Reid and I had agreed to meet after finishing our respective tasks.

In the middle of the hydrangea garden, where lush lilac blossoms bloomed abundantly, I was pacing anxiously.

“Why isn’t he coming?”

<Shouldn’t you go find him? Before the world ends.>

“Right? He’s probably trapped somewhere by now. I should go rescue him immediately...”

I opened the system map to check locations like the underground prison, the tower top, the interrogation room behind the closet, the secret storage, and so on. Just then, I sensed a presence near a massive tree.

On high alert, I sharply turned around, ready to knock him out if needed. Then I realized I had been overly cautious.

“Ah, Reid!”

The black-haired man, whose beauty remained undimmed even in the shadows, stopped abruptly while walking toward me.

I hurried over, relieved, but was startled by the long scar slashing across one smooth cheek.

“What happened to your face?! Wait, let’s treat that first. That must hurt.”

“...”

“There, all done. The scar’s gone, nicely healed. Good.”

“...”

“Hmm? Hey, Reid?”

He didn’t respond at all. He just stood there blankly, as if shocked by something.

After a while, he slowly blinked and finally spoke.

“My eyes weren’t wrong.”

“Huh?”

“You’ve become prettier.”

“Ah!”

Only then did I realize how much my outfit had changed since the last time he saw me.

He, who had stared at me for a while, finally seemed a bit more accustomed and said,

“Did the queen do this?”

“Yeah. She was kind.”

Remembering his simple wish, I added that quietly. The small smile he gave was probably more consideration for me than sincere.

He was so kind—I didn’t understand why the world was so eager to torment him. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

My rococo-style attire seemed to give Reid much to think about.

“Come to think of it, you really are the granddaughter of Duke Hispenril, so the next duchess, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. You really know your stuff.”

“You’ve been through a hundred loops.”

Well, he knew he was a prince, so he’d know I was a duchess.

At that moment, Reid’s gaze toward me grew a little dazed. I knew that look well.

“If that’s so, then if...”

It was time to imagine possibilities.

“If neither your life nor mine had been twisted, maybe this could have been the first time we met.”

“...”

That would probably have been a normal meeting typical of the social circle.

[‘The Scales of Soul Judgment’ fantasizes about the ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ prince and duchess marrying first, then falling in love.]

[‘The Balancing Cynic’ says since he’s not fit to be king, having him as a son-in-law would be perfect.]

“There’d have been many marriage proposals. It would’ve been sad if we met already engaged.”

He looked happy, so I decided to join in a little.

“Hmm, we probably met when we were kids too. Remember? Even when we were ten, we got along well for a while.”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

[‘The Scales of Soul Judgment’ fantasizes about childhood betrothal, bickering, a messy marriage, and a strong ‘love denial’ period.]

[‘The Tower Architect of Trials’ hates slow plots with no action.]

[‘The Balancing Cynic’ asks when the dungeon burst will happen.]

Reid’s tastes were peaceful and ordinary. The more we entertained the “what if” possibility, the softer his expression became.

But returning to reality inevitably brought a drop in mood.

“That was a pointless thought.”

Reid finished with a bitter smile, as if unwilling to think further.

I could easily guess why he suddenly considered that possibility—it was probably because he’d recovered memories of his childhood.

At that point, I decided to bring up the topic I had been putting off.

“Reid, about your cheek earlier...”

“Just a scratch.”

No way.

Reid was a transcendent being constantly wrapped in an aura that distorted physical laws. There was only one person he would have allowed to leave a wound on him.

“The queen.”

Ligares harassed him from the front, and Queen Raviosa did so from behind—it was certain. If karma were mileage, those two would be VIPs.

Trying not to show how upset I was, I carefully checked him over.

“Is somewhere you can’t see... okay?”

“Well.”

He gave a vague answer as if burning from within. Unconsciously, I furrowed my brow, but Reid looked deeply into me.

“Oh, seeing you ask that means...”

“...”

“You’re worried? Like I got beaten up or something?”

“...Yeah.”

What could I deny? Both he and I knew Queen Raviosa was fully capable of that.

“That didn’t happen. Don’t worry.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, really.”

His clear answer drew a sharp line.

Then maybe it’s best not to pry what really happened. What words could comfort him if I pretended not to know?

As I hesitated, Reid showed a deliberately troubled expression.

“If you don’t believe me... it’s a bit hard to prove here.”

I flinched when I saw his finger hook on his shirt collar.

“No, I don’t necessarily mean I want to see it with my own eyes.”

“I see.”

[‘The Scales of Soul Judgment’ slyly incites, saying it’s already dark enough here, what’s the problem?]

[‘The Scales of Soul Judgment’ notes the royal garden has historically been a hot spot for secret meetings...]

I waved my hand to clear the message window as if fanning it away.

At that moment, I felt a gaze quietly follow my cheek. Coincidentally, the perceptive regressor was observing me.

“Ayleth Rodeline.”

Being called by my full name after a long time made him focus more than usual.

He seemed lost in thought. His gaze partly unfocused as he spoke.

“How do you know everything about my past?”

“...”

“You weren’t even on that timeline... yet you know every miserable detail...”

“...”

“How do you know it all?”

“...”

There was no way I could answer.

“Not just about me, but about other people too?”

“...”

“Answer at least one thing.”

“...I only know about you.”

Reid seemed reasonably satisfied with my answer. He smiled as if deciding not to ask for more.

“That makes me happy. I feel special.”

“...”

It’s not just “feel” though.

I reflexively parted my lips then closed them again. If I answered now, it might count as a confession.

...It was sad that I had to worry about this.

“Anyway, I’m glad you don’t have any other wounds, Reid.”

“Yeah.”

“Don’t come back hurt.”

“...Upset?”

Reid asked suspiciously. Agnes immediately stepped forward, apparently worried.

<Why again? Trying to get attention by upsetting Ayleth? Just try it.>

Agnes seemed to have remembered well my previous intention to act weak and pitiful.

But Reid’s response surprised me.

“Ah.”

<Hmm?>

“That’s right.”

<...You just remembered?>

“Yes. Thanks for reminding me.”

<Gasp.>

Had I just revealed something I shouldn’t?

Agnes and I flinched, but Reid didn’t even sparkle his eyes. Instead, his gaze seemed calmer than usual.

“If I get a chance to be pitied, I should happily take it—but lately, I don’t really want that anymore.”

“...Really?”

“Yeah.”

It was great progress. I almost clapped.

But Reid seemed troubled by his own state.

“It’s strange. Why have I become so passive?”

“So what? It’s a good change.”

“A good change?”

I deliberately hid no surprise as I looked at Reid.

He really looked like he was searching for an answer. So I had to tell him kindly.

“You don’t have to act pitiful, because you can get what you want from me anyway.”

Actually, you already know everything, Reid.

“...”

“...”

The conversation paused briefly. A breeze stirred our hair, carrying the strong scent of summer flowers.

After a long moment, Reid spoke first.

“That’s strange.”

“What now?”

“Why hasn’t the world ended yet? It’s disappointing.”

“...I’m not confessing, you know.”

“Is that so?”

His low laugh echoed in my ears.

Looking at his face, which was much less gloomy than before, I poked his arm.

“How do you feel? Got some energy now, Reid?”

“Yeah, thanks to you.”

“Good. Then let’s cheer up—”

I clenched my fist.

“Let’s conquer the kingdom of Vinchester!”

“Yeah, let’s do that.”

Since entering the palace was over, the only event left for us was the queen’s birthday banquet.

<Ah, what to do with these villains?>

Ignoring Agnes’s complaint, we refocused on constructive goals.

✠

A week passed.

[ ‘Genre Change Ticket Trial Version’ remaining time: 4 hours 31 minutes.]

The time had come both to end the chaotic family regret and to carry out the plan to conquer the kingdom.

When going to battle, one must wear battle clothes. Reid and I stood side by side in outfits perfect for today, in front of the main gate of the palace.

Several knights stood lined up on either side, but none dared stop the uninvited guests without invitations. They were overwhelmed by the rank of 9th degree and 9th circle.

Ignoring the frightened knights, Reid smiled calmly at me.

“Shall we go, Your Holiness?”

“Yeah, let’s go.”

Nodding firmly, I called him by the name allowed only today.

“Prince Reminic.”