The carriage Kristin was in was filled with silence.
Lenci and Cindy hesitated to speak, merely watching Kristin, unsure of how to break the tension in the air.
Kristin had faced countless challenges in her life—from the Levi Mine, the debutante ball, the crimes of Viscount Vernon and Lady Rose, to the events at Vincent Orphanage.
Her life had been far from easy.
And now, to have the princess of a neighboring empire confront her with anger made the situation even harder to bear. It was difficult for Lenci to watch, and she finally managed to speak to Kristin.
“My Lady, why does Princess Rebella seem so hostile towards you? Forgive me if I speak out of turn, but doesn’t His Grace have feelings for you?”
Cindy quickly joined in, her voice tinged with confusion.
“Exactly. I don’t understand this situation. Earlier, the princess referred to Duke Raphael as her fiancé, but wasn’t it originally agreed that Duke Raphael was to marry you?”
Kristin looked at the two of them and slowly responded.
“Yes. It may be hard for you to understand, but His Grace would prefer to meet with Princess Rebella. It’s for the future of the Empire as well.”
Kristin’s face was clouded with worry.
In her past life, it had been Rebella who had captured Raphael’s heart. She felt that in this life as well, Raphael might love Rebella.
Just then, Cindy, unable to contain her frustration, spoke up.
“I’ve heard that Marquis Winston is also very fond of you, My Lady. Is there truly no one among the two that you like? You should marry someone good.”
“I think so too, My Lady,” Lenci added.
However, even at the mention of Marquis Winston Zenon, Kristin’s heart remained unmoved.
To be precise, all Kristin felt for him was pity and guilt, not the excitement she felt for Raphael.
“I mean, Lenci. Cindy.”
“Yes, My Lady.”
“We have arrived at the Begonia Café.”
Just as Kristin was about to express her feelings, the coachman’s voice was heard. Hearing this, Kristin closed her mouth again and quietly got out of the carriage.
“Shall we come with you, My Lady?” Cindy asked.
“No, stay here and wait in the carriage,” Kristin replied.
“But Princess Rebella has quite a few attendants with her. We’re worried that it might be difficult for you to face all of them alone,” Lenci said with a worried expression, almost on the verge of tears.
Kristin shook her head with a smile. “I doubt Princess Rebella will bring her attendants into the café.”
“What?” Cindy said in confusion.
Kristin thought about it from Rebella’s perspective. In a situation where she might discuss Raphael, it didn’t seem likely that Rebella would bring her attendants with her.
From the brief interaction they had at the Sharon Boutique, Kristin had gathered that the princess had a strong sense of pride. It was unlikely that someone as prideful as her would bring attendants who could eavesdrop on such a private conversation.
Given how angry Rebella had been about speaking with someone connected to Raphael, it seemed unlikely she would want witnesses to this discussion.
“I’ll see you in a bit, Lenci, Cindy,” Kristin said before entering the Begonia Café.
Once inside, she sat down at the table where she had previously sat with Raphael and waited for Rebella.
After about five minutes, the café door opened, and Rebella entered.
With a graceful and elegant stride, Rebella made her way to where Kristin was seated and spoke.
“This café is rather subpar. It matches someone I know perfectly,” Rebella said with a smirk.
“I thought this place would be suitable enough for a conversation,” Kristin replied calmly.
“Well, putting that aside, I heard you’re soon to be married to His Grace. Is that true?” Rebella asked bluntly.
“What?”
Kristin was taken aback by the sudden mention of “marriage,” putting down her cup of water and meeting Rebella’s gaze.
With her arms crossed, Rebella glared at Kristin before continuing.
“The Duke told His Majesty and me directly that he intends to marry Kristin Edith. But I cannot accept that. As I said earlier, I am the one who will be His Grace’s fiancée.”
Kristin hesitated, lost in thought. If, as before, she was merely being compared to Rebella in Raphael’s heart, then perhaps it was better for her to let go of him this time.
“I am his fiancée, so you should give up on His Grace. Because I will never give up,” Rebella declared firmly.
Whether she loved Raphael or not, Rebella could not afford to give up on him because she needed his power and wealth.
As Rebella spoke to Kristin, seeing the young lady shrink in front of her, she grew even more confident. But just as she was at her peak, Kristin finally opened her mouth to speak.
“Your Highness.”
“Oh, now you have something to say?” Rebella replied with a smirk.
“If you’ve already been confirmed as His Grace’s fiancée, shouldn’t you be having this conversation with him instead of with me? Regardless of my existence or any other circumstance, if you two are indeed going to be married, wouldn’t it be better for the two of you to resolve all matters between yourselves? As a mere daughter of a viscount, I do not understand your intentions in addressing this matter with me, Your Highness.”
With these words, Rebella stood up from her seat, glaring at Kristin.
TL NOTE: Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories
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Teoni7
Oh finally someone points out the obvious. If you are in a relationship with someone that is who you should be discussing with not the person who literally has no say in the situation😂.