When I Took Back My Beloved Child Who Had Been Taken From Me, My Husband's Obsessive Love Began. Why? - Episode 3

“I’m so, so sorry! I was just trying to find something to talk about and ended up saying something unnecessary in a panic…! I’m really, really sorry!”

Everyone present knew that Claudine’s overly dramatic apology was a lie.

Even so, Craig suddenly smiles.

Lucienne felt like crying again at Craig’s expression, which she was seeing for the first time.

“There’s no need for an apology, Claudine.”

Lucienne found it painful to be in this place.

It seems that the other young ladies are the same, and everyone is feeling restless.

However, the torturous time continues.

“So, what kind of interactions do you have with Her Majesty the Empress?”

“That is…”

There’s no way I can say that in a place like this.

If there was even a small opportunity for us to talk alone again, I intended to convey it.

Lucienne couldn’t answer Craig’s question and could only manage a forced smile.

“…Your Highness, why don’t you also write a letter to the Empress? She would surely be delighted.”

“I can’t believe that.”

It seems that the wounds from being rejected by his mother when he was young have not yet healed.

When we first met in the garden, Craig was damaging the plants because he was hurt too.

Knowing that, Craig easily rejected Lucienne’s foolish proposal and finally made his way to the other young ladies.

Then the token tea party began, but only the young ladies were talking, and Craig was just nodding along.

The interactions with Lucienne are no different from three years ago.

What changed, as I had heard, was that I could have conversations with Claudine and occasionally see a faint smile on her lips.

This is just too painful.

It seems that other young ladies felt the same way, and as a result of this tea party, many of them ended up declining their candidacy as potential brides.

And when Craig turned eighteen, only Lucienne and Claudine remained as candidates for the position of consort.

I’ve asked to decline many times too…

The reason why the resignation is not accepted by the temple is probably because Lucienne’s magical power is strong and compatible.

I can understand why the two of them, including my cousin Claudine, are still around, but Craig has already more or less made his choice.

No matter how much you say they are still fifteen and have room for growth, isn’t this already beyond the margin of error?

Lucienne was treated harshly by her uncle and aunt, who wanted to make Claudine Craig’s consort, and she was confined to the mansion except for her visits to the imperial palace.

At least if I could have formed friendships with the other young ladies, things might have been different, but my uncles didn’t allow me to go out.

Lucienne has been depressed since losing her parents, and I’m at a loss about how to interact with her.

The uncle and aunt spread rumors under the guise of concern, and voices were being raised around them questioning whether she was suitable to be the Crown Princess.

Claudine, without even inviting Lucienne, heads out alone to the event she was invited to.

Claudine must surely like Craig—His Highness—and I must have gotten in the way…

After Lucienne’s mourning period ended, it was clear that Claudine had started to ignore her.

Even if they don’t see him as a rival, Craig’s attitude is clear, but they probably won’t feel at ease until the priests acknowledge it.

“This is just too much! Lucienne-sama, you should report this to the Empress!”

Seeing Lucienne watching from the window as Claudine and her aunt left for the tea party, the maid Ritte couldn’t hold back and let out a sigh.

However, Lucienne quietly shakes her head.

“I can’t do that. I can’t let Lady Aurelia worry unnecessarily.”

“However…”

“Don’t worry, eventually Claudine will be chosen as the prince’s consort. Then I will marry someone else. Just wait for that day.”

While saying that with a smile, Lucienne was inwardly anxious.

Noblemen also want to marry women with strong magical powers, so the young ladies who were candidates for the crown princess are popular as brides.

However, now that there are only two candidates left for the crown princess, there are no suitable groom candidates remaining.

Moreover, for Lucienne, who was mistreated by her uncle, the guardian after her parents’ death, the future of not being chosen as the queen was nothing but bleak.

No, I’m fine. I can handle it. More importantly, Lady Aurelia and Craig… about His Highness.

Lucienne steeled herself against the urge to feel down and headed to her writing desk.

The fact that I was secretly corresponding with Aurelia had somehow been discovered and exposed by Claudine.

Therefore, Lucienne made up her mind and tried several times to convey Aurelia’s condition to Craig.

However, when meeting Craig, Claudine never left his side, so I couldn’t tell him directly.

I considered conveying it through a letter, but I’m conflicted about whether it’s okay to break my promise to Aurelia. There’s also the possibility that others might see the letter, so I haven’t been able to go through with it.

It seems that Aurelia is not aware that her correspondence with Lucienne has become public knowledge.

Thanks to Lucienne secretly contacting the Empress’s maid, I was able to learn about it, but at the same time, I was informed that no letter had ever arrived from the Crown Prince, and that Aurelia had also not sent any letters.

That’s why Lucienne wrote yet another wish addressed to Aurelia.

Please, so that you have no regrets, write a letter to His Highness Crown Prince Craig.

This time, there was no reply to the letter sent with the hope that Aurelia would finally set aside her pride and make even a little effort to reconcile with Craig.

The day after sending the letter, Aurelia’s condition suddenly worsened, and she passed away.