If I Were Reborn, I Wouldn’t Marry You - Chapter 111

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 111
“No. I don’t like it.”
Leonhardt had rejected the proposal to become engaged almost instinctively, and the moment he saw Miela’s shocked expression, he regretted it.
A bad habit I thought I’d nearly broken had surfaced again.
But Miela’s proposal had been equally shocking to Leonhardt.
‘…This is too much.’
Her face, which had never expected rejection, was endearing, yet that very fact made Leonhardt feel even more upset.
‘I just said we should both be sincere this time…’
True love, as Leonhardt understood it, was never this calculated.
He didn’t want to use their engagement in such a way.
It was more than disappointing—it was sad—yet Leonhardt calmly added his thoughts.
The most valuable thing he’d learned since his regression was that feelings aren’t conveyed simply by possessing them.
Fortunately, Miela seemed to understand.
Leonhardt let out a quiet sigh of relief.
He could no longer be satisfied with merely holding the position of Miela’s husband, as he had been before the regression.
He wanted to share love with Miela and become her lover.
Even amid all this, knowing full well how others would react to the “rumor of an engagement,” he felt hypocritical for ultimately accepting Miela’s proposal.
It meant he wanted her genuine feelings while also unwilling to relinquish his position as her fiancé.
‘But you said it’s okay for me to be greedy.’
Childishly blaming Miela’s kindness, Leonhardt pressed for her heart.
“That much isn’t enough. The kind of love I desire is different.”
Leonhardt watched carefully to see how Miela would react to the feelings he’d revealed a little more openly than yesterday.
Miela, who had been thinking for a moment, asked.
“How much do I need to love you to meet your standards?”
“That’s the question.”
Leonhardt hoped that Miela would love him as much as he loved her.
Or rather, if he carefully drew out the desire hidden deep within his heart, he wished for Miela to love him so intensely that she would become obsessed and yearn for him, just as he did for her.
It was a greedy, ravenous desire.
Leonhardt himself was well aware that he was being excessively greedy.
And yet…
‘Surely this much is acceptable?’
Having convinced himself, Leonhardt kissed Miela.
Even scraping together courage from the very depths of his being wasn’t enough—it was merely a fleeting touch against her cheek—yet it was undoubtedly the bravest act of Leonhardt’s life.
Thump-thump.
His heart raced so wildly it seemed ready to burst from his chest.
Though it was merely the level of physical contact even children engaged in, he felt nothing but bashfulness and excitement.
But the moment his eyes met Miela’s, wide and startled, it felt as though ice-cold water had been poured over his head.
“Look at this.”
Leonhardt smiled bitterly as he gauged the extent of Miela’s affection toward him.
The fact that there was still room within the boundaries Miela had permitted was a positive sign.
Yet at the same time, I realized there was still quite a distance to go before I could earn affection proportional to his compromises.
“No! I was just startled!”
Miela cried out as if making an excuse.
But Leonhardt, who had exhausted all his courage for today, barely heard her words.
“I forgot there’s an equestrian training session this afternoon.”
Leonhardt pretended not to hear Miela’s protest and hastily rose to leave the room.
It was ultimately just an escape, though he would eventually return to Miela.

* * *
The rabbit that had been hiding in its burrow for some time revealed itself again four days later.
From past experience, I knew that chasing him would only make him burrow deeper, so while I watched Leonhardt avoid me without interfering, I clenched my teeth and made a vow.
‘Just wait. Next time, I’ll make the first move.’
My eyes gleamed like a hawk targeting its prey, but I concealed my determination behind a smile.
That evasive rabbit would try to flee again.
Instead, I devoted myself to perfecting the trap I had planned.
Fortunately, the opinion that rumors of an engagement were acceptable remained unchanged.
And a family dinner on a certain Sunday became my chosen D-day.
To soften the shock for my foolish youngest family members, I waited obediently until the meal ended and dessert was served.
My unusual silence as I anxiously waited for the right timing seemed odd to my family, and they each offered a word or two in turn.
Even Leonhardt did.
‘I told you I’d say something today.’
As I smiled leisurely and winked, Leonhardt finally understood the reason for my silence.
I was supposed to do the talking, but Leonhardt, looking even more anxious than I felt, carefully set down his fork.
The sound of the fork striking the plate was faint, betraying how tense he was.
In the silence between conversations, the noise sounded quite loud.
My family’s gazes, wondering if there was something he wanted to say, turned toward Leonhardt.
‘Perfect timing.’
I opened my mouth as if that sound were a starting whistle.
“I have something to say!”
Leonhardt’s seat was still right beside me.
The attention that had been focused on Leonhardt shifted slightly toward me.
“What is it, dear?”
Mother asked gently with a smile.
She seemed to expect something like a request to go somewhere or a desire for something, as usual.
But today was different.
“Yes, I want to get engaged to Leonhardt!”
My sudden bombshell announcement shocked the entire family.
I simply smiled brightly and cheerfully.
Leonhardt tapped my forearm lightly.
As if asking whether we had agreed to spread rumors of an engagement, not an actual engagement.
‘I’ve thought this through completely.’
Love marriages were exceedingly rare among the high nobility, but my family had always pursued them.
Even if I claimed I’d chosen betrothal as a means because I wanted it, my foolish youngest sibling would never accept that.
It would be far more convincing to my family if I said I wanted to become betrothed to Leonhardt because we truly understood each other.
‘Besides, I prefer this approach anyway.’
It’s closer to the truth, after all.
While my family processed the situation, I leisurely sipped my tea, waiting for this silence to break.
But I was the only one at ease.
Leonhardt sat with his face tense, as if he knew thunder and lightning were about to strike right before his eyes, steeling himself for what was to come.
‘Why are you so nervous?’
I tilted my head in confusion.
Before the regression, when I’d said I would marry Leonhardt, my family had been concerned but hadn’t strongly opposed it.
Their concern was merely about whether I, who had always been so gentle, could endure the life of an Empress.
My parents, who had always made a habit of saying that marriage should be with someone you love, stopped their worrying the moment I said I loved Leonhardt.
‘Back then I thought I loved him, but it was just affection. Now it’s real!’
I thought things would unfold similarly this time.
‘Or perhaps even better?’
Before the regression, my family and Leonhardt had maintained a polite, somewhat distant relationship at best.
But now they were truly like family to one another.
I thought it would be even better to become truly family by taking this next step.
Yet the silence remained unbroken even after I finished my tea.
Leonhardt’s expression grew increasingly dejected, as if he’d expected this all along.
Even as his spirits sank, he was trying desperately to maintain his resolve.
What is this situation?
The atmosphere feels strange—why do I feel like I’m the only one who doesn’t understand what’s happening?
‘What could it be?’
Eventually, as I too fell into thought, the Dining Room was filled with complete silence.
Then, suddenly, a possibility occurred to me.
‘Could it be?’
Could my family, who had said I could marry anyone I loved, possibly be opposed to Leonhardt?
An obstacle I’d never imagined when planning had suddenly appeared.

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