CH 1

It was an event that seemed like a story I had seen somewhere before.

In Japan, I fell ill at a young age and died. It seems that I was reincarnated into another world that was not Earth, but for some reason, my memories remained faintly.

Normally, memories of past lives can hinder the next life, so they should be erased, at least to some extent. However, memories of things and objects I liked, as well as my personality, remained except for language.

Until the Exiled Duke’s Daughter,...

Of course, I wanted to know the reason, so I asked around and read literature within my range.

As a result, it seems that the place where I was reincarnated has a composition that makes it difficult for the memories of the soul to be completely erased. Therefore, there are occasionally people around with similar memory retention.

While I thought that such a fantasy was impossible, there was nothing I could do about being born with memories. I decided to live my life as best as I could and be reasonably happy.

So, I have been living my life day by day.

Fortunately, I was born into a family where I didn’t have to be born in a harsh, cold village or as a slave, and I didn’t have to face a situation where I had to throw myself into battle with incredible abilities. If I work hard according to the common sense of that place, I will be rewarded to some extent.

The house I was born into. Well, to put it plainly, it was a lower-class noble’s house.

In this world, which resembles Europe in some ways, there were such classes that existed naturally. Well, I interpret it as a kind of parallel world. Of course, my knowledge is poor, so there is a high possibility that I am wrong.

However, it’s not like I’m in trouble or anything.

The house I was born into was the Baron Valcourt family. The income was decent, and my father was an ordinary man who managed the territory leisurely and spent his time fishing occasionally. However, my mother was different. She was a daughter of a noble from another country and a remarkable woman who chased after my father and forcibly married him. Moreover, she was beautiful.

My brother, who inherited my mother’s blood, was very beautiful and was in high demand among ladies. He would get exhausted and sulky during gatherings.

He is a kind and important older brother to me.

And then there’s me. I resemble my father in appearance, and I’m not ugly. If I dress up, I look decent. Because of the memories that remained, I have a slightly different way of thinking, but for now, I’m just an ordinary 18-year-old. The only thing I can boast about is my hair and eye color, which is a beautiful honey color inherited from my mother.

Even I have to find a marriage partner from now on. Women born into noble families are not allowed to work, so we have no choice but to rely on our husbands to support us for life.

Otherwise, it would cause trouble for my older brother and his future sister-in-law.

So, for the past few years, I have been sticking to my mother’s sister, my aunt, and her daughter like goldfish poop and attending social gatherings. That’s why I’m still participating in such gatherings now.

Now, the main topic begins.

In front of me stands a handsome man.

He called me over and brought me to the garden pavilion, saying he had something to talk about, but he hasn’t said anything since then.

Getting impatient, I asked him, “Um, what is it that you wanted to talk about?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m just trying to organize my thoughts. Please wait a little longer.”

“…Okay.”

I have no idea what he wants to say. He still doesn’t move except for muttering “no” or “hmm” in a low voice.

So, I absentmindedly look around the garden. It’s beautiful, and I honestly think so. The mansion where I was invited is the Marquis family’s estate, built only for hunting.

I am one of the guests invited to the Marquis family. A ball is scheduled to be held tonight. However, there is still plenty of time until then, and I had enough time to stroll around the vast garden owned by the Marquis. That’s where he caught me.

He – I think his name was Jeremiah Castalde – was the eldest son of the Marquis family and the next heir. He was a handsome man with slightly long black hair and sharp blue eyes. The Ojo-samas who had forced their way in using connections, were aiming to shoot him down somehow.

He was superior in both wealth and appearance, and I had also been admiring him from afar.

Before my reincarnation, I liked what was called idols.

I wasn’t such a passionate fan, but I felt happy just watching them on TV or listening to their songs. Not only idols, but I also liked handsome actors. While shining my eyes on their activities, I fought against illness every day. Their dreams were my support.

There were so many beautiful things in the world, and just being able to see them made me feel glad to be alive.

Even after coming here, my passion for watching them hasn’t cooled down. I found handsome men in the social circle and enjoyed chatting with my friends about how wonderful they were, what type of person they were, and what kind of women they liked.

Of course, I also loved watching plays. No, it might be my favorite hobby.

After all, there were quite a few handsome foreign actors lounging around, making it a really enjoyable daily life.

Of course, I wasn’t looking at them as potential marriage partners. I thought that was presumptuous.

Eventually, Jeremiah finally spoke up.

What came out of his mouth was a surprising request.

“Tonight, I would like you to dance with me and only me!”

Huh?

I was momentarily stunned. My head was in a whirl from the suddenness of it all. Without thinking, I blurted out the following lines.

“…Um, that’s fine, but why me? I don’t really understand. We haven’t talked much, and I’m just an average-looking person. There are so many other beautiful flowers blooming, so why me…?”

After giving a long-winded and incoherent response, Jeremiah fell silent for a while.

“Well, can I take that as a yes?”

“Yes, I have no reason to refuse. But it’s still strange.”

“If it’s okay even if it’s strange, then that’s good! Thank you, I look forward to it.”

My sense of beauty was stimulated by his lovely explosive smile. Wow, what destructive power. I almost felt dizzy, but I have to hold it together. This is a rare opportunity to observe him up close. I can’t just collapse when there’s a Hollywood-level handsome guy right in front of me. Pull yourself together.

Ah, I wanted to take a picture!

Unfortunately, there is no such thing in this world.

I managed to reply somehow.

“Uh…yes.”

“Well then, shall we start with a lesson so that you can dance with me on an equal footing?”

“Eh…?”

“I don’t want you to dance randomly since you’ll be dancing with me. It could lower my dignity, you know. But it’s good that you’re not one of those high-minded ladies who can’t be asked to do such things. I would like you to be my partner until this gathering is over.”

Oh, I’ll give you a reward too.

Shall I send you some jewelry, or would you prefer a dress? Well, you can decide that for yourself.

Oh, you’re making a strange face. I see, I forgot to mention something important. Let me explain it to you step by step.

I know that I am seen as a good marriage partner by you ladies. However, honestly, I don’t feel that way yet. So, I want to make it look like my attention is only on you by dancing with you tonight.

I think this kind of request is more suitable for a lady with a bad reputation or a widow, but I am a host on the side of the master, so it would be awkward if I only socialized with such people. If I only entertained those people, what would people think of me, who invited them? You can understand that, right?

However, you have a faint presence, you don’t stand out, you’re plain, you seem obedient, and you seemed to understand what I was saying. Also, there is no problem with your background… that’s why I asked you for this favor.

Um, did you dislike it, by any chance?”

He explained his selfish reasons with a puppy-like (cliché) face and asked me. My rebellious spirit was shattered in front of that face.

Although I had many doubts, such as whether he had said such a thing before, or if he had such a plan, or if he was being too rude, or why he was so determined to accept it, I had no choice but to surrender to his handsome smile’s destructive power.

Damn, I’m so shallow…

“Well, since I accepted it, I’ll do my best.”

I secretly swore to stare at his face and make a hole in it.

And so, I was forced to become his partner.