Rohel recalled past events in his unconscious state.

It was what Regard had said when he visited not long ago.

—Your Highness, no one is watching. Please eat something. At this rate, you’ll collapse.

Rohel stubbornly shook his head. Even if no one else saw, he knew. His sincerity shown to Noxia could not be tainted with falsehood.

—No matter what, how can they leave Your Highness standing like this? This is truly unthinkable. Do you know what people are saying now? Your Highness’s authority is plummeting to the ground.

Regard, unwilling even to voice the details, refrained from elaborating—but Rohel, without hearing them, could guess what rumors were circulating.

Probably, they’d say he was madly in love with a woman.

The imperial authority of the Arwen Empire was not particularly strong. That was why the high nobles harbored resentment toward their privileges.

It had been this way since he was young. Even after doing a hundred things right, one mistake would bring torrents of criticism and blame.

Since coming of age, he had strived to act appropriately for his position as Crown Prince. Not a single error was tolerated—he always felt as if walking a precarious tightrope.

Lucellion, his father and Emperor, possessed a timid disposition. Whenever trouble arose, instead of shielding Rohel, he was the first to point out his son’s faults.

Thus, Rohel wanted his Crown Princess to be a woman he truly resonated with.

He thought it would be ideal if she were someone he could trust and rely on for life.

‘That woman was Lady Noxia…’

Ironically, Noxia—the very person he once considered his rival—became, the more he saw her, the woman he had always dreamed of.

She was not only lovely and charming but also possessed the strongest moral backbone. He firmly believed that with her, he could live the rest of his life happily.

He thought it would be simple: propose elegantly, hold the wedding, and that would be it.

But… it was none other than his own hands that ruined everything.

A letter written in youthful impulsiveness during their early travels was discovered belatedly, causing Noxia to doubt his sincerity.

If he could turn back time, he would fiercely beat the version of himself who wrote that letter.

How wonderful it would be if he could shake himself awake and tell her, “She is the woman you’ve been searching for all along!”

But reality was cold.

He wished he could erase just that one day from his life—but it was impossible.

His mistake could never be undone, no matter what he did. The only path left was to be forgiven.

Regard watched Rohel with a pained expression and finally spoke.

—Please stop, Your Highness. Even if not Lady Brellof the Younger, countless women desire you. This behavior will only leave a lasting stain.

If Rohel had to marry another woman, his desperate fixation on Noxia would become his own shackles.

Rationally speaking, every single action he took now was disadvantageous. Everything harmed him in his role as Crown Prince.

Yet Rohel did not retreat.

With unwavering expression, he gazed beyond the high wall toward Brellof Manor.

—…I know what you’re saying, even without you speaking. But I can’t give up. If I turn away now, I’ll truly lose Lady Noxia beyond repair.

For a long while, Noxia’s parting words haunted Rohel’s mind.

She had said this might be their fate—the most heartbreaking yet least acceptable thought to him.

‘If parting with Lady Noxia is truly my fate, I’ll find a way to change it.’

At first, he had tried to let her go—but he couldn’t.

Therefore, the only option left was to hold onto her.

—This is the first time in my life I’ve chosen not as Crown Prince, but as a man. Whatever the outcome, I will bear the responsibility. You may go now.

—Your Highness!

—Surely by now, you understand what I mean.

Faced with Rohel’s quiet words, Regard could no longer argue.

Regard had served Rohel since childhood. This was the first time the ever-composed prince acted purely on his own emotions.

Even if others didn’t understand, Regard—who knew this fact well—could not stop him.

—…I will wait, Your Highness.

Thus, Regard withdrew, leaving Rohel standing alone before the gate.

Three days and nights were short if counted as time, yet long if endured.

For Rohel, standing motionless without eating, it was an exhausting ordeal.

He endured solely on the thought of being forgiven by Noxia.

Any method would do—if it showed his sincerity, he would do anything.

But despite his strong will, his body had grown terribly weak. He returned from a long journey and immediately prepared his proposal, then suffered emotional turmoil without proper rest.

The fatigue he hadn’t noticed, quietly accumulating, suddenly overwhelmed him as rain poured down.

Rohel recalled that rainy night—Noxia turning away with a cold expression. Unconsciously, he reached toward empty air and cried out,

“Don’t go!”

With those words, his consciousness, deeply submerged in sleep, returned.

When Rohel opened his eyes, he found himself in an unfamiliar room. He clearly remembered meeting Noxia in the middle of the night—but had no memory of being moved here.

“Your Highness, are you awake?”

Turning his head with a bewildered expression, he saw Noxia staring at him with wide, rabbit-like eyes.

“Lady Noxia, where is this…?”

Rohel couldn’t finish his sentence.

Tears brimmed in Noxia’s blue eyes as she gazed at him.

After parting at the observatory, he had silently vowed never to make her cry again. Seeing her tears now, he was utterly flustered.

“Why? Who made you cry?”

“…Hic!”

Before offering any explanation, Noxia suddenly threw her arms around Rohel’s neck and sobbed loudly.

At their previous parting on the observatory, she had struggled to hold back tears. She was no longer young, and this was the first time she’d cried so openly.

Rohel stared at her, even more astonished, and asked,

“What on earth happened? Lady Noxia, just tell me. I’ll fix it—”

“Your Highness, aren’t you just a fool?”

“…What?”

“You nearly died from your mistake! Hic! Who pushes their body to collapse under high fever like that? Didn’t it hurt? How could you wait for me in that state? Were you trying to die?!”

Still barely conscious, Rohel found the situation deeply confusing.

Above all, Noxia clinging to him made his thoughts even more scattered. Her soft skin, delicate frame—he feared she might shatter if he held her too tightly.

“Wait, just a moment. So… you’re crying because of me?”

“Do you know how many days you’ve been unconscious? The doctor said if your fever didn’t break, it could become truly dangerous. I thought… I thought Your Highness might die!”

Noxia clung to Rohel and raged like fire, her eyes still brimming with tears.

Somehow, her words contained phrases inappropriate to address a Crown Prince.

This was the first time he’d seen her so angry. Even when she discovered the letter, she hadn’t been this furious.

Rohel realized something for the first time:

A person’s anger could be this endearing.

“You were worried about me?”

“Of course! I spent nights wide awake, terrified you might pass away. Never do this again.”

“I won’t. Whatever Lady Noxia commands, I’ll do it.”

Only upon hearing this did Noxia grasp the situation—she flinched in surprise, and began to slowly lower her arms from around his neck.

But this time, Rohel seized her wrists.

“I promise. I’ll never betray your trust again. Please forgive me just once.”

Confusion flickered in Noxia’s blue eyes. She couldn’t comprehend why Rohel went to such lengths.

“…Even without me, many young noblewomen wish to stand beside Your Highness. I don’t understand why you insist on me.”

“I’ve said it already. It must be you, Lady Noxia. Do you truly not understand why I’m doing this?”

Rohel gently caressed Noxia’s face with his other hand. Her small face, fitting perfectly in one palm, was so lovely it made his heart ache.

“I sincerely love you. Not any other woman could replace you. The only person I want is Lady Noxia.”

Overwhelmed by his earnest confession, Noxia couldn’t collect her thoughts.

She didn’t know what to say. Though the letter’s contents still lingered in her heart, in this moment, they didn’t feel important.

Unconsciously, Noxia’s face flushed crimson.

Hearing such a desperate love confession from the man she liked—she couldn’t remain indifferent. The cold mask she’d worn finally shattered.

Though Noxia gave no verbal reply, her expression alone was answer enough.

Rohel’s face brightened.

“I’ll treat you so well. You’ll never regret it.”

“I… I…”

Noxia struggled to continue.

She still lacked confidence in a future with Rohel, but after watching him unconscious these past days, she regretted the harsh words she’d spoken.

She couldn’t deny it—Rohel still held a place in her heart.

She loved him. Even if he were sweet-talking her with pretty words, she wanted to willingly fall for it.

Unable to endure her hesitation, Rohel pulled Noxia into his arms and murmured in a choked voice,

“Forgive me, but I won’t let you go. I truly can’t live without you now.”

Noxia’s small hand, hovering in midair, finally rested gently on Rohel’s shoulder.

It was a gesture laden with meaning.

Feeling her acceptance, Rohel tightly closed his eyes.

This was the moment he had longed for so desperately.

“Keep the promise you just made. Never… get hurt like this again. No matter how badly we fight, don’t abuse your body. I was truly terrified.”

“I will. I’ll never collapse again while leaving you behind.”

At Rohel’s words, a smile bloomed on Noxia’s previously icy face.

The human heart was truly wondrous. She had thought she could never accept him—but like winter snow melting, her hatred faded away.

Originally, she had parted because she couldn’t believe Rohel’s sincerity.

But seeing him strive so earnestly, her doubts subsided, and trust slowly began to grow.

Whether to give him another chance was now her choice.

Noxia decided.

She didn’t know what future lay ahead—but she would walk that path with Rohel.

“Lady Noxia.”

Rohel gazed at her with eyes dripping affection. She was nestled in his arms, close enough to feel his breath.

If he tilted his head just slightly, their lips would touch.

The moment Noxia began to slowly close her eyes—

Creeeak—

The door suddenly swung open, footsteps of many people flooding in. Among them, the loudest voice was one familiar to her ears.

“Noxia, how is His Highness’s condition…?”

Noxia jerked in surprise and turned toward the sound.

Standing frozen, gripping the doorknob with a stunned expression, was Orland.

Noxia had carried the collapsed Rohel into Brellof Manor. Orland had known he was waiting at the gate but pretended ignorance, respecting it as her affair.

“Ah, Father.”

Noxia stared at Orland with a flustered expression.

Naturally—she was mortified to be caught nearly kissing.

But the problem didn’t end there.

Behind Orland stood Lucellion, Emperor of Arwen Empire and Rohel’s father.

Of course, they had notified the imperial household when Crown Prince Rohel collapsed. Lucellion, who had been vacationing at a secondary palace, rushed here immediately upon hearing the news.

Witnessing the affectionate scene, Lucellion chuckled heartily.

“Hahaha! I rushed here upon hearing the Crown Prince had collapsed—only to witness an unexpected sight!”

Orland bowed respectfully to Lucellion, his expression complex.

“I apologize, Your Majesty.”

“Not at all. I’d already heard rumors my son was trailing after Lady Brellof the Younger. I intended to scold him severely upon meeting—but now it seems there’s a story I didn’t know.”

Despite Orland, Lucellion, and the crowd following them appearing, Rohel did not release Noxia from his embrace.

With a serious expression, Rohel looked at Orland and Lucellion and spoke.

“Since we’re all gathered here, I’ll state it directly once more. I wish to marry Lady Noxia. Please grant your permission.”

Lucellion wore a deeply satisfied smile, clearly delighted by the news, while Orland appeared greatly surprised by the unexpected turn.

Orland gazed solemnly at Noxia nestled in Rohel’s arms and asked,

“Noxia, what do you think?”

Naturally, all eyes turned to Noxia.

Unconsciously, Noxia looked up at Rohel’s face. He gazed back at her with a resolute expression and gave a slight nod.

Though they had spent more years as rivals, their journey taught them about each other—and this crisis deepened their understanding.

Noxia liked Rohel. She knew she would never meet a man she liked more than him.

She decided to follow her heart.

“I… share His Highness’s sentiment. I wish to marry Crown Prince Rohel.”

It was a bombshell declaration that would shake the Arwen Empire.

Ignoring the stunned expressions of everyone present, Noxia and Rohel gazed at each other and smiled happily.

From today, Crown Prince Rohel of Arwen Empire officially had a fiancée—Lady Noxia of House Brellof.