“I’m sleepy.”
I lay down on the bed. After reading a book, I closed my eyes to sleep, exhausted.
After spending the first night with Luden and several nights of pleasure at the Charlot estate, I was finally able to return to the Rosaline mansion.
“You need to wake up.”
Lella shook my shoulder.
“It’s almost time for Marquis Charlot to arrive.”
At her words, I bolted upright. After our engagement, Luden said we’d meet once every two or three days until the wedding.
Two months remained until the wedding. And one month after the wedding, Luden would leave for knight training.
Before that, he said he’d teach me about managing the Charlot household affairs…
Previously, he’d said I didn’t need to worry about household matters, but now his attitude had changed. It seemed like he wanted me to have influence over the Charlot estate.
It was strange. What made him trust me enough to leave things in my hands?
Grumbling, I put on a dress. Because Luden had left marks on my body, I couldn’t wear low-cut clothing despite it being summer.
So hot.
Still, I found a suitable dress in the wardrobe. It was a good dress that perfectly covered the areas where he’d left his marks. I put on the white dress, applied lipstick simply, and waited for him to arrive.
After some time passed, I heard that Luden had arrived. I quickly went downstairs and looked at the door. The golden door handle sparkled in the sunlight.
If I opened this door, Luden would be there.
My hands trembled slightly. My nervousness showed immediately.
I used to meet Luden comfortably—how did I become so nervous?
Was it because we’d spent our first night together?
“Annelia.”
He turned his gaze to me. My reflection appeared in his beautiful red eyes. He touched the seat beside him with his hand.
“Come here.”
If I sat next to Luden, my heart might race out of control.
“N-no.”
I quickly sat in the seat across from him. Luden frowned.
“Why are you suddenly like this?”
“Like what?”
“Before, you said we needed to get close and sat next to me easily.”
That was… then, and this is now.
If I sat next to Luden, this strange feeling wouldn’t go away!
“Are you conscious of me?”
Luden asked me. Struck right where it hurt, I looked at him, then pretended not to hear, ignoring the question and calling a maid to bring tea.
When the maid brought tea, Luden began speaking in earnest.
“His Majesty the Emperor wants to see me?”
I’d seen Kajiian Zeren Duke, the Emperor of the Duke Empire. Since Annelia was a Duke’s daughter, she’d attended the Emperor’s birthday party. Of course, she’d never spoken with the Emperor personally.
Since Kajiian also had no interest in Annelia, there was almost no connection between Annelia and Kajiian.
“I guess he’s interested because you’re Luden’s fiancée.”
Since Luden was the head of the Charlot family, he must be curious about me, the woman who would become that head’s wife.
I chuckled while drinking tea.
“That’s not all.”
I was surprised at Luden’s words. Was there something else that would interest the Emperor?
“He seems to have taken notice of how you handled Duke Hanel’s son.”
“Ah.”
That incident caused quite a stir in high society. That event made everyone realize Annelia had changed.
“He said he was also interested in that matter.”
That was an extremely personal matter. It shouldn’t be something the Emperor would be interested in.
Luden answered my unspoken question.
“Actually, it seems the Princess was being harassed by him.”
Wow, amazing. Even Her Highness the Princess was being victimized by that bastard?
A name flashed through my mind.
“Princess Kanarosa?”
“Correct.”
Princess Kanarosa was Duke Hanel’s son—Jiton’s—fiancée. The engagement broke off because of the previous incident.
They’d been engaged strategically since childhood. Being engaged to that trash—I felt sorry for her.
Princess Kanarosa’s mother was a maid from a foreign country. Her mother died giving birth to her, and she lived as an illegitimate child until she was given Princess status to become engaged to Jiton.
Someone like her couldn’t have broken off the engagement for just any reason. But the repercussions of this incident were so great that the imperial family canceled the engagement with Jiton.
“They won’t say anything about that, will they?”
“That won’t happen.”
Luden spoke firmly. I looked at him with wide eyes, and Luden repeated himself.
“As I said before, I won’t let Annelia be disrespected. Annelia is now part of the Charlot family.”
These words showed Luden’s determination. Why was he doing this for me?
“Luden is kind. Doing this for me.”
Luden smiled. A smile filled with sincerity, not pretense.
“Annelia started it first. Taking care of me just because I’m your fiancé.”
“That’s only natural.”
“I’m doing what’s natural too.”
His words were as gentle as a spring breeze. Warmth dwelled in his mineral-like eyes.
Seeing him give affection to Annelia suddenly made me sad.
This man had a destined partner. That person wasn’t me.
Realizing this fact, sadness washed over me. I was inwardly flustered by the sharp, painful emotion.
Why am I like this?
“When do we go to the imperial palace?”
“We need to be there by 2 PM tomorrow. I’ll pick you up at 1.”
“I’ll be ready.”
I’d see Luden tomorrow too. I felt good.
But then Luden suddenly stood up and sat next to me. He gently reached out his arm, pulled me close, and placed his arm on my shoulder.
He was treating me like we were lovers who loved each other.
I was so nervous I couldn’t say anything. Luden didn’t say anything either and kept me by his side.
After some time passed, he began kissing me.
He called my name and explored me roughly.
My lips felt hot.
The more he kissed me, the stranger the sense of fulfillment that arose.
After a while, he left and I touched my lips. Tapping that spot with my finger, I sighed.
I liked kissing Luden.
I didn’t want to admit it, but I ended up knowing.
Why did I like kissing him?
I was afraid of knowing the answer, so I decided not to think about it anymore.
* * *
Luden slowly turned his head. Lost in thought with the carriage window open, he looked at the man in front of him.
Andre, with curious eyes, was waiting for Luden.
“I found everything out.”
At Andre’s words, Luden said coldly.
“You could give the report at the estate?”
“I’m curious about something.”
Andre’s eyes sparkled toward Luden.
“Did you tell my lady to live together from now on?”
Andre’s words were something Luden had anticipated.
“I didn’t.”
“Why not?”
At Andre’s words, Luden bit his lip. Fear dwelled in his eyes.
“These feelings will end someday anyway. I don’t want to be swayed by emotions that will return to normal once the difficulty disappears.”
At Luden’s words, Andre shook his head.
“I’ve known you for a long time, so I know—these feelings will never end easily.”
At Andre’s words, Luden strongly denied it.
“I think such emotions are a luxury for me.”
Of course, he’d share affection with Annelia and live together, but he didn’t want to be too swayed by emotions.
Annelia’s lips were sweet, and seeing her beautiful today made him think he wanted to possess her, but he deliberately ignored that feeling.
If Annelia was too close, his composure would disappear. So it was better not to keep her too close.
But the time spent with her was so good. The peaceful, tranquil feeling—it seemed like an addiction.
“Did you find out what the Emperor was thinking when he summoned me tomorrow?”
“Of course. It seems he really did summon you about the Princess matter.”
Was he summoning him to praise him for the Princess Kanarosa matter, or to reprimand him for not handling things quietly?
Depending on this answer, his own attitude toward the Emperor would also change.
After his father died, the Emperor didn’t help him. Except for preventing him from dying by assassination, there was nothing.
Of course, from the Emperor’s position, that was natural, but Luden felt the coldness of the world. Because the Emperor who’d been so good to his father did that.
He’d naturally thought he would help.
Thinking of that time, Luden smiled bitterly. If he gave too much of his heart to Annelia, he couldn’t handle it when she turned away. Everything should be done in moderation.
He had to suppress the heart that unknowingly wanted to lean on her.
Luden raised his hand and touched his lips.
Contrary to his thoughts, the kiss with her was too sweet.
* * *
“You’re having an audience with His Majesty the Emperor?”
Lella quickly brought accessories and was comparing them. She was busy finding things that suited me. She said several times that I needed to dress up splendidly to meet the Emperor. That it was proper etiquette.
I looked at the accessories with an indifferent face.
The necklace was studded densely with diamonds. Looking closely at the gold necklace, I sighed.
This was a gift Luden gave me to wear.
“It suits you well, Miss.”
I wore it often when dating Luden. It wasn’t lacking for going to the imperial palace.
I put on the necklace and wore neat clothes. I let down my blonde hair and put a hair ornament on my head. The hair ornament had many jewels attached, but with a lightening spell on it, it was very light.
These were also from Luden.
Knowingly or unknowingly, he’d given me a lot. Because I was the woman who would become his wife.
Looking in the mirror, I smiled bitterly.
He treated even a wife from a strategic marriage this well—what would he be like when he met a woman he loved?
Having that thought, I caught myself. I was thinking about Luden again.
Quickly pulling myself together, I finished dressing appropriately and went downstairs. Since Luden said he’d come at 1, it was time for him to arrive.
When the time came, the front door opened and Luden entered. He wore a short-sleeved shirt that suited summer well, with his coat draped over his arm.
Walking over, he looked at the necklace I wore and said quietly.
“It suits you well.”
“You bought it for me.”
Seemingly pleased that I wore the necklace he bought, he glanced at it. I naturally linked arms with him. If I’d done it playfully before, now there was a bit of formality in it.
“The atmosphere seems different.”
“No way.”
Though it’s actually true!
How did I do it so casually before?
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Ravingcrow1118
Luden suddenly is not acknowledging his feelings for Annelia and keeping his distance while also touching her? What is this complete 180 from the last 10 chapters???