Chapter 4

It was when I was ten years old.

"I am Prince Jack Rio Grate. Nice to meet you."

His silver hair reflected the sunlight brilliantly, and his deep navy eyes were like the sky at dawn. I thought he looked like an angel! Perhaps I might have fallen in love with him. ...If only the newly betrothed Prince Jack hadn't sighed every time we met without even looking at me!

Prince Jack clearly didn't like me, and his attitude was thorough. The tea parties, which were supposed to be held once a week to deepen our relationship as betrothed, quickly became once every two weeks, then once a month. When we did meet, he would frown, drink one cup of tea, and leave.

Incidentally, the Queen still thought they were held once a week. One in three times, when I was supposed to be having tea with His Highness, I was actually in the palace kitchen, eating snacks.

Even as I grew a little older, I only stood next to him at parties where the presence of a betrothed was mandatory. Even then, he would dance the first dance in silence, as if it were an obligation, and then leave.

At the palace and at the royal academy, where I had studied for three years since I was 16, we never even made eye contact when we passed each other, let alone spoke. I wondered if he even remembered my name. He had never called me by it.

Of course, I knew about the existence of Baroness Miria. Of course, I did. She was the subject of so much gossip. The mean girls even warned me directly. "Just a nominal fiancée," they mocked.

Of course, there were people who cared about me, but the obvious attitude of His Highness created an atmosphere where getting involved with me would incur his displeasure. Even so, when people spoke to me, I distanced myself. I didn't want to involve such kind people. As a result, I had no friends. I was quite resentful about that.

Still, this was a political marriage. What was required of me was not a beloved princess but a working professional who would support the future king and devote herself to public duties. I told myself this, accepted it, and studied hard.

And yet... the result is as you know.

He despised me, kept his distance, and yet kept me as his betrothed, depriving me of the chance to love and be loved. And then he came, saying he wanted to pursue love.

Just thinking about it makes me want to boil with rage...!

--- I decided! Since I've been given a second chance to redo my life, I will definitely have a marriage filled with love! For that, I will only have the bare minimum of contact with Prince Jack, who casts a dark shadow over my memories!

Absolutely ---!

＊＊＊＊＊＊

I suddenly regained consciousness.

The world in front of me was dazzlingly bright, and I had to blink several times before the colors returned to the white world.

In a daze, I looked at my palms.

My hands... they seemed a little smaller.

It really happened! Time has been reversed! This is the second opening of my life! (Even if it's from the middle)

As my senses returned, I almost jumped up in excitement, but then I realized something.

...Wait a minute?

A spacious garden terrace, a beautifully landscaped garden.

A table in front of me covered with a white tablecloth, an expensive tea set, and the scent of tea. The cute cupcakes with bunny and bear faces written in sweet chocolate sauce, which I loved so much...

Wait a minute.

A bad feeling crept over me, and I hesitantly looked across from me.

Hey! Wait a minute!!

I met the eyes of the boy, who looked like an angel, with a stunned expression.

"No way!!"

The angel... or rather, Prince Jack, who looked a bit more innocent than the last time I saw him, widened his eyes in response to my words and then scrunched up his face in disgust.

Hey! Your Highness! Stupid Highness!

"Why did you send me back to when we were already betrothed?!"

This was undoubtedly the tea party to deepen our relationship as betrothed.

＊＊＊＊＊＊

"Let's sort this out."

I managed to calm the gathered maids and guards, who were surprised by my sudden outburst, and got them to stand at a distance where they could come to our aid if needed, effectively leaving Prince Jack and me alone.

Incidentally, when I pleaded with the reluctant guards, "Just for a moment, I want to have a secret talk, please," and clasped my hands in front of my face with a pleading look, they immediately agreed. Even with my reputation for lacking cuteness, I could still be cute when I tried! Incidentally, the cutesy gesture was a copy of Baroness Miria's. I am a quick learner.

"From the surroundings, it seems we are about three years after our betrothal, in the spring of my 13th year, right?"

"Why do you think so?"

I pointed to a corner of the garden.

"Only there, the type of roses is different. I remember that those roses were a new variety, recently developed in a neighboring country, and the king ordered them to be planted for the queen, who loves roses. I believe it was around the spring of my 13th year, so it must be correct."

"You remember such details even after five years..."

"I have a good memory."

Thanks to that, I was praised by my teachers for my quick learning and was very well-liked.

Prince Jack nodded with a stern face.

"Um, I know it's pointless to say this now, but, couldn't you send me back to before we were betrothed?"

"...The time you can return to is the time when the wish you desire is fulfilled."

"The wish you desire...?"

"What were you thinking when you decided to go back in time?"

The reason for deciding to go back in time? Well, a marriage with love is one of the reasons... but the main reason is, of course,

"To save my father's life."

"I remember that your father, Duke Lester, died in the year we turned 14. If I go back to 13, I have a year. That should be enough time to prepare and prevent his death. ...That's what you mean, right?"

What!?

I understand what you're saying. I understand, but...

"Your Highness!? You didn't wish to end our betrothal?"

If that were the case, wouldn't the time you could return to be before our betrothal!?

But the angelic-looking boy in front of me twisted his face in frustration and declared,

"I... intended to, but right before I returned, I might have thought..."

"Thought what?"

"That I could marry Miria..."

What? What do you mean? Why did you settle for 13?

"In other words, my wish is fulfilled as long as our betrothal is dissolved. The official betrothal party was held before we entered the academy, at the debutante ball when we were 15. ...So, it must be safe until then."

Huh?? And whose judgment is that? ...Probably yours, right!?

I glared at the prince.

What do you mean? In other words, you didn't care if I was humiliated or if the Lester family's name was tarnished as long as you could marry Baroness Miria—no, just Miria. You thought it didn't matter, didn't you?

What a despicable person! I'm glad I came back in time with you. Otherwise, I don't know what unreasonable actions you would have taken...

"Your Highness... I had no interest in you, but I hate you now."

I glared at him as much as I could, expressing my inner scream.

Disrespectful? I don't care! I couldn't resist the urge to convey this boiling anger.

The prince stared at me with wide eyes.

And then, in the next moment, he burst out laughing, making a "haha" sound.

...Why?