If I Were Reborn, I Wouldn’t Marry You - Chapter 115

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

Chapter 115
“This is my last stop for the day.”
Jerome, a merchant who supplied vegetables to the noble houses, had arrived at House of Duke Roderick, his final client.
“It’s been a while, Mr. Jerome.”
Toby, the kitchen’s ingredient manager, greeted Jerome with a warm smile.
“Did you have a good vacation?”
“Yes, it was nice to go home after so long.”
While Toby inspected the quantities of his order, Jerome, who had been resting with a cigar, suddenly asked as if remembering something.
“Have you heard the rumors?”
“What rumors are you referring to?”
“About unidentified corpses appearing in the Underworld.”
Toby tilted his head in confusion.
“Isn’t that the nature of that place?”
The Underworld was a place where people died almost daily—either from internal power struggles or from being caught up in crime.
The discovery of corpses there was hardly worth discussing anymore.
Yet this time seemed somehow different.
“Would rumors spread over something so ordinary? These corpses are so mutilated that their identities can’t be determined—it doesn’t feel like the usual brawl deaths you’d expect in the Underworld. Those bodies are usually left relatively intact.”
Jerome lowered his voice considerably as he spoke.
Only then did Toby’s demeanor turn serious.
“You mean a serial killer has appeared?”
Jerome nodded quietly and added softly.
“That’s what some are saying. Word spread quietly within the Underworld first, and it’s only recently become known outside, but apparently these incidents have been happening for quite some time. They say it’s been going on for at least five years now.”
“Five years? That long?”
The Empire, particularly the Capital, generally maintained good public order.
While the Underworld was certainly an exceptional place, even so, it was rare for murders of this scale to continue for years without explanation.
Toby’s hands, which had been inspecting the goods, had stopped, and his eyes trembled with unease.
“Exactly. Some say that because the rumors spread so slowly, the factions within the Underworld must have been suppressing the information.”
Toby shuddered, as if the mere thought made his skin crawl.
“I should mention this to my superiors and have them fetch holy water from the Temple to sprinkle around. The Young Lady’s debut is coming up soon, and we can’t have any misfortune.”
“Now that you mention it, that little Young Lady has already come of age. Time really does fly.”
“You should think about how much older you’ve gotten too, sir.”
“You brat!”
Jerome gave Toby a light punch for his exaggerated attempt to lighten the mood, then burst into hearty laughter.
“Both of us will be quite busy for a while.”
“Indeed.”
Toby’s hands resumed their brisk movements.
“The inspection is complete. Your goods are excellent quality as always.”
“Of course. My vegetables are the finest in this area.”
“That’s why the head chef continues to do business with you. We’ll place an order soon for the ingredients needed for the debut.”
“Understood.”
Before I knew it, the conversation had returned to everyday matters.
The Underworld incident was merely a brief topic of gossip, having little impact on the ordinary citizens of the Capital.
This was the story before corpses that had once been discovered only in the deepest reaches of the Underworld began appearing on ordinary streets.

* * *
As I completed the final turn, the music ceased.
Leonhardt’s forearm, which had been firmly wrapped around my waist, slowly withdrew.
Leonhardt gently kissed the back of my hand that he still held, then released it softly and bowed respectfully to his partner with courtesy.
I lifted my skirt delicately and responded with equal grace.
The formality ended right there.
Meeting Leonhardt’s gaze, I widened my eyes and smiled brightly.
“It’s more fun dancing after so long. Don’t you think?”
“Yes.”
We exchanged smiles while standing face to face in our close embrace, having released only our hands, before belatedly remembering the presence of others in the Dance Hall and hastily stepped apart.
At that moment, applause and cheers erupted from the Maids standing in one corner, who had been watching our dance practice.
“Young Lady, you were so incredibly graceful.”
“It was such a perfect dance that no one could find a single flaw!”
The Maids’ remarks and timing seemed entirely natural as each offered their own praise.
However, upon closer inspection, their pleased expressions and raised corners of their mouths were subtly different from usual.
It seemed they had caught every bit of the subtle physical contact—Leonhardt’s arm lingering a beat too long at my waist and the unnecessary kiss on the back of my hand—and I felt embarrassed.
Leonhardt and I, our earlobes flushed red, pretended not to notice.
Hmm.
Then it suddenly occurred to me that since we were already engaged, there was no need to feel embarrassed about exchanging glances and whispering.
From the moment I insisted on practicing dance for my debutante ball, despite being quite skilled at ballroom dancing, the Maids had worn that expression.
The look that said I had found a very good excuse to spend time with Leonhardt.
‘That’s exactly right.’
Leonhardt had been particularly busy lately.
My intentions were already transparent anyway.
I brazenly lifted my chin and smoothly accepted the compliments before ordering the next piece.
“This time, please play a minuet.”
“Yes, Young Lady.”
The Maid answered in a voice still tinged with laughter as she reactivated the magical device.
I was grateful that my Maids were all kind and considerate people.
‘If it were Caspian or Emil, they would have teased me for two days straight.’
My Brothers would have interfered, hinting that I should stop the dance practice here.
‘I absolutely must not let them come watch.’
Imagining their predictable reactions, I smiled faintly and took Leonhardt’s hand again.
“I’m looking forward to dancing with you again.”
Though I had been lost in thought for a moment, I did not miss the timing for the dance to begin.
“It would be my honor.”
Leonhardt smiled back at me and led the dance with a gentle, fluid motion.
We continued practicing until exhaustion claimed us both.
For someone with stamina as poor as mine, it was quite an intense workout, yet it was thoroughly enjoyable.
Leonhardt moved with exceptional grace, and I had always loved dancing.
“Ah, I’m exhausted.”
After nearly two hours of continuous dancing, I was completely spent—my face flushed with exertion—and I collapsed onto a bench in the rest area of the Dance Hall.
“Shall I fetch you some water?”
Unlike me, Leonhardt showed no signs of fatigue whatsoever. He gently fanned me with his large hand as he asked.
“No, juice instead.”
I craved something tart.
“Understood.”
The maids stopped Leonhardt just as he was about to rise and fetch it himself.
“We shall retrieve it for you, Your Highness. Please rest.”
“Would cranberry juice suit you? Or perhaps orange juice?”
They were still here?
We had somehow forgotten about the maids’ presence entirely, lost in our own world. We exchanged an embarrassed smile.
“Cranberry juice, please.”
Too flustered to think carefully, I answered carelessly, and the maids—their faces beaming with satisfaction—hurried out of the Dance Hall in a flurry.
One maid would have sufficed, yet they all rushed out together, clearly intent on giving us time alone.
‘Wow, these are truly the finest maids in the Empire.’
I silently praised their impeccable intuition and thoughtfulness.
It seemed I wasn’t the only one satisfied with their discretion.
Leonhardt’s eyes crinkled with laughter, and he gently took my hand.
“I hope they take their time.”
“What if they don’t come back at all?”
“Even better.”
Leonhardt smoothly matched my jest, laughing softly as he interlaced his fingers with mine.
I swung our joined hands lightly, speaking almost to myself.
“How will I endure waiting two more years?”
“Waiting for what?”
Leonhardt asked, puzzled by my sudden remark.
“For you to grow?”
Over the past five years, Leonhardt had shot up considerably—now standing a full head taller than me—and he laughed as if my words were absurd.
But I was serious.
Leonhardt still seemed oblivious to my intent, and I found it endearing. I leaned in and placed a light kiss on his cheek.
At this rare display of affection, Leonhardt’s cheeks flushed crimson.
“For the next two years, I’m the only adult here, aren’t I? Wouldn’t this be rather inappropriate?”
Finally grasping my meaning, Leonhardt looked flustered.
“Why would that be inappropriate…?”
I could almost hear him thinking that mentally, we were both already in our thirties.
“How troublesome.”
This is simply the nature of this world.

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