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 33

“…Cherie.”

“…Yes.”

Now that they were alone, Wraith addressed her by name with a formal, solemn tone, causing Cherie to feel a slight prickle of tension.

“Um… how should I put this…”

“…………”

The more awkward the air around Wraith became, the more Cherie felt herself becoming awkward in turn. However, in this country where patriarchal values remained strong, it was considered unladylike to interrupt or interject while a man like Wraith was speaking. Therefore, Cherie could do nothing but wait in silence for his next words.

“…I am truly, deeply sorry for hurting you so much.”

Cherie was startled by his suppressed, strained voice, but she accepted the words in quiet shock.

“…Lately, my head feels clearer than before. I’ve been able to think things through properly, and I’ve realized anew… just how much you were always considering those around you and acting on our behalf.”

“…That’s not…”

“…Despite the horrible things I kept saying to you, you endured it all in silence and kept moving for everyone’s sake.”

As Wraith spoke with a bashful, sheepish smile, Cherie offered only an ambiguous one back, not knowing how else to respond.

“Your advice to Lily, and the way you secretly followed up on her mistakes in the shadows. It was all done out of consideration to keep her from being hurt. And yet, I didn’t notice it at all.”

(…Lord Wraith…)

Even after all this time, hearing Wraith finally acknowledge her efforts made Cherie feel as though she might burst into tears.

“I wish I had noticed your virtues sooner. …I really, truly am a fool.”

“…Please, don’t say that. Just hearing these kind words from you now makes me incredibly happy…”

Cherie answered him while fighting back the urge to cry. Watching Wraith reflect on his actions and try to face her head-on without running away, she felt a dull ache of warmth deep in her chest.

—She was happy.

It felt as though the feelings that had been smoldering for so long had finally been sublimated all at once.

“…It might be selfish of me to realize this so late, apologize, and expect forgiveness. But I really wanted to tell you.”

“Lord Wraith…”

Cherie never imagined such a day would come. Her heart was becoming overwhelmed by this unexpected turn of events. It felt as though the unfair treatment she had endured and the efforts no one had recognized were finally being rewarded.

However, just as Cherie reached the height of her emotional state…

“…And I realized one more thing.”

“…What would that be?”

“…The reason you’re planning to follow Prince Salute and become a professional woman in Trigea… that’s also out of consideration for me, isn’t it?”

(——Huh?)

The sudden shift in topic and the mention of a name she knew all too well left Cherie’s head filled with question marks.

“…You think that if you were to be courted by Prince Salute and marry into Trigea right away, I would be looked down upon as the man who was dumped and replaced…”

“…That is incorrect.”

(That’s simply because of my own trauma—)

Realizing that Wraith was feeling guilty because he assumed Cherie and Salute were actually in love but hiding it to spare his feelings, Cherie hurriedly denied his claim.

“…I-is that so?”

“It is. I’ve simply come to want to see how far I can push my own abilities and take on new challenges.”

—That is why I asked for Prince Salute’s help in exploring a path where I can work as a professional, even as a woman—she explained.

When Cherie responded to the stunned Wraith, he paused for a moment before letting out a sudden, airy laugh.

“…Haha.”

He showed her a smile that seemed completely devoid of any previous malice.

“—You are a far stronger woman than I ever realized.”

—Cold and boring? Far from it.

She possessed the strength to keep moving forward without breaking, no matter how difficult the situation. Thinking this, Wraith gazed at his former fiancée with narrowed eyes, finding her incredibly radiant.

“…Cherie.”

How long had it been, Cherie wondered, since Wraith had called her name with such genuine affection?

“I am truly sorry for everything. If you don’t find it distasteful, would you allow us to remain good friends from now on?”

At those words, a wave of warmth welled up in Cherie’s heart.

(…Prince Salute might tell me, ‘Cherie, you really are too much of a softie,’ again.)

She could almost hear Salute’s voice and see his expression in her mind, and the thought made her want to giggle. Still smiling at the amusement of it, she took Wraith’s extended hand.

“…Of course. With pleasure.”

(…I thought that once a bond was broken, it could never be restored.)

—But that wasn’t true.

As she reconnected with Wraith as a friend, Cherie felt like crying again.

She had believed that once a relationship ended due to romance, people could never truly understand each other again, that they could only interact while carrying a sense of awkwardness toward one another. However, today’s conversation with Wraith was an event that shifted Cherie’s values significantly.

(—I’m so glad. I’m so glad I could reach an understanding with Lord Wraith.)

This is how people discover new worlds. Cherie herself didn’t yet realize that this was the catalyst for resolving one of her small traumas.

Little by little. But steadily.

People change.

Today’s events became the spark that gave Cherie a new sense of confidence.