← Previous Chapter | Chapter Index | Next Chapter →

An Otome Game Spinoff Featuring a Prince with Maxed-Out Affection and a Reincarnated Noble Girl

The Noble Girl Called "Mom" (2)

Translated by: S3

Treat me to a Ko-Fi to give me more motivation!!!

*****

I was starting to get genuinely frightened by the prince’s terrifyingly expressionless face.

Uh, why isn't this person's expression changing at all? He isn't even blinking—what is going on? Scary, scary, scary.

「Sera... was dead...?」

Ah, he spoke.

...Wait, focus. Answer him.

「Yes. I even remember the anniversary of her death.」

When I told him the date, the prince muttered 「That's a lie...」 in a strained voice.

He wasn't denying my words. It was simply an outburst of emotion—of "I don't want to believe it" and "Please let it be a lie."

「What would I gain by lying?」

In the "previous life," when I first heard the news of Sera's death, I had said 「You're lying, right?」 in the exact same way.

The prince, hanging his head again, clutched his hair.

「Again... it was 'that day'...」

Hearing the prince's words, I thought to myself, Ah, so it really was.

The days Sera died within the "rewinds" the prince described—in both cases, they were the days of the banquet for the prince's coming-of-age celebration.

The day I received the news of Sera's death in my "previous life" was a few days after that banquet. As a side note, I hadn't attended the banquet myself. It was because I didn't want to see the "Monkey Prince's" face.

There were a fair number of other young ladies who also said they "wouldn't attend."

When I later found out that a significant number of young ladies and lords had been absent, I felt a slight pang of regret... thinking that maybe I should have gone just to see how sparse and chilly the banquet had been.

「...What was the cause... of her death...?」

The prince's voice was so small it was hard to hear.

「An accident. Sera was studying archaeology over there, and they said she died in an accident during an excavation of some ruins.」

She had been caught in a cave-in while investigating ruins found inside a cavern.

Not only Sera, but the man she was engaged to had also died in that same accident, though I felt there was no need to mention that right now.

「An accident...」

After muttering that, the prince stopped moving again.

Honestly, what did Sera mean to this man?

The only one I knew was that "Monkey Prince" from the first loop, so the discrepancy between my impression and the prince in front of me was severe.

Eventually, the prince let out a sigh, raised his head, and rang the bell on the table.

With a cool tink, the bell chimed, and a valet entered the room.

「You called, Your Highness?」

「Escort Lady Malone to her carriage. ...Lady Felicia, I apologize, but let us end things here for today. Would you allow me some time to speak with you again... at a later date?」

「As you wish.」

The prince gave a small word of thanks to me as I bowed, then stood up and left the room first.

His steps were a bit unsteady, and I couldn't help but think he looked quite precarious.

In the carriage on the way home, it was a struggle to deny the excitement of Samantha, who was gushing, 「Did His Highness take a special liking to you, My Lady?」 by saying, 「No, it's not that kind of story.」

After all, I couldn't tell her what we had actually been talking about.

And then I finally realized.

In my "mind," I was twenty-five, but my body was that of a bona-fide five-year-old child. The prince had responded naturally to the words I spoke from my "twenty-five-year-old mind." And I, too, had responded normally to the prince's words, which were certainly uncharacteristic of a five-year-old.

From an outsider's perspective, it must have been an incredibly bizarre sight. ...Perhaps that was also why he had cleared the room.

"I" had been able to speak normally without any sense of discomfort. There was no room to doubt whether the prince's story was true. His "contents," like mine, were not as they appeared on the outside.

The prince had said that I was likely just caught up in the "rewind" he had been repeating.

But was that really true?

Why only me? If he needed direct help, wouldn't any one of—or all three of—the three young lords be better?

...Nah. No matter how much I think about it, I'll never understand. I'll never know what the "Spirit Stone" is thinking.

A few days later, I was summoned by the prince and headed to the castle once again.

Today, of all things, was an audience with His Majesty the King. Scary. Even in my "previous life," I only exchanged words directly with His Majesty maybe twice.

In the letter from the prince, he said he wanted to tell His Majesty everything and ask for his cooperation to wipe out the "Staden" poisonous insects infesting the country. To that end, he wanted me to tell His Majesty about my "memories of the previous life."

He said it was because he, the prince, didn't know what the situation outside the castle was like.

Well, I suppose that makes sense. The prince was apparently confined to the detached palace back then.

That said, I had been busy enough protecting my own territory, so I only knew about the state of the Royal Capital from what I heard and the brief glimpse I caught from my carriage on that final day when I stormed the Royal Castle.

The aftershocks of the turmoil had reached the Malone Duchy as well, but my early actions, taken in anticipation that the country would eventually fall into chaos, had been successful. However, refugees had flooded in from the capital and other territories, and I was run off my feet with the paperwork and such. I suppose I could talk about that.

When I arrived at the castle, the prince greeted me.

To be honest, I was taken aback by the prince greeting me in person.

「Forgive me for calling you here, Lady Felicia.」

He naturally offered his arm to escort me. ...Well, certainly, if this were a twenty-five-year-old man, this action would be expected.

But how many five-year-old children are there who would escort someone with such fluid naturalness because they were the guest they invited? And if this had been the "Monkey Prince" of the first loop, the fact that he wouldn't have even understood the concept of an escort was quite... something.

「I didn't know how much my father would trust my word alone, so I ended up relying on you for help. My apologies.」

As we walked down the hallway, the prince said that.

「I do not mind. ...I, too, have no wish to see that sight a second time.」

This was my honest feeling.

In my twenty-five years of life, that sight was more terrifying and unbelievable than any nightmare I had ever seen.

I never wanted to see it again, and to be perfectly honest, I didn't even want to remember it.

But that sight is something that will become reality if even one step is missed. It isn't something one should avert their eyes from.

「If things will end up like that if we cannot eliminate those 'poisonous insects,' then I shall do my best to help with that 'elimination.' We cannot allow them to eat our country away.」

At my words, the prince gave a small, sudden laugh.

Eh? What are you laughing at?

When I looked beside me, the prince was looking at me with a faint smile.

「Those are quite dependable words. As expected of Sera's 'Mama.'」

「...Please refrain from calling me 'Mama.'」

When I argued back, the prince giggled as if he were having fun.

"Mama" (Okan) was what Sera used to call me. It was like a nickname.

Since he knew that, this man really had watched Sera and me.

By the way, the meaning of "Okan" is a dialectal corruption of "Mother" from a very specific region. ...I don't remember ever becoming Sera's mother. ...Well, I suppose I might have mothered her quite a bit.

I had thought we would be facing His Majesty sitting on the throne, but given the nature of the topic, that wasn't the case.

In a room that looked like a small reception room, His Majesty was sitting on a sofa, with the Prime Minister standing behind him. ...This in itself felt quite oppressive, or rather...

Next to me, as I bowed deeply at the entrance, the prince bowed his head and said, 「I have brought her.」

「You may both raise your heads.」

Though he was a King, he was still young, but his voice possessed majesty.

When I slowly straightened up, His Majesty gestured toward the sofa in front of him.

「Sit.」

At those words, the prince escorted me once again, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

The prince did say he had "repeated the rewind many times," but is it really possible for that violent monkey to become like this? I wonder what kind of evolution he went through.

Once we were seated on the sofa, a maid served tea. And as soon as the maid left, everyone—including the valets and knights—exited the room.

The door was also firmly closed.

The sense of oppression and tension was incredible... This was the first time I'd ever been this close to His Majesty or the Prime Minister, let alone spoken to them privately. I was terrified...

Next to me, as I sat there stiff as a board, I heard the prince let out a small breath. It was as if he were psyching himself up.

「...So, what is this talk about?」

When His Majesty asked that while looking at the prince, the prince picked up a stack of papers that had been prepared on the table.

「I would like you to investigate and capture these people immediately.」

As he spoke, he handed the stack of papers to His Majesty.

His Majesty received them, flipped through them quickly, and handed them to the Prime Minister behind him. The Prime Minister began to look at them slowly, page by page.

"These people" meant that the names of the Staden faction and those who collaborated with them were likely listed there. It seemed like a lot of pages for just that, though.

After looking at the papers intently, the Prime Minister finally looked up from the pages.

「...Where did this information come from?」

Ah, so it wasn't just names; he had also written down some kind of information to help capture them. That makes sense.

「I investigated it.」

「And how did you do that?」

「I will explain that now. However... it will be a story that is nearly impossible to believe. Therefore, could you first listen to my story until the very end?」

With that preface, the prince told the story of how he had "repeatedly relived the past many times."

And within those repetitions, the story of the incredible turmoil caused by the group known as Staden.

I supplemented the story by talking about the state of the country that the prince wouldn't have known about.

At the beginning of the prince's story, I was somewhat worried that the two sitting across from us would only half-listen, given how far-fetched the tale was. But that was a needless fear.

Both of them had serious expressions and were listening with faces that suggested they were deep in thought.

「We cannot allow them to ruin the country.」

The prince finished his story with those firm words.

After a moment of silence, His Majesty let out a long breath.

「...Are these charges sufficient?」

Those words, having believed the story told by the prince and myself, were a question directed at the Prime Minister standing behind him.

The Prime Minister turned his gaze back to the papers in his hand once more.

「More than enough. There are even some who look like they'd cough up extra dirt if given a little push.」

「Then I leave that to you. Make it so we can move immediately.」

「As you wish.」

They believed us, and on top of that, they were going to investigate and capture the Staden bunch...?

Incredible...! If that goes well, the turmoil of the "previous life" can be avoided.

「What a look you have on your face.」

When His Majesty looked at me and chuckled, I reflexively stroked my cheek. ...I wonder what kind of face I was making. It was a little embarrassing.

「Was it so surprising that we believed your story?」

Should I... tell the truth?

After a brief hesitation, I nodded.

「...Yes. To be honest, it is an experience that is hard to believe even for myself. To ask another to believe it is... nearly impossible.」

「That—it's that tone and attitude.」

His Majesty spoke with a hint of amusement, then turned to the Prime Minister behind him with a 「Right?」. The Prime Minister also nodded with a small, wry smile.

「It is as Your Majesty says. ...Whether it be His Highness or Lady Felicia, their words and attitudes are far too inappropriate for their ages.」

「Ah...」

That was certainly true. Since the people I was speaking to were adults, I hadn't really paid attention to it.

When I caught a glimpse of the prince next to me, he looked at me and laughed lightly. ...This man knew that and purposefully chose formal language to speak... This prince is quite a handful.

「If it were just a child wanting to act like an adult, I thought they would slip up somewhere... but you two are quite natural at it.」

His Majesty laughed merrily, but...

「On the contrary, I do not know what a 'general five-year-old child' is like, so I am fumbling through my days.」

If I were given a beautiful doll, I would be happy, but it would be difficult for me to jump for joy. I just disappointed my parents with that the other day. It’s been a long time since I passed the age where I would "react with exaggerated joy."

「And regarding Chris, there is also his handwriting.」

When His Majesty spoke while looking at the papers the Prime Minister held, the Prime Minister also nodded.

「Indeed. This is not the handwriting of a five-year-old child.」

Looking at the two of them, I realized... come to think of it, the letter I received from the prince for today's summons was also written in very beautiful handwriting. I had assumed that it was something he had asked a scribe to do...

The Prime Minister asked, 「Would you like to see?」 and handed me one of the papers.

Very beautiful letters were written in a fluid, delicate script. It was indeed the same handwriting as the letter I had received the other day.

「It's not the handwriting of a five-year-old, is it?」

I nodded honestly to His Majesty, who sought my agreement with a laugh. ...Setting aside the "five-year-old child" part, it's far more beautiful than my own handwriting...

「It's like a model for penmanship.」

As His Majesty laughed, the prince replied, 「No, it isn't quite that good,」 but... Stop it, Prince. That humility is painful for me!

「I have been told that my handwriting has a habit of flicking at the end of words. I've tried to fix it, but I seem to do it unconsciously, and I haven't been able to...」

At the prince's words, I looked down at the paper in my hand. ...Ah, true, the ends of the letters at the end of the words flick up just a little bit. If you call it a habit... I suppose it is a habit. But it's beautiful in its own way, like calligraphy.

The one who would notice such a tiny habit in handwriting would be Sera. That girl is a "self-proclaimed master detective," after all.

「Did the 'Master Detective' point that out?」

When I asked the prince, he giggled with amusement.

「You figured it out. She told me that because I have that habit, she can tell something was written by me even without a signature.」

「She told me that the corners of my handwriting are perfectly aligned. ...It's something you don't notice until it's pointed out, but once it is, you can't help but be bothered by it...」

Sera had once laughed and told me, "The corners of your writing are so sharp and precise—it's so Felicia-like!" When I grumbled that she made me sound like a square, inflexible person, she just laughed merrily again.

His Majesty and the Prime Minister promised to discuss a response and gave a warning to the prince and me: 「It should go without saying, but keep your 'memories of the previous life' to yourselves.」

Yes, Your Majesty. You don't even have to tell me—I couldn't carelessly tell a story like this to anyone. ...The most likely outcome would be people thinking I'd gone mad.

Since that day, the prince and I began to talk often.

Because he would tell me the progress of the adults who were moving based on the information he gave them, or we would talk about each other's "past," there was no end to our topics.

And between us, there was always Sera, who wasn't supposed to be there.

The prince often wanted to hear about how Sera was in the "first loop" that he didn't know, and I enjoyed hearing stories about Sera that I didn't know. Every time I heard the prince's stories, I thought it was funny how "no matter how many times things are redone or how much the surroundings change, Sera is always Sera."

And the prince would tell those stories of the "always unchanging Serafina" looking so happy and affectionate. ...In particular, in the loop the prince had redone just before "this time," Sera had apparently been the Crown Princess, and the content of his stories was nothing but bragging about his love.

Even so, the stories of a happy, fun-loving Sera were enjoyable for me to hear as well.

However, talking about a "young lady who doesn't exist anywhere" as if "speaking about an old friend" is not something one would want to show to others.

Naturally, the time the prince and I spent meeting alone increased. Additionally, clearing the room was essential whenever we talked.

So, to the servants and knights who watched from afar, we probably looked like we were in a "harmonious" state, talking for a very long time with such happy and intimate smiles.

...Well, in reality, it's not like we get along poorly.

Since we didn't have that awareness ourselves, we lacked the objective perspective of how we looked in the eyes of others.

I was forced to realize that "we messed up..." in the winter when I was six.

It was a freezing, cold day with flurries of snow.

I was drinking hot milk that my maid, Samantha, had made for me while chatting with her about how "it's chilly today." It was a very laid-back winter day.

My father, who had been summoned to the castle, returned home and called me into his study for some reason.

「You called, Father?」

When I visited the study, my father gave an indecisive answer while rubbing his chin, 「Ah, yeah...」. ...Father, you're the one who called me, right? Please give me a crisp answer.

「I received a direct message from His Majesty today...」

My father let out a small breath and knit his brows slightly as if he were troubled.

What is it? Is it about the Staden business?

「He asked if you had any intention of becoming the Crown Princess...」

「Haaah?!」

「Felicia?!」

Oh dear, that won't do. How could I! Felicia, that was not a voice a lady should make. I'll have to ask the Sera in my heart to leave. ...Please go away for a bit, Sera.

I let out a small breath, looked my father straight in the eye, and told him in as firm a voice as possible.

「If you ask me if I have such an intention, there is only one answer. I do not!」

「...I thought so.」

My father nodded as if he were convinced.

In our house, I am the only daughter. In the future, I am supposed to take a suitable husband and serve as his assistant. Although, we do have potential adopted heirs to serve as my backup in case I marry into another house.

My father let out a sigh and handed me an envelope.

「His Majesty told me today. He said after the Prince is invested as the Crown Prince, if it's all right with the Prince and you...」

There isn't a single good thing about that.

True, the prince is so accomplished that it's hard to find a flaw in him. But that's not it. He has a "woman he loves and cherishes from the bottom of his heart."

...There's no way I can win against an opponent who doesn't even exist in this world. Especially when that person is my own best friend. There's no way I could win.

「His Majesty said he wants to speak with you directly.」

When I received the envelope my father held out, I saw the royal crest watermarked on it.

A direct letter from His Majesty... It’s so awe-inspiring it's scary...

When I opened the letter I received in my room, His Majesty's desire to speak was written in beautiful script. At the end of the letter, it said, 'By the way, this letter was written by a scribe. My handwriting is poor, so please forgive me.' I couldn't help but burst out laughing at His Majesty's playfulness. I wonder what the scribe who was given the draft thought.

When I went to the castle at the appointed time on the appointed day, a valet guided me.

His Majesty and the prince were already in the room I was shown to, and when I apologized for being the last to enter despite being of the lowest status, His Majesty laughed merrily.

「Think nothing of it. To be kept waiting by a lady is no hardship. Come, sit there.」

...Truly, he is a playful man. I didn't know His Majesty was such a wonderful person.

「Now then, Lady Felicia. I assume you've heard the talk from your father.」

Once the tea was prepared, His Majesty got straight to the point.

「Yes. My answer is exactly as I told my father.」

To the question of "Do you have any intention of becoming the Crown Princess?", it's a "No."

I had told my father, "Please convey my intention to decline as firmly as possible! With resolve!" I don't know how "with resolve" my father had conveyed it, though.

「I have no intention of blaming you for declining. ...But if it's not too much trouble, I would like to hear your reason.」

Even if you ask for a reason...

「First, it is because I love the House of Malone. I love the Ducal House, as well as the Duchy and its people.」

To inherit them, lead them, and entrust them to the next generation—I believe that is what I must do.

However, the fact that I refused the gracious offer of "becoming the Crown Princess" with an immediate "No" was not the primary reason.

More than anything, the main reason was—

「I believe there is someone more suitable for the position of 'Crown Princess' than myself.」

The person the Crown Prince himself desires from the bottom of his heart.

「Exaggerated humility is not very charming, Lady Felicia.」

...Could you please say that to your son instead, Your Majesty...?

「From what the servants and knights say, aren't you two talking in a very harmonious manner? Rumor has it that you both think well of each other...」

I didn't know there was such a rumor! So that's why this came up.

「Chris also turned me down. He scolded me, telling me not to do anything that would trouble Lady Felicia.」

...I wonder how much of that is true. Even if you say it with a laugh, I'm not sure if I should laugh too.

「He said he wanted to talk including Lady Felicia. That is why I called you here.」

Why me too?

Thinking that, I caught a glimpse of the prince sitting next to me, and he looked His Majesty straight in the eye.

「As I have told you before, she and I have 'memories of a redone past.'」

His Majesty nodded, saying he had heard that, and the prince continued.

「At that time, there were many things I did not speak of, as they were unrelated to the conspiracy shaking the country. One of those 'things I did not speak of' is the story of a certain young lady.」

Yes.

I also intentionally didn't speak of her. I didn't think I would be believed even if I did, and I didn't want to cause trouble for a real Marquis house by talking about her.

The prince is going to tell His Majesty about Sera.

That's why he called me, who knows the "past where Sera was there."

To prove that a young lady named "Serafina Camden" truly existed and that she was by no means a figment of the prince's imagination or a delusion.

Fine. I'll help.

「That young lady's name is Serafina Camden. She is the eldest daughter of the House of Marquis Camden and a girl the same age as us.」

「The House of Marquis Camden... I believe they only have one male child...」

As expected of His Majesty. Information on the major noble houses comes to him immediately.

「In my memory, she is the person who would be the elder sister of that male child—Lord Roland. Since Sera is a girl, the successor to the House of Marquis Camden was Lord Roland, just as it is now.」

However, I don't know much about Sera's younger brother. I believe he was a polite, quiet boy.

Perhaps because I mentioned Roland's name, the prince looked at me and asked.

「Did you have any contact with Roland in the 'previous life'?」

「I wouldn't say we were particularly 'close.' It was more like... we would exchange greetings if we saw each other.」

「I see. What was your impression of him?」

「He was quiet for being Sera's brother... or rather, it might just be that Sera was an outlier...」

「I see. Thank you.」

After an expression of slight contemplation, the prince turned back to His Majesty.

「Serafina was one of the friends you gathered for me, Father.」

When asked by His Majesty if that was correct, I replied, 「That is correct.」

「In the 'memories' of both myself and Lady Felicia, she certainly existed. ...I do not know why she does not exist in the House of Marquis Camden in 'this time,' but...」

As he listened to the prince, His Majesty, who looked as if he were thinking something, looked at us alternately.

「I want to ask you both. What color was that young lady's hair?」

I answered immediately, 「Dark brown.」 At the same time, the prince answered, 「A brown close to black, lustrous and beautiful like ebony.」

「The color of her eyes?」

「Green.」

「A deep, clear green reminiscent of a deep forest.」

Prince... what's with all the modifiers...?

Across from me, His Majesty also looked a bit troubled.

「...Are you both sure you are talking about the same young lady...?」

...I suppose it would seem that way.

「Any physical characteristics?」

「She was a small, charming girl with impressive, large round eyes.」

「She was like an inquisitive cat, her expressions changing rapidly like a cat's eyes, her smile was especially adorable, and she had a lively nature, always walking with a bouncing step that was also very cute, and every time she moved, her beautiful hair would sway like silk, appearing just like—」

「Chris, Chris, that's enough.」

Thank you for stopping him, Your Majesty!

I mean, what is with the prince's fluent rhetoric?! It’s a little scary! And why does he look "unhappy" now that His Majesty stopped him?!

His Majesty let out a very, very long sigh and looked at the prince in exasperation.

「In short, do you like that young lady?」

「Yes.」

The prince replied immediately, clearly and without any hesitation.

...Hey, Sera. I don't know where you are or what you're doing right now, but could you come and take this prince off our hands? This prince is a little scary.

As I was thinking that, the prince stated firmly next to me.

「I want to wait for her—for Sera.」