CH 13

I Don’t Want to Be Your Fiancée

There’s a problem.

You were murdered in your previous life.

You have been reborn, and the child of the people who killed you in your previous life has proposed to you.

Now, what will you say?

“No, no.”

I suddenly came back from my thoughts.

I don’t know how much time has passed since I was led astray by Prince Risel.

While I was stunned, the prince had already left the room.

The only two people in the room now are McClain-sama, who made me sit down, and me, who still does not fully understand what has happened.

I don’t know how it came to this, but it seems that Prince Risel has taken a liking to me….

I really don’t know why it happened.

Perhaps it was like an “imprinting.”

‘Maybe it was something like, “She’s the first woman who really pays attention to me.”’

A student who admired his teacher, maybe something like that?

But I was younger than him.

After the confession-like remarks made in the Knights Corps’ office, Prince Risel’s cheeks turned bright red.

“I know it’s sudden and you won’t believe me, but your words and strong will have attracted me… Would it be selfish of me to want to get to know you better?”

“Ah… I am grateful for your words, but this is an important time for the prince to carefully choose his fiancée.”

I tried to dodge the question in the most polite way possible.

“That’s why I want to listen more to your words and get to know you.”

“Thank you very much… T-Then, please do something beneficial for the sake of the people!”

At the very least, you shouldn’t be foolish enough to take an interest in a country girl.

“I am confident that if you choose me, I will be able to make the people happy.”

Why is that?

What is your reason? What is the basis?

McClain-sama, who seemed to have understood my grief, stood up to intercede.

“Prince. It is not very chivalrous to embarrass a lady.”

“I see. I have embarrassed you….”

That’s why, stop with that protectiveness look on your face!

Now I understood a little how Prince Grey felt when he was my fiancé!

This ‘desire-to-protect’ look is foul!

“I’ve never had anyone so unselfishly accept me for who I am. And your words were so straightforward that I couldn’t help but be attracted to you.”

Who would not be perplexed by this very serious confession?

And by someone with such a handsome face.

Even Rosemary had never received such a passionate gaze from Prince Gray, and I, Marie, had never been involved in a relationship at all.

‘But what is impossible is impossible! The prince’s fiancée, Prince Gray and Tia’s child, it’s impossible!’

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Prince Risel himself, but it is really impossible.

“I apologize…”

“I apologize, too. But…”

Prince Risel took my hand and kissed the back of it.

Just like the knights I read about in picture books.

“Marie. I hope you will forgive me for my adoration of you.”

The prince was a natural seducer.

In my hazy consciousness, I thought to myself.

“I’ve never seen a prince like him before.”

I was so mentally weakened that I couldn’t even work, so McClain-sama let me sit on the sofa in the office, telling me that I could take a rest and even made me a cup of tea.

“Thank you….”

McClain-sama laughed at my feeble reaction.

“I was glad to hear you say no, because I wouldn’t want a very talented maid to quit.”

I couldn’t believe that he was more pleased that he was able to prevent the resignation of the knights’ maid rather than settling down the fiancée turmoil that was plaguing the country.

McClain-sama’s kindness touched my heart.

“Is Miss Edigma not interested in being the Crown Prince’s fiancée?”

“No.”

I said to him firmly.

The experience in my previous life was enough.

If I hadn’t had that experience, I might have dreamed of it.

“Prince Risel has a good-looking face and not that bad of a personality though.”

“Perhaps you’re right. But I don’t like what I don’t like.”

“I see. Then I’ll tell the prince that as well.”

“Thank you for your help.”

“I don’t mind. It’s true that Miss Edigma is too good to be left as a lady-in-waiting.”

I looked up from my position and saw McClain-sama looking at me with a sincere expression.

“There are few women who have such a country-oriented mindset. I’m sure you have some very brilliant ideas.”

My face turned red as he looked straight into my eyes.

McClain-sama has changed into a much more mature man than Rosemary remembers. It is hard to imagine that the Alberto in my memory and the McClain-sama in front of me are the same person.

Seeing him with an adult’s composure, I began to feel just a little bit sad.

The unknown time since Rosemary’s death had somehow made him a different person.

Feeling a mixture of loneliness and admiration for my childhood friend who has changed into a much older man, I’m at a loss as to how to react.

“However, if Prince Risel decides to take a more direct approach, you should be prepared.”

McClain-sama’s gaze sharpened, and I nodded.

If the prince publicly declared that he wanted to make me his fiancée, there was no way I could refuse, given my position.

Prince Risel had said, “I want to respect Marie’s feelings.”

But if someone who wanted to rush the prince’s marriage were to find out, they would end up pressuring Baron Edigma under the King’s order, regardless of my will.

Just thinking about it gives me chills.

Being the Crown Prince’s fiancée, jumping into that swirling world of conspiracies again is no joke.

“Somehow, I wish the prince would just give up.”

My feelings are almost overwhelming me and my voice become weak.

Perhaps McClain-sama sensed my uneasiness and gently patted my head.

I looked at him, who had grown so much and was now tall enough to look up at.

“Don’t worry. You don’t have to become something you don’t want to be.”

I felt as if the words of my childhood friend, who had matured a lot, were directed not only at me but also at Rosemary.

I hurriedly turned my head down, feeling the urge to cry.

“Thank you….”

Thank you, Alberto.

“Right. If you don’t mind, can I talk to my acquaintance about this matter?”

He put the palm that had been patting my head on his hip and bent down to look at me.

“An acquaintance?”

“I can’t come up with a good idea myself. There is one person I always ask to do the brainwork.”

A smart acquaintance? Who could it be?

I wondered idly that he must have made some friends during the twenty-year gap.

“Do you know Duke Reynaldo Rose?”

My head went blank at the name of my once younger brother.