The One I Love More Than Anyone

Just as Julius-san had said, Dorothea-san was crouched in the hollow of a large tree, hugging her knees.

Startled by the sound of footsteps, she looked up. When she spotted me, she raised her voice like a frightened kitten trying to scare me off.

“—What does a commoner want with me?! You make me sick! Go away!”

“Um, I...”

“...Or else...”

Dorothea-san must have tightened her grip, because deep wrinkles creased the baby-pink dress in her fists.

“...Did some commoner like you come here to laugh at me...!?”

Her defiance was in vain; her trembling voice quickly grew quieter.

“...I know better than anyone that Onii-sama doesn't even pay attention to me...”

“...And yet, I'm the one who'll marry Julius Onii-sama. That's how it's supposed to be. Father and Mother said so...!!”...