Chapter 42

I decided to thank the princess who had waited for me to wake up and then go home.

"The carriage is being prepared. Please wait at the entrance of the palace," the maid said. As I waited, Prince Marks came running.

"Alesia! How are you feeling?"

"Your Highness, I'm fine now. I'm sorry for the worry."

"Can I have a moment now?"

My parents decided to wait in the carriage that had arrived.

"I won't send Alesia to Falir. You've hidden and lived so hard until now, yet you gave that cloth to my mother. I want to repay that kindness. I promise to protect her."

The prince looked me straight in the eye and said this with a firm tone.

The prince is a straightforward person. Even when he was having lunch in the garden, he never acted superior or looked down on us. Instead, he always listened modestly and seriously to my father's talk about agriculture.

My view of the royal family has changed a lot due to the prince's influence. So I have to trust him and convey my resolve.

"Your Highness, please take care of this. But if, no matter what, they demand that I be handed over... if it comes to war, please prioritize the safety of the people of this country and hand me over. I'm prepared for that. Please take care of my parents just a little bit at that time. I beg you."

"Huh? No, what are you talking about? It's fine, I won't hand you over."

I didn't answer that and smiled, bowing again.

In the dealings between countries, there's no such thing as "absolutely fine." Especially our country is militarily far inferior to Falir. We will definitely be overpowered.

If a war breaks out because of me, I intend to go to Falir. The fact that I have the power to heal with rain can remain unknown for a while if I keep quiet.

While buying time, I can find some negotiating material and arrange to return to this country. I don't have any plan now, but as long as I'm alive, there's a possibility.

Of course, I don't want to go to Falir. It was unexpected to be targeted so early, but if it means saving many lives, I'm prepared to go to Falir. It might be my purpose for being born with the memories of my past life.

I'll think of it as a way to thank the universe for giving me a second chance at a happy life.

"Then, I'll take my leave. Thank you for your valuable time, Your Highness."

The prince saw me off with a puzzled look.

......

"Your Highness, are you okay? Your work isn't progressing at all."

"Ah, sorry. I was just thinking. Gil, why did Alesia say such a thing?"

Gil scratched his red hair.

"Did she really say, 'If it comes to it, hand me over'?"

"Yes. It was as if she was prepared to be a sacrifice for the people."

"Why would she say such a thing? She's just a fourteen-year-old girl from a farm. I don't think anyone would normally have such resolve."

At that time, Alesia looked like a grown-up, a mix of resignation and sadness. Why? Why would she be so willing to sacrifice herself?

"By the way, Gil, how is she now?"

"She's being quiet. But she sent a letter to her parents in her home country."

"What did it say?"

"Since it was sealed with wax and her personal seal, I had to tamper with it a bit to read it. The content was just, 'I found the gift you wanted.'"

"Is that so?"

The "gift" must refer to Alesia. But I don't think they would attack the farm that is guarded by our guards. That would escalate into a conflict between countries. I don't think they would be that foolish.

Even though I think that in my head, a sense of unease keeps rising.

"Gil, I'm heading to the farm."

"What? What about your work?"

"I'll do it later."

With that, Marks left the room.

I have to get to the farm as soon as possible. I urged my horse on, with six guards following behind.

If nothing happens, I'll treat the guards to a drink. "Sorry for making you come along with my unease," I'll say with a smile. I keep telling myself this while urging the horse on. The afternoon sun is blinding, and I squint my eyes, wiping away the sweat. For some reason, I feel a strong sense of urgency.

A soldier from the farm's guard is riding towards us from ahead.

"Your Highness! Prince Helrod's party is here!"

"Understood!"

Without letting him finish, I urged my horse on, passing through the slums and seeing the farm.

"!"

At the gate, the palace guards were arguing with Prince Helrod's party. Helrod's guards were armed. If even one of them draws a sword, it will become a serious matter that needs to be discussed between countries.

"What are you doing!"

"Your Highness! Prince Helrod's party insists on entering the farm."

I quickly dismounted and approached Helrod.

"What do you intend to do to our citizens?"

"Oh, it's the Crown Prince. I don't intend to do anything. I just wanted to see the farm. It's quite prosperous for a desert country, but these people are blocking me."

The adults in the farm, hearing the commotion, are watching from a distance.

"This is a farm that our queen values. I'm sorry, but you need to submit a formal application to visit."

"Really? Since when? This is just a regular farm run by commoners, isn't it? It's fine to visit, isn't it?"

"I refuse!"

Helrod walked up to Marks with a suspicious smile.

"Is that so? I understand. Then I'll go through the proper procedures. I'll submit an application and come back to this farm."

......

"The Rejected Remarriage" has been featured in the "Today's Pick" section of Shousetsuka ni Narou.

It will be displayed from August 17 (Tuesday) 14:00 to August 31 (Tuesday) 13:59. I am very grateful.

I'm looking forward to seeing which gender and age group enjoys it. I've been looking forward to this since I received the offer from the management in early July.

It's been exactly a year since I started writing novels. I never imagined that my novel would be featured.