If I Were Reborn, I Wouldn’t Marry You - Chapter 9

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 10

“Miela Celin Roderick.”

Who was it that said it?

That middle names exist to let you know how angry your parents are.

I flinched while burying my face in Mother’s embrace.

‘Mother is angry.’

Even if I tried to pretend I didn’t hear, my agitation would have been transmitted to Mother who was holding me.

I obediently gave up on avoiding and raised my head.

“Yesh.”

I had cried so much that my nose was stuffed, making me sound nasally.

My eyes were also swollen, so she might have pitied me and let it slide, but Mother was firm.

As if she had been waiting, a cold question was directed at me.

“Why were you doing that in the carriage when you should have been sleeping in your room?”

“Well…”

Overwhelmed by Mother’s intensity, I almost told the truth.

‘Absolutely not.’

I belatedly shut my mouth.

‘I can’t say I snuck into the carriage to meet Leonhardt.’

I was prepared to be scolded for causing trouble, but it would be very problematic if my connection with Leonhardt became known.

I rolled my eyes around while frantically thinking, acting as if I was too intimidated to speak.

However, no suitable excuse came to mind, and Mother’s gaze was growing colder by the moment.

“Miela.”

“Well…”

After repeating only “well” continuously, my gaze turned to Father.

“Dear.”

When I sent him a desperate look pleading for help, Father, who was soft on me, called to Mother with pitying eyes.

But it wasn’t going to work.

Because Mother was ranked first in the hierarchy of House Roderick.

Still, thanks to Father buying me time to regain my composure, I was able to think of an excuse.

“Lester said he was going to the Imperial Palace, so I got under the seat to follow him, but I fell asleep.”

Though there were some omitted parts in between, it was an explanation close to the truth.

‘If I lie, Mother will catch me.’

I looked at Mother with eyes like Puss in Boots to get scolded a little less, but the effect appeared on Father instead.

“You must have been very surprised. Miela, blow your nose.”

Father cautiously handed me a handkerchief while watching Mother’s reaction.

“Father.”

I didn’t miss the opportunity and threw myself into Father’s arms.

Of course, I only pretended to blow my nose.

Seeing me naturally escape Mother’s line of sight, Mother made a deflating sound as if exasperated and laughed.

Mother’s lips, which had been stiffly set the whole time, softened and relaxed.

I looked back toward Mother while being held by Father and giggled.

“Oh my.”

Mother shook her head as if she couldn’t help it, then embraced me while I was still in Father’s arms.

“Wah, it’s stuffy.”

When I whined about being trapped between Mother and Father, Mother bit my ear.

“Wasn’t it stuffy under the carriage seat?”

Having nothing to say, my complaints also disappeared.

When I just giggled, Mother bit my cheek this time.

“Ow.”

I exaggeratedly whined and complained.

Mother rubbed my cheek with the back of her hand and said.

“Do you know how worried Mother and Father were?”

Getting this far meant we were almost done.

“I’m sowwy.”

When I spoke with a thoroughly repentant face, Mother asked with a deliberately stern expression.

“You won’t do it again, right?”

I answered while being careful not to show too much relief.

“Yes.”

“But you still have to be punished. For the next month, both outings and snacks are forbidden.”

Though I had prepared for this, it wasn’t pleasant.

“Hiiing.”

I drooped my eyebrows and made a pitiful face, hoping she might reduce the period, but Mother remained firm.

“Asking Lionel to share snacks with you is also not allowed.”

Having even my only hope taken away, I was truly devastated.

“Duke Roderick. Welcome.”

The Emperor greeted Duke Roderick with a bright smile.

“It has been a while, Your Majesty.”

After Duke Roderick finished his courteous greeting, he sat across from the Emperor.

No matter how much of a duke he was, it was rude behavior to show before the Emperor, but neither of them minded.

It was a friendship that had continued since the Emperor’s days as a prince.

This level of familiarity was sufficiently acceptable behavior between the two.

Once both men were seated, the Emperor’s chamberlain personally brought out tea.

Teacups were placed in front of both the Emperor and Duke Roderick.

After the chamberlain withdrew, the Emperor picked up the teacup in front of him, took a sip, then asked Duke Roderick.

“Come to think of it, did the young lady enjoy her tour of the Imperial Palace?”

It was literally small talk, but he had been secretly curious.

This was the first time Duke Roderick had made what could be called a request of him.

He had expected a stiff expression when making small talk, but perhaps because it was about his beloved daughter, Duke Roderick’s expression wasn’t bad.

“The child was delighted. I am grateful for Your Majesty’s grace.”

Seeing Duke Roderick bow most politely among all the times he had observed, the Emperor felt secretly proud.

He had received much from Duke Roderick but had given almost nothing in return, so it had always remained as a debt in his heart.

The Emperor, in good spirits, was generous.

“They say it’s nothing special once you see it, but the Imperial Palace must be fascinating to young children. I’ll invite her often from now on.”

Duke Roderick gladly accepted the Emperor’s kindness.

“Thank you.”

When a smile graced the lips of Duke Roderick, who rarely smiled, the Emperor found himself staring intently at Duke Roderick’s face.

“Should I have a daughter even now?”

At the Emperor’s joke-like remark, Duke Roderick rarely responded in kind.

“If the Empress permits? Though it would be difficult for you to have a daughter as lovely as Miela.”

The Emperor laughed while listening to Duke Roderick’s doting father statement.

Then he said as if talking to himself.

“Your heart must ache when you have to marry off a daughter you’ve raised so preciously.”

Since there had been much talk recently about the Crown Prince’s engagement, his thoughts had flowed in that direction.

“Our child is only six years old!”

The Emperor had meant it as a joke, but Duke Roderick’s reaction was quite intense.

“The Crown Prince is eleven and we’re looking for an engagement partner for him.”

Finding the flustered Duke Roderick amusing, the Emperor added teasingly.

“Five years left, then.”

Duke Roderick, realizing the Emperor was teasing him, quickly regained his composure.

However, he still looked subtly more displeased than usual, as if the Emperor’s words weren’t welcome.

‘Come to think of it….’

After some consideration, the Emperor asked.

“The Crown Prince and Young Lady have a five-year age difference.”

Duke Roderick’s expression crumpled at the words with obvious intent.

“Anyone who can do basic arithmetic can calculate a five-year difference.”

The Emperor laughed off the grumpy remark and added in a subtle tone.

“I’m not saying we should do anything right now. Just that the Crown Prince would be the finest groom among Young Lady’s peers.”

The Emperor paused here to check Duke Roderick’s expression, then casually threw out the bait.

“Since they’re children of similar status and age, feelings might naturally develop between them.”

Since he only hinted at his intentions before backing away, it was awkward to object.

Duke Roderick exercised his right to remain silent with a displeased face.

The Emperor laughed heartily watching Duke Roderick like this.

Duke Roderick’s expression grew increasingly cold.

The Emperor changed the subject before Duke Roderick could truly get angry.

“Enough small talk, there was unrest in the border regions?”

To work matters.

However, the Emperor didn’t abandon the good idea he’d conceived.

When art class ended, a maid entered the study room as if she’d been waiting.

“Young Lady! Lady requests your presence in the drawing room!”

“Mother?”

Taking the maid’s hand and going downstairs to the drawing room, I found Mother holding an invitation with a serious expression.

“Mother?”

I let go of the maid’s hand and ran to Mother.

“Miela.”

Mother set the invitation down on the side table, then embraced me and kissed my cheek.

Then, still holding me, she opened the invitation she’d placed beside us to show me.

The first thing that caught my eye was the Crown Prince’s seal stamped at the bottom of the invitation.

‘Why is he summoning me at this point?’

This was an invitation from the Crown Prince that hadn’t existed in my previous life.

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