If I Were Reborn, I Wouldn’t Marry You - Chapter 125

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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 125
“No, that’s not it.”
I shook my head urgently, realizing what misunderstanding Leonhardt had fallen into.
Fortunately, Leonhardt caught the signal I sent in time.
After glancing between the teacup and me, he seemed to understand the misunderstanding, and the anger that had threatened to boil over appeared to subside slightly.
However, all of this was from my perspective, accustomed as I was to reading Leonhardt’s expressions.
To the Empress Dowager, his face still appeared equally cold.
“…I was merely having tea.”
After hesitating for a long while, he closed his mouth again, likely thinking that anything more would only sound like an excuse.
Leonhardt’s tone had calmed considerably but remained frigid as he responded.
“Since Miela appears to have finished her tea, I shall take my leave with her. Your Majesty.”
I sensed the keen vigilance of a beast guarding its territory.
The Empress Dowager’s expression turned bitter as she granted us dismissal.
“Very well. Lady Roderick, the tea was pleasant.”
“It was for me as well, Your Majesty.”
I smiled brightly as though I felt none of this heavy atmosphere, offering my farewell.
“Until we meet again, may you be at peace.”
The Empress Dowager, having composed herself with practiced grace, responded elegantly.
“Let us meet again soon.”
The moment Miela and the Empress Dowager finished their farewells, Leonhardt merely bowed his head slightly before leaving the Empress’s Palace Garden.

* * *
Once Leonhardt’s long, hurried strides crossed the boundary of the Empress’s Palace, they gradually slowed.
“Did you finally remember I exist?”
His stride had grown so wide—had he really grown that much taller?—that he was walking at such a rapid pace!
As I struggled to keep up with Leonhardt, nearly jogging, I finally had enough breath to speak, and I pouted my lips as I asked.
Only then did Leonhardt stop, his voice subdued as he apologized.
“I’m sorry.”
In the past, seeing Leonhardt’s rigid expression, I would have thought he was angry but reluctantly apologizing out of obligation.
But now, my eyes saw only a bewildered and dejected little rabbit caught in an unexpected situation.
And there was quite a bit of misunderstanding mixed in, to boot.
“What are you apologizing for?”
I answered in the gentlest voice I could manage, poking his cheeks playfully and laughing.
As if inviting him to laugh along.
Naturally, Leonhardt did not laugh along.
He merely blinked in surprise at the sudden teasing.
Over two years, he had grown so much that his frame was now as broad as a door, yet he remained remarkably innocent.
Finding it endearing, I gave him a light kiss, and Leonhardt’s eyes brightened anew.
He seemed slightly sulky, thinking I was serious while he continued to play around.
‘Really now, who told you to be so adorable?’
I laughed softly to myself, inwardly blaming Leonhardt for no good reason.
Sensing that my laughter felt like mockery, Leonhardt raised one eyebrow sharply.
“You….”
He was on the verge of genuinely pouting.
“My sweet rabbit.”
I cupped both his cheeks soothingly and pressed soft kisses to them.
Leonhardt accepted my kisses obediently, and only after I’d kissed him to my satisfaction did he grumble petulantly.
“You smell of alcohol.”
What?
As my tension eased, the intoxication caught up with me belatedly.
I discovered the source of my peculiar floating sensation and laughed sheepishly.
‘I did drink quite a bit earlier.’
But Leonhardt had arrived far too late.
So some of this was his fault too.
I pouted my lips playfully and reproached him.
“You didn’t say a word on the Terrace.”
Leonhardt’s earlobes flushed a soft crimson as he remembered why he’d remained silent then.
I found myself thinking how much I wanted to bite those earlobes as I continued.
“And I went to the Empress’s Palace of my own volition.”
If I, Lady Roderick, had not genuinely wished it, not even the Emperor himself could have summoned me forth.
“What?”
Leonhardt’s expression shifted to surprise.
He’d thought he’d cleared up the misunderstanding that the Empress Dowager had dragged me away and was oppressing me, but now it seemed he’d only corrected the ‘was oppressing me’ part of that assumption.
‘That can’t be right.’
It was such an absurd thought that I wanted to laugh aloud, but I swallowed my amusement instead.
I immediately pulled Leonhardt into a tight embrace and rested my cheek against his solid chest.
“You’re adorable.”
Leonhardt seemed flustered by the sudden cascade of affection, but he didn’t resist.
He simply hesitated before pulling me into his arms in return.
Still, his expression had clearly improved now that the misunderstanding was resolved.
I glanced up at him briefly, then satisfied, nestled my cheek back against his chest.
There in the middle of the path leading to the Empress’s Palace, we remained locked in an embrace, sharing our warmth.
I was contentedly thinking how perfect it would be to fall asleep using Leonhardt as a body pillow, but he seemed lost in deep contemplation.
Finally organizing his thoughts, Leonhardt called my name in a solemn voice.
“Miela.”
“Yes.”
Fearing he’d discover what I’d been thinking, I matched his serious tone and responded gravely.
After calling my name only to fall silent, Leonhardt exhaled deeply, then hesitated several times before forcing out his words.
“Why didn’t you refuse?”
Though the subject was omitted, I understood Leonhardt’s intent immediately.
To be honest, the misunderstanding had been cleared up, and I’d thought the matter was essentially resolved, so I was caught somewhat off guard.
I released Leonhardt from my tight embrace and met his gaze.
My reflection shimmered in his confused crimson eyes.
‘I wonder if I appear in Leonhardt’s eyes the way he does in mine.’
Lost in that tangential thought, I nearly missed my moment to respond, so I hurried to speak with practiced composure.
“There’s no reason to refuse, is there?”
I maintained good relations with the Imperial Family, with the exception of Prince.
Even the Empress, who went to such lengths to avoid meeting Leonhardt’s gaze, would exchange pleasantries and greetings with me whenever our paths happened to cross.
Such a relationship had existed similarly before my regression.
‘Though back then, the Emperor was deceased, the Empress had secluded herself at the Imperial Villa farthest from the Capital, and the Empress Dowager was in poor health, so I only saw her at official functions.’
Both before and after my regression, there was no reason to avoid the Empress Dowager, so it was a natural explanation for me—but Leonhardt seemed dissatisfied with my answer.
Leonhardt pressed his lips together in discontent and fell silent, then after a long hesitation, finally spoke.
Even as he did, his eyes darted about as though carefully selecting his words.
After such a prolonged struggle, what emerged was a dejected plea.
“I’d prefer it if you refused next time.”
“Why?”
It wasn’t an aggressive “why”—it was genuine curiosity.
I had my own reasons for wanting to maintain good relations with the Imperial Family.
But if Leonhardt had reasons more important than mine, I was willing to accept them.
Fortunately, just as I’d grown accustomed to Leonhardt’s way of expressing emotions, he seemed to have grown accustomed to my nature.
After deliberating further, Leonhardt began explaining his feelings with a grave expression.
“Simply put, I dislike it.”
“How much do you dislike it?”
“Very much.”
“Will you listen to what I have to say first and reconsider?”
To anyone listening, it would seem like we were bickering, but we were earnest in our own way.
Leonhardt, who needed rational reasons, and I, who required only emotional ones, were each speaking in our own manner.
After confirming that Leonhardt nodded, I opened my mouth again.
“I want you to drive out Prince through legitimate means and become the rightful successor—to become Emperor. For that, you need the support of the Imperial Family.”
At this point, I looked to Leonhardt as though seeking his agreement, and with my hand cupping his cheek, I made him nod before continuing.
“For that to happen, maintaining amicable relations with the Imperial Family is crucial, but I don’t want you to expend effort toward it yourself.”
That’s why I’m doing it instead.
‘I suppose I care for you quite a lot.’
I broke into a radiant smile toward Leonhardt.

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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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