Chapter 39
Though there were others who desired the Crown Princess seat, none were as desperate as Marien.
For most, their true feelings were:
‘It’d be nice to become Crown Princess, but if not, oh well.’
Unless they married off to another country, they would remain within the Empire’s social circles.
If there was even the slightest chance that Laura would become Crown Princess, it was wisest to stay cautious and not cross the line now.
After all, nothing was more reckless than making an enemy out of the future Empress.
Thus, as Princess Luigi left the gathering and the elderly noblewomen rose to depart, the tea tasting naturally drew to a close.
People broke into small groups, chatting before dispersing one by one.
In the midst of it all—
Marien was left alone, gripping the tea table, trembling.
‘This isn’t what I wanted…!’
But she had no one to pour out her bitterness to.
No one cared enough about her.
* * *
Laura followed Asel into the drawing room.
Most of the guests were still in the garden, leaving the room quiet.
Making it more awkward, a maid sent by Luigi had just relayed a warning—essentially threatening that if Laura ended up with any scars, there would be consequences.
Asel cleared his throat, while Laura shrank her shoulders and stared at the floor.
After a silent, fleeting moment—
Asel spoke first.
“May I check your arm?”
“Y-yes, but really, I’m fine…”
“Nonsense. Your sleeve is soaked, what are you saying?”
Asel gently turned her arm to inspect the inside. The delicate skin of her inner wrist was reddened.
“Look at this burn. And you say you’re fine…”
He quickly soaked a handkerchief in water and wrapped it around her wrist.
Realizing what he was doing, he abruptly withdrew his hands.
“I apologize. I touched you without permission.”
“It’s okay. You were just worried about me, right?”
Laura gave an awkward smile, glancing down at her wrapped wrist.
That tender care reminded her of the Asel from before the curse activated, stirring up a bittersweet feeling.
Harboring a secret too painful to share was harder than she had imagined.
Asel, equally uncomfortable, averted his gaze.
Looking off toward the corridor, he muttered loudly enough for her to hear.
“The court physician is taking forever… It’s not like he’s busy…”
Of course, his transparent attempt to mask the awkwardness only made the mood more strained.
Rolling his neck in discomfort, Asel finally asked what had been on his mind.
“So… has my aunt been bothering you lately? Saying anything foolish?”
Laura looked at him for a few seconds, trying to read his intentions, then suddenly burst out laughing.
“You don’t need to worry.”
“Hm?”
“Her Highness only does it because she wants us to get along. I’m not bothered by it at all.”
“Is that so?”
“I’ve never once forgotten that our engagement has an expiration date.”
Laura’s words cut cruelly to the truth.
Asel fell silent. The corners of his mouth twitched faintly with unspoken emotion.
‘Why… why doesn’t she care?’
But out loud, he simply said:
“Good. I’m glad you haven’t forgotten.”
When they first signed the engagement contract, all Asel wanted was for Laura to remain indifferent and not cling to their relationship.
In a way, Laura was now exactly as he had hoped.
Yet—
‘Why does it bother me so much?’
A heavy discomfort weighed on his chest.
‘Is it her eyes?’
He couldn’t tell what Laura was thinking.
All he could catch were fleeting glimpses of emotion she occasionally let slip.
Every time they met eyes, she seemed to be expecting something.
Then, once she confirmed whatever it was, she would look disappointed. Soon after, she’d approach again, expecting something else.
‘Why does she keep doing that?’
Still, her persistent attempts left ripples in his heart.
Recently, Asel found himself chasing the fleeting shadow of a woman lingering in his memories.
‘I’m not sure yet… but if that woman is Laura…’
‘Then the memories I’ve forgotten are probably…’
At that moment, the royal physician entered.
Breathing heavily as if he’d rushed, sweat dripping from his forehead, he prostrated before Asel.
“I-I apologize, Your Highness! Princess Marien suddenly complained of pain, and I—”
Though he could tell the physician had come running, Asel didn’t like how he mentioned Marien first.
“This is a warning. If such a situation arises again, you will prioritize my fiancée over any foreign royal.”
This wasn’t just because Luigi had told him to look after Laura.
‘We’re engaged.’
He had promised to treat Laura as his proper fiancée.
‘Isn’t this only natural?’
“Y-yes, Your Highness.”
As the flustered physician bowed repeatedly—
Laura’s eyes, which usually reflected the world like emotionless stained glass, widened to focus on Asel.
For once, he hadn’t disappointed her.
His chest felt strangely ticklish at the sight, and Asel quickly averted his gaze.
“Receive treatment before you leave. Aunt would want that too.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
* * *
After the tea tasting, Luigi spent a leisurely afternoon in her palace.
She wanted to give Asel and Laura some alone time, and she also wished to catch up with old acquaintances she hadn’t seen in a while.
Hours flew by as they chatted in small groups.
When she returned, feeling refreshed, she asked:
“Where is Lady Luweiz? Has she left already?”
But Asel was alone, back in his office working.
And annoyingly enough, he sat with perfect posture.
“So, did things progress? …What? You sent her back in under an hour?”
Learning the full story, Luigi gaped in shock.
“Even children playing house would stay together longer than you two!”
“I’m far too old to be playing house.”
Asel didn’t even look up as he replied.
His indifferent response made Luigi let out a long sigh.
“I’m saying this so you won’t regret it later.”
“I don’t understand what you mean, Aunt. Do you think I have feelings for Laura?”
Luigi narrowed her eyes at him.
“So you don’t?”
For a moment, Asel hesitated.
“…No.”
He understood that he must have loved Laura during the time he couldn’t remember.
But he couldn’t equate his past self with his present self.
No memories, no feelings—nothing came back to him. How could he say he was still the same person?
‘She’s just someone who shares my face and name from the past.’
Though… whenever he saw her, his chest felt unsettled, and sometimes even warm.
‘But there’s no way I love her.’
He firmly believed it couldn’t be love.
He still couldn’t erase the memories of Laura’s “crimes” from his mind.
Luigi scoffed.
“Your voice is already dripping with insincerity.”
“No matter what you say, Aunt, my answer will not change.”
“Is that so…”
Suddenly, Luigi stood up and shouted:
“Bring me a recorder, now! I need to record this so I can replay it later!”
When she found out Esha had a similar device, she demanded:
“Sell it to me.”
“Excuse me?”
“Name your price.”
Thus began another commotion as Luigi tried to buy it off her.
