Chapter 9
Jozefina couldn’t answer. She lowered her head, her grip tightening around her necklace as teardrops began to blossom across the fabric of her dress.
“Pipi, I’m sorry. That was a slip of the tongue.”
Edwin apologized, his face turning pale, but she only let out a heavy sigh.
“I’m just worried about Reina. You know what happens to noble ladies whose engagements are broken.”
Edwin felt a weight tighten in his chest at her words.
Most women who faced a broken engagement never found a new match; they were often destined to live out their lives in solitude. If that woman had been jilted by the Crown Prince himself, any man of a status lower than his would be even more hesitant to take her in—especially after an engagement that had lasted fifteen years.
“Do I really have to care about that? All I need is you, Pipi. I don’t even understand why Reina has to be stuck between us.”
That affirmation gave Jozefina a strange sense of relief. Just as Edwin had tested her by telling her to become the Empress, she had merely been confirming his heart.
However, she maintained her act, sobbing as if she were a sister who truly cherished Reina.
“But… Ed, you know! As long as Reina is your fiancée…!”
“Enough. You there! Turn the boat around at once!”
“Ed… please, listen to me!”
Edwin stood up abruptly, looking as if he couldn’t bear to stay with Jozefina a moment longer.
In that instant, a powerful gust of wind swept across the water. The sudden gale whipped up violent waves, causing the small rowboat to lurch dangerously.
“Ed!”
At that same moment, Edwin lost his balance. Unable to steady himself, he slipped and plunged straight into the lake.
“Uph—!”
Jozefina, who had reached out to grab him, lost her footing as well and was pitched headlong into the water.
The water wasn’t deep, and since the boatman had already summoned the servants and knights during the initial commotion, the two were rescued quickly.
However, the moment they stepped back onto the shore…
Rumble! Crash! Splash!
The rain began to pour.
“Oh my goodness, Edwin! What happened? You’re soaking wet… and Sister, what on earth were you two doing?”
I had returned to the Marquis of Elvine’s estate early specifically to ensure Jozefina didn’t pull any unnecessary stunts. Yet, for some reason, I ran into Edwin and Jozefina right at the entrance.
I pretended to be worried about Edwin and reached for a handkerchief, but I had already used it to wipe Killian Delmas’s blood. In fact, I’m pretty sure I left it behind in the basement.
Left with no choice, I pulled off my glove and wiped Edwin’s cheek myself.
While appearing concerned for Edwin, I stole a glance at my sister, who was already surrounded by a flurry of frantic maids.
If the situation I remembered had played out, they should have been stranded at the lake until nightfall. Instead, they had returned to the estate at roughly the same time as I did.
What could have happened between them while I wasn’t looking?
As I paused for a moment, staring blankly at Edwin, he picked a fight with me again, as if something displeased him.
“What? Does it look funny to you that I fell in the water?”
Yes.
“Whatever do you mean? How could I possibly think that? I’m just so worried you’ll catch a cold. If only I could be the one who was sick instead…”
Though, honestly, I’d be very grateful if you caught a cold and stayed in bed for a week.
I suppressed the truth rising in my throat and forced myself to wipe away non-existent tears.
“Ha. And whose fault do you think it is that I’m like this…?”
He snorted as if my response was ridiculous. Glaring at me as if I had bullied the two of them out of jealousy, he wrapped an arm around Jozefina’s shoulders and headed upstairs.
Edwin’s brazen audacity was staggering, but I had no intention of backing down quietly. More importantly, I had to keep a close eye on this shift in the timeline.
I hurried over to Jozefina.
“Are you alright, Sister? Heavens, you’re completely drenched too…! How did this happen?”
“Ah, yes… I’m sorry, Reina, but I’m just so cold right now…”
“I’m so sorry! I was so thoughtless to hold you back. Please, go and wash up quickly.”
“Okay.”
I watched Jozefina anxiously as she hurried past me, turning away only once the two of them disappeared, flanked by their servants.
In the original story, Edwin and Jozefina didn’t return immediately after falling into the water. The boatman hadn’t noticed they fell in, and they drifted to the far side of the lake. Because of that, they weren’t found by the knights or servants and had to wait for rescue.
A terrified Jozefina had fled at the sound of a wild beast, tripping over a root and twisting her ankle in the process. Edwin had no choice but to carry her on his back into a cave in the middle of the woods, where they spent the night huddled together.
I remember that being the night of their first kiss.
But now, so much was different. Both had been rescued safely, and unlike the original, it was still early evening rather than dark. Furthermore, Jozefina’s leg was perfectly fine.
“Hmm.”
Besides, the way they looked just now—they didn’t look like lovers. They looked more like two wounded soldiers propping each other up.
In my previous life, that scene had been so much more poignant and heated.
Since returning from the past, the only thing that had changed was that my sister hadn’t drunk the poison. And yet, the ripples were this significant.
“How hopeful.”
“And what exactly is so hopeful, My Lady?”
I had been muttering to myself when someone spoke from behind. Turning quickly, I saw Leonhardt standing there. I hadn’t even noticed his arrival.
“Greetings, Your Highness. To what do I owe the honor?”
“I was simply on my way back after finishing my schedule for the day. I happened to hear you say something and, though it’s rude of me, I couldn’t help but ask out of curiosity.”
“Ah, it was nothing important. Certainly nothing worthy of Your Highness’s interest.”
I smiled at Leonhardt, but I had no intention of making small talk. I maintained my smile and turned to head back to my bedroom as quickly as possible.
However, I didn’t even get to take a single step before Leonhardt stopped me.
“My Lady.”
“Yes? Is there something else?”
“Could you spare me a moment of your time?”
“My apologies, Your Highness. I have been out for a long time today and am quite exhausted. If you would permit it, I would like to return to my room and rest immediately.”
I rejected him flatly, wanting no part of him.
After all, Leonhardt was the second male lead of the original story. In my past life, he was someone who had constantly annoyed and hurt me for Jozefina’s sake.
“I understand. Then, please allow me to escort you to your room.”
“I am beyond honored, Your Highness.”
Leonhardt offered his arm, but I ignored it, reaching down to bunch up the fabric of my dress instead.
“My dress is quite heavy, so I must ask for your forgiveness for being unable to accept your escort.”
“I see. If you find yourself in need of my support, please do not hesitate to say so.”
I didn’t want his escort, but I wasn’t lying. My dress was soaked with rain and felt like lead. Furthermore, my room was on the third floor.
If I took the arm of a trained knight, I—someone who could barely manage a full ball—would surely be dragged along like a ragdoll. It was better to climb the stairs alone, however slowly.
Leonhardt remained silent until we reached my door. For someone who had asked for a “moment of my time,” he was acting quite suspicious.
But I was too exhausted to care; I just wanted to shake him off.
“I am grateful for the escort, Your Highness.”
“I didn’t do it for thanks. Besides, we are soon to be family. From now on, please call me Leon, My Lady.”
“Since Your Highness—no, since Leon says so, how could I refuse? Please, call me Reina as well.”
“Very well, Reina.”
Today of all days, Leonhardt’s behavior was incomprehensible. I didn’t know why he was suddenly asking for nicknames, but I played along just to get rid of him faster.
“You there, my skirts are soaked and heavy. I need you to open the door.”
“Yes! Right away, My Lady!”
I bowed to Leonhardt and gestured to a maid who was mopping the floor.
Jozefina and Edwin must have dripped an incredible amount of water on their way back, because the hallway was treacherous. The floors of the Elvine estate were marble, and small puddles had formed in several places.
“Well then, until next ti—Kyaak!“
I was turning back to Leonhardt after a final bow when my foot slipped on the wet marble.
There was a loud thud, but my backside didn’t hurt. I cautiously opened my eyes to find someone pinned beneath me. It was Leonhardt.
“Are you alright, Reina?”
“Ah, ugh… it hurts.”
It seemed Leonhardt had caught me to stop me from falling, but in the process, our legs had tangled and I had twisted my ankle. I winced at the throbbing pain.
“Are you okay?”
“No.”
“Heavens! Your Highness! My Lady!”
The pain in my ankle was so sharp I couldn’t stand. The maid who had opened the door rushed over to help, but it wasn’t easy.
“Reina.”
As I sat fully on top of Leonhardt, struggling to find my footing, he stared up at me with a look of utter bewilderment. My ankle was so badly sprained that I couldn’t put any weight on it.
“Agh…”
“Stay still for a moment. Don’t try to stand. Just let the servant help you slide to the side.”
Leonhardt grabbed my wrist to stop my struggling. Confused, I nodded and moved to the side, allowing him to stand up.
And then…
“Kyaak!”
“I should take you inside. You, go fetch a doctor immediately.”
Leonhardt commanded the servant.
“Yes, sir!”
Leonhardt swept me up into his arms and carried me into the bedroom. I cried out in shock at the sudden movement, but he didn’t seem fazed at all.
“L-let me down!”
It was the first time anyone had ever carried me like this, and it felt strange. Moving without my feet touching the ground was unfamiliar and frightening, causing my body to stiffen.
“Reina? Leonhardt, what is the meaning of this?”
“Ah, brother.”
I should have known the hallway was wet for a reason. The source of the water was sitting right there in my room, looking askance at me and Leonhardt.
“Edwin! I thought you went in with my sister! To think you would come to my room personally! Were you perhaps worried that I was upset with you…?”
“Ha, I don’t think this is the time for that, is it?”
“Pardon? What do you… Ah, Leon! Wait, d-don’t move!”
Right in the middle of my insincere fluttering toward Edwin, Leonhardt suddenly adjusted his grip. Fearing I would lose my balance, I had no choice but to cling to him. This seemed to irritate Edwin even further.
“Then you must stay like this. It may be uncomfortable, but please bear with it for a moment. I will set you on the bed shortly.”
“What exactly are you doing, Leon?”
“Reina has hurt her leg.”
As Leonhardt reached the bed and personally laid me down, Edwin glared at him fiercely.
It was incredibly unpleasant to have two uninvited men in my bedroom. I dropped the act, scowling and waving them away.
“My leg hurts and I’m tired. Would both of you please leave?”
“I came here because I have something to say. If you won’t listen, I’m not leaving.”
“I also have something to say, Reina.”
I couldn’t fathom why these two brothers were being so bothersome today. I rubbed my temples, wondering what they were plotting.
Ah, did they find out I messed with the ‘Goddess’s Sigh’? That would be a problem.
“I’m tired and my leg is injured. Another time.”
“Then listen while you’re lying there. Leonhardt, why don’t you leave? Didn’t Reina tell you to get out?”
“I don’t mind speaking after you, Brother.”
Edwin looked increasingly frustrated by my repeated refusals. He was looking at Leonhardt like an unwanted intruder. It was hard to believe these were the brothers who were supposed to be inseparable.
Well, I suppose even the strongest brotherly love is no match for a “great love.”
Originally, their bond was ruined because of Jozefina. In my previous life, once Edwin broke his engagement with me, he became anxious that his older brother would take Jozefina as his new fiancée. He confessed his feelings to her in a rush, which drove them apart—especially after Edwin caught his brother confessing to her as well.
But for some reason, they already seemed distant now. And I haven’t even broken my engagement with Edwin yet.
“I am here to reprimand my fiancée’s behavior. This is not your concern. If it can wait, why not speak tomorrow?”
“If that is the case, then I definitely cannot leave! Is this not because I carried the Lady inside?”
When Leonhardt refused to back down, Edwin frowned and let out a sigh. Then, as if he had no choice, he began to berate me.
“As the future Crown Princess, have you lost your mind, being carried in by another man?”
That man is your brother. And you were just frolicking with Jozefina, so who are you to talk about audacity?
Normally, I would have wept and pleaded my innocence to Edwin. But I was far too exhausted to cater to their whims. I had decided not to flatter him anymore, even if I had to keep the act up, but…
“Why is that something to be scolded for? I couldn’t even stand because my ankle was so badly hurt, so Prince Leonhardt moved me to my room.”
“Is that your excuse? If you cared for me at all, you would have refused and called a servant to help you up. What if a scandal starts? Are you trying to embarrass me, the Crown Prince?”
“Ah, I see. I was careless in that regard.”
I knew I had to endure it, but I felt a sudden surge of resentment.
“From now on, I’ll make sure to meet Prince Leonhardt—no, Leon—quietly at the lake to be held. So that no one else sees us, of course.”
“What? Reina, what did you just—!”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Leon. I shouldn’t have said that without asking your opinion. It must be awkward for you.”
For a moment, I threw away the mask of the loving fiancée and spoke with pure sarcasm. I added the apology to Leonhardt as if I had only just remembered he was there, looking shocked. Leonhardt looked back and forth between Edwin and me before letting out a laugh.
“Pfft…”
“Leon, what’s so funny? Is this situation a joke to you?”
“Ah, no. It’s just that Reina’s response was quite entertaining.”
“You think this is funny? That the woman engaged to me dares to say she’ll meet another man outside? And that man is you, my own brother, at a lake…!”
Edwin, who had been shouting and pointing at Leonhardt, suddenly went silent as he realized my response was a direct jab at his own behavior.
“…I see you’re unhappy that I went to the lake alone with Pipi.”
Actually, I’m more unhappy that you’ve turned my carpet into a swamp.
I had mocked the inappropriate relationship between Edwin and Jozefina out of sheer exasperation. For a second, I thought I had struck a nerve, but he just interpreted it however it suited him.
While I was disgusted by him once again, it was a relief. If he picked a real fight now, my revenge might not go according to plan. My mind began to cool and sharpen.
“How petty. I actually came here to talk about Pipi anyway. Don’t you dare think about throwing a tantrum after you hear what I have to say.”
“And what would that be?”
When I asked with a dry tone, he jumped straight to his point without a hint of hesitation.
“You go to the Marquis of Elvine first and make a request. Tell him you want to step down from the position of the Crown Prince’s fiancée. Tell him that Jozefina is a better fit for the role. And add that if the Marquis tries to stop you, you’ll just enter the palace as a concubine instead.”
He was spewing nonsense that wasn’t even worth listening to.
