The Talentless Wicked Prince Wants To Survive ~ The Only Way For Me, Reincarnated As The Punching Bag Third Prince In A Romance Smartphone RPG, To Live Is To Not Break Off My Engagement With The Duke’s Yandere Daughter Who’s Stronger Than The Heroine~

It’d been exactly one month since the delegation from the Holy Kingdom led by Saint Christia and Holy Knight Carla had departed our kingdom and returned home.

And today, as usual, I was in the middle of an intense training session with Sandra.

“Aaaahhh!? S-Sandra, could you please go a little easier on me!?”

“I’m afraid not, Haru-sama. You must become much, much stronger.”

The training was downright brutal, relentless attacks raining down on me one after another.

Ever since I’d defeated the Gigant Spriggan during that Title event, I’d been enduring this demonic training regimen day after day.

I mean, sure, I knew Sandra was only doing this for my sake… but still, wasn’t this a bit much!?

After several desperate minutes of just running around and even forgetting to defend with my shield…

“Uuuuuugh… just kill me already…”

Collapsed on the ground, I muttered curses while something like my soul slipped out of my mouth.

I’d never thought reincarnation would lead to this kind of living hell…

Sandra, who moments ago had seemed like a wrathful war goddess, now suddenly transformed into a gentle angel the moment training ended.

“Hehe… thank you for your hard work today. As I thought, Haru-sama, you are more diligent and strong-hearted than anyone else.”

See what I mean? She didn’t even mind getting herself dirty to kneel down, give me a lap pillow, and smile so sweetly while comforting me.

That was exactly why I’d ended up accepting this hellish training again and again… sigh.

“By the way, Haru-sama, ten days from now, do you have any plans?”

“Ten days from now…?”

“Yes.”

Hmm… I mean, the only real plans I ever had were training sessions with Sandra.

She knew that, of course, so if she was asking, that must mean something important was coming up…

“Um… how about it…?”

Yep, it was definitely important.

She looked really anxious, which was rare for Sandra.

“I’m certainly free. If you tell me to keep the day open, I’ll prioritize it above anything else.”

“Oh! Thank you so much!”

At that, Sandra’s whole face lit up with a radiant smile.

Seriously, she was so cute, just being happy over something like that.

“So, what’s happening ten days from now?”

“Yes! Actually, my father and mother would like to invite you to our estate, Haru-sama!”

“Huh…?”

I’d never expected such a punishment game to be waiting for me.

◇

“Ugh… i-is this really going to be okay…?”

I stared into the mirror over and over, checking my outfit carefully.

Today was the day I’d be meeting Sandra’s parents, the Duke and Duchess Chevalier. I absolutely couldn’t afford to mess this up.

“Hey, hey! Don’t I look super cute!?”

Cass, all dressed up for the occasion in the clothes Monica had made especially for her, was spinning happily in front of the same mirror.

Come to think of it, in my previous life, there were people who liked dressing up their pets…

Not that Cass was a pet, of course. She was my precious partner.

“Your Highness Harold, Cass-san, you both look wonderful. I’m sure the young lady and madam will be delighted to see you.”

“Really? Yay!”

Cass’s excitement only grew as Monica praised her, while I… well, I got even more nervous at the mention of Sandra’s mother.

If she ended up disliking me, I was doomed.

So…

“Hey, hey, is Sandra’s big brother going to be there too?”

“Yes, of course. Not only the young lady, but Lord Cedric was heavily involved in arranging everything for today.”

Cass asked while gazing out the carriage window, and Monica nodded.

Honestly, I thought that siscon would try to sabotage me to keep me away. I didn’t expect him to go out of his way to prepare things.

Which… actually made it scarier.

“But more importantly, Haru-sama, the item we discussed…?”

“Of course. It’s right here.”

I showed her the present I’d hurriedly prepared for Sandra.

Last time, for the Marshall family’s party, I’d given her a hair ornament. This time instead, it was a sapphire ring, the same color as her eyes.

After all, we were engaged.

In my previous world, it would be natural to give your fiancée a ring, and that was exactly the meaning I wanted to convey.

But also…

“Um… I also prepared these for Monica and Cass…”

I took out two small items I’d kept hidden in my pocket, separate from Sandra’s gift.

“This is…”

“Ahaha…”

For Monica, I’d bought a brooch set with a brown diamond, the same color as her eyes. For Cass, a golden topaz choker that would shine against her fur.

They’d both always been there for me, and they were just as important to me as Sandra was. I therefor wanted to give them something as a small token of gratitude.

“…I am but a humble maid. To receive such a gift is far too much for someone like me…”

“That’s not true. You’re not just a maid, Monica. You’re an irreplaceable woman to me.”

Her words didn’t sit right with me, so I spoke firmly. I just wished she would value herself more.

“Truly… you are far too kind, Your Highness…”

Though slightly flustered, Monica accepted the gift.

“Hey, hey, Haru! Put mine on me!”

“Ahaha, sure thing.”

Cass tilted her head and wagged her tail, so I fastened the choker around her neck.

Yep, it suited her perfectly.

“Hehe… thanks, Haru.”

“You’re welcome.”

Watching Cass nuzzle me happily and Monica smile softly, her gaze lowered, I couldn’t help but beam with all my might too.