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 2

“Lady Mercury. If your engagement has been broken, won’t you please marry me?”

“Eh…? Marry…?”

Cherie blinked in surprise at Salute’s sudden proposal.

“I have adored you for a very long time.”

“What…?”

A long time? When could that have been? Cherie wondered.

Until now, Cherie had built her world around Wraith, so the idea of being with another man had never even crossed her mind. That was exactly why, upon hearing Salute say he had “adored her for a long time,” she could only think: When on earth…? What triggered it?

“…Do you not remember?”

“Remember…?”

Even when prompted, Cherie remained utterly lost. As far as she knew, Salute Stanley was simply a transfer student who had arrived at the academy three months ago. She recalled only treating him with the appropriate etiquette of a Marquess’s daughter, always mindful of the fact that she had a fiancé. Was he referring to something that happened in these past three months? Or something even further back? No matter how much she searched her memories, she couldn’t recall meeting him before he transferred.

“…I’m joking. It seems I’ve troubled you.”

Salute gave a wry smile and gently patted Cherie’s hand. To her, it didn’t seem like he was actually joking; it felt more like he was throwing her a lifeline to escape the awkwardness. Cherie wanted to press him further on what event he expected her to remember, but—

“Regardless, my desire to spend my life with you is real. Therefore—”

Please, won’t you consider it favorably?

Salute knelt before her, speaking with such sincerity that Cherie found herself uncharacteristically flustered.

—Because those were the very words she had wanted to hear for so long.

Even if they were supposed to come from her fiancé, Wraith, and not the man standing before her. Clutching her aching chest, Cherie stared at Salute while still in her plain, disguised form. He remained kneeling, lips set in a firm line, quietly and earnestly awaiting her answer.

(As expected… even in disguise, he is a Prince. There is such grace in the way he carries himself, even while proposing.)

In Cherie’s eyes, the image of the disguised Salute overlapped with the true, beautiful form of Salute. He was the character she had been obsessed with in her previous life. Even without closing her eyes, his image was burned into her mind.

(Marriage with Lord Salute…)

Being told “marry me” by her “Top Fav” made her heart surge regardless of her will. However, there was a reason Cherie couldn’t immediately say “yes.”

(I’m happy, of course. To be told he likes me by the man I’ve loved since my past life but…)

Her past romantic history held her back.

(The people I dated in my previous life. Lord Wraith, who became my fiancé in this life. At first, I thought they were all wonderful. I loved them dearly.)

Everyone was kind at the start. But after one year, then three, being together becomes “the norm.”

It was the so-called “Three-Year Wall” of romance.

There are many theories as to why people hit this wall at three years. Common reasons include “getting used to each other and falling into a rut” or “differences in values becoming clear, making flaws more noticeable.”

Cherie had never been able to climb over that three-year wall.

Of course, she had tried. But no matter how much effort she put in, her partners would eventually start treating her dismissively, or conversely, become intensely possessive and criticize her every move.

(If I’m only going to be hated eventually, even if I date someone I love, then it’s better not to date at all.)

In fact, Cherie excelled at maintaining relationships that didn’t turn romantic.

She was efficient at work, could anticipate needs, and was thoughtful in her words and actions. She felt that perhaps it was happier to stay close to the person she loved without entering a romantic relationship, keeping that warm feeling alive forever without the mess.

That thought held her heart back.

“Um… this is a wonderful offer, and I am truly sorry. But I cannot accept this proposal.”

Cherie spoke to Salute with a heavy heart.

“…May I ask why?”

Salute asked calmly, showing no sign of offense even though his proposal had been rejected on the spot.

(He is so mature.)

If this had been Wraith, it wouldn’t have gone this way. He would have likely demanded, “Why won’t you listen to me?!” and tried to force his way. Seeing Salute’s calm, gentlemanly demeanor, Cherie decided to tell him her honest feelings rather than making up an excuse.

She explained that, looking back at her past romances, she had lost confidence in love. And precisely because she liked Salute, she wanted things to stay as they were.

“I see…”

When Cherie finished her honest explanation, Salute placed a hand on his chin and murmured.

“I understand the circumstances. Having heard that, I cannot push this forward while ignoring your feelings, Lady Mercury.”

“Then…?”

“However, may I ask one more favor of you?”

“A favor?”

“Yes.”

At Cherie’s question, Salute gave a bright smile.

“Cherie, I would like you to come to my country.”