Chapter 2

I was indeed overjoyed at finally getting to see Felicia alive again.

Smiling, I responded, "I just think that you're the best woman in the world. Any man who has you as his wife will be truly blessed."

"Let's go home," she retorted with a snort before turning to leave.

If I weren't aware that she didn't like me, I would've assumed that she was feeling shy at my words.

Our carriage trundled along the streets, passing by a particularly lively intersection. When I opened the curtains to look, I heard several people talking.

"They say that a rare phenomenon will occur tonight—a star will shoot through the sky! That's a once-in-a-century sight that can be viewed from the top of Star Tower! Legends say that couples who view it together will remain together and in love for all eternity!"

Suddenly, I recalled how I had heard the exact same thing in my previous life and pleaded with Felicia to go to Star Tower so we could watch it together.

At the time, her beautiful and charming features had twisted into a mocking sneer as she said, "What, is pestering me for one lifetime not enough for you? You want to bother me for all eternity too?

"All that nonsense about a shooting star legend is just a ridiculous scam. You can believe it all you want, just as long as you don't drag me into it."

She had had such a frosty look in her eyes then, and even just thinking about it was enough to cause me to shiver.

I silently shut the curtains.

However, this time around, Felicia spoke up, her tone impassive, "Do you want to go? I can accompany you to Star Tower tonight. I won't have time to visit your parents' graves on the day of our marriage, so consider this my way of making it up to you."

I lifted my head to shoot her an odd look, somewhat surprised and yet not.

Felicia had always been like this. On the surface, she appeared mean and had a sharp tongue, but deep down inside, she was soft-hearted and kind.

Even though she clearly didn't love me, she had still risked her life three times to save me.

The first time was when we ran into some bandits. In her bid to protect me, she had taken a sword to the arm, leaving the talented woman with a lifetime injury.

The second time was when I was dying from a horrible disease. She had climbed a steep mountain in search of a particular herb that could cure me, only to fall and nearly break her leg.

The third and final time was when a terrible fire struck the palace. She died right in front of me after pushing me out of the way of a falling beam.

Felicia was great in all ways except for one—she didn't love me.

I knew that after today, Felicia and I would part ways. Even if we went to Star Tower and watched the shooting star, we wouldn't grow old together like in those legends.

Nonetheless, I forced back the damp wetness that threatened to spill from my eyes and shot her a dazzling smile.

"Okay, let's go watch the shooting star together."

…

Midway through the journey, someone stopped our carriage. It was Samuel's attendant, coming to say that Samuel had a headache and wished to see Felicia.

Upon hearing that, Felicia frowned and instantly exited the carriage.

"Samuel isn't feeling well, so I'm going to check on him. Go on and return to the manor first. I'll see you tonight at Star Tower."

I nodded. "Okay."

She appeared visibly surprised at my response. "Didn't you use to mind it a lot when I went off to see him? Why the sudden change?"

I opened my mouth, but before I could say anything, she chuckled coldly and went on, "Then again, we're about to be married soon, so he isn't a threat to you anymore."

With that said, she left without another glance, not seeing the disappointment and bitterness in my eyes.

In truth, I had never faulted her for her favoritism of Samuel nor stopped her from seeing him. It wasn't until the marquis and I once saw him flirting with a few other women that we looked into the matter and discovered that he was genuinely a playboy. After that, I began vehemently stopping Felicia from interacting with him too much.

However, she was completely oblivious to this and continued to suffer even ten years after his death.

If I had to choose, I would rather see her get together with Samuel than have her suffer endlessly and eventually die for my sake.

I first headed for the magistrate's office to obtain my travel papers before returning to the marquis' manor.

Lady Rivers, the marchioness, had personally whipped up a feast for me of all my favorite dishes.

As was my habit, I took off my white fur coat and draped it over her. "The weather is quite chilly. Please take care of yourself, Lady Rivers."

She looked at me with a wide smile splitting her face. "You're as thoughtful and caring as always. Quick, let me see the royal decree declaring your marriage to Felicia. After waiting for so long, I'm finally going to hear you address me as 'Mother.'"

When the marquis, Lord Rivers, saw that nobody else had returned with me, he was livid.

"Did that wild child refuse to come back with you yet again? How could she still run around as she pleases when the royal decree's already come down? I'll be sure to lecture her when she returns!"