I denied it outwardly, but inwardly I knew I was very conscious of him. And I recalled the words Luden had said.

He said he’d work to ensure I wouldn’t face situations where I wasn’t respected.

‘That’s…’

No matter how much Luden treated me as his fiancée, things might change if his own interests were at stake.

Of course, he’d been furious when Sorean made his proposal. But if the Emperor or other powerful figures made an offer he couldn’t refuse, he might choose that over me.

You never know until the situation hits.

Still, maybe because no one had ever spoken to me that way before, I found myself swayed by those words.

Though Luden had no idea.

* * *

Kajiian Zeren Duke resembled Reytan. With his long black hair tied back, he rubbed his chin with his hand while looking at Luden and me. I bowed my head in greeting. Luden did the same.

“It’s been a while, Marquis Charlot! And Lady Rosaline.”

At his words, I smiled and responded.

Kajiian briefly glanced at me, then immediately turned his head toward Luden.

“Congratulations on your engagement.”

“Thank you.”

“A representative from the imperial family will attend the wedding.”

A wedding the Emperor himself would send someone to. More people would probably try to attend. Even if Millen made a fuss about coming to the wedding, Luden would handle it.

“The reason I called you here today is because of the Duke Hanel family matter.”

That matter was already over though.

“Princess Kanarosa said she really wanted to meet you, so I summoned you.”

Princess Kanarosa wanted to meet me. I felt curious. In the original story, Annelia never met Princess Kanarosa.

For reference, Kanarosa was an extra who later married Sorean. There was an episode where Luden attended as the Charlot family representative and got involved with the female lead. Of course, the original Annelia couldn’t attend that wedding due to severe stomach pain.

“What is this about?”

“I don’t really know either. The Princess said she had something important to discuss with you.”

Well, that’s what it was.

Nothing major. I breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Luden’s expression. He was staring at the Emperor with emotionless eyes, the same way he looked at everyone except me.

“And there’s one more matter.”

The Emperor looked at me.

“I’m somewhat sorry to you, but it’s good news for the Charlot family.”

“What is it?”

Kajiian gestured to an attendant standing behind him. The attendant holding a paper with both hands approached Luden and bowed his head. Luden took the paper and read it.

He quickly looked at Kajiian.

“What is this…”

“Do you not like it? Marquis Charlot’s power will grow even stronger.”

I quietly moved closer and looked at the paper Luden held. It contained a marriage proposal from the imperial family.

‘Good heavens.’

They weren’t just throwing any princess at him.

The princess they wanted to marry Luden was Lorina Zeren Duke, the daughter born to the Empress herself.

‘Wait, why is she appearing here!’

And she was also the female lead, Luden’s destined partner.

* * *

Luden caught his breath.

He’d known the Emperor was preparing something else, but he never imagined it would be a marriage.

These were truly cruel words to Annelia, who had just finished her engagement ceremony.

“I think it would be good to proceed with a joint wedding.”

The Emperor looked at Luden. Looking at the marriage proposal, Luden bowed his head toward Kajiian. Annelia bit her lip.

“If Luden marries Her Highness the Princess, his position will become even more solid.”

She spoke rationally.

Would Annelia really be okay with him marrying another woman?

Luden felt a surge of emotion. Because Annelia seemed so cold. Like she had no feelings for him at all.

She’d said she treated him well because he was her fiancé, and it really seemed like she only treated him well as a fiancé.

Just as he was about to sigh at that thought, something caught his eye.

Annelia’s eyes were faintly trembling.

‘That…’

Annelia was always emotionally calm. She rarely wavered. But to have those eyes now.

Maybe Annelia wasn’t okay either. Right, of course. If you got engaged and your husband immediately brought in a second wife, who would be happy about that?

And…

Luden handed the document back to the attendant.

“Your Majesty, please forget about this marriage.”

At Luden’s words, Annelia’s eyes widened. Kajiian watched Luden with apparent interest.

The Charlot family didn’t take second wives. The Emperor was making this proposal even knowing that.

It was actually a radical proposal. Trying to send a princess as a second wife.

Luden looked at Kajiian with firm eyes.

* * *

I couldn’t believe Luden’s words. If a princess married into the Charlot family, his position would become solid. Even if he left for knight training, no one would covet his position.

Yet he was rejecting that proposal.

“The Charlot family doesn’t take second wives. I have no intention of taking a second wife, even if it means breaking family rules.”

Luden spoke decisively. Then he firmly grasped my hand.

“And I’m satisfied with Annelia.”

At his words, I suddenly felt like a screw had come loose.

“Wouldn’t connecting with the imperial family help you too?”

Kajiian’s words became thorns to me. I knew that very well too. What would Luden say?

“I don’t particularly need that, Your Majesty.”

He shrugged his shoulders.

“Even now, I’m doing my part well enough. I don’t want to marry while hurting Annelia.”

Kajiian nodded and didn’t bring up the marriage topic with Luden anymore.

The Emperor told me to meet Princess Kanarosa before leaving. After exiting the audience chamber, I looked at Luden.

“Why did you refuse?”

“That’s only natural.”

At Luden’s words, I was at a loss for words. Of course, if I were Luden, I would have refused too.

“But considering your position, accepting would be…!”

“I don’t want the imperial family interfering with the Charlot family. I need to become a proper family head through my own power, don’t I?”

Luden finally released my hand that he’d been holding. The back of my hand where his hand had touched felt hot.

“Shall we go meet Princess Kanarosa?”

At his words, I followed behind him.

* * *

Alsellon Charlot, with black hair and murky red eyes, was looking in a mirror.

Today the Emperor had summoned him. What on earth was the reason for the summons?

He’d received a report from his spy that Luden would also enter the palace today. He thought it might be related to him somehow.

<Uncle, so it really was you.>

When Luden learned of his betrayal, his complexion had turned pale and his lips had trembled violently.

That memory hadn’t faded.

Alsellon had thought Luden would collapse emotionally and try to kill him—then he could have cut his throat in self-defense—but Luden didn’t do that.

When Luden learned that Alsellon was the one who’d tried to poison him, he was truly shocked but acted rationally.

He’d known Luden wasn’t an easy opponent, but…

He hadn’t made mistakes since becoming family head. Some of the relatives who’d tried to shock those around him and drive him out had even turned to Luden’s side.

But an opportunity would come eventually.

Alsellon thought this as he slowly ran his hand through his hair.

First, he needed to enter the palace and have an audience with the Emperor. Since the Emperor had asked to see him in the evening, it seemed he would see Luden first.

It would be fine to run into him on the way, but Alsellon didn’t think the Emperor would want that, so he deliberately didn’t leave early.

* * *

Princess Kanarosa had brown hair and blue eyes. With a gentle first impression, she quickly stood up when she saw me.

“Welcome.”

Luden said he’d wait outside. Because Princess Kanarosa wanted to see only me.

“This is the first time we’re talking privately, isn’t it?”

Kanarosa had me sit on the sofa across from her. Sitting on the red sofa, I sipped the tea she’d had an attendant bring while gazing at her intently.

“Thank you so much for helping me escape from that person.”

Saying this, Kanarosa shook her head as though recalling bad memories.

“It was truly terrible. He was a man who didn’t respect me as a person at all, so it was so difficult.”

Listening to Kanarosa’s words, I nodded.

Ah, memories from before the possession came back.

<That’s just like you.>

<Why can’t you understand me? You said you loved me!>

Past memories surfaced and I caught my breath for a moment.

Hearing Kanarosa’s story reminded me of what that man had said. The sensation of being stabbed in the heart came alive again.

“Living with a man who doesn’t respect you is hard.”

Kanarosa nodded.

“Exactly. I cheered for you a lot after hearing your story, Annelia.”

“Really?”

“I even wrote you an anonymous letter.”

I’d received many anonymous letters back then. Everyone had encouraged me. I didn’t know Kanarosa was among them.

“Can I invite you sometimes?”

At Kanarosa’s words, I smiled.

Having experienced something similar myself, I understood how Kanarosa felt.

I talked with Kanarosa and then stood up. Luden was waiting outside.

* * *

Inside the carriage, we were silent. Luden looked outside while I gazed down at my fingers for a moment.

As the carriage approached the estate, Luden looked at me.

“We’ve arrived.”

Then he took something out of his bag. Seeing what was in the small box, I opened my mouth.

“What’s this?”

“I wanted to give you jewels rather than flowers.”

At his words, I smiled. It was a necklace with a purple gemstone. It was such a beautiful necklace that I accepted it wordlessly.

“Luden likes giving me things.”

You didn’t pick it out yourself, did you?

“I ordered it myself.”

He spoke as though he read my thoughts. I sighed and looked at the necklace again.

“Luden, can I ask you something?”

Luden nodded.

“About rejecting the marriage proposal. Was it because of me?”

“Why do you think that?”

“You told me, Luden. That you’d make sure I wasn’t disrespected, that you’d ensure I was respected. In a way, acknowledging your wife’s existence is the start of that respect.”

At my calm words, Luden chuckled.

“Well, if His Majesty had extended his hand when I was desperate two years ago, I would have grabbed it.”

Luden shook his head.

“But there’s no need for that now. Now Annelia is by my side, and I don’t want to do something foolish like bringing in another woman while I have a wife.”

Luden spoke with strong conviction.