Grand Duke, Please Stop Obsessing Over Your Wife! - Chapter 5

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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5.

⟡Chapter 2⟡

Pre-Contract Precautions Guide

‘Ah. Headache.’

Annelize pressed her hands against her temples.

It felt like the chronic hypertension she suffered during her days as Crown Princess was acting up again.

Meanwhile, Crown Prince Robert continued rolling around tirelessly.

He managed to stop rolling right at Annelize’s feet.

Wasn’t he embarrassed to look like a beggar covered in flower petals everywhere?

Crown Prince Robert held out the rose he had in his mouth to Annelize.

“You’re as beautiful as a single rose today too. Do you know? The flowers bloom especially vividly whenever your touch reaches them— Ow!”

Annelize stretched her leg forward without hesitation.

Thud. The Crown Prince screamed as Annelize’s shoe trampled his shin.

“Oh my, Your Highness the Crown Prince. Are you alright? I accidentally misstepped.”

Who told you to be in front of me?

Annelize stepped back nonchalantly.

Crown Prince Robert jumped to his feet.

“Don’t worry. Annelize, I’m fine! More importantly, you were here after all. I was troubled that I couldn’t greet you properly earlier due to the commotion. You came to see me, didn’t you, Annelize?”

“Yes, well.”

This was the first time she was seeing Crown Prince Robert’s face since returning to the past.

Annelize soullessly accepted the rose the Crown Prince handed her.

If she didn’t take it, he would probably chase her around all day.

He smiled with a sickening expression.

What are you smiling about.

“Your Highness.”

Annelize answered with a reluctant face.

“Aren’t you with the Princess? I heard she fainted.”

She politely rephrased ‘What are you doing here when your sister collapsed?’

“Ah. It’s fine. Annelize. They said she regained consciousness quickly, so there’s no need to worry. The time I spend with you right now is more precious than anything else.”

“Ah, yes.”

Is that something to say when your only sister collapsed?

‘Princess Rosellia. Your brother is such trash. Though of course you already know that.’

The main culprit who made Annelize detest love.

Crown Prince Robert Hildegard was still the same blindly obsessive and burdensome person.

Now even seeing a man with red hair and blue eyes reminded her of the Crown Prince and ruined her mood.

‘Just thinking about what this bastard put me through…’

In fact, even now she was barely restraining the urge to kick his shins.

That’s why she had desperately avoided him after her regression.

‘I can’t lose my mind and get arrested for assaulting royalty when I’ve finally returned to the past.’

But today seemed better than expected. Was it because she met the Duke?

While she was thinking that, the Crown Prince started babbling.

“More importantly, Annelize. Don’t you have something to tell 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, isn’t it?”

I take back what I said about it being better than expected.

Annelize felt the corners of her mouth, which were forming a fake smile, trembling.

How do I escape from this bastard. After pondering, she changed her mind.

‘Actually, this works out well. Let me drive the nail in here.’

If she waited until the proposal with the Duke was finalized, there was no telling what this bastard might do.

‘Even if the Duke rejects my proposal, I will absolutely never marry you.’

Annelize rolled her eyes.

“Do you really want an answer?”

“Yes!”

The Crown Prince nodded with sparkling eyes.

“Your Highness.”

Annelize stood still and met the Crown Prince’s gaze.

The Crown Prince’s eyes were exactly the same as before her regression.

Eyes that demanded reciprocation from her while intoxicated with his own emotions.

‘Whenever I saw those eyes, I always 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 Duke, Annelize smiled brightly.

“I refuse.”

“What?”

“That’s my answer. I refuse Your Highness’s proposal.”

“Are you serious? But…”

“It’s a decision I made after serious consideration, so I hope you’ll respect it. If you have even the slightest feelings for me.”

Rejecting the Crown Prince of a nation couldn’t be simple.

Her words became lengthy as she added flowery language.

“I’m not suited for the position of Empress. My knowledge isn’t deep and my refinement is lacking compared to other young ladies—”

After throwing out a few polite excuses.

“I’m truly sorry. Your Highness. I hope you find a better match than me.”

She even wished him luck. This should be enough.

“A-Annelize, but this is too sudden! Think about it once more. Hm? We can overcome hardships together!”

“I think overcoming them would be difficult. Your Highness.”

Because you are the biggest hardship in this marriage.

The Crown Prince whimpered.

He was intoxicated with grief and couldn’t come to his senses.

Yes. Cry to your heart’s content. Cry and shake off someone like me.

“Don’t go. Annelize…”

“Farewell, Your Highness.”

His pathetic crying was unsightly, so she quickly escaped the corridor.

How refreshing this could be!

She felt as refreshed as if she had thrown out old garbage.

‘Of course, I don’t think he’ll give up on me easily after one rejection.’

He would definitely come after her again, whether at the birthday banquet or whenever.

Still, she had a chance of winning. If only the Duke would cooperate.

After enjoying the brief but precious sense of liberation, she headed to the manor, which was her original destination.

It was late afternoon when she arrived at the manor.

Annelize sat at her desk and scribbled a letter to Count Solariccen.

How are you, Mother?

This is sudden, but I have rejected His Highness the Crown Prince’s proposal.

Instead, I’m going to propose to Duke Aperhis.

Before you get angry, please listen to what I have to say first.

The milk has already been spilled, hasn’t it? I think it would be more efficient to think about countermeasures rather than scold me.

So I have a favor to ask…

It was content that would shock Count Solariccen, who was recuperating in his territory due to an injury, the moment he saw it.

After delivering the shocking news, she asked Count Solariccen for two things.

First. Don’t come to the capital for a while since the Crown Prince might hold a grudge and retaliate over this matter.

Second. Find and send the ‘old box’ she mentioned from Annelize’s room.

Annelize pondered for a moment, then added one more sentence at the end of the letter.

Please have Anna Rose bring it.

Aldeon’s sacred relic, said to be a relic of the first saint.

The fact that it was in the Solarichen Estate was a secret only Annelize knew.

‘Who would have ever imagined. That the small box carelessly rolling around in the warehouse would be a legendary sacred relic.’

That aside, why did the Duke want Aldeon’s sacred relic?

“Is it because of the legend that it brings spring? Since the north is always cold winter?”

Of course, it was just a legendary tale.

“Seeing how it’s fine even in fire, it’s probably not an ordinary object.”

No matter how hard Annelize speculated, there must be the Duke’s own reason that she couldn’t know.

After sealing the envelope, she sent a messenger to the Solarichen Estate.

The reply to the letter arrived soon.

Annelize. I received your letter well.

Truly shocking.

But I’m not surprised. I was prepared for you to cause such a big incident someday.

Next time, give me advance notice. I’ll flee overseas before things blow up.

She quickly skipped over the scolding part. The main point was written at the end of the letter.

I’ll send Anna Rose as you said. But what on earth do you need that old box for? I’m sending it since you asked, but still.

Annelize, having confirmed the Count’s letter, folded it with satisfaction.

During the few days waiting for Anna Rose, she didn’t step foot outside the manor.

‘Going out would only be a loss for me. The rumor that I rejected the Crown Prince’s proposal has probably circulated through high society five times already.’

Ignoring all the incoming invitations, she spent time in the garden instead.

Growing flowers to send as a birthday gift for the Emperor.

As Annelize watered them and whispered something to the flower bed, the flowers trembled.

The flower buds touched by her hands bloomed particularly fresh and vibrant.

During the leisurely afternoon spent with flowers, the bell announcing a visitor rang out.

Annelize put down the trowel she was holding.

The maid came running over in small steps.

Her cheeks were flushed red as if she had seen something good.

“Miss Annelize. A guest has come to see you.”

“Anna Rose? She said she’d come soon.”

“No. It’s not the second miss, but someone else.”

“Who?”

“A handsome blonde knight, sir. He says he absolutely must meet Miss Annelize and has something to say. Hohoho.”

A knight.

She remembered there was no guest with a scheduled visit today. The Crown Prince would be busy preparing for the banquet, so he wouldn’t have time for nonsense.

Then perhaps…

‘Someone sent by Duke Aperhis?’

She had been waiting for this all along anyway.

She got up from her seat.

“Wait a moment. I’ll go out and see.”

She went down to the first floor and opened the main gate.

Annelize, having confirmed the visitor’s face, made a dumbfounded expression.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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