Project Necro is an official initiative by Re:Library.

“The future…”

Ekaterina’s eyes widened.
Flora simply gazed at her with deep concern.
How fortunate I am to have a friend who worries about me this much, Ekaterina thought, feeling warmly content.

“By that you mean my marriage, do you not? That I would leave my brother and marry someone.”
“Yes, that is correct.”

Ekaterina had thought about that from time to time. Though it was not something that required much thought.

“That is something my brother, as head of the house, will decide. I shall simply obey.”
“And… are you truly content with that, Lady Ekaterina?”
“Of course. It is a duty that comes with my station, and a way to serve my house and my brother.”

Ekaterina smiled, but soon lowered her eyes.

“…Besides, I find it difficult to harbor dreams about love. Do you remember, Lady Flora, when I spoke to you about my mother?”
“Of course I do.”

Flora answered briefly and firmly. Not long after they had first met, when Flora had tried to distance herself out of consideration for the difference in their status, Ekaterina had told her about her upbringing—about being confined together with her mother due to her grandmother Aleksandra’s bullying, and about her mother’s death.

“My mother loved my father deeply. Until the very end…”

She said no more and let out a small sigh.

“It seems that every maiden longs for love with a wonderful gentleman. But I cannot bring myself to dream of love. I cannot believe that happiness lies beyond it. If there is anything I desire for the future, it is only to remain by my brother’s side and support him.”

That was the honest truth of Lady Ekaterina.
And even in the memories of her previous life, she had no good recollections of romance.
The people who told me they loved me would soon begin to treat me in ways that hurt me, and in the end they would even point a blade at me. It was truly frightening. Love is frightening.

“I have made only one request towards my brother; That I do not wish to enter the imperial family where the grandmother who tormented my mother was raised. Having made such a selfish request, I intend to say nothing more and to marry whomever my brother chooses.”

Saying it was because it was where that old hag had been raised was merely an excuse; in truth, it was a measure to avoid the doom flag. A completely sloppy and worn-out measure, but as long as she held firm on this one point, things would somehow work out. Probably.

Besides, unlike her previous life, in this life she could not live alone. Rather, it might be more reassuring to marry someone chosen by a third party based on conditions, without romance.
So she would even welcome a political marriage. She hoped the person would be someone she could get along with, but if it were a marriage that benefited her brother and the House of Jurnova, a few flaws would not matter. If they could build a relationship over time and eventually become a decent married couple, that would not be so bad.

…It sounded rather withered, but mentally she was already nearing thirty. She did not see romance through the glittering filter of a teenage boy or girl. Even when the incomparably beautiful Dragon King had proposed to her, she had done nothing but panic—her heart had not fluttered in the slightest. By her own reckoning, she was beyond saving.

“I understand your thoughts well, Lady Ekaterina.”

With a serious expression, Flora nodded.

“You simply dislike the imperial family because of your grandmother, and although you will accept marriage once it is decided, you would prefer to support His Grace if possible. Is that correct?”
“Yes, precisely so.”

When Ekaterina agreed, Flora smiled.

“I am certain His Grace also wishes for you to remain by his side forever.”
“Oh, what a delightful thing to say!”

Her brother was rather a siscon, so he likely did feel that way. Still, hearing it from someone else made her happy.

“I have spoken only of myself. What are your thoughts about the future, Lady Flora?”
“Yes… in fact…”

Flora flushed slightly.

“I have spoken with His Grace the Duke about it… I was wondering whether I might be allowed to work for the House of Jurnova.”
“What?”
“I thought I might be of use with my holy-attribute magic. But if possible, I would like to remain at your side and serve you, Lady Ekaterina.”

Taken aback, Ekaterina’s eyes widened.

“Does that mean… you would become my lady-in-waiting?”
“If that were possible, it would make me happiest.”

At present, only the maid Mina attended Ekaterina. However, this was because she was living in the academy dormitory, and because Ekaterina herself had declined to have additional attendants even at the ducal residence. For a daughter of one of the Three Great Ducal Houses, this was highly unusual. Ordinarily, two or three noblewomen would serve as ladies-in-waiting, relaying instructions to the maids; the ducal daughter would not converse directly with maids.
Ladies-in-waiting did not perform physical labor such as cleaning. Their roles were to converse with their mistress, interpret her intentions and issue instructions to lower-ranking servants, and gather information in high society. Though called servants, they were nobles.

Though born a commoner, Flora was now a baron’s daughter. She was qualified to serve as Ekaterina’s lady-in-waiting.

“However, Lady Flora, you are a Holy Maiden. Surely the imperial family will call upon you as well. And more than anyone, I wish for you to meet a wonderful gentleman, to fall in love, and to find happiness… You are a more splendid young lady than anyone.”

Setting aside the preconceived notion that she was the heroine of an otome game, Flora-cha’s potential is extraordinary. She can do anything, become anything. There are many paths in her life that lead to the kind of romance countless players adored in my previous life.
I cannot even conceive of becoming happy through love, but ordinarily, people fall in love and are loved in return and find happiness. I want you to meet someone you love—indeed, you have probably already met him, so please realize it—and walk a happy path.

But Flora only smiled.

“I was fortunate enough to meet you, Lady Ekaterina. I believe it was a truly wonderful encounter. That is why I wish to remain by your side.”
“Oh my…”

The smile of a beauty is worth a thousand flowers!
And to be told it was a wonderful encounter—how delightful!

“What gracious words. I too am happy to have met you, Lady Flora.”

Now that I thought about it, if the romance routes did not succeed, there was an ending where they remained only friends. When I played the game in my previous life, I’d just reset the entire game once the villainous siblings were condemned and Onii-sama’s role ended, so I had forgotten.
Flora-chan becoming my lady-in-waiting after graduation, huh… Ah, that might sound wonderful!
Mina and Flora-chan understood me well, having them by my side as I assist Onii-sama governing the territory might help me avert Onii-sama’s Death-by-Overwork flag. With Flora’s high potential, she would surely be a great help.

All right! It’s decided!
If Flora-chan fell in love with someone, I’d be her wingwoman. I knew only the prince route from the game, so I’d prefer that outcome, but even if it were another route, I would help as much as I could. Even if the man’s status far exceeded Flora’s, with the House of Jurnova backing her, no one would dare complain. Even becoming crown princess would be welcome.
But if the romance failed and it became a friendship ending… then I must absolutely have her become my lady-in-waiting.

“I still wish for you to find happiness, Lady Flora. However, after I graduate from the academy, I intend to assist my brother and help govern Jurnova. If you would lend me your strength, it would be like having a hundred men. If you feel the same at the time of graduation, please become my lady-in-waiting.”
“Thank you, Lady Ekaterina. I will do my best!”

The two clasped each other’s hands firmly.