Chapter 94 - I Am Happy Now (2) (1/2)

Elena was relaxing in her room as she waited for her brother. She was worried that if she spoke to him anywhere else, he would make a fuss about Carlisle’s trust regardless of anyone else’s eyes around them. She showed Derek to his room and instructed him to take a bath then come to her room and make sure no one followed. She prepared warm tea in advance for him, knowing he had traveled from the warm southern part of the country to the northern cold.

Some time passed before Derek showed up at her door, divested of his rain-soaked clothes. She stood up from her seat and greeted him.

“Welcome, brother.”

“…Thank you.”

Derek sat down across from Elena, his face still stern. Elena pushed the warm tea towards him, and he furrowed his brow.

“Are you treating me like this because you’re afraid that I will oppose your relationship to the Crown Prince?”

“No, brother. I’m just sorry that you traveled all this way because of me.”

“Don’t misunderstand. I didn’t come just because of you. There’s a sword fighting competition to be held in the capital city soon, and I came here partly because of that.”

“Yes, I know.”

Elena gave a faint smile. It seemed a weak excuse, but because Derek said it, she had to believe him. He continued in a serious tone.

“Is it true that you’re even thinking about marrying him?”

“Yes.”

“But why… If he is set on you, ask to be his second marriage.”

“That’s not possible.”

“Why?”

“I will be his crown princess.”

Elena expressed her intent calmly and clearly. Derek’s eyes couldn’t help but tremble. He never thought his sister was this power hungry.

“Do you really desire to be crown princess?”

“It’s better than being a concubine. And I don’t have the time to watch someone else take the position. Brother.”

Accounting for the time she spent after returning to the past, there was a little less than a year before Paveluc would become emperor. Time was short for her to stop him and protect her family.

“I don’t understand. What if you become unhappy as the prophecy says?”

“It will never happen.”

“How can you be sure?”

Derek’s frustration was building, but Elena continued on with a kindly smile that did not suit the mood. The sight of it was so unusual that even he was forced to hesitate.

“Brother, Mirabelle, Father…How can I be unhappy when I have you all? Unhappiness to me would be to not have my family.”

Although they were hurt by her father’s coldness not long ago, they were all a family nonetheless. And even when her father couldn’t recognize her feelings, in her previous life she still spent countless nights in tears remembering him. Elena’s family was hers, whether they liked it or not. There was no knowing what power had turned time back, but it must be a sign from God for her to protect them.

“What the hell does marriage to the Crown Prince have to do with the family…?”

Derek muttered as if he still couldn’t understand it, but it was still important to Elena somehow. His stiff expression gradually softened.

“You may not like him. But I’ve chosen this man, and I’ve chosen this marriage. I want your blessing more than anyone else’s.”

“…Will you regret it?”

“Never.”

Derek was still reluctant, but he did not protest any further upon seeing Elena’s determined expression. He quietly looked into her face and spoke softly.