“Ah… my head.”
Anneliese pressed a hand to her temple.
It felt like the chronic hypertension she had suffered from during her time as Crown Princess was flaring up again.
Meanwhile, Crown Prince Robert kept rolling around tirelessly.
At last, he somehow managed to stop right at Anneliese’s feet.
Wasn’t he embarrassed at all, looking like a complete mess with flower petals stuck all over him?
The crown prince held out the rose clenched between his lips toward her.
“Today as well, you are as beautiful as a single rose in bloom. Did you know? Every time your touch graces them, the flowers seem to bloom more vividly than ever—ack!”
Without hesitation, Anneliese thrust her leg forward.
Crunch. The crown prince screamed as his shin was ruthlessly crushed under her shoe.
“Oh my, Your Highness the Crown Prince. Are you alright? I must have misstepped.”
Well, who told you to stand in front of me?
Anneliese calmly stepped back as if nothing had happened.
Robert jumped to his feet.
“Don’t worry, Anneliese! I’m perfectly fine! More importantly, I knew you’d be here. I couldn’t greet you properly earlier in the chaos, and it’s been bothering me. You came to see me, didn’t you, Anneliese?”
“Yes, well.”
It was the first time she had seen his face since returning to the past.
With lifeless eyes, Anneliese accepted the rose he handed her.
If she refused, it felt like he’d follow her around all day.
He smiled with a greasy expression.
What are you smiling at?
“Your Highness.”
Anneliese replied stiffly.
“Aren’t you supposed to be with Her Highness the Princess? I heard she collapsed.”
A polite way of asking, What are you doing here when your sister fainted?
“Ah, it’s fine. Anneliese. I heard she regained consciousness quickly, so there’s no need to worry. Right now, the time I spend with you is more precious than anything else.”
“Ah, I see.”
Your only sister collapsed, and that’s what you say?
Princess Roselia. Your brother is this kind of trash. Though you probably already know that.
The very culprit who made Anneliese detest love—
Crown Prince Robert Hildegart was still as blindly obsessive and burdensome as ever.
At this point, even seeing a man with red hair and blue eyes was enough to remind her of him and sour her mood.
Just thinking about everything I went through because of him…
Even now, she was barely holding back the urge to kick his shin again.
That was exactly why she had desperately avoided him ever since her regression.
I didn’t come all the way back to the past just to lose control and get arrested for assaulting royalty.
Still, today felt strangely manageable. Was it because she had met the Grand Duke?
As she was thinking that, the crown prince opened his mouth again.
“By the way, Anneliese. Don’t you have something to say to me?”
“Pardon?”
“You’re pretending not to know out of shyness. Your answer to my proposal, of course. That’s why you came to the imperial palace, isn’t it?”
She took back her earlier thought—this was not manageable at all.
Anneliese felt the corners of her forced smile trembling.
How should she escape from this man? After a brief moment of thought, she changed her mind.
No—this is actually perfect. I’ll settle it right here.
If she waited until her proposal to the Grand Duke was confirmed, who knew what this man might do.
Even if, by some chance, the Grand Duke rejects me, I will never marry you.
Anneliese rolled her eyes slightly.
“Do you truly want an answer?”
“Yes!”
The crown prince nodded eagerly, eyes sparkling.
“Your Highness.”
Anneliese stood still and met his gaze.
His eyes were exactly the same as before her regression—
Eyes drunk on his own emotions, demanding reciprocation from her.
Every time I looked into those eyes, it felt like I was being dragged into a swamp with no exit.
But that feeling ended now.
Who says there’s no way out? It’s right there.
Thinking of the Grand Duke, Anneliese smiled faintly.
“I refuse.”
“…What?”
“That is my answer. I will decline Your Highness’s proposal.”
“Are you serious? But—”
“I have made this decision after careful thought, so I would appreciate it if you respect it. If you truly have any feelings for me at all.”
Rejecting the crown prince of an entire nation was, of course, no simple matter.
She had to pad her words with formalities, making them longer than necessary.
“I am not suited to the position of Empress. My knowledge is lacking, and my refinement falls short compared to other noble ladies—”
After tossing out a few perfunctory excuses,
“I sincerely apologize, Your Highness. I hope you find a partner far better than me.”
She even wished him luck. That should be enough.
“A-Anneliese, but this is too sudden! Think about it again, please! We can overcome any hardship together!”
“I believe that would be difficult, Your Highness.”
Because the greatest hardship in this marriage… is you.
The crown prince’s eyes welled up with tears.
He seemed unable to come to his senses, drowning in sorrow.
Fine. Cry all you want. Then wipe me away from your life.
“Don’t go, Anneliese…”
“Farewell, Your Highness.”
Unable to bear the sight of him sobbing, she quickly left the corridor.
How could she feel this light?
It was as refreshing as throwing out a pile of old garbage.
Of course, I doubt he’ll give up after just one rejection.
He’d surely try again—at the birthday banquet or whenever he found the chance.
Still, she had a good chance. As long as the Grand Duke cooperated.
After savoring the brief but precious sense of freedom, she headed toward her original destination—the estate.
By the time she arrived, it was late afternoon.
Anneliese sat at her desk, scribbling a letter to Count Solarichen.
Mother, I hope you’ve been well.
This may come as a surprise, but I have declined the Crown Prince’s proposal.
Instead, I intend to propose to the Grand Duke of Apherhis.
Before you get angry, please hear me out.
The situation has already unfolded, hasn’t it? Rather than scolding me, I believe it would be more efficient to consider how to respond.
That’s why I have a favor to ask…
It was the kind of letter that would shock the count—who was currently recuperating from injuries in his territory—the moment he read it.
After delivering the shocking news, she made two requests:
First, since the crown prince might hold a grudge and retaliate, he should refrain from coming to the capital for the time being.
Second, he should find the “old box” in Anneliese’s room and send it to her.
After a moment of thought, she added one more line at the end.
Please have Anna Rose bring it.
The sacred relic of Aldeon, said to belong to the first saint.
The fact that it was in the Solarichen territory was a secret known only to Anneliese.
Who would have imagined? That a small box lying around carelessly in storage was actually a legendary relic.
That aside, why did the Grand Duke want Aldeon’s relic?
“Is it because of the legend that it brings spring? Since the north is always in a harsh winter?”
Of course, it was just a legend.
“Though, considering it remained intact even in fire, it’s definitely no ordinary object.”
No matter how much she speculated, the Grand Duke likely had his own reasons.
After sealing the envelope, she sent a messenger to the Solarichen territory.
The reply arrived quickly.
Anneliese. I received your letter.
It is truly shocking.
But not surprising. I always knew you would cause a major incident someday.
Next time, please give me advance notice. I’ll flee overseas before things explode.
She skimmed past the scolding part.
The important point was written at the end.
As you requested, I am sending Anna Rose. But what exactly do you need that old box for? Still, since you asked, I will send it.
After reading the letter, Anneliese closed it with satisfaction.
During the few days she waited for Anna Rose, she didn’t step outside the estate even once.
If I go out, it’ll only be a loss for me. Rumors about me rejecting the crown prince must have already circulated through high society at least five times.
She ignored all the flood of invitations and instead spent her time in the garden—
Growing flowers to send as a gift for the emperor’s birthday.
As she watered them and whispered something to the flowerbed, the flowers trembled slightly.
The buds she touched bloomed especially fresh and vibrant.
It was during one such peaceful afternoon that the sound of a bell announcing a visitor rang out.
Anneliese set down the small trowel she was holding.
The head maid hurried over, her cheeks flushed as if she had seen something delightful.
“Lady Anneliese. You have a visitor.”
“Is it Anna Rose? She said she’d be arriving soon.”
“No, it’s not the second young lady. It’s someone else.”
“Who?”
“A handsome blond knight. He says he has something he must tell you, Lady Anneliese. Hoho.”
A knight?
She didn’t recall making any appointments today. The crown prince would be busy preparing for the banquet, so he wouldn’t have time for nonsense.
Then could it be…?
Someone sent by the Grand Duke of Apherhis?
She had been waiting for that, after all.
She rose to her feet.
“Wait here. I’ll go see.”
She went downstairs and opened the front gate.
The moment Anneliese saw the visitor’s face, her expression froze in shock.
