The Empress Who Returned in Time: Kidnapping and Marriage

Episode 8

“Back then, you should have declined the Empress’s position when I ascended the throne. Honestly, I was disgusted by your ambition at that time.”

It wasn’t ambition.

While it might have been a misunderstanding as a Biantecan, it was love—a desire to monopolize the man she loved.

“You should have borne a child.”

Even if she had borne a child, this man would have killed her.

Eliano knew that.

“If you’d had a son, I would have let him succeed me.”

Even as the poison clouded her mind, anger surged at those deceitful words.

She wanted to tear apart the mouth that spoke such lies.

Even if she had borne a son, her child would never have been accepted as Zakador’s heir.

A prince with Biantecan blood would never have been embraced by them.

Still, she wondered if things might have been different if she’d had a child.

If only she had… If she hadn’t lost her child as the Crown Princess… That child, now grown, would have protected her.

If only she hadn’t had repeated miscarriages… Her eyelids grew heavier.

As Eliano accepted her impending death, she fiercely rejected it.

Though she wanted to die, not like this… No…!

“Goodbye, my love.”

Where had it all gone wrong?

Was it when she failed to protect her child? When she didn’t fulfill her duties as the Empress? When she didn’t try harder to win the Emperor’s favor and secure his affection? When she foolishly believed her husband’s love would last forever?

Or was it when she didn’t take his hand back then?

No, it all began when she was sold off like a commodity to marry into Zakador.

‘I should never have come to Zakador… That’s when it all started…’

She wanted to go back.

Even if her father beat her to death, she would resist this time.

She would even try to run away.

She regretted her life of blind obedience.

She wanted to undo everything.

Marcel’s voice echoed faintly.

His figure blurred as her consciousness sank into the abyss.

When she opened her eyes, it was spring of her 21st year.

—

“Announcing the arrival of Duke Rosana!”

Duke Rosana, a powerful figure in the Biantecan Empire, entered the ballroom holding the hand of a young woman.

Her steps were graceful, her gestures elegant.

A young noblewoman, newly debuted in society, couldn’t hide her curiosity about the beautiful woman on the duke’s arm.

“Who is she? She looks too young to be his wife.”

Her chaperone, a noblewoman, corrected her.

“That’s Eliano Rosana. She’s the Duke’s eldest daughter. The Duchess was expected to attend, but it seems she brought her firstborn instead. Remember her name and face well, for she is the most noble flower of Bianteca’s society.”

Eliano, who had been cherished in wealth and privilege since birth, carried herself with the grace of someone who knew her worth.

It was a common sight for Duke Rosana to proudly show off his daughter at events like this.

“But if she’s his daughter, does that mean she’s still unmarried? Surely she must be engaged, right? Who is he?”

The noblewoman chuckled.

“She is indeed unmarried and has no fiancé. The Duke dotes on his daughters so much he claims he’ll keep them with him forever.”

“You must be joking. How can a noble not marry? Isn’t Lady Eliano already over 20?”

Despite being past the age of majority, Eliano Rosana had neither married nor been engaged.

Unlike other noblewomen, who were often used as pawns in arranged marriages, she had the freedom to choose.

This was both a source of envy and, at times, jealousy.

“For Lady Eliano, marriage isn’t a necessity but an option. That’s how much the Duke adores her. Truly admirable, don’t you think? His love for her is so evident it makes some people jealous.”

“Really?”

“Her twin brother, the young Duke, also treasures her deeply. Marriage? What does that matter?”

If Eliano Rosana so wished, she could live her entire life bearing the Rosana name without marrying.

This sentiment was echoed throughout noble society.

When Emperor Leopold once proposed marrying her to his son, the Duke had famously replied that he intended to keep his daughter by his side forever.

“It seems even the Crown Prince isn’t good enough for Duke Rosana. His love for his daughter is boundless.”

By now, several noblewomen had gathered around Eliano.

To be fair, Eliano wasn’t extraordinarily beautiful.

If one judged by appearance alone, there were many noble ladies far more striking.

But Eliano’s demeanor, as if she had stepped out of an etiquette manual, and her natural elegance set her apart.

Combined with her noble lineage and angelic demeanor, she was a paragon of virtue in high society.

Such a woman was in a league of her own, surpassing those who were beautiful but lacked substance.

Recently,she has been going to the temple more often.

Some older noble couples said she looked like an angel while praying there.

The young women around her now are those she met during her visits to the temple.

“Sister Eliano, are you attending the prayer meeting this weekend?”

“Oh my, please don’t call me ‘Sister.’ We’re not in the temple right now.”

A young woman, slightly reproached for her overly familiar term, quickly apologized.

“Please forgive her, Lady Eliano. Diana isn’t yet accustomed to the ways of society.”

Another noblewoman addressed Eliano more warmly.

“I miss the days when we studied doctrine together at the Grand Temple. Would it be possible to join you again?”

Eliano smiled kindly at them and answered.

“I plan to attend the prayer meeting this weekend. I, too, fondly remember studying doctrine with all of you. I hope we can do so again someday.”

With a polite farewell of “May the blessings of the fortune goddess be with you,” Eliano gracefully moved to another group.

One young lady sighed in admiration.

“How can Lady Eliano be so elegant…?”

“My etiquette teacher told me to follow her example, but it’s so difficult.”

“Mine too. Yesterday, I was scolded for making noise while setting down my teacup.”

The noblewoman sighed deeply.

“I wish to devote myself to the temple, but if I must participate in high society… I want to be like Lady Eliano.”

A young lady, known as a future beauty of the social scene, whispered softly.

“But it seems the rumors about her weren’t all true. Lady Eliano may seem delicate, but she’s no weakling.”

Her new acquaintances nodded in agreement.

Eliano Rosana had a reputation for being so kind and angelic that she couldn’t even say no.

People often described her as being easily swayed and as fragile as a glass doll.

Some cunning noblewomen openly expressed disappointment, claiming such a timid lady couldn’t command high society.

Yet, something had changed.