MVH 10

Chapter 10

Although the situation was completely reversed from that time, the memory that surfaced was unmistakably of Tiana’s first meeting with Lucious.

What the heck? I supposedly hated him, so why did I greet him so happily during our first meeting?

The memory was fragmented, so she couldn’t grasp the full context, but at least at that moment, Tiana hadn’t been hostile toward Lucious. On the contrary, she seemed delighted to meet him—full of joy and excitement. There was no way someone would react like that to someone they hated.

Why did I come to despise him if I didn’t feel anything bad toward him back then? From what she recalled now, her impression of Lucious as a potential husband wasn’t all that bad either.

Maybe she was missing a crucial event in her memory. Still, it was clear that the Tiana of the past had initially considered Lucious a good marriage prospect.

…I’ll need to look into this more closely.

Since her memory of their first meeting was positive, there must have been some incident that caused their relationship to sour. Something significant enough to turn Tiana’s warm feelings for Lucious into animosity.

That was something she would have to uncover as she gradually developed her relationship with him. Even if he didn’t tell her what had happened, since they were starting over, she still had a right to know how things had turned out this way.

But for now, the priority was to make the engagement successful and proceed with the wedding.

Looking at his somewhat dazed expression, she smiled and confidently took his hand, placing a flower petal in his palm.

“Besides, marrying someone like you, Lucious—how wonderful would that be? It’s not just a joy for me to be bound in marriage with someone as incredible as you, but it’s also an honor for my family.”

“…Tiana…”

“So, please don’t worry and just trust me. Things may have gotten out of order, but just like you said, let’s consider this our new beginning. Hmm… Let’s say today is the first time we’re meeting, a formal meeting arranged by our families.”

“But…”

“From the moment I saw you, it didn’t feel like I was meeting you for the first time. It felt… familiar and comforting.”

“…”

“To feel this happy and excited on a first meeting—don’t you think it must be fate that we’re a good match?”

“…Yes, you’re right. I also felt glad to meet you the moment I first saw you, Tiana.”

“See? We’re perfectly in sync. I’m glad to have met such a great match, Lucious.”

“I’m glad too, Tiana.”

Though he had hesitated, he played along with her bold and shameless act.

Good, you did well. We’re supposed to be meeting for the first time today as part of a marriage alliance between our families.

It wasn’t unusual to feel drawn to someone during a first meeting. It wasn’t like she was claiming love at first sight—just that she had a sense they would be compatible. At the very least, you could tell if someone was a good or bad person from that first impression.

Tiana wasn’t affected by the illusionary perception others had of Lucious. So, better than anyone else, she would’ve seen him for who he truly was.

She still didn’t know what caused her to reverse her judgment after initially thinking he was a good person—but that was a matter time would solve. For now, she would let it go.

“…My lady!”

Just then, Inabel came running from a distance. Behind her were Rowena, Alfred, and even Edwin. Their time together had come to an end.

Still, it was a good opportunity. She had been able to speak with him for long enough. Judging by the intimidating look on her father’s face, this wouldn’t pass without consequences.

Seeing Lucious grow visibly pale at the sight of the approaching group, she smiled brightly.

After sending off the visibly pale Lucious, she returned to the drawing room with her father. Alfred, who had been watching their exchange nervously, quietly instructed a maid to bring tea and left the room.

She briefly glanced at the soft-looking milk tea with milk added, then spoke to her father, who couldn’t take his eyes off her.

“I’m sorry for leaving without permission.”

His serious face tightened as he finally opened his mouth in a low voice.

“…Why did you do something so dangerous?”

“He was my guest. Even if I’ve lost my memory, that doesn’t mean I’m incapable of meeting with someone.”

“Then you should’ve met him properly… You could’ve gotten seriously hurt.”

“You were the one who stopped me from meeting him directly. I felt like even if I asked, you wouldn’t allow it. And the terrace railing is wide enough—it wasn’t that dangerous. I didn’t jump either; I climbed down using a proper ladder.”

“…Tiana.”

Though she explained confidently, his reproachful gaze made her flinch and lower her head. Right. Even if she did it, he must have been terribly worried.

Although she had mostly recovered, there was no telling when lingering effects from the accident might appear. And she had gone out onto the terrace through a window…

Even if the deed was done, she couldn’t help but feel she had made a mistake.

With genuine remorse, she stood up and bowed deeply.

“But I acknowledge that it was a risky thing to do. I’m sorry for making you worry. I think I acted on impulse out of frustration.”

“…That part of you hasn’t changed…”

“Pardon?”

“No, it’s nothing. You can sit down now.”

Sighing deeply, he gestured for her to sit. As his expression softened, she sat back down and took a sip of the milk tea. Seeing her drink, he seemed to realize he was thirsty too and drank his own.

She felt bad for continually shocking him, but there was still an important topic she needed to bring up.

As soon as he set his cup down, she seized the opportunity and dropped the bomb.

“I’ll marry the Archduke. So please don’t delay the engagement.”

“…What did you just say?”

He looked at her in shock, clearly not expecting those words from her mouth.

She felt sorry for surprising him, but she couldn’t back down now. Besides, she had the perfect excuse—her memory loss.

“How… How did you find out about the engagement?”

“Inabel told me. I pressed her to explain, so please don’t blame her.”

“…”

“Why did you keep it from me? Was it because I lost my memory?”

He seemed to be searching for the right words as he stared at her. When she didn’t shy away from his gaze, he sighed deeply and slowly blinked.

“…Yes.”

The color returned to his pale face. Perhaps, now that they were facing it directly, he decided there was no point in hiding it.

“You had a terrible accident, your body wasn’t in good shape, and you’d lost your memory—I was worried it would be too much of a burden. Even if you seem recovered, I still thought it was too soon.”

“But it’s still my life. Even if I’ve lost my memory, if you had told me, I could’ve handled it.”

“Rumors about your condition spread rapidly. I couldn’t let you face that so easily. And this was the Archduke, no less…”

“That’s exactly why I should’ve stepped up. Even if I lost my memory, I could’ve shown that I was otherwise fine. That would’ve quelled the rumors. Who would dare say the Archduke was lying?”

The rumors had spread too widely. Unless something credible intervened, they wouldn’t die down. But if the Archduke himself vouched for her well-being, no one would dare doubt him.

If people saw that the Archduke’s fiancée had no other issues beyond memory loss—and was perhaps even better than before—then her memory loss wouldn’t be a flaw. After all, her daily life was unaffected.

And if Lucious, her own fiancé, said there was nothing wrong, who could refute that?

The best way to resolve this situation was not to hide but to confront it head-on. Bold honesty would work best.

Edwin, thinking for a moment, nodded slowly.

“…You’re right. I think I made a hasty decision. I should’ve been more considerate of you…”

“You did it because you were worried about me. You didn’t do anything wrong. You stepped in to protect me, and I understand that. All of this happened because I lost my memory.”

“You lost it due to an accident—it wasn’t your fault.”

“Then neither of us did anything wrong. There’s just a responsibility we have to face.”

“…Are you truly willing to proceed with the engagement?”

“Yes. Absolutely.”

There was no reason to avoid it. In fact, she wanted to marry Lucious as soon as possible and make him hers. There was no time to waste.

This was where her glorious role as his wife would begin.

“You want to delay it because you’re worried about my health, right? That I might suffer long-term effects from the accident?”

“Yes. It was a serious accident. There’s always a chance of aftereffects, even if everything seems fine now. And…”

“Because we don’t know when or how my memories might return?”

“…Yes. It may take time to recover them, and we can’t predict when—or if—they’ll return. Even if they don’t, I just wanted to spend time with you, to make up for what we missed…”

“…I see.”

That was unexpected.

She had known her relationship with the previous Tiana wasn’t good, but she hadn’t realized how much her father cared.

Maybe he saw her memory loss as a chance to rebuild that strained relationship.

Tiana didn’t remember anything about her past or the people around her, and perhaps the Duke’s family also saw this as a fresh start.

He must’ve feared that her memories would return and she’d revert to how she used to be, but based on how she was now, he probably believed that wouldn’t happen.

And in truth, now that she had taken over this body, there was no way she would return to being the old Tiana. Even if her memories returned, she would bury them—she could start building new memories with everyone instead.

She recalled what he had said when she first woke up in this body:

No matter what memories you have, you are my precious daughter.

This man hadn’t tried to force her into anything—he simply accepted her as she was.

She’d never had someone cherish her like this. Emotion welled up inside her.

Where do you find dads like this? I’m so jealous. But now that you’re my dad—thank you. No matter how many times I say it, it’s not enough. Thanks for giving up your body, Tiana.

Looking at him with warmth, she spoke again.

“But wouldn’t delaying the engagement be a burden for you too, Father? I heard the wedding is only two months away.”

“I’ve already explained the situation to the Archduke. He understood more easily than I expected… But the problem is that the engagement isn’t just being handled by the Archducal house.”

“Then… who else?”

“His maternal grandfather, Marquis Calvino. He’s the one who proposed the engagement.”

So it really is him. She already knew but pretended not to and simply nodded.

If she could find a way to convince the most difficult person involved, then the engagement could still proceed.

“If there’s an alternative that would satisfy him, will he allow it to continue? One that won’t burden me, you, or our family?”