“Yes, I like it.”

So, I gave a response mixed with just the right amount of truth.

It was true that I liked it, but this probably wasn’t the answer he wanted.

As expected, a fleeting yet meaningful expression crossed Cedrion’s face.

A short moment of resignation, as if to say, “I knew it.” Well, what was he expecting from someone with no memories?

“Come, have a seat.”

Cedrion pulled out a beautifully carved chair for me to sit in and then sat across from me.

A hidden orchestra somewhere in the garden began playing soft music as if on cue, while the attendants brought warm towels, pre-meal bread, soup, and appetizers.

In the dim glow of the evening light, the well-polished silverware sparkled.

‘So, this is what nobility tastes like…?’

Having been sent straight to Meldorf after becoming Odelia, I had never experienced such luxury before.

And the menu set upon the silk tablecloth embroidered with gold thread was…

‘Pickled tomatoes with fresh sprouts, soft tofu salad…? It’s just like what I used to eat at the Blue Roof Manor.’

The garnish and plating were far more sophisticated and refined, but the dishes were unmistakably the same.

Somehow, this felt…

“Does it suit your taste?”

I felt like I should be the one asking.

Cedrion glanced at me with his usual unreadable expression before responding.

“This is my house, and I am the one hosting you. Why would you ask me that?”

“…Because it’s the same menu Paul used to make at the Blue Roof Manor’s kitchen.”

“I see. The kitchen is not my concern.”

With that, Cedrion began tasting each of the appetizers one by one.

It seemed like he was unfamiliar with these dishes, as his brows furrowed slightly with each bite, as if assessing the flavors.

“The sous-chef of Norhart was renowned for appetizers at a five-star restaurant in Belvo. I hope it suits your taste.”

He spoke as if he were introducing the proud creation of his own kitchen staff.

The main course that followed was also identical to what I used to eat at the Blue Roof Manor.

‘Dame Gwendolyn always insisted on a low-sodium, vegetable-based diet…!’

Whole-roasted eggplant, carrots, mini cabbage, and asparagus, with just a minimal amount of protein added on the side—anyone could see that the dish contained barely any oil or seasoning.

“A mild, light meal like this is perfect for someone as delicate as you, isn’t it?”

Excuse me, did you just hesitate when saying “mild”?

Well, I personally liked it since I was used to this kind of food.

‘It’s probably the same recipe, but having the Grand Duke’s chefs prepare it takes it to another level. Plus, with the finest ingredients…’

Rather than being masked by seasonings, the ingredients’ natural flavors stood out, making it even more enjoyable.

A sudden memory flashed through my mind—back in my past life, when vegetables were a luxury, and I had to buy discounted pork shoulder about to expire just to stir-fry something to eat…

‘This is true luxury… I thought nothing about this transmigration could impress me anymore.’

Whether Cedrion found this food unfamiliar, I enjoyed my meal wholeheartedly, as if I were dining in a Michelin-starred three-star restaurant.

“Does it suit your taste?”

Perhaps the meal wasn’t to his liking, as Cedrion eventually put down his utensils and began observing how much I was eating instead.

His expression was oddly gentle—almost as if he was content just watching me eat.

“Yes, it’s as if the Grand Duke’s kitchen staff can read my mind.”

At my playful remark, a faint hint of a smile once again flickered at Cedrion’s lips.

That slight, asymmetrical curve—it could almost be mistaken for a smirk. I might have misunderstood if I didn’t know that he was showing me kindness.

‘Is this why Michael is so popular? He’s supposedly a kind prince who smiles at everyone… I wonder what he looks like in real life.’

Regardless of Cedrion’s hostility and vigilance toward Odelia, I couldn’t help but be curious about the male lead of the novel I had been reading before I died.

I only had about ten months left to live, and with an exile order placed on me and Cedrion under house arrest, it was unlikely that we would ever cross paths.

‘Would the Crown Prince visit for the engagement ceremony out of formality? Norhart is semi-royal, after all.’

I was lost in such thoughts, absentmindedly chewing on a piece of roasted vegetable I had cut in advance.

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

“Engag—”

Wait, engagement?

What was I even thinking? Meeting Michael was a lost cause. Besides, this was just a temporary engagement—a contractual farce that wouldn’t even last a year.

If anything, I should push to make the ceremony as simple as possible.

“…Yahooo. This is delicious.”

I clumsily tried to cover up my slip, and once again, Cedrion’s lips curled upward.

“Carrots.”

“Huh?”

“You seem to like them now.”

Cedrion murmured as if recalling something from memory.

I looked down at the carrot piece speared on my fork, feeling slightly dumbfounded.

“Well, I am an adult now…?”

Did young Odelia dislike carrots? Well, to be fair, what child actually likes them?

As I absentmindedly placed my utensils down, I thought to myself.

‘I really need to tell him to stop.’

It felt almost cruel to let him keep expecting something from me.

I finally mustered up the courage to speak as dessert was served.

‘No one even bothers a dog while it’s eating, after all.’

I hesitated to bite the sherbet, feeling the chill on my lips. Fidgeting with my fingers, I carefully opened my mouth to speak.

“Um, Cedrion…”

“Hmm?”

“…As I mentioned, I barely have any childhood memories.”

Cedrion’s spoon stopped mid-air.

Since I had spoken so bluntly, he had no choice but to acknowledge it. He slowly placed his utensils down and wiped his mouth with a napkin.

Cedrion’s golden eyes, gazing at me while leaning against the chair, darkened.

“So, we must have known each other when we were young…?”

“You’re saying you don’t remember anything from when you were about eight?”

A specific number. It seemed Odelia had known him around that time.

Most likely, it was when Odelia had stayed at the Meldorf villa.

And yet, had she pretended not to know him in social circles?

‘From what the nanny said, it seemed like Odelia herself didn’t remember much of her childhood. So, because she acted as if she didn’t know him, there were no scenes of them together in Princess Flora Is Lovely, huh?’

As I pondered this and observed Cedrion, his gaze was sharp, as if he were trying to read every thought crossing my face.

I quickly answered.

“Yes. I said it was because of the shock of being exiled, but I’ve actually had no memories of my childhood for a long time. So, when I ran into you at the royal castle…”

If I acted like I didn’t know you, that must have been why… probably…?

It wasn’t intentional, you see?

Somehow, I ended up making excuses for Odelia.

“You speak as if we knew each other as children, but I feel bad that I can’t respond properly.”

“…I know.”

Cedrion slowly swirled the sparkling wine that came with the dessert. His golden eyes, darker than the liquid’s golden hue, seemed deeply submerged in emotion.

Anyone could tell he had a story to tell.

‘Ugh, if only I had Odelia’s memories, I could at least take advantage of the possessed character buff…’

As I awkwardly fiddled with the teacup before me, Cedrion spoke.

“I never expected you to remember. No, you shouldn’t do.”

“So, we met when I stayed in Meldorf for a while?”

Cedrion answered my question with silence.

“You mean, not just me, but you don’t remember anything from that time at all?”

“Yes.”

“Good. That’s for the best.”

Not remembering was… good?

Somehow, his words overlapped with the nanny’s reluctant expression when she said she couldn’t tell me anything about the monster incident.

‘It seems Cedrion also knows what happened back then.’

Then maybe—if I asked him, would he tell me, unlike the nanny?

I was choosing my words carefully when Cedrion suddenly reached out into the air.

Following his hand, firefly-like lights flickered and danced throughout the gazebo.

They reflected in both his and my eyes, shining brightly.

“You used to love things that sparkled. Eight-year-old Odelia Lure liked fireflies, but the Odelia Lure I met in Belvo seemed to prefer being adorned with jewels.”

“Well, that makes sense…”

I murmured, recalling Odelia’s jewelry collection, which had helped me pay the servants generous wages.

Cedrion clasped his hands and opened them, sending the lights drifting away to create a soft glow around us.

“I thought you still liked shiny things, both then and now, but now you’re into cherry tomatoes?”

His lips curled into a smirk.

There was a certain warmth in his gaze, and I…

“…You weren’t my first love or anything, right?”

Yes, that lingering, wistful look in his eyes was bothering me too much, so I asked something entirely different from what I had originally intended.

‘There’s no way. The two biggest villains of the original novel being that kind of relationship? That’s ridiculous.’

My goal was to live out my short life in peace, then leave without any trouble. Messy romantic entanglements were the last thing I needed.

At the same time, I wanted to know exactly where his kindness toward me was coming from.

“Could it be that you pulled me out of Meldorf and have been treating me well like this because…”

“Of course not.”

Cedrion coldly dismissed my suspicion.

His voice carried a sharpness as if I had just tainted his precious memories.

Okay, fine, but why are you angry about it?

“This arrangement is solely to ensure Angie adapts safely to the Grand Duke’s estate. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“Well, yeah. Who falls for an eight-year-old child anyway? Back then, you…”

“I was thirteen.”

Cedrion muttered in a disgruntled tone, as if directing his frustration at someone who wasn’t even present.

Silence settled between us under the ink-black sky, now fully embraced by the night.

Then, breaking the stillness, Cedrion murmured,

“I have a lot to be sorry for when it comes to you.”

That was all he said.

Yet, the way he looked at me—his eyes holding an almost feverish intensity—somehow made those words ring like a vow.

***

After the meal, Cedrion and I headed to his office.

We needed to draft a contract for our temporary engagement.

“You look tired. We can do this tomorrow if you’d like.”

He wasn’t wrong. I was exhausted. After everything that had happened over the past two days, all I really wanted was to crash onto my bed and snuggle up to Angie’s chubby little cheeks for comfort.

But this had to be done.

“No, the sooner we take care of this, the better.”