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Chapter 16
“…What do you mean?”
“There’s no one who doesn’t know you’ve changed since you fell from your horse. But you’re saying you don’t even remember something like that? And shouldn’t you have discussed it with me?”
Right, but discussed what exactly?
Did he somehow figure out that I’m not the real Giselle? Or did I cause some other kind of trouble again?
“I heard that while interrogating that maid, Christoph proposed to you. Why didn’t you tell me?”
Ah… that story.
I replied indifferently.
“Well, what’s the point of telling you about a proposal I turned down?”
“I already told Father!”
I jumped up and yelled.
“Whaaat? Why would you tell Father?!”
“You broke off your engagement with Adrian, didn’t you? If there’s someone else who likes you, you should hurry and marry him!”
What? How did things turn into that again?!
“No, no, he’s just mistaken because we were childhood friends! He doesn’t really like me. And I don’t see him as a man either!”
“Christoph says he likes you. He said you two were betrothed when you were children, but you didn’t remember, so he couldn’t bring it up.”
“W–what? Betrothed? Who was? Me?”
“When you were little, you often visited the Baldur estate with Mother. Your mother and Christoph’s mother, Lady Marie, were very close friends. The two of them agreed to pair you two together. Father vaguely remembered it too, but you were too young at the time, and since both ladies passed away around the same period, he forgot about it.”
Lukas continued calmly,
“In fact, that engagement came before Adrian’s. So it makes sense to revive that one—it’s what Mother wanted while she was alive.”
What nonsense. I don’t even remember Mother, let alone any “engagement”! Those memories aren’t even mine!
I waved my hands frantically.
“No way, absolutely not! I don’t remember anything, and besides, Christoph has a destined partner. I don’t know when she’ll appear, maybe in a year—or two at most—”
Lukas grabbed my flailing hand and pulled it down, speaking firmly.
“Stop with your useless prophecies and think seriously about this. Father is delighted!”
Even Father…
I’m doomed.
After declaring I’d live freely and marry for love—now I’m about to be engaged again? To the guy I just decided to stay friends with?
What was Christoph even thinking, saying something like that? Didn’t he give up already?
Lukas looked around the room carefully.
“I’ve removed all the bells from the terrace. When we questioned the maid, we found out she was close with your stepmother’s former lady-in-waiting. Turns out, the two of them plotted revenge because you got that lady-in-waiting dismissed from the palace when she got pregnant.”
“Yes!”
I replied curtly.
Normally, I would’ve listened carefully, but my mind was too occupied with the grim future awaiting me.
Fine, the culprit’s caught. Good. But what about me now?
Maybe if I insist I’ve lost my memory and convince Christoph, it’ll all work out?
Would Father really force me into marriage? Surely not…
Lukas clicked his tongue.
“tsk, I can practically hear you scheming. Don’t even think about it! Rosa’s already married and started a family. It’s your turn now.”
I shouted in protest.
“What if I rebel, huh? What if I, um… start dating the century’s greatest playboy! Or—or marry a priest! Or seduce Adrian again!”
Lukas rubbed his forehead in exasperation.
“Don’t cause trouble! Things are hectic enough without your nonsense.”
I pressed my head against his chest.
“Brother!”
“What?”
“Do you hate me?”
“Off! You said you don’t remember throwing a tantrum in my office, but look at you now—you definitely remember!”
I clung to his arm desperately.
This is my second life! I can’t just live the way others decide for me!
“Aw, come on! I just want to stay here forever, happy under you and Father’s care!”
“Both Father and I have our own households. How long do you expect us to keep taking care of you?”
Ugh. The men in this family are so cold-hearted.
So everyone’s happy, and the troublesome princess is just something to get rid of, huh?
“I’m the one who’s getting married, so let me handle it my way.”
“If not Christoph, then try again with Adrian! He sent me to that tavern to protect him—so he hasn’t given up on you completely!”
I turned away, snorting.
“No, he’s not. And besides, he dumped me. Why would I go back?”
“You’re not even pretty, yet you’ve got such pride!”
“That’s too much! Leave my face out of this!”
Lukas sighed and headed for the door, clearly done with this conversation.
“If you don’t like Adrian, then choose Christoph! Rosa already tried introducing you to someone, and that didn’t work, right? So there’s only Christoph left!”
That did it. My rebellious streak shot right up.
“No! The man my sister introduced was fine! I’ll meet him again!”
“What?”
He raised his eyebrows.
And just like that—I blurted it out.
It sounded better than an immediate engagement, so I said it as a desperate excuse…
But somehow, I feel like I just fell into my own trap.
* * *
Who would’ve thought I’d meet that intense man again—the one striding confidently across the grand hall on those long legs.
This situation was absurd.
A so-called “prophet princess” who couldn’t even foresee her own future had once escaped from this jackal-like man with all her might… and now she was the one who contacted him first.
“I didn’t expect we’d meet again so soon,” he said.
“Me neither.”
He bowed slightly, a faint smile on his lips. The fine white silk pocket square on his elegant tailcoat caught my eye.
So he was actually this tall…
He brushed back his glossy black hair and looked around before gently pulling me aside so I wouldn’t bump into anyone passing by.
Such refined manners and his composed posture completely contradicted his claim of coming from a modest family.
Maybe he’d worked hard to achieve this grace—but it didn’t show at all.
“It’s an honor, Princess, that you asked to meet me.”
I fidgeted with my dress hem and cleared my throat. Guilt pricked at me a little.
“I had no choice but to impose on you. We’ll just pretend we’ve met a few times, that’s all. I won’t trouble you after today.”
He stood straight and smiled confidently.
“It’s no trouble. You told me before not to overwork myself—thanks to you, I finally got some rest. I only regret not being able to pick you up since your invitation came so suddenly.”
“That’s fine. I’m more comfortable this way.”
…Well, except for the fact that my escort knights were lined up behind me like sardines.
He unfolded the opera pamphlet he’d picked up at the entrance, checked his pocket watch, and said,
“It’s almost time. Shall we go in?”
Then he offered his arm. I placed my gloved hand lightly upon it.
He pulled me closer, linking arms so that our sides nearly touched, carefully guiding me through the dim hallway so I wouldn’t stumble.
We took seats in a private box on the second floor, close to the stage, and watched the opera together.
The first act opened with the heroine weeping bitterly, lamenting her fate to marry a man she didn’t love.
I hadn’t chosen this opera—but how fitting!
“Roberto, I don’t love you! No matter how many jewels you give me, my heart will never change!”
Exactly, Roberto! You might sing beautifully with that round belly of yours, but you sure don’t understand women.
When she says no, stop bothering her!
As I admired the soprano’s moving voice and expressive acting, I suddenly felt a gaze. Peeking from the corner of my eye, I saw Theodore watching me intently.
Even in the dark theater, the gleam in his eyes was unmistakable.
It felt like the opening scene of another play was unfolding right there.
A strange foreboding came over me. Maybe I should have avoided the jackal after all.
After the performance, we sat in the lounge discussing our impressions.
“I’m glad, Your Highness seemed to relate deeply to the story. I chose well.”
“Yes… you understood my urge to run away far too well.”
I smiled and offered my thanks.
“Thank you. I really enjoyed it.”
Theodore raised a blue cocktail glass, took a sip, and met my eyes squarely.
“I’m not someone who’s good with flowery words. I’ve never felt the need to be.”
“Hmm, maybe because women usually came to you without them?”
He chuckled softly.
“I won’t lie.”
Oh, so it is bragging time.
“Right, of course you won’t.”
“But tonight, I do feel like saying something. You are very beautiful and graceful, Princess. Different from that day.”
A mental alarm blared inside my head.
I clenched my gloved fingers and shook my head.
“Hehe, stop that!”
“Pardon?”
“I’m blushing already. Please, don’t say things like that.”
“Then—let’s meet four more times.”
“…What?”
Startled, I lifted my head. He smiled faintly and held up four fingers.
“After four more dates, you’ll fall for me.”
“Wow, that’s some confidence! But I’m curious—besides your unshakable… bed—uh, heart! Yes, heart! What exactly do you like about me? I can’t imagine why you’d be interested.”
Then, suddenly, that familiar, dangerous smile curved his lips—his trademark, seductive one—as he took my hand and pulled me closer.
