Chapter 17: Remnants of a Night Out and the Future.
The interactions by the wall continued for a while.
Talk of estates, the academy, recent capital gossip.
All harmless topics, met with smiles.
But it was tiring.
Keeping up appearances for so long stiffened my shoulders.
I decided to step away for a moment to freshen up.
“Cedric, I’m going to touch up my makeup.”
“Alright, I’ll come with—”
“No, it’s fine. Look, those people want to talk to you.”
At the edge of his gaze, an older earl was turning toward us with a warm smile.
Too close to escape eye contact.
I tugged Cedric’s sleeve.
“I can go alone.”
“But…”
“Stay and talk with everyone.”
I smiled.
Cedric hesitated but nodded.
“Alright. Come back soon.”
“Yes.”
I handed back my glass, gave a small nod, and left the circle.
The corridor was quiet, the music and chatter fading.
I headed to the powder room, where a servant helped me touch up.
With practiced hands, they fixed smudged spots minimally—dabbing sweat from my hairline, evening my blush, adjusting a slipping hairpiece.
Before regaining my game memories, I attended social parties often.
But after two years away, I felt drained.
I’d forgotten how to breathe in this world.
Deep breath.
In, out… I calmed down.
“Thank you,” I said to the servant, leaving the room.
As I walked back down the corridor to the venue—
“Well, well, Amelia. It is you.”
A man’s voice, light and casual, rang out.
I turned.
A man in his thirties stood there.
Brown hair tied back, wearing flashy clothes.
Handsome, but with a frivolous air.
At first, I didn’t recognize him.
Yet he spoke so familiarly.
“…May I ask who you are?”
My tone was polite—neither cold nor warm.
“Ronald Bennett. Don’t tell me you forgot?”
He shrugged theatrically.
The third son of the Bennett barony.
A seasoned partygoer’s smile.
Yes, over two years ago, at the edge of a social event—before my game memories returned—I’d spent late nights with him.
The original Amelia drank and partied with him often.
He must think we’re still close, approaching me so casually after all this time.
“Still as beautiful as ever, Amelia,” he said with a smirk.
If I were still the game’s Amelia, I might’ve gotten along with him.
But now, with my memories, I’m different.
I have no interest in being chummy with him.
The old me and the current me are practically different people.
Being friendly with him here would draw odd looks.
A married woman cozying up to another man.
Even if I plan to divorce eventually, I’m Cedric’s wife now.
My favorite’s wife… the thought still makes my heart race.
I can’t act so carelessly.
Besides, it could lead back to Amelia’s execution route.
With that in mind, I adopted the diplomatic demeanor I’d learned in the ducal house, trying to brush him off.
“I’m sorry, I’m in a hurry.”
Cold, concise.
I moved to pass him.
But his light demeanor didn’t waver, and he grabbed my arm.
“Hey, why so cold?”
I tried to pull away, but his grip was strong.
“We used to have fun drinking and partying, didn’t we?”
I frowned.
“I’m married now. I’ve stopped such things.”
Firmly stated.
But he laughed.
“No way you’d quit partying that easily, Amelia. What’s with you?”
His words stung.
The original Amelia wouldn’t have stopped.
She’d have indulged in worse—especially with men.
He wasn’t entirely wrong.
But I’ve changed.
“I’m not who I was.”
I tried to pull away again.
His grip didn’t budge.
“Wait.”
He tightened his hold.
It hurt…!
“If you’re not partying lately, perfect timing.”
He smirked.
“I found a great spot. Fun place—good music, light drinks, discreet. You’d fit right in.”
His tone infuriated me.
My blood boiled.
Yes, Cedric’s in a tough position.
But hearing someone belittle him like this made me livid.
My favorite, insulted—I couldn’t forgive it.
Cedric works so hard.
Top of his class, skilled in magic, kind, handsome.
He’s not someone this playboy can look down on.
I glared at Ronald.
“Excuse me, but I am Amelia, wife of Cedric of the Gilbert ducal house.”
Low, resolute.
“If you continue this attitude, I’ll formally protest to your house.”
His face twisted.
“What… you don’t take jokes anymore? You’ve changed, Amelia.”
“Yes, I have.”
I declared it, as if to myself.
The original Amelia would’ve laughed here.
The game’s villainous wife would’ve taken his hand gladly.
But I won’t go back.
I’ll never step onto the path to the execution block again.
“—Amelia.”
A familiar voice from behind.
I turned to see Cedric.
Pale gold hair, blue eyes.
His expression was calm, but a cold glint lurked in his gaze.
His eyes flicked to my wrist, then sharpened at the man holding it.
He stepped beside me, glaring at Ronald.
“Do you have business with my wife?”
His voice was flat, icy.
Quiet, but chilling.
Ronald’s smile vanished, his fingers releasing my wrist.
“N-No, nothing at all.”
“I see.”
Cedric’s gaze pierced him.
Ronald, uncomfortable, shot me a glance before hurrying off.
Cedric didn’t look away until Ronald disappeared around the corner.
He exhaled quietly and turned to me.
“Are you alright?”
Concerned.
I nodded.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
He looked thoughtful.
“What were you talking about with him?”
I hesitated.
Should I be honest?
Talking about my past felt embarrassing.
“Um, just an old acquaintance…”
I hedged.
His voice lowered.
“He was holding your hand.”
My heart skipped.
He saw.
“He grabbed me when I tried to leave.”
I explained quickly.
His expression softened with relief.
“I see.”
But he still seemed uneasy.
Was he… suspecting infidelity?
If so, it could lead to discord—and the execution route.
In the game, Amelia’s affairs led to her execution by Cedric.
I’m not cheating, but if he misunderstands… it’s possible.
I had to prevent that.
Looking into his eyes, I said,
“Cedric.”
“…Yes?”
“As long as I’m your wife, I belong to no one else.”
Clear and firm.
His cheeks flushed slightly.
“That’s right. You’re my wife.”
He took my hand.
“—Forever, from now on.”
His words sank deep.
Joyful.
But painful.
Forever, from now on—
Yet I plan to divorce next year.
For his happiness.
The contradiction hurt.
I nodded, lowering my gaze.
I couldn’t meet his eyes, feeling like I was lying.