Episode 8. A Slightly Different Past
I first met that man by chance, on a balcony.
I believed it was fate.
I had never felt attracted to any man before, yet my heart raced only for him. Surely, that too was destiny.
It seemed I was not the only one who thought so—he also showed interest in me from the very first meeting, as if he too had fallen in love at first sight.
What happened next moved quickly.
We slipped into an empty room in the duke’s mansion and embraced.
Only after spending the night together did we finally exchange names.
“…Forgive my late introduction. My name is Henderson Graham.”
Henderson Graham.
The head of the Graham dukedom, though shunned by society because of his illegitimate birth.
I also revealed my own identity.
“My name is Riley Weil Lopez. Or should I say, Princess Riley?”
After that, Henderson and I met often. Before long, I realized I was pregnant with Eddie.
When I confessed it to him, he proposed to me beside the most beautiful lake in the capital.
It was a summer night, the moonlight glittering on the water.
“Please give me the chance to spend my life with you.”
I loved him because I believed we had met by fate. Despite my family’s opposition, I pushed ahead with marriage.
I was sure my future with him would be happy.
But what became of me instead?
The miserable things that followed flashed through my mind.
“…Ha, haha…”
A sound slipped from my lips, half-laugh, half-bitter.
“It’s fine. I can start over.”
I steadied my heart, stroking my flat belly.
If I have Eddie with me, I can be happy.
So now that I’ve returned to the past, what should I do first?
The answer came quickly.
Punish Helena, who deceived me…
And find out if the prophecy about Father is true.
If the prophecy really was true, then I could never forgive my father.
* * *
Seven years ago, when I was twenty—what was I like then?
Around this time, I was busy rejecting every marriage proposal that came my way.
I didn’t want to marry someone I barely knew. I hated the greedy ambitions of those who wanted me only because I was a princess.
Yet, I didn’t dislike their attention. I always kept myself beautiful, so people would want me even more—looking like a flower growing from a cliff, impossible to pluck.
I longed for a fated love, for the thrill of love at first sight.
And if I ever met such a man, I was ready to give him my whole life.
The man who granted that wish was Henderson.
Maybe that’s why I clung to him so desperately, blind to the fact his feelings for me were fading…
My deep thoughts were interrupted by Matilda’s voice.
“Princess! You’re ready!”
I had called Matilda back at dawn, and she had spent the whole morning dressing me.
“How do I look?”
I stared at my reflection in the mirror.
I looked even more beautiful than I had at dawn.
“Beautiful. Thank you, Matilda.”
Relieved that I wasn’t acting strangely, Matilda looked at ease.
I wasn’t crazy.
The reason I dressed up was because I had to see Father.
At this time of year, he often summoned me to pressure me about marriage. Today was no different.
I rose to my feet.
“Father. It’s Riley.”
Father, inside his study, allowed me in.
“Enter.”
Hearing his voice again in this past timeline gave me chills. I took a deep breath and stepped inside.
There he was—
Strong even in his fifties, radiating authority. Golden hair shining like the sun, green eyes like mine, a tall figure that towered over me.
The ruler of a nation.
But also the man who wished for my child’s death—my father, Torres. Perhaps Helena’s powerful ally.
I forced an awkward smile.
“You called for me. May I ask why?”
“You already know the reason.”
As I thought—marriage.
“Yes. I want to speak of that tiresome subject again.”
Father smiled coldly, his green eyes filled with frost.
“I want you to marry someone of noble, legitimate birth. No illegitimate sons or nobles of unclear origins. Remember that well.”
I simply nodded.
I had no intention of obeying him, but I saw no reason to argue right now.
Surprised by my silence, Father gave me a curious look.
In the past, I would have always answered that I would decide on my own marriage.
“Good. You’ve chosen wisely. Remember, when you were young, the prophecy warned you not to be involved with such men.”
“…Prophecy?”
The word hit me like a heavy blow.
A chill spread through my body.
Did that mean the priest’s story was true?
Father coughed awkwardly, as though he had said something he shouldn’t.
“Forget it.”
“But—”
“More importantly, the second prince of the Remzi Empire will be visiting soon. I want you to consider a marriage alliance with him.”
So nothing had changed.
The second prince of Remzi, I recalled, was named Gran. He had once sent me a marriage proposal.
He was the partner my father had chosen for me.
But wait… in my past life, he had only sent a proposal. He never actually came to Lopez.
That was different.
Still, it didn’t matter. He wasn’t my destined one. Whether he came or not, nothing would change.
“Riley? Did you hear me?”
I answered absentmindedly.
“Yes…”
“That is all. You may leave.”
I left Father’s study, already knowing what I needed to do next.
The Lopez Empire was a free-religion state.
Temples to many gods existed, but the most powerful faith was the Sun God’s church.
Father was a devout believer, often receiving prophecies there and trusting them completely.
After our talk, I secretly summoned the Sun Church’s Archbishop, Albert, to my palace.
Convincing him was easy.
He was pious, yes, but just as greedy for wealth.
And I was a princess, overflowing with money.
“You know the Montagne gold mines, don’t you? If you answer my question, I’ll give them to you.”
Albert hesitated for a long while before finally speaking.
“…What is it you wish to ask, Princess?”
“I know you received a prophecy about the royal bloodline. Tell me what it was.”
I pretended to already know the truth, hoping to trick him into revealing it.
“…That—that is…”
He looked shocked.
That was enough to confirm the prophecy’s existence. Otherwise, why would he look so surprised?
“Don’t worry, I won’t tell Father. Just tell me, and the mine is yours. If you don’t… then from today on, you’ll have to deal with my pressure.”
