Chapter 5. A Family Tree Even a Dog Wouldn’t Bite
As soon as I woke up, I began rehabilitation training.
It was partly my decision, but it also felt like the entire Imperial Palace was focused on getting me back on my feet.
Most of my day was spent practicing how to walk and getting muscle massages.
And this started just one day after I woke up.
After two days of this, I met the emperor and empress again.
Ailish reminded me that this could be my last chance.
If I didn’t flip the table now, I might end up walking into the wedding hall with Daniel Siegfried.
And if that happened, I might never see Julia again.
I secretly asked the maids about what was happening at the Cloveus duchy.
I asked casually, pretending to be curious about society gossip, and brought up the Duchess of Cloveus—Elia’s situation.
“The duchess is in critical condition, Your Highness. They say she’s like a vegetable.”
The maid said it plainly, as if it wasn’t a big deal.
Well, at least she wasn’t dead. I guess that’s something?
Still, the chances of me returning to that body seemed very low.
I thought again about Ailish’s advice.
I was so lost in thought that I barely paid attention during the entire meal.
But what really bothered me was that the emperor and empress hadn’t said a single word to me.
Ailish just smiled at me, like this was all part of her plan.
Like she had just handed me a heavy burden.
The emperor frowned and asked again.
Before I died, I had made up my mind many times.
That I would never marry Ahntrus again.
If I got another life, I swore I’d live alone.
That’s why it felt so frustrating and shameful to say his name now.
“No… I want to marry Duke Ahntrus Cloveus.”
I went against my past decision.
I declared that I wanted to marry him.
“Duke Cloveus?”
“Yes.”
The emperor and empress exchanged strange looks.
They’re going to say no, right?
Of course they’ll object.
[I told you they’d agree, Elia.]
Before Ailish could even finish her thought—
“Alright. If that’s what you want.”
The empress agreed calmly.
Like she was just humoring a spoiled daughter.
“Tell us if you change your mind tomorrow.”
I stared in shock, and Ailish whispered,
[See?]
Wow. Is this normal…?
Now I understood what Ailish had meant before.
As dinner came to a close, the empress finally spoke.
“Ailish. I heard your body has recovered well. I’m glad you’re working hard at rehab.”
Of course, everyone in my palace must be reporting everything to her.
“Thanks to your concern, I’m doing well.”
“Good. That’s a relief.”
The empress gave me a faint smile.
The emperor didn’t say much, but he was listening to everything.
It felt like now was the time.
“Mother.”
I tried calling her that—awkwardly.
“Yes?”
I looked straight into her eyes.
Before, I thought her gaze was kind, but now it seemed unreadable.
There was something hidden behind those eyes.
Ailish was still smiling brightly across from me.
She leaned in slightly, whispering without speaking.
[Now, Elia. Say it now!]
She looked oddly thrilled.
Keeping my eyes on Ailish, I slowly opened my lips.
“I would like to get married.”
A sudden silence fell over the room.
The empress looked shocked.
Of course—who would be happy about their daughter wanting to get married right after waking up?
“Married…? To whom?”
It was the emperor who asked.
“To whom? Daniel Siegfried?”
* * *
The news that the princess had woken up hadn’t been shared with the public yet.
The emperor had made sure the servants kept it a secret.
Since she was young, Ailish had been spoiled and reckless.
Unlike other royal children who were mature from an early age.
In short, Ailish was a troublemaker in the royal family.
That’s why the emperor and empress had hidden her from the world.
People believed they kept her sheltered because they loved her too much.
That was only partly true.
The empress glanced at the emperor and sighed.
And now, she had dropped a bomb right after waking up.
The emperor’s annoyed face made my heart sink.
His happiness about Ailish waking up didn’t even last a full day.
He had too many responsibilities to sit around feeling emotional.
The empress handed the emperor a glass of wine.
“Ailish waking up… It’s a good thing, right?”
To be honest, even she didn’t sound sure.
“…Duke Cloveus, huh.”
The emperor rubbed his forehead and took a sip of wine.
“Maybe it’s the better choice. She was unconscious for five years. Siegfried might not even accept her now. Who would marry someone with issues?”
“She’s still a princess. No matter how great Siegfried is, they must obey if Your Majesty commands it.”
The empress smiled sweetly, trying to calm him down.
She gently placed her hand on his shoulder.
Her touch seemed to ease his tension slightly.
“It’s not that simple… Siegfried just promised to help us take over the Western Cotton Kingdom. The Duke of Siegfried is looking for a way out of the engagement.”
“Then… our Ailish…”
“If we keep a grown daughter unmarried, people will laugh at us. It’ll be a disgrace to the royal family. We must arrange a marriage after her rehab.”
They could no longer hide her reckless behavior behind the image of a sweet youngest daughter.
The emperor pressed his aching forehead.
They also had to get her out of the palace.
She was a ticking time bomb.
If something like five years ago happened again, not even the royal family could cover it up.
Thankfully, the maids reported that Ailish seemed to have no memory of what happened five years ago.
That was a relief.
If she did remember… the emperor might’ve had to kill his own daughter.
The doctor said her memory loss was likely caused by trauma.
Besides, both Siegfried and Cloveus were good choices as her husband.
Daniel had been chosen mainly because he was close to Ailish’s age.
Both families were strong enough to handle Ailish’s wild personality.
The emperor paused in thought.
“Ahntrus Cloveus…”
Maybe the carriage accident that happened to the duchess was a sign for Ailish to take her place.
Maybe Ailish could become the next Duchess of Cloveus.
Though it was a sad end for the loyal Marquis of Nerd Brown.
Convincing someone like Ahntrus would be the hardest part.
But unless he wanted to live forever with a dead wife, he might accept the royal offer.
If not, giving him part of Ailish’s inheritance might work.
“If Cloveus is what Ailish wants… and Siegfried is no longer an option… then yes, Cloveus will do.”
“But he already has a child! The duchess is still alive, barely…”
“That’s exactly why it works. Even if Ailish can’t have children because of her injury, it won’t matter.”
“…Now that you mention it, that makes sense. It’s already been five years since she got hurt.”
“Shh! Walls have ears.”
The empress quickly covered her mouth.
People believed Ailish had been sick for years.
She sighed deeply.
“Really… how did the royal family come to this… I guess we should be thankful for Duke Cloveus.”
“I’ll have someone speak to him in secret soon. For now, he needs time to grieve his wife.”
“Yes, let’s do that. At least Ailish isn’t throwing a fit to marry Daniel.”
The emperor clicked his tongue.
“Tsk. Who knows what whim she’ll have tomorrow. Keep a close eye on her. Don’t let her leave the palace.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“And don’t let her visit the crown prince. If something happens, we won’t be able to stop the scandal.”
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
Their conversation ended there.
Ailish was truly the royal family’s headache.
So different from her image as the beloved princess.
* * *
Almost every day, visitors came to Cloveus to check on Elia.
Most were there to get close to the powerful Duke of Cloveus.
Some even hoped to take the duchess’s place.
“Duchess, this is a small gift to comfort you in your sorrow.”
The Countess of Defril smiled as she placed a jewelry box on the table.
She opened it proudly to reveal a necklace made of top-grade rubies.
“…What is this?”
The Duchess asked coldly.
She could see right through their intentions.
She stared at them with a frozen expression, like she was wearing a mask.
“A ruby necklace…”
“I can see that. But what’s your reason for bringing such an expensive gift?”
The countess smiled awkwardly, trying to hide her embarrassment.
“Ahem. My daughter… she’s always admired the Duke of Cloveus.”
She nudged her daughter forward.
“This is Lily, Duchess.”
“She insisted on coming with me when I said I was visiting. She said she wanted to comfort you.”
“Hah.”
The Duchess rubbed her forehead.
It had only been a week since Elia’s accident.
Yet people were already rushing in with hidden agendas.
How shameless.
Not realizing how upset the Duchess was, Lily started talking.
“I know the Duke must be heartbroken. Even if it was a political marriage, they were still husband and wife. I just wanted to offer some comfort—”
Bang.
The Duchess gently but firmly slapped the table.
“Leave. The doctors and temple haven’t declared Elia dead. This is disrespectful to her.”
Those who had come to Cloveus with greedy intentions were kicked out.
How long is the proper mourning period for a spouse?
Outside the drawing room, Luisha lowered her head after eavesdropping.
‘This is my chance. Like I’d let some other woman take it.’
She pouted her lips.
She had fought hard for this opportunity—there was no way she’d let it slip away.
