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Chapter 5
“Is there someone you already have feelings for, and that’s why this engagement doesn’t sit right with you?”
It seemed the Emperor had misunderstood Ian’s reaction.
Ian forced down the flickering image in his mind and answered.
“I don’t have anything like th—”
“Oh my, Your Majesty. You should at least give the Crown Prince some time to think.”
The Empress quickly cut in, not missing the opportunity.
If Ian secured a powerful noble house as backing, it would only benefit him—something she could not allow.
Delaying the engagement even slightly was advantageous for her.
“After all, this is one of the most important decisions in his life. While he prepares himself, I will personally meet the Bennet young lady first.”
“Hmm. If that is the Empress’s wish, so be it.”
The Emperor nodded.
Thus, the morning meal ended.
“I will take my leave first.”
Unlike usual etiquette, Ian rose and left early.
The Empress’s faint complaints about decorum followed him, but he had no time to care.
‘Why do I keep thinking about that woman?’
Why couldn’t he clearly deny having someone in mind when the Emperor asked?
He had hesitated like an idiot—and even given the Empress room to interfere.
The thought irritated him.
Was this what it felt like to be dragged around by some unknown woman?
Disgusting.
He did not consider himself part of those careless men.
‘Strictly speaking, I was the one who suffered.’
Yes. He was the victim.
He needed a proper engagement to secure his position.
And he would not be swayed by that reckless woman’s lingering illusion.
‘I will find her. And I will make her pay.’
What was the punishment for assaulting an intoxicated noble under imperial law?
Perhaps even insulting the Crown Prince itself…
Once he found her, he would punish her properly—and finally rid himself of this strange obsession.
Ian nodded firmly.
* * *
A few days later, Rovellin Dines was heading to the plaza to meet Cornelia.
Recently, Ian had been attending every single banquet, forcing Rovellin to stay locked in her room.
So when Cornelia had insisted they visit a newly opened dessert shop in the plaza, Rovellin had eagerly agreed.
‘Nice weather.’
Spring had fully arrived, and the warm breeze brushed softly against her cheeks.
She got off the carriage and decided to walk the rest of the way.
‘I wish Brian could’ve come too.’
Lately Ian had been dragging Brian everywhere, making it impossible for Cornelia and Brian to meet naturally.
And Rovellin couldn’t exactly force Brian into her matchmaking plans when he was already overwhelmed.
‘Still… that day was a perfect chance.’
Brian had actually been off that day.
Rovellin had visited the Raven ducal estate early in the morning.
“Bell! What brings you here alone?”
“Hey, Bri. I was going to the theater with Connie—want to come?”
Her plan had been simple: create a “chance encounter” between Cornelia and Brian during a theater date.
In the original story, that scene existed, so she believed it would help their relationship progress.
“Really? Then let me finish this paperwork first. Just a signature—it’ll be quick.”
Brian had agreed without suspicion.
Everything had been going perfectly—
Until the butler suddenly rushed in.
“My lord, there’s an urgent—”
“Duke Raven! Come out immediately!”
“…Your Highness?”
The moment Ian’s voice echoed from beyond the butler’s shoulder, everything collapsed.
“Bell, wait just a moment—huh? Bell?”
By the time Brian turned around, Rovellin had already fled.
The moment she heard Ian’s voice, she had instinctively escaped through the window.
It was obvious Brian must have been confused, but she had no choice.
If she had stayed, she would have had to greet Ian face-to-face.
And that was unacceptable.
‘Ian Heriette is seriously useless.’
Honestly, he was the most inconvenient man alive.
‘At this rate, how am I supposed to bring those two together?’
Maybe she had underestimated the difficulty.
This was turning out to be harder than expected.
She sighed and decided to revise her plan more carefully.
No more ducal estate meetings—too risky.
‘We need a situation that sparks feelings.’
Like being trapped together in a small storage room… or Brian saving Cornelia during a dangerous incident.
Something that makes the heart race and tricks the brain into calling it love.
‘Right, accidents… what happened in the original again?’
She tried to recall key events.
But no clear idea came.
Lost in thought, she eventually arrived at the plaza.
‘Cornelia!’
She spotted her immediately in front of a shop, looking at the displays with her back turned.
“Connie! I’m here e—”
She called out happily.
And then—
Neighhh—
“Ahh! Watch out!”
A sudden horse neigh and panicked screams shattered the calm.
Rovellin turned sharply.
A black carriage was charging straight toward Cornelia.
‘Connie!’
If she didn’t move, she would be crushed.
Rovellin ran without thinking.
Cornelia turned just then and froze in fear.
“Cornelia! Move!”
But her body wouldn’t respond.
“Connie, get out of the way!”
Rovellin grit her teeth and reached out—
THUD.
She shoved Cornelia with all her strength.
“Eek!”
Cornelia flew backward and was caught by someone just before falling.
‘Thank goodness.’
But Rovellin lost her balance.
The carriage was already right in front of her.
She squeezed her eyes shut.
The screams of the crowd felt distant—
And then—
Thud.
Something grabbed her waist and pulled her sharply away.
“Eh?”
She was yanked into unfamiliar arms.
BOOM!
The carriage crashed into the storefront behind her.
Shattered glass exploded everywhere.
Rovellin stared blankly at the chaos, still unable to process what had just happened.
Only then did she notice the strong arm wrapped around her waist.
A low voice spoke beside her ear.
“Hey. Are you alright?”
