My Fiancée Hates Me

On a random sunny day, Garett had brought me a bouquet of light pink peonies.

"...I feel as though you have become more romantic lately," I said as I accepted the flowers.

"...Was I doing something wrong? Charlotte Castile said that I should give you flowers more frequently as your fiancé," Garett said with a disgruntled facial expression.

I heard that Charlotte became a part time love consultant where she would give helpful advice to young women in love. Despite being single herself, it seems that her confidence has no bounds... "Thank you for the flowers. You have succeeded in uplifting my spirits," I said with a bright smile.

"Were you feeling down earlier?" Garett asked.

"...Just a little," I said as I grabbed his hand.

"I feel as though you are also picking more fights with me lately," Garett said as he leaned down and kissed my forehead. "Not that I mind..."

I lightly pushed on his chest.

"How about we go somewhere more private?" I said as I hinted towards the onlookers who had seemed to all stop what they were doing to watch us. I pulled on Garett's hand after leaving the bouquet with Stella. "Let's go on a date."

With Garett sitting across from me, I felt my heart being mysteriously alleviated.

"Where would you like to go today?" Garett asked.

"A bookstore is fine," I said.

"No, that is somewhere I usually like to go...I feel as though you have been accommodating to me a little too often. I was scolded about being too reliant on your kindness...We are eventually going to get married, so I hope that you will be able to rely on me more often. Where would you like to go, Arielle?" Garett asked as his ears began turning red.

I had Garett accompany me to a pastry shop. The shop had been covered in pastel pinks to mint green and lace all over. It was a shop very inviting for women but a danger ground for most men's masculinity. "Are you alright?" I asked worriedly.

"It is not like it is my first time coming to a place like this," Garett said as he sipped his tea.

"Yes, of course... You had been coming to shops like these to buy me sweets, right? Thank you for always going the extra length for me," I said.

Garett's ears seemed to tinge red once again. I smiled knowing that he was just as innocent as the day I met him...excluding the few times where he acted like a beast craving my lips.

"...I go the extra length because you are worth it," Garett said sweetly.

I had to take a sip of my tea to help cancel the sugar rising in my blood.

I feel as though I might die soon if I continue receiving this hot and cold boy's sweet words...

"...Can I ask if you are still sleeping in that broom closet at the Castle?" I asked.

"Broom closet? Well, it was a broom closet before I moved in...but yes, I am still living there because it is convenient for me," Garett said.

"Is it difficult to work at the Castle?" I asked.

"I take part in Advising not only on matters concerning the people but also reflecting on the actions of His Highness Prince Erik. He hardly makes mistakes, so I do not reprimand him. I do meet with him often to discuss matters concerning the kingdom. I'm sorry...do talks like this bother you?" Garett asked.

"...Are you concerned about my feelings for His Highness?" I asked.

"...I know just how much you have cared for him, so I do not intend to force you to change how you feel," Garett said with a smile.

After we left the shop, I took Garett's hand and pulled him behind the tall wall like bushes and onto a bench with a view of the lake while also being hidden from all public eyes. These couple spots were meant for couples to get a good view of the lake and a little more privacy by sectioning a few spots like these in enclosed areas.

"Nobody comes by here. We won't be seen if we sit here," I said.

"Right, this place is good," Garett said as he sat beside me and turned my face towards him.

I could feel his presence getting closer.

"Garett?"

I felt enclosed in his gentle embrace.

"Since we have been engaged, it has been a while since I have gotten to hug you. It was so difficult for me to hug you at your home," Garett said.

"Did you not just kiss my forehead earlier?" I asked as I wrapped my arms around his back.

"...That was me containing myself," Garett said.

I seem to remember Garett often kissing my forehead often before we would go to sleep together...

I blushed upon realization of what that meant.

"...You must have had it hard," I said as I pat his back.

"I feel as though you are consoling me," Garett observed.

"When we get married, it is your right to hug me as much as you like," I said.

"I hope we get married soon," Garett said.

"...I feel as though you are being more open with your thoughts," I said.

"I was told that I should be more open with my thoughts if I wanted to win you over," Garett said.

"Have you been meeting with Charlotte that often?" I asked.

"I have not met her at all...It is just that the book she wrote on couple counseling is quite informative," Garett said.

...When did Charlotte have time to write a book?

I chuckled.

"That sounds like something she might do. I am surprised that she is still single," I said.

"It is better if she finds a different amusement," Garett said.

"...Garett, would you like to hear a painful story?" I asked.

Garett released me and cupped my cheek with his hand.

"...Whenever you are ready," Garett said.

I decided to tell him about the beginning to the bitter end my past life.

"Right before you died, I finally received your sincere confession. It was probably then that I realized I should have followed my heart, but it was all too late. I failed miserably in trying to change the kingdom and also dragged everyone else into my endless pit of misery. I don't think I am worthy of your love or deserve to be happy, but I cannot imagine the rest of my life without you again...I would not be saying this if you were not first in my heart."

"All I want is for you to be happy and live without regret from now on," Garett said as he held me tightly.

Regret?

... Will I be able to let go of my resentment after killing Nevel Pillar or will it just be another one of my regrets?

Should I just forgo my revenge plans and just be happy with Garett from now on?

Garett dropped me off at my home soon afterwards.

"Arielle, I have to tell you something," Garett said as he held my hand.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I am going to the Northern Fort shortly after our wedding," Garett said.

The Northern Fort? Near the border? The place where you died? Even if I am not the Crown Princess, you are forced to go meet your fate there?

"...No," I said in complete refutation.

"Arielle?"

"You can't!" I yelled.

"...Arielle, I have been ordered to go there. It is no longer my decision," Garett said.

Then, whose decision is it? God?

"Is the reason you are so against it because that is the place where I died in your past life?" Garett asked.

"That is..."

"I am right? Arielle, you are still trapped by the past. Even if you managed to save your mother and His Highness, it is not enough for you to believe that fate can be changed, is it?" Garett asked.

For both my mother and Erik, their deaths were circumstantial as I had witnessed them both die in front of me. For Garett, he had taken my place and endured a death worse than anyone else. I do not know entirely of the circumstances behind his death, only that he had been captured in my place.

"Just stay by my side and let me protect you," I said.

"...I won't die, Arielle. Trust me," Garett said as he slipped on a ring with a brilliant light blue diamond. "This is my promise to you."

An engagement ring?

I did not want to receive such a lovely present right after hearing such disheartening news!

I grabbed Garett by his clothes in order to continue asking him not to go even if it meant that I had to pester him and sob terribly.

Even if I were to tell him to not go, he had the look in his eyes that he would change his position on the matter.

With such a look, I could only give up there in that moment...