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 12

“…Father says he will not permit me to take up a profession.”

“Ah, well, I thought as much…”

Salute, too, understood the temperament of the people of Dortmund. It was well within the realm of imagination that a father would find it unforgivable for a daughter raised as a sheltered lady to suddenly declare she would become a career woman instead of marrying.

“…Therefore, I believe my father intends to tell you, Lord Salute, that unless you take me as your wife, he will not let me leave this house.”

“…I see.”

One by one, Cherie arranged the cookies she had cut from the molds onto the baking sheet, explaining the situation as flatly as possible to keep her emotions from spilling over.

“More than anything, I hate the thought of becoming a burden to you. It is painful enough for me that things have already reached this state. That is why I didn’t know what to do.”

“…Cherie, you really haven’t changed.”

Salute muttered to himself, gazing at her for a moment with eyes full of a strange nostalgia. However, by the time Cherie looked up in response to his words, that look had already been hidden away, and she failed to notice it.

“You aren’t a burden. Besides, when someone wants to get their hands on something they truly desire, isn’t it only natural to pay a little price in labor?”

Salute said this so casually that Cherie wondered blankly if that was truly how things worked.

“…Am I really something worth you going through such trouble for?”

“Of course. You should stand tall and be confident about that.”

As Salute shrugged with a wry smile, it finally clicked for Cherie.

(…I can be proud of the fact that Lord Salute wants me.)

It was dazzling. Salute, who could say such things so clearly and decisively. Salute, who stood there calmly beside her with a gentle smile.

Cherie placed the neatly arranged cookies into the oven, then turned back to Salute with newfound resolve and spoke clearly.

“…As I thought, I want to go with you, Lord Salute.”

“Yes, I understand. …Thank you.”

Understanding that his “thank you” meant “thank you for making up your mind,” Cherie reaffirmed that Salute was truly a wonderful person. Because she reaffirmed it, she wished all the more that she could stay by the side of this irreplaceable man for a long time.

“Alright. Well then, for now, leave the matter of your parents to me. While the cookies are baking, let’s brew some tea.”

“Eh? You’re going to brew it, Lord Salute?”

“That’s right. After all, at this moment, I am a servant of this house.”

Salute gave a mischievous wink. Cherie thought to herself, ‘Aren’t the servants here supposed to be guards rather than waiters…?’ but in the end, she didn’t say it out loud.

Afterward, the two of them laughed together, saying, “This behavior is quite unbecoming of a noble lady, but it’s fun in its own way,” as they snacked on the freshly baked cookies.

As he was leaving, Salute seemed to have taken quite a liking to her cookies and asked if he could take some home. Cherie wrapped up the remaining cookies and sent them off with him.

For Cherie, it was a peaceful and happy time, the likes of which she hadn’t experienced in a very long while.

◇◆◇

—The following day.

In the evening, Cherie was summoned to her father’s room. There, she received word that he would permit her to accompany Salute to the neighboring kingdom. Furthermore, he lifted her confinement and gave his blessing for her to return to the academy.

Her father did not tell her what kind of conversation he had with Salute. Their discussion had not taken place at Cherie’s home; rather, her father had gone personally to Salute’s residence.

(…Just how did he do it?)

Cherie, who had thought it utterly impossible to convince her old-fashioned, stubborn father, was once again amazed by Salute’s skill.

(…But, thank goodness.)

Now, she could follow Salute with her head held high. For the first time, she could move toward a future she had chosen for herself.

Her mother still looked unsatisfied, her face clouded with doubt, but she likely wouldn’t argue with a decision her husband had made. After all, she was the quintessential noblewoman of Dortmund.

When Cherie returned to her room, she found a new arrangement: a beautiful flower with many layers of white petals.

(That is…)

It was the same kind of flower Salute had offered her when he first proposed.

Was it a coincidence that this flower was now blooming in her room? Or—?

Lost in thought, Cherie approached the flower and gently touched its moist petals.

—Back then.

She had turned down the proposal, but she realized now that she should have at least accepted the flower he offered. It was a regret that came to her far too late.