NTWBR 18

Chapter 18

“He says he’ll keep proposing!”

“……”

“Isn’t that so romantic? I truly think His Highness Franz is so romantic.”

Velis, a newly appointed maid, stopped in the middle of fixing Irene’s hair and became absorbed in her own feelings.

Completely lost in her own emotions, Velis was as excited as if she herself had received a proposal.

“Velis.”

*’You insane girl. What kind of trick is this?!’*

Irritation rose to the tip of her head.

Not noticing Irene’s change in mood, Velis just kept chattering away, lost in her own excitement.

“He says he’ll keep proposing until you accept! How romantic and forceful is that! Your Highness! I’m so envious!”

“…Velis.”

“Those black locks, those sapphire-like eyes that match them so perfectly, that sculpted face! Refined wit and manners, and even passion for you! Isn’t he a wonderfully attractive husband?”

Having heard the maids’ praise of Franz constantly for the past few months, Irene felt like covering her ears.

Not realizing Irene’s true feelings, Velis just kept chattering eagerly.

“……”

“I hear this whenever I leave the palace for social gatherings, Your Highness.”

“I see.”

“Besides, His Highness Franz visits you every single night! People are saying, since you two are so close, why won’t you accept his proposal!”

It was beginning to grow tiresome. No, her ears were actually starting to ache.

She knew that her maids occasionally left the palace to attend social gatherings.

Since she wasn’t one to actively host social events herself, she tacitly allowed it.

And upon returning from such gatherings, the maids would chatter and eagerly relay stories to Irene during tea time or while doing her makeup.

Irene, too, would listen to their stories during those times.

Because she thought there might be useful information among them.

However, for the past two months, the stories she heard were mostly about Franz proposing to her.

And along with that, rumors of their good relationship spread widely.

Franz had stayed in Istana for over two months, frequently visiting Irene to propose or ask for help.

And on days he didn’t visit Irene, he attended every social gathering held in the capital, spreading rumors.

The rumors Franz had created over the past two months were as follows:

*’Franz Mestia proposes to Irene every day, and this is still ongoing. And Irene will accept it. Our relationship is very good.’*

*’I… would accept a proposal from someone like you? As if.’*

Whenever Irene heard these rumors, she trembled with rage, careful not to show it to her maids.

He was the one who had made her miscarry the child she carried in her own womb.

Accept his proposal? Unthinkable.

“Velis.”

“Yes? Yes!”

“Could you stop now and leave?”

Velis’s overly excited voice and reactions were grating on her ears.

But it wasn’t just Velis.

Serina, who had worked as Irene’s maid for quite some time, was the same.

She couldn’t understand what exactly made them judge Franz as the most suitable husband for Irene. Perhaps it was just his handsome looks, smooth talk, and background.

To someone who didn’t know Franz well, he might seem like the ideal groom.

But for Irene, Crown Prince Franz was the worst possible groom—no, the worst possible human being.

“By the way, Velis?”

“Yes? Yes, Your Highness!”

“Is the tea party preparation going well for today?”

“Of course! Certainly!”

“This is my first tea party since my social debut, so I’m counting on you.”

Today was the first tea party Irene would host herself since her debut into society.

As usual, Irene headed to her study wearing a modest dress.

She needed to check the list of attendees for today’s tea party.

“Let’s see……”

The attendee list for the tea party was both modest and splendid.

High-ranking imperial officials and noble sons and daughters around Irene’s age.

And the individuals who qualified as their chaperones.

Among them was Franz Mestia.

“I can’t not see him… and I can’t not invite him.”

Even though she didn’t want to see him, she had to, so she had sent an invitation, but it left a bitter taste.

At least the tea party was quite large for such an event, so she hoped Crown Prince Franz’s attention might be somewhat dispersed.

“By the way… I remember last night again.”

Last night.

Irene had been sitting in her study reading a book.

Perhaps because it was quite late, she could only hear the sounds of silence and the night insects.

“You cannot go in!”

“……?”

Irene heard a guard’s urgent voice.

She wondered if Crown Prince Franz had come again.

Crown Prince Franz had no regard for day or night. Of course, he also had no regard for place or time.

He went to social gatherings every day, loudly proclaiming he would marry Irene, and visited her at all hours to propose.

And he often came late at night as well.

That night was no different.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, Irene.”

“What brings you here at this late hour?”

“I came to see you.”

“Me? Why?”

She couldn’t understand it.

She couldn’t believe Crown Prince Franz had come to see her again at such a late hour.

For whatever reason, that day he was even holding a bouquet.

Until then, he had always come empty-handed when visiting late at night.

Crown Prince Franz would come empty-handed, apologize to Irene, hang around for a while, and then leave.

But regardless, the mere fact that Crown Prince Franz visited late at night spread rumors far and wide.

And on top of that, Crown Prince Franz had been going to all sorts of social gatherings during the day.

He would go to those gatherings and tell everyone that marriage discussions with Irene were underway and that he was still proposing to her.

As a result, rumors about her and Franz reached Irene’s ears every day.

“I came because I have something to say, Irene.”

*’I’d love to just throw you onto a bed, what a shame.’*

Just from Franz’s gaze, Irene could read his thoughts.

Irene stroked her arms, which were covered in goosebumps, and took a step back.

“I have nothing to say. The rumors are only growing, so I’d appreciate it if you disappeared.”

“I have something to say to you.”

“…Go ahead. If it’s the same thing again, I’ll call the guards.”

“I’m sorry, Irene. I was truly wrong.”

“……”

The wording and content were exactly the same as a few days ago.

She had hoped that since Crown Prince Franz, who came late at night every few days to apologize, was holding a bouquet tonight, he might say something a little different.

“Is that all?”

“If not? What more should I do to apologize in front of you? Tell me, Irene.”

*’Stop it, just stop! Irene de Istana.’*

“Franz, I don’t understand why you’re apologizing to me.”

*’It’s not even an apology, it’s just you trying to satisfy your own greed, isn’t it?’*

“What do you…?”

“Your Highness Franz, think about it. Is your apology to me about the rumors in high society? Or what exactly is it for?”

Crown Prince Franz remained silent.

Irene could guess what Crown Prince Franz’s apology was for.

But if she showed that she understood the reason, she felt she would be dragged along as Franz intended.

*’Even if you do remember the past life as well.’*

Even if it was an apology for the past life, she couldn’t accept an apology made like this.

Because he was the shameless wretch who killed that poor child.

The one who killed his own child with his own hands.

She felt it would be unfair to the dead child to readily accept the apology of such a person.

“I don’t know what exactly you’re apologizing for, Your Highness Crown Prince Franz.”

“Irene.”

“Think about it, Your Highness Franz. There’s nothing between you and me, so I don’t know what you’re apologizing for.”

*’There is something, but I can’t very well say it, can I, Franz Mestia?’*

She couldn’t easily accept the apology. For the poor child who died without even seeing the light of the world.

That child had been Irene’s only pillar of support in life at the time.

And the one who made her miscarry that child with her own hands was Franz Mestia.

Every time Irene saw Franz Mestia, she remembered that time and felt chills and disgust, but she forced herself to endure it, time and time again.

Because she couldn’t show it outwardly.

For the past two months, Crown Prince Franz had repeatedly come to see her, apologized recklessly, and left.

And today, he comes holding flowers at this ungodly hour, doing this.

“Irene!”

“I’d appreciate it if you’d leave now.”

“What are you saying?”

“I don’t want to hear about or see His Highness Franz any more today.”

“…Fine. I’ll come again tomorrow.”

“What on…?”

“See you tomorrow, my love.”

With these words, Crown Prince Franz left Irene’s study.

Irene stood by the window and watched Crown Prince Franz’s retreating back as he left the palace.

Her memory reaching this point, Irene quietly gazed outside the window.

The scenery outside the window was truly peaceful.

Brilliant sunlight, peaceful birdsong, and courtiers going about their duties.

It was the very picture of peace.

*’Where… did it all go wrong?’*

Her head became complicated.

She wondered what the intention of the god who had saved her in her past life and brought her back to this life truly was.

If gods truly existed, that is.

With what intent had they saved her, and why had they allowed Crown Prince Franz to retain his memories of the past life as well?

She was curious.

*’Even so, I will not accept him.’*

Even if Irene herself were to decide to marry or become engaged to Franz Mestia, she had no intention of accepting his apology.

What mattered was Franz Mestia’s value.

Because that was all.

If Irene had been necessary for Franz Mestia to solidify his position in her past life, then in this life, unless it was the opposite, she absolutely did not want to be entangled with him.

*’By the way… me and Franz getting married… That’s absurd.’*

“That’s absurd……”

“What is, Your Highness?”

“Huh? Ah… It’s nothing, Velis.”

“Oh, come on~ Don’t try to hide it. I heard he came again last night?”

“Word travels… fast, doesn’t it?”

“His Majesty probably knows already too?”

“Probably.”

“Your Highness. Why do you reject His Highness Franz? He’s the number one groom candidate.”

“If you like him that much, why don’t you marry Crown Prince Franz yourself?”

She blurted out whatever came to mind towards Velis.

Velis reacted as if she had heard something she shouldn’t have, startled.

“Oh my? I couldn’t possibly do that~”

“Why not? It’s not like your status is lacking.”

“He’s proposing to you, Your Highness! Surely His Highness Franz loves you. Otherwise, he wouldn’t keep proposing for such a long time, would he?”

“…Think whatever you like, Velis.”

While listening to Velis’s endless chatter, a small noise caught Irene’s ear.

Irene sent Serina, who was wearing an ambiguous smile off to the side, to investigate.

Velis pouted and seemed about to start praising Crown Prince Franz again.

“Um… Your Highness.”

“What is it, Serina?”

“It’s His Highness Franz.”

“Oh my! Your Highness! See! I told you His Highness Franz loves you!”

*’Is it truly love? Not for his own purposes?’*

She wanted to ask back. But if she asked, she’d only look foolish.

“Velis… Could you please be quiet?”

“Your Highness~!”

“Show the guest in, and Serina, please bring some tea.”

“What about me, what about me?”

“Velis… take a break somewhere else.”

After sending the maids out, Crown Prince Franz entered the room.

Unlike his simple attire from the previous night, Franz was dressed in the latest fashion.

“What brings you here?”

“Irene.”

Franz wasted no time in speaking as soon as he sat down.

Irene simply looked at him.

It felt like she was about to hear the same story she’d been sick of for the past two months anyway.

“Why?”

“Marry me. Or at least, let’s get engaged.”

“Same story. Why?”

“Because I can be of help to you.”

*’You? In what sense?’*

At Crown Prince Franz’s words that he would ‘be of help’ to her, Irene was starting to feel disgusted. It was a line she’d heard repeatedly.

“And so?”

“So I’m saying let’s at least get engaged.”

“Why should I?”

“I will be your strength.”

“……!”