68. Banksia Rose

Hello and sorry for the… oh shit, three months? Yeah, sorry about that. You know how I said I was traveling for work before? Those domestic trips turned into “fly across the Atlantic” one week, then “Okay but now across the Pacific for two weeks” another. I think the actual amount of time I have gotten to spend in my own house is like, two weeks (not continuous). 

But hey, we made it somehow. And I got to travel to Japan for two weeks, albeit on business. Didn’t get to do much exploring because of work, but it was fun to drop in. Thanks for putting up with my delays. 

---

During the greeting, I stood there, stunned.
In the throne room, my father, the king, sat on the throne, welcoming visitors. Next to the throne, Roy-nii-sama and I stood in the background, watching him. Wanting to spend as much as time as possible with Roy-nii-sama, who was home for spring break from school, and interested in hearing about things outside the country, I agreed to attend the audience with the guests from a neighboring country.
But I regretted my choice.

Because I was so unprepared.

Why was he dressed like this!?

I was confused and couldn’t comprehend it. He was wearing a white shirt with a tight collar and white pants. The simple top and bottom would have been strange if they had been suspected of being pajamas, but the pure white fabric was of high quality, proving that he was in no position to get his clothes dirty. He was also wearing a long-sleeved ivory-colored jacket, and underneath it, he was probably wearing a sleeveless top. I knew that.
His sandal-like shoes and the brightly colored loincloth he was wearing were lavishly adorned with gold ornaments that clanged with his movements. With my own memories of being Japanese, I was reminded of traditional Indian clothing.

「I am Constantine Frank von Dea, the fifth prince. I am grateful for the opportunity to represent the Kingdom of Sternensee, Your Majesty Traugott.」

The boy’s shy smile puts people at ease. I remember this dog-like smile well. After all, he was the heroine’s best friend. He was one of the targets of the otome game I played in my previous life, known as Kimiboshi. But now, as Princess Philine Elena von Rosenhayn, he’s someone I never expected to meet. At least, not until I reach the happy ending on his route.
Yes, this is a rare sight you can only see on his route, and only in the happy ending. After all, Frank had been hiding his true identity as a prince of a tropical country all this time.
And yet, before the game even began, here he was, before my very eyes, as a prince, accompanied by a dark-skinned, middle-aged attendant.
After being introduced by Father and receiving a greeting from Roy-nii-sama, it was my turn. His orange eyes were fixed on me, and I reflexively straightened my back. It was the manners I’d been trained to possess as a princess, ingrained in me.

「I am called Philine. It is an honor to meet you, Prince Constantine.」

I greeted him with a princess-like smile, and he smiled back.

「I’m even more honored to be able to see the treasures of Abendroth. You are as beautiful as the rumors say, in fact, even more so. It’s no wonder His Majesty treasures you so dearly.」

「That……」

It was meant to be flattery, but his blushing, shy smile made me realize he meant it. I was so happy to be praised that I couldn’t help but blush. However, in the back of my mind, I thought maybe my magical powers were a problem and made me easy to hide, and that Father’s cherishing me was just for appearances.

「The peshtamar Philly uses was obtained through diplomatic relations with Sternensee.」

「Eh?」

Roy-nii-sama was telling me about the towel I’ve been using recently. Peshtamar is a highly absorbent, towel-like fabric that’s extremely useful for my long, waist-length hair. I had no idea it was imported from a tropical country.

「Thank you so much. Thanks to it, my hair dries quickly, so it’s very useful.」

「I’m so happy that our country’s weaves are helping Her Highness maintain her beautiful hair.」

Frank blushed, looking genuinely happy. His expression made it clear that he loved his country.
But he was good at complimenting women. In Kimiboshi, Frank was good at encouraging the heroine as her best friend, but I didn’t know he was such a good flatterer. I don’t think any woman would be offended by talking to him.

「I’ll be studying abroad at the Royal Magic Academy starting this spring, and I’m looking forward to learning about Abendroth’s culture.」

Roy-nii-sama remarked that Frank must be a brilliant student because of his strong earth-element magical powers. Hearing this, my sense of unease grew even stronger.
In Kimiboshi, Frank was living in this country, hiding his identity, until his brother in a tropical country used him to enroll in the academy as a spy. At the time, he was taking his tests wearing a magical device that suppressed his magical powers to conceal his true identity, so he should have enrolled with a score slightly above the passing mark.
The tactics RPG mini-game in Roy’s route was a border defense battle, with the attacking forces being the tropical Sternensee. On Frank’s route, whether the border attack plan can be prevented before it begins determines whether the story ends happily or sadly.
When the border defense battle begins, Frank is captured as a spy for the southern country. If Frank reveals his true identity as the prince of Sternensee and prevents the attack, diplomatic relations are restored through Lord Roy, and the heroine travels to the southern country with Frank.
However, having diplomatic relations with the southern country already established and Frank entering the academy as a prince from the start is very different from the game. Just as Roy-nii-sama solved his problems himself, it seems he too has solved his own problems.

Is that what princes are like??

As I watched Frank chatting happily with Roy-nii-sama, I couldn’t help but tilt my head in confusion.

Meanwhile, I heard that when Roy-nii-sama and his friends’ spring break is over, Frank will enroll as a first-year student. Lydia-nee-sama, a rival lady from Kimiboshi, has also enrolled. Incidentally, it seems Isaac also repeated his entrance exam but was still able to enroll.
To be honest, I’m sad that I won’t be able to see my older brothers Roy-nii-sama and Klaus-nii-sama anymore. Besides, Isaac is so sneaky, being in the same year as nee-sama and spending three years together. I wish I could have skipped the admission process for school too.
No, I’m probably pretty good at studying, and my magical power is probably on a whole different level, but as a princess, I couldn’t abuse my authority like that. Even if I had said something, Father would probably have dismissed it as selfish. Father doesn’t give me special treatment unless there’s a very good reason.
I was able to practice with Onee-sama, so I worked hard. Even the one lesson we did together, piano practice, I couldn’t concentrate on. My fingers, which had been following the music sheet, suddenly stopped moving.
With a sigh, my maid Therese quietly admonished me.

「Philine-sama, your hands stopped moving.」

「I know that.」

「It’s rude to only get excited when Lydia-sama is here, as she’s always working hard.」

「That’s true, but……」

I know I have to work hard regardless of whether nee-sama is there or not. But I can’t help but feel depressed because I can barely see the close friends I used to see. At times like these, it’s frustrating for a princess who can’t easily make friends her own age.
There are a few young ladies my age who I invite to tea parties and interact with at least a little. To be precise, there are few people I can show my true self to. It’s because Roy-nii-sama knew this that he made the bear phone so I could contact Isaac.
Of the two white and black keys, my index finger pressed one of the white keys. A single note rang out, as lonely as my current one.
Every day, I fulfill my responsibilities as a princess, and even now, even though the start of Kimiboshi‘s game has passed, I haven’t been able to do anything.
No, there are so many things I need to do. For example, when I accompanied Roy-nii-sama to an audience, I realized that I was unaware of current domestic and international affairs. Even though I’ve been learning about history in chronological order, if I’m going to interact with the southern country in the future, I’m sure I’ll have more opportunities to socialize. I need to learn about the current situation both domestically and internationally and be able to keep up with conversations.
So, I have an idea of the tasks I need to accomplish as a princess, but I don’t know what to do when it comes to Kimiboshi. Kimiboshi is an otome game. The protagonists’ lives change when they fall in love with the characters they’re trying to capture. Now that I’ve actually become a part of that world, I’ve realized how difficult it is to intentionally interfere with other people’s lives.
Philine is a supporting character in Roy-sama’s route. She may have been able to interfere a little with her family, her brothers Roy and Klaus, but to the other characters, she’s just a third-party princess who’s only ever said hello.
Even if I, a person of unnecessarily high social standing, were to suddenly try and interfere with things with a know-it-all attitude, there’s no way they’d open up to me. They’d just put up a wall and that would be the end of it.

「Roy-nii-sama, are you okay……」

While I was still useless, Roy-nii-sama had apparently confessed his feelings to the heroine, or rather, to a first-year student named Stephanie. I confirmed this with Isaac via bear phone.
Roy-nii-sama also wrote me a letter explaining the situation. He apologized for having found a woman he liked, and for planning to break off the engagement to Lydia-nee-sama because I adored her. He also told me that the deadline for her response to Roy-nii-sama was this month, in May.
But isn’t that deadline too early? In Kimiboshi, your route was determined at the end of the first semester. You spend the summer vacation and second semester increasing your affinity, and the third semester is the time to decide whether you’ll get a happy ending or a bad ending. Even the game had a proper period for developing feelings, so why does Roy-nii-sama only have two months to determine his route?
Apparently the decision was made mainly at the Ministry of Magic, but the country’s inflexibility is unsettling. Even if Roy-nii-sama is okay with it, I can’t accept it.
I want to do something for Roy-nii-sama.

「Therese. Don’t you think I have the right to confirm who my future sister-in-law might be?」

I took my eyes off the keyboard and looked at Therese, who narrowed her eyes as if she realized I was planning to go to school. If I did that, the wrinkles around her eyes would deepen.

「Philine-sama.」

「Because after all, I want Roy-nii-sama to be happy.」

Before Therese could criticize me, I asserted my own opinion.
In my previous life, I would have refused to meddle in my sibling’s love life, even if he asked me to. In fact, he tried to keep it a secret from me, so even if I noticed, I wouldn’t say anything. But this time the situation is special, and Roy-nii-sama is an important family member to me, and a benefactor.
When I lost control of my ability to hear my inner voice, it was none other than Roy-nii-sama who helped me. Without him, I might have developed a social phobia. He’s a really important person to me.
When the happiness of someone so important to me was at stake, I couldn’t just wait around.

「I can convey how great Roy-nii-sama is……」

I clenched my fist tightly against my chest and wrapped it around my other hand. The strength in both hands grew in proportion to my excitement.

「I want to give Roy-nii-sama even the slightest advantage. He has to be happy!」

He’s a man determined to live for the people, for others. Even if that’s what he himself desires, I want him to find his own happiness. I want to do something to make that happen. I can’t help it.
Seeing me ramble on, Therese let out a sigh.

「……I think His Majesty would agree if you requested a tour before enrolling.」

「Ehhhh……」

「Since Philine-sama has barely seen or heard anything outside the royal castle, you must be very anxious about spending three years at an academy you don’t know anything about.」

I didn’t immediately understand what Therese was saying, and was left dumbfounded for a moment. I never thought Therese, who I’d always thought would stop me, would actually side with me.

「……yes, that’s right!」

I guess my wholehearted agreement, expressing my anxiety, was pretty unconvincing. Therese chuckled softly. If I was going to jump on the bandwagon, I should have at least acted a little anxious, but I’ll do my best to do that in front of Father, so for now I just want him to be happy.
As I was getting ready to persuade Father, Therese spoke from behind me.

「Prince Roy is more than happy with Philine-sama.」

Having seen me get depressed when I couldn’t do anything, Therese confidently denied it.
Encouraged and feeling bolder, I laughed fearlessly.

「He can be more happy, you know. Roy-nii-sama needs to be happier!」

That’s quite arrogant, Therese said, to which I jokingly replied that was typical of a princess.

A week later, thanks to Therese’s good word and Mother’s aid, I was able to persuade Father to let me visit the Royal Magic Academy.
I had bodyguards and was restricted in my movements, but Roy-nii-sama was going to show me around the academy, so I might even meet Stephanie. On the surface, I behaved gracefully like a princess, but deep down, I was filled with excitement as I stepped through the school’s main entrance.
Roy-nii-sama was already waiting at the front entrance to greet me.
I’d scheduled the day of my tour to coincide with Roy-nii-sama’s second period, and since I arrived at the academy before it started, I was able to be shown around at my own pace. It was my first time traveling so far from the royal castle, a journey that took several hours by carriage, so naturally, I was feeling excited.
I’d been able to visit the academy on Roy-sama’s route in Kimiboshi, but it wasn’t as exciting. If everything had gone according to plan, Philine, who possesses light attributes, was planning to visit Roy-sama, who was troubled and unstable after discovering that his dark attribute was also strong, in order to observe his condition and return him to light. [T/N: I differentiate this from “Roy-nii-sama” as she is discussing the Roy of the game route rather than her brother as in the raw, this is only ロイ様 vs ロイ兄様]
It’s a bit strange that she was able to tell the heroine all about Roy-sama’s situation after just a few visits, even as a support character. But now that I’m actually Philine, I understand. She must have been using her power to hear his inner voice. I’m glad that the situation didn’t make Roy-nii-sama so worried that she had to use her unwanted powers.
Roy-nii-sama gave me a tour of the school until the bell rang to end the second period, and then it was time for lunch. I was so happy to be outside the royal castle that I ended up enjoying the tour more than I did the open campus. What good was I doing to seriously tour the school?

「Roy-nii-sama, at school we eat in the cafeteria where there are a lot of people, right?」

「That’s right. Philly might not be able to imagine that.」

「Yes. That’s why I want to eat in the cafeteria as well, so I won’t be surprised when I enroll.」

I actually know and have experienced it from my memories of my past life, but I pretend to be naive and ask Roy-nii-sama for help. No, it’s precisely because I remember it from my past life that I’m longing for cafeteria food. But I can’t forget my original purpose.
Roy-nii-sama agreed to my request with a slightly amused chuckle.

「I understand. Is it okay if Miss Lydia and the others join us?」

「Of course.」

In fact, that’s what I was hoping for. Thinking this in my heart, I got excited within the bounds of how much a princess should.
Roy-nii-sama went to pick up Onee-sama and the others from the first-year classroom, so I followed him. It was recess, so all the students were staring. We were a royal sibling pair, and we were both good-looking, so it was inevitable that we’d stand out. I knew that, with my dazzling resemblance to Roy-nii-sama, I’d be quite the sight to see next to him.

「Onee-sama.」

「Philly, it has been a while.」

When I spotted Onee-sama in the first-year classroom, I ran over and grabbed her hand with both of my hands. I really wanted to hug her, but I refrained from doing so in public.
The tall man standing behind Onee-sama had a clearly annoyed look on his face. I feel the same way, but I’m not showing it, so you should hide it too. It’d be rude to say this, considering it’s been a few years since we last met in person, so I try my best to ignore him and focus on Onee-sama.
Onee-sama smiled, happy to see me. She had soft, pale gold hair and pale blue eyes. I really like Onee-sama’s gentle coloring, which is similar to my blonde, blue-eyed self, yet different.
Suddenly, my eyes were drawn to the color next to Onee-sama, and when I shifted my gaze, I met her verdigris-blue eyes.

「……it’s the color of a sunset.」

The color of her hair, which had caught my eye, made me gasp.
The color, which looked like pink or pale orange, faded to a deeper orange as it reached the ends. It was just like the color of a rosy sunset. I wondered if it was really this beautiful when I saw it in person.
There was a girl I didn’t yet recognize. Her hair was longer than I’d expected, reaching down to her shoulder blades. Her eyes were slightly droopy and round, like those of a small animal. Unlike her older sister, she didn’t have a high nose, making her look adorable. While her Onee-samar was beautiful, she was clearly cute.
Realizing that I’d been rude enough to point out her hair color, I hurriedly apologized.

「My apologies, it’s such a beautiful color, so I just……」

「No, I’m happy to receive such a compliment.」

When I included my honest thoughts in my apology, she became embarrassed. Her embarrassed smile was already adorable. It’s no wonder that Roy-nii-sama fell in love at first sight.

「I am called Philine Elena von Rosenhain. And you are…?」

「I am called Stephanie von Witting, Your Highness.」

She bowed unabashedly to me, a princess, like a noble. It’s amazing, she must have worked so hard.
I’d heard she was adopted into a noble family at a young age, but as a commoner in my previous life and now a princess, I could imagine her efforts and couldn’t help but be impressed. Unlike me, who started from scratch, it must have been difficult to adapt to such a new environment.
I headed to the dining room with Roy-nii-sama and the others. I wish the whispered voice behind me, asking my Onee-sama if she had to go, would be quiet for a moment. Onee-sama quietly scolded him and he reluctantly followed her, but if he didn’t like the brightness so much,sheI should have just eaten alone. I’m sure he finds my blond hair, so well-groomed and lustrous by the maids, a pain in the eyes.
When we arrived in the dining room, I sat across from Stephanie, and Onee-sama sat next to her. Roy-nii-sama and the other companion listened to our requests and went to get our food. Since each person could only carry two trays at a time, Roy-nii-sama handed over his and my portions, while the other person handed over the two women’s portions first, and then told them it was okay for them to eat first before going to get their own.

「It’s nice that the seats aren’t too far apart.」

「That’s only at tea parties, I suppose.」

「Are the seats really that far apart at the castle?」

「It is. The tables are so wide that I have to raise my voice so my father, who is seated at the head of the table, can hear me.」

「Philly, isn’t that an exaggeration?」

Roy-nii-sama laughed, saying I was exaggerating. When I insisted that wasn’t true, not only Onee-sama but also Stephanie laughed amusedly. Then they said, “You two get along well, don’t you?” and when I nodded, they gave me a warm look. Yes, he’s a good person.
I was so happy to be sitting around the table with our faces so close, my expression relaxed. I felt like a student again. When I enroll next year, I’ll really try to make friends. I want to eat with friends like I do now, not just alone.
I was reminded of my open campus, and I came to my senses. I had to fulfill my original purpose. With Stephanie right in front of me, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

「Stephanie-sama, um, about Roy……」

「Thank you for the blessing. Let’s eat.」

The last person returned after finishing their portion and declared their pre-meal remarks. With that, the conversation came to a temporary halt, and everyone began to say a few words before eating. Everyone had good manners, so it was mostly quiet around us during the meal.
I knew we could talk once we finished eating. But I’m not a very fast eater, so I chewed and chewed my food as hard as I could while maintaining good manners. So how did it come about that Isaac, who had probably eaten the most, finished almost at the same time as Roy-nii-sama?
Secretly, I felt annoyed that he had finished eating first, but I concentrated solely on eating. Halfway through, Roy-nii-sama told me there was no need to rush, as there was plenty of time.
In the end, I was the last to finish eating.
Just as I finished, Onee-sama’s maid prepared tea for everyone. Isaac returned all the trays to them. Roy-nii-sama tried to put them away, but was told that he should spend more time here since I was his sister, so he backed off. It felt strange that he was being considerate to me now, after having interrupted me earlier.
As we chat about how delicious the meal was, I think about how I should present Roy-nii-sama in the time I have left. If I wanted to talk about how great Roy-nii-sama is, I could go on and on. With so much love and memories, no amount of time would be enough. What I have now is the skill to introduce myself in an interview in under three minutes.

「It must be wonderful for His Highness Roy to have such an adorable little sister like Princess Philine.」

「Yes. I don’t think you’ll find a sister as adorable anywhere in the world.」

「I got a stepbrother a few years ago, but he wasn’t as cute.」

「Come to think of it, Count Witting used to work in the department that audited placements for children with strong magical abilities. I heard he once adopted a child who other families deemed unsuitable for adoption.」

「That’s right. He was from an orphanage, and at first he was very rebellious and lived alone.」

「But isn’t he cute?」

「Yes.」

「Little brothers are cute, aren’t they?」

「Though, Prince Klaus is already big.」

「No matter how old they get, they’ll always be my younger brother and sister.」

I thought Klaus-nii-sama would probably be upset if he heard this, but Stephanie-san, with a funny look on her face, warned me that it would be best not to tell him. Roy-nii-sama wondered why, and Stephanie-san laughed even more, while Onee-sama let out a reluctant smile.
They seem to get along well, but they still seem a bit distant. Also, before I could present Roy-nii-sama, he presented me. Roy-nii-sama is the best in the world.

「What’s wrong, Philly?」

He poked my bulging cheek with his finger and asked if I was unhappy.

「……I thought you were being a little too distant.」

He ended up sounding a bit sulky. It wasn’t so much that he was unhappy, but rather that he just didn’t understand.
Even though they’re close, the way they address each other clearly reflects their different social status. Back in Kimiboshi, she called him “Roy-sama.” Now that Stephanie is a noble, it feels like a line is drawn between them, which is sad.

「Um, well……」

「Why don’t you just call him senpai?」

Stephanie, who was feeling down after seeing me looking down, was muttered to by Isaac, who was sipping tea and looking off in the opposite direction.
He was probably looking out because Roy-nii-sama and I were facing each other. Actually, he should stop drinking tea from the same teacup. Memories of my past life are ingrained in me in strange ways.
Stephanie agreed, since she was his junior.

「……then, can I call you Roy-senpai from now on?」

「Yes.」

I felt good when Roy-nii-san agreed with a smile.

「They, Roy-nii-sama also……」

When I suggested it, he smiled quietly. His dismissive tone confused me.

「Whether you’re called by your first name or a nickname, it’s fine if it’s coming from someone you like, isn’t it?」

Roy-nii-san had decided that he would call her equally unless she wanted him to. Come to think of it, Roy-nii-san has never called his fiancée, Onee-sama, by her nickname either. He sincerely draws a line between her and Stephanie-san.
Roy-nii-san’s sincerity is so frustrating to me.
If Stephanie-san refused when the deadline came, she could easily return to her daily life without having to deal with you. Roy-nii-sama, you’re definitely good at interacting with others in a way that makes them feel at ease. That’s what makes me so frustrated.
I hate seeing Roy-nii-sama pretending to be fine.
I was about to bite my lower lip in frustration, but realized I had to stop. Thinking I had to defuse the situation, I looked up and saw Stephanie’s eyes slightly wide. She didn’t look sad, but her expression wasn’t exactly happy, and it gave me hope.
She seemed to have forgotten to respond, probably because what Roy-nii-sama said had taken hold of her.
Thinking that he’d just troubled her, Roy-nii-sama smiled and dropped the topic of the nickname.
Soon after, it was time for the next class, and the after-dinner tea party came to an end. As Stephanie and the others returned to the classroom, I thanked them for accompanying me and said my farewells. At the end, I approached Stephanie and shook her hand.

「…..Stephanie-sama, didn’t you feel that you missed something earlier?」

「Eh?」

I asked quietly so only we could hear, and she choked up.

「Please, think about it. How would you feel if Roy-nii-sama called you by a nickname? Or how would you feel if Roy-nii-sama called another woman by a nickname? Even if it’s a small thing, I think that’s the most important thing.」

I know it’s a decision that will affect her life, and it requires resolve. But I think it’s important to consider whether you’ll fall in love with your spouse or not. Marriage changes your life, to a greater or lesser extent. So, in the end, isn’t love what matters?
I lowered my voice and spoke with the utmost seriousness.

「And, as you know, Roy-nii-sama is incredibly handsome.」

Stephanie’s eyes widened at the truth I told her. Then, blushing, she nodded.

「Yes, I’m aware.」

Seemingly a little amused, she answered my words.
I was satisfied with her answer. I was sure she’d make a choice she wouldn’t regret. And she understood Roy-nii-sama’s charm.
I eagerly awaited her answer, knowing she knew what was so good about Roy-nii-sama.

---

Since Roy-nii-sama had his next class, we parted ways in the cafeteria.
He offered to walk me to the main entrance of the school, but I declined, saying I’d take a stroll in the courtyard near the cafeteria first. I told him that the guards already had the return trip in mind, so I’d be fine on my own, and he seemed convinced.
I told the guards I’d just take a walk around the courtyard, and had them wait at the entrance. The courtyard was deserted, and I was wearing a magical bracelet that acted as a security alarm, so the guards agreed.
At first glance, the bracelet looks like just a piece of jewelry, but if something happens, I can channel a little magical power into it, and the cuffs on the guards will react, alerting them to the danger. The magical tool requires a ritual to untie the binding, so even if the bracelet comes off, the alert will still be sent. The school’s security measures are thorough, and it’s unlikely that any suspicious people would enter, so the guards agreed to wait.
It had been a long time since I had been outside the royal castle, so it would be a shame to go back so soon.
Because we were now in early summer, the space was more peaceful, with lots of greenery rather than just overflowing with flowers. The shade cast by the sunlight was still thin, so it might just be perfect for a short break after dinner.
Among the many young leaves in the green, I spotted a pale, soft yellow mokara. Thinking that it was Roy-nii-sama’s color, I gazed upon it for a while.
When hydrangeas are dyed with light, they turn pale yellow. When Roy-nii-sama grows hydrangeas, the ones in good sunlight bloom pale yellow, while the ones that are more prone to shade bloom a slightly deeper purple than the dark-element wisteria. The contrast between the two colors is very beautiful, and I love it.
I know that even if I grow them myself, half will be the same color. Maybe it’s because of my knowledge of Kimiboshi, but I think the color in front of me is Roy-nii-sama’s color. Roy-nii-sama is so handsome that he dazzles, but if the moment he smiles at me gently were to be painted into a color, it would surely be this gentle hue.
I let out a soft sigh of relief.

I’m relieved……

Her being attractive wasn’t just to describe her physical appearance.
Stephanie was someone who looked after Roy-nii-sama. Thanks to this, I only had seen her outward appearance, and I felt uneasy about her becoming my sister in law. With that being the case, there’s no way to make a presentation. It wouldn’t be assisting, it would be the exact opposite.
I couldn’t make the presentation as planned, but I hope she can have an opportunity to think seriously.
The heroine is a nobleman, not a commoner, and Frank also enrolls as a royal family, not a commoner. Tobias, who was supposed to appear on the routes of Remias and Bell, did not enroll and was an apprentice researcher at the Ministry of Magic. So much has changed from Kimiboshi, so I don’t know what will happen next.
If it were Kimiboshi proper, Tobias, who had no magical power, would take away the magical power of the whole family and enroll. The family continues to compare her to Remias and Bell-kun as always, saying that he has the same marquis family, and he is hostile to them, and then his target changes depending on which route the heroine chooses. Being close to the heroine will attract more attention, and he will use the same magical tools he uses on his family to steal magic.
By temporarily losing magical power, the target will experience failure and face himself, and grow even further. By the time the magical power of the target is taken away, the heroine’s attributes will be the same as the target, so you will be able to help them regain their magical power.
If you can break the magical tools and regain their magical power, you will have a happy ending, and if you can’t regain it, you’re not worthy of it, so the capture target will retreat and end up with a bad ending. The general flow is the same for both of them.
However, there is no one to do so, and neither of these will happen again.
Later, it was horrifying to learn that Tobias had been abused.
The game did not list detailed backgrounds of rival characters. I only thought of him as an unsolicited guy who was unilaterally jealous, and I disregarded his existence even though he had the potential to hurt others. Without doubt, there might be something to do.
I almost disliked myself, who had been feeling like I had learned about him through the incomplete information. How relieved it felt to learn that Roy-nii-sama had saved him. That day, I cried out and showered Roy-nii-sama with gratitude.
I can’t do anything at all times. Instead, Roy-nii-sama helps them, where I could only overlook. Roy-nii-sama wouldn’t know that every time I didn’t hate myself and that I was saved.

But if my support is too weak…

Roy-nii-sama has lifted the curse, solved the successor problem, prevented crime, and done a lot of amazing things, but isn’t it too bad that all I can do for Roy-nii-sama is support?
I would like to think I was just a little helpful. It’s possible that it worked out without me trying to inspire Stephanie, but it’s better than doing nothing.
If it really was that I wasn’t helpful to my beloved big brother, I think I’d end up crying. So I try my best to encourage myself that it’s not like that.
I physically raised my head to avoid any further lowering my feelings, and saw shade and sunlight scattered over my head.
While following the banksia roses, it seemed that I had reached the side of a large tree. With each wind blowing, the sun sways through the trees and washes down my cheeks, making it a little ticklish.
In rainy trees, thick trunks branch out from the left and right from down low, making it easy to climb trees. After feeling that impression, I remember that even in my previous life, I had never tried to climb trees. When I was a little girl in my past life, I was still following my older brother Taichi, and tried to imitate him and failed, but failed, and he was punished for that one mistake. The hard bark made my palm hurt and there was nothing fun.
As the princess now, even with memories of my past life, I can’t even be interested. However, I wonder if the reason I thought of such a thing is because I have a sense of someone who seems to have climbed trees more than I did in the past life.
I suddenly felt a sense of reminiscence as if I was a normal student. If Isaac saw me now, he would be shocked to see how I was alone and selfishly worried.

「Don’t become anything you don’t want to become, you know?」

He would speak his open-minded thoughts and shake off any factors that made him feel depressed.
At an instant, something suddenly started falling. What’s more, just a few centimeters away.
It was a very large shadow, and my heart was shocked and stiffened. While I was frozen, the shadow rose from its feet and looked down at me with glaring eyes.

「Don’t stand around like a fool!」

He scolded me with a low, slurred voice. The person who was yelling at me was so shocking that I stopped thinking.

「……Ah?」

Staring at my stiff self, his gaze slowly softened.

「Oh no, you’re the princess, aren’t you? If I hurt you, I don’t know what I would say to Leo.」

He grabs my chin and turns it so he can see, then turns me left and right, then checks my face from the front. Once he could confirm I was not injured, the hand that had been easily holding me came off

「I’m sorry. I’m not great right after waking up, you know?」 [T/N: This is more “I’m not good at waking up”, but to avoid confusion I added a bit of clarification.]

His soft, pale purple hair sways softly, making his smile have a shiny look to it. I can’t help but think that the angry voice I just heard was an illusion.

「On the tree……?」

Has he been sleeping? Nico-san wasn’t supposed to be that kind of character.
I don’t know what to be surprised about anymore. I had heard from Isaac that he had become an effeminate character, but since I had only ever said hello before, this is my first time seeing him. Or rather, it was just for a moment, but it was natural. He’s been covering it up, but his true tone is rough.

「Isn’t it dangerous?」

I wanted to ask a lot of questions, but that was what caught my eye. It’s like a manga, but taking a nap on a tree is pretty dangerous, so isn’t it quite difficult?

「It’s fine. I use wind magic.」

He quickly told me that he had used magic to prevent himself from falling. Certainly, with Nico-nee-sama’s magical power, there shouldn’t be any problems even if he used freestanding wind magic. But the purpose has changed. First of all, on Kimiboshi, he wasn’t the type of person with enough stamina to climb trees. Considering his natural tone of voice, I wonder when he had become such a wild character.
For now, I’ll just accept that he’s safe.
Suddenly, I remembered the presence of my guards and looked in their direction. The kokatama briars blocked my view like a hedge, so I couldn’t see the guards from where I was. That meant the other person must have felt the same way. In that case, Nico-nee-sama won’t be blamed for his behavior right after waking up.
I sighed in relief. I’m still a princess, even after all. I’m a troublesome person to deal with, and even Nico-nee-sama’s effeminate personality can’t completely fool those around me. He must have known that, which is why he’d only ever said hello to me up until now.

「You were worried about Leo, right? You’re such a big brother enthusiast, aren’t you?」

Seeing through my reason for visiting the school, Nico-nee-sama smiled with a smile that could be interpreted as either exasperated or amused. It seems it’s no secret that I like Roy-nii-sama.
Up until now, the only time I’d ever appeared in public was at my and my brothers’ birthday parties. I was only able to attend parties that ended in the evening before my debutante. If I’d been clinging to my brothers at every one of those few parties, it would’ve been obvious.
His hair was tied high, his uniform was custom-made to her liking but with ease of movement in mind, and his movements were graceful, but his hands were clearly those of a man.
He was completely different from Nico-nee-sama in Kimiboshi. In Kimiboshi, he had the same loosely braided hair that hung down to his shoulders, and his uniform was custom-made to give him a feminine silhouette. He also had long nails, and despite being a man, his hands were described as being well-groomed and beautiful.

「Um, Nicholas-sama is……」

「It’s Nico-chan, you know.」

「Huh?」

「Ni・co・ch・an.」 [T/N: In the raw this is ニ・コ・ちゃ・ん lol]

「Nico-chan… sama?」

Succumbing to this incomprehensible pressure, I changed what I called him to what he asked, and he smiled and said it was fine. It was supposed to be a cute abbreviation, but using it on him solidified his powerful presence, and somehow I felt like I couldn’t compete with him.
I was almost overwhelmed by Nico-chan’s character, but there was something I had to ask.

「Um…… Nico-chan-sama, are you okay?」

「Huh?」

It’s something I’d been worried about for a while, but I’m sure Nico-chan wouldn’t understand my sudden, mysterious question. Isn’t a woman who suddenly asks a worried question a bit suspicious?
I resolved to give him a satisfactory explanation so I wouldn’t be mistaken for a suspicious person.

「Sorry for this sudden question. Um, this might sound creepy, but due to my magical powers, I can hear inner voices and I can see past events, so… I know a little about Nico-chan’s situation……」

What should I do? If I say it, I sound like a woman recruiting for a cult. 「I know you」 is not something you’d say on a first meeting.

「What are the circumstances you saw?」

「Well, I know that your sister, Heroise-sama, was cursed in the past, and that your brother is a teacher at this school, and so on…」

「I see.」

Nico-chan surprisingly readily believed my explanation, thinking, “The dual elements of light and wind can do extraordinary things.” Because light itself is rare, there’s no record of the synergistic effects it creates when combined with other elements. Both Roy-nii-sama and I rely on trial and error for all our combined magic.
Anyway, I’m glad that my explanation sounds more credible than just saying I know from the memory of a game from my past life.

「I knew, but I couldn’t do anything…… I’m sorry.」

I’ve always wanted to apologize. If Roy-nii-sama hadn’t lifted Heloise’s curse, there was nothing I could have done, and I would have had no choice but to give up and leave it alone, thinking it was just the way the game was. Even if I had noticed it through my telepathic-like abilities and clairvoyance, the royal family cannot side with any particular noble. Father has strictly commanded me not to empathize or act solely out of sympathy, even if I learned something through these abilities.
In the bad ending, Professor Hagen, a hidden character available for playthrough, falls into darkness and his half-brother, Nico-nee, is cursed. Obsessed with his deceased mother, he tries to treat his half-brother fairly as a teacher, but is conflicted by his hatred for him. It’s only after playing through the game twice that I learned this truth. [T/N: She uses “Nico-nee” to refer to the game character, while “Nico-chan” is used for the actual person]
I believe he transfers Heloise’s curse to Nico-nee, the heir, as revenge against Count Rudolstadt, who abandoned his mother. Unless the heroine can persuade him and free him from his mother’s obsession, Nico-nee, who loves her sister, will be persuaded by Professor Hagen’s sweet words and accept the curse in order to awaken her sister. Whether you choose Nico-nee’s route or Professor Hagen’s, the Rudolstadt family’s bad ending is too tragic.
As for Professor Hagen, it was something that happened before I was born and there was nothing I could do about it. Since it was someone else’s family situation, I couldn’t investigate it on my own, and I’m worried that he’s the only one living his life according to the game.

Hmm? Or rather, didn’t Nico-nee never know that Professor Hagen was her half-brother??

Unless it was Professor Hagen’s happy ending, Nico-nee would never have known about the existence of his half-brother. Now I realize that I’ve revealed a truth that Nico-nee-sama didn’t know, and I’m stunned.

Huh? What should I do? What should I do? Is this a crisis? This is a crisis, right!? I’m such an idiot!

「It’s a family matter, so there’s no need to apologize. In fact, you kept a secret about our family scandal. Thank you.」

「Hoehhh?」

Nico-nee smiled and thanked me, and I was flustered, not understanding the situation. Why was he thanking me?

「I don’t call that guy…… brother, but I do sympathize with him for all the trouble he’s been through with his damn dad.」

「You know…… are you close……?」

「We’re just teacher and student.」

Unbeknownst to me, Nico knew the truth. Moreover, it seems the matter has already been discussed within the Rudolstadt household. Is Professor Hagen going to go dark yet?

「Are you really okay? Nico-chan-sama, you aren’t sad? Are you happy?」

My bewildered eyes open wide, revealing my flustered state.

「I’m fine. I was just taking a nap, you know.」

His purple eyes narrowed and all of my worries vanished, along with my reflection.
Thank goodness. Relief and joy filled my heart. My cheeks were hot with joy, and tears welled up in my eyes. But I wouldn’t cry, because the guards would worry when I returned.
As I shook with happiness, Nico-chan burst out in laughter.

「Fufu, you’re so cute. I’m glad you don’t look like Leo.」

Nico’s words as he laughed shocked me.
This was the first time someone had complimented me on not looking like him.
Usually, they compliment me on looking like him. They’ve told me I don’t look like him before, but that wasn’t a compliment. They were just making a distinction.

「Don’t you find it creepy……?」

「Why?」

「I can hear your thoughts……」

I thought the only people who would call me cute after knowing about my ability were my family. Wouldn’t they normally find it creepy and distance themselves? Yet, even after learning of her ability, Nico-chan doesn’t take a step back or distance himself.

「I can read other people’s minds, too.」

「Eh!?」

I’m surprised when he replies that he can do the same.

「There are tons of people in the noble world who have honed the skill of reading facial expressions. It’s not much different from being able to hear what others are thinking. It’s necessary for self-protection, so it’s a good thing I have it.」

It’s possible that he was exposed to negative emotions to the point where he needed to acquire the skill, but Nico-chan is cool for claiming that this ability is an initial skill acquired out of a self-preservation instinct. This is the first time I’ve ever thought of it as a necessary skill, the only difference being whether I acquired it later or earlier. I used to hate this ability, but from now on, I think I’ll accept it as natural.
This person is amazing. Today I learned about Nikolaus von Rudolstadt.

「Pffft, you’re showing too much on your face.」

“No wonder His Majesty hides you,” he points out, pinching my cheek with amusement. Come to think of it, Roy-nii-sama and the others often knew what I was thinking before I even said it. Until I learn how to use my facial muscles, I’ll stay away from negotiations.
I’d like to continue talking like this…
By chance, there’s no one around, so he’s talking casually. But if I leave this place, the next time we meet, we’ll surely go back to just exchanging greetings. I’ll keep thinking about how to create a future together.

「……Nico-chan-sama, you’re popular with women, so why don’t you have a fiance?」

「What’s this all of a sudden?」

「Why?」

I stared up at him, and Nico seemed to sense my seriousness, as he answered.

「Because you’re not as beautiful as me.」

That was a very difficult answer.

「Do you like beautiful women?」

「I hate women who belittle themselves. Beauty and ugliness are important to women, right? I inherited my beauty from my mother, so if we were together, she’d be constantly comparing us. She’d have to try to surpass me, even if it meant wearing makeup, otherwise it’d be painful for her.」

Women who approach him are surely drawn to his good looks. That’s why they have a strong sense of beauty. When such a woman gets older, she might be more than just depressed if her husband turns out to be prettier than she is.
The woman who was dumped would surely be devastated, and wouldn’t believe those words were meant for her. It seems only a few people know the kindness of his sharp, pointed words.

「So, what about me?」

「Hah?」

「I’m not the same type, but I think I’m a beautiful girl who can rival Nico-chan. Plus, I’m naturally pretty. And my maids keep polishing me, so I’ll have a perfect beauty regimen for the future. Maybe being royalty sounds a bit much, but……」

Clenching my fists, I declared it.

「I’m confident that when Nico-chan-sama grows up to be a beautiful grandfather, I’ll be a really cute grandmother!」

My instincts told me not to let this chance slip away, so I desperately presented myself.
My movements are limited, so if I miss this opportunity, there’s no guarantee there’ll be another one. After talking today, I had a hunch. Maybe, if I’m by this person’s side, I’ll be able to love myself.

「You’re so confident……」

Nico-chan burst out laughing. It looked incredibly funny.
Well, I mean, it’s true. Just as Nico-chan knows he’s beautiful, I, too, am calmly aware of how good-looking I am thanks to my memories of my past life. Unless something extraordinary happens, neither Nico-chan nor I will lose our beauty. Even now, Nico-chan is beautiful, even when she’s laughing out loud.

「What a weird person.」

The voice he muttered, trying to stifle his laughter as it began to die down, wasn’t an effeminate one. He could tell it was a serious confession.

「Well, I can’t say anything about other people either. I’ll think about it.」

「R, Really!?」

「What, did you want me to reject you?」

I shook my head vigorously to deny it, and he laughed again, seemingly amused.
Come to think of it, I’d made more noise than I’d intended, but the guards hadn’t noticed. I was wondering why, when Nico-chan muttered that he’d forgotten and removed the soundproofing barrier he’d placed around the tree. Apparently he’d put it up so he could sleep quietly.
Since he’d lifted the barrier, did that mean I should go back? Even though he’d been slowly circling the courtyard, the guards would surely be worried if I didn’t return soon.

「Um, I’ll make an opportunity, so can we talk again?」

「Yes. I’ll wait, but I won’t get my hopes up.」

I wish he’d lied and said he still had hope. But it’s his relentlessness that makes me want to do it.

「I’ll definitely make an opportunity!」

As I insisted and left, Nico-chan waved goodbye.
Fufufu, Nico-chan is acting so confident because she doesn’t know the power of my combined magic. I’ll get Roy’s help and surprise Nico-chan. I wonder if Nico-chan likes bears? Or maybe rabbits or cats would be better.
After reuniting with my guards, I excitedly planned my next steps on the way home. First, I had to tell Roy.
I’d found someone who could care about my happiness.

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This chapter was infuriating to proofread because Philly uses Nico-nee, Nico-chan, and Nico-chan-sama, all with different contexts, so having to comb back through the raw text and figure out which sentence I’m looking at drove me up a creek. Basically Nico-nee when referring to the game character, Nico-chan for thinking of Nico the actual person, and Nico-chan-sama when speaking to him. I… think I got all of them right, but it’s not impossible that some slipped by me.

Also I see Philly is developing her reverse harem.

Again, sorry for the delay. I’m just glad to be able to have time to sit down and do this. But I heard whispers I might be asked to relocate for another project for a bit so I am uh, S C R E A M I N G. Better get to these next chapters before that solidifies lol

We’re so close to the end, so fingers crossed I can actually finish this off by the end of the year. See you all next chapter!

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