Why does my lord frown so harshly at the merchant’s words that have little meaning?

While Oliver was tilting his head at that fact, Christine laughed brightly and said,

“Haha, unfortunately not. Both of us already have separate fiancés.”

“Oh, oh! I apologize for my rudeness!”

The merchant blushed in embarrassment.

And Oliver witnessed his lord’s expression become even more rigid after hearing Christine’s words. Somehow it seemed very strange. He stared intently at Elliot’s hardened profile. At that moment, a thought flashed through his mind.

‘Could it be that my lord? No, that can’t be. When he was choosing the brooch, I did wonder if he might have feelings for the Duke’s daughter, but back then it seemed more like he felt guilty for not being able to repay the favor he received, rather than wanting to do something for her because he liked her.’

Oliver quickly denied that thought. However, the more he denied it, the more certain he became in his heart.

Meanwhile, Christine, having paid the merchant for the clothes, walked towards the opposite street with Prince Justin. As their figures receded into the distance, only then did Elliot begin to follow them. Oliver also trailed behind him. After making sure there was no one else around by sharpening his senses, he quickly spoke to the Duke who was pursuing the two.

“Um, Your Grace.”

“What is it?”

“You look quite displeased. …Did you perhaps sense some suspicious presence that I couldn’t detect?”

“Of course not. If I had, I would have drawn my sword immediately.”

Elliot answered in a gruff voice. Hearing this, Oliver’s expression became peculiar. Oliver lowered his voice meaningfully and asked him,

“Then… Are you perhaps jealous?”

At this, Elliot, who had been walking quickly, stopped in his tracks. He let out a snort of disbelief and said,

“Ha, me?”

“Are you not?”

Oliver tilted his head and asked back. Elliot replied in a cool voice.

“Nonsense. I’m just anxious that our plan might go awry. You know too, don’t you? For the plan to succeed, Prince Justin must not fall for Duke Yusten’s daughter.”

“…Well, that’s true, but.”

“Tsk, stop talking nonsense and move quickly. We’ll lose sight of them at this rate.”

With those final words, Elliot once again vanished, concealing his presence as he pursued the two who had disappeared. Oliver nodded and followed behind his lord who was rapidly distancing himself. As Elliot said, there was no time to waste on unnecessary words.

At that time.

After ordering new clothes for Prince Justin, I left the alley with him. Prince Justin followed behind me and asked,

“Where are we going now? No matter how I look at it, this doesn’t seem to be the way to the Imperial Palace.”

I knew he would ask that. I pretended to be troubled, furrowing my brow as I answered.

“Well, I thought if Your Highness returned to the palace in this state, His Majesty the Emperor and many others would be shocked. It would be fortunate if they were merely surprised, but I fear His Majesty might reprimand me and my family for failing to properly attend to Your Highness.”

“…Ah. That’s true. But this isn’t really your fault…”

“So, how about taking a short walk with me on the outskirts of the city until your wet clothes dry? There happens to be a beautiful purple butterfly habitat nearby.”

“…Purple butterflies, how intriguing. We don’t have butterflies of that color in Laska.”

Prince Justin accepted my suggestion without much suspicion. Of course he did. In my previous life, I had also taken Prince Justin there to improve his mood. Back then, I had obtained information that Prince Justin had a hobby of collecting beautiful butterflies, and I tried to use that to gain forgiveness for Danae’s transgression.

Just like then, I took him to a field located on the outskirts of the city.

That place, where purple butterflies fluttered over blooming wildflowers, and a small well and stream flowing from the nearby mountain bubbled gently, was just as beautiful and peaceful as in my previous life.

Wiping the sweat from my forehead, I said to the prince,

“You must be very tired, Your Highness?”

“…No, I’m fine.”

However, contrary to his words, Prince Justin’s face was flushed red. It was no wonder he was hot and tired, having walked for quite a while wearing the thicker Laskan imperial robes on top of the Empire’s attire, and with a wet robe over all that.

Looking at him with concern, I said,

“Oh my, you’re sweating a lot. You must be thirsty. I’ll go get some wine and ice from a nearby house.”

“…There’s no need for that. We can just draw water from this well and…”

“Please wait here for a moment, Your Highness!”

I brushed off his protests and ran towards the houses. Or rather, I pretended to run.

And hiding behind a tree out of the prince’s sight, I observed him. I watched as Prince Justin lowered the hood of his robe and sat down, leaning against the well.

How long did I wait like that?

A woman approached the well where Prince Justin was sitting. With long, nearly black brown hair rolled up into a bun, wearing a plain gray dress, she was carrying a basket full of laundry.

Soon she set the basket down next to the well, and her eyes met with the prince’s. I witnessed Prince Justin’s eyes widening in surprise.

‘No wonder he’s surprised. A woman who looks exactly like his late mother, perfectly matching his ideal type, is standing right in front of him.’

Soon she will speak to Prince Justin. Asking ‘why are you here like this?’ To that question, Prince Justin will reply that he’s waiting for his companion who went to get something to drink.

Then she will draw water from the well, float a leaf on top of it, and offer it to the prince.

Just as Prince Justin’s mother once did, warning that drinking water hastily could cause illness.

I smiled bitterly, recalling the catalyst that made the two fall in love in my previous life.

‘It was clearly my mistake. I didn’t know Prince Justin would drink water offered by a stranger without any suspicion. I certainly didn’t expect them to fall in love because of that small action.’

Moreover, I didn’t know at the time that this woman happened to be Evelyn, a maid working in Princess Ella’s palace.

‘Not knowing that, I pushed for the royal marriage according to my uncle’s wishes, and even after marrying Princess Ella, Prince Justin couldn’t let go of his feelings for Evelyn. …That’s why Princess Ella’s married life spiraled into unhappiness.’

Because of my choices and mistakes in my previous life, several people’s lives were ruined. I gritted my teeth, keenly feeling that fact anew.

Back then, I made decisions that could ruin other people’s lives without much thought, all for the sake of my beloved family. Not knowing that I would be abandoned by those very people I had devoted myself to.

But that version of me is dead. The me who has come back to life will correct all the mistakes and wrongdoings I committed.

With that resolve, I turned my steps. As in my previous life, I needed to appear before the prince with ice obtained from a house.

It’s time to move forward to continue this story that will now have a completely different ending from before.

I returned to the well where Prince Justin was, carrying wine and ice obtained from a house.

“Prince Justin!”

Just like in my previous life, when I called out to him, Evelyn, who had been conversing with him, opened her eyes wide.

She realized who the person she had been talking to and feeling her heart flutter for was, upon hearing my voice. Flustered, she left without even picking up the basket she had brought, returning the way she came.

“W-Wait a moment!”

Prince Justin tried to stop Evelyn as she walked away, but ended up falling ungracefully. I quickly approached him and checked on him, asking,

“Are you alright, Your Highness?”

“…I’m, I’m fine.”

The prince answered with a reddened face. I asked him, pretending to be completely unaware of the situation that had just occurred,

“Who was that person you were talking to just now? Did you perhaps meet someone you know…?”

“…No.”

His expression was blank as he answered me. He was probably recalling Evelyn’s appearance from moments ago. Ignoring his state, I said,

“Oh, Your Highness. Did you wait long? I’ve brought wine and ice.”

“It’s fine. I don’t feel like it now that I’ve drunk the well water.”

Prince Justin shook his head. Then, staring blankly at the laundry basket Evelyn had left behind, he said,

“…Duke Yusten’s daughter, may I ask one favor?”

“Yes. Please go ahead.”

“Could you find out who the owner of that basket is, …No. Never mind. Let’s return to the palace now.”

He started to speak but then shook his head. I thought I knew what was going through his mind.

He probably wanted to use the basket as an excuse to meet Evelyn again, but then remembered his position as someone about to enter into a royal marriage with the princess, and gave up on that idea. Without pressing him further, I said,

“Yes, Your Highness. Then I’ll contact the palace immediately to call for a carriage to escort you back.”

After heading to the palace with Prince Justin, I only returned after confirming that he had safely entered the annex. Just as I was about to ask the gatekeeper at the main entrance for a carriage to take me back to the mansion, Duke Haven approached me.

I curtsied slightly, holding the edge of my dress, and said,

“It’s been a while, Duke Haven.”

“Are you coming back from seeing off Prince Justin?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“It seems you’re looking for a carriage to ride. Let me give the Duke’s daughter a ride to the mansion.”

“…I was just in a predicament, thank you for your kindness, Duke Haven.”

The Duke and I exchanged brief pleasantries. With many eyes and ears around, it was dangerous to mention the plan. I entered a secluded alley a little distance from the palace with the Duke. His carriage was parked there. The Duke opened the carriage door for me and said,