The Empress Who Returned in Time: Kidnapping and Marriage

Chapter 9

The smile that once graced the princess’s face was replaced with a cold, icy expression. Her tone was firm and cold, contrasting with the youthful nobility who often lost their composure in anger.

But Eliano never raised her voice.

Her perfect and proper manners only became more refined.

The older, wise noblewomen, who had once been disappointed in her fragile nature, began to hold renewed hope for her.

On the fateful day, Count Hyren’s daughter made a remark at a tea party when asked if she was enjoying herself: “The tea party is pleasant, but there is an unwelcome person, so it’s not very comfortable. Oh, hello, Lady Rosana.”

Eliano immediately realized that she was the person being referred to as unwelcome, and without hesitation, she responded: “How delightful that our feelings are mutual, Lady Hyren. I, too, would prefer not to be with you—what should we do about that?”

“Wh-what did you say?” Lady Hyren stammered.

“I can no longer stay here.”

Eliano’s once tearful green eyes, which would cloud with emotion when insulted or mocked, were now dry and emotionless.

She not only responded sharply but used her status to order Lady Hyren to leave the party.

Lady Hyren, embarrassed and angry, was asked by the host to leave the event.

Initially, no one believed it.

Many nobles insisted that the kind, angelic Lady Rosana would never do such a thing and even suggested Lady Hyren must have insulted her first.

In social circles, the incident between Lady Rosana and Lady Hyren became a major topic of gossip.

Eliano, looking at the turmoil caused by even her slightest actions, couldn’t help but reflect on her past.

“How foolish I was,” she thought. “I was so naïve in my past life.”

Eliano began to feel a deep sadness as she recalled how she had clung to the emperor’s love to maintain her position as empress, only to eventually be poisoned and killed by her husband.

Reflecting on her past mistakes, Eliano swore to never repeat her previous life and turned to the temple to express her gratitude for the miraculous second chance she had been given.

“Thank you, God. I will not live a miserable and unhappy life again.”

Many people believed Eliano would live a life of wealth and freedom, without the pressures of marriage that ordinary nobles faced.

She was frequently asked about her suitors, but Eliano was not interested.

She smiled faintly but didn’t respond.

She was often surrounded by gentle and polite noblewomen who were not as sharp as the ones in high society but were kind-hearted.

“The proposal from Count Flezz’s family—how tiring that must be for you,” one of them remarked.

Eliano simply replied, “It is unfortunate that I cannot return the sentiment.”

She thought little of the proposals; they were merely attempts by men to get attention.

In her past life, she had foolishly believed that receiving proposals meant her value had increased.

“Lady Eliano, you are so precious. Whoever wins your heart will change their life forever.”

She heard such things frequently, but she had no intention of accepting any suitor.

In fact, she had no control over her own life, as her father, Duke Rosana, had always controlled her.

Despite the luxurious life she led, surrounded by fine clothes, jewels, and food, Eliano’s life was one of subtle manipulation and oppression.

Her father, outwardly kind and loving, often punished her for not fitting his ideals.

He was a man who demanded obedience but also imposed restrictions on her growth.

He discouraged her from seeking knowledge, leading Eliano to waste years without realizing her potential.

The truth was, her father had deliberately limited her education and stopped her growth because it made her easier to control.

Eliano came to realize that the love and discipline her father showed were mere tools to keep her in boundaries.

After a painful lesson where she was punished for seeking knowledge, she finally understood the full extent of the manipulation.

But when she attempted to break free and think for herself, her father always made her feel guilty for doing so, reinforcing his control over her.

Eliano understood now that everything in her life had been wrong, but the realization came too late.

The influence of her father was so strong that she couldn’t easily escape it.