Nike froze for a moment in surprise, then opened his mouth.
“I’m asking just in case...”
“That’s right. I heard you say you would marry the Princess. That’s why I answered that I didn’t want to.”
“...”
He let out a sigh like air escaping, his mouth agape, blankly.
He clutches his forehead, appearing to recall that time, and after a long pause, asks as if he still doesn't understand.
"Why?"
“Why? You were the one who said something strange first.”
"Something felt off."
“It was the first time we met in a year. But, Prince, as soon as you saw me, the first thing you mentioned was that His Majesty the Emperor told you to marry the Princess, wasn't it?”
"Yes."
"You said you couldn't refuse after that, right?"
“...? A reason to refuse!”
Startled, Nike felt a slight surge of anger. However, perhaps sensing the furtive glances from behind,
“...I couldn’t give a reason.”
Next, quietly added.
"Isn't that the same thing?"
“How can that be the same thing? It’s different.”
His breathing became ragged, as if he felt wronged...
“My father mentioned a marriage alliance, and I couldn’t refuse for no particular reason. So I just blurted it out. That I had someone I promised.”
"Is that me?"
"Then who would it be?"
“Why are you speaking ambiguously? You're just suddenly saying this to me, apologizing, but asking me to understand...”
“...?!?”
He must be really frustrated. Nike couldn't bring himself to blurt it out, so he bit his lip tightly and clutched and released his innocent head.
“Right after you brought up the marriage alliance, you said, ‘So, I think I need to hurry up the marriage. Can you understand?’ How could I not misunderstand?”
“Yes. Let’s say I said it in a way that caused a misunderstanding.”
He said calmly.
"Still, if I were you, I wouldn't misunderstand."
"Yes?"
“I promised, for sure. I told you I would wait for you.”
“...”
“But do you think I would tell you I’m marrying someone else after meeting you for the first time in a year? Me?”
...No.
“You have more memories of me than the time we spent together. Was the person you knew me to be?”
"No."
Nike is not that kind of person.
However, I was anxious because I had no memory of loving him.
I showed Nike, who has no memory, my very young self from the very beginning, and perhaps because of that, I was rejected every time I tried to approach him...
In the midst of all this, indeed, I was suddenly terrified by the mention of an arranged marriage, which I hadn't known about before the regression.
But, still.
"Whether I have memories or not, I am the same person."
...That’s right.
The essence of the man named Nike Valencier, whom I know well, remains the same.
“I’m sorry. I... I was thinking too much. If I had looked closely, I surely would have noticed something strange... but I failed to make a rational judgment.”
“...”
Nike paused. He looked flustered as he watched me apologize, then spoke.
“No. Come to think of it, I was entirely at fault.”
Ah.
"I indeed said it in a way that could be misunderstood, and you can misunderstand, but saying things like 'I wouldn’t do that..."
Really.
“It hurt to think that you’ve seen me all this time as a guy who would even talk about marrying another woman. So, even though it’s my fault... I foolishly blamed you and got worked up for no reason. I’m sorry.”
In the end, it even concludes with him saying that all the arguments were his fault.
Really, it is the same whether he has a memory or not.
Nike was Nike.
“...”
“...”
We looked at each other silently, then...
“Ah! But, uh, but how, how am I supposed to...marry the Prince? I...”
I am still the daughter of a former criminal Count.
“My older brother told me to hurry.”
Nike, who immediately understood my rambling, told me that she had received permission from the Crown Prince.
Why?
The doubt was immediately resolved.
'Sigh. Brother-in-law...'
I know your intentions very well, but...
'What does it matter?'
Marriage isn't going to happen overnight, so for now, it's a chance to set my sights on my man.
There is nothing wrong with it.
“Your Highness! Marriage...”
I called out to Nike with confidence, but soon hesitated.
“I mean, that... marriage… the proposal to marry me...”
"Vania."
Nike called out. He was trying to take something out of his pants pocket.
"Actually, I thought my proposal had been rejected, so I thought a lot about why."
"Yes..."
"Even though it was urgent, I think it was a really unromantic proposal."
It comes out.
A case that looks like it contains a ring to anyone.
"I'm not talking about right now. If you think it's too early, whenever you're ready is fine. Just think of it as a promise."
By then, I noticed that the servants, who had been glancing this way and slowly approaching, were openly surrounding us.
'What does it matter?'
It didn't matter. They were going to find out everything anyway.
Nike opened the case.
A ruby ring delicately set with small diamonds around the edge. It was a matching pair with the necklace I received as a birthday gift this year.
Soon, Nike's slightly nervous voice was heard.
“With me...”
The returning 'Count' Ryan Belzer took a walk around the estate amidst the enthusiastic cheers of the villagers.
And finally, entering the 'Count's' castle where the family is waiting!
Knowing that the castle people were preparing a welcoming ceremony in the garden, he went out of his way to have his carriage brought inside for a spectacular entrance.
The knight opened the door.
“Attention, everyone!”
Ryan got off with his chest puffed up, shouting loudly.
“The Great Lord, Count Ryan Belzer, has returned!!!”
...However, surprisingly, no one paid any attention.
'What.'
A garden decorated here and there for a welcoming ceremony.
All the people of the castle were out.
But he just stays out there... and not a single person welcomes Ryan!
“What are you guys?”
For some reason, they were all surrounding something with their backs turned. Even when he made his presence known, it seemed like they paid no attention to Ryan.
“Excuse me? Knock knock~ the Lord is here~”
"These guys?" Ryan, feeling spiteful, pushed his way through the servants.
“What is it! What is it?! What on earth...”
There were Vania and Nike.
Vania, dressed from head to toe like a splendid peacock, stood shyly covering her mouth with both hands.
In front of him, Nike, boasting his unchanging beauty that shines even without makeup, opened the case he was holding and held it out.
This is...
It looks like a proposal scene to anyone!
It was certainly an event where the Lord's return was of no concern.
"Will you... Marry me?"
No, wait!
“No, wait...”
“Wowww!”
“Aaaargh!”
Ryan's voice was immediately drowned out.
The 'Count', who had been reduced to mere spectator number 1 amidst the cheering servants, gritted his teeth.
“Wait! Don’t do it without the Lord!”
"Please accept him, please accept him!"
“Daughter, you’re moving too fast!”
“Missyyyy!”
No matter how much he shouted, Ryan kept getting buried.
The Prince and the Countess's Daughter.
There were no warnings or signs, and it was a combination that those unaware of the two people's circumstances would not even have imagined was possible.
And now, they are presenting a scene of a public marriage proposal right before our eyes.
Is there any greater stimulation than this?
Ryan grew smaller, swept away by the excited crowd.
'That's a really grand welcome ceremony.'
He's not the one being welcomed, though.
"I am..."
Eventually, Vania opened her mouth.
The noisy surroundings quieted down as if cold water had been poured over him.
"Yes..."
Drip drip.
She had a nosebleed.
From Vania.
A chilling silence of a different kind settled around.
“Vania!”
As Ryan hurriedly ran toward her,
"Ah."
He stopped.
Vania, staggering with a glazed-over look in her eyes, collapsed into Nike's arms before she could even compose herself.
“I’m asking just in case...”
“That’s right. I heard you say you would marry the Princess. That’s why I answered that I didn’t want to.”
“...”
He let out a sigh like air escaping, his mouth agape, blankly.
He clutches his forehead, appearing to recall that time, and after a long pause, asks as if he still doesn't understand.
"Why?"
“Why? You were the one who said something strange first.”
"Something felt off."
“It was the first time we met in a year. But, Prince, as soon as you saw me, the first thing you mentioned was that His Majesty the Emperor told you to marry the Princess, wasn't it?”
"Yes."
"You said you couldn't refuse after that, right?"
“...? A reason to refuse!”
Startled, Nike felt a slight surge of anger. However, perhaps sensing the furtive glances from behind,
“...I couldn’t give a reason.”
Next, quietly added.
"Isn't that the same thing?"
“How can that be the same thing? It’s different.”
His breathing became ragged, as if he felt wronged...
“My father mentioned a marriage alliance, and I couldn’t refuse for no particular reason. So I just blurted it out. That I had someone I promised.”
"Is that me?"
"Then who would it be?"
“Why are you speaking ambiguously? You're just suddenly saying this to me, apologizing, but asking me to understand...”
“...?!?”
He must be really frustrated. Nike couldn't bring himself to blurt it out, so he bit his lip tightly and clutched and released his innocent head.
“Right after you brought up the marriage alliance, you said, ‘So, I think I need to hurry up the marriage. Can you understand?’ How could I not misunderstand?”
“Yes. Let’s say I said it in a way that caused a misunderstanding.”
He said calmly.
"Still, if I were you, I wouldn't misunderstand."
"Yes?"
“I promised, for sure. I told you I would wait for you.”
“...”
“But do you think I would tell you I’m marrying someone else after meeting you for the first time in a year? Me?”
...No.
“You have more memories of me than the time we spent together. Was the person you knew me to be?”
"No."
Nike is not that kind of person.
However, I was anxious because I had no memory of loving him.
I showed Nike, who has no memory, my very young self from the very beginning, and perhaps because of that, I was rejected every time I tried to approach him...
In the midst of all this, indeed, I was suddenly terrified by the mention of an arranged marriage, which I hadn't known about before the regression.
But, still.
"Whether I have memories or not, I am the same person."
...That’s right.
The essence of the man named Nike Valencier, whom I know well, remains the same.
“I’m sorry. I... I was thinking too much. If I had looked closely, I surely would have noticed something strange... but I failed to make a rational judgment.”
“...”
Nike paused. He looked flustered as he watched me apologize, then spoke.
“No. Come to think of it, I was entirely at fault.”
Ah.
"I indeed said it in a way that could be misunderstood, and you can misunderstand, but saying things like 'I wouldn’t do that..."
Really.
“It hurt to think that you’ve seen me all this time as a guy who would even talk about marrying another woman. So, even though it’s my fault... I foolishly blamed you and got worked up for no reason. I’m sorry.”
In the end, it even concludes with him saying that all the arguments were his fault.
Really, it is the same whether he has a memory or not.
Nike was Nike.
“...”
“...”
We looked at each other silently, then...
“Ah! But, uh, but how, how am I supposed to...marry the Prince? I...”
I am still the daughter of a former criminal Count.
“My older brother told me to hurry.”
Nike, who immediately understood my rambling, told me that she had received permission from the Crown Prince.
Why?
The doubt was immediately resolved.
'I told you I’m a regressor.'
In that case, I could understand why the Crown Prince went out of his way to give his permission for me at a time when it was difficult to get married without difficulty.
Now that Ryan has received the Count's title.
The Crown Prince must have foreseen that Wassenberg would approach us in some way.
Fearing that we might fall for Wassenberg's persuasion, or that our lives might be threatened by Wassenberg.
Given all those concerns, it must have been a decision made to get me—a “regressor” of some use—out of the way.
Now that Ryan has received the Count's title.
The Crown Prince must have foreseen that Wassenberg would approach us in some way.
Fearing that we might fall for Wassenberg's persuasion, or that our lives might be threatened by Wassenberg.
Given all those concerns, it must have been a decision made to get me—a “regressor” of some use—out of the way.
'Sigh. Brother-in-law...'
I know your intentions very well, but...
'What does it matter?'
Marriage isn't going to happen overnight, so for now, it's a chance to set my sights on my man.
There is nothing wrong with it.
“Your Highness! Marriage...”
I called out to Nike with confidence, but soon hesitated.
“I mean, that... marriage… the proposal to marry me...”
"Vania."
Nike called out. He was trying to take something out of his pants pocket.
"Actually, I thought my proposal had been rejected, so I thought a lot about why."
"Yes..."
"Even though it was urgent, I think it was a really unromantic proposal."
It comes out.
A case that looks like it contains a ring to anyone.
"I'm not talking about right now. If you think it's too early, whenever you're ready is fine. Just think of it as a promise."
By then, I noticed that the servants, who had been glancing this way and slowly approaching, were openly surrounding us.
'What does it matter?'
It didn't matter. They were going to find out everything anyway.
Nike opened the case.
A ruby ring delicately set with small diamonds around the edge. It was a matching pair with the necklace I received as a birthday gift this year.
Soon, Nike's slightly nervous voice was heard.
“With me...”
***
The returning 'Count' Ryan Belzer took a walk around the estate amidst the enthusiastic cheers of the villagers.
And finally, entering the 'Count's' castle where the family is waiting!
Knowing that the castle people were preparing a welcoming ceremony in the garden, he went out of his way to have his carriage brought inside for a spectacular entrance.
The knight opened the door.
“Attention, everyone!”
Ryan got off with his chest puffed up, shouting loudly.
“The Great Lord, Count Ryan Belzer, has returned!!!”
...However, surprisingly, no one paid any attention.
'What.'
A garden decorated here and there for a welcoming ceremony.
All the people of the castle were out.
But he just stays out there... and not a single person welcomes Ryan!
“What are you guys?”
For some reason, they were all surrounding something with their backs turned. Even when he made his presence known, it seemed like they paid no attention to Ryan.
“Excuse me? Knock knock~ the Lord is here~”
"These guys?" Ryan, feeling spiteful, pushed his way through the servants.
“What is it! What is it?! What on earth...”
There were Vania and Nike.
Vania, dressed from head to toe like a splendid peacock, stood shyly covering her mouth with both hands.
In front of him, Nike, boasting his unchanging beauty that shines even without makeup, opened the case he was holding and held it out.
This is...
It looks like a proposal scene to anyone!
It was certainly an event where the Lord's return was of no concern.
"Will you... Marry me?"
No, wait!
“No, wait...”
“Wowww!”
“Aaaargh!”
Ryan's voice was immediately drowned out.
The 'Count', who had been reduced to mere spectator number 1 amidst the cheering servants, gritted his teeth.
“Wait! Don’t do it without the Lord!”
"Please accept him, please accept him!"
“Daughter, you’re moving too fast!”
“Missyyyy!”
No matter how much he shouted, Ryan kept getting buried.
The Prince and the Countess's Daughter.
There were no warnings or signs, and it was a combination that those unaware of the two people's circumstances would not even have imagined was possible.
And now, they are presenting a scene of a public marriage proposal right before our eyes.
Is there any greater stimulation than this?
Ryan grew smaller, swept away by the excited crowd.
'That's a really grand welcome ceremony.'
He's not the one being welcomed, though.
"I am..."
Eventually, Vania opened her mouth.
The noisy surroundings quieted down as if cold water had been poured over him.
"Yes..."
Drip drip.
She had a nosebleed.
From Vania.
Astonishment.
And shock.
“Vania!”
As Ryan hurriedly ran toward her,
"Ah."
He stopped.
Vania, staggering with a glazed-over look in her eyes, collapsed into Nike's arms before she could even compose herself.
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