Chapter 3
Be Careful With Me
3.
The realization she came to was simple.
If a force is strong enough to determine the fall of the empire, it doesnât need to exist within the empire. With truly supernatural power, unless itâs an explosive force on its own, everything would interact with its surroundings.
Even if it were an explosive force on its own, placing it amid a power struggle could lead to even worse sacrifices.
Thatâs why she thought this imperial palace might be an even more dangerous place for her.
And right ahead, she instinctively felt she should avoid the person whose back she had barely caught up to.
He hated her that muchâperfect.
Agnes felt a slight relief as if sheâd finally glimpsed an answer to surviving in this harsh world.
From the very first day she opened her eyes, her brain had been put to serious work. Who sent her here, she didnât know⊠ah.
She let out a sigh but quickened her steps. To catch up to the crown prince, who had already rounded the corner and disappeared, she had to walk almost until her legs ached.
By the time she reached the corner, slightly out of breath, she wondered if she should slow down. But as she rounded the corner, her flailing dress tangled with her legs, which were straining with effort.
Huh�
It had happened too quickly. The combination of wearing a flaring skirt and not being in her original body caused her to⊠tumble violently.
Thud!
She couldnât even scream, eyes squeezed shut. Instead of a loud crash and intense pain, there was only the light sensation of being caught and a soft pressure.
Wow⊠no way⊠no way�
When her fear became reality, Agnesâ eyes went wide. The crown prince, whom she thought had vanished far ahead, was holding her body.
Even up close, his faceâshe had already noticed beforeâwas strikingly handsome. While she was lost in thought, he had been staring at her intently.
His blue eyes, unblinking, shone vividly even in the darkness.
âTh⊠thank you.â
The gaze she had felt piercing her seemed slightly different this time. What was it? What had changed?
Since he didnât seem inclined to move or speak, Agnes broke the silence with her words of thanks.
Blinking as if freed from a spell, the crown prince, Theowin, quickly set her upright and then spun around.
âThis is the place.â
Turning the corner revealed a terrace beyond a large door. It wasnât a space jutting out from the roomâs windowâit felt as if the terrace itself was made into a room. There was a separate door; beyond it lay a wooden deck bordered by a metal railing, creating a strangely enclosed yet open space.
âWow⊠this place is so beautifulâŠâ
Since opening her eyes here, the grandiosity of the marquisâ residence and the imposing structure of the palace had been impressive. The view from the carriage had been limited to the window, so there hadnât been much to marvel at.
But this place was different. Compared to their gardens and reception rooms, it might not be particularly large, but it was undeniably beautiful.
While Agnes was lost in wonder, the busy maids came and went, yet she seemed unaware, looking up with full concentration.
Theowin glanced at the fully set table inside and then looked back at Agnes.
Looking up at the trees towering over her, blocking the sky, she lowered her gaze and froze.
Her eyes met Theowinâs, who had been silently watching her. Agnes, startled as if she had encountered a wild animal while walking through a forest, forced a smile.
âA small garden, isnât it? Itâs really well maintained. May I sit at the table over there?â
Trying to hide a hint of embarrassment, Agnes quickly stepped toward the neatly arranged tea table. She let out a shallow sigh. After her fall and the awkward start to conversation, her face was slightly tense.
âYou donât seem as cautious as I thought.â
Theowin spoke from across the table.
The maids poured the tea, now fully steeped, into their cups, then quietly departed.
The sound of the wind swept through the terrace garden, awakening senses dulled by tension.
âIâm not sure how you perceive meâŠâ
âMany have spoken. Your Highness, Cesar⊠even the maids who heard about you.â
Agnes, of course, must have been cautious by nature in her past life. Unlike her now.
Opportunities disappeared faster than expected. She nodded at his question.
âI donât know why you think that, but⊠I am cautious. The problem is that it doesnât always show in my actions.â
There was no need to try to impress. It was almost better if this bold woman pushed back a little, showing she could resist.
She had intended to actively make herself disliked, but thinking of Marquis Rizern gave her pause. This wasnât a place where only she would suffer alone. She had one and only family.
Though she hadnât fully realized it yet.
Amid the green plants forming walls so perfectly, he looked even more beautiful.
She didnât know why he disliked her so much, but it still hurt a little. In her previous life, sheâd never received rational interest from a man, let alone from someone who openly disliked her.
âYour Highness, the Crown Prince.â
She had been thinking of letting things slide for the marquisâ sake, but the way he looked at herâclaiming she wasnât cautiousâchanged her mind.
She felt strongly that this matter needed to be resolved before any relationship developed.
Calling him almost as if in a trance, Theowin looked at her steadily.
Why did she suddenly feel so urgent?
Watching his slightly lazy, slightly annoyed, yet unwavering blue eyes made her uneasy.
It felt like she had to act now or never.
She had even delayed worrying about the marquis to prepare the words that were now on her lips⊠a chilling feeling.
âI know Your Highness is not pleased with the idea of marrying me.â
She finally spoke. Her words seemed unexpected, and Theowinâs sharp gaze softened briefly, unguarded.
She hoped for any reaction, but he said nothing. Swallowing dryly, Agnes continued.
âIf I donât please you, nothing I do will change that⊠Such a marriage would only make us unhappy. You canât force someoneâs heart. Even if we forced the marriage, it wouldnât create feelings that arenât there.â
Agnes tried to speak calmly. Fortunately, her refined features and steady voice supported her argument. Her mannerisms hinted at how cautious she had been in her original life.
Theowin remained silent, expression unchanged, eyes fixed solely on her.
Interesting⊠that was how he observed her.
She realized she had to finish her words, not knowing his thoughts.
âIn conclusion, if Your Highness truly dislikes this marriage⊠I will persuade my father, Marquis Rizern, to cancel it.â
It wouldnât be easy, but if he agreed and she opposed it fiercely, the marquis might waver.
Moreover, the emperor had entrusted the crown prince to her with apologies⊠perhaps it was possible.
Saying it aloud made the plan seem feasible. If Theowin intervened, the emperor would undoubtedly force it using his authority.
Strong resistance breaks easily. She had to act to cancel it herself.
He said nothing, contemplating deeply. What could she expect from someone unwilling to speak?
Agnes was certain. He would say: âAlright. Then you speak. My ears might not heed you, but perhaps theyâll hear me.â
Finally, he moved his lips. Concentrating on them, Agnes briefly imagined his lips approaching hers.
âWho gave you permission?â
Unexpected, his words were low and thrown casually, sending a wave through her racing heart.
âExcuse meâŠ?â
âWho said you could break this marriage?â
âB-because⊠Your Highness dislikes meâŠâ
Flustered, Agnes stammered. But his lips curved into a dark smile, and she couldnât continue.
His expression changed. From indifference to something fierce and personalâŠ
How could he change like that?
Confident Agnesâ own gaze began to tremble.
