His jet-black hair stood in stark contrast to his pale skin, highlighting the elegant lines of his nose and jaw. Even after three years, Claude was as striking as ever—his presence alone effortlessly eclipsed everyone around him.
But there was something different now, something subtle in his aura that had undeniably shifted. My heart skipped a beat, and in my surprise, I stumbled slightly. Though I quickly caught myself, the brief disturbance turned several curious heads in my direction. Even Lady Eleanor appeared momentarily taken aback, her hand gently closing around my wrist for support.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes… Thank you.”

Even as I responded, I quickly turned my gaze back to where I had seen Claude.

He had turned to face me, probably due to the slight commotion. For a moment, our eyes met. My entire body froze.

Although he was far away, I could see dark shadows beneath his eyes. His features appeared sharper and more defined than I remembered.

“……”

After a brief glance in my direction, Claude quickly averted his gaze, as if he were bored. He held a glass of wine in one hand and was surrounded by people. He smiled faintly occasionally while participating in conversation.

His behaviour seemed oddly unfamiliar. He had always preferred solitude and despised social gatherings. He had never been one to drink or smile so casually. The Claude I remembered spent his days secluded in his office, working tirelessly.

“…”

“What’s wrong?”

Lady Eleanor asked, her tone falling somewhere between concern and reproach. She had noticed my dazed expression.

“Lady Eleanor, I’m feeling a bit dizzy. May I rest for a while?”

She clicked her tongue disapprovingly.

“Tsk… I did hear that your health has been poor lately. But remember, if you start resting as soon as you arrive, you’ll never get another chance.”

I lowered my eyes, unable to respond. At that moment, Lady Eleanor leaned in close and whispered into my ear.

“Look, that’s Duke Cassel.”

She tapped my hand softly and nodded discreetly. Pointing her eyes towards Claude through the edge of her fan, she acknowledged the brief moment we had shared a glance.

“As aloof as ever, I see.”

“What do you mean, ‘as ever’?”

“Ever since Princess Diana’s death, he’s been nothing but a drunk party animal.”

Her revelation stunned me completely. Drinks and parties…?

“To think that the sharp, disciplined Duke Cassel from three years ago has now become known as Hemmingham’s Prodigal Son. It’s almost impossible to believe.”

Hemmingham was the capital of the empire. I almost laughed bitterly. Claude being called a prodigal son?

“Well, it’s understandable. He became the head of his household at a young age, and the loss of his beloved wife must have devastated him.”

I nearly choked on my words, abruptly reminded of a fact I’d almost forgotten. To the outside world, Claude and I — Princess Diana — appeared to be a deeply loving couple.

Even the imperial family were unaware that he had only proposed to me at my father’s request. I, too, had been deceived by his warmth in the first year of our relationship.

Thinking back on those days brought only a bitter smile to my lips.

“But really, drinking so heavily before sunset? It’s been years since the accident. Is he trying to become an alcoholic now? Tsk, tsk…”

Lady Eleanor repeatedly clicked her tongue, her tone caught somewhere between pity and criticism.

Indeed, Claude continuously raised his glass, sipping without pause.

Had he truly been living like this ever since my death? Had something else happened afterwards?

“It would certainly be nice if he were entranced by your beauty and asked you to dance first.”

I was surprised and quickly opened my mouth to respond.

“But wouldn’t that be difficult, considering the duke has already lost his wife?”

At my words, Lady Eleanor turned towards me, looking utterly bewildered.

“Does that mean you have no intention of marrying Duke Cassel?”

Startled, I nodded hesitantly. Had Brianna Elwin, the original owner of this body, really intended to marry Claude?

I didn’t want to marry Claude again.

Although I still loved him, marriage was a different matter altogether and was unaffected by the three years I had missed out on.

He had despised me when I was Diana. Even if he could fall in love with Brianna — the person I am now — it would feel like betraying myself.

‘And this miserable, one-sided love—it must finally come to an end.’

Lady Eleanor noticed my hesitation. She sighed deeply and clicked her tongue once more.

“When you spent the money you painstakingly earned through embroidery just to hire me as your chaperone, I thought you were an exceptionally daring young lady. But why are you behaving so foolishly now? You’re like an entirely different person to the one in the letter!”

I stared at her blankly, utterly baffled by her sudden reprimand.

“Yes, I understand. Being in the imperial palace for the first time might feel overwhelming. But consider your family’s situation, Brianna. If you want to revive your household, you can’t afford to hesitate over trivial matters like this.”

“Did I really write in my letter that I wanted to marry Duke Cassel?”

“You said you wouldn’t hesitate if the opportunity arose! Goodness! Have you forgotten that already?”

Lady Eleanor patted her chest impatiently; the frustration was evident on her face. Feeling small, I muttered weakly.

“I just don’t have the confidence.”

My own words saddened me deeply. When I first married Claude, he could have had better options — foreign princesses, for example, or daughters from distinguished noble families. Anyone who would have made a more suitable match than an illegitimate child like me.

“If not for my father’s orders, I would never have married you.”

Those were the first words Claude had ever spoken to me, on the day his façade finally shattered to reveal his true coldness. That was the first and last time I ever saw him drunk.

What was his expression like then?

It was filled with pure hatred, and his icy glare and tone were cold enough to freeze the midsummer air.

I quickly shook my head, chasing away that memory. It was a moment I never wanted to revisit: the moment when my world, built on fragile love and hope, collapsed irreparably.

Suddenly, Lady Eleanor reached out and grasped my hand firmly.

“Get a hold of yourself, Brianna. You’re beautiful—and I’m not just saying that to comfort you. The truth is, the only reason I agreed to be your chaperone was because of your looks. You’re beautiful enough to rise far above the humble status of the Elwin family.”

“…”

“Didn’t you say yourself that a man going through difficult times is easier to capture?”

Just how bold had Brianna really been? After all, she was only twenty, yet she had confidently set her sights on an older widower — someone with a late wife, no less. Such audacity certainly wasn’t ordinary.

“Now, off you go.”

“Pardon? Where?”

“Go and stand near Duke Cassel, mingle with his circle, and perhaps have a glass of champagne. I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll be stepping away briefly.”

Lady Eleanor gently tapped me on the shoulder with her fan. Sighing, I stood up and slowly walked towards Claude and the group of people around him.

The truth was, I wanted to see him up close again. It was still hard to believe that he had survived such a devastating accident. I couldn’t stop thinking about what he had been about to say to me in the carriage. Perhaps I wouldn’t find out anything today, but at least I wanted to see for myself that he was really OK.

But the moment he came fully into view, I froze in disbelief.

He was standing among the young heirs of several powerful noble families. I barely recognised some of them, but one thing was clear: Claude had never enjoyed being around such people. And yet here he was.

“Claude, I hear you’re planning to host another gathering soon. I’m still looking for a chance to win back what I lost in the last card game.”

“I’m looking forward to the party at the Cassel estate.”

They spoke to him casually and with great familiarity. Claude simply lifted his champagne glass again and again, replying with light-hearted laughter.

Though he smiled, there was something strangely hollow about it.

‘Was he always able to smile like that?’
‘One thing’s certain… this isn’t a place I belong to right now.’

Claude and those around him appeared to be very comfortable in each other’s company, as though they had known each other for a long time. I couldn’t bring myself to join them.

As I turned away, I had that thought in mind—

—it happened.