If I Were Reborn, I Wouldn’t Marry You - Chapter 136

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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 136
“Your Majesty! What on earth are you saying?”
For a moment, I forgot that the man before me was the exalted Emperor himself.
As I cried out with wide eyes, the Emperor asked in bewilderment.
“It’s not?”
“Of course not!”
Leonhardt, who had failed to pick up on the subtle atmosphere until now, finally grasped the situation and wore an equally incredulous expression.
“That’s absolutely nonsensical….”
Though he cut himself short, his tone was somewhat disrespectful to address the Emperor.
Yet the flustered Emperor seemed not to hear Leonhardt’s words at all.
“But at the Lakeside, you had morning sickness….”
Only after hearing the Emperor murmur those words to himself did Leonhardt understand why such an absurd situation had unfolded.
His crimson eyes widened in shock.
That was it.
Remarkably, Leonhardt had not properly understood what had happened at the Lakeside until now.
“Then at that time?”
Now the pieces of how strangely I had behaved that day seemed to fit together.
“But that was because I had too much to drink the night before….”
Oh!
Usually so silent, yet today he was remarkably talkative.
I quickly elbowed his ribs to hint at discretion, and he closed his mouth, but the important words had already spilled out.
“Too much to drink?”
The Emperor repeated part of what Leonhardt had said.
Eyes of different colors turned toward me simultaneously.
Feeling somewhat embarrassed that my drinking had been mistaken for morning sickness, I averted my gaze and made an excuse.
“…I had mild gastritis, and it was compounded by motion sickness.”
The Emperor let out a hearty laugh.
“Let’s go with that.”
It seemed he had finally accepted that it was a misunderstanding.
“I didn’t know how to face Aimers…. Thank goodness.”
Though he said it was fortunate, the Emperor’s expression was tremendously disappointed.
Considering how he had been obstructing my engagement to Leonhardt all this time, it was rather amusing.
But all I could do was meet the Emperor’s gaze directly with a knowing expression, regardless of my station.
Perhaps pricked by conscience, the Emperor cleared his throat and hastily averted his eyes from mine.
Then he made an obvious attempt to change the subject.
“Since you’re here, let’s have a meal before you go.”
Royal Attendants who had been waiting in the distance quickly brought trays and began setting out the food.
It wasn’t a state banquet, merely a light meal, yet once the setting was complete, there was hardly any space left on the table.
“His Majesty has personally taken care of the arrangements.”
The Chamberlain spoke in a hushed voice.
It seemed the Emperor wanted to somehow smooth over his slip of the tongue.
Now that I thought about it, every dish served was either beneficial for pregnant women or a nourishing tonic.
I realized I’d jumped to conclusions without properly investigating.
‘It would have been less absurd if he’d actually called me here to reconcile with Prince.’
At least he would have been mentally prepared for that.
The Emperor laughed awkwardly, as if my true feelings were written across my face.
“In any case, it’s good for your health.”
“Yes, of course.”
I answered half-heartedly and picked up my fork when a sudden shift in perspective occurred to me.
‘But I did get permission to marry, didn’t I?’
It seemed the Emperor had no particular intention of mediating between Prince and us.
So what if I took this opportunity to formalize the marriage arrangements right now?
There was nothing to lose and everything to gain.
‘Before he changes his mind!’
As my thoughts deepened and my eating slowed, Leonhardt kept sending glances my way.
As if asking whether this situation was making me uncomfortable.
His expression suggested he would bolt from his seat at the slightest nod from me, so I smiled and shook my head.
When I took a large bite of asparagus, Leonhardt’s gaze finally focused forward.
The Emperor was observing us with a subtle expression.
“Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve seen you two together…”
His face held the look of someone witnessing something unfamiliar.
Thanks to that, I could guess what the Emperor had left unsaid.
Leonhardt’s demeanor toward me must have seemed that unusual to him.
‘Though he’s barely seen Leon and me separately either.’
This was our everyday reality.
I wanted to tell him not to pretend we weren’t close.
But unlike a moment ago when both the Emperor and I were too flustered to think straight, I needed to conduct myself properly now.
I lifted the corners of my mouth into a bright smile and answered.
“Is that so? But once we’re married, you’ll be seeing us together quite often.”
Not that I intended to let him off the hook so easily.
The Emperor laughed as though he’d heard a pleasant joke and tried to smooth over the situation.
“Ha ha ha. That may well be true.”
His eyes darted about busily, and now that he knew the pregnancy was merely a rumor, he seemed to want to take back the marriage permission as well.
I could sense that coming, but I wouldn’t let it happen.
“While we’re on the subject, wouldn’t next spring be a good time for our wedding?”
Speaking in a deliberately oblivious, gentle tone, the Emperor began making excuses to postpone, just as he had been doing.
“Next spring, you say… The preparations would be rushed. What about the year after next?”
Since a state wedding required considerable time to prepare, we would need to begin arrangements immediately to marry next spring.
It seemed he was trying to buy himself another year, or at least six more months.
‘What should I do.’
I fell into a moment of contemplation.
Of course, it wasn’t a matter of whether to delay or proceed as the Emperor suggested.
The real question was how to persuade the Emperor.
He was a difficult opponent to handle—appearing pliant and indulgent while ultimately steering matters in his desired direction.
‘The Nobility Law is the problem.’
The Emperor’s approval was required for marriages among high nobility and the Imperial Family.
Since I had been waiting for the Emperor’s permission precisely because I wanted a blessed marriage, I couldn’t afford to miss this opportunity.
It was then that Leonhardt took the initiative.
“Grant me Rosenfeld as a wedding gift for marrying Miela.”
The Grand Duchy of Rosenfeld was a title attached to the Imperial Family, typically bestowed upon the highest-ranking member of the Imperial bloodline who would not become Emperor.
‘In other words, requesting the Grand Duchy of Rosenfeld can be interpreted as implicitly renouncing the succession to the throne.’
Of course, it wasn’t a genuine renunciation of succession rights—merely a symbolic gesture.
If the Emperor chose to misinterpret it, that was hardly our fault.
Apart from the fact that it could be construed that way depending on context, Rosenfeld was a prize territory that anyone would covet.
I exchanged a glance with Leonhardt and smiled softly.
“Rosenfeld is naturally yours, Leon.”
The Emperor was delighted by Leonhardt’s proposal.
“Yes, you’ve come of age now, after all.”
As if suddenly feeling remorseful that his previous objections had lost their foundation, the Emperor promised additional wedding gifts beyond Rosenfeld.
“I look forward to the day you become my daughter-in-law, Miela.”
“So do I.”

* * *
The moment the two of them departed, the Emperor summoned Prince.
“Come in, Prince.”
“I was told you wished to see me, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor greeted Prince with a far more relaxed expression than he had shown Leonhardt and Miela.
Every time he looked upon Leonhardt, guilt gnawed at him—in truth, the Emperor had found the recent meal the most uncomfortable of the three present.
Yet with Prince, such gatherings felt entirely natural.
The Emperor felt the contradiction of his emotions and grew bitter.
“Yes, it’s been far too long since I’ve seen your face. Won’t you sit?”
Even after Prince took his seat, the Emperor remained silent for a considerable time, sipping his tea.
He had summoned him on impulse, fearing his resolve might waver, but the Emperor still needed time to gather his thoughts.
Only after a lengthy silence did the Emperor finally speak.
“Long ago, there was a fire at Duke Roderick’s Mansion, was there not?”
At the sudden mention of an incident more than a decade past, Prince’s expression grew puzzled.
Gazing upon the face that bore such a striking resemblance to both himself and the Empress he loved, the Emperor continued.
“This time, there have been unseemly rumors circulating about Miela, Leonhardt, and you.”
Recognizing the connection between the two incidents, Prince’s expression hardened.
The Emperor spoke as though exhaling a sigh.
“I will not turn a blind eye to this any further.”

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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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