SCMBRN Chapter 21

I coughed repeatedly, barely managing to form a proper sentence.

 

“…What, what did you say?”

 

I thought I heard something about marriage just now, but no matter how I turned it over in my head, I had to be mistaken.

 

That wasn’t the kind of word that would naturally come up in this situation.

 

Reynard blinked as if slightly surprised.

 

“Oh dear, are you alright? It seems something went down the wrong pipe.”

 

Only then did I realize I’d just embarrassed myself in front of the crown prince. I hurriedly looked for my handkerchief.

 

“My apologies. I’ll clean this up at once.”

 

“There’s no need to apologize. It was just a small mistake.”

 

“My, how gracious of you.”

 

As I dabbed at the moisture with my handkerchief, I glanced sidelong at the man who was composed beyond measure.

 

“Um, Your Highness.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Would you mind repeating what you just said? I think I might’ve misheard.”

 

“Oh. I asked if you would marry me.”

 

“Right. Marry… Your Highness…”

 

I tightened my grip on the handkerchief.

 

I didn’t mishear!

 

He had spoken in such a calm tone, as if he were merely commenting on the fine weather, that it took a moment for my brain to register what he’d said.

 

“Ma-marriage… What do you mean…?”

 

“Do you not know what marriage is?”

 

“No, of course I do.”

 

What do you take me for, you jerk?

 

“Given the current circumstances, marriage is the best solution. If we’re married, we can share the same bed every night. It would appear perfectly natural to others as well.”

 

My mouth fell open.

 

“Ah… I see. I understand.”

 

“You do? Then let’s proceed toward getting married as soon as possible. First, I’ll have to persuade His Majesty the Emperor…”

 

“Wait, wait a moment!”

 

Reynard looked about ready to stride out to the terrace that very instant, so I grabbed his sleeve.

 

“What is it?”

 

“A sudden marriage is a bit much.”

 

“But you just said you understood.”

 

“I meant I understood what you meant, not that I agreed to marry you.”

 

“What’s the problem?”

 

He asked, sounding a little put out.

 

“Are you worried His Majesty won’t approve? Don’t be. The House of Lindsey is more than qualified to form a marital alliance with the royal family. Or is it because you were originally a commoner? I’ll take care of that.”

 

“That’s not the issue.”

 

“Then what is?”

 

“Your Highness, are you truly fine with marrying me?”

 

“I am.”

 

“No, please don’t answer so casually. I mean… it’s not like you love me.”

 

Reynard’s eyes widened slightly before he burst into laughter.

 

It was a laugh that rang with genuine amusement.

 

“Why are you laughing?”

 

“You’re rather peculiar, Lady. Among the nobility, how many truly marry for love?”

 

He shrugged with an air of nonchalance.

 

“I believe one can be a good partner without relying on love, so long as there is respect and consideration.”

 

Of course he would think so. I nodded inwardly.

 

The more I spoke with Reynard, the more minor details of the original novel came rushing back to me.

 

In short, Reynard was the kind of character who would say something like ‘Love? That’s irrelevant to me.’ without a second thought.

 

And as with most characters of that type, he would inevitably end up going against his own beliefs.

 

He had initially approached the female lead, Ayla, to use her as leverage against Cedric, only to fall for her completely.

 

From Reynard’s perspective, it was a world-shattering turn of events.

 

Originally, he had planned to marry a woman from a powerful family to strengthen his claim to the throne. Falling in love had never been part of the equation.

 

Once Reynard realized his feelings, he made a direct move toward Ayla but… well, such is fate. The male lead of Looking for a Husband was always Cedric.

 

Reynard blamed himself for scorning love, but there was no turning back.

 

He broke off every subsequent engagement and devoted himself to his work, ending the story alone.

 

But what about the crown prince’s duty to produce an heir?

 

Exactly.

 

That part always nagged at me, but it wasn’t beyond comprehension.

 

It would’ve felt wrong for the sub male lead to just move on and marry someone else after being rejected by the female lead.

 

As a romance reader, I admit I felt a bit betrayed.

 

Still, I’d like to think Reynard eventually met someone and got married, many years down the line.

 

Though I doubt anyone could inspire the same passion in him as Ayla did.

 

Tearing myself from my mental review of the plot, I looked at Reynard, who was still speaking.

 

“If we move quickly, we could hold the wedding within three months. If people see us as an engaged couple, it wouldn’t be odd for me to stay at the Lindsey estate overnight, or for you to be invited to the palace.”

 

He was already leaping ahead, mistaking my silence as acceptance of his proposal.

 

At this rate, he’d start planning the wedding gifts on his own, so I had to cut him off.

 

“I recommend giving your parents a heads-up. If they suddenly receive a marriage proposal from the imperial family, they might faint…”

 

“Your Highness, I’m sorry, but I can’t allow that. I will not marry you.”

 

Reynard raised one eyebrow.

 

“Why? Is it because there’s no love?”

 

“Yes, that’s right.”

 

If I was going to be trapped in a fantasy world, I at least wanted to experience a sweet romance.

 

“But didn’t you say you gave up on the idea of being with Duke Hickled?”

 

“I’ll look for a new love once I’ve truly moved on from him.”

 

“And if you can’t?”

 

“Then so be it. Living alone isn’t so bad.”

 

“What if you fall in love with me after we marry?”

 

“Excuse me?”

 

“No one knows what the future holds.”

 

“Well, I suppose that could happen, but to leap into marriage on that chance…”

 

“If it comes to that, we can just get divorced.”

 

“Divorced?”

 

“I’m not asking you to grow old with me. This arrangement would dissolve the moment the curse is broken.”

 

His reasoning was sound, and I found myself listening in spite of myself.

 

“Who knows when that’ll be, but until then, I hope you’ll stay by my side. After that, I’ll let you go without regret.”

 

“Still…”

 

“Of course, I’d be leaving a mark on your marital record, so I’ll be generous with the alimony.”

 

“Alimony…”

 

“Furthermore, I’ll declare that the fault lies with me and ensure you receive support to relocate abroad immediately after the divorce.”

 

“Abroad…”

 

“Frankly, even I would find it awkward if my ex-wife remained in the country. In every respect, this would benefit us both. Didn’t you originally plan to live overseas?”

 

“Yes, that’s true.”

 

“If we marry, not only can we share a bed without issue, but no one will dare bring up Duke Hickled again to disparage you.”

 

Reynard, standing with the morning sun at his back, extended his hand to me.

 

The sunlight behind him cast a halo, making his already sculpted features appear like a masterpiece.

 

Even though we had just gotten up together and he hadn’t even washed his face, he looked divine.

 

“Your Highness…”

 

As if entranced, I reached for his hand, only to snap out of it at the last second.

 

“I’m grateful for the offer, but I must decline!”

 

As I pulled back my hand, the crown prince clicked his tongue in disappointment.

 

“What a shame. I thought you were about to agree.”

 

“I wasn’t even close.”

 

Well… maybe halfway there. Phew. I nearly got married without realizing it.

 

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts.

 

What would marriage even solve? Reynard isn’t the only one affected by the curse.

 

That was the most decisive reason I couldn’t accept this proposal.

 

I still had three other rabbit-like men who needed a place to sleep.

 

If I married Reynard, sharing a bed with him would be easier, but putting the others to sleep would become exponentially harder.

 

The crown princess taking strange men into her bedroom? Or sneaking into theirs?

 

Just imagining it was a nightmare.

 

This wouldn’t end with a simple divorce. If I were lucky, I’d be stripped of my title. If not, I could end up dead.

 

And I wasn’t cold-hearted enough to abandon the other three just for a temporary title.

 

Even if I did, it wasn’t like the others would quietly accept giving up their sleep.

 

No matter what, I had to refuse this marriage.

 

Wait, isn’t this that “contract marriage” cliché that always pops up in romance novels? Definitely not something to agree to on a whim!

 

“What’s your real reason for refusing?”

 

Reynard furrowed his brows, clearly unable to understand my rejection.

 

“Is it really just because of love? There aren’t many noble couples who marry for love.”

 

“It’s not only about love.”

 

Thinking the conversation might drag if I kept mentioning love, I offered another reason.

 

“My goal is to live quietly and for a long time. I have no desire to step into a palace teeming with power struggles.”

 

Reynard had no retort to that. His confidence dimmed.

 

“…I suppose it isn’t the safest place.”

 

He was currently locked in a silent war over the throne with his stepmother and half-siblings.

 

They smiled with grace in public but turned vicious behind closed doors.

 

Even if I were to behave with perfect decorum, the title of crown princess was one that demanded your life.

 

Absolutely not. I’d rather be a homebody.

 

“To become Your Highness’s bride would be an immeasurable honor, but please bestow that honor upon a woman more deserving of you.”

 

“….”

 

Reynard fell silent for a moment before finally speaking.

 

“Alright. I understand how you feel.”

 

Thank goodness…

 

“Then how about we just announce we’re dating instead?”

 

You didn’t understand at all!