It was true, but the real Aidan had never once thought that way, living only in fear that if he stood out even a little, he would be threatened by the Empress. He believed that by lowering himself and showing that he had no desire to become Emperor, that he wouldn’t be an obstacle in Lloyd’s path, he could escape the Empress’s threats.

“You know, the best defense is a good offense.”

It was truly strange. Rather than the original Aidan, who had lived and been educated as a prince and official heir his entire life…..

“So I have to take it before it’s taken from me.”

Why did this man seem more like a prince?

“You make it sound so easy. Do you think you can become Emperor just because you want to?”

There was a huge wall in front of Aidan: Lloyd and the Empress. Fortunately, the Emperor had not yet taken sides between the two princes and had not announced who would be the official heir to the throne. Although the Empress was a living power, the Hewitt duchy and other prominent noble families still supported Aidan, questioning Lloyd’s legitimacy.

“It’s not easy, but it’s not impossible, right? Since I was born with a diamond spoon in my mouth, I should try to get what I can.”

Diamond spoon? Although there were some incomprehensible words mixed in, his ambition was clearly conveyed.

That confidence alone might make this one more suitable as a prince or emperor than the original Aidan. Although I’m not sure yet if he has the ability to match it.

Half a year. Karina once again pondered the period he had proposed. If this man, unlike Aidan, really showed behavior befitting a prince, would something change? Even if everything flowed the same as before, she would have nothing to lose as she would be divorced and unrelated to the imperial family in half a year.

“If you want to be properly recognized as the heir to the throne, you’ll have a lot to do from now on. And a lot to learn.”

First of all, that manner of speaking and attitude needed to be corrected. It was too undignified for a prince. If he were presented to the Empress like that, he would immediately be suspected. At least for the half year, in the period she had to stay in the imperial palace, she hoped no accidents would occur. She had an ominous feeling that this man might cause trouble in a different way than the Aidan in her memories.

“That’s why I said I need your help. Karina.”

As if deliberately, he called Karina’s name in an even more affectionate voice than before.

Anyone who heard would think he was overflowing with affection for me.

Swallowing the sharp, disgruntled feeling rising in her throat, she turned her gaze away from him.

“Can I take that as an okay?”

Aidan stated that he would interpret her not refusing as a positive response. In any case, Karina had no choice in the matter. She only hoped that the next half year would pass safely.

“I’ve said all I needed to say, so I’ll be going now.”

There would be no problem with her, the crown princess, staying in his bedroom, but it was right after being stood up on their wedding night. Just by her being here now, who knows what nonsense people outside might be whispering.

“Leaving already?”

Aidan asked, sounding regretful. Ah, I really can’t get used to this. An Aidan showing regret towards her.

“If you’re bored, have someone outside bring you some books to read.”

It was a thoughtless remark. But Aidan made a humming sound and added that he’d prefer history books and geography books if possible. He said that since he was a prince, he should start by building basic knowledge about this country, surprising Karina once again.

‘Are you going to the library? Maybe you should go a little later…..’

Bernice had once stopped Karina from going to the imperial library.

‘Well… His Highness is there right now….’

It was surprising that Aidan was in the library. I had never seen him read a book, so what wind had blown?

‘What does His Highness being there have to do with me not being able to go now? Has His Highness closed off and monopolized the entire library?’

Even as she asked, it seemed absurd. Why would Aidan do such a thing? But at Karina’s question, Bernice’s eyes rolled around, seemingly troubled.

‘Bernice. Don’t hide it, tell me.’

When she pressed a little, Bernice reluctantly opened her mouth. His Highness was meeting with the young lady of the Spencer family in the library now, so he had forbidden others from entering the library.

For Aidan, the library was such a place. Not a place to read books, but a place to enjoy secret meetings away from others’ eyes.

Remembering only that Aidan, the current Aidan seeking history and geography books was a fresh shock.

Well, it might be better than before.

“I’ll have some good history and geography books sent to you.”

“Thank y-“

Bang! A loud noise cut off Aidan’s words. Aidan and Karina simultaneously looked towards the entrance where the sound came from. Soon after, the sound of people talking could be heard.

Karina looked at Aidan, then remembering that he was a patient unable to move, let out a shallow sigh before turning around.

“What’s going on?”

She opened the door and asked, and the knights guarding the front looked at her with bewildered expressions. Karina’s gaze passed over them to the young lady standing behind.

Kate Spencer.

The cause of Aidan standing her up on their wedding night, his secret meeting partner.

Without realizing it, she clenched her fist tightly. A hot lump of emotion felt like it was rising up from beneath her throat.

Before her regression, she thought the wedding night didn’t matter at all. Even at this point, she had no particular feelings towards Kate Spencer, who had been Aidan’s secret meeting partner. Aidan had been rumored with several other young ladies after that.

However, Kate Spencer was a bit different from those numerous young ladies. Unlike others who got angry, disappointed, and left each time Aidan’s partner changed, Kate Spencer always lingered around him. Perhaps because of such devotion, in the end, she became pregnant with Aidan’s child.

‘The child in my womb is certainly His Highness’s bloodline. So please, protect this child.’

How should she have treated her when she came looking for her? Even Kate Spencer, who had only looked at Aidan, judged that the person to protect the child in her womb was not Aidan, but Karina Hewitt, and came to plead.

Honestly, it was ridiculous and infuriating. Why should she have to listen to such an absurd request from her husband’s mistress? Her insides were boiling, and it was overwhelming just to maintain her composure.

‘I don’t understand why you’re asking me to protect your child. That child will inherit your family name, Spencer, not Griffith.’

Those words meant that she didn’t recognize the child in the womb as Aidan’s. Kate Spencer begged Karina with tears in her eyes. Please don’t abandon her and the child.

Whether to abandon or keep, it was originally none of her business. It was Aidan who had caused the trouble, not her.

When the Emperor’s lover gave birth to a child, if their status was certain, it could be implicitly recognized as the Emperor’s bloodline. Of course, they wouldn’t officially receive the title of prince. Lloyd was a prime example.

But the situation was different for a prince’s illegitimate child. The Griffith Empire had been so lacking in descendants that recognizing the Emperor’s illegitimate children was a precaution for potential heirs in case of emergencies, but for the illegitimate child of a prince, especially one not yet officially recognized as the heir to the throne, it had no meaning. Rather, if that prince didn’t ascend to the Emperor’s throne, it was often judged as just increasing the seeds of unrest.