I Don't Love You Anymore Chapter 1

Translator: shiko

Proofreader: Royals

QC: Haru Honeyshiki

Chapter 1

"I heard that you're looking for a bride."

Those were the first words the woman—who came out of nowhere—told Arendt.

He raised an eyebrow, looking at the doll-like woman sitting in front of him.

She was like a doll, literally; devoid of emotions and expressions. She was obviously beautiful, but at the same time, she was eerily poker-faced. Neither had she attempted to reach out to him nor had she actively sought him out with the intention of being his bride.

Arendt was somewhat suspicious of her.

"You… don't you know who I am?”

"You're looking to marry."

“Not that.”

"Joachim XII of Vinfriet”

"I'm glad you don't know."

“Please marry me.”

"This is getting a bit ridiculous now."

Arendt's handsome face wore an embarrassed smile.

She was right, he was looking for a bride. That's why she left her country, the Thierry Empire, to marry. The news had caused a big uproar throughout the entire continent.

But he didn't expect to be asked for his hand in marriage so suddenly.

Arendt pondered for a while before asking her matter-of-factly.

“Do you have any feelings for me?”

"I'm sorry but I don't have feelings for someone whom I've only heard off through the grapevine."

He was promptly overcome by self-consciousness.

It's a little shameful to admit himself, but Arendt was a popular figure.

As the Emperor of a country and a member of the Joachim family, who legend has it was founded with the blessings of the moon, Arendt was a silver-haired, cold beauty.

His sharp face shape gave the impression of a fierce dog while his thin, pale red lips were reminiscent of a puppy. Combined with his well proportioned body and gentle character, he was renowned to be a charismatic and attractive man.

Therefore, Arendt wasn't in the wrong for asking her such a question as to whether she had taken a fancy to him.

He posed another question, still a bit embarrassed.

“Then why on earth are you proposing to me?"

“You're the Emperor of Vinfriet, and you can take me away from the Thierry Empire.”

"Huh, so you arrive in another country and now plan to take control of the carriage. Go back to your country."

“The bride you require must meet three conditions. First, there should be no birth connection to Vinfriet. Second, she must be capable of helping you manage the state affairs right away. And third, she must not fall in love with you.”

At her words, the corners of Arendt's scowl straightened. Even if she knew of the two first conditions, how did she know the last one?

But Arendt could hardly ask that question, because the woman talked at will without a pause.

“I'm from the Thierry Empire, so it goes without saying that I have nothing to do with you. As for the second condition, I'm confident I have the ability to take care of state affairs right away.”

“You have a bad habit of repeating yourself.”

“The Duke of Wistash has been on the battlefield for the past three years without having returned to the ducal seat in the Thierry Empire once. Since the previous Duke and Duchess were dead at that time, who do you think took care of the current Duke and Duchess?"

Duke of Wistash. When he heard that, a certain incident passed through Arendt's mind.

With a dubious look, Arendt carefully opened his mouth.

"…I heard the Duke of Wistash broke up recently."

"He broke up with Niveia Solen, and she was the one who ended it. The woman who was engaged because of her father's promise finally gave up."

“Don't tell me you are her…?”

The woman did not smile when she was responding to Arendt. It was completely natural for her to be so impassive.

“I loved the Duke of Wistash for 10 years. I've finally let go of my love only now. Do you think I'd be able to love you like that?”

"……"

“You're not the one who's sick and tired of love. So am I.”

It was only then that the woman showed him her weakness.

She was exhausted.

However, her purple eyes were teeming with purpose. She wanted a new life with Arendt.

“I won't repeat it thrice, Your Majesty. If you refuse my suit, I'll go ask someone else. So let me extend my offer for the second and last time.”

Will you marry me?