The soft breeze drifting through the window felt wonderful. Bathed in warm sunlight, Aurelia took a slow sip of her tea. The refined aroma of the tea leaves drifted up to her nose.
Being a duke’s daughter is the absolute best...
Power and wealth really were the greatest. Under the pretext of ‘recuperating’ from her already-healed sprained ankle, her academy status had been changed to a leave of absence, and she was even cleared to graduate without ever having to return. It was all thanks to her father.
The House of Rosenberg owned several villas scattered across their vast territory. For her current stay, she had chosen a hot spring resort that she hadn’t cared for much in the past because of how rural it was.
Hot springs had been the ultimate luxury for Aurelia in her previous life. Now, she could enjoy the luxurious private hot spring built inside the villa as much as she wanted. Thanks to the spring’s effects, her skin was even more radiant than before.
Isn’t this way more relaxing than being in the royal capital? Even if I live as a NEET for the rest of my life, Father and Mother would probably just be happy about it. They’d probably say things like, ‘Having you by our side is all we could ask for.’
As she elegantly savored her tea, Aurelia let her mind wander to her future as a NEET.
The tea went down incredibly smoothly. She had never paid attention to it before, but the flavor was completely different from the tea bags she used to brew in her past life.
It’s so important to realize that none of this should be taken for granted.
Remembering her past life made Aurelia deeply appreciate her daily life as a duke’s daughter—something she had previously taken for granted.
Until now, it was normal for her to be given whatever she desired. If she wanted something, she got it; if she wanted to eat something, it was prepared immediately. Every aspect of her luxurious life had been so commonplace to her that she had never recognized its true value.
It was just too different from the life she had taken for granted in her past life.
Back then, being swamped with work was a daily occurrence. Even if she thought, I want to eat that or I want that, it was normal for her to hold back, telling herself, Money’s tight this month.
But now, a single muttered word was enough to get her whatever she wanted. The tea she was drinking right now was a perfect example.
—I’m feeling a bit thirsty.—
With that casual murmur, a tea set had been prepared in an instant.
—We do not have the fancy sweets of the royal capital here, but...—
The chef had apologized as he presented her with freshly baked cookies. Cookies baked by the personal chef of a ducal house. To put it mildly, they were absolutely amazing.
Why on earth did I used to throw tantrums, screaming, ‘I won’t eat anything unless it’s the new dessert from that shop!’?
At this point, she couldn’t even understand her own past self.
She picked up a cookie and popped it into her mouth. It had a light, crisp crunch. Freshly baked, crispy cookies were the ultimate indulgence.
I also took it for granted that Felix-sama would love me.
Before, she had been convinced that she was the most suited to become the next queen. With her power, wealth, and beauty, it was only natural for Felix-sama to love her. That was why she couldn’t tolerate the looks he directed at Sylphy.
A lowly girl from a baron’s family.
She had genuinely believed that. However, the heroine and hero of a web novel always overcame status through the power of their feelings alone to be together.
Sylphy has that gorgeous, high-end Shine Muscat color, after all. If Felix-sama was shown eyes like those, it’s no wonder his heart was swayed.
That was how she felt about it now.
But well—I’m a beauty too, though.
Even so, Aurelia couldn’t help but think that. While she used to believe there was no one more beautiful than herself, even after regaining her memories of her past life, that opinion hadn’t actually changed much.
Setting aside whether she possessed ‘the world’s greatest’ beauty, Aurelia was still an exceptional beauty. If she put effort into her makeup, she became breathtakingly gorgeous.
Though right now, I’m only wearing some skin cream.
Aurelia placed a hand on her cheek and, on a sudden whim, stood up. She walked over to the full-length mirror.
Since coming to this territory, Aurelia had stopped wearing makeup. Confined to the estate, she had no one to meet. There was no need to put on a show for anyone.
Even so, the Aurelia reflected in the mirror was beautiful. Her skin, made even more radiant by the hot spring, actually looked better without makeup. It was as smooth as porcelain.
Even so...
Aurelia stared intently at her reflection.
Chocolat orange.
That was how the author of The Ice Crown Prince and the Jade Maiden had described Aurelia’s coloration.
Aurelia had glossy, bitter chocolate-brown hair and vibrant orange-gold eyes.
It really is exactly like a chocolat orange. It’s the color of those high-end chocolate-covered orange peels I’d splurge on just once a year in my past life.
The elegant, vibrant color scheme looked just like a luxury dessert from a department store basement. To put it mildly, it was the absolute best, and she couldn’t be more satisfied.
—I want to eat a chocolat orange...—
—I will prepare it immediately.—
At Aurelia’s casual murmur, her maid Nina nodded firmly.
Being a duke’s daughter really was the best.
—My lady. A letter has arrived from the young lord of the House of Cromwell.—
When Nina returned to the room, she presented a letter alongside the chocolat orange. Aurelia recognized the white envelope, which was high-quality yet simple.
—Oh? Dylan-sama again?—
Taking it in her hand, she turned it over to see the name Dylan Cromwell inscribed on the back.
—He really is incredibly conscientious, isn’t he? Even though I told him so many times not to worry about it anymore. Being too sincere must make life quite difficult.—
Thanks to her father procuring every medicine imaginable, Aurelia’s injuries had already completely healed. Although a scar running from her left shoulder to her upper arm remained, it had faded and caused her no pain. In her day-to-day life, she never even thought about it. The dresses she wore on a regular basis were long enough to hide it, and she only ever caught sight of it during her baths.
She had already accepted Dylan’s apologies and had even replied multiple times with letters expressing her gratitude instead. Despite this, because of his letters requesting to apologize in person, she had even had him visit her here in the territory. She thought she had made it perfectly clear to him then, saying, —I do not mind at all,— but Dylan still seemed to be letting it weigh on him.
Opening the letter, she saw his methodical handwriting and phrasing. He inquired about the progress of her sprained ankle and injured arm, and offered to help her if she had any difficulties in her daily life upon returning to the academy, written out as logically and systematically as a formal report.
By the time Dylan had visited the territory, both her leg and arm had already fully healed. However, Aurelia was officially on a leave of absence under the pretext of ‘recuperating.’
—It seems I sprained it rather badly, so it looks like it will still take some time.—
Had explaining it that way been a mistake?
Maybe I should explain things a bit more clearly.
—Nina. I’m going to write a reply to Dylan-sama. Please prepare some paper and a pen.—
If he knew that Aurelia was currently spending her days in peace and quiet in the territory, it might ease Dylan’s guilt.
Although she had seen Dylan many times in his capacity as Felix-sama’s guard, they had never properly conversed. Not quite knowing what to write, she started with an update on her daily life. Since she had nothing but time, she slowly wrote down whatever came to mind.
—Phew... Finished.—
It turned out... kind of like a diary entry.
Before she knew it, she had filled several sheets of stationery with details of her daily life. It was a collection of completely trivial things: her favorite foods, stories about the hot springs, today’s events, and her life in the territory.
—Nina. Could you send this letter for me? Please.—
She handed the sealed letter to Nina. This time, she was sure Dylan would understand that Aurelia was living a peaceful and tranquil life here.
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