AWWEWNR Chapter 2 

Despite the taboo, it’s not always the case that love was a free-for-all, and Tharrott’s blind love for Rosaryn was enviable and unfortunate in the cold light of day.

 

But their love should not have cost him his life. 

 

I was partly to blame for falling in love with him at first sight at the coming-of-age ceremony, but I was deeply ashamed of myself for spending that love to protect theirs.

 

“Do you want me to stay with you until you fall asleep?”

 

Gemma asked Hanaella as she was contemplating the idea, her face worn with exhaustion from waking up and running to Hanaella’s side in concern.

 

“No, Gemma. I’m fine.”

 

“Are you sure you’re okay? Looks like you’ll be out till morning.”

 

“I’m not a kid anymore.”

 

“You’re still a child in my eyes.”

 

Gemma smiled sweetly and stroked Hanaella’s hair. Raised by Gemma after her mother died, she was more than a mother to her.

 

‘Oh, how I’ve forgotten how warm your arms are…’

 

Hanaella snuggled into Gemma’s arms.

 

“You’d better get some sleep, young lady. Tomorrow, we have to head out to buy a dress for your coming-of-age ceremony next week.”

 

Coming… of age…?

 

Next week would be my coming-of-age ceremony?!

 

So I’m just turning twenty?!

 

“…Yeah, goodnight Gemma.”

 

Gemma smiled sweetly and left, and Hanaella covered her face with her hands in disbelief.

 

‘I’m really back in the past before I met Tharrott. Was it a whim of the gods, or a chance for revenge? No, maybe I don’t need to seek out vengeance now that I am back. And the people who wronged me are not the same people they were then. No, not yet. For now.’

 

When she first saw Tharrott at her coming-of-age ceremony, she was struck by his handsome face and gentle manner. 

 

His sweet and affectionate words made her fall in love with him, and she let herself be seduced by him. Not realizing that the only woman he truly loved was Rosaryn.

 

‘I know now that he is in love with Rosaryn, so if I don’t show him any favor…’

 

Then the bad things of the past won’t happen.

 

And then there would be no reason to punish them.

 

‘There is no point in punishing them now for what they have not done, or for what they have done in the past, so perhaps I should cut all ties with them and move on with my life.’ 

 

Then there would be no need to entrust the Knights to Tharrott, no need for me to dabble in forbidden magic because of them, and the downfall of my family and the death of my father.

 

As she pondered these thoughts, her eyes drifted shut.

 

The rumbling of thunder became nothing but a lullaby to her closing eyelids.

 

💫

 

Without entanglement, she believed, there would be no hate, no resentment, no revenge. If she showed no interest in Tharrott, he would never approach her.

 

But that was not the case. It turns out that Tharrott and Rosaryn had long since planned to use her as a shield.

 

Fortunately for Hanaella, she caught on to their plan quickly.

 

The very next day.

 

At the dress shop, buying a dress for her coming-of-age ceremony.

 

Accompanied by her maid, Belle, Hanaella browsed the dresses the tailors were showing her. 

 

She was pleasantly surprised at how much fun she was having, as picking out jewelry and dresses had been a hobby of hers since she was a child. 

 

Until Rosaryn Ezri Thearine insisted on speaking to her.

 

“Ah, Lady Hanaella.”

 

Though her face looked pleased, her fan-covered lips were clearly smiling wryly. Ever since they’d first met at the Marquise de Merienne’s tea party, she’d been overly friendly with Hanaella. 

 

Come to think of it, it had happened before the regression, certainly before the coming-of-age ceremony.

 

“Oh, I see, Lady Hanaella has also come to buy a dress for her coming-of-age?”

 

Rosaryn, who had come with the Count’s second daughter, Branz Andiethel, had been singing the praises of her stepbrother, Tharrott.

 

“…Yes.”

 

Hanaella replied gruffly and pushed aside Branz to resume her selection of dresses. 

 

In her past life, she would have mingled with them, chatting and socializing. But now, as the only daughter of the so-called ‘Darkness of Hayden,’ she knew she had no reason to be so polite to a mere Lady of the Count.

 

Rosaryn and Branz were taken aback by the sudden coldness in Hanaella’s demeanor as they tried to befriend her, unbecoming of a Lady of the Duchy, but she continued on as if nothing were amiss.

 

“Oh, and by the way, I assume Tharrott is coming to this coming-of-age ceremony as well? I wonder if he has time to spare since he’s so young and has such an important job for the Empire.”

 

“Of course, he’ll come, it’s my coming of age.”

 

“Not because it’s your coming of age, but because it’s also the coming of age of the Princess.”

 

“Oh, well, then I’ll be able to see Lord Tharrott in person that day! By the way, have you heard the rumors, Miss Hanaella? Lady Rosaryn’s brother, Lord Tharrott, is incredibly…”

 

Hanaella said, interrupting Branz, “…incredibly handsome face and a brilliant mind.”

 

Branz and Rosaryn exchanged glances for a moment, then turned to look at Hanaella.

 

“Oh, so you’ve heard, the rumor!”

 

“Well, that’s kind of you.”

 

At Rosaryn’s words, Branz said with a smirk.

 

“Aye, it’s already been rumored. He’s got the skills and looks to be a Count, and a kind and gentle nature to boot. What a lucky lady to be the mate of such a fine man.”

 

Then she glanced at Hanaella.

 

‘Ha… look at that…?’ 

 

Come to think of it, it was like this back then, with Branz acting coy, and Rosaryn shyly denying her stepbrother’s compliments, so maybe this was all part of their plan. 

 

‘To get me to have good expectations of Tharrott, whom I have yet to meet, so that when I do, I will perceive him to be as rumored, and fall in love with him… Is that it…?’

 

Hanaella glared at Rosaryn, who smiled sheepishly and turned to Branz.

 

“The rumors are so exaggerated, but it’s not because he’s my brother, it’s because Tharo is such a sweet and caring man, and how good he is to me, his sister.”

 

‘Tharo…’

 

That’s what Rosaryn had always called him. And in return, Tharrott had called her Rose.

 

Once, when she knew nothing, envious of their affectionate nicknames, Hanaella called him Tharo and called her Rose.

 

The look on their faces was like they were seeing an intruder in their midst.

 

No, it was more like, ‘How dare you call me by that name.’

 

“It would be nice to have a meeting with Lady Hanaella after all this time.”

 

‘Tsk…’

 

Hearing Brandz’s words, Hanaella’s expression instantly stiffened.

 

Both Rosaryn and Branz were puzzled by the blatant change in Hanaella’s expression, and the latter glared at Branz with a sour expression.

 

“If you like him so much, Lady Brandz, you should meet him. For I have not the slightest interest in him.”

 

At Hanaella’s unexpected remark, Branz glanced at Rosaryn, who glared back at Hanaella sternly.

 

With that, it was clear. They had planned this before they met.