My New Love That Isn’t Fated - Episode 17

Owen resembled his father, the late king. Harvey, however, took after the former queen — a tall, strong man with golden hair and a splendid mustache. He loved fishing and horseback riding and didn’t enjoy sitting on the throne for long hours.
Now that Crown Prince Zelcius had finally come of age, Harvey seemed determined to retire, convinced he could finally hand over the throne.

From Owen’s perspective, Harvey was still strong and capable, and many still needed him. But Harvey often said the king’s role was now just to sit and nod, as the Senate and the Citizens’ Assembly governed the kingdom.
In truth, that wasn’t quite accurate — Harvey had simply grown tired after years of cleaning up the problems left behind by his father.

Owen’s father, who had taken seven wives, did not leave behind a good reputation.
Especially after marrying Owen’s mother, rumors spread that he was throwing away tax money like water for his young bride.
Between the ages of ten and fifteen, Owen had been forced to attend political meetings with his uncle, and he had heard such gossip whether he wanted to or not.

Harvey had inherited a kingdom in disarray and needed to rebuild it.
The king’s numerous children from different mothers and the former concubines were not easy to deal with either.
Just thinking about Harvey’s hardships made Owen feel exhausted.

And yet, Harvey had not given up. He had managed to smooth over everything — including saving Owen himself.

“Uncle, you still look amazing. You never seem to age!”
“Oh, Narvira. So you like men like Owen?”
“That’s not what I meant! Uncle, you just look as young as my brother, that’s all!”

Princess Narvira, with her golden hair and blue eyes like Harvey’s, puffed out her cheeks and sat on a chair at the tea table set up on the terrace.
At only thirteen, Narvira already strongly resembled the late queen.
Harvey’s wife had passed away three years ago. She had never been very strong, and a bad case of pneumonia had taken her life.

Harvey’s desire to retire had started after losing her.
The queen had been his pillar of support — they had grown up together.
She had been, in Harvey’s words, his soulmate — the other half of his soul. Owen had heard these stories more than once.

“You may look young, Owen, but you’re already twenty-six. Don’t you think it’s time to settle down? If you came to tell me you’re getting married, I’d be delighted.”
“No, I…”
“You once said you’d never marry, and I know that’s because of what happened with your parents. The Linhardt family is still causing trouble. Even now, that girl — Matilda — still thinks she’s going to be your wife, doesn’t she?”
“I haven’t seen her in years.”
“That’s exactly the problem. Tragic love tends to burn hotter. People get drunk on their own sorrow — ‘Oh, how sad it is to be abandoned!’ — crying into their pillows every night while thinking of you.”
“…Spare me. That’s disgusting.”

Owen muttered darkly as Harvey wriggled his shoulders in an exaggerated display.
Noticing Narvira’s wide-eyed stare, Owen quickly covered his mouth and cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure.
He often got teased for letting his “real self” slip out when he relaxed.
Owen made an effort to act properly because he knew his behavior reflected directly on Harvey’s reputation.

“Matilda must be twenty-three by now. You’d think the Linhardt family would give up. Being allowed even a minor seat in the Senate should be enough for them.”
“Exactly.”
“So, Owen, what’s the real reason you came to see me today? You don’t usually want anything to do with the royal family. I heard you’ve been holed up at the Tenegro Library reading all day.”
“There’s a text I’m interested in. I’ve been studying it.”
“I have high hopes for you, Owen. I believe you’ll make history.”
“Reading books isn’t exactly going to make me famous.”

Owen grimaced inwardly.
The idea of his name going down in history horrified him.
He didn’t even want to marry.
The thought of passing down his bloodline made him feel cold.
Abandoned by his mother, used as a political pawn by his uncle, growing up without knowing true parental love — how could he ever hope to be a good father like Harvey?

“Brother, I have a question. What’s the law regarding divorce these days?”
“Divorce!?”
“Uncle, you’re married?”
“…No, it’s not about me.”

Harvey jolted up from his chair, and Narvira’s eyes widened in shock.
Seeing Owen shake his head, Narvira, acting more grown-up than her age, pouted and stuffed her cheeks with pastries.
Harvey sat back down, resting his chin on his hand as he peered at Owen curiously.

“If it’s not about you, then who?”
“I can’t say. But there’s a woman suffering because of her marriage.”
“You’re talking about a living person? That’s unusual for you.”
“Maybe so.”
“In the past, it was taboo for women to seek divorce. Even divorce itself wasn’t properly regulated — it needed approval from a priest in the name of God. But now, if both sides sign a divorce document and submit it to the town hall, the divorce is official.”
“What if the man refuses?”
“If the woman leaves and there’s no real contact for two years, the marriage is considered dissolved.”
“I see.”

Owen nodded.
If Elad refused the divorce, then — as long as Lilia could escape and stay away for two years — the marriage would end.

“Is she suffering that much?”
“I don’t know all the details…”
“If she’s thinking about divorce, she must be.
Anyway, Owen, speaking of marriage — there’s a very good match for you. You should marry! The girl is the daughter of my wife’s sister. She’s a wonderful girl. You’ll like her when you meet her.”

Here it comes again, Owen thought with a frown.
Harvey always tried to arrange a marriage for him.
It made Owen reluctant to see him, no matter how much he appreciated his care. It was exhausting having to turn him down every time.

“…There’s someone I’m thinking about marrying,” Owen said at last.
“The woman you mentioned earlier? Who is she? A commoner?”

Owen hesitated.
Should he really mention Lilia’s name now?
He didn’t even know if Lilia truly wanted a divorce or if she still loved Elad.

“Unrequited love burns bright,” Owen said quietly. “I’m learning that firsthand.”

“At least tell me her name. I won’t tell anyone — it’ll be our secret, just between me, you, and Narvira. Fair enough?
It’s getting harder and harder for me to keep rejecting marriage proposals on your behalf.”

Harvey had a point.
All marriage proposals for Owen were sent to Harvey first. Each time, Harvey would summon Owen, confirm his wishes, and then politely decline on his behalf — like a guardian.

“…Lilia. The wife of Marquis Griez.”
“The woman surrounded by endless rumors?”
“Uncle, you’re not supposed to fall in love with someone else’s wife!”
“You’re right, Narvira. Don’t follow my bad example.”
“Hmm…”

Narvira frowned and glared at Owen.

“Owen. If you believe you need to help her, then you should.”
“…I wasn’t planning to say so much. Please forget about this, Brother.”
“I might accidentally agree to one of those marriage proposals if you don’t hurry up and declare your engagement.”
“Seriously. I can think for myself, you know.”
“Forgive me. To me, you’re like a son.”

When Owen was fifteen, Harvey had already become king and had his queen beside him.
They had treated Owen like their own son.

Maybe I wasn’t completely unloved after all, Owen thought quietly.
Still, he had never had a lover.
No one had ever touched his heart — until now.

What was Lilia truly thinking?
If she still loved Elad, there was nothing Owen could do.

But if she didn’t —
Could he take her away from that unfaithful man?