# Chapter 3. Different Dreams (Part 2)
“I wanted you. But that doesn’t mean I love you. You’re nothing more than an ornament to me. Someone to make my image shine brighter—nothing more than expendable.”
– You are no expendable thing. To me, you are a precious gem, a star shining on its own.
“Of course, there will be rewards. I’ll provide generous support to your family, and while you live with mine, you will live in comfort. If you wish, I might even let you pretend to be the mistress of the house.”
– You will have so much. Delicious food, fine clothing, luxurious luxuries, a private villa… Eventually, I’ll push out your parents so you can take full control of the house, with my help.
“But don’t expect my love. You do not deserve my heart.”
– You have every right to be loved. In your future, there awaits a happy ending where you’ll live with someone who truly loves you. In fact, it is I who have no right to be in front of you.
This was the first time.
That someone thought of me this way.
Ever since I was a child, I was just my parents’ possession—raised as a pet for the revival of the family.
They thought it was the natural way, and since no one reached out to me, I also accepted this as fate.
I endured through whippings and cruel words, because it was my duty, for the sake of the people who brought me into this world.
I kept telling myself it was okay, that I could endure it… But I guess it wasn’t true.
When the Young Master told me that I deserved to be loved, I felt something break inside my chest.
What have I been doing all this time?
My parents treated me as nothing more than a tool for the family’s future.
That the Young Master, who is known for his unruly nature, might actually be the only person who truly cherishes me…
Have all my efforts until now been meaningless?
“Miss?”
Oh no! I got lost in the Young Master’s inner thoughts and ended up committing a faux pas!
-Maybe… such harsh words were too much for her fragile heart…
“No… No, it’s just that—!”
“Hm?”
Though his tone might have been a bit harsh on the surface…
It stemmed from a sincere concern, from someone who thinks only about me, and it was full of warm care.
I feel intoxicated by this unfamiliar warmth. My heart is thrown into chaos, yet it feels so comforting…
-Couldn’t she hear me clearly? Or is she suffering from hallucinations caused by abuse?
“No… it’s not…”
It’s… not anything like that.
Yes, I’m quite shy and a little clumsy with words, but I’m not deaf or delusional!
Ugh… it’s embarrassing that His Highness could make me think such thoughts…
“Anyway, did you understand what I meant?”
“Understood”…
Perhaps His Highness wishes for me to lose interest in him.
How does he know everything about my situation so well? And why does his tone sound like he knows what future lies ahead for me? But there’s something I want to ask him right now.
“Just one thing… Can I ask you just one question?”
“Yes?”
“…In the future that you imagine… Am I smiling?”
“…No.”
-Yes.
-In an ambiance filled with everyone’s blessings, you’ll be smiling brightly.
-You’ll walk toward a happy future with the person you love.
-Because I’ll make it happen.
“…Thank you for the answer.”
I couldn’t help but bow my head before His Highness’s hidden truth.
Or else I’d reveal my face that had turned as red as a tomato.
What am I supposed to do?!
I… I think I may have started to like His Highness!
*
Hm… It makes me feel a little guilty to hurt someone so pure and adorable, but it was necessary.
I need to lower her affection for me so it’s easier to boost her feelings for the male protagonist later on.
Right now, Cecilia and I are both 15.
By imperial law, children of noble families over 16 years old must enter the Academy for their education.
And the main story will likely start when they enter the Academy.
Cecilia will enter the Academy together with the male protagonist, a new knight.
Though he’s of common origin, his talents caught the eye of the duke, who sponsored him under the guise of being Cecilia’s bodyguard.
The shy and low self-esteem princess and the talented knight who faces jealousy and discrimination due to his status.
Despite their different circumstances, they share loneliness. Together, they get embroiled in and resolve several incidents at the Academy, gradually growing closer.
Through it all, Cecilia overcomes her trauma, makes friends, and finds happiness. The male protagonist is recognized for his talent despite his commoner background. They end up together as a couple.
But wait! Enter Yours Truly!
In the original work, Lab Nethoire suddenly appears and rapes the main character to bring the story to an end.
That’s infuriating. Even thinking about it again makes me mad.
Friend, you definitely deserve hell.
Anyway, the Academy entrance is still a year away.
It’s a long time, but also short. During this year, Cecilia will suffer terribly at her mansion.
To me, it seemed like she was just a virtual character made of 0s and 1s in a game, but seeing her in front of me, as someone who lives and breathes, I can’t ignore her pain.
That’s why I’m planning to ask Duke Boich for a favor.
Knock-knock.
“Master Lab, dinner is ready.”
“Oh, go ahead. I’ll go with the princess.”
“Yes, sir.”
A light dinner with both families, almost like an engagement meeting.
Even though it makes me feel nauseous to eat with those less-than-parent-like individuals, I have to endure it for Cecilia’s sake.
“Haha…”
It seems the princess’s cheeks are slightly flushed, but I attribute it to the heating.
“Shall we? Let me guide you.”
“Ack, yes, sir!”
As soon as I stood up, Cecilia quickly followed.
To appear indifferent to her, I walked ahead purposefully without taking her hand, planting this image for the servants in the corridor.
That way, when I eventually grow tired of her and propose to cancel the engagement, I won’t be suspected.
But when I glanced back to check if she was keeping up, sure enough, the small princess was struggling to keep pace with short steps.
Tap-tap… tap-tap…
Finally, I slowed down to her pace, walking slightly faster than her small steps.
As a result, Cecilia was able to keep up by walking right behind me.
It’s tough, pretending to be the villain.
In some web novels, the main character jumps into their new role and commits evil acts without hesitation, and I truly admire them.
Some of us are suffering from pangs of conscience so deep we’re almost pierced.
“…Kind.”
The princess mumbled something, but her voice was lost amidst the sound of the dining room door opening.
When we entered the dining room, my parents were seated on the left side of the table, and Cecilia’s parents were on the right side.
This is clearly like an engagement ceremony…
When I sat next to my parents, the princess also approached hers.
“What are you doing?”
“…Excuse me?”
I tapped the chair beside me.
“Sit here and eat with me. Since you’re already my fiancée, it’s normal for us to sit and eat together, right?”
Cecilia looked confused with our parents around, unsure how to react to my suggestion.
“Haha! My lord! It seems our Ria has won your heart! You’ve already taken her under your wing!”
A bony man with a weasely and despicable demeanor.
The head of the Boich family, Duke Shuret Boich.
“Yes, she’s not bad.”
Of course, on the inside, I’d give her top marks as the best fiancée in the empire.
She may suffer from low self-esteem, but with some care and positive reinforcement from her surroundings, she can improve. I actually find this part of her endearing.
“They call her the best in the empire… and even this trait appealing… Heh.”
But seeing the faces of the people who turned such a kind and innocent girl into this made me clench my fists with anger.
“How many women in this continent can satisfy the refined taste of our young lord?… She’s not bad! We were worried about our daughter’s face since she’s the only one, but now that she has your approval, it’s truly a relief!”
At that moment, I almost delivered a flying kick to the chair, but I decided against it because I didn’t want to make Cecilia, who sat there tense with pursed lips, even more uncomfortable. Thus, I decided to skip to the main topic.
“By the way, Duke… Before entering the Academy, I’d like to have Cecilia stay with us at our mansion.”
