Elisia moved her arm to get out of Franz's grip, but he didn't move.
Even worse, he climbed on top of her and pinned both her hands.
“I will never let you go.”
Her red hair hung on the pillow, and her body was trapped under Franz's.
She was panting with anger, trying to break free from it.
“Let me!
I told you let me!”
But her strength had not fully returned after being unconscious for a whole day, and escaping from a man who trained in martial arts daily was almost impossible.
“Should I bring another woman then?”
Franz looked at her with a burning look.
Without releasing her wrists, he whispered in a low, hoarse voice: “Have you always been thinking like this?
Always planning to escape from me?”
“Let me!”
“Was the soul bond between us something that terrible?
Did you hate me that much?”
His voice, filled with agony, squeezed her heart.
Elisia stopped resisting, raised her eyes and stared at him, catching her breath.
His handsome face was distorted with pain, his eyes filled with sadness, as if they were about to collapse.
“We are not married yet.
And yet you ask me to take a mistress.
Elisia … that is cruel.”
“Harsh?”
Elysia laughed sarcastically.
How ridiculous.
Who calls whom cruel now?
He was the one who summoned a royal physician just for appearances and then tried to cover it up?
Is he the one trying to possess her against her will?
Who is the real cruel one...?
“His Highness the Second Prince.”
“Franz.”
She looked at him coldly when he corrected her nickname.
Even now, he still clings to trifles like this—it was ridiculous.
She felt an inner rebellion rising.
She suppressed her desire to spit on his smug face, and opened her mouth to speak: “Your Highness, my intention was only to provide advice for your benefit.
If I offend you with it, I ask your forgiveness.”
Although her words were polite, her voice was bitter.
As she finished her sarcastic apology, Franz's grip on her wrists slowly loosened.
He finally let go of her, and looked at her with a blank stare.
"From now on, I will not do anything that will harm your Highness's reputation.
I will never again interfere with the matter of taking a mistress," Elisia added, further stabbing him.
“…Huh.”
Franz laughed hollowly.
He got off the bed and sat on the edge of it, his back turned to her, his head bowed.
Elisia stared at his back with a cold look.
How many times had she seen this afternoon before?
But she had never seen him like this before—he had never been so broken.
“Do whatever you want.”
He stayed in his place for a long time before muttering these words, then slowly got up.
She watched his heavy steps as he walked towards the side door.
It seemed...weird.
Miserable.
A feeling she had never imagined she would feel towards him began to press on her chest.
'Why do I feel...pity for him?'
Elisia was confused by her feelings.
If there is anyone who deserves pity between them, it is undoubtedly Elisia.
She lived in isolation under his cold, lost her child without consolation, and in the end was killed by his hands.
Her revenge hasn't even begun yet.
However, her heart was heavy.
Why?
Was her thirst for revenge that shallow?
Is her heart so weak that a few words from him could shake it?
'Not possible.
It is not permissible.
I won't allow it.'
She composed herself and stared at Franz.
He had reached the door.
“This is the only thing I won't do as you want.”
There will never be another woman.
As he turned the doorknob, he muttered to himself.
Elisia kept staring at his back until he disappeared behind the door.
Sunlight kept streaming through the window.
"They say he's quarreling with Lady Ambrose just to exchange glances?
My poor brother.
Aren't they supposed to be in love as the wedding approaches?"
Crichton laughed wryly, saying something he didn't mean.
He couldn't suppress his laughter whenever he received news from the Second Prince's Pavilion.
Glenna raised an eyebrow at his words.
“Are you really worried about him?”
"Of course, my dear.
If I don't worry about my little brother, who will?"
Crichton smiled charmingly as he sat behind his desk.
Glenna exchanged a meaningful look with him, and smiled gently.
“Indeed.
I'm worried about him too.”
They exchanged glances like conspirators exchanging pleasantries.
Crichton continued to complain about the upcoming royal wedding next week, as he picked up an envelope in his hands.
The envelope was unsealed.
He opened it carelessly and began to read what was inside.
Little by little, the coldness in his eyes turned into a burning flame.
Glenna watched him from the sofa, tilting her head when she saw his face light up with vague expectation.
"What's the matter?
If it's good news, you should share it with me, Crichton."
“Sure.
But… it's still a little early.”
He answered her in a honey voice, and returned the paper to the deepest drawer in his desk, and whispered: “When things really start, I will tell you.”
“Looking forward to it.”
Glenna gave him a bright smile.
The second prince's wedding is imminent.
Soon, Lady Ambrose will officially become a second princess.
Then, she will be below Royal Glenna.
After flaunting her power under the protection of the Empress, Glenna would be able to crush her with her royal authority.
Glenna was fully determined to trample the haughty Lady Ambrose under her feet.
“I can't wait for the wedding.
I'm excited to have a sister-in-law.”
Her voice was so sweet that anyone would think she truly loved Elisia Ambrose.
But Crichton knows her well.
When Glenna talks like that, it means she's planning to bring someone down.
“You won't wait long.”
He nodded at her, smiling mysteriously.
For them, the real fun is about to begin.
The second prince's wedding was grand.
It was held in the cathedral inside the Imperial Palace, and was attended by nobles and senior royals.
Elysia was wearing a white silk dress and a crown decorated with sparkling jewels.
A finely embroidered veil covered her face.
In her hands was a bouquet of cream callas and pale pink roses.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nervousness.
Everything she wore and carried was different from her previous life.
Lucette, commissioned by the Prince, prepared everything with the utmost care.
But this was not the only difference.
She was not pushed from the isolated palace to the church.
Rather, she rested in complete comfort in a salon decorated with flowers in the prince’s palace, before a golden carriage transported her to the ceremony.
She was treated like a precious jewel.
“Please come in.”
Under Lucette's guidance, the doors of the cathedral were opened.
Everyone present stood when the bride appeared.
The ceremony has begun.
To the sounds of the organ, Elisia began walking slowly down the red carpet.
The high priest was standing at the altar, and Franz was waiting for her at his side.
Franz was wearing the same outfit he had worn in her past life—a white ceremonial suit decorated with insignia, with gold cords highlighting the width of his shoulders.
Everything was as before...
Except for his looks.
He stared at her with tense eyes, burning with anxiety and longing.
He was nervous.
In her previous life, he made no secret of his unwillingness to marry her.
But now, it seemed as if he couldn't wait for her to reach him.
Elysia looked at him in surprise.
Then she realized why, and lowered her eyes.
Until yesterday, Franz was suffering from mana disturbances.
During the days leading up to the wedding, he suffered daily.
The doctor goes into his room and goes out, and the servants carry hot water every night.
'Of course he's nervous.'
Elysia smiled wryly.
Once the wedding is complete and the first night is spent, the pain of the mana bond will end.
Franz must be clinging to this hope.
He must be desperate to end the wedding as soon as possible.
She stood beside him, and looked calmly at his white hand extended towards her.
If she took his hand, she'd become the second princess.
She will return to being a tool in Franz's hands—which is the last thing she wants in her life.
She tried her best to escape, but in the end, she couldn't.
Was this the only way left for her?
Was there no escape from Franz and this misery?
“Liz, take my hand.”
She kept looking at his extended hand, then slowly raised her hand.
When their hands met, the solemn voice of the priest rang throughout the hall: “On the twenty-seventh day of the eleventh month, in the year 549 of the Laurentian Empire, in the name of the sun, the union of Franz Eustace and Elysia Ambrose is announced.”
Elysia exhaled a silent sigh of surrender.
Her wedding has finally begun.
And with him...her second life truly began.