IDIBC Chapter 104

She Is Not Your Destiny

The gentleman blessed by heaven had earned a reputation for nobility even among gossipmongers.

Like the wolf that symbolized the Chaplin family, he would take only one woman as his companion.

And yet what such a man desired so desperately was another man’s fiancée.

Watching his friend lose even his sense of reality before love, Stuart’s mouth went dry, unable to figure out what words to begin with.

Why, of all people, was Lienne his destiny—that lofty man’s fate? As far as Stuart knew, in the previous life, Walter had not wanted her.

It meant this would never have happened if time hadn’t been turned back.

Even so, Stuart had to speak harsh words to Walter.

He wanted to prevent Ricardo, who had returned once more, from seeing Lady Fennel in another man’s embrace—he wanted to spare him from witnessing that, at least.

“Walter, if your lover were burning to death in flames, could you walk into that fire?”

“What on earth do you mean by that?”

“It may sound out of the blue, but I’m just curious.”

“…….”

“I’m asking about you specifically. No matter how much you love a woman, could you enter those flames to hold the hand of a woman being consumed by fire?”

It would have been utterly futile. The decision to turn back time had already been made, meaning that even if she burned to death, she would soon live again.

Something he could simply look away from, something that wouldn’t even remain in memory.

Though it was a heartbreaking tragedy, that was the extent of Stuart’s sentiment at the time.

Even as they walked together to the execution ground, Stuart tried to stop Ricardo from witnessing her death, but he refused to listen to the end.

Though they hadn’t gotten very close, the searing heat made Stuart’s body flinch. He thought Ricardo would surely stop now. But when he looked to his side, Ricardo wasn’t there.

Ricardo had walked into the flames with the same stride he’d maintained while walking alongside Stuart. With the same demeanor he’d had just moments ago while discussing how to handle what was to come.

With a face as calm and stoic as if strolling through a garden at night. As if doing what was only natural.

Stuart wasn’t the only one shocked by this sight.

Judith, who had schemed to possess Ricardo; the Emperor, who had spent his life in fear of him; even the Grand Priest, whose face had already turned black as if struck by divine wrath—all felt emotions beyond shock as they watched him.

It didn’t take long for the murmuring of the crowd to turn into screams. Watching Ricardo’s body catch fire, Stuart finally buried his face in both hands.

Even knowing they would turn back time to save her, even knowing it wouldn’t remain in memory…….

Simply because he couldn’t leave that woman alone in such a terrible place. Just because he couldn’t let her endure that moment alone and lonely.

This was a memory that belonged only to Stuart, one that remained vividly clear even after ten years.

“I have no idea what Your Highness is trying to say.”

“Yes, I suppose you wouldn’t.”

Stuart loved Mariette. This was an undeniable truth. He could unhesitatingly sacrifice his own life for her.

But could he truly walk into those flames if Mariette were burning?

With that expression, with that gait?

Someone who had never experienced the heat of fire might speak carelessly. But Stuart, who had witnessed it from the closest distance, had clearly seen the face of someone being reduced to ashes by flames.

The execution ground was another name for hell.

So this was different from saying one could die in a lover’s stead by jumping off a cliff. It was a primal fear that any human being could feel.

It would be too hot to take even a single step forward. One would rather hang oneself alone.

Ricardo seemed not to feel such fear at all.

To hold her hand, to embrace her as she burned while bound.

Having watched Ricardo finally take her into his arms, Stuart immediately turned back time. He had intended to see his wife’s face once more before returning, but he couldn’t delay even a moment.

Thinking back on it, perhaps turning back time wasn’t solely due to Stuart’s power.

Perhaps it was because of Ricardo’s love—so tremendous that even God was shocked into fury, or stunned into admiration.

This is what you call destiny.

What else could possibly be destiny?

“Walter, I can’t explain everything to you now, but I can say this one thing with certainty. I assure you, Lienne Rowe Fennel is not your destiny. She can never be your one and only.”

“Your Highness.”

“Even if you call out to me with such an aggrieved and desperate face, it can’t be helped.”

“…….”

“I know you’ve met with Mariette several times recently. So you must have heard. What kind of oracle will be handed down. Being as perceptive as you are, you must have guessed that I used my power to turn back time.”

Stuart slowly removed the signet ring from his finger. From his finger where muscle had begun to waste away, the ring came off easily.

“Yes, that’s right. Ten years were turned back, and incredibly, the oracle changed. It’s only my own foolish wretchedness that I didn’t think God would… go that far.”

As Stuart extended his hand, Walter realized he was about to give his permission. Though his fingertips turned cold, there was no hesitation in pulling out the documents he had prepared in advance from inside his coat.

“I permit the engagement. Of course, that’s only until Ricardo becomes Emperor and my father’s life is taken.”

At the words permitting the engagement, Walter added nothing more. Barely suppressing whatever emotion was surging up from within his chest.

“But I warn you, don’t lay a finger on that woman. And in any situation, respect her wishes.”

Walter rose from his seat and barely managed to pull up the corners of his mouth into a smile. It was a smile laden with many meanings.

“You worry unnecessarily. Surely you know what my nickname is.”

Walter bowed respectfully and left the mansion far more quickly than he had arrived. The concern that he might lose her to the Emperor if he delayed even slightly hastened his steps.

Even if, as Stuart said, Lienne was solely Ricardo’s destiny, Walter could not stop his steps.

Even while thinking he might be playing into God’s hands, he willingly decided to become one axis of that destiny.

Having finished his thoughts, Walter’s eyes shone more clearly than ever.

****

Two days after returning from the trip, Duke and Duchess Rochester summoned me just before lunch.

It wasn’t an appropriate time to invite me to eat together, nor to share tea and conversation. Because of this, I could vaguely guess the reason they called for me.

Though I hadn’t thought the Duke and Duchess of Rochester would easily give up on me and my family, no matter how I thought about it, I couldn’t see a way forward. The pressure from the Imperial family and the Grand Temple was bearing down that fiercely.

“Huu…….”

After letting out a long sigh, I rose from my seat.

I moved hurriedly to explain the situation to Sabrina and urge her to pack again since we didn’t know what might happen, but she wasn’t in the room.

Just then, the maid who always attended to her appeared carrying lunch.

“Where is Sabrina?”

I asked urgently, but she too didn’t know Sabrina’s whereabouts. Sabrina slept late and usually skipped breakfast.

“Since she hasn’t come looking even though it’s lunchtime, I prepared a meal to bring to her. She sometimes gets ready alone and goes for walks nearby, so she’ll probably be back soon.”

Come to think of it, Sabrina had been out of sight for quite a while. I felt momentarily worried, but going out was impossible now. She must be wandering around the mansion here and there, as she too had much to worry about.

After leaving word with the butler who managed the winter mansion, I headed to the main building where the Duke and Duchess would be.

As soon as the door was opened by an attendant, I bowed my head and curtsied. When I straightened up, it wasn’t the Duke and Duchess who greeted me, but an unfamiliar man.

It took a moment before I recognized who he was.

“Welcome. Lady Fennel.”

While I hesitated, not knowing what greeting to offer him, the Duchess approached and positioned herself between me and the Second Prince.

“Lienne, this way.”

As she led me away and I tried to move without even offering proper courtesy, the Second Prince raised his eyebrows high, making no effort to hide his displeasure.

He withdrew the hand he had extended for me to kiss.

Harriot slowly turned and sat down leisurely. It was a petty action, knowing that no one could sit before a member of the imperial family sat.

“Everyone may sit.”

Though he crossed his legs and lifted his chin, he projected no dignity befitting royalty.

Duke Rochester watched him silently. Only after the Duke’s permission fell did the Duchess and I take our seats.

Looking around, I saw the Imperial Guard knights filling the reception room in formation, as if they had just finished drill training. Freddy’s face, catching my eye, had already turned ashen.

“I believe you all know why I’ve come in person.”