Little Rabbit Can’t Escape Her Enemy After Reincarnation!

Black fluffy fur, round purple eyes, two long ears, and a little nose twitching as if being wary of the area. It quickly moved its forelegs to dig a hole in the ground, this time it even used its hind legs to widen the hole. After, it went down to its burrow and curled its body to sleep.

That was Ashley El Wollett’s last life. Yes, she was a rabbit. However, she was not an ordinary rabbit.

About six hundred years ago, there was a demon king who plotted to conquer the land. The black rabbit was unfortunately at the bottom end of them.

However, the demon king was defeated by a group of brave men who stood up in search of peace, and the Demon kingdom was destroyed.

‘I’m glad this life is peaceful.’

Six hundred years later, Ashley, who was reborn as a Count’s daughter in the Tolfa kingdom, shuddered.

Even if this country is ruled by the descendants of the brave hero who killed the demon king, peace is better. She just wants to live calmly and quietly.

　* * * *

The light blue dress over a silk petticoat with lace lined at the hem fit Ashley’s petite body. The sleeves were also embellished with lace of the same design. The dark blue satin train that hung from her waist was long enough to drag on the floor.

Her soft wavy black hair was tied up with a large floral ornament embedded with purple amethyst which matches the color of her eyes.

She was holding a fan as her arms were covered with gloves lined with small pearls reaching her elbow. This completes her “most formal attire.”

‘I wish it’d end soon.’

The golden room leads to the Royal Palace’s Hall. Ashley, who was in the long line, sighed. It’s a queue for an audience with the queen.

‘I’m hungry and my head aches too.’

She was nervous, but above that she wanted to scream due to her waist being tightened by the corset. In addition to that, the tip of her hair ornaments was digging on her scalp and it hurt.

“I’ve never met the queen. I’m looking forward to it!”

“I have to make sure there’s no accidents. Hey, we’re fine ladies, too. Will you be at the ball after this?”

“Of course! It’s a ball hosted by the queen. I’m sure there will be a lot of fine men out there!”

The girls lined up in front were talking excitedly. Unlike Ashley, the girls, who are about seventeen years old, are more formal. They are the so-called “debutants.”

The Tolfa kingdom is a hierarchical class society. Starting with the royal family at the very top. Followed by the upper classes such as nobles and landowners, the middle class which includes doctors, priests, financers, and entrepreneurs. And lastly, the lower class which is the working class.

Both upper and middle class children enter society around the age of seventeen. 

The important part of this debut is the “audience with the royal family.” After this, they will be accepted into society and recognized as a gentleman and lady.

That’s why they’re all eager.

‘I want to go home early.’

Ashley has no interest in social circles and balls. She doesn’t like glittering places. Even if it isn’t a rabbit’s burrow, a dark, narrow quiet place calms her down.

She had already left in the carriage in the darkness when the sun had already set, but when she arrived at the palace, there was still a large crowd of other carriages in front. 

Even when you arrive in the palace, there’s still a long way to go. Repeatedly verifying one’s identity, crossing a magnificent hall with numerous large chandeliers, climbing up the stairs, and waiting for one’s turn to enter the great hall. They have to form a line and enter once their names are called.

“Lady Ashley El Wallett. Enter!” called the royal clerk. 

At last it was her turn. She stepped into the hall nervously. She has already taken off her gloves.

On the altar behind the long red carpet was the queen’s golden throne. The queen sat with her arm loosely resting on the armrest of the throne and there were large diamonds embedded in it.

The king is said to be in his mid-thirties, so the queen must be around thirty. She’s a beautiful woman. She’s wearing a velvet open chest dress with a long cloak hanging from her shoulders.

Behind the queen were high ranking nobles and relatives. The tension reached its peak butー

‘Good. I’m not afraid.’

She felt relieved inside. The royal family is the direct descendant of the hero who destroyed the demon kingdom six hundred years ago. That’s why Ashley, who has the memory of being the black rabbit killed by the hero’s subordinates in her previous life, was afraid to meet the queen and soldiers in the palace today.

However, the queen came from a neighboring country. She has no blood relation to the direct royal family of this country. Also, the uniforms of the soldiers were quite different from which Ashley had seen six hundred years ago.

‘I’m glad.’

She went before the queen and bowed deeply at her. She took the extended hand and lightly tapped her forehead on her fingertips. This was a formal greeting.

Then, she bows down to the nobles behind the queen as she leaves. She slowly retreated. She couldn’t turn her back on the queen until she reached the door. She was not allowed to raise the long train of her dress therefore she had to be very careful not to step on its hem.

“Ah!” She suddenly stepped on the hem and let out a strange cry. This blunder was already enough, but she lost her balance and ended up tipping backwards.

‘You’ve got to be kidding me!’

She felt her heart shrink and become cold. She waved her arms without shame or disgrace to keep her balance, but it was impossible. Flipping over like a frog, she saw at the corner of her eye, the faces of the queen and the nobles, their eyes widened in shock.

If she makes a mistake in front of such an audience, she’ll never be able to enter high society again. It’d be the end of a noble lady’s future.

‘Why…I just seriously wanted to live in peace!’

Filled with shame and fear, her body coldly hardened. She feels like she could never get back up on her feet and move again.

However, at the next moment, she was supported by a strong force from behind.

“Are you alright?” It was a soft voice of a concerned man.

She suddenly realized that she was back to her original position, she wasn’t falling back. The man supported her from behind before she fell onto the ground. She felt as if all her pores in her body would open due to the surge of happiness. The tense atmosphere relaxed.

“Oh, thank you! Thank you!” She turned to him and repeatedly bowed to her savior with all her might.

“—you are welcome.” Perhaps Ashley’s exaggerated gratitude seemed strange that he let out a chuckle.

When she raised her head, she saw a figure that seemed to have come out from a painting. The young man looked to be about twenty years old. He’s tall and has a well-proportioned figure. He’s wearing a black formal clothing with gold buttons. He has shining golden hair and dark green eyes. His handsome features are akin to a statue, which may make him seem unapproachable. Perhaps due to the smile on his face, he seemed friendly.

Rather than admiring it, she was stunned. Suddenly,

‘…Huh?’

She noticed a faint scent tickling her nose. It was coming from the young man’s coat with golden epaulette and the handkerchief that is on his chest pocket. She thought it was cologne, but it was something different.

She knew it was rude, but she was unable to overcome her curiosity. She brought her nose closer and took a deep breath.

The young man pulled back in shock.

This smell. Ashley wonders what it is. She felt a little uncomfortable because it perhaps doesn’t fit her body. However, she couldn’tー

“It smells goodー” Ashley murmured as she smiled while the young man stared at her incredulously.

The scent was somehow nostalgic, the kind that soothes the heart.

“Heh.” The young man’s smile was different from the calm smile earlier, it seemed like a smile that showed interest.

There is also a manga of this novel. I recommend reading it. The art is pretty & cute, and I like how adorable Ashley’s blobby rabbit reactions are.

If you’ve read the manga, some spellings in names might differ here in the novel such as Ashley’s last name. I try to follow how it’s spelled as written in the novel.

Jap: アシュリー・エル・ウォルレット 

Romaji: Ashurii Eru Woruretto

Anyway…