Chapter – 06
The Emperor of Bashker, Ikar, had always had a spotless reputationānot only had he never married, but there were also no rumors about him in that regard.
And that wasn’t all.
The princess not only built connections with royal daughters and influential nobles from other countries who had been forced to study abroad, but she also returned with enormous compensation.
So it truly was a triumphant return.
However, among the conservative nobles who didn’t know the inside story, a ė¶ģźø° (atmosphere) formed where people were reluctant to arrange marriage talks with the First Princess.
Because of that, her marriage prospects were somewhat blocked.
But to Reneve, even that felt like a sign pointing toward a very desirable future.
Because in this life, she had decided to remain unmarried and live comfortably while spending money freely. Of course, only after properly building her strength and bringing down the Crown Princess, Lucius, and Esika.
That was why Reneve couldn’t understand why the two men of the Seiren Marquis family looked so grim.
Still, persuasion seemed necessary.
“Don’t worry. From what I’ve learned, the Bashker Empire is a land of opportunity.”
“…?”
The two Seiren men raised one eyebrow at the same time.
Since she already expected that a single sentence wouldn’t convince them, Reneve calmly listed the advantages of going to Bashker.
“First, today Her Highness the Crown Princess was planning to publicly announce a marriage discussion between Lucius and me.”
“What?”
“What did you say?”
This time their brows furrowed for a completely different reason.
“It was something done without even the slightest consultation with our Seiren family.”
As soon as she finished speaking, both men exploded.
“Is she insane?”
“Isn’t that a complete disregard for our family?!”
In the past too, the two men had resented the Crown Princess for acting however she pleased.
But back then, Reneve had been completely swept away by Lucius’s charms and hadn’t listened to her family’s concerns at all.
In the end, they hadn’t been able to change her mind.
What could they do if she claimed she was in love?
“My father is right. Her Highness probably misunderstood and thought there was something between me and Prince Lucius.”
In the original story, the two Seiren men were portrayed as very rational and cold personalities.
Before her regression, she hadn’t interacted with them much, so she hadn’t known. But now that she saw them up close, they both seemed rather hot-tempered.
Although she was slightly surprised by how different they were from the original story, Reneve focused on the present situation.
Openly opposing the Crown Princess, who held power rivaling the Empress, would not be wise.
The Seiren family was powerful, yesābut if they went to war with her, the damage would ultimately fall on the people of their territory.
“Reneveā¦ you didn’t have feelings for the Third Prince, did you?”
Patrick asked cautiously. The Marquis also waited for her answer as if thinking the same.
Reneve let out a dry laugh.
“Oh my, brother. What are you saying?”
She barely suppressed the harsh words that almost slipped out and smiled faintly.
“Of course not. Even shoes have their matching pair. I’m sure there’s someone suitable for him. But it isn’t me.”
Patrick scratched his head awkwardly.
“Ohā¦ really? I misunderstood. Sorry.”
“Truthfully, I also thought you had feelings for the Third Prince. That’s a relief.”
Reneve tilted her head.
“A relief?”
“As your father, I didn’t find him worthy of being your match.”
“I thought the same too. I just didn’t say it.”
“Why did you both think that?”
Patrick answered her calm question.
“I can’t point to a specific reasonā¦ it’s just a feeling.”
The Marquis nodded in agreement.
‘Nothing has even happened yetā¦?’
Reneve became convinced the two really did have good instincts about people.
“But if your goal was to avoid marriage with the Third Prince, weren’t there other methods?”
Reneve shook her head.
“We might delay the marriage, but avoiding it completely would be difficult.”
“…”
“Even if I got temporarily engaged to another noble, the Crown Princess would likely interfere and break it off.”
“Hmmā¦”
Their expressions darkened as they seemed to agree.
“And something I recently learnedācontrary to the rumors, the Bashker Emperor is actually quite devout.”
The two men exchanged looks.
Reneve had been raised like a greenhouse flower, so they probably thought she couldn’t possibly know much about a distant empire.
Of course, the claim that Emperor Ikar was devout was a lie.
But she was certain he wouldn’t cause the kind of problems the Seiren men were worried about.
“By the way, Reneve. How did you find out about the Crown Princess’s marriage announcement and the Bashker invitation?”
Reneve lowered her gaze and bit the inside of her cheek.
Patrickā¦ sharp as ever.
“Yes, that’s right. Why didn’t you ask me for help earlier?”
Despite his words, the Marquis looked apologetic for leaving her to handle things alone.
He had been fighting intense battles on the western frontier and had been slow to hear palace news.
“Wellā¦”
Reneve claimed she had gotten lost in the palace and accidentally learned the Empress was in trouble.
“And Prince Lucius warned me in advance that they would announce us as lovers.”
“…”
“And the Crown Princess had summoned me privately before as well.”
After her explanation, both men’s lips pressed into tight lines.
She didn’t know exactly what they were thinking.
But judging from their fierce eyes, they were definitely grinding their teeth in anger.
“Reneve, I thought about this all night.”
Patrick spoke while chewing a bloody tomahawk steak.
The Marquis, cutting into an equally massive steak, looked at her.
Meanwhile, in front of Reneve were only tomato caprese and tea.
“What did you think about?”
“The study period is three years, right? What if we send someone who looks like you, and you hide safely in a rural village during that time?”
“Yes. Even if your marriage age passes a bit, I will search the entire territory to find you a good husband.”
So this was what they discussed all night.
“The Bashker Emperor isn’t that careless.”
Reneve wiped her mouth without even finishing half her food.
“If the substitute were discovered, it could cause serious conflict between our countries.”
As she firmly refused, the Marquis drank wine while Patrick bit his lip anxiously.
“Finding a woman my age with silver hair and purple eyes wouldn’t be easy either.”
As Reneve stood up, the Marquis added:
“I’ll find another way. You don’t need to worry.”
“Thank you, Father. I don’t have much appetite, so I’ll leave first.”
Although she had already decided to leave, seeing her father’s protective concern weighed on her heart.
In her previous life, the Marquis died on the battlefield. The original story described his swordsmanship as nearly that of a Swordmaster.
‘How did someone like him die in battle?’
At the time, she had been too overwhelmed with her own problems to investigate.
But now that she thought about it, something felt strange.
‘Did they eliminate him before getting rid of meā¦?’
Still, in this life, they should remain safe while she was abroad.
After Reneve announced she would soon leave, the maids busied themselves packing from early morning.
Judging by the mountain of luggage, they seemed to think she was emigrating.
“You only need to pack a few dresses for the trip.”
The maids reluctantly bowed.
“Yes, my lady.”
Reneve watched them briefly before heading to the garden. She believed walking helped stimulate thinking.
“So this is my last day here.”
As she brushed back her silver hair in the wind, a maid came running.
“My lady! Th-the Prince has arrivedā”
Before she could finish, Lucius himself appeared.
Wearing a blue uniform and white cravat, he smiled brightly, showing perfect teeth.
Seeing that, Reneve felt certain she was no longer blinded by love.
She had once thought that smile was handsome. She must have been insane.
“Out for a morning walk, I see.”
He smiled again.
You’re smiling? You can smile?
Reneve nearly raised her hand to twist his neckā
“Your Highness.”
A royal knight approached carrying a large bouquet.
She noticed more knights watching from a distance.
Among them was one who had escorted her before her death.
The memory made her cheeks flush with anger.
“A beautiful lady deserves flowers.”
Lucius gestured, and the knight offered the bouquet.
“His Highness prepared these personally.”
Reneve glanced at the fresh pink lilies.
‘Lucius personally? Unlikely.’
More likely the Crown Princess forced him to bring them.
Reneve scoffed quietly.
Mistaking it for happiness, Lucius looked pleased.
“As expected, they suit you perfectly.”
Reneve didn’t take the flowers.
Lucius added:
“It seems heavy for your delicate arms. Have the maid carry it.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Once the knight left, Lucius extended his hand.
“If you’re walking, may I join you?”
Every movement of Lucius carried noble elegance.
And in her first life inside the novel, Reneve had found that impressive.
Like an idiot.
