Of course, even in the story, they were engaged due to political interests, and it was one of those crappy developments where Julian stepped aside once the protagonist Crown Prince and the heroine connected emotionally.

Either way, it was definitely strange that a character who never even appeared in the story not only existed but had also snagged Julian’s fiancée position.

‘Well, if we’re being technical, it’s already strange that I died and woke up again in the world of a book.’

Chartia soon shook her head vigorously.

She decided not to ask the fundamental question of ‘how’ about these strange occurrences. What good would it do to uncover the cause or reason for what happened after death?

If all these circumstances truly were divine sympathy, mercy, or a gift, then what she needed to do was clear.

Firmly grasp the opportunity given to her—that was all.

She felt a tiny pang of guilt about taking her younger sister’s place, but if she weighed Julian’s potential suffering against her own guilt on a scale, it was obvious which way it would tip.

Most importantly, Rosenia and the Crown Prince had a guaranteed happy future, but Julian didn’t.

So before Julian got caught between Rosenia and the Crown Prince and ended up hurt, she planned to snatch him up completely.

Whatever the reason, he would soon become her fiancé. Once that happened, she could love him freely and legitimately under the title of fiancée.

Just when her happy plans had stretched from the engagement ceremony with Julian to the wedding and eventually even to children, a knock-knock interrupted her thoughts.

It was Marie, Chartia’s personal maid.

Unlike yesterday when she’d been pale while carrying water, she appeared with a calm face and delivered welcome news.

“Your guest has arrived.”

“Really?”

A smile spread across Chartia’s face when she whirled around. The guest Marie referred to was none other than Julian.

“I’ll go down right away!”

Chartia hastily adjusted her appearance in front of the mirror. Even after spending a rather chaotic night, she’d started getting ready early this morning all for this moment.

‘My clothes and hair—this should be good enough!’

After checking her condition like a general inspecting armor and weapons, Chartia left the room with a resolute mindset.

When she met him again, she would first ask after his well-being. She’d express the thanks she hadn’t managed yesterday, and if possible, try to win even a little of his favor. And most importantly, she planned to successfully finalize this engagement.

‘I absolutely must, for both our sakes.’

In fact, this engagement had to succeed for his sake too.

In the original story, his ending when Rosenia didn’t choose him was death.

* * *

Beautiful things are always right.

Broadleaf branches scattering in the wind beyond the window, white chiffon curtains dancing gently like a girl’s skirt hem, sunlight pouring over the marble floor, and the picture-perfect room containing all of it.

But the man with his back to all those beautiful things was even more beautiful, stealing one’s gaze in an instant.

She’d thought him beautiful even when she wasn’t in her right mind after falling in the water, but seeing him with a clear head, she felt more awe than fluttering.

Chartia sat on the opposite sofa and stared at the near-perfect creation for quite a while. 

Perhaps uncomfortable with her blatant gaze, his eyes had been lingering around the floor for some time. Whenever their eyes happened to meet, he would curve his lips faintly.

Even though it was merely a smile close to obligation, it was dazzling.

‘This is serious trouble. Big trouble for my heart.’

If he’s going to look that perfect, he should at least have some personality flaw.

When Chartia first appeared, he promptly rose from his seat and asked after her well-being.

“Are you all right?”

Worry dripped from his voice.

Just seeing him alive and moving right before her eyes felt this amazing and overwhelming. He was looking at her, conversing with her, and even worrying about her. And supposedly, this perfect person was her fiancé.

‘It really is winning the lottery. It is.’

Chartia desperately suppressed the urge to nod her head so vigorously her hair would fly everywhere, and lightly bowed her head to show agreement.

“Thanks to you, I’m fine.”

“I’m truly relieved you’re not hurt.”

The moment he smiled softly in relief, she finally became certain. This wasn’t some divine gift—it was a divine blessing, divine grace.

She’d never believed in God while alive, but from today she gladly resolved to become a fanatic, while simultaneously firming her determination.

‘Yes, I definitely need to have this man.’

Not out of selfishness, but to save him. Losing such a treasure would be a great loss to the nation—no, to the world. Really.

Well… there was a bit of selfishness mixed in, but either way, she had to somehow avoid the original story’s ending where Julian died.

In fact, his tragic ending had been decided from the story’s introduction.

Julian’s mother, Grand Duchess Gloria Chester, was the older sister of the current Emperor Edmund. Like her name meaning glory, she’d been more brilliant than anyone since childhood, and everyone believed without doubt that she would become the next Emperor.

However, the one who ultimately won the power struggle was ironically her younger brother Edmund.

Edmund banished Gloria, who remained a powerful rival despite her defeat, to a barren region. 

But Gloria couldn’t accept defeat, and after a long time, she started a rebellion during a period of national chaos.

In that pandemonium, Julian met his death after saving the Crown Prince to fulfill Rosenia’s wish for him to protect the Crown Prince.

When he ended his life sacrificing himself for the Crown Prince, hoping for at least a happy future if he couldn’t have love, it was heartbreaking.

So to divert him to a safe place, she first needed to make him hers. So he wouldn’t lay down his life for the Crown Prince or Rosenia.

Moreover, if they successfully went from engagement to marriage, he would be both the Young Duke of Chester and simultaneously a member of the Blanche family.

‘The Blanche family is friendly enough with the imperial family to be called the Emperor’s faithful dog. Even if his family gets swept up in rebellion, as long as there’s proof Julian didn’t participate, he could survive.’

Of course, it would be best if she could prevent the rebellion itself, but that was an imperial matter. There was almost nothing a mere Marquis family’s daughter could do.

‘I’ll try to prevent the rebellion for now, but…’

She needed solid insurance that he wouldn’t die.

Chartia gulped down the already cold tea. She’d solidified her resolve—now all that remained was to charge forward.

However, before Chartia could open her mouth, Julian hesitantly spoke first.

“I understand that you’re displeased with this sudden engagement talk.”

Displeased?

The unexpected opening left her speechless. But Julian seemed to interpret Chartia’s pale expression in a negative way.

“If you don’t want this, please feel free to express your refusal without concern for me.”

What kind of world-ending nonsense was this?

She desperately suppressed the urge to grab his shoulders, shake him, and tell him to stop talking nonsense.

‘An unwanted engagement’! 

It was truly an absurd misunderstanding, but thinking back objectively, she could see why he’d misunderstand.

This engagement was entirely the Emperor’s will, including neither the opinions of the two parties involved nor even the intentions of the two families. He’d deliberately entangled them with the Blanche family, his loyal dog, to check and monitor his still-threatening sister.

Moreover, though she didn’t remember well what happened right before falling into the water, she remembered the moment of their first meeting very vividly. 

Back then, when she was merely the Doll Lady, she’d been expressionless and completely unresponsive no matter what Julian said to her.

‘He has plenty of reason to mistakenly think I dislike him.’

Chartia tried hard to calm down. She just needed to carefully convey her intentions to him, who was harboring this ridiculous misunderstanding.

“It’s fine. I…”

“If you’re concerned because it’s an imperial command, I’ll meet His Majesty directly and persuade him. His Majesty cannot force such an important matter for the Chester family.”

“No, I…”

“Ah, I’ll also arrange things so there are no repercussions for the Blanche family, so please don’t worry about that at all either.”

Yesterday’s rude behavior alone would have been enough to offend him, yet he showed no sign of that and even said he’d take responsibility himself.

His overflowing consideration was quite touching, but separately from that, it was completely unnecessary consideration.

Finally, unable to bear the frustration, Chartia slammed the table—bang!—and shouted.

“I said I’m fine with it!”

That outcry must have been a giant stone. Fierce ripples rose over his eyes that had been like a calm lake. Only after facing his surprised expression did she snap back to her senses.

“I mean, I think it would be better not to refuse the engagement talk…”

Chartia awkwardly withdrew both hands after fumbling through that.

And before he could offer more unwanted consideration, she rapidly fired off the words she’d been holding back.