Ah, the troubles of age. The older you got, the looser your tongue became. Though, of course, in this world, I was only sixteen.
So, after all that, I found myself reborn as a duke’s daughter, and ended up betrothed to none other than the grandson of my past life’s half brother? Just my luck. And, might I add, this is the same half brother who I once beat the—ahem—thoroughly trounced as retribution for all his past transgressions.
To make matters worse, the prince I was betrothed to loathed me. He had little magic, even less wit, and no talent to speak of. He shirked from the slightest hardship, and, as the crowning insult, had been convinced that I took delight in tormenting my foster sister.
But let’s put aside the whole evil stepsister thing for now. Everything else? Well, given his position, it was hardly surprising.
My stepsister was originally an illegitimate child, but perhaps because she carried my uncle’s blood, she had managed to make something of herself. Her looks and grades were impressive, her magic and spellcasting were decent, and she had the personality of a classic tragic heroine. If you averaged it all out, she fell somewhere below what was expected of a daughter of one of the Four Great Ducal Houses but above the average young lady of the aristocracy. It was no wonder they were pushing to trade my engagement for hers.
That said, from both a political standpoint and considering past history, I could see why the royal family wanted to bring the direct bloodline of House Robur into the fold. From that perspective, if they were going to replace me, my foster sister was the most fitting choice.
And yet, for reasons beyond my comprehension, the young nobles at the Academy seemed to be under the impression that I was desperately clinging to my engagement. I had never once interfered in matters concerning my betrothal, nor had I hoped that anything would come of it. Not before the engagement, not after. Not in this life as a duke’s daughter, nor in my past life as a princess.
That said, the engagement hadn’t been formally annulled yet, and the prince had already taken to keeping my foster sister at his side—it was as if he had no sense of propriety. And to make matters worse, the two of them were practically making a sport of mocking me, launching direct attacks on his actual fiancée as if it were some kind of game. It was disgraceful. Especially considering that in this world, noble society had far stricter views on chastity than in the Japan of my past life. Regardless of the truth, the mere implication that he had already laid hands on her was scandalous.
But, well...I suppose I was partly to blame. My philosophy had always been that discretion was the better part of valor. The thing is, I was actually quite capable. I had abundant magic, and could use spells however I pleased. If I was being honest, I was probably more powerful than my father, who was widely known as the Great Mage. On top of that, I completed my royal education early in my past life, and I also possessed knowledge from another world. How could someone like me ever be considered talentless or incompetent?
Ah, but let’s not call me exceptional. That wouldn’t be very Japanese of me. Let’s just say I had a certain amount of experience. Royal education, working life, childbirth, and child-rearing, even old age: I’d lived through it all. Quite the extensive résumé, wouldn’t you say?
And in this world, I also happened to be on rather good terms with sacred beasts and their kin. If that ever got out, they’d no doubt try to exploit me all over again. I’d already endured that once as a princess, and I wouldn’t let it happen again.
Honestly, I was grateful my previous life had lasted a full eighty-six years. Being surrounded by malice now, just as I had been in my life as a princess, didn’t bother me in the slightest. I knew that some people would get along with me, while others wouldn’t; blood ties had nothing to do with it. Other people’s ill will was nothing more than background music to me. An old woman’s ears had a way of selectively tuning things out.
Besides, circumstances could change over time. There are friendships that grow stronger with distance and those that crumble when the glue holding them together is gone. It was like those mom friends who are inseparable while their kids are growing up, but once the children leave the nest, they realize they don’t even have each other’s phone numbers. Happens all the time.
I had no need for relationships that would require me to scramble and force myself to maintain appearances. After all, I could not forget the peaceful life I lived in my previous existence. Just recalling it filled me with such happiness that it brought tears to my eyes.
So, forgive me, but this time, I intended to live solely for myself. As I had in my past life, I intended to assume the role of one without talent or ability. And I would flee from my obligations as a duke’s daughter with every ounce of strength I had.
“Want me to kill her?”
Oh my. I had just thought I heard something rather unsettling when something suddenly hopped right onto my head.
Of course, I didn’t act surprised. After all, I knew this little one well. He was my dear companion, the sacred beast Casquette. He was a fox with pure white fur and nine elegant tails. His signature look included a navy blue scrunchie adorned with pink fabric and lace, wrapped snugly around his left forepaw. Seeing him wearing it, I was glad I had taken the time to make it. He could change his size at will, anywhere from fitting in the palm of my hand to as large as a boulder—although I’d never actually seen him in his largest form.
“Oh my, Cas. What’s this about killing someone?”
“She keeps picking on my precious girl. And don’t get me started on that idiot prince and his flock of fools too! He’s always strutting around with his mistress and making a mess, and now they’re back to bothering you! I can’t stand them!”
Cas was cute, grumpy or otherwise, and he was particularly cute today! The soft sensation of his belly pressing against my head only made the moment more dreamy.
Wait. Did I just sense killing intent? Did you really mean to go through with his threat?!
“No, no,” I insisted. “You mustn’t. Even if he is a complete fool, he’s still royalty.”
“That’s exactly what you said last time, and look where it got you.”
Ah, he was talking about my life as a princess. His nine fluffy tails swished back and forth against my head in clear discontent. Like a cat, almost. But weren’t foxes supposed to be more canine?
“You’re not thinking something rude, are you?” he asked, suspicious. Cas-chan hopped onto the table, then sat down and stared up at me. The angle! His adorably puffed-up cheeks practically begged to be poked!
Alas, I had to restrain myself. He had a habit of scolding me when provoked. His cuteness was sometimes too much for me and I was constantly fighting for my self-control.
“Perish the thought,” I said. “More importantly, I’m so glad you always wear that scrunchie.” Changing the subject was my best bet at defusing his bloodlust. “I sewed it with care, one stitch at a time, and wove in powerful protective magic just for you. It would mean a lot if you kept it close.”
“Hee hee, of course I will!” Ah, his sweet laugh. Was he an angel? Well, he was quite literally a sacred beast. Overcome with adoration, I reached out and gently patted his head as he sat primly on the table. Ohhh, such a dear, dear thing! His soft, snowy fur was a tactile paradise!
“Lavi, you’re making a face like a pervy old man...”
Oh. No, no, no, no, no. It seems I had let my excitement slip, and my inner thoughts had begun sounding a little too much like a certain corrupt magistrate from my past life.
“Heh heh heh heh. It’s just because you’re so adorable, Cas.”
“Lavi, if you don’t wipe that weird grin off your face right now, we’re sleeping in separate rooms tonight.” His nine tails puffed up to an even fluffier state. “Get rid of those wiggly fingers and that expression, right now. My sense of propriety is in peril, and my tails won’t settle down.”
“Oh, but that fluff is simply irresistible—ah, no, no! I’m joking, I swear! I’ll stop at once, so please don’t exile me from our room!” Seeing him tense up as if to flee, I quickly reached out to placate him. “I got a little carried away. Forgive me.”
He sighed. “Fine. I’ll be heading to bed first, so don’t keep me waiting too long.”
“Of course, I’ll be right there.”
Tomorrow, without a doubt, that... Oh dear, what would I call that adulterous prince, given my former life as the princess?
Ah. My grandson, I suppose.
Yes, my “grandson” would surely come nipping at my heels again.
I laughed. Thinking of him that way made him seem almost...adorable.
I did always have a soft spot for my grandchildren in my past life. I wonder...are they doing well? I pray that they are living peaceful, fulfilling lives.