The Reincarnated Villainess Whose Romantic Trauma From Her Past Life Is Too Strong Is Sweetly and Painfully Doted On by the Prince of the Neighboring Country - Chapter 11

“Sa—”

Prince Salute…?!

“Shh.”

The person behind her pressed an index finger against Cherie’s lips just as she began to turn around in surprise. When she finally turned her head to confirm, she saw exactly who she had expected: Salute Trigea, the Second Prince of Trigea.

“How are you… here…?”

Though he was wearing a slight disguise to avoid immediate recognition, it was undeniably Salute himself.

He had placed a hand on Cherie’s waist to steady her and kept a finger to his lips, but upon hearing her ask “How?”, he slowly pulled his finger back and repeated her words.

“…Do you really think there would be any reason for me to come here other than to see you, Cherie?”

His voice carried a hint of sadness, causing a sharp pang in Cherie’s chest.

—Of course.

She didn’t even need to think about it to know the answer. Asking “How?” or “Why?” was nothing but a foolish question.

“I heard you stopped coming to the Academy because you were bedridden with poor health. Then, when I came to visit, I was turned away at the door and told you weren’t in a state to see anyone. How could you expect me not to worry?”

Hearing Salute’s voice—resonant, gentle, and kind—Cherie felt a wave of deep relief wash over her, alongside a heavy sense of guilt.

“…I am so sorry. For causing you such worry…”

“Don’t apologize. More importantly, I’m just glad to see that you look well.”

With those words, the tension in the room thawed instantly. Only then was Cherie finally able to look up timidly into Salute’s face.

“Besides, you look quite cute like that.”

The “look” he was referring to was Cherie in a simple, practical dress with a white apron, her hair tied back loosely to keep it away from the food.

“I came to see how you were doing, and I was surprised to find you making cookies.”

“Ah, well… I thought if I stayed by myself any longer, I would just fall into a depression.”

Salute nodded understandingly at her words. “I see,” he said, before letting go of her. “It’s alright, please continue.”

Understanding that he meant she should finish the cookies, Cherie moved away from him and accepted the baking tray he had pulled from the cupboard for her.

“May I wait here? I’m hoping I might be allowed to share some today.”

Cherie hadn’t expected him to stay and eat them, and her heart felt a sudden, light flutter at the thought.

“…If you have the time, Lord Salute, I would be delighted if you had some.”

“I do. Then I think I’ll do just that.”

Salute stood beside her with a pleasant smile, looking as if he were genuinely looking forward to watching her work. Hiding the joy she felt at getting to spend more time with him, Cherie took out the chilled cookie dough and began to roll it flat with a wooden rolling pin.

“…Did your parents oppose the idea?”

As Cherie rolled out the dough, Salute asked the question from right beside her.

“……Yes.”

There was no point in lying, so she answered honestly. He would find out sooner or later anyway. In fact—

“Did my parents contact you about something, Lord Salute?”

Anxious that her parents might have made some unreasonable demands of him, Cherie asked a question of her own.

“They did. I’m actually scheduled to speak with Marquis Mercury tomorrow.”

“…………”

Cherie bit her lip. Her father would likely tell him: “If you have no intention of marrying my daughter, I will not let her go abroad.”

Should she tell him herself before he had to hear it from her father?

Cherie hesitated, worried that telling him might make her seem like a burden or that he would become fed up with all the trouble she was causing.

(…But there’s a high chance Father will bring it up. It’s better for him to have the information beforehand so he can prepare, rather than being blindsided in the moment.)

—More than protecting her own pride, she wanted to protect Salute, who was doing so much to protect her.

Despite her anxiety over how he might react, Cherie decided to tell Salute the details of the “ultimatum” her father would likely present tomorrow.