My Second Engagement: Loved by the Duke’s Son and Thanked for My Healing Magic ~ My Selfish Sister Took My Fiancé, but Gave Him Back Because She Didn’t Want Him Anymore~ - Episode 6

My favorite dress…

Just when I finally got it back, it was covered in an unbelievable stain…

After receiving it from Almia, I tried soaking it in water in my room and using a cleaning solution, but it was no use.

Even so, it was the only thing they returned to me—my precious treasure. I placed the now-dirty dress inside my bag.

“Now that I think about it, are these really the only personal belongings I have…?”

I was about to marry into a duke’s household, yet I had only a single bag. And on top of that, there was still plenty of empty space inside.

Wouldn’t this be a problem for Father and Mother as well…?

Just in case, I should check.

After finishing my packing, I left my room for my final meal.

♢

The table was filled with even more dishes than usual.

There was food prepared at my seat as well—just a small amount.

Still, that alone was rare. Even if it was my last meal here, I was happy. They had even prepared my favorite, octopus-shaped sausages.

“I heard from Almia. This time, you actually did something useful, Reina.”

“Now the Falrune household will be safe!”

For once, Father and Mother praised me.

I had yet to tell them that it was just a provisional engagement.

“From now on, you’ll have to listen to whatever that unreasonable and incompetent duke says, even if you hate it. Just make sure not to anger him.”

“Maybe you’ll get along well, since you’re both useless people.”

“That’s true. Well then, let us toast to Reina leaving this house.”

“What a feast~! Is this a celebration for Reina Onee-sama leaving? Huh?”

“Almia, don’t worry about the details.”

I take back what I said.

They still saw me as nothing more than a nuisance.

I appreciated the meal they prepared, but I understood it was just another form of harassment.

Even so, it was a rare feast. I decided not to dwell on the details and simply enjoy it.

At this point, whether it was harassment or not didn’t matter—I was too excited to care.

I silently ate the small amount of food on my plate.

“Reina Onee-sama! I want that octopus sausage!”

“Ah…”

Just as she spoke, the sausage disappeared into Almia’s mouth.

I had been saving it for last.

“Almia wants it, you know!”

“You’ll be able to eat as many as you want once you’re at the duke’s estate, right? It’s only natural for you to give it to me as an older sister.”

They always put so much pressure on me.

If I refused, I would be punished.

I had only just recovered, and I didn’t want to get injured again.

I had no choice but to hand all of them over.

“Yay!”

I should have eaten them first.

For a moment, I had thought Almia actually saw this as a farewell party and wouldn’t make any selfish demands. That was naïve of me.

Still, when she acted spoiled in a way that showed a rare cute side of her, I didn’t completely hate it.

If only she were always like this, she might have been a lovable little sister…

But more importantly…

“Fufufufufufufu~”

My smile made all three of them freeze.

Before, I would have had no choice but to endure in silence, even if I was frustrated.

But now, things were different.

Something this small didn’t even matter—because I had an exciting new life waiting for me.

“…It seems Reina has already been hit on the head at the duke’s estate.”

“That saves us the trouble.”

“I suppose so. Until we receive the dowry money, make sure you survive no matter what. Understood?”

“Yes!”

I answered brightly, and the three of them reacted strangely.

♢

After the meal, cleaning up all the used dishes was also my job.

Once I finished, I headed to the entrance—only to find something strange.

I had packed only one bag, yet now there were ten of them.

They were even locked to prevent them from being opened easily.

“It would be odd to bring just one bag. We prepared these for you, Reina.”

“Well, most of them are just old, unwearable clothes and trash disguised as luggage, though.”

“Make sure no one looks inside. It would be bad if they found out you brought this kind of stuff.”

“Once you’re at the duke’s estate, secretly get rid of them. You must do so, understand?”

“Yes…”

My reply was deliberately dull, but inside, I felt completely refreshed.

If I defied them, they would surely find a way to take revenge, even if I was living at the duke’s estate.

I had learned that the hard way.

The only thing I could do was be careful not to get carried away.

“The house is finally cleared of its burden, and our useless trash isofficially getting married. Plus, we get money. This is the best possible outcome for us.”

“No matter what happens, obey the duke’s orders. If you go against them, you might as well consider yourself dead.”

“Yes…”

I loaded the bags onto the carriage myself.

That’s when I ran into a problem.

There were too many bags, and there was no space left for me.

“We went through all this trouble preparing them. If you can’t ride, then walk.”

“You remember the way, don’t you?”

“Y-Yes…”

It was as if they had planned this all along. Both of them were grinning ear to ear.

Until the very last moment, my parents continued their threats and harassment.

But I had endured and endured and endured—until my time at the Falrune household finally came to an end.

Rather than despair, I was filled with excitement.

Even if I had to walk to the duke’s estate, surely something good was waiting for me ahead.

Relying only on my memories of the path I took the first time, I set off, eager for what lay ahead.