Reincarnated Villainess Does Not Want Revenge

(Prince Risel’s POV) The Prince’s First Love is Fruitless 

Immersed in the joy of first love.

Experiencing jealousy for the first time, he discovered a new side of himself.

And finally, he went through his first heartbreak.

Amidst his overwhelming daily routine, Risel had hoped to fill the void in his heart.

The preparations for his sudden crowning as king were terrifyingly busy.

Work keeps pouring in without a moment’s rest. With an inadequate organizational structure in place, he managed to barely keep things afloat with the help of Reynaldo and the other nobles.

Even in a daily routine that took all-nighters for granted, the long-forgotten feelings of love would resurface within him whenever he saw Reynaldo returning home at night.

The image of the person who still occupies Risel’s heart vividly resurfaces.

Even though they had only known each other for a short time, Risel could still remember Marie’s wonderful traits that were apparent even without having spent much time together.

And that’s also how Risel saw in her the potential to be a queen.

On the day when his father was punished,

She managed to quell the anger of Alberto and Reynaldo, who were consumed by revenge.

The will that she spoke of, which only the late Rosemary could have known.

Risel realized what it meant.

And at the same time, he realized that his love would never come true.

‘No wonder she dislikes being the Crown Prince’s fiancée so much.’

Assuming Risel’s understanding of her true identity is correct, it’s understandable that his feelings may be seen as nothing more than a bother.

He knows a woman who refers to Reynaldo as her brother and Alberto as her knight.

A woman who is etched in their hearts.

If that woman and Marie are the same person…

‘I’m the child of the one who once sent her to her death.’

Risel took out Marie’s letter, which he always carried with him, from his pocket chest.

A letter that he had read repeatedly, each time imprinting its words into his mind.

Ever since Marie had left as a maid to the Rose territory, Risel had been sending her letters consistently.

‘It must have been annoying, but she still wrote back.’

Not a single line in the letters he received mentioned that Risel’s affection was a nuisance. The only thing she kept telling him was that she could not be queen.

Risel thought that the reason for this was her own hesitation in accepting the role. However, it was not just hesitance but rather a deep sense of aversion for the position.

It’s only natural. Risel himself never had the ambition to become king. During his childhood, he idolized knights and their sword-wielding prowess, finding them much more impressive and inspiring.

‘Would it have been different if I had not met her as a prince?’

He chuckled, a hint of self-mockery in his laughter, as he entertained an implausible notion.

The predetermined position Risel was born into was both a source of pride and responsibility, leaving no room for thoughts of being anything other than a member of the royal family.

Should this position come to an end, as it did with his father, when he is deemed irrelevant by his people, he believes he will inevitably lose it.

In other words, it’s futile to even contemplate.

‘Still, I can’t help but think. If there were a future with you…’

Regardless of status or the past,

What if they had met as just Risel and Marie?

Because Risel didn’t fall in love with Marie just because he was a prince,

And he didn’t fall in love with Rosemary.

It was simply because he loved Marie, and only her.

He was instantly captivated by Marie, and every word she spoke left a lasting impression on his heart.

Words and smiles, he doesn’t know them that well.

However, he was still attracted to her strong soul, which may be equivalent to falling in love with the existence of Rosemary as well.

For Risel, though, it’s simply that he cherishes Marie as an individual woman, not because she is Rosemary.

“I wonder what it is like for you.”

The figures of love rivals that come to mind were two individuals whom Risel deeply admired.

Despite the long-lasting desire for revenge that can sometimes fade away over time, their feelings for Rosemary remain strong.

Whether that feeling is solely familial or out of loyalty, Risel doesn’t know.

The only question he would ask, as a man who has fallen in love with Marie, is whether they have feelings for Marie or Rosemary.

Risel closed his eyes tightly for a while.

Today is the last time he will think about Marie.

It is tough, though, to cut off his feelings in just a fleeting moment, squeezed between the demands of his busy schedule.

Risel has a lot of work to do.

The documents piled up on the desk in his office are countless and seem never-ending.

Furthermore, the whereabouts of his mother, Queen Tia, who is believed to have fled, are also unknown.

Although Risel’s first love did not come to fruition,

He had no regrets as he had never experienced such intense and burning emotions before in his life.

He came to know her as a person and learned what love is. Simultaneously, he became aware that his feelings for her could never be realized.

That too, will be etched in Risel’s memory as an experience and become a source of strength for him as he goes on living.

“Thank you, Marie. I’m honored to have met you.”

He looks out the window of his empty office.

She wishes for peace for the people of this vast country.

It is unquestionably Risel himself who will make that wish come true.

If he could give something back to his lost love, it would be to lead the country in a positive direction and make her life a little more peaceful.

Suddenly, he felt a little more attached to the position that only he could fulfill.

A knock echoed through the office, and Risel looked towards the door, granting his permission to enter.

Several dukes entered, carrying documents, and informed Risel that they wished for him to come to the hall.

Break time is over.

Risel, as the ruler of the country, leaves his office accompanied by the visitors.