Astra's gaze lingered on the glowing Relation section of the system panel before her.
Slowly, the corners of her lips curved upward—not in amusement, but in mockery.
Fiancé…
A soft scoff echoed in her mind.
Ha… does he really think of me as his fiancé?
After regaining the memories of countless past lives, she almost forgot about Edrick Rochester. Once, she had obsessed over him—chasing his attention, embarrassing herself, bending over backward just to earn a single glance. Yet he had never looked at her. Not once.
Her eyes drifted lower, settling on the Trait section.
I knew he was strange, but what kind of trait is this?
She paused, frowning slightly.
Wait. He doesn't like me…? What? Does he want to destroy me or something?
She lifted her head.
Edrick was staring straight at her—his eyes sharp, cold, and brimming with unmistakable hostility. Only then did Astra realize she had been staring in his direction for far too long.
To him, it must have looked as though she had been silently gazing at him the entire time.
His expression darkened.
Ah… so he really does want to, she mused dryly.
Astra smiled— soft, polite and gestured toward the couch.
"Please, take a seat, Edrin."
Edrick stiffened, irritation flashing across his face as though she had committed an unforgivable sin.
"It's Edrick, Your Highness."
He walked to the couch, withdrew a pristine handkerchief from his pocket, and began wiping the seat with meticulous care before finally sitting down.
Astra raised an eyebrow at his strange behavior.
The couch was already clean. There's no way a princess's room wouldn't be properly kept.
Even though my mansion isn't grand, Cassy always makes sure my room is spotless. Was there really a need for him to wipe it again? I mean, being clean is one thing, but this is a little extreme. The system did mention he's obsessed with perfection, but I didn't realize he had severe OCD.
"Yes... Erick," Astra replied calmly.
A vein throbbed faintly at Edrick's temple.
"Ha... I heard that after hitting your head, you couldn't even say someone's name properly," he sneered. "Looks like the rumors were true."
He adjusted his posture, back straight, shoulders aligned, as though even sitting demanded flawless execution.
Edrick spoke evenly. "Anyway, the reason I came here is the same, please break off the engagement..."
"Why should I?" Astra said almost immediately.
Edrick blinked, caught off guard.
"...What?"
"Give me a reason," Astra said, tilting her head slightly. "Why should I break off the engagement?"
"I don't like you," he snapped. "Isn't that reason enough?"
Astra smiled—slow, sly, and infuriatingly composed.
"That's not a reason. That's an excuse."
She continued smoothly, "We're both still children. You can try to like me. Or wait until we grow up. Or even start tomorrow. After all, feelings grow with time. Give me a proper reason, not a pathetic excuse."
Edrick's composure cracked.
"You're arrogant. Willful. Rude. Mean. Selfish. Completely unmannered," he said coldly. "Everyone knows you're a arrogant person who punishes her maids at will. You don't even act like a princess at all."
For a brief moment, silence fell.
Then Astra smiled again—but this time, it was quiet. Still. Almost emotionless.
"I don't act like a princess because no one taught me how a princess should act," she said softly.
"I'm arrogant because no one taught me what kindness is.
I'm willful because no one taught me what benevolence is.
I'm rude because no one taught me what politeness is.
I'm mean because I was never shown gentleness.
I'm selfish because no one taught me what selflessness is.
And I have no manners because no one ever taught me that."
Her eyes met his—clear and piercing.
"I've never received them from anyone," she continued calmly. "So naturally, I wouldn't know how to give them."
"As for those maids, they only gave me mockery or look down on me. So, i punished them, i don't see anything wrong with it."
Astra's voice was quiet, almost emotionless, but her words struck deep.
She paused, then asked quietly, "But I've never been any of those things toward you, have I?"
Edrick fell silent, unable to respond.
It was true.
Astra had never treated him with those traits; she had always been clingy and overly affectionate, to the point of being annoying. But she had never pointed it out before.
Edrick was trying to reconcile the calm, adult-like Astra standing before him with the little girl who used to cling to him incessantly.
He was at a loss.
"I'm only six," Astra added. "I'm still growing. I can change over time. Or you can change me the way you want as we grow."
She smiled faintly.
"So—give me a reason."
"I… we…" Edrick faltered. "We're not perfect for each other."
"Nobody's perfect," Astra replied calmly. "Everyone has flaws."
She leaned forward slightly.
"Can you bring me someone who is absolutely perfect?"
"Th-That—I…"
Edrick couldn't find the words. Astra looked at him in silence for a moment, then asked abruptly,
"Do you have someone you like?"
Edrick was taken aback, his eyes widening in shock. Astra—who had always snapped in anger whenever he so much as mentioned anyone else in her presence was now calmly asking whether there was someone he liked.
"NO!!!"
He shouted out loudly, so loudly it echoed throughout the room. Astra laughed.
"Then there's no reason for me to break off the engagement," she said lightly. "You can call it off yourself if you want."
"You… you—!"
Edrick stood abruptly, anger surging through him. He felt like she had been playing with him. His fists clenched, chest heaving, before he forced himself to calm down. Placing a hand over his chest, he bowed stiffly.
"I should take my leave for today, Your Highness."
"Sure," Astra replied cheerfully. "Goodbye, Aric."
That was the last straw.
Edrick stormed out, fury radiating from his retreating figure. Astra watched him go, laughing softly at his outburst.
"What a perfection freak."
She exhaled and leaned back.
He came so many times before to break off the engagement, she reflected.
The old me always refused because I was completely obsessed with this guy.
This time, i would have agreed—if he had been even a little bit polite.
After all she have no desire to shamelessly hold onto someone who doesn't want to be with her and dislikes her.
But who told him to mock her.
Although I admit, after living so many lives, I have trouble remembering some names, she admitted inwardly.
Besides, i don't even need to remember anyone's name, I have the great E.L.S. system.
As Astra lost herself in thought, Cassia entered the room with a plate of snacks.
"The young master already left?" Cassia asked, glancing around.
"Yes," Astra replied. "I'll be resting now. So no more visitors. Don't let anyone in, Cass."
"…It's Cassia," Cassia muttered under her breath but didn't say it out loud. She just bowed slightly.
"Yes, Your Highness."
As she turned to leave, Astra called out.
"Wait, Cass."
Cassia stopped in her tracks and turned around. "Yes, Your Highness."
"Leave the snacks here."
"But you had snacks not too long ago—"
"I'm still growing," Astra said with utmost seriousness. "I need to eat more to grow faster."
Cassia, "..."
"Yes, Your Highness."
With a resigned sigh, Cassia placed the plate down and left the room, knowing full well she couldn't win against Astra.
Astra picked up the book titled 'The History of Aristynne' again. She began reading seriously, calmly munching on her snacks as the quiet returned.