Chapter 3
In my past life, I had been so scared of the Grand Duke that I had hidden behind my mother.
He didn’t hide his anger. He was terrifying.
But this time…
“Um…”
A tiny voice cut through the silence between the two men.
The Grand Duke’s sharp eyes, filled with cold energy, turned to me.
Just like Ian would be one day, the Grand Duke was very tall and strong. His presence was overwhelming.
Most kids would’ve cried just looking at his scary face.
Behind him, the young Ian also looked at me. He still had chubby cheeks because he was young.
But you could already see the sharp features of the Bessford family in him.
At first glance, he looked cold—but I knew how kind he really was.
If this really was my chance to save Ian… I had to start here.
“I’m Amelia DaleRose. Thank you for coming to my birthday party, Your Grace.”
I lifted my dress and gave a proper curtsy.
Even the way I bent my knees was exactly right, like a noble.
“Oh my! She looks just like a little angel.”
“Look at her tiny hands! Even her pose is perfect!”
The nobles watching quietly began to whisper with amazement.
“Hmph!”
The Grand Duke let out a short laugh as if mocking me.
But I could tell what he really felt.
I had spent years living between Ian and the Grand Duke, always watching them closely. I could tell everything just from one laugh.
Right now, the Grand Duke was very pleased.
He cared a lot about proper manners and elegance. So this was the perfect impression.
“I’m glad I came in person, Baron DaleRose.”
Sorry for stepping in without asking, Dad… But I had no choice.
I stood up and glanced at Ian.
Seeing twelve-year-old Ian looking at me gave me courage.
The first thing I had to do to protect him—
Was get into this messed-up Bessford family as soon as possible.
“I’m really happy to see you, too, Your Grace!”
This time, I’ll win over my terrible future father-in-law and protect you!
“Since you’ve come all this way, let me show you to a private area, Your Grace,” my father said quickly.
The party’s atmosphere changed after the Grand Duke arrived.
My dad took him to another area. My mom asked the musicians to play something cheerful to distract the guests.
Soon, nobles were dancing again, but whispers didn’t stop.
“I can’t believe the Grand Duke came to a Baron’s party. Lady Amelia is having quite a birthday.”
“And the youngest son came too? The one everyone says the Duke and Duchess adore?”
“Did the Baron and Grand Duke know each other before?”
“Haha… I don’t know much about my husband’s business.”
While my parents were busy with their own things…
This was my chance to change the future.
I quietly ran out to the garden behind the mansion.
“Ha! It’s hard to run with a small body again.”
In my past life, I had run to this garden after overhearing a scary conversation.
They had said I awakened the water power and must marry the Grand Duke’s heir.
That conversation had frightened me so much I ran away and accidentally fell into the lake.
But now I knew the future. I had to run toward my goal.
Toward the boy at the end of this path—Ian.
Not to the older brother, Joseph, who terrified me, but to Ian—so I could marry him sooner this time.
“Time to drop these.”
While running, I secretly dropped shiny jewels from a pouch I’d hidden in my dress.
The most important part: people needed to find us at just the right moment.
“I wasn’t sure what to use, but ten-year-old me sure saved a lot of gems. Good job, younger me.”
I even tossed the empty pouch aside and grabbed my skirt tightly.
Only one thing was left now.
Through the trees, I saw a clear lake.
And in front of it stood a boy—Ian.
I knew that back well.
I took a deep breath and started running again.
“Ahhhh!”
In the past, I had panicked and fallen into the lake.
Ian, skilled with a sword even at that age, could’ve dodged easily…
But he was worried about me getting hurt and jumped in to catch me.
This time, I would change everything.
“Hey, slow down!” he shouted, just like before.
But I stopped right in front of him—then pushed him into the lake!
Splash!
Then I jumped in right after.
“W-What just happened?!”
In that moment, a small flame appeared in Ian’s hand.
It was brief, but beautiful.
The red flame reminded me of his eyes—bright and warm like a sunset.
“Ow, hot!”
I brought my hand close to the flame on purpose and widened my eyes.
Ian looked shocked.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“That fire… it came from your hand, right?”
Ian stared at me, clearly panicking.
No one else was supposed to know.
While my marriage talks with Ian had started, Joseph still hadn’t awakened any powers.
Because—for the first time ever—the Bessford family’s power had chosen the younger brother, Ian.
But Ian had hidden it for a long time.
He loved and respected his older brother too much.
He believed the power had come to him by mistake.
Meanwhile, the Duke started pushing Joseph through cruel training, hoping he would awaken something in a dangerous situation.
Joseph accepted the pain willingly—to be the heir.
Ian blamed himself, thinking he had stolen his brother’s future.
That’s why I couldn’t wait anymore!
“Show me the fire again!”
“What are you talking about?”
“I saw it! It went fwoosh!”
I made a flame sound with my tongue.
Ian looked at me like I was crazy and stood up.
Then, he took off his coat and handed it to me.
“Come on, get up. You’re shivering.”
He wrapped it around me himself.
He frowned like it was annoying, but his actions were warm and kind.
…Even if he grumbled more than in the past.
“Show me the fire one more time!”
“Now you’re just being rude.”
“Come on!”
“You imagined it.”
“Then I’ll tell everyone!”
Ian stopped cold and stared at me wide-eyed.
To him, this power had to stay secret—especially from adults.
“If you tell people, who’d believe you?”
He looked at me like I was ridiculous.
I stayed quiet for a second.
He probably thought I’d give up.
But Ian…
You’re about to meet a version of me you’ve never seen before.
“I know everything.”
“…What?”
“The Bessford power activates to protect its master in danger, right? Why do you think I pushed you?”
Ian’s eyes filled with shock.
“I have the right to know who my future husband is, don’t I?”
