Chapter 15

"That's a face that knows everything, huh."

Leen shrugged as if resigning herself to the situation. However, the corners of her mouth still curved into a relaxed arc, displaying a composed expression. Gilbert narrowed his eyes at her expression and began to speak.

"Leen Lazaroa, seventeen years old. Born at the Siguonyu Orphanage. Your parents are Cole Lazaroa, the head of the Lazaroa family, and Angie Harellson, a former Lazaroa family maid. Your mother's status is unknown."

The information Gilbert recited was Leen's profile. Instantly, the smile vanished from her face. She could understand how he knew about her father, but the information about her mother was something he shouldn't have known under normal circumstances.

"On your seventeenth birthday, you were discovered to be an illegitimate child of the Lazaroa family and were adopted by a childless couple. When you were adopted, you took out a loan from the Lazaroa family, using yourself as collateral. The amount was three thousand gold, all of which you donated to the orphanage."

"You really did your research, didn't you?"

Leen placed her hand on the bed, her expression more exasperated than impressed. She crossed her legs and leaned back, a posture not befitting a baron's daughter, let alone in front of a duke's son.

"It's not that I hated my current parents. The two who created me were in love at the time, but they were torn apart by their social status. Even my current mother, who married my father, has no bad qualities. In fact, I think I am treated quite well."

Leen turned her gaze away from Gilbert for the first time.

"However, I couldn't just abandon the home where I grew up because a nobleman suddenly appeared and said, 'You're my daughter, let's live together.' I couldn't become a heroine that easily."

In the game, "Leen Lazaroa" decided to be adopted by the Lazaroa family without a second thought for the children she grew up with at the orphanage. After that, the orphanage never appeared in the game. While I understand that this is necessary for the game's progression and is the right decision, she couldn't make the heroic choice when put in the same situation.

"At first, I asked them to make a donation to the orphanage in exchange for adopting me. 'This is the place where I grew up,' I said. When they made a sour face, I told them, 'Then buy me for a fair price. You can do as you please with me until I pay you back.'"

"Because of that, you are now being forced into an engagement you don't need to have."

"Exactly. With a nobleman's second son, no less. It's such a hassle!"

"If you cooperate with me, I'll free you from those obligations."

Leen fell silent at Gilbert's words. He added, as if to seal the deal:

"When I inherit the family, I'll arrange for you to be with Hughie Cranberry. While a formal relationship might be difficult, if you fulfill your duties as a priestess, everyone will turn a blind eye to you having him as a concubine. And if you become a priestess, the orphanage that produced a noble lady will also receive appropriate benefits. ...What do you think? I don't think it's a bad proposal."

Leen smiled at Gilbert's words. It was not a gentle smile but a mysterious one. She opened her well-shaped lips.

"No."

"Huh?"

"I said no. The answer is no, Gilbert Sylvy."

Leen stood up from the bed and approached Gilbert.

"I can manage that kind of debt without your help."

"Because of your business with Jade?"

"That's part of it. There are other ways too."

She intensified her smile, hinting at something.

"I care about that child too. You don't know, but in my past life, I was saved by that child many times. For that child, I can do anything."

"Then!"

"But, I won't give up my life. I want to be happy, and I want that child to be happy too. I won't accept any other happy ending."

Leen poked Gilbert's chest with her index finger.

"You lack the determination, Gilbert."

"..."

"You're willing to sacrifice yourself for your sister's happiness, aren't you? Somewhere in your heart, you think it's okay to give her to the prince if it makes her happy. You resist with all your might, but you also have a plan to give up."

Gilbert opened his mouth as if to say something, but no sound came out.

"I hate you, Gilbert. I hate your calculating nature. I hate people who give up the most."

Leen pushed past Gilbert, who was standing by the door, and opened the doorknob.

"Learn a little from Cecilia. Her fate is more tragic and hopeless than you think. But she resists with all her might, and she does it with a smile. Isn't that strong?"

She smiled, a carefree and adorable smile. Leen opened the door and stepped out, then turned around at the threshold.

"But, I'll give you one piece of information for trying to protect my best friend so much."

"Information?"

"Yeah. You probably haven't asked her much about her past life because you're afraid of hurting her, right?"

Gilbert's lips curved into a frown, as if admitting it was a bullseye.

"So, I'll tell you one thing. You know that this world is similar to the game we played in our past lives, right? And that the game is a 'otome game,' where women experience virtual romantic relationships with men?"

"That's..."

"Actually, Cecilia had one too."

"What do you mean?"

"A 'favorite' character. Like Hughie to me. ...In other words, someone she liked."

At that moment, Gilbert's eyes widened.

"That—!"

"Of course, it's someone you know. But who it is, I won't tell you."

She placed her index finger on her lips, looking somewhat amused. In a voice and expression befitting the heroine "Leen Lazaroa," she bowed.

"Goodbye, Gilbert-sama."

Soon, I plan to conduct a Twitter poll asking, "If Cecilia is going to end up with someone, who do you prefer: Gilbert or Oscar?" I have a vague idea, but I thought I'd get some input. This doesn't mean I'll make her end up with the one who gets the most votes, so please vote freely.

Please look forward to the first volume of the book and the manga adaptation!