If I Were Reborn, I Wouldn’t Marry You - Chapter 124

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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 124
The protagonist’s prolonged absence was a signal we couldn’t ignore, so we reluctantly left the Terrace, setting aside our reluctance to part.
The Maid from the Imperial Palace, who had been waiting anxiously at the door, startled visibly upon seeing Leonhardt’s face and mine.
Watching her alternately gesture and point at the area around our lips, I belatedly grasped the situation and hastily retrieved my handkerchief.
Young people disappearing into terraces or gardens was an extraordinarily common occurrence.
We were, for all intents and purposes, an acknowledged couple, and we hadn’t seen each other in two years at that.
There was nothing shameful about it, yet standing here with such an obvious appearance of what we’d been doing on the Terrace was embarrassing even for me.
“Wait a moment.”
I vigorously wiped away the lipstick smudged across Leonhardt’s cheeks and lips.
Once I’d carefully erased all traces, Leonhardt looked reasonably presentable aside from his still-flushed face.
‘I’m the problem.’
Using the clean side of my handkerchief to hastily wipe around my mouth, I was certain this wouldn’t be sufficient to fully remedy the situation, so I whispered to Leonhardt.
“I’ll visit the Rest Room for a moment.”
“I’ll escort you.”
Leonhardt extended his hand as though it were the obvious thing to do.
“I can go alone.”
I smiled and declined Leonhardt’s escort.
He wore a disappointed expression, clearly reluctant to be parted from me even briefly.
Still, it couldn’t be helped.
“Your Highness the Prince will have a busy schedule ahead.”
The moment Leonhardt emerged from the Terrace, gazes converged upon him from all directions. There were easily dozens of people watching for an opportunity to approach and speak with him.
I redirected Leonhardt’s attention toward those gathered in that direction.
“Sigh. I thought this would be over by now.”
Leonhardt exhaled audibly, as if making his frustration known.
“It won’t be.”
Because Leonhardt’s public appearances were so rare, everyone likely believed this reception might be their only opportunity for quite some time.
Judging by their determined expressions, Leonhardt would likely find it difficult to move about freely here any longer today.
Upon being made aware of this reality, Leonhardt’s expression grew melancholic.
“So you’re really going to leave me alone among those vultures? How cold.”
Even though Leonhardt disliked dealing with people, this was the first time I’d heard him voice such a complaint.
Winning over the Nobles was necessary for Leonhardt, and he was the type who, if something had to be done anyway, preferred to handle it quickly and efficiently.
“Do you really dislike it that much?”
“Yes.”
His tone was grumbling, as though I’d asked something obvious.
It felt strange, yet all I could offer was encouragement.
“They’re all favorably disposed toward you. It shouldn’t be particularly difficult.”
Leonhardt answered dismissively, as though the goodwill of others held little meaning for him.
“You’re right.”
Then, with a dejected expression, he asked pleadingly.
“Will you praise me if I do well?”
Enchanted by the baby rabbit’s adorable charm, complete with eye-smile, I reflexively nodded and asked.
“What do you want?”
“What we did on the terrace earlier.”
Leonhardt answered as if he’d been waiting for this.
‘…What on earth happened in these two years!’
I gasped in surprise and clapped my hand over my mouth, but Leonhardt simply smiled wickedly and pressed his lips to my palm.
The moment I snatched my hand away as if something scorching had touched it, the mischievous Leonhardt finally seemed satisfied and saw me off.
“Don’t take too long.”

* * *
It took far longer to cool my flushed cheeks than to fix my makeup.
By the time I’d managed to compose myself and returned, Leonhardt was still surrounded by nobles.
With such composure and grace that one would never guess he’d been complaining moments ago—he truly looked the perfect guest of honor.
As I watched Leonhardt with a pleased expression, Lady Clavieh approached and spoke to me.
“It’s been quite a while, Miela. You look absolutely beautiful today.”
Lady Clavieh had been the Empress Dowager’s maid.
Since she was acquainted with my mother, who had been the Empress Dowager’s head maid, we had some familiarity with each other.
I greeted Lady Clavieh warmly.
“Lady Clavieh, I hope you’ve been well. I’m delighted to see you again like this.”
We exchanged smiling greetings and spent some time inquiring about each other’s circumstances.
True to her role as the Empress Dowager’s maid and an experienced noblewoman, Lady Clavieh continued the conversation smoothly and naturally.
However, as the conversation stretched longer than a typical pleasant reunion with an acquaintance, I sensed there was some intention behind it.
Of course, this too was an elegant stratagem of noblewomen.
‘There’s no need to wonder about her intent. It’s surely an errand from the Empress Dowager.’
Hoping that Leonhardt could be celebrated wholeheartedly, the Empress Dowager and other members of the Imperial Court had not attended the ball.
‘Though everyone knew it was merely a pretext.’
The reason the Empress Dowager’s maid—who hadn’t even attended the party celebrating Leonhardt’s victory—would approach me was obvious.
‘What should I do?’
I deliberated briefly, but decided to yield gracefully to the Empress Dowager’s intentions.
Though not without some resistance, of course.
“My, our conversation has gone on quite long out of sheer joy.”
As I made to end the conversation, Lady Clavieh finally showed signs of getting to the main point.
“Indeed. I myself got so caught up in our talk that I lost track of time.”
Lady Clavieh laughed, covering her mouth with both hands, then added as if she’d just remembered.
“Actually, I came to relay a message from the Empress Dowager.”
“From the Empress Dowager?”
“Yes, she asked me to tell you that since you’ve come to the palace, she’d like to have a brief conversation with you.”
It was framed as wanting to exchange greetings despite not attending the party.
“If the Empress Dowager wishes to see me, I’m always delighted to oblige.”
Though Lady Clavieh must have anticipated from the context of our conversation that I wouldn’t refuse, she visibly relaxed.
“Thank you, Miela.”
I followed Lady Clavieh’s guidance toward the Empress’s Palace.
I had encountered the Empress Dowager several times before, but only in passing at social gatherings.
Though it was merely a figure of speech, this was my first visit to the Empress’s Palace since my regression.
The atmosphere was far brighter than the Empress’s Palace I remembered, which made it feel unfamiliar.
The Empress Dowager, having suffered health complications from a series of shocking events, frequently left the Imperial Palace for recuperation.
As a result, the space had carried that desolate quality of an abandoned place, but now it was noticeably more vibrant than the Empress’s Palace in my memories.
With a strange sense of unfamiliarity, I followed Lady Clavieh while observing my surroundings.
Upon arriving at the Garden where the Empress Dowager awaited, she rose from her seat and approached to greet me.
“Welcome, Lady Roderick.”
Given the nature of our relationship and the closeness between us, it was an extraordinarily warm reception.
It was better than being treated coldly, though I found myself growing tense nonetheless.
I greeted the Empress Dowager with a smile.
“Good day, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager. You remain as graceful and magnificent as ever.”
With subtle flattery woven into my words, the Empress Dowager laughed warmly.
“How delightful to hear such words from a young lady in the bloom of her youth. Even if they’re mere pleasantries.”
There was a characteristic candor in her jesting remark, the kind that comes with age.
“Mere pleasantries? I was being sincere. I’m hurt.”
I responded cheekily, and the Empress Dowager laughed aloud.
She must have summoned me to discuss something regarding Leonhardt, yet the Empress Dowager continued as if she had simply wanted to chat, maintaining only light conversation.
Like a nervous junior official meeting with a superior, I listened intently to every word she spoke.
Though I had tried to behave naturally, it seemed the Empress Dowager could see right through my tension.
She smiled affectionately and gave my hand a gentle pat.
“I called you here to become closer, so don’t be so tense.”
Her expression was serene, as if that truly was her only intention.
After a brief moment of consideration, I smiled back at the Empress Dowager.
“I’d like to become closer to you as well, Your Majesty.”
“Thank you.”
Perhaps her throat was parched, as the Empress Dowager lifted her teacup to drink.
“Your Majesty!”
At that moment, Leonhardt approached with long strides, his face contorted with anger over some misunderstanding he had formed.

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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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