In Place of Losing My Memory, I Remembered That I Was the Fiancée of the Capture Target - Chapter 5.2
It was lunchtime.
Patrick brought me to the student council room.
———I’ve seen it in the game, but this is the first time I’ve been inside.
In the spacious room, there were simple yet substantial desks arranged in a U-shape, likely for official duties. Patrick walked through this room and opened the door at the back.
Behind the door was a room with sofas and table seating, giving it a softer atmosphere compared to the previous room. This was, as I recall, the room where student council members took breaks and received visitors.
On the table, there were already two meals prepared for us.
“When you get food delivered here, you can’t choose the food freely. Is there anything you can’t eat?”
“No, I’m fine.”
As it was in the game, Patrick rarely ate lunch in the cafeteria. He often ate while working on student council duties.
“I’m sorry… you’re busy, aren’t you?”
“There’s nothing to do at lunch today, so there won’t be anyone here.”
Patrick replied.
Unlike in my previous life, there wasn’t a formal opening ceremony, and there were no events immediately following summer break, so it seemed relatively quiet.
“So, what did you want to talk about?”
After finishing our lunch facing each other, we moved to the sofa, sitting side by side and sipping post-meal tea, when Patrick asked.
“…It’s about His Highness.”
As I answered, Patrick took my hand and placed it on his lap.
“Tell me.”
I could feel Patrick’s warmth.
It’s hard to talk to him face to face, but it’s also hard to say with him sitting right next to me.
But I had to say it.
“His Highness and I… apparently made a vow.”
I told him everything: about His Highness, about Theodore’s proposal, and everything they had said to me.
Patrick listened silently, without interrupting. When I told him about the time His Highness almost attacked me, he squeezed my hand tightly.
“I’m glad you told me.”
After a moment of silence once I finished speaking, Patrick finally spoke.
“….I had a feeling, from the way things were at the party.”
He took my hand and looked at me.
“I am your fiancé.”
“…Yes.”
“No matter what happened in the past or who loves you now, I won’t give you up to anyone.”
“——Yes.”
As I nodded, his emerald eyes narrowed as he gazed at me.
“I love you, Xia.”
Patrick’s face came closer. When I closed my eyes, something soft touched my lips. It was warm and comforting.
——Ah, I really do love this person.
I felt the anxieties in my heart slowly melting away.
“Xia.”
After a long kiss, Patrick spoke again.
“After I graduate next year, I want to get married right away.”
“What…?”
“Once I graduate, I’ll have to return to my estate frequently, and we won’t be able to see each other as much as we do now. Knowing those two are after you… it worries me.”
“But, I love you, Rick.”
“Even if your heart doesn’t belong to them, precisely because of that, we don’t know what they might do to you.”
“…That… is…”
I shuddered as I recalled what His Highness had almost done to me.
“I’ll talk to Count Bertini. You might have to drop out of the academy…”
It’s not uncommon for noble girls to get married early and leave school. A classmate with a fiancé five years older had also said she would drop out and get married after the first year.
“Xia. Will you marry me?”
His eyes, tinged with anxiety, looked into mine.
“Yes.”
I answered, staring into his emerald eyes. Patrick’s expression softened with relief.
“Xia.”
He hugged me gently… and I reached out to embrace his back as well.
In my past life, I couldn’t graduate from high school. Dropping out again in this life is disappointing.
But I think it’s best to stay away from Theodore. Seeing His Highness at home or at the academy… would constantly make me anxious. And above all, I’d miss seeing Patrick.
“…I was lonely when you were away in your estate.”
I inadvertently voiced my feelings.
Every day, I longed to see him. I wanted to see those emerald eyes… I wanted him to look at me. It had become a habit to hold the necklace Patrick gave me before going to sleep. I would then hide it under my pillow and grab it first thing in the morning.
Even though doing so didn’t make the loneliness go away…
“I missed you too, Xia.”
Patrick’s voice, resonating in my ear, was very comforting.
…Come to think of it, I also liked Patrick’s voice in my past life.
I suddenly remembered that.