Chapter 05
Rachel took Alex’s hand and stood up.
She had already grasped the situation and looked at me with a pitiful expression.
“My poor sister, are you feeling better? You came at the perfect time. I was just about to put flowers in a vase and bring them to your bedroom.”
Then why were you in the storage room?
As I stared at her with that unspoken question, Rachel flinched and quickly hid behind Alex.
“You’re scary when you look at me like that. You’re not going to slap me again, are you?”
Peeking out slightly, Rachel widened her eyes innocently.
Should I just slap the other cheek too?
I considered it for a moment, then spoke.
“I’m perfectly fine. In fact, I feel clearer than ever. Now I know exactly what I need to do.”
The two of them stiffened and fell silent, clearly uneasy.
I smiled sweetly and continued.
“By the way, Lord Alex, I heard from Dana. Our wedding date has been set.”
Alex quickly erased his previous look of panic and replaced it with a friendly expression.
“Yes, it’s set for three days before the Founding Ball. His Majesty has already approved it.”
“Three days before the Founding Ball… That would be August 20th, Year 320, right?”
“That’s right. The day we vow our eternal love.”
Beside him, Rachel’s gaze turned oddly sharp.
She playfully tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and spoke.
“That’s such an important day. I should put extra effort into my dress. I’ll have the butler call designer Alonso…”
“Rachel.”
I slowly lifted my eyelids and stared at her.
“I want you to be my bridesmaid.”
“Bridesmaid? You can just have a maid do that. Why should I—”
“According to Imperial history, bridesmaids were meant to protect the bride from evil spirits. Traditionally, the closest person to the engaged couple would take on that role. Any educated person would know that. Isn’t that right, Lord Alex?”
“…Uh… Yes, I think I remember something like that.”
As expected, Alex nodded in agreement.
He was a successful businessman, but he hated admitting when he didn’t know something. His fragile pride wouldn’t allow it.
What a useless ego.
I smiled and spoke.
“I’d feel more at ease if my only little sister happily agreed to be my bridesmaid. It would also help my herbal research go more smoothly.”
At the mention of “herbal research,” a greedy glint flashed in Alex’s eyes.
“…Yes, that’s right. If my future sister-in-law becomes the bridesmaid, I would be grateful as well.”
“Oh my, Lord Alex. Rachel doesn’t suit the role of a bridesmaid. If anything, she should be the main character.”
Rachel touched Alex’s arm lightly and gave him a flirtatious smile.
Unbelievable.
I kept a relaxed smile as I looked at Rachel.
“Even if he’s going to be your brother-in-law, you should be careful not to call his name so casually. If you act too familiarly, people might misunderstand.”
Rachel flinched and blinked in surprise.
“What do you mean, sister?”
“I’m just saying you should be mindful of your words. Acting carelessly and causing unnecessary misunderstandings is the most vulgar and unrefined thing one can do.”
Rachel hesitated, fidgeting with her fingertips and sighing.
“Sister, why are you acting like this all of a sudden? You never used to speak this way.”
I smiled slightly, my gaze unwavering.
“What do you mean ‘used to’? I’ve always been someone who speaks the truth.”
Rachel opened her mouth as if to say something but then froze.
Beside her, Alex cleared his throat awkwardly.
“Ahem, Aselin, since the wedding is coming up, won’t you need some jewelry? Why don’t we visit the jeweler today so you can pick whatever you like?”
I slowly turned to look at him before shrugging lightly.
“If you insist, how could I refuse?”
At my words, Alex smiled in satisfaction and walked out of the storage room first.
As I followed, I glanced at Rachel, whose face had darkened.
“Don’t take it too personally. It’s just some sisterly advice. And you can look forward to your bridesmaid dress—I’ve designed something special just for you.”
“I have no intention of being a bridesmaid. I’m sure Pierre would agree with me.”
Rachel bit her lip, trying to suppress her emotions.
So, Rachel, now that Alex isn’t here, you’re finally showing your true colors?
I wonder how long you can hold in.
Smiling, I patted her shoulder.
“You’ve always had trouble understanding things since childhood, and I see that hasn’t changed. Does this sound like a request to you?”
“If it’s not a request, then what is it?”
Her voice carried a hint of sharpness.
I let out a cold laugh and whispered softly.
“If you think carefully about everything you’ve done so far, you’ll understand.”
Rachel completely froze, her fingers trembling.
Leaving her behind, I walked out of the storage room with ease.
Clatter.
I emptied a heavy velvet pouch onto the table.
Sapphires, rubies, and pink diamonds—all sorts of expensive jewels—sparkled under the chandelier’s light.
I sank into the plush sofa, gazing at the gems.
Did they truly think I had figured everything out?
Spending this much money just to silence me…
Well, it was an unexpected gain.
What should I do with these jewels?
I had no intention of adorning myself with gifts from a worthless ex-fiancé.
My first priority was to break off the engagement.
I picked up a diamond necklace, staring at it.
As I moved it, the transparent, brilliant light shimmered dazzlingly.
So, he really does have a lot of money after all.
Yet in my past life, he thought a single necklace was enough for me.
Well, why would he waste money on a woman who was so easy to fool?
Thinking about my past self, who had fallen for someone like Alex, I let out a sigh.
More than anything, I needed to break off the engagement.
But it wasn’t that simple.
The wedding date had already been approved by the Emperor himself.
There was no way to cancel it now.
I needed a good plan.
I leaned back against the sofa, deep in thought.
As I closed my eyes, a memory from my past life resurfaced.
[You made that poison yourself.]
[…Are you talking about the Beatrice medicine? That poison is used for hunting deer… Don’t tell me you used it on the First Prince?]
After our wedding, Alex became a marquis and spent most of his time in the Imperial Palace, building connections.
He always boasted that his business would flourish because he was aligned with the Second Prince.
But unfortunately, the Second Prince was sinking ship for him.
The prince tried to hide his identity as soon as he killed the First Prince.
He framed Rachel as the culprit, and Alex, in turn, sacrificed me to protect her.
As I recalled my past life, my heart grew heavy.
It wasn’t just the deep betrayal—it was also the guilt of knowing that the poison I had created had harmed someone.
Even if I hadn’t known, I was the one who made the deadly poison.
I opened my eyes and looked out the window.
Below, shrouded in mist, stood a massive palace.
Claude Vial de Vertha, where the First Prince currently resides.
A thought suddenly crossed my mind.
If I married a member of the royal family, I could break off my engagement with Alex.
But approaching Prince Claude would be nearly impossible.
He was infamous for his reclusive nature, rarely appearing even at major imperial events.
In my past life, I had only seen him once.
Five years ago, on the day of his mother’s funeral.
As I recalled that day, an image of the maddened prince formed in my mind.
That stormy day, rain poured as if the sky itself had been torn open.
Drenched from head to toe, he swung his sword wildly.
Blood mixed with the rain, forming crimson puddles at his feet.
As people screamed and fled in terror, he mercilessly slaughtered every royal guard in sight.
Hiding in the corner of the cathedral, I had watched him in fear.
His blood-red footprints stained the white marble floor as he approached.
His long, jet-black hair, soaked with rain, clung to his face.
His piercing, blood-colored eyes burned with a lethal intensity.
And then, in that moment, our eyes met.
He lightly flicked the blood off his sword and smirked crookedly.
Then, without a word, he turned and left the cathedral.
That was the first and last time I had ever seen Prince Claude.
I wish her good luck. I hate the family.