For nobles, horizontal connections are vital. The aristocratic world, riddled with entanglements, is a realm of self-serving individuals seeking to curry favor with the royal family to savor its sweet benefits—a veritable labyrinth of greed and schemes. Maintaining one’s convictions and achieving success in such a place is an arduous task, and navigating it alone is simply untenable.

Thus, alliances are crucial. The most straightforward way to deepen ties and align mutual interests is through marriage between the heirs of two families.

The Bradley Marquisate, my family, holds the highest rank and influence in the Chronostaria Kingdom. Consequently, proposals from upper-ranking noble families aiming to forge a connection with us are ceaseless. This applies not only to me, the eldest son, but also to my sister Alice. It’s not uncommon for heirs to find themselves with fiancés arranged during infancy, long before they are even conscious of it, thanks to various schemes and desires.

Unsurprisingly, I, too, had a fiancée.

And not just anyone. My betrothed was the daughter of the Greyfrost Ducal House—one of the few families above the Bradley Marquisate. Her name was Freesia Greyfrost.

"I don’t want to meet her..."

Hearing that such an esteemed young lady of the kingdom would suddenly be visiting our home left me utterly unprepared. To make matters worse, my last memory of her is tied to my execution, which only serves to exacerbate the trauma. My mood plummeted, and I had no idea how to face her.

"What’s this? Embarrassed to see her after so long? Looks like you’re still just a kid, Clay!"

"That’s not it..."

The old bastard’s jeering laughter only further soured my mood.

In my first life, there was no chance of building a good relationship with her. We were profoundly hostile toward one another, to the point where people questioned if we were truly engaged. She despised me as much as I disliked her, and her resentment was one of the factors that led to my execution.

I don’t harbor any lingering animosity toward her now, but I vividly recall her fiery hatred from this period. Fear gripped me.

—What on earth had I done in my first life to earn such a grudge?

The memories from that time are hazy, which only makes it worse. Although I might not be as reviled as I was by the end of my first life, it’s unlikely she harbors no resentment. While I’ve turned over a new leaf, Freesia’s hatred remains palpable.

No matter how I looked at it, I didn’t want to meet her. But, cruelly enough, that reunion was fast approaching.

"Sigh..."

"You’ve been sighing nonstop. Are you that nervous?"

"Well, for various reasons..."

The day of Lady Greyfrost’s visit arrived. Morning training was understandably canceled, and though I woke feeling refreshed, my mood quickly sank to the depths.

Despite the lack of training, my internal clock woke me early. Normally, this would be a tranquil time of day, but today the mansion was abuzz. Servants bustled about, preparing for the arrival of the ducal family’s esteemed daughter.

"Clay, it’s time to get ready!"

"Ah, yes."

Like everyone else, I was swept up in the preparations. They dressed me in formal attire I wouldn’t normally wear and ensured I looked presentable. The cancellation of training for this was disheartening; I’d much rather have spent the day training as usual. But reality offered no such escape.

Before I knew it, the appointed time had arrived. Along with my family, I stood at the mansion’s gate to welcome our guest. All I wanted was to retreat—to my room if possible, or to the training grounds as a lesser alternative.

—To think I’d come to yearn for training, which had been such a source of frustration, reveals just how selfish and foolish I am.

"Heh..."

As I gave a self-deprecating laugh, the carriage appeared.

"She’s here!"

Alice was the first to notice the approaching carriage and pointed excitedly. Despite the animosity between Freesia and me, Alice and she had always been close. In my first life, they were as affectionate as true sisters, leaving me feeling like an outsider.

"We’re honored by your visit..."

The carriage came to a halt at the gate. With a neigh from the horses, a single girl descended from the luxurious vehicle, accompanied by two attendants. My father bowed deeply, and I followed suit.

"...Lady Freesia."

"...!"

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of her, and my breath stopped.

The girl before me was as radiant and pure as an angel, her beauty almost otherworldly. But my awe was not due to her looks. Quite the opposite—it was terror.

—Though I had expected this, seeing her in person was overwhelming.

A chill ran down my spine, and I couldn’t stop trembling. Her gaze felt cold—no, not just felt. She truly loathed me. It was a deserved sentiment, given all I had done to her, which I painfully acknowledged.

—Even so, if I wish to avoid a disastrous future, I must mend our relationship.

I couldn’t afford to falter. Summoning all my courage, I raised my head and greeted her.

"It has been some time, Lady Freesia. We are truly honored by your visit today. Please, enjoy your stay."

"..."

But she said nothing. She averted her gaze, as though to reject me outright.

The rift between Freesia Greyfrost and Claym Bradley ran deep. The animosity between us had not lessened.

—This is hopeless...

Is there even a future where our relationship can be salvaged?

Despair enveloped me as I wrestled with the weight of the impossible task before me.