Chapter 12

Now that kindergarten has started, I think I can get back to my usual update pace.

(This is not good...)

By midday, everyone had already arrived at the cottage. Situated next to a lake rich in nature, it was more of a mansion than a cottage. There were more than enough rooms, even considering the staff and security personnel, and there was even another building next door, so there was no shortage of space.

At first, everyone seemed confused by the sudden change, but they soon began to spend their time as they pleased in the cottage. Or rather, they started playing. Those splashing around in the water were all smiling.

(They look so happy...)

Cecilia, who was set up as a sickly character, sighed as she sat under a nearby tree. The reason for her sigh was not that she envied their playful fun, but rather, it was right next to her.

"Are you okay?"

Oscar, who looked worried, asked. He sat next to Cecilia, not joining the others. It seemed he was concerned about her being alone and stayed by her side.

Cecilia, hiding her nervous sweat with a fan, smiled at Oscar.

"I'm fine. So, Your Highness, please don't hesitate to join the others..."

"No, I'm fine. I also wanted to talk to you."

With that, she couldn't push him away. She didn't want to be near him or talk to him, but in this situation, there was no choice.

Cecilia put a little distance between herself and Oscar. It might not make much of a difference, but it was a necessary distance for her peace of mind.

(Why is he so proactive...?)

Before, Oscar had said things like "I don't dislike Cecilia" and "I want to rebuild our relationship for Leen's future." So, this must be a step toward "rebuilding the relationship."

(But, Leen has Hugh, and yet he wants to "rebuild" the relationship...)

Like in the game, Oscar in this world probably still loves Leen no matter who she is with. She understood that. However, why would he want to "rebuild" a relationship with a fiancée he doesn't want, for a woman who has already made up her mind? She didn't understand.

Maybe Oscar still hopes that Leen will turn to him.

(If that's the case, it's a bit pitiful...)

She glanced at Oscar. At that moment, their eyes met perfectly. Maybe he had been watching her all along.

Cecilia quickly turned away.

(I have to do something about this situation!)

She sent a pleading look to Leen, who was the closest.

However, Leen was

"Lord Hugh, look! Such a big fish!"

"Really?"

"It must feel so good to swim with it! Would you swim with me?"

"Cut it out. Besides, how are you going to swim in that outfit?"

"Well, if it's in front of Lord Hugh, I could take it off..."

"Are you kidding?! I said stop making jokes like that!!"

"Hehehe"

She was enjoying her time with her lover. Or rather, she was teasing him, who had a tsundere personality.

But in the end, she acted like a lover

"If I were to drown, would you save me?"

"Of course I would."

Their conversation was so enviable.

(These lovey-dovey people!!)

Who do they think is responsible for this situation?

"Sis, are you feeling okay?"

Just as she was sending a resentful look to her best friend, a long-awaited voice called out. Turning in the direction of the voice, there was Gilbert, as expected. He must have rushed over. He was breathing heavily, having just given instructions to the staff. With their parents absent, he was the highest authority in the cottage.

"Gil!"

Her voice rose as if to say it was a godsend. However—

"Gil! You're back at the right time!"

With that, an arm was placed on Gilbert's shoulder. It was Dante. Jade was also behind him.

"Does this cottage have any fishing gear? And a net?"

"...We do have them..."

Gilbert answered with a clearly reluctant tone.

"If you do, lend them to me! Jade and I are going to go fishing."

"If you're free, Gilbert, come with us! We saw a fish this big earlier."

Jade spread his arms to demonstrate.

When did these two become so close?

Dante put his arm around Gilbert's neck.

"So, Cecilia, I'm borrowing my brother!"

"Hey!"

"What!?"

"First, show me where the fishing gear is."

"I wonder what we'll use for bait."

(Gil—!!)

Gilbert was half-forced to go with them. As Dante turned away, Cecilia noticed him giving Oscar a meaningful look, but with her trusted step-brother being taken away, her mind couldn't process it.

"It's rare for him to try to interact with others."

Oscar, who also didn't understand the meaning of Dante's look, commented.

Finally, they were alone, and Cecilia steeled herself.

It seemed she would have to overcome this on her own.

(But, what should I say!? First, apologize for the Chinese dress... No, no! That wouldn't make sense unless I did it with Cecil!)

Whatever she said, it seemed she would dig herself into a hole.

"Cecilia"

At that moment, Oscar called her name in a slightly harder tone than usual. Cecilia looked at Oscar's face.

He was looking at her seriously.

"I was wondering how to talk to you. But it seems I'm not good with roundabout ways. I'll be straightforward."

"Hmm"

"Do you, by any chance, regret getting engaged to me?"

"Huh?"

An odd sound escaped her lips at the unexpected question. Oscar continued.

"Do you dislike me? That's why you've been avoiding me for twelve years. ...Is that just my paranoia?"

"Um..."

She was taken aback by his serious tone. Originally, Cecilia had no intention of avoiding Oscar. She had declined to meet him face-to-face, but that was from when they were young. In the past ten years, she hadn't received any messages expressing a desire to meet. She had never received any letters or other communications from him.

Cecilia averted her gaze from Oscar's intense stare.

It seemed he believed she disliked him, though she didn't understand why.

(What should I say...)

She certainly didn't dislike Oscar. But if she wanted to cut ties, saying she "disliked" him would be the wiser choice.

(But, if I say I "dislike" him, won't he resent me?)

The current Oscar didn't dislike her. If she said she "disliked" him, it could lead to him disliking her.

"If you dislike me and don't want to be engaged—"

"I'm fine."

Cecilia interrupted him.

"There's no way I could dislike Your Highness."

Smiling, she said this, and Oscar's cheeks turned red. His expression softened, and he nodded happily.

"If you really disliked me, I was planning to break the engagement. But if you say that, I'm grateful."

"Huh?"

(Did I just miss a golden opportunity!?)

She had just scored an own goal. The Cecilia in her head clutched her head.

(Why does this always happen!!)

If Oscar had broken the engagement, she could have avoided another path to destruction. Why did she always end up in these situations?

At that moment, his left hand touched her right hand.

"Cecilia"

"Y-Yes?"

He whispered seriously, but Cecilia was not in the right state to focus. She managed to keep her face composed, but she wasn't really listening to half of what he was saying.

"If you can forgive me, next time—"

"Your Highness, excuse me."

At that moment, one of the knights Oscar had brought with him stood behind him.

Oscar released Cecilia's hand, sighed, and turned around.

"Is something wrong?"

"We've caught a suspicious person."

"Suspicious person?"

"Yes."

The knight moved to the side, revealing a man tied up with ropes, his eyes rolling. Seeing the man's face, Oscar recoiled in surprise. Cecilia's eyes widened in shock.

"Mr. Mordred!?"

Cecilia exclaimed.