“Ah~ how refreshing. It was a melting pot of enthusiasm and frenzy. Madam Gonzales truly was a success!”

“No, no, I was just giving life advice in a slightly different outfit than most people. It must have only felt like a good deal because of the unique bonus. Still, it wasn’t anything big…”

“Don’t be so humble. The tonic you invented for illnesses and the masks were a massive hit, they changed the medical treatment of Ruderva. Even Kyle had a line of people waiting to hear how the lottery functions.”

“Well, that’s more because I had memories from my previous life rather than because of my abilities…”

Lord Alfred sank into the sofa and beckoned me. I pretended to be as calm as I could and sat down next to him. He grabbed me by my shoulders and pulled me close.

Just like the day I cried here some time ago, I pressed my cheek against Alfred’s shoulder. He held me in his arms.

“No, everything turned out well. Those girls were very supportive of Juliane, saying she was the perfect image of a lady.”

“Those girls spoke all the counterarguments I had prepared. Maybe it’s because of Madam Gonzales’ tough front, but I didn’t expect them to think I was invincible…”

The embarrassment was starting to sink in. I squirmed in Alfred’s arms, scratching my cheek with my index finger.

“I don’t have any outstanding fashion sense, but I was praised for being sophisticated…”

“Well, I guess the plan worked.”

“No, it’s all about face, face! I’m honestly dying…”

Feeling Alfred’s body stiffen, I hastily added.

“Oh, no, I won’t die. I’ve decided to go wherever and however far I can with Lord Alfred.”

“That’s the way it has to be. I need you to live here until you’re old and wrinkled.”

As he said “here,” Alfred embraced me tightly.

“From now on, think of only your future, inside my heart.”

“O-okay…”

No matter how many times I heard those lines, they still made my heart flutter. How frustrating. I was so embarrassed that my face flushed. What a vicious cycle! I couldn’t stop reeling from embarrassment! But for a while, I was intoxicated by the sweet, sugary happiness.

“Things are going to get busy. First, we have to hold our wedding as soon as possible. We’ll need to appease, coax, or threaten my father, and move quickly to the coronation ceremony. Juliane will only be the crown princess for a short time.”

Alfred was very excited. But I could also tell he was nervous.

“It’s not that I want to hear pleasant words form Juliane—well, I’d like to hear them a little, and actively in bed, but whenever I’m about to go astray, I want you to scold me severely.”

“Uhm… I’ll do my best not to disappoint you. In more ways than one.”

Alfred’s lips came down on me. When our lips touched, it was as if we were pulling each other in.

My heart started to beat harder. His lips parted once, but he wanted to resume the kiss right away. Just as I was thinking that, his lips pressed down against mine again.

“Right now, I really want to spoil you. It’s like a gate has opened, and all the love I’ve been holding back is pouring out all at once. I’d like to give you a gift to commemorate today. Is there anything you would like?”

“Uhm, well… I’ve already received so much, I can’t really think of anything.”

“There must be something. Maybe a big piece of jewelry, or something you wanted in your past life, or something like that.”

“In my past life…”

When I recalled my former self, I felt grateful for my current situation. Not in terms of financial power or social status or anything like that.

“What did you like in your past life?”

“Hmm… I liked a lot of things, like handicrafts and reading books, but… the best was definitely sumo.”

Alfred tilted his head.

“Let me explain,” I undid Alfred’s hand and stood up, “Half-naked men slamming their bodies together, fighting with their thumping muscles. They were really fat, but the muscles in their thighs and backs were nothing to scoff at! They’d lower their hips and crash into each other with so much force that it hurt just to watch! Even small fighters could knock down opponents with their plump, round bellies. There were some slender, muscular, and handsome guys, too. I was looking forward to watching the final, but I died before that could happen.”

I couldn’t put into words technical terms like “sumo wrestler,” “final day,” “anko type,” and “sop type,” so I explained with exaggerated gestures.

“Half-naked…”

“Oh, their private parts are covered with a long piece of cloth. Uhm, like this…”

In the middle of lecturing him how to tie a mawashi, I realized I was doing something pretty embarrassing.

But, well, Alfred was the kind of person who insisted that was good about me.

Actually, isn’t it a problem if he doesn’t have a problem with it? But oh well.

“Like I was saying, everyone was quite big. Well, in my past life, there was a magical box.  Looking at the other side showed things happening quite far away. Looking through that, I felt like I could even feel the temperature and texture of things far away. It was like I was able to forget the emptiness and loneliness of the hospital room for just a moment.”

“…Should I gain weight too?”

“Ah! No, that’s not it! It’s something that you watch from afar and get excited about! So, you know, I thought it’d be nice if I could occasionally watch the Knights training.”

“That’d surely boost morale, but I’d die from jealousy. In that case, I’ll join in and hold the Juliane Cup. It’d also be a way to celebrate the birth of the new crown princess and queen.”

“Let’s calm down for a second. Who’d benefit from that?”

Alfred stood up and whispered, “me.” His voice gently stroked my eardrums. He bit my ear and I nearly jumped. I blushed greatly and put my arms around Alfred’s back.

“Juliane’s reputation will spread in the blink of an eye. Your straightforward nature will surely be well-liked by the knights. You were already pretty, but now you’ve become even cuter—or should I say, prettier? Even at the ball, all the young men were throwing glances at you. Honestly, it’s a good thing you’re so dense.”

“Lord Alfred, you really have poor eyesight.”

“See? Ah, I want to get married soon.”

Hearing a complaint I heard once before, I let out a sly chuckle.

I’m glad Lord Alfred has such poor taste. I’m so glad he’s crazy about me.

Thanks to him, we could embrace like this. I was thinking of the proverb “love is blind” when he sealed my lips with his again. It felt like eternity. If there was such a thing, it must be as hot as this.

“Stay by my side for the rest of my life, and show me a lot of smiles.”

Behind my eye, I felt as if my past life’s self was waving at me and saying, “I wish you happiness.”

Instead of replying, I put my hands around Alfred’s back and tightened my grip.

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