Chapter 6

I will translate the provided text into English:

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To help ensure that Prince Jack and Miss Miria can successfully become engaged, I need to cooperate—my task is to "remain as the fiancée for now."

Miss Miria is a baron's daughter. While it's not unheard of for a baron's daughter to rise to the position of queen, the current king and queen, especially the queen, are unlikely to dismiss the prince's feelings. Although my engagement to the prince is a political marriage, it also means that our country does not need to resort to the extent of marrying a princess from another country for political reasons. If we can clearly state that our family will continue to support the royal family in another form, there should be no problem.

However, since we have already formally announced the engagement, even if it's not official, we can't just say, "Okay, let's call it off!" Unfortunately, we need to go through the proper steps to prepare for the dissolution.

Moreover, if we dissolve the engagement before making preparations to welcome Miss Miria, many families will immediately start hoping to have their daughters become the prince's fiancée.

To prevent this, I need to remain as the fiancée and act as a "breakwater."

I pick up a piece of paper on the table. It's the guest list.

This is my first job as the "breakwater."

A few days later, a tea party will be held in the palace garden, inviting young nobles of our age. I remember this. Although the official engagement announcement party is held at the age of 15, I was already known as the prince's fiancée and attended the tea party as his partner. This time, it will be the same.

It seems that the prince and I were asked to confirm the guest list at this tea party.

"Oh? Miss Miria is also attending this tea party?"

"Yes, I was told this after becoming close with Miria at the academy. Our first meeting was actually at this tea party. I do remember talking to a cute young lady, but when I found out it was Miria, I thought it was truly fate."

Prince Jack speaks with a dreamy look, his cheeks flushed.

A real romantic! And despite the plan to dissolve the engagement, you're still flirting in front of your fiancée...

Anyway,

"Miss Miria, can you accept me attending the tea party as the prince's fiancée...?"

"..."

The prince is silent.

I already know from my time travel experience that she is... extremely possessive.

"Prince, please make sure to explain the situation to Miss Miria. Even though it's necessary, she will surely be sad."

"…I understand."

"This time it's unavoidable, but let's work hard to make Miss Miria the official fiancée and have her attend tea parties and evening events soon."

And please, let's also work hard to save my father's life!

I smile warmly, hoping for this, and for some reason, the prince looks surprised. How many times will he make that face today?

"You... you talk so much. I wonder what I've been seeing all this time."

Honestly, that's really not important anymore.

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As the tea party was about to end, I was getting extremely nervous.

"I understand your feelings, but try to calm down. For you, it's a miraculous reunion after four years, but for your father, it's been just a few hours."

"I know, but I can't help feeling a bit nervous."

The prince chuckles, understanding my feelings.

After the tea party with the prince, my father always escorted me to the carriage. My father is a high-ranking official in this country. He loves me very much and would come to pick me up during his breaks to spend as much time with me as possible.

...Next year, when I turn 14, my father will pass away. It's been four years since I last saw him, and I can't help but be nervous.

"You always seemed expressionless, with cold eyes, and everyone said you were hard to approach."

"Um...?"

What? What's this sudden comment?

"I've never seen you laugh or relax. I thought you were a selfish, arrogant, and cold person."

Eh? I think that's mostly your fault, Prince...

Despite the sudden barrage of criticism, the prince's expression is strangely calm, which confuses me.

Maybe I had a subtle expression, because the prince smiled.

"I never imagined you would be so talkative and expressive. I guess it was my fault for making you act that way. ...For years, I've been judging you and treating you poorly. I'm really sorry."

An unexpected apology. Talking to him like this, the prince isn't a bad person. He was just being quite stubborn.

"...I'm sorry for saying I hated you. I was just excited and didn't mean it."

I really did hate him at that moment, but I'll keep that to myself.

"Haha! That's right, I'd be happy if you could be friends with me."

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"Lucy!"

I gasp and turn around.

"Father!"

At the sound of his voice, he was standing there.

I ran to him and threw myself into his arms.

—Father! You're really, really alive!

Even with the time travel, I couldn't be sure until I saw him with my own eyes.

His large, warm, and familiar scent...

I clung to him, hugging him tightly, and he held me in his arms, stroking my head with his big hand. I can't believe I can see Father again! My chest feels tight and I can hardly breathe.

"Eh!? Lucy!? Why are you crying? ...Did the prince...?"

"!? No, I didn't do anything!!"

Because I couldn't stop crying and denying it, the prince was accused for a while.

I'm sorry, Prince!

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That night, after Lucy had fallen asleep.

A heavy atmosphere filled the Ruester Duke's household...

There were three people at the table.

Father, Claus Ruester

Mother, Lulina Ruester

Lucy's younger brother by one year, Marcus Ruester.

"Meow!"

And the cat, Mimi.

"Let's start the family meeting."

Claus Ruester, who loves his daughter, couldn't just dismiss Lucy's sudden tears at the palace with a simple "it's nothing."

"Lucy really clung to you and cried, didn't she..."

"During dinner, she was unusually high-spirited. About 20% more than usual. She must have been trying to act cheerful. What a brave sister...!"

"Lucy denied it, but it must be the prince's fault. Damn him... I should have punched him and left."

"Anyway, let's find out what happened. We've been watching Lucy's difficult princess education, but we can't just wait for her to say something anymore."

"I never thought the prince was the right man for my sister from the beginning!"

"Meow!"

The Ruester family continued their meeting, filled with misunderstandings and more misunderstandings, as the night grew deeper.

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