A Stepmother's Marchen

Chapter 41

It was amazing to see the person who always looked polite, shout.

While my eyes went wide, Theobalt began to bite his lips awkwardly, as if he was startled by his own voice.

“Oh my, sorry for yelling.”

“That’s fine, but…”

“I’m not doing this simply because you remind me of my mother. It’s the first time my heart beats this much thinking about someone. I’m very sad that you think that my feelings are an illusion.”

Theobalt’s exhilarating and ferocious tone didn’t suit his image.

If I point out that he’s mistaken again, he’ll be desperate.

No matter what I look like. Even if my mental age is high, I don’t know anything about love. I haven’t had a proper relationship even once in my life until I was 23…

“Well, I’m sorry for saying that.”

“No, it’s no wonder you thought so. I don’t mean that I don’t mean it, but I understand that you must feel embarrassed and nervous. All I want from you is….”

After taking a long, deep breath, Theobald suddenly looked very determined as he clasped my hand tightly. It was a determination that made me feel like he was a commander of a battle.

“Well, if you’re willing to accept anyone in the future, I’d like you to consider me as a priority.”

“I’ll say this once again. I’m not forcing you! I just hope you consider me.”

Does the crown prince realize how much pressure he’s putting on me just by saying that he hopes that I consider him?

In common sense, no matter how prestigious the crown prince would be as the emperor of the empire, did it make sense to court me, a widow?

Of course, it wasn’t that there were no cases of marriage that happened between a bride from less status and one of the Imperial family.

The former Empress, the crown prince’s mother, was the only one born in the baron’s household to marry the current Emperor. There was even a considerable backlash at that time, but in the end, everyone said, ‘I think I know why the emperor fell for her.’

But above all, she wasn’t a widow like me.

“Your Highness, I am grateful and honored that you like me now, but it will soon fade away. If you meet other young girls, I’m sure……”

“That’s not gonna happen. My heart isn’t easily swayed”

“Even if you know where the water is in the desert, you can’t know what your feelings are going to be. If your Highness is really sincere in what you have said to me, I beg you to try to forget. I’m not good enough for the prince.”

Among the essential conditions to become the prince’s companion, the first was purity without any blemishes. In the end, there was a woman who checked the purity of the princess or empress.

In such a position, it was inconceivable that a woman who had once been married would be in such a position. So I had to make it clear.

At my resolute words, Theobald looked as if the grass had died for an instant. It was pitiful to see his sweet golden eyes drooping, but I had no choice but to do that.

Me and the Crown Prince, does that make sense?! Why do complex things that have never happened before keep happening?

“……I’ll try. But don’t forget the favor I asked you earlier.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’m asking you to consider me as a priority if you’re willing to accept someone in the future. I’ll try to do everything I can to make it happen. So please…”

Although he didn’t look like that at all, the crown prince was tenacious.

The crown prince, not anyone else, was begging me with such mournful eyes.

What the hell am I supposed to do?

“I will consider it. It’s just a consideration, though,” as I responded with a sigh, Theobald’s face brightened immediately.

It was as if the door to heaven opened and the light of glory poured in. I just said that I’ll consider it. Why was he so happy? God, look at the talent of the future!

For something strange that I could not understand, Theobald, whose face was brighter than when he came, prepared to leave the mansion. I was just following him out to see him off.

Seeing the insignia of the white eagle hanging on the imperial carriage waiting at the entrance, I realized the distance between us again, but the silver-haired young man blinded by his first love didn ‘t seem to think so.

“I’m sorry to bother you today. I hope to see you more often from now on. I’ll be more careful, so please don’t be pressured.”

“……..Okay. Take care of yourself.”

“Haha, is there anything dangerous on the way from here to the Imperial Palace?”

Theobalt, who responded coolly, didn’t go quickly and glanced at me as if he had more to say.

Suddenly, we heard the strangely skeptical voice of our knights, who were silently guarding the entrance of the mansion.

“You are here again? What are you doing here?”

“I didn’t come to see you, so don’t worry.”

……Who is the owner of this cheeky voice? I think I know the person.

Under my stunned eyes, a black-haired boy came in, and strode up the stairs.

It didn’t seem like he came in a carriage. Furthermore, the atmosphere was as dark as it had been before, and I couldn’t help but wonder whether he was sick or if something bad had happened to him.

“Nora?”

Theobalt, who looked as bewildered as me, tilted his head and called out his cousin’s name.

Immediately, Nora, who was halfway up the stairs, raised his head and looked at us, who were standing next to each other. His blue eyes blinked curiously, and then in the next moment they flashed wildly!

“What the… what the hell is your majesty doing here? The Crown Prince must have a lot of free time.”

“I’m… Wait, what are you doing here?”

“Do I have to confess all of my personal affairs to you?”

“That’s not what I meant, my crooked cousin. Why the hell are you here…”