I Didn't Even Want To Live, But God Forced Me To Reincarnate! Chapter 85: Nicole

"Oh… uhm…"

This is getting awkward.

But hearing about how Clyde wanted to get along with me—even if it was just a sweet talk or their lies… I felt a little bit happy.

Let's see… It's the thought that counts?

Is it wrong for me if I tried to drop the hint for them, just a little bit?

"As a little sister, I feel like… Given the chance, I think you two would be able to get along eventually."

I awkwardly phrased that.

"Eh?"

Unexpectedly, I heard Nicole's surprised gasp instead.

So I turned my eyes towards her—and sure enough, her stunned expression greeted me. I think her eyes got a bit teary…?

"Thank you, Lyra. It made me feel better… and Nicole, what's wrong?" Clyde asked.

"Oh, ah! It's nothing… It's just," Nicole shook her head lightly and her eyes returned to normal, but her smile was somewhat melancholic.

"Someone once said a similar thing to me. That same person I talked about—Clyde's sister, to be precise."

Did I?!

No, I can't remember!!

Wait, seriously?!

[Achievement unlocked: Getting yourself in another trouble you wanted to avoid the most!]

My sixth birthday, it should be my sixth birthday, but this is the present I got.

Another… trouble?

I looked up at Nicole with a puzzled expression on my face.

…wait, I need to look up at her now?! She used to be shorter than me!!

As if she understood my questioning expression, she explained.

"Well, it was one of our small talks. At that time, I talked about how I was supposed to have an older brother had he not died right after he was born. And how I wondered if we might get along if he were alive, and such… Let's see… It was when we were… nine, I think?"

Nine… it was just when we started to hang out more often, wasn't it?

"She replied like this: 'I can't really relate since I am not on good terms with my brother, but… looking at you and your family's condition, I think that given the chance, you would get along well'. How was it, similar, right? Only, she said it lightly as she kept on looking at her book, while you said it awkwardly earlier," Nicole let out a small laugh.

I said it while I was reading my book? Something I said in a pa.s.sing? A small talk we had on a whim? I can picture myself saying something of that line, but the way she said it—it's as if she was sure it was the exact same thing I said.

Heck, it was even more than 15 years ago for you, Nicole!

How the heck did you manage to remember that line perfectly?!

Or did you make things up?

No, her tone was so full of confidence when she uttered it word by word. Most likely, she wasn't making things up.

Nicole's smart, I know, but this is beyond ridiculous if she really remembered the thing from more than fifteen years ago exactly as it was.

"Clyde, now I know why you felt like she reminded you of her!" Nicole suddenly turned around at Clyde and said that.

Gah!

"Well, I can't doubt your memory, so obviously it's the truth—if that's the case… this is awesome."

…Please oh please don't be suspicious of me.

I didn't even remember saying anything like that at all, how did you even remember thaaaaaattt?!

Note to self: be careful around Nicole.

"Then, if you don't become the queen in the future, what about becoming my daughter-in-law?" Nicole suddenly clapped her hands.

"My son is only two years younger than you. I've already taken a liking on you, so you don't have to worry about the typical in-law's fights!"

She kept on rambling happily.

How typical of her.

"Oh, that's a nice idea. How about you consider marrying into our family, Lyra?" Clyde supported Nicole's idea wholeheartedly.

"Uhh, I, I…"

When I was wondering how to answer them, my dad who was talking with other n.o.ble adults in close proximity to me, suddenly turned his body and leaned in our conversation.

"Did I hear something about marriage?" He quickly asked with his sweet-yet-cold smile intact.

…Dad, did you have a 'Lyrmarriage-talks-radar' or what?!

"Ah, Valkyane-san! I was only proposing the idea of marriage between our kids—that's only if you don't plan on making her the queen," Nicole, still with her carefree att.i.tude, answered.

I'm telling you, she's fearless! Even when Dad shot that sharp glare at her, she didn't flinch!

"I'm not giving Lyra to anyone yet," Dad answered.

"Well, maybe in the future! You know you have to send her off in a marriage in the future, sooner or later, right?"

…this fearless woman I know, she never changes.

"That… will be my future self's business and worry," Dad replied back.

"Well, alright, but think about it!" Ignoring Dad's reluctance to talk about it, Nicole still asked him to consider about it…

Nicole…

I lightly smiled, thinking on how she hasn't changed that much.

She kept talking on and on even in the past—even when I was reading my book or when I seemed not to pay any attention to her. Truth to be told, I think I developed a selective hearing and a good concentration and attention-dividing skill because of her?

Suddenly, the crowd started to get noisier—wait, could it be…?!

At the front door—I saw that the n.o.bles are making their ways to the people who just arrived.

It's the royal family!!

King t.i.tus, Queen Shaula, and Luca are there!! Hmm? Leti is not here… Oh, obviously, that means… they left Leti in the others' care. The maids, perhaps?

The royal family's appearance never fails to cause uproars no matter what kind of parties and whose celebrations they attended.

"Eh? Wow, that boy is so similar to Lucsama, Lyrsama's friend."

Niina's sudden remark caused me to turn over to her, who stopped by my side to observe the situation.

…Niina… uhm…

"Huh, is that Luca?!" Clavis-nii who was beside her also asked.

"Why is Luca there, and his appearance…?" He continued to ponder.

…this pair of mother and son…

They are really something...

"It's Luca, alright. He's with his parents, and that outfit is… do I need to explain?" I shortly answered.

"Ah, I see, I understand now and that expla—... WHAT?!"