“That’s right! But do you think the Marquess’s position changed just because you possessed it? Unless you completely twist the original work, for now, you should think that it will proceed as it did in the original work.”

“Uh…”

Lumie, who accepted it reluctantly, nodded weakly.

“Lumie, you must never forget. Only you and I have been transmigrated; everyone else remains the original characters. The antagonist is still the antagonist.”

Only now did Lumie reluctantly nod his head.

“I got it…”

It seemed I succeeded in convincing him to some extent.

I covered my face with the scarf again. It was time to part ways with Lumie.

Just before leaving, I gave Lumie a final piece of advice.

“Always remember that the only person who can make you the Crown Princess is the Crown Prince. Good luck, Lumie.”

Lumie nodded his head silently without saying anything. I confirmed that there was no one around and quickly got off the carriage.

The encounter with Lumie was smooth, but it didn’t feel the same when I returned to the accommodation.
As soon as I entered the entrance of the Crown Prince’s palace, I was met with a familiar silhouette.

“……!”

“Stopping by for a drink?”

A chilling voice. It was Klaus.

Meeting him unexpectedly at this place and time made my mind go blank.

“Um, Your Highness?”

“You probably didn’t drink alone, was it Lutz?”

What an out-of-place remark. Why would Lutz suddenly come up?

“Lutz? Are you talking about Sir Lutz?”

“……. ”

He didn’t answer.

Come to think of it, there were no guards or attendants next to Klaus. Could it be that he came here alone?

Suppressing my pounding heart, I calmly turned my head.

Firstly, Klaus waited for me here.

The fact that he was waiting for me at this particular entrance among all the servant entrances meant he already knew that I would be coming this way.

“Are you looking for me?”

“……. ”

The unexpected shadow did not answer. As I recalled who I had met on the way here, my heart pounded.

No, stay calm, stay calm.

Klaus clearly didn’t know that I had met Lumie. If he did, Lutz’s name wouldn’t have come up.

I hadn’t been caught doing the most crucial thing, so there was no need to panic at all.

“I apologize. I briefly went out of the palace and returned. Just for personal matters…”

“Personal matters?”

Klaus’s shadow extended over me. He took a step closer, and I stepped back.

“Yes.”

A cold and rigid wall touched my back. There was nowhere else to retreat.

Klaus leaned against the wall, trapping me.

“Is it because I rejected you?”

“What?”

His face came dangerously close.

Klaus clenched his teeth as if holding something back.

“You’re making excuses, but it’s just because there’s someone else, right!”

“!”

It felt like a sudden awakening.

Oh my, Klaus was misunderstanding that I was in a relationship with Lutz!

“No, it’s not like that! How on earth did you get that idea…?”

I touched my forehead. Too many words seemed like they might spill out at once. I needed to keep my mouth shut for now. I needed to calm down.

“Sir Lutz doesn’t even know that I’m a woman. We only drank together once, and it was because he recommended a good restaurant.”

Klaus didn’t seem to believe my words. He kept his lips sealed and maintained a stern expression.

“One thing is for sure. I’m not that important to you.”

“……!”

My chest sank. Not important, to whom?

I felt like my chest was boiling.

What do you know, Klaus?

Without knowing what I gave up to love you.

Without knowing that I’m doing everything for you, even becoming a villain.

“That…!”

I tried to shout reflexively.

“Uh…”

But I stopped soon after. What use would it be?
It’s true that I hurt him, and I genuinely didn’t want to be his lover. Making him a good ruler was more important than officially dating him.

Whether he understood my sincerity or not, I just needed to do my job.

I had never expected him to become a couple with Lumie or Evelin anyway.

Since when did I hope for him to understand my feelings?

It’s better this way.

I hope he distances himself from my ‘cruelty’ like this.

That way, I can give up even a shred of hope and focus coldly on my goals.

“Your Highness. Sir Lutz really has no relationship with me. Please don’t misunderstand; he is your loyal subject.”

I quietly raised my hand on the arm that confined me. Incredibly, Klaus released me without a word.

“It’s late. Please rest now. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Without turning back, I walked into my room.

Soon, a faint sound dispersed into the darkness.