Chapter 5
“Was my request too difficult for you, Lady Alaisia?” Franz’s voice gently reached her.
Alaisia, who had been sitting in a daze, slowly blinked at the sound of her name.
What is he doing? What’s going on…?
She furrowed her brow and looked at Franz. As the silence stretched on, the smile faded from his lips. His honey-gold eyes now reflected a tinge of anxiety.
“Was it too much to ask?”
“…I’m sorry.”
Alaisia answered stiffly. She couldn’t accept his kindness at face value.
His true nature—the man who had once scorned and humiliated her—was etched too clearly in her memory.
A normal couple?
That was absurd. The Franz of the past would have scoffed at such a statement.
He hadn’t even wanted to talk to her, let alone share anything resembling a marriage.
Whenever it was time for her to neutralize his mana, Alaisia would prepare in advance—bathing, dressing up, hopeful.
He, on the other hand, would show up fresh from the training grounds, dripping with sweat, scowling like a child forced to visit the doctor. He’d grab her wrist with cold hands, endure the mana calming, and release her like he’d touched fire.
The memory was still vivid.
She’d seen his back far more often than his face during their marriage.
Even when he smiled for others, his expression would harden the moment their eyes met. He would leave the room immediately afterward.
And now this same man wanted to become a normal couple? It felt like mockery.
“I believe the imperial family has its own protocols. I may not be highly educated, but I intend to serve Your Highness accordingly,” Alaisia said flatly, reverting to formality.
The carriage rumbled on in silence, the coachman’s calls and the wheels on the gravel the only sounds.
“I apologize, Your Highness,” she added without sincerity.
Franz looked at her quietly before shaking his head.
“You don’t need to apologize. I was the one making a selfish request.”
And with that, the conversation ended.
When the carriage stopped and the door opened, Alaisia blinked in confusion.
They weren’t at the annex.
“This is the Second Prince’s palace. You’ll be staying here—both before and after the wedding,” Franz explained.
Alaisia looked stunned.
What was he saying? No, more importantly—why?
The Second Prince’s palace was a restricted space, only accessible with Franz’s permission. Even as his wife, she had lived in the annex.
She stared at the slate-gray dome, the colonnade like a temple’s walkway, and the vast garden beyond.
The fountain…
She didn’t even notice Franz offering his hand. Her gaze was fixed on the glittering fountain, its water catching the light.
I thought I had let go of the past.
She had seemed fine—composed when facing Franz, unfazed by the idea of returning to the palace to marry him.
But the sight of that fountain, identical to the one from before, struck something deep inside.
In her previous life, Franz had torn down the fountain after noticing her staring at it—immediately after the wedding banquet.
As if even her gaze disgusted him.
She’d cried alone in the bridal chamber that night.
Later that evening, he visited her—not to comfort her, but to consummate the marriage silently and dutifully.
Then he left before dawn.
That marked the beginning of the rumor: the Second Prince despised his wife.
Those who doubted it pointed to the missing fountain as proof.
And now, that fountain was still standing. Franz hadn’t torn it down—yet.
As she stared at the baby angel statues, tears welled in her eyes.
“You seem to like the fountain,” Franz noted.
Startled, Alaisia quickly looked away.
“No,” she said. Don’t cry, Resa. That will only make the past repeat itself.
“The light was just dazzling.”
She forced a calm voice and accepted his outstretched hand. His body felt colder than before.
It must be agony for him. Yet Franz maintained his composure, as if suppressing his mana was a daily routine.
“Franz! Where’ve you been? I’ve been looking everywhere!”
Alaisia froze mid-step as a familiar voice rang out. Quick, confident footsteps approached.
“If your older brother calls, you should answer. You’re always so cold.”
The man who grabbed Franz’s shoulder and turned him around was none other than the First Prince, Crayton.
Alaisia instinctively stepped back.
Crayton frowned when he noticed her.
“Who’s this?”
Franz didn’t reply. He simply brushed Crayton’s hand off his shoulder.
Crayton, unbothered, persisted.
“I asked who she is.”
Alaisia bowed politely.
“Greetings, First Prince. May the glory of the Sun rest upon you. I am Alaisia Ambrose.”
“Ambrose? Ah, are you Caleb Ambrose’s sister?”
The question surprised her. She looked up in shock.
“You know my brother, Your Highness?”
“We studied together at the academy. A pleasure to meet you, Lady Alaisia. Or should I say, sister-in-law?”
Crayton smiled warmly.
Crayton Eustace—the First Son of the Sun, strong contender for the throne, and a man with both power and popularity.
He was known for his charm and excellent leadership, serving as student president in every institution he attended.
His palace was always bustling with guests. There wasn’t a noble in the empire who didn’t know him.
His wife, Princess Glenna, was the daughter of the Duke of Corneille, the most powerful family in the empire.
Compared to elegant Glenna, I must’ve seemed so provincial… Alaisia thought bitterly.
Maybe that’s why Franz was always so disappointed in her.
Maybe that’s why he fell for Nyris Roshanak at Crayton’s birthday ball.
Alaisia bore no resentment toward Crayton—but his ball had been the stage where Franz met the woman who would become his lover.
If Franz hadn’t met Nyris, maybe he wouldn’t have tried to kill me…
She might have lived as a ghost, invisible and unimportant.
But then I never would’ve returned. So maybe this is better…
Alaisia swallowed a bitter smile and spoke.
“Please treat me comfortably, Your Highness.”
“As you wish. I heard your wedding is next month. Congratulations on joining the imperial family. Ah, and…”
Crayton glanced at Franz, then leaned toward Alaisia.
Franz stepped in, blocking him.
“What are you trying to do?”
“Nothing much. Just warning her about your awful personality.”
Crayton gave a sheepish grin and tilted his head.
“As you can see, life with this guy won’t be easy. Feel free to visit the First Prince’s palace whenever you need to talk. I’ll be happy to listen.”
“Thank you,” Alaisia said.
“She won’t,” Franz cut in sharply.
Alaisia flinched at his cold response.
He was glaring at Crayton like a sworn enemy.
“We’ll see,” Crayton said with a smile, unfazed.
He was used to this treatment.
Alaisia, however, was surprised by the hostility.
Did something happen between them I don’t know about?
They had never been close in her past life, since they were rivals for the crown. But it had never been this cold.
Franz had respected Crayton, and Crayton had introduced him to Nyris.
So what changed?
I haven’t done anything yet. The future shouldn’t be different…
Alaisia glanced at Franz, confused.
Crayton eventually broke the awkward silence.
“He’s still as defiant as ever. Sorry you had to see that. I’ll excuse myself now before this gets more awkward.”
He gave an exaggerated wave and walked off, acting unbothered by Franz’s harshness.
“Mother’s looking for you,” he added. “She’s wondering why you’re breaking protocol. I gave a vague explanation…”
His eyes flicked to Alaisia.
She immediately understood.
It was improper for a prince to fetch his bride personally—or to house her in the royal palace before marriage.
With the Emperor ill, the Empress must have summoned Franz to scold him.
“Well, I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
Franz gave no reply, so Crayton let it go.
“See you next time. Congratulations again.”
He vanished with a confident stride.
Alaisia watched him go, only to be startled by a ragged breath beside her.
“Ugh…”
Franz staggered, clutching his chest in pain.
