When I woke up, the sensation of something kneading at my feet was so ticklish that I sat up abruptly in bed. Julian again?

“Eek!”

The surprise wasn’t mine alone. I found myself face to face with a fluffy little creature with sparkling, pink sapphire-like eyes, twitching as if spasming before freezing.

“Ah…”

At the sound of my voice, the fluffy creature with the light pink fur twitched again. It began to purr in a way that sounded pleasurable.

A cat?

A Munchkin cat?

A lop-eared rabbit?

A small animal?

No… it’s floating…

A Pokémon? No way.

Its adorable drooping ears were disproportionately large in comparison to its small body. Given that it was flapping its ears like wings to float in mid-air, it’s not something you’d find by clicking on “50 rare animals from around the world” on the internet.

This is a creature from this world. Indeed, if fairies existed, such small animals could exist, too.

But, but…

“…Piyu? …Piyu…”

“Oh, how cute!”

Without thinking, I reached out my hand. The little fluffy creature obediently floated down to my hand. It tilted its adorable, cat-like face and looked up at me.

“Oh my goodness! So cute!!!”

My heart was seized with cuteness. I couldn’t resist hugging the fluffy creature and rubbing my face against it—a wonderful scent, like floral essential oils, wafted from its pink fur.

“Piyu, Piyu…”

The rabbit-like creature wriggled a little in my arms but continued to purr contentedly.

***

In a sunroom-like dining area at the back of the spacious living room, filled with light from the full-length glass windows, I had breakfast prepared by the butlers, watched over by head maid Wanda and maid Mira, not just with my brother Julian, but also with the Duke and Duchess.

According to Wanda, the small animal that had snuggled up to Richeli in bed was a sacred rabbit beast, a pet gift from Zinon. Richeli’s sixteenth birthday was approaching. To avoid disturbing breakfast, the sacred beast was taken away by Wanda and was now bouncing and playing on the balcony.

“Richeli, how are you feeling this morning? You look well.”

“Yes, I’m very well. Thank you, Father.”

I smiled and scattered my charm towards the Duke, who had elegantly combed silver-blue hair.

“Oh, that’s truly good to hear. Richeli, I’ve ordered plenty of your favourite strawberries. Shall I have them sent to your room later?”

“Thank you, Mother. I love strawberries, so that would make me happy.”

I also smiled at Richeli’s mother, a beautiful woman with peach-coloured eyes, just like Richeli. It’s tiring to keep smiling and being considerate from early morning, but it can’t be helped.

I called them “Father” and “Mother” because Julian did. I generally modelled my behaviour after Julian when interacting with Richeli’s parents. I tried not to make any mistakes, or rather, I tried my best not to worry the family.

The floor was marble, and the elegant furnishings were white. The dining table had delicious egg dishes, salads, warm soup, and bread. The strawberries and the food tasted deliciously similar to what could be found on Earth; they even had coffee and tea.

(But the Duke… and the Duchess… are from a different world.)

From the moment I first saw the word “Duke” in Richeli’s diary…

When I’m with Richeli’s parents, my limited knowledge of the British Royal Family automatically plays in my mind.

(Being a queen is out of the question… I’m essentially in their world, aren’t I?)

Then, it strikes me.

Ah, right? I won’t be getting married in the end. Richeli will have her engagement to Zinon broken off no matter what we do.

Feeling relieved, the tension in my shoulders ease. I sip my fragrant after-meal tea while gazing out at the terrace again.

Is it spring now? The bright sunlight and the slightly chilly breeze feel wonderful.

“Wanda told me that His Highness seems to be coming again this afternoon,” says Valerie, the Duchess and mother, with a happy look. In contrast, Mercury, the father, cannot hide his surprise.

“Really? His Highness used only to come once every two or three weeks?”

“Given that Lady Richeli fainted before him and her memory seems impaired, His Highness must be worried. After all, Lady Richeli is his precious fiancée, above all else,” Wanda explains to them, smiling. Seeing this, I can’t help but feel guilty.

Richeli’s parents and Wanda are surprisingly warm and kind-hearted people. Julian is also adorable. I wonder what they would think if they knew that Richeli was destined to have her engagement broken off and be sent to a convent.

“…”

I look around.

The bunny.

Julian.

Richeli’s mom and dad.

Mrs Wanda.

Hmm.

My gaze stops at one point.

Mira!

I catch the sapphire eyes of Mira, who has her navy hair loosely tied back. For some reason, Mira seems to feel that she’s been locked on by my gaze. She looks startled.

I give her my biggest smile of the day.

***