Chapter 35
Franz didn’t even glance at the spoon he had dropped. His eyes remained fixed on Aleicia, his gaze piercing like daggers into her face.
Aleicia continued speaking, pretending not to notice.
“According to proper etiquette, I should’ve spent the past month in the detached palace. While I did stay in the Second Prince’s palace thanks to His Highness’s consideration, I wasn’t able to properly learn the court’s etiquette because of that.”
“But, Second Princess Consort, the detached palace is only a temporary residence. It’s outdated and inconvenient in many ways for someone of your position. Wouldn’t it be better to remain at the Second Prince’s palace?”
The Empress, who had been gently coaxing Aleicia, turned to Franz. She observed his pale, frozen expression before speaking cautiously.
“It would also be more convenient for mana purification if you two stayed in the same place.”
“Even if I stay at the detached palace, I won’t neglect purification. I’d appreciate some time to adjust to life in the imperial palace.”
Aleicia was firm. She wanted to keep her distance from Franz. Otherwise, she feared she might melt from his kindness.
Because Aleicia knew the future.
Niris Roshanac would appear a year later at Crayton’s ball. Franz would abandon Aleicia and dance with Niris instead.
From the start of the ball to its end, as if proclaiming he would monopolize Niris entirely.
After that, Niris would become Franz’s mistress and reside in the Second Prince’s palace.
It was all predetermined—like winter following autumn, or spring following winter.
To make it worse, Niris was Franz’s first love. There was no denying that future.
Franz’s affection might expire even sooner than expected.
A week… it was more than enough time, Aleicia thought bitterly.
She didn’t want to be kicked out to the detached palace once Niris appeared.
If she moved there from the beginning, she could at least avoid that humiliation.
“If the detached palace seems too much for me, I’m fine with another place. I’ll accept whatever Her Majesty assigns.”
Aleicia lowered her gaze and spoke politely. She could feel the chill emanating beside her.
Franz seemed visibly displeased.
But Aleicia had no intention of changing her mind. What he thought didn’t matter to her.
The only thing that mattered was minimizing future suffering.
At first, after returning in time, Aleicia had planned to quietly disappear once Franz and Niris reunited.
But after experiencing Franz’s warmth, she realized it wouldn’t be so easy.
Every time Franz smiled at her, brushed her hair, or kissed her tenderly, her heart ached.
It was unbearably sad to know that this affection had an expiration date.
She would never be able to fully hate Franz. She was foolish in the face of love.
If she weren’t, she wouldn’t have died so pathetically in her past life.
So—for her own sake—she had to start distancing herself now.
To suffer less later, moving to the detached palace was essential.
Though the detached palace was connected to the Second Prince’s palace, it was still secluded.
If she moved there, she would rarely run into Franz. Unless he purposely summoned or sought her out, it would be hard to even see his shadow.
In her past life, that loneliness had crushed her. She had wandered the gardens, taken pointless night walks.
Eventually, she had even lingered near his room.
Because she missed him so much—because she desperately craved just a single glance from him.
What she got in return were looks of disdain and scolding.
In her past life, Franz had been someone she could only reach after much struggle. So in this life, too, if she moved to the detached palace, they would naturally drift apart.
“But Second Princess Consort, you’re newlyweds. Isn’t it too soon to live separately?”
“I’m not asking to create a new residence, Your Majesty. I only ask to stay in an unoccupied palace.”
Aleicia calmly delivered the words she had prepared.
“I’m fully aware I’m not a suitable match for His Highness. I want to study the court’s etiquette on my own and prepare myself to be someone worthy of him.”
“A sensible idea,” Glenna said with a smile, glancing at Crayton.
“It’s fortunate the Second Princess Consort is rational and objective about herself. Don’t you agree, Crayton?”
“If you say so. What does Your Majesty think?”
“Well… I’d prefer the Second Princess Consort stayed in the Second Prince’s palace. But this should be decided by the person concerned. Franz, what do you think?”
Everyone’s eyes turned to Franz, who had been silently bowing his head.
Aleicia looked at him with calm eyes.
“His Highness will surely agree. There will be no issue with mana purification.”
She added, aiming directly at Franz’s sore spot.
Even though her words were blunt, he didn’t respond. It was as if he had frozen in place.
“…I…”
Just as the awkward silence stretched, Franz finally spoke, his voice heavy. He clenched his fist tightly on the table.
What’s going on? Aleicia furrowed her brow, watching him closely.
Something was wrong. A chill had been radiating from him for a while now, enough to give her goosebumps.
His mana should be stabilized. Why…
The once-quiet mana was now growing turbulent—only Aleicia seemed able to perceive it at first.
The table shook, and the attendants began to shiver.
The banquet hall, once warm, was rapidly turning into winter.
“Franz? What’s wrong? Are you alright?”
The Empress called out in panic. But Franz didn’t move, sitting perfectly upright.
“Your Majesty… I…”
A groan escaped through Franz’s clenched teeth. Aleicia looked at him in shock.
His mana’s destabilizing this much? How is this even possible?
In her previous life, his mana had settled after their consummation. The turbulence had quieted immediately.
This time, they had shared a bed for a whole week—it should’ve stabilized even more thoroughly.
Then why…
Confused, Aleicia stared at Franz. Slowly, he turned his head toward her, as if it took everything he had.
“No.”
“…?”
“No, Resa.”
His icy hand grabbed hers. Across the table, Glenna and Crayton exchanged startled glances.
“I heard they had consummated the marriage. So why is the Second Prince’s mana so unstable? Is this possible?”
“I’m not sure. Normally, this wouldn’t happen.”
“Then could it be…”
Glenna’s suspicious gaze shifted to Aleicia.
“Maybe he bonded with the wrong person? Perhaps Lady Ambrose isn’t compatible with His Highness’s mana?”
“Silence.”
Franz’s golden eyes flashed with fury. He glared at Glenna, teeth clenched.
“She’s not Lady Ambrose. She is the Second Princess Consort. Stop talking.”
“Franz! How dare you!”
Crayton’s face turned red with rage at Franz’s harsh words. Furious, he shouted at the Empress.
“Mother! Will you let this pass? Did you not hear how he spoke to Glenna? To my fiancée!”
“My ears are perfectly fine. Be quiet.”
The Empress raised her hand, silencing him with cold authority.
Then, sweeping her gaze around the room, she turned to Aleicia.
“Second Princess Consort. Did you consummate your marriage with Franz? Did your souls bond?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Then purify his mana. Right now. In front of me.”
Aleicia’s calm face went blank in shock.
“…Pardon?”
“Now. I must see it with my own eyes.”
The Empress’s tone was firm. Aleicia’s eyes trembled. She looked to Franz.
He gazed back at her, pained. He seemed to want to say something, but his lips were frozen.
Her eyes lowered to his hands. Frost had formed on the tablecloth he gripped.
The mana was consuming him. At this rate, even his heart might freeze.
That was exactly what Aleicia wanted—but not like this.
“Second Princess Consort, this is an order from the Empress. Purify his mana immediately.”
She couldn’t leave him like this.
Why here of all places…
Aleicia took a deep breath.
This was the second time she had seen Franz in such pain.
The first time, she had just been confused. But now… her heart was more conflicted.
She wasn’t sure if what she felt was regret, sorrow, sympathy—or something else entirely.
“Second Princess Consort. Now!”
As the Empress raised her voice again, Aleicia hesitated no longer.
