The Emperor Reverses Time - Chapter 32

With every step she took through the flower garden, her white dress began to blend into the green grass. But no one pointed it out.

One of the maids taught her how to make a flower ring. It was a different shape from the flower ring Leonhardt had made.

Elizabeth followed her eagerly with her little hands, but when it didn’t end up in a shape she liked, she looked sullen.

‘I want to give Leon the most beautiful ring…’

No matter how many times she remade it, the result was the same.

The maids exchanged glances, struggled to hide their giggle, and patiently waited for Elizabeth to create her pleasingly shaped flower ring.

“Miss Elizabeth! That looks great!”

“It’s so pretty!”

“Wow, the Crown Prince would be very happy.”

Elizabeth felt her shoulders rise proundly at the compliments of the maids.

She did not know if that was a ladylike act, but right now, it was just her and the maids, so it must be fine, right?

“Then… Shall I make each of you one, too?”

The maids were ecstatic as they held out their hands to her.

Not only Elizabeth’s dress was painted with nature, but also her fingertips. And a spring fragrance had seeped into her heart.

Despite being the Crown Prince, Leonhardt, who was still young, only had to study and practice swordsmanship at best.

That being said, Leonhardt, who finished the task in a remarkably short time, instantly asked where his fiancée was.

“The flower garden?”

“Yes. It seems that the young lady is very keen on making flower rings with the maids.”

“Hmm…”

Leonhard paused and pondered for a moment.

“What is the schedule after that?”

“There is nothing special.”

“Not me, Lizzy… I mean, Elizabeth.”

“The Miss also needs to rest for a while, so there is no specific schedule.”

“Really?”

Leonhardt continued with his steps again.

“Your Highness? Where are you going?”

***

From the distance, he could see her outstanding glittering white dress among the maids’ black uniforms.

Leonhardt put a finger to his lips and hushed them every time the maids made eye contact with him, giving a muffling command.

Perhaps, Leonhardt came up with a good idea and started making a small flower crown by weaving shamrocks under his feet.

Contrary to his impatient mind, the child’s hands did not dare move wildly.

In the end, Leonhardt succeeded in making something that looked quite like a flower crown.

“Lizzie!”

Surrounded by the maids and preoccupied with making flower rings, Elizabeth lifted her head up only when she heard a friendly, familiar voice.

In Leonhard’s hand, there was an object she had never seen before.

She did not know how he made it, but the flowers were woven into a beautiful circle.

Leonhardt reached out and placed it over Elizabeth’s head.

Wearing the fragrance of spring on her head, Elizabeth blinked blankly, not knowing how to react.

“Miss Elizabeth, you are so blessed.”

“Pardon?”

One of the maids clasped her hands together as she explained with ecstasy.

“The flower crown is a headdress that is only allowed for brides to wear in spring and summer. I would even refuse the royal crown to get to wear one of these.”

“…Only to…the brides?”

Leonhardt coughed arkwardly, staring to the side for no reason.

As Elizabeth belatedly understood the maid’s words, her face flushed so red that it was as if a pop came out of her head with steams.

“… I’ll bring the veil next time.”

At Leonhardt’s words, the maids chimed in and made a fuss about it.

Elizabeth sat in daze with her mouth slightly open. She picked the prettiest flower and made a ring as the maid taught her. It was worthwhile to practice so much that her fingertips have somehow turned pale.

Elizabeth placed her delicately crafted flower ring on her hands and held it out to Leonhardt.

“Please…please accept this!”

Leonhardt gazed at Elizabeth and the flower ring on her hands with surprise.

“…Can you put it on for me?”

Leonhardt knelt down in front of Elizabeth and held out his left hand.

Elizabeth’s blue pupils moved nervously as she looked into the eyes of the maids.

The maids took a step back to watched them, a pleased look was displayed on their faces.

With utmost carefullness, Elizabeth grabbed Leonhardt’s hand, and placed the flower ring on his ring finger.

“Thank you.”

Leonhardt put a swift kiss on Elizabeth’s forehead.

Upon relising what he had done, his face flushed even redder than Elizabeth.

“That…well…umm…Anyway, is there anything here that you feel uncomfortable with?”

Elizabeth nodded, clutching the hem of her dress with her small hands.

“… I’m scared.”

“You’re scared?”

Leonhardt’s heart sank again.

“It’s scary… but I don’t even know what I’m scared of. Father… Mother too… I heard the maids talking. Will we never see each other again?”

“… Lizzy, you can meet them again if you want. However… .”

‘Is it okay to meet with the people who ask me to take your younger sister in as a second wife once you die?’

Leonhardt furrowed his eyebrows, his mind was complexed.

Leonhardt clutched his chest in frustration.

Lizzie’s death was still more than twenty years away.

… Wait, did that really happen?

Leonhardt scrabled through his memories again.

The moment Lizzies drank the poisoned liquor and vomited blood in bed, he was talking with the Duke and his wife.

‘… I can remember that, but what kind conversations did I have with them exactly?’

His head was throbbing.

But instead of throwing her into confusion over such a distant future that had not yet happened, Leonhardt concentrated on something more urgent, such as putting the slipped flower crown back onto Lizzy’s head.

Elizabeth looked at Leon’s complexion worriedly.

“Leon, are you hurting?”

“Yes, it hurts so much because of you.”

Leonhardt replied with a giggle.

“Because of me…? Why…?”

Elizabeth’s eyes widened even more and tears began to well up in her eyes.

“Uh, huh? No, it doesn’t hurt at all! Don’t worry, Lizzy. don’t cry… Oh, would you like to tie a ribbon to the flower crown and make it a wall decoration later on?”

“Really… Are you really okay?”

Elizabeth leaned her body closer to Leonhardt and asked again.

Leonhardt picked up the crown that had fallen because of the wind blow and put it on her head, whispering.

“Lizzy, if you’re happy, I’m happy too. If you’re hurt, I’m hurt too. But I…I don’t want you to be sad just because I’m hurt.”

Leonhardt took Elizabeth’s hand and rose.

And with a bright expression on his face, he asked her.

“Do you like puppies?”