When the One-Sided Love Female Lead Loses Her Memory - Chapter 46

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“I’ll issue a recall order for Aisen. He should be back by next week at the latest. You seem to have perfected ‘spreading and getting wet’ on your own, so I don’t think further education is necessary.”

“…….”

“If you still feel lacking, you could always find another partner. Many foolish men would stiffen eagerly and come running if Your Highness so much as beckoned.”

Towards Diana, who was staring at him blankly, he added with a mocking tone.

“Ah… that engagement.”

At the end of the chilly silence, a delayed sound of surprise finally escaped her. Diana smiled awkwardly and offered her congratulations.

“So it’s been formalized again. You should have told me that when you came in. I wouldn’t have bothered you then. Anyway, congratulations, Your Grace.”

“…….”

The artificially upturned corners of Viern’s lips froze in place. Diana fiddled with the ends of her hair, adding more words, but they didn’t properly reach his ears. Something about it being for the best, congratulations, and thanks for everything—empty, meaningless words seemed to follow.

As he remained silent, just staring at her with a rigid face, she also closed her mouth, seeming embarrassed. An awkward silence flowed between them.

“Well then, I should get going. Best of luck with the engagement preparations.”

Diana glanced at him one last time, offered her farewell first, and left.

Left alone again, Viern absently wiped the desk where her warmth had lingered just moments before, and thought. What a strange thing. I wanted to hurt her, so why… do I feel worse? Why do I feel like the one who’s been hurt?

Viern still couldn’t understand the reason for these emotions that defied his will. But now that he had pushed the Princess away from his side, that bothersome sensation that had plagued him for days should be gone.

And so, time flowed on until his wedding day drew near.

* * *

Inside the smoothly rolling carriage, a man dressed impeccably from head to toe leaned against the seat, reviewing a document file. The man, who had groomed himself since early morning and donned formal attire, was none other than Viern.

The engagement ceremony today was to be held at the Silberk Marquisate’s villa, located outside the city. The sky was clear, the breeze refreshing, and everything was perfect. Yet the sculpted profile looking over the document was unnaturally grim and rigid for a man mere hours from his engagement.

In truth, his mind was preoccupied not with the upcoming ceremony or the various state affairs detailed in the papers, but with a different thought. Diana Rosenheir—the source of this inexplicable feeling that had tormented him for nearly a month now…

‘I believe we shouldn’t continue this any longer.’

‘I think I’d feel guilty too. Towards the Lady Marquis.’

‘If you still feel lacking, you could always find another partner.’

Ever since saying those words that day, he had been avoiding her. Although he normally received daily reports of her activities through the people he had planted near her, he deliberately ordered that no such trivial news be relayed for a while, using business as an excuse.

Was it because they hadn’t met? The last face he saw of her remained as a vivid afterimage, churning inside him. Remembering her awkward face congratulating his engagement made a choked-up emotion well up repeatedly. Why are you making that face… at me? Why are you acting so… as if you have no lingering feelings, blessing my engagement so easily?

Yet, even when caught in these inexplicable surges of emotion, realizing how utterly absurd it was would make a hollow laugh escape him at his own contradictions.

Why… did I expect her to show up at my engagement ceremony, grab the Lady Marquis’s hair, and cause a scene? Did I want her to start another strange spectacle, to keep clinging to me, hanging on me, chasing only me…?

Even though, when she did cling to me…

‘This is unacceptable, Your Highness, Your Highness. I made it perfectly clear that Lady Sophia belongs to Erkman.’

‘Nothing would be more meaningless than a union between Rosenheir and Erkman.’

‘I will find someone suitable for Your Highness.’

…Even though I was the one who coldly turned my back on her.

“U-Um, Your Grace.”

His aide, seated across from him, cautiously spoke up.

“On a day like today, perhaps you could… rest a little…”

“A day like today?”

Contrary to his appearance, which seemed no different from usual—no, more splendid and captivating than usual—Viern, whose nerves were stretched taut, reacted sharply to his aide’s words.

“What do you mean, ‘a day like today’?”

“W-Well, it is the day you pledge your life to your future partner…”

“It’s merely a transaction between families.”

“Y-Yes, Your Grace.”

The aide, thinking his superior was more sensitive than usual today, quietly closed his mouth.

Before he knew it, their carriage had arrived at the venue. Following the directions of the marquisate’s servants, Viern headed towards the waiting area reserved for the day’s main participant. The ceremony would begin in thirty minutes.