I married Crown Prince Lewis and became the empress.

If I break the engagement, it would tarnish the reputation of the Spencer family.

But I absolutely do not want to marry that man.

"Of course, I will ensure that the Spencer family's reputation is not damaged when I break the engagement."

"Hmm? That's fine, Asaria."

"Really? Is it okay?"

"Yes, of course. On the contrary, we should apologize. As a duke's family, we had to make you, Asaria, engage to that foolish first prince."

Foolish first prince... Is it okay to call him that?

Well, this is the main residence of the duke's family, so it's not a problem.

I also think Prince Lewis is a fool and a scoundrel.

"No, it's my duty as a duke's daughter. From now on, I want to fulfill my true role as a protector of the empire."

"...I made you engage to the first prince to protect you from dangerous tasks like fighting monsters. I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

"No, I'm very grateful for your concern, Father. Thank you."

Father smiles kindly at my words.

"I'm sorry, Asaria. You won't have to study to be an empress anymore, but you'll have to start training in magic again, which will be tough."

"Yes, I understand."

I've already done this for about two years before my regression, so it's not a problem.

"What about breaking the engagement with Crown Prince Lewis? Should I go to the royal family and tell them?"

"No, that's not necessary. I have some plans to use my position as his fiancée to do some things to him."

"...Hehe, I see. I'll leave it to you, Asaria. Do as you please."

"Yes, of course."

Father seems to understand what I want to do, and we share a mischievous smile.

Indeed, when we smile, our faces look a bit like villains.