The Young Noble Lady (Who is Not the Villainess) Loves Her Fiancé
Tags: Romance, Translation, Fiction, Short Story, Otome Game

Why did I suddenly remember these unnecessary memories?

I looked down from my window at my fiancé, Richard, who was having a pleasant chat in the courtyard with a beautiful woman with strawberry blonde hair. The moment I saw them, I felt like I had seen this scene somewhere before.

Then, certain memories invaded my consciousness. But these memories did not belong to ‘Alisa Bachelard’ but rather a woman who was born and raised in Japan. It was a country that didn’t even exist in ‘this world.’

I felt an enormous and terrible headache coming on.

I gripped the windowsill, careful not to reveal my awkward figure. My legs felt weak and I was staggering, it was like the strength had been sapped from my spine. It was only because of the etiquette lessons that I had taken since I was a little girl that I managed to stay upright, breathing deeply and focusing so I didn’t collapse.

If my memories are correct, then this is the world of an otome game.

The woman that Richard was meeting with was the heroine. She was the daughter of an Earl, previously raised away from nobility, who would attend Blanchard Academy and fall in love with one of the capture targets.

The story began in the spring, when she first transferred into the academy.

Yes, that means the story has been going on for a month already.

Richard, the son of a duke, was a capture target. Whereas I, his fiancée from an early age, was a humble supporting character. When Richard falls in love with the heroine, my engagement will be abandoned, just like that.

Well, our engagement had been a political one to begin with. It was to deepen the connection between our families. We had gotten engaged when Richard was six, and I five. Although our marquessate was technically of lower standing than his family’s dukedom, there were many houses that wanted to make connections with us due to our wealth, venerable history, and incredible territory management.

In fact, in terms of status, it wouldn’t have been strange if I had been offered up as a candidate for Crown Princess, but due to my quiet personality, it was judged that I was unsuitable to be Queen and engaged to Richard instead.

I fell in love with him at first sight.

His soft, curly blond hair and eyes that were blue like the clear sky were beautiful. And although he isn’t a man of many words, Richard is a kind person.

As I could only meet him a few times a year, I sent letters to which he always replied. Even when we met in person, though he didn’t speak much, he always remembered what I’d said. Each celebration — be it a birthday or the New Year — he would give me thoughtful presents that indicated this. It made me more and more aware of Richard’s quiet kindness.

It was an arranged marriage, but I’d loved Richard for a long time. I was very happy to be his companion and worked hard at studying, etiquette lessons, and even socializing so that I could become a woman suitable for him.

Therefore, I really didn’t need these memories now.

Richard might be stolen away. This was enough to make my heart feel like it may burst. It was unbearable that he might become someone else’s.

If only I had remembered earlier, then I could have worked harder so that Richard might come to love me. I thought we could slowly nurture our love after we were married. Although it had just been an engagement, it never occurred to me that it could be abandoned all together.

I had noticed since a long time ago that Richard only thought of me as a younger sister.

What should I do?

I don’t want to lose him.

Then, in the courtyard, Richard — who rarely did this — smiled. I couldn’t stand watching any longer so I walked away.

“Milady, what happened? Your face is so pale.” I had thought my face was expressionless, but when I reached my dorm room, Collette, my personal maid who is about two years older than me, said. She’s been with me since I was a child so it was impossible to hide anything from her, I guess.

However, it’s not like I could talk about something like a ‘past life.’ Instead, I said: “It’s nothing. I’m just feeling a little tired so I’d like to rest today.”

I had no appetite and I doubted that I could sleep, but I still wanted to lay in bed.

Colette quietly helped me change clothes. Maybe she knew that I wouldn’t say anything more so she didn’t pry. “If you need me, please call at any time.” After politely bowing, she left and I laid down in bed.

When I put my head on the soft pillow and closed my eyes, the tears that I had been fighting back overflowed. I still don’t know the truth behind Richard’s feelings, but it can’t be helped that I was anxious enough to cry. I couldn’t stop, turning into the pillow to muffle my voice.

I cried so much that my eyes became swollen, but afterwards I felt calmer. I began wondering what I should do from now on. According to my memories, the capture targets included: the son of a Marquis, who has a rivalry with the Crown Prince and Richard, the Crown Prince’s personal knight, and a teacher of magic theory at the academy. There were four that I remembered; it wasn’t only Richard.

It seems that there may be hidden characters as well, so it’s too early to give up.

Even if Richard is interested in her, there’s still time. He’s not the sort of person to fall in love so quickly; he’s cautious and thoughtful. Therefore — even in the worst case scenario — I should have a little bit of time left.

In that case, there is only one route to take. I’ll tell him I love him as much as I can. Let’s tell Richard my heartfelt feelings. I want him to at least remember that there was someone who loved him this much, regardless of his status, for the rest of his life. When I realized this was all I could do, my sad feelings blew away.

I rang for Collette. First, I need to get rid of these swollen eyes. Then, tomorrow, I will go see Richard as usual and convey my feelings.