← Previous Chapter | Chapter Index | Next Chapter →

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

Let’s Go Beyond the Dead End...

Translated by: S3

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

Note: Word count: 1.5x (compared to our usual).

*****

As Lord Chris had warned, his story was truly, "long," and we were forced into a "sunset suspension."

Since it was suspended, the rest was to be continued at a later date.

As an aside, a "sunset suspension" is a term used in baseball and the like when it gets too dark to see the ball, so the game is paused and resumed or replayed another day. Well, you don't hear it much lately. Most small municipal stadiums have night lighting equipment these days. Outside of baseball, it still happens in golf.

A few days later, when I was summoned to the castle, I found Lady Felicia Malone, the daughter of Duke Malone, there alongside Lord Chris.

Oh? Is today not a continuation of the other day? I wondered, but it turned out to be a massive continuation.

It turned out Lady Felicia was also a "caught-up type time leaper."

...For a moment, I thought, Must be nice. But since it didn't seem like there was anything particularly "nice" about it for the people involved, I couldn't possibly say that out loud.

Still, I was a little jealous...

I mean, even so, the fact that I have "memories of my previous life" is a pretty mysterious phenomenon in itself! Even if it’s been of zero use!

...It really hasn't been useful, has it? These memories. Usually, in these kinds of stories, you'd use them to navigate your way through and avoid flags! Or some development like that...

But Lord Chris has taken all those developments for himself...

And since the otome game plot has already concluded, my meager knowledge of the game is useless too...

I don't even have enough "knowledge" to pull off a knowledge cheat... It’s tragic...

I listened to the story of "this time" with Lady Felicia present.

That, too, was a considerably long story.

However, the expression on Lady Felicia's face when she talked about "Sera" was so gentle that I thought, Is Sera a super-beloved character or something?! ...Well, she wasn't talking about "the current me," though.

And "this time" was much calmer than the "rewinds" Lord Chris had repeated so far, so I was able to enjoy listening to both Lord Chris’s and Lady Felicia’s stories, thinking, So that’s what was happening behind the scenes?!

「Oh yes... I actually have a souvenir for Sera.」

Lady Felicia said, as if just remembering.

A souvenir? Did you go somewhere?

When Lady Felicia gave a look, a maid from the House of Duke Malone came over carrying a small basket.

「It’s something Sera enjoyed eating in the 'previous' life... I wonder if it will suit your palate?」

As she spoke, Lady Felicia placed the basket she received on her lap and took something out.

...A danish? Maybe? And is there something sandwiched inside? A danish sandwich is basically eighty percent guaranteed to be delicious. The remaining twenty percent is for when the filling tastes like... "oh..."

「You may have heard from His Highness, but in the 'previous' time, Sera and I went abroad to study.」

「Yes, I heard.」

Lady Felicia gave a soft chuckle and handed me a danish wrapped in thin paper with something sandwiched inside.

It’s surprisingly heavy... I can't see the inside, so I wonder what's in it?

「Sera used to take the beans found in that country and boil them with a large amount of sugar. ...I don't think sweet bean dishes are particularly delicious, but Sera was so happy, saying 'This is it!' ...I remembered that and ordered the beans to try making it.」

Beans... with a large amount of sugar...

Could it be?! No, it definitely is!!

Lady Felicia said, 「Please, do try some,」 so I didn't hesitate to take a big bite.

Whoa... This... This is the good stuff...!

「This is it! This!」

「...And what, exactly, is 'this'?」

Lady Felicia said as if exasperated. ...Lady Felicia, so that’s how you actually speak, isn't it? I heard you loud and clear.

I couldn't help but peel back the two layers of thinly sliced danish to look at the inside.

Wonderful...! The plumply cooked azuki beans are so glossy! The chef of the Duke of Malone's house is top-tier! And there’s butter spread on the danish. It’s an anko-butter sandwich! And it tastes like high-quality stuff! ...Actually, I prefer margarine because it tastes cheaper, but a "poverty palate" doesn't suit a noble. ...Man, I want to eat anko-margarine...

Wait! I am doing a knowledge cheat! And it's a cooking-related one, isn't my girl power high?!

...Ah, but Lady Felicia said she "doesn't like it much." I guess anko is a love-it-or-hate-it thing... There are Japanese people who don't like it either... Sigh... If I make it with anko and whipped cream, maybe Lady Felicia could handle it?! I’ll try that next time.

While I was munching away on the an-butter sandwich and thinking such things, Lady Felicia let out a sigh.

Ugh... did I eat too greedily...? Am I going to get scolded...? Thump-thump...

As I was feeling a bit timid, Lady Felicia reached out and wiped the corner of my mouth with her slender, beautiful fingers.

「Honestly. You shouldn't eat with such a large mouth. You're going to be a Queen eventually, you know?」

「Mom...」

Sorry, Mom. I'll be careful from now on.

「Who are you calling Mom?」

Whoa, her voice got low!

I wondered if I’d been too rude... but when I stole a glance, Lady Felicia looked somehow happy despite her voice.

For now, it seems like calling her "Mom" is okay. It’s probably fine. Good.

Lord Chris watched me munching on the an-butter sandwich with a beaming smile... ...Your gaze is bothering me, Lord Chris... Please don't look at me with those eyes you’d use for something heartwarming...

After I finished munching and thanked Lady Felicia, she handed me the whole basket, saying, 「Please take the rest as well.」

Bless you...! I will surely repay this kindness!

Clutching the basket tightly on my lap, I looked at the smiling Lord Chris.

There was a point in Lady Felicia’s story that had really piqued my interest.

「Lord Chris, there’s something I’d like to ask...」

「Hm? What is it?」

Lord Chris tilted his head slightly. ...He’s always so calculatingly cute.

「It was mentioned in the story earlier... but you said you can remember all the details of past 'rewinds'...」

「It’s a phenomenon limited to 'this time.' It’s the truth.」

Whoa...

Usually, things like "cringe memories" are things you remember right before bed and go "Gwaaaah!!" while rolling around on the bed clutching your pillow, but to be able to remember them anytime, not just before bed... what kind of torture is that?

The Spirit Stone is merciless...

I’d been thinking that Lord Chris remembered the details of his past stories way too well. Like those "You remember conversations really well, lol" comments people get on social media.

In the case of social media, it’s "detailed because it’s a made-up story," but in Lord Chris’s case, he "just literally remembers it"... It’s so incredible I’m at a loss for words...

「Is it so that you can recall information gained in previous 'rewinds' at any time...?」

If interpreted in a positive way, that might be it.

Lord Chris gave a bitter smile and nodded. 「Perhaps.」

「Or it might be a reminder so that I do not forget my own foolishness... but I do not know the intent behind it.」

Is it both...?

The will of the Stone is too deep and far-reaching for a short-sighted, rash human like me to measure.

「But well, it’s been helpful in many ways. I can recall the fine details of things I investigated regarding Staden in the past, for example.」

「That’s true.」

It’s true, but still...

「You remember things other than what you were consciously looking at or listening to... right?」

I asked Lord Chris as he nodded.

「Then, do you remember Lady Fiorina’s clothing, hairstyle, and accessories from the first time you met her?」

「Her clothing was... a pale rose-colored dress. It was a soft, princess-line design, and thinking back, it was a piece that had a lot of work and money put into it, so you could see how much effort Staden was putting in. Her hair was braided at the sides and held with finely crafted hair ornaments. Was the stone in the hair ornament citrine? A yellow stone that suited her hair color. On her décolletage was a choker made of pearls and a pink stone. I wonder what the stone was? Tourmaline or spinel, perhaps. It was a transparent stone.」

As Lord Chris spoke fluently, as if she were right there in front of him, I couldn't help but think, Yikes...

I must have been making a face that said exactly that. Lord Chris asked, 「Sera? Is something wrong?」

「No, um... I just realized I can't dress carelessly in front of you, Lord Chris...」

You’d even remember things like extremely lazy fashion, wouldn't you?! Like hair that didn't quite get its bedhead fixed! Scary! So scary!!

「Sera...」

Lady Felicia, who was sitting next to me, placed a hand on my shoulder as I was cowering.

When I looked at Lady Felicia, she had an indescribable smile. ...What?

「It’s fine. Seventy percent of the time, you only wear careless outfits anyway.」

「In what way is that fine?!」

I don't understand what you mean by "fine"! What is fine about that?! Hey, Lady Felicia!

As I stared at the chuckling Lady Felicia in shock, Lord Chris, sitting opposite us, also spoke while laughing. 「It’s okay.」 ...It’s probably going to be another story where nothing is actually okay, right?

「That 'remembering in detail' thing applies to the loops before the previous one; in 'this time' specifically, my memory fades and I forget things normally.」

「Oh... is that so...?」

「Yes. So it makes the mechanics behind it even more of a mystery.」

Certainly, that’s true.

But well, in Lord Chris’s case, he’s already completed most of his learning "so far," and the things related to Staden are part of where his accumulation "so far" really counts.

The fact that he forgets things normally in "this time"... might be convenient for living. ...To prevent Lord Chris’s minefield of memories from getting even more tragic.

After we finished talking, Lady Felicia left, saying, 「Let’s talk again.」

「Lord Chris...」

「Yes?」

Ah, so tilting your head like that really is a habit, isn't it? Must be nice. I want a calculatingly cute habit like that too.

「There isn't any more danger, is there...?」

The entire Staden faction has been captured. As for me, the "cave-in accident at the foreign cave ruins" Lady Felicia spoke of is fine because I have no plans to go to such a place. The first time I was killed in Lord Chris’s "rewinds" was related to Staden, so that’s also fine. I don't really get the second time with the younger brother (current older brother), but my brother has no motive to kill me right now. Last week, I munched on his portion of the snacks and he got incredibly angry, but you don't commit murder over that. I’d laugh if he did. No, it’s no laughing matter.

「I have disposed of everyone involved that I know of... ...Well, I think you’re probably safe, Sera.」

「Then, what about you, Lord Chris...?」

「'I don't know' would be the accurate answer. After all, in my case, except for the first 'starvation,' the person who comes to kill me is different every time, as is the date and time.」

Whoa... I see...

「The only thing that’s always the same is that it’s 'within the one year of being twenty-five'... right?」

「Yes. It seems 'starvation' is unlikely this time, so it will be something else... but it’s still a bit early to say for sure that there will be nothing.」

However, even so.

「The Stone said 'this is the last time,' didn't it?」

「It did say that. Though I don't know what it meant.」

「If it was making you 'restart' over and over to grant 'someone's wish,' wouldn't it mean that someone’s wish will be granted 'this time'?」

「Maybe.」

「Could that 'someone's wish' be 'His Majesty’s wish'...?」

The wish of a kind father who wished for Lord Chris’s health and happiness.

「...I hope so.」

To Lord Chris, who smiled with downcast eyes, I insisted, 「I’m sure that’s it.」

I mean... honestly, I think it’s about time Lord Chris got to be happy too. He’s been loops-of-deathing so much that he’s worn out in all sorts of places.

Being frayed, exhausted, and just as he was about to sit down, getting his butt kicked by the Stone and forced to "restart"... If it were me, I’m confident I’d throw everything away no matter what the Stone said. I’d be like, "I'm just going to do whatever I want since I’m just going to be made to restart anyway!"

And yet, here he is, properly being a "splendid Crown Prince" without throwing anything away.

If this person doesn't end up happy, I’ll think the "Spirit Stone" isn't all that much!

「But you know, Sera.」

When I looked at Lord Chris as he called my name, he was smiling with a very calm face.

「I am sufficiently happy right now.」

「Is that... so...?」

This person’s "past" was so terrible that he’s become able to feel happiness at the smallest things... It feels energy-efficient and eco-friendly, but that’s not quite right...

「The internal state of the country is stable, and the 'Usurper faction' members are staying quiet because reliable people are keeping an eye on them. The Staden faction was captured, and the community in their home country was disbanded. While capturing the people who flowed in here, we were also able to crack down on many criminal organizations nesting in the country. Thanks to that, public safety has improved.」

Yes. The simultaneous sweep while cleaning up the remnants of Staden was quite a sight.

From petty theft groups to large-scale human trafficking organizations, the people caught in the net were rooted out and thrown into prison. Thanks to that, the prisons are packed right now. The judicial officers are also busy every day.

But isn't this "something that was good for the country" and not "something that was good for Lord Chris personally"?

As I was thinking that, Lord Chris smiled with downcast eyes again.

「Besides, I’ve been blessed with good friends this time too, and my relationship with my family is good.」

That is genuinely a good thing.

「And above all...」

Lord Chris paused briefly, raised his downcast eyes, and looked straight at me with a smile.

It was that usual smile where he narrowed his eyes as if looking at something a bit too bright.

「You are alive and standing before me.」

Like I said... please don't make that your "greatest happiness"!

From now on, there might be even more amazing "good things"!

「Did you think, after hearing all this, that I would abandon you, Lord Chris...?」

He’d said something like that earlier, I think.

When I asked, Lord Chris looked down again.

「The person I used to be was so self-centered and foolish that there was no way to defend him. I am here before you now by putting on a pretense in many ways, but it is a fact that 'the foolish me of the past' existed. I do not know how you will feel about that.」

You say you're "putting on a pretense," but your experiences weren't that simple... And if "being foolish in the past" is something that should be condemned, wouldn't most people be guilty of that? What can someone like me possibly say to a person who has properly reflected on those things and has now become someone who can't be pointed at by anyone?

「You believed my story without any doubt... but it’s such an insane situation that I was prepared for you to think I’d gone mad.」

Ah... yes. That’s certainly true.

Well, but regarding that, I owe everything to my knowledge of my previous life. Fiction about time leaps is everywhere and not even that rare. Even if I were in Japan and a friend suddenly started telling a story like that, I’d at least listen to the end. ...Well, I’d probably think, "Oh? Is this a late-onset case of eighth-grade syndrome?"

And in this world, there isn't yet a concept of a story about "manipulating time." "Time" is irreversible, and no one has ever thought of "traveling back." So if Lord Chris’s story were a fiction, he’d be a writer capable of leaving his name in literary history.

「Why did you tell me, even though you thought you might be abandoned?」

「Because you said, 'It is more frightening to not be told about a danger.' ...Hearing that, I thought, 'Oh, I should have done that last time too.' Instead of me being the only one on guard, if I had told you and had you be careful too, perhaps...」

Certainly, if I had known, I might have been able to buy some time even if I couldn't prevent it. ...But it was an act by a family member that was too unexpected, so it seems like there wouldn't have been much I could do even if I’d known.

「Failing over and over like that, losing you... and now here I am again, before you. If I make another mistake... something might happen to you again...」

Lord Chris hung his head so low that his face was no longer visible.

But you know... I think...

「In life, is there anyone who never makes a single mistake?」

The only people who could say, "There are no mistakes in my life! I’m always right!" are people who are as naive as Lord Chris was the first time, or scammers, or total villains.

「This is just my personal theory... but I think the kinder a person is, the more they regret the past. And the more timid a person is, the more they lament the past.」

Lord Chris, who was still looking down, let out a small, soft laugh.

「I... must be the latter.」

「No.」

Absolutely not.

「Lord Chris, you are a very strong person who has lamented the past, regretted it... and properly reflected on it and overcome it on your own two feet.」

...I mean, seriously, I think just facing your cringe past head-on shows a considerably strong mental state.

From there, you thought about "what was wrong" and "what would have been better" for yourself, found the answers, and overcame everything with your own power.

If you don't call this "strong," what do you call it?

「You are a very kind person who can wield the various powers you’ve acquired in that way for the sake of others.」

At first, it was likely for your own sake. After all, the starting point was that "I am the world" naivety.

But the last few "rewinds" haven't been for your own sake. Capturing Staden is for the country, and not letting Serafina die is for her. ...I’m sure you’ve noticed yourself that the purpose of the "rewind" changed along the way.

「And you are a courageous person who continues to walk even while fearing you might make another mistake.」

Even knowing there’s a despairing dead end, you still try to struggle, thinking, this time for sure... Even if you know things won't change unless you act, normally people would hesitate. It wouldn't be strange to be paralyzed with fear.

But you, Lord Chris, don't stop struggling.

I have no thoughts about that other than "it's cool."

「I sincerely respect that Lord Chris, I think you’re cool, and... I w-wuv you.」

...Damn it. My embarrassment came out right at the end... Of all things, I totally tripped over the word "love"...

It was such a good scene! Come on, me! What on earth is "wuv"?!

Gnnn...! As I lamented the past of just a moment ago, Lord Chris raised his downcast face.

...If you're going to laugh, just laugh... I’m an idiot for tripping over my words in a good scene...

But Lord Chris wasn't laughing. He doesn't laugh at other people's failures. What a wonderful personality you have, Lord Chris!

Lord Chris isn't laughing. Instead, he has a face like he’s holding back tears.

「...Does that... mean you will... stay 'here'...?」

You don't have to look at me with such pleading eyes. ...Is it okay for this man to have such an exposed weakness? Even though everything else is almost perfect...

Well, fine.

「I look forward to our long future together.」

As I said that, I bowed my head, and when I raised it again, Lord Chris was hanging his head once more.

「...I will protect you this time, for sure...」

I laughed in exasperation at Lord Chris, who spoke in a tiny, tiny voice.

「Like I said, you’re always protecting me.」

I said that before, didn't I?

「Besides... you were 'always' protecting me, weren't you?」

It might not have gone well. But I’m sure you did everything you could at each of those times.

「Thank you for 'always' protecting Serafina.」

The "previous" time, and the "time before that," and "this time" too.

Protecting Serafina by literally "risking your life." ...To be honest, it’s a bit heavy. But well, let’s just say it’s the greatest honor a woman could have.

「I am the one who should be saying thank you...」

Lord Chris, who raised his face, had tears welling up in his eyes. The way the tears seemed just on the verge of spilling but didn't made me suspect, Does this man know exactly how he looks and is doing this on purpose? If he is, "calculating" doesn't even begin to describe it.

「Thank you for choosing me, Sera...」

A single tear fell from his downcast eyes. CAL-CU-LA-TING!

Lord Chris, do you perhaps have a "heroine attribute"?

For now, I think I’ll have another cup of tea until Lord Chris calms down.

It seems like the fact that I tripped over my confession just now got brushed under the rug quite nicely.

Ahh... what lovely weather. The tea is delicious too.

...I didn't know then. That at a later date, Lord Chris would laugh and bring it up, saying, 「'Wuv' you say...」 And that a slightly ticked-off me would tell him, 「I hate that Lord Chris,」 causing him to sink into the depths of despair.

***

The date for the wedding of Lord Chris and me was postponed until after Lord Chris turned twenty-six. Or rather, we postponed it.

Lord Chris was very dissatisfied, saying, 「It’s been pushed back a whole year...」 but it’s because it’s your most dangerous year! I want you to live your life on high alert for that whole year!

I don't want us to have the ceremony and go straight from newlywed to widow!

Also, I asked Lord Chris what happened to the "secret agent who became the heroine's foster father in the last two loops," which I’d been very curious about.

His answer was, 「He sent a message saying, 'The wheat harvest was too good this year, so here’s some to share...' It’s a bit of a problem even if he sends it, though...」

...That secret agent is enjoying life every time...

And Lord Chris actually shared some of the "powdered sweets given out during celebrations" that I’d been really curious about. Apparently, it was a celebration for the birth of the secret agent's second child.

It tasted like a more rustic version of rakugan, and it was indeed delicious. It was in the shape of a flower, just as I’d heard, but it was more finely crafted and beautiful than I’d expected. ...I’d thought it would be something like those rakugan you see at Obon. But it was a cute, Western-style flower. It wasn't a chrysanthemum.

As an aside, the secret agent apparently has twin children this time, a boy and a girl. ...Seriously, only the secret agent seems to be having a good time every single time...

In the spring when I was fifteen, my brother got a bride.

Despite being high-ranking nobles as a Marquis family, my brother had never had a fiancée for a reason typical of our house: everyone in the family found the idea of finding a bride for the heir a hassle and said, 「Well, eventually...」

The name of the hero who married into our vague-flavored house was Lady Felicia Malone, daughter of the Duke.

Surprisingly, she was the one who pushed for it. The House of Duke Malone is strong...

According to Lady Felicia "Mom" Malone, my brother is the type she 「can't leave alone and wants to fuss over.」 ...Your "mom" blood was stirred, wasn't it, Lady Felicia...

Currently, my brother is completely under her thumb. After all, her family is a Ducal house. Our vague Marquis house is no match for them.

However, my brother doesn't seem to mind, so I suppose it’s fine.

Having a beautiful and capable wife is wonderful. Honestly, I feel like she’s too good for my brother.

My father accidentally became related to a Ducal house and says, 「My stomach hurts wondering if we’ll make a blunder...」

That Mom—I mean Lady Felicia—told me, 「You can call me Big Sister.」 So when I obediently called her "Big Sister," for some reason Lord Chris was envious. ...Why?!

Since then, Lord Chris sometimes tries to get me to call him "Big Brother." It’s nonsensical and scary.

***

The fateful year when I was seventeen and Lord Chris was twenty-five.

My seventeenth year passed without anything happening at all. ...Other than Lord Chris being more enthusiastic than me about the preparations for the wedding the following year. ...No, seriously, Lord Chris, I have enough dresses. Even if you increase them more, I won't have time to wear them. I have enough accessories too! It’s fine!

Spring of the year Lord Chris was twenty-five. It was around the time he would turn twenty-six in the summer.

There was an event where the castle was opened to the public.

It’s an event where parts of the castle halls and gardens are opened, and anyone is allowed to enter the castle on that day.

When Lord Chris went to see the event, there was a person who tried to attack him. It was an old man with a cane who was considerably weak, so Lord Chris was not seriously harmed.

When they investigated the captured old man, he was a remnant of that religious community. It seemed it was a crime committed out of resentment for the disbanding of the community.

He was sentenced to imprisonment, but the old man died in prison within a month. He didn't touch the food he was served and died of emaciation.

When Lord Chris was attacked, there was someone who shielded him with their own body, and surprisingly, it was the former secret agent who is now a farmer. It seemed he was in the capital for sightseeing with his beloved wife and children. ...He’s seriously enjoying life.

Because he shielded Lord Chris, the country was going to give him a reward, so I peeked at him when he came to receive it.

He was a man with short, tidy flaxen hair and a dark tan, giving a sharp impression. ...He gave a sharp impression, but he looked too healthy to be a "secret agent."

However, there was a large old scar on his cheek, and I thought that part was "secret agent-like"... but it turned out that scar was actually from when he was chasing away a wolf that appeared in his village. ...You life-enjoying guy...

The secret agent received many shiny farm tools as a reward and went home with a beaming smile, saying, 「The villagers will be very happy too!」 ...Seriously, he’s just a farmer now...

That was the only real incident, and Lord Chris safely reached his twenty-sixth birthday.

Lord Chris, I, the King, and Big Sister Felicia raised a toast.

***

And finally.

The wedding ceremony for Lord Chris and me was held solemnly, flamboyantly, and safely.

After the day’s hectic schedule was over, it was what you’d call the wedding night. For the next five days, we have no plans whatsoever. We’re going to spend them being as lazy as we want.

Currently, I’ve finished my bath and am lounging around on the bed. For the record, it’s not "after the fact." Not yet. Lord Chris is reportedly in the bath right now.

As I was lounging around alone in the absurdly large bed, I started to feel sleepy.

No, I shouldn't fall asleep here. ...I’m tired, though. I’m incredibly tired.

Don't fall asleep... hang in there... don't sleep...

「...Whuh?!」

Oh no, I was asleep! I jumped up in a panic to find Lord Chris, who had been sitting right beside me, looking at me with an incredibly surprised face.

「...You startled me...」

He had a hand on his chest and was letting out a long breath. ...My apologies for startling you.

My head is incredibly clear. Could it be that I slept for a long time?

「Um... sorry, Lord Chris. Have I been sleeping for quite a while?」

「No, I don't think it’s been that long.」

As he spoke, Lord Chris pointed to the clock by the bedside.

He’s right. Not even twenty minutes have passed. ...Is it that phenomenon? Where you doze off in class and wake up feeling unusually refreshed.

Since I just woke up, my hair must be messy. Lord Chris reached out and carefully combed through my hair with his fingers.

Before, Lord Chris was very careful about touching me, and the sad reason for that was, 「The first time, I touched you carelessly and you brushed me off...」 No, I mean, your carelessness was truly careless back then! It couldn't be helped!

And another reason was, 「If I’m too close, I feel like I’ll lose my self-control...」

From today on, self-control is no longer necessary.

Lord Chris pulled me close with the same hand he’d been using to comb my hair.

「Sera...」

「Yes. ...Ow, ow, ow, ow.」

Lord Chris, you're being too strong! It hurts! The words just came out naturally!

At my words, Lord Chris hurriedly released his arms and was rubbing my arms and shoulders in a panic, saying, 「I’m sorry, are you okay?!」

The sight of him being so flustered was funny, and I couldn't help but laugh.

「I’m fine. But please use a bit more restraint.」

「I’m sorry. I was just so happy, I couldn't help it...」

As he said that, Lord Chris bumped his forehead against mine.

「Sera.」

「What is it?」

「...Thank you for being alive.」

Don't thank me for something so obvious. A human is alive as long as they don't die.

But if you’re going to say that.

「Lord Chris, thank you for being alive. ...For not giving up...」

Even though you said you’d had enough and wanted it to end. Even so, you didn't give up, didn't throw it all away, and made it to this day.

「Thank you...」

Surely, because Lord Chris didn't give up, I am alive like this now.

I am the one who should be saying thank you.

The two of us continued to thank each other for a while, and it somehow started to feel funny, and in the end, we both laughed together.

***

At dawn, I suddenly woke up.

I could hear birds chirping outside the window. ...But it’s still dark. No, is it dark because of the curtains?

I thought about looking at the clock, but I couldn't move. ...Then I realized Lord Chris had me in a tight hold from behind.

Lord Chris, you were surprisingly the type who looks slim in clothes... You were quite muscular... According to him, he’d been training his body, thinking he’d at least like to be able to defend himself.

Those arms of Lord Chris are holding me in a very, very tight hold.

...Why won't this arm come off? He’s sleeping, isn't he? Why is he putting so much strength into it...?

Hnnngh! I tried my best, but he didn't budge. What’s going on...?

I’m probably being called...

「...Sera?」

「Oh, did I wake you?」

In that case, it’s perfect timing, so could you take this arm off? I tapped Lord Chris’s arm with that meaning, but he only put more strength into it instead.

「Gueh.」

「What’s wrong? ...The sun hasn't even risen yet, has it?」

「That’s true, but...」

Lord Chris released his arm, so I sat up in bed. When I checked the clock, it was indeed still before dawn.

But I have to go.

「I think I’m being called.」

I pointed in a direction—is it over there?—and Lord Chris also sat up.

「Let’s go together. ...Not that anything will happen just because I’m with you.」

「Lord Chris, do you not feel like you’re being called?」

「No. So this time, it must be you.」

I see...

Is it my turn for a death loop? I’d like to be spared from that.

I changed my clothes and left the room with a candlestick in one hand.

Normally, there should be knights, attendants, and maids outside the room, but there was no one.

「...As I thought, there is no one.」

「There isn't...」

It was frighteningly still.

I know where the treasury is, but I’ve never entered that section.

However, as if following a calling voice, my feet moved on their own. It’s a quite creepy phenomenon. If Lord Chris weren't with me, I’d probably be walking while talking to myself a lot. Because it’s scary.

I mean, the way there is literally empty! I’m fine with hearing about the occult, but I don't want to experience it!

I knew the destination, and as expected, we arrived in front of the treasury door.

I don't have a key. And I don't know how to open it.

「Try opening it.」

As I thought, that’s the only way...

I reached out to the luxurious knob and tried to open the door.

Truly, without any weight at all, the door opened smoothly and easily. And what overflowed from within was a pure white light.

From the ceiling to the walls to the floor, everything was entirely white. It looked like a place in a game where the texture assignment was wrong.

There, the necklace with the "Spirit Stone" that should have been in a case was floating. The color of the stone was, naturally, a beautiful, clear blue.

Whoa, gross!! It really echoes in my head! This feels nasty!

...I mean, "Daughter of another world"?! What does this "Stone" know and to what extent?! Could it be that my "reincarnation in another world" was done by this "Stone"?!

Indifferent to my cluttered mind, the voice of the stone echoed.

「...Lord Chris, can you hear the voice of the stone?」

When I looked at Lord Chris standing beside me, he gave a bitter smile.

「No, right now, nothing. Can you hear something?」

「It asked, 'Your wish?'」

When I said that, Lord Chris gave a chuckle.

「I see. ...Be careful not to wish for something careless like I did the first time.」

That’s not something to laugh about, is it...?

A wish, huh...

I wonder if it’s okay to ask it to tell me whether Lord Chris’s death loop has ended?

Whoa?! It answered!!

<Daughter, speak your wish.>

Was that "answer" just now a service?! You're quite generous, Mr. Stone!

Wait a sec!

「Lord Chris!」

I have to tell him this!

「W-what?」

Lord Chris was a bit bewildered by my likely beaming smile. Cute.

「Lord Chris, it said your 'rewind' is over!」

「Eh...? Really...?」

「The Stone just said so!」

「The... Stone... did...」

The Stone is generous for not counting that "wait" just now as a wish!

You see that a lot in "three wishes" type stories. Those stupid things getting counted as "wishes" and then it goes, "And now, farewell!" Compared to that, how generous the Stone is!

<So, your wish...>

For the happiness of my "beloved people"!

Actually, I’d been secretly thinking about it all along.

I wonder what I would wish for if it were me... It’s the same idea as "What should I buy if I win 300 million in the lottery?" It’s counting your chickens before they hatch.

And this is what I squeezed out.

As broad as possible, and with effects as non-specific as possible. A vague wish. My "beloved people" are, of course, Lord Chris, but also my family back home, the King and Queen, the servants who always take care of me, and so on—a huge number. It’s a vague feeling of "I hope something good happens to those people!"

How about that, Stone? Will you grant it? Hm?

Seriously!! Honestly, I thought it would be impossible! Sorry for underestimating you!

The stone, which had apparently heard my wish, smoothly changed its color from blue to green, and the light that had been staining the room white also disappeared. In the place where the stone had been, a parure case was placed.

Whoa... it really happens like this...

As I was blankly staring at that sight, a voice spoke in my head once more.

「... "Prince of the Singularity"?」

When I looked next to me with a puzzled feeling, Lord Chris also had a puzzled face.

「... 'Daughter of Another World'?」

Oh, boy!

「That voice just now... did you hear it too, Lord Chris...?」

...Did he...?

「I heard it... but what does it mean?」

Hmmmm...

To be honest, I don't know what Lord Chris's "Singularity" is. Mr. Stone is fatally short on words.

However, my "Daughter of Another World" is just as it sounds.

I know... I’m completely awake now, so maybe I’ll try talking about that. I have no plans for a while starting today anyway. It might be a good way to pass the time.

I took Lord Chris's hand as he stood beside me, as if to join them. It’s been a while since we’ve held hands like this, as lately he hasn't even held my hand at evening parties.

「For now, shall we go back to our room?」

「Yes. ...Sera, are you not cold?」

「I’m fine. ...And this time, Lord Chris, I want you to listen to my story.」

It’s not long, and it’s not an interesting story.

It’s a story about a girl who was born with memories of another world for some reason, and was bewildered when she was suddenly proposed to by a prince seven years older than her, who was a character in an otome game.

Together with Lord Chris, who smiled and said 「Okay,」 I left the treasury behind.

From now on, it’s all going to be stories that even Lord Chris, who has "restarted" so many times, doesn't know. Let’s experience all sorts of things together.

I’m looking forward to it, Lord Chris.