Chapter 25

I’m Scared of My Late First Love (3)

She was interested in opera, but it would be hard work to watch it next to Paul. Rowena got into the carriage without saying a word.

“We have about 16 days left.”

When she heard about the engagement from the crown prince, she didn’t know she would be counting down for it. She was simply surprised and thought that she should avoid such thoughts at the moment.

But in reality, the kindness of the crown prince and the excitement in her heart were causing her to expect an engagement.

Paul, sitting opposite her, grinned and began to nag at her. It was mainly to be careful in front of the owner.

“…There’s nothing worse than being talkative. All you have to do is keep your mouth shut and stand by my side.”

The person named owner must be a woman too. Perhaps she didn’t expect Paul to follow the invitation.

She would have thought that Lyria, who was known to be close to the crown prince or Rowena, would come. She wouldn’t expect Paul to invite himself.

Rowena thought Paul’s greed was shameful, but she pretended not to notice. In two weeks and a few more days, she could live separately from the count.

If she divorced the crown prince a year later, Paul would try to suppress Rowena as if he were trying to regain his fortune, but it will be after the crown prince gives Rowena his title and territory.

I’m not going to be bullied like I am now.

She was beaten by Paul because she was young and powerless. There were only a few days left before she would be more superior than him.

Rowena thought she was sick and tired of Paul thinking she could get out of here.

“Rowena! How dare you think about something else when I am saying something?! Like this, there’s nothing you can do when you’re a crown princess”

Maybe I was too deep in thought. Rowena, who was thinking about Cecil, had a look of embarrassment on her face.

Paul’s eyes glared at Rowena sizzling with anger. His anger was only a flame the size of turquoise in the face of the strong, but it was such a blazing flame to the weak.

Rowena was embarrassed and annoyed to endure Paul like that. It wasn’t Rowena’s fault that Paul lacked vanity and competence. But, Count Adelia’s estate was not bad compared to other lands.

It’s just that Paul wasn’t as rich as he wanted, but he had enough income to live a healthy life with his four children.

Rowena, who looked after the countess’ house in the place of the dead Countess, knew this. So, every time he pretended to be poor in front of his children and played the role of a capable man who lived an unfair life because no one could support his abilities around him, she was ashamed.

“How can I… think otherwise in front of you?”

As the horse galloped, the carriage reached the front of the opera theater. The servant had already stepped out of the carriage and they heard a call outside the carriage’s door.

“The count has arrived.”

“Father, we’ve arrived at the theater… Argh!”

Rowena gave a short scream as she was punched in the face. The count tried to read the traces of fear on Rowena’s face with glistening eyes. As if that was proof that he had complete control of Rowena.

However, Rowena only turned her head, covering her face. Her body was curled up to avoid the usual beating.

The count, as usual, wanted to beat Rowena more, but he held her face and stopped. Rowena wasn’t looking directly at the count instead, she looked down.

It was that look he wanted.

“Listen, even if you become a crown princess, it doesn’t change that you have Adelia’s blood. As long as your blood flows in your veins, I am your father! And all Adelia’s daughters all obeyed him. You’ll have to do the same!”

“…”

“Do you understand?”

“Yes…”

She should have put the word “father” at the end of my answer, but Rowena couldn’t bear to say it. It was because the title felt terrible and disgusting.

Knock, knock.

“We’ve arrived at the theater, Count.”

His voice was the same as usual, but he seemed mindful of his surroundings. Then the count threw Rowena’s chin and kicked her in the stomach.

“Ugh…”

Stepping on Rowena’s foot with his shoes, he said,

“Don’t forget your duty. Don’t be arrogant just because the crown prince thinks you have a pretty face.”

Rowena swallowed her breath as she endured his weight. There would have been bruises on her feet and where she was beaten. Rowena clenched her teeth.

“You will be abandoned by the crown prince in the end, once your appearance grows ugly one day. If the crown prince abandons you, where will you go in the end?”

Knock, knock.

The count removed his feet at the sound of a knock again. He tidied himself up and looked back at Rowena reproachfully.

“Are you getting motion sickness just because you’ve been in a carriage for a few minutes?” Because you’re so weak. Rest more!”

He spoke in a loud voice as if he wanted those outside the carriage to listen and shouted out.

“Open the door!”