Chapter 04
Jet-black hair, pale skin in contrast, and sharp yet elegant features.
Even after three years, he was still overwhelmingly handsome.
But somehow, his aura had changed.
I stumbled, shocked at the sight of Claude.
Fortunately, I quickly regained my balance, but the small commotion drew several people’s attention.
Madam Eleanor, startled, gently grasped my wrist.
“Are you alright?”
“…Yes. Thank you.”
Even as I answered, I hurriedly lifted my head and looked toward where Claude had been.
Claude, perhaps drawn by the disturbance, was already looking in my direction.
Our eyes met.
In that instant, my body froze.
Though he was too far to see clearly, there were dark shadows beneath his eyes.
His jawline and nose seemed sharper than I remembered.
After looking at me for a brief moment, Claude turned his gaze away as if bored.
A glass of alcohol was in his hand, and he was surrounded by people.
He responded to their conversation and occasionally smiled.
That sight felt utterly unfamiliar.
He had always preferred being alone and detested social interactions.
He wasn’t one to enjoy drinking, nor did he smile so often.
The man I remembered had always been shut away in his office, working endlessly.
“What is it?”
Madam Eleanor asked, her voice a mix of concern and mild reprimand as she looked at me standing blankly.
“…Madam, I feel a little dizzy.”
“May I rest for a moment?”
She clicked her tongue.
“Tsk… I heard your health hasn’t been good lately, and it seems that’s true.”
“But if you only rest the moment you arrive, you’ll lose your chance forever.”
I lowered my gaze, having nothing to say in response.
Then Madam Eleanor leaned closer and whispered quietly.
“That is the Duke of Cassel.”
She lightly tapped the back of my hand and gestured with her chin.
Behind the partially raised fan, her eyes were fixed on Claude.
“He’s the same as always.”
“What do you mean?”
“Ever since Princess Diana died in that accident, he’s done nothing but indulge in alcohol and parties.”
I was startled by the unexpected information.
Alcohol… and parties?
“The duke who used to be so sharp and strict three years ago has now become the ‘Rake of Hemmingham.’”
“I can hardly believe it.”
Hemmingham was the capital of the empire.
I let out a hollow laugh inwardly.
The Rake of Hemmingham… Claude, of all people, had such a nickname?
“Well, it’s understandable.”
“He became head of the family at a young age, and losing a beloved wife is no easy matter.”
I almost choked.
It reminded me of something I had momentarily forgotten.
To the outside world, Claude and I—Princess Diana—had been a loving couple.
Even the imperial family had no idea that his proposal had been forced by his father’s command.
And during the first year, I too had been deceived by his warmth.
They were memories that only brought a bitter smile.
“Still, drinking like that before the sun has even set.”
“It’s been quite some time since the accident—does he intend to become an alcoholic?”
Madam Eleanor continued clicking her tongue, her words somewhere between criticism and pity.
Just as she said, Claude kept raising the glass to his lips.
Had he really been living like that ever since I died?
Had something happened after my death?
“It would be wonderful if he were captivated by your beauty and asked you for a dance.”
Her words startled me, and I parted my lips.
“But His Grace already has a late wife…”
“Wouldn’t that be difficult?”
At my question, Madam Eleanor looked at me in surprise.
“Are you saying you do not wish to marry the Duke of Cassel?”
Flustered, I nodded.
Had the original owner of this body, Briana Elwin, really harbored such bold ambitions of marrying Claude?
I did not want to marry him again.
Though I still loved Claude, as I hadn’t truly felt the passage of those three years, marriage was a different matter.
Claude had hated me when I was Diana.
Even if he were to fall in love with Briana—my current self—that would be nothing but a deception.
And this exhausting one-sided love… it’s time to end it.
Madam Eleanor let out a deep sigh and clicked her tongue at my hesitation.
“You said you would use the money you earned from embroidery to hire me as your chaperone, so I expected a bold young lady.”
“Why are you acting so foolish?”
“You’re completely different from the person who wrote that letter!”
Her scolding left me stunned.
“Fine, I understand.”
“It’s your first time at the imperial palace, so you might feel intimidated.”
“But Briana, think of your family’s situation.”
“If you want to restore your house, this is not the time to hesitate over trivial reasons.”
…Did I write in that letter that I wanted to marry the Duke of Cassel?
“You said you wouldn’t hesitate if the opportunity arose!”
“My goodness, have you forgotten even that?”
Madam Eleanor struck her chest in frustration.
Feeling small, I muttered weakly,
“I’m… not confident.”
Even as I spoke, I felt sorrowful.
When I had married Claude, he had many options.
Royalty from other nations, or at least high-ranking noble ladies—not someone like me, an illegitimate child.
“If it weren’t for my damned father’s orders, I would never have married you.”
It was the first thing he had said to me when he finally dropped his mask and turned cold.
That was also the first and last time I saw Claude drunk.
What kind of expression did he have when he said that…?
A face filled with hatred.
Eyes so cold they could freeze even in midsummer.
As I tried to recall it, I shook my head and pushed the memory away.
It was the moment when a world once filled with love and hope had collapsed.
I never wanted to remember it again.
Madam Eleanor suddenly grabbed my hand.
“Pull yourself together, Briana.”
“You are beautiful.”
“I’m not saying this to flatter you.”
“There’s only one reason I agreed to be your chaperone—your looks.”
“You are beautiful enough to rise far above the Elwin family’s status.”
“Men who are going through hardship are easier to catch—you said so yourself, didn’t you?”
Just how bold was this Briana…?
Well, it made sense.
For a mere twenty-year-old to target a man far older than herself, who had already lost his wife, for the sake of her family—she was certainly no ordinary lady.
“Now, go.”
“Pardon? Where?”
“Go near the Duke of Cassel and mingle with that group.”
“Have a glass of champagne or something.”
“I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll be stepping away for a while.”
Madam Eleanor tapped my shoulder lightly with her fan.
Reluctantly, I stood and began walking toward where Claude’s group was gathered.
Truthfully, I wanted to see him up close.
It was hard to believe he had survived such a terrible accident.
And I wondered what he had wanted to say to me back then in the carriage.
I couldn’t find out immediately, but I at least wanted to see how he was.
However, the sight before me made me stop in shock.
Around Claude stood young men from other prestigious families.
Some of them looked vaguely familiar.
He had always hated being in groups like that…
“Claude, you’ll be hosting another gathering soon, right?”
“I’d like to get revenge for losing that card game to you last time.”
“I’m looking forward to the party at the Cassel estate.”
They spoke to him casually, as if they were close.
Claude lifted his champagne glass again and again, responding to them with easy laughter.
That smile, however…
Felt somewhat empty.
Was he always capable of making such an expression?
At the very least… there’s no place for me there right now.
Everyone around him seemed to know each other well, and I didn’t have the courage to step into that circle.
With that thought, I turned my body—
