As the Villainess Who Was Dumped, I Am Saved by My Childhood Friend from a Noble Family and Spoiled in the Frontier - Chapter 3

“Is it delicious, you two?”

“Yes, Brother, it’s very delicious!”

“Indeed, freshly baked really is the best.”

“You must have known Lady Nina would like these sweets and bought them for her, didn’t you?”

“Huh?”

“Back when the three of us used to play together often, Nina always ate them so delightfully. I remember it well. It somehow brings back childhood memories.”

Lord Franz smiled gently. Then he sipped his tea with evident pleasure. He actually has quite a sweet tooth, doesn’t he? He was enjoying the sweets too.

“This is embarrassing.”

“Don’t worry about it, Lady Nina! It’s just us here. Let’s all happily return to our childhood days together.”

“It would help me forget about work too. I’d definitely like that!”

“Oh, Brother, the head of the Aurelia Margrave family really shouldn’t be such a delinquent.”

They were both being considerate of me. Their kindness was healing for me.

“I know! Why don’t you and Lady Nina just get married? You’re at the right age for marriage, Brother, but you don’t even have a fiancée. Even when matchmaking offers come up, you use me as an excuse to immediately turn them down, which worries me. Isn’t it about time you settled down? Lady Nina is a wonderful woman who excels in both literary and military arts!”

“Hahaha, that’s not a bad idea. With Nina, I might actually enjoy married life.”

“Both of you, stop teasing me!! Really!”

“You got rejected, Brother! What a shame. Weren’t you actually a bit serious about it?”

“Now, now, Maria. Don’t rub salt in your heartbroken brother’s wounds. Sorry, sorry, Nina. To make it up to you, I’ll cook a delicious dinner tonight. Despite appearances, cooking is actually my hobby.”

It’s unusual for a high noble to have cooking as a hobby. He once told me he learned it because his military duties sometimes required camping on battlefields.

I wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t been the Crown Prince’s fiancée since birth.

It would be a lie to say I never admired Lord Franz. After all, he’s called the most brilliant student in the academy’s history, the head of a prestigious family who excels both on the battlefield and in diplomacy. And he’s my caring childhood friend who’s one year older.

My admired senior.

To be honest, Lord Franz is more popular than the Crown Prince. Even my former fiancé seemed jealous of the noble gentleman before me.

How happy I would be if I could be with the sincere Lord Franz instead of that unfaithful person.

But I’m like a criminal. I shouldn’t seek such undeserved happiness.

If I, who was discarded by the Crown Prince, were to find happiness with him, I would undoubtedly become a burden to him. So, I must seal away my admiration for my childhood friend and senior.