⟡Chapter 4⟡
Important Notes Before the Contract
“Ugh… my head.”
Anneliese pressed her temple with her hand.
It felt like the chronic high blood pressure she had suffered from during her time as Crown Princess was returning.
Meanwhile, Crown Prince Robert showed no sign of tiring and kept rolling around.
Eventually, he somehow stopped right at Anneliese’s feet.
He looked like a complete mess with flower petals stuck all over him—didn’t he feel even a bit embarrassed?
The Crown Prince held out a rose he had been holding in his mouth toward Anneliese.
“Today, you are as beautiful as a single rose. Did you know? Whenever your touch graces them, flowers bloom more vividly than ever—ow!”
Without hesitation, Anneliese kicked her leg forward.
Thud. The Crown Prince screamed as his shin was crushed under her shoe.
“Oh my, Your Highness. Are you alright? I must have lost my footing.”
Then why were you standing in front of me?
Anneliese stepped back calmly.
The Crown Prince sprang to his feet.
“Don’t worry, Anneliese, I’m perfectly fine! More importantly, I knew you’d be here. I couldn’t greet you properly earlier in the chaos, and it kept bothering me. You came to see me, didn’t you, Anneliese?”
“Well… yes.”
It was the first time she had seen his face since returning to the past.
With a blank expression, Anneliese accepted the rose he offered.
If she didn’t, it felt like he would follow her around all day.
He smiled with an oily expression.
What are you smiling about?
“Your Highness,”
Anneliese replied flatly.
“Shouldn’t you be with the Princess? I heard she fainted.”
In other words: Your sister collapsed, so what are you doing here?
“Ah, it’s fine. She regained consciousness quickly, so there’s no need to worry. Right now, the time I spend with you is more precious than anything else.”
“…I see.”
Your only sister collapsed, and that’s what you say?
Princess Roselia, your brother is this kind of trash. Though you probably already know.
The main reason Anneliese had grown to despise love—
Crown Prince Robert Hildegart remained as blindly obsessive and burdensome as ever.
Now, even seeing a man with red hair and blue eyes reminded her of him and soured her mood.
Just thinking about everything I went through because of this man…
Even now, she was barely holding back the urge to kick his shin again.
That was why she had avoided him like the plague after returning.
I didn’t come back to the past just to lose control and get arrested for assaulting royalty.
But today felt a little better than expected. Was it because she had met the Grand Duke?
Just then, the Crown Prince spoke again.
“By the way, Anneliese. Don’t you have something to say to me?”
“…Pardon?”
“You’re pretending not to know because you’re shy. Your answer to my proposal. That’s why you came to the imperial palace, right?”
Never mind—take back what I said about today being okay.
Anneliese felt the corners of her fake smile trembling.
How should I get out of this? she wondered—then changed her mind.
Actually, this works out. I’ll make it clear right here.
If she waited until things were settled with the Grand Duke, who knew what this man might do?
Even if, by some chance, the Grand Duke rejects me, I will never marry you.
Anneliese rolled her eyes slightly.
“Do you really want an answer?”
“Yes!”
The Crown Prince nodded eagerly, eyes shining.
“Your Highness.”
Anneliese stood still and met his gaze.
His eyes were the same as before her regression—
Eyes filled with self-absorbed emotion, demanding reciprocation.
Whenever I looked into those eyes, it felt like I was being dragged into a swamp with no exit.
But that feeling was over now.
Who says there’s no exit? There it is.
Thinking of the Grand Duke, Anneliese smiled faintly.
“I refuse.”
“…What?”
“That is my answer. I refuse Your Highness’s proposal.”
“Are you serious? But—”
“I’ve made this decision after careful consideration. I would appreciate it if you respected it. If you truly care for me even a little.”
Rejecting a Crown Prince was no simple matter.
She had to add polite embellishments, making her words longer than necessary.
“I am not suited to be Empress. I lack knowledge, and compared to other ladies, I fall short in elegance—”
After throwing in a few formal excuses,
“I sincerely apologize, Your Highness. I hope you find someone better suited than me.”
She even wished him luck. That should be enough.
“A-Anneliese, but this is too sudden! Please think it over again. We can overcome any hardship together!”
“I don’t think we can overcome it, Your Highness.”
Because the greatest hardship in this marriage is you.
The Crown Prince’s eyes filled with tears.
He was so overwhelmed with sorrow that he couldn’t think straight.
Yes, go ahead and cry. Cry and forget about me.
“Don’t go, Anneliese…”
“Farewell, Your Highness.”
Unable to bear the sight of him sobbing, she quickly left the corridor.
How could she feel so light?
It felt as refreshing as throwing away old trash.
Of course, I doubt he’ll give up so easily after just one rejection.
He would surely approach her again—at the birthday banquet or somewhere else.
Still, she had a chance. As long as the Grand Duke cooperated.
After enjoying her brief but precious sense of freedom, she headed to her original destination—the estate.
By the time she arrived, it was late afternoon.
Sitting at her desk, Anneliese began writing a letter to Count Solarichen.
Mother, how have you been?
This may come as a surprise, but I have refused the Crown Prince’s proposal.
Instead, I intend to propose to the Grand Duke of Aferhis.
Before you get angry, please hear me out.
What’s done is done, isn’t it? Rather than scolding me, I believe it would be more efficient to think of how to handle the situation.
So, I have a favor to ask…
It was the kind of letter that would shock the Count, who was recuperating in the territory due to an injury.
After delivering the shocking news, she made two requests:
First, since the Crown Prince might hold a grudge and retaliate, she asked her mother not to come to the capital for the time being.
Second, she asked her to find the “old box” in Anneliese’s room and send it.
After a moment’s thought, she added one more line at the end.
Please have Anna Rose bring it.
The holy relic of Aldeon, said to belong to the first saint—
Only Anneliese knew that it was hidden in the Solarichen territory.
Who would have imagined that a small, dusty box left lying in storage was actually a legendary relic?
That aside, why did the Grand Duke want it?
“Is it because of the legend that it brings spring? The north is always cold, after all.”
Of course, it was just a legend.
“Though, considering it didn’t burn in fire, it’s definitely no ordinary object.”
No matter how much she speculated, only the Grand Duke knew the real reason.
After sealing the letter, she sent a messenger.
The reply came quickly.
Anneliese, I received your letter.
It is truly shocking.
Though not surprising. I always expected you would cause such a major incident one day.
Next time, please warn me in advance. I’ll flee overseas before things explode.
She skipped past the scolding part.
The important part was at the end.
As you requested, I’m sending Anna Rose. But what on earth do you need that old box for? I’ll send it since you asked.
Satisfied, Anneliese folded the letter.
While waiting for Anna Rose over the next few days, she didn’t step outside the estate even once.
If I go out, it’ll only be a loss for me. The rumor that I rejected the Crown Prince has probably already spread through high society five times over.
She ignored the flood of invitations and instead spent her time in the garden—
Growing flowers to send as a gift for the Emperor’s birthday.
As she watered the plants and whispered something, the flowers trembled slightly.
The buds she touched bloomed especially vividly.
In the peaceful afternoon spent with flowers, the sound of a bell announcing a visitor rang out.
Anneliese set down her trowel.
The head maid hurried over, her cheeks flushed as if she had seen something exciting.
“Miss Anneliese, you have a visitor.”
“Anna Rose? She said she’d be arriving soon.”
“No, not the second young lady. It’s someone else.”
“Who?”
“A handsome blond knight. He says he must meet you. Hehe.”
A knight?
She didn’t recall scheduling any visitors today. The Crown Prince would be busy preparing for the banquet, so he wouldn’t have time for nonsense.
Then could it be—
Someone sent by the Grand Duke of Aferhis?
She had been waiting for that, after all.
Anneliese stood up.
“Wait here. I’ll go see.”
She went downstairs and opened the front gate.
The moment she saw the visitor’s face—
Anneliese froze in shock.
