My marriage to Ethan had been a symphony, a model of perfect harmony, widely seen as the ideal union of a benevolent ruler and his wise queen. Less than a year after his passing, I followed him. Then, my eyes fluttered open, and we were both back in our youth. This time, he didn't reach for my hand as he had in our past life. Instead, he turned, knelt before the King, and begged for the decree to be revoked. He wanted to annul our engagement. To marry Isabella, the merchant's daughter. 1 It was the twelfth year of King Arthur's reign. A year when the Montgomery family's influence was at its zenith. And the year I, fully recovered from my injuries, returned to the Capital from the Southern Coast. One moment, my ears were filled with the mournful cries of palace attendants. The next, I was reborn, finding myself walking the familiar path to greet the Queen Mother. Inside the Royal Conservatory, I curtsied gracefully. "Aubrey greets Your Majesty." "My dear Aubrey, you're finally back!" The Queen Mother beamed with delight, personally descending from her throne to help me rise. "Seeing you well, my heart is finally at ease. I heard you arrived in the Capital; the Crown Prince has been summoned by his uncle, discussing your betrothal." I knew this union was the Queen Mother's own arrangement. A faint smile touched my lips as I lowered my gaze. "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. But might this be a bit... rushed?" The Queen Mother sighed. "Ah, my child, you suffered such grievous injuries, delaying your life for three years. How could I not be anxious? Besides, Ethan is already sixteen this year. It's time for him to marry." She pulled me to sit beside her, her face radiating warmth, her tone unwavering. "Now, don't you worry. The Crown Prince is a gentle and considerate soul. Marrying him, you will never suffer a moment of hardship." I recalled my past life. Indeed, I had never suffered any hardship. For decades, married to Ethan, we had lived in perfect harmony, never even a harsh word between us. Even though I was three years his senior, he never held it against me; instead, he showered me with boundless care. Apart from our lifelong lack of children, there were truly no regrets. I offered a faint smile, engaging the Queen Mother in polite conversation. My seat had barely warmed when a palace maid burst in, breathless with urgency. "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! The Crown Prince is kneeling outside the Grand Throne Room, saying he wishes to... to annul his engagement!" 2 "What?!" The Queen Mother abandoned all pretense of composure, rising sharply from her seat. I raised an eyebrow slightly, a flicker of surprise in my heart. This had never happened in my previous life. Could it be that Ethan had also been reborn? The Queen Mother's face darkened, and she swiftly led me towards the Grand Throne Room. Outside, Crown Prince Ethan knelt on the stone steps, surrounded by several palace attendants whispering words of comfort. Upon seeing the Queen Mother, Ethan murmured, "Grandmother," then his gaze swept across my face, dismissively. I was about to curtsy to him, but he abruptly turned his head away, as if he couldn't bear to see me. In this life, I had only met him once, briefly, from a distance. Returning after three years, he shouldn't have recognized me. Such an attitude... he had indeed been reborn. Feigning ignorance of his coldness, I performed the customary curtsy. The Queen Mother glared at him, a mixture of anger and disappointment in her eyes. "Ethan, why this sudden talk of annulling your engagement? Has someone been whispering poison in your ear?" A flash of ruthlessness crossed the Queen Mother's eyes. Ethan's body trembled, but his voice remained firm. "No one else, Grandmother. This is my own decision." "Nonsense! You agreed so readily before! If no one has been stirring trouble, how could you possibly think of annulling the engagement? Get up, now! Come with me and apologize to your uncle, the King! Aubrey has returned, perfectly well. Just look at her; what lady in the Capital could compare?" The Queen Mother pulled me forward, presenting me before Ethan. I lowered my head, allowing him to scrutinize me. His cold gaze merely grazed my face before flitting away. "Lady Montgomery is certainly radiant," he said flatly, "but my heart already belongs to another. I will marry no one else in this life. No matter how exceptional Lady Montgomery may be, in my heart, she doesn't hold a candle to her!" The Queen Mother's face paled with fury. She yearned to silence him. "Nonsense! How many noble ladies have you even met, to claim your heart is already taken? I think you've lost your mind! The selection of your Princess Consort is for me and the King to decide! You simply return to the Crown Prince's Residence and prepare for your wedding!" But Ethan, this time, was unexpectedly resolute, kneeling steadfastly, refusing to yield. In the tense standoff, Lord Chamberlain Sullivan emerged from the throne room, conveying the King's decree: "His Majesty says, if the Crown Prince wishes to kneel, let him kneel there. Let us see how many hours he can endure." With that, he leaned in, whispering a few words of persuasion to Ethan, urging him to apologize obediently and not displease the King. Ethan remained deaf to his words, continuing to kneel stubbornly, as if truly intending to stay there until the end of time. The Queen Mother's face was etched with heartache, a flicker of resentment in her eyes. After a moment of thought, I knelt beside Ethan. Seeing this, Ethan turned his face away. "Don't think that by kneeling here, I will obey the decree and marry you. My heart already belongs to someone else in this life. Your coercion will only make me despise you more." I shook my head. "I am not here to pressure Your Highness. Rather, I find Your Highness's words sound. I too wish to ask His Majesty to dissolve our engagement." 3 His head snapped back, his face a mask of surprise. But I no longer looked at him, addressing the Queen Mother and Lord Chamberlain Sullivan instead. "If His Highness the Crown Prince is unwilling to marry me, then I, too, am unwilling for His Highness to be unhappy. I humbly ask Lord Chamberlain Sullivan to convey to His Majesty that this lady's fortune is shallow and her fate meager. I beg His Majesty to grant permission for the annulment of our engagement, and to not hold His Highness accountable." I bowed deeply, my forehead touching the ground. The Queen Mother and Ethan both froze, as if unable to believe I would relinquish the prestigious position of Crown Princess Consort, now within my grasp. Lord Chamberlain Sullivan, though quite surprised, nonetheless entered the throne room to relay my words. A long silence settled over the hall. After a moment, the King bade us enter. I subtly glanced towards the shimmering curtain of pearls. From a distance, the King's features were indistinct, veiled in shadow, yet his vibrant royal purple robe stood out, deep and rich like an autumn bloom. His voice, clear and cool, yet pleasing to the ear, resonated from behind the curtain. "Lady Aubrey Montgomery, do you truly wish to annul your engagement with the Crown Prince?" I bowed again. "This lady is willing, Your Majesty. I beg your indulgence." King Arthur remained silent, seemingly weighing his decision. The Queen Mother was frantic. "No! Aubrey risked her life to save Your Majesty! How can you mistreat such a loyal subject?" She shot me a warning glance, urging me to keep silent. But I bowed my head, purposely missing her gaze, and spoke quickly. "Aubrey dares not claim undue credit, Your Majesty. When I shielded you from the assassin, it was out of the same fierce loyalty as my father, not with any intention of clinging to the royal family. If Your Majesty and the Queen Mother truly pity this humble lady, perhaps you might bestow upon me a collection of master scores. Once I have thoroughly studied them, I would then play for Your Majesties the pieces I could not finish that day." Kneeling there, I subtly brought up the past. It was during the Midsummer Festival celebration, with a grand banquet in the Royal Palace. An assassin, disguised as a dancer, infiltrated the feast, aiming to kill the King. I had been chosen by the Queen Mother to play the lute beside them, and I saw the dancer's strange expression as she approached. Without thinking, I threw myself forward, blocking the poisoned darts she spat from her mouth. Though King Arthur was unharmed, I was gravely poisoned and sent to a secluded estate on the Southern Coast to recover. The Queen Mother, grateful for my loyal courage, had, upon hearing of my recovery and return to the Capital, specifically petitioned King Arthur for a royal decree to betroth me to the Crown Prince. The decree had already been issued, and I had resigned myself to my fate. Yet, I never expected Ethan to suddenly step forward and refuse. If that was the case, why shouldn't I grant his wish? Masking the thoughts in my eyes, I quietly awaited King Arthur's response. Finally, he let out a soft sigh. "The Queen Mother and I arranged this betrothal for you with the intention of compensating you, as your marriage was delayed because of me. Since neither of you desires it, I shall be lenient this once and withdraw this decree. I only hope that neither of you will regret this decision later." Ethan couldn't hide the joy that broke across his face. He was the first to speak, "Your Royal Nephew will not regret it!" I gazed at the pearl curtain, my voice just as firm and clear. "This lady will not regret it either. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness." 4 The Queen Mother hadn't anticipated the engagement being dissolved so easily. Her face shifted through several shades, and she spoke to the King with clear displeasure: "Your Majesty, how could you allow them to act so recklessly? The royal decree has already been issued! Is it right to change a royal order so whimsically?" King Arthur replied leisurely, "One is the Crown Prince, the other is the daughter of Duke Montgomery. Why should I make things difficult for them?" The Queen Mother retorted sharply, "But not like this! The Crown Prince is sixteen now; it's time for him to marry and establish his own household. Are you planning to keep delaying his marriage, Your Majesty?" The words touched on a forbidden subject. Lord Chamberlain Sullivan instantly tensed, and the Queen Mother abruptly fell silent. "I didn't mean it that way..." Her expression was filled with regret as she anxiously eyed the pearl curtain. King Arthur's reaction, however, was calm. He set down his vermilion brush. "I understand your concerns, Queen Mother. You are simply worried that I neglect my nephew, that I am not truly looking out for his future, aren't you?" "I... I'm not..." The Queen Mother's face blanched, and she wrung her hands. I, too, lowered my head, pretending not to hear the exchange. The current King was not the Crown Prince's father, but his uncle. The Crown Prince's biological father, the late King Valerius, had passed away from illness at the age of twenty-six. When he died, Ethan was only four years old, too young to assume the throne. Thus, the crown had passed to his seventeen-year-old brother, Prince Arthur – the current King. King Valerius had entrusted Arthur with raising the young Prince, with the understanding that once Ethan came of age and could rule independently, Arthur would then relinquish the throne, returning it to its rightful heir. Arthur had agreed. But his stepmother, Queen Mother Eleanor, King Valerius's birth mother, had, under the pretext that Arthur was still unmarried and the royal court lacked a Queen, taken the young Prince, bringing him to her own side to raise personally. It could be said that under the Queen Mother's interference, Arthur's affection for Ethan was quite limited. On an everyday basis, they could maintain a facade of familial affection if no one pointed out the truth. But now, the Queen Mother had slipped, accusing him of deliberately neglecting Ethan. If Arthur were to take offense... Cold sweat instantly beaded on the Queen Mother's forehead. She forced a strained smile. "How could I ever think Your Majesty is not diligent? I merely lament that this child is so unfilial." She shot Ethan a sharp glare. Ethan understood her unspoken command and willingly apologized. "I have disappointed both my Grandmother and my Uncle." King Arthur remained noncommittal, merely stating, "Very well. The Queen Mother is simply concerned for you. You have indeed grown, and it is time for you to establish your own family. Speak then. You refuse to marry the Montgomery daughter, claiming your heart belongs to another. Who is this person?" A faint smile touched Ethan's lips. "Her name is Isabella. She manages The Gilded Butterfly Emporium in the Capital. She is not only beautiful and virtuous, lively and intelligent, but also runs her household with remarkable skill and an unconventional spirit. Though only sixteen, she manages her family's business with impressive order, earning my profound admiration." Ethan lavished her with praise, but the Queen Mother instantly pinpointed the crucial detail, a look of disdain on her face. "Merely a merchant's daughter?" Ethan argued, "Though a merchant's daughter, her character and appearance are no less than those of a noble lady. Once you meet her, Grandmother, you will see what a captivating person she is, so unlike those stiff and dull ladies of the court!" After his last remark, he cast a quick glance at me. I scoffed internally, remembering how in his previous life, most of the beautiful young women he took into his royal court were from noble families. He certainly hadn't rejected them. King Arthur pondered for a long while. "A merchant's background is indeed a little low. Do you insist on her being your Crown Princess Consort?" Ethan didn't hesitate, bowing his head in supplication. "Yes, Your Majesty. In this life, I wish only to grow old with her." Seeing his stubbornness, the Queen Mother was almost incandescent with rage. King Arthur, however, seemed indifferent. "Her surname is Dawson? That's the same as Duke Dawson. Very well then, let Duke Dawson adopt her as his foster daughter. That way, her status as Crown Princess Consort won't be too unbecoming." Ethan was overjoyed. "Your Royal Nephew thanks you, Uncle!" With the royal decree issued, there was no turning back this time. The Queen Mother's face darkened. She deeply felt the Crown Prince's disregard for her efforts in planning his future, and she left in a huff, utterly fuming. Ethan, however, was lost in the joy of marrying the woman he loved, completely oblivious to any wrongdoing. After all, in his previous life, King Arthur had abdicated, and he had smoothly ascended the throne. Naturally, after rebirth, he felt no sense of impending crisis. I subtly shook my head, a quiet sigh of relief escaping my heart. Not having to marry him truly saved me a lot of trouble. On the way out of the palace, Lord Chamberlain Sullivan personally escorted me. He subtly hinted that I should not repeat what I had heard today, then offered comfort: "Today's events have certainly caused you distress, Lady. His Majesty asked me to convey a message: should you ever find someone you wish to marry, simply have Duke Montgomery petition the King, and His Majesty will personally arrange the union for you." A royal betrothal would be far more honorable than an ordinary wedding. My lips curved into a faint smile. I whispered, "His Majesty still remembers my future marriage?" Lord Chamberlain Sullivan chuckled. "Of course. Not only did His Majesty essentially watch you grow up, Lady, but in this matter, the Crown Prince truly acted without proper decorum. During your recovery on the Southern Coast, His Majesty even mentioned you to me, inquiring about your health." "Is that so..." My heart fluttered, and I unconsciously touched the jeweled bracelet on my wrist. At his words, my heart began to faintly stir once more. If Ethan had been reborn and could be with the person he loved, then why couldn't I? 5 I thanked Lord Chamberlain Sullivan, then returned to the Montgomery Estate. I omitted the details of the Queen Mother's argument with the King, telling my father only about the Crown Prince's annulment. My father was furious. "When the betrothal was first decreed, the Crown Prince swore solemn oaths before His Majesty and me, promising to treat you well in the future. Now, barely two months later, he breaks his word! This act not only disrespects our Montgomery family, but it also disregards your reputation. He truly has no regard for anyone!" A cold glint flashed in my father's eyes. He told me not to be sad, to stay home, and that he would handle everything. But I had other ideas. "Father, next month is His Majesty's birthday, isn't it?" For the King's birthday celebration, it was customary to hold a banquet in the Imperial Ballroom, inviting ministers, dukes, and royal relatives. I knew he had a deep appreciation for music, so I intended to find a renowned lute as a gift. Coincidentally, the owner of The Muse Gallery in the Capital possessed the famed "Emerald Silk" lute. He had posted a notice outside his establishment, stating that he himself had no musical talent and felt the "Emerald Silk" was wasted in his hands. He decided to gift the lute to someone who truly understood it. And how one proved understanding, naturally, was through a musical competition. On the third day of the seventh month, The Muse Gallery was overflowing. Besides those vying for the "Emerald Silk" lute, many simply came to enjoy the music. My lady-in-waiting and I reserved a private room on the second floor of the gallery. My gaze casually swept over the crowd, and I spotted Ethan, mingling amongst them, accompanied by a charming, lovely young woman. He leaned down, smiling softly at the girl, his eyes brimming with affection. And that girl—she bore a striking resemblance, perhaps six or seven tenths, to Lady Isabella, the most favored of Ethan's consorts in his previous life. My eyebrows shot up in surprise, and a sudden realization dawned on me. So that's it. Ethan's fondness for Lady Isabella, even making her son the Crown Prince, had all been a search for this girl's shadow. If I guessed correctly, this was Isabella. I averted my gaze, but Isabella seemed to sense something, looking up towards the second floor. Ethan looked up. "What are you looking at?" "Nothing, just... are you really confident you can win that 'Emerald Silk' lute?" Isabella asked, a hint of nervousness in her voice. Ethan, however, seemed utterly determined. "Don't worry," he assured her. "I will absolutely win this lute. Next month, at my uncle's birthday celebration, I'll present it to him in your name. That's sure to change his opinion of you." 6 Ethan, brimming with confidence, led Isabella to a private room on the second floor. It was, coincidentally, directly opposite mine. The competition officially began. Each participant had the duration of a tea ceremony to showcase their musical skill. I chose the piece I knew best: "Phoenix Seeks Mate." This was a classic piece, composed by Lord Symonds for his beloved Lady Wynter, and the very lute he played was none other than the "Emerald Silk." The piece and the instrument resonated deeply, perfectly suiting today's competition. Many in the hall shared the same idea, and "Phoenix Seeks Mate" filled the air. I calmed my mind, disregarding outside distractions, focusing my thoughts into my fingertips. The lute's notes, flowing and clear, like a tranquil stream, spilled over the balcony, instantly eclipsing the sounds of the other competitors. They paused their playing, gazing towards my private room, closing their eyes, seemingly lost in the ethereal melody. "Excellent! Truly excellent! Which gentleman in that private room is playing such a beautiful tune? The 'Emerald Silk' today might just be this gentleman's prize!" Hearing "Phoenix Seeks Mate," the audience assumed the performer was a gentleman. The buzz of their discussion finally made Ethan, sitting directly opposite, lose his composure. He pulled out his "Phoenix Tail" lute, brought from the palace, and played a fierce, soaring melody. Two vastly different styles of music clashed. Logically, the lyrical piece should have been at a disadvantage. But I had practiced for years, and my heart held unspoken affections. The emotion and technique in my piece reached their peak. Ethan was unaffected at first, but gradually, his performance began to falter. Just as I was about to press my advantage and secure his complete defeat, a familiar melody suddenly drifted from the private room next door—it was "Phoenix Seeks Mate" again. The moment I heard that piece, my fingers hesitated. Ethan, thinking I had made a mistake, redoubled his efforts, playing his lute with even greater fervor. The player next door, observing this, remained unhurried. The lute's notes, clear and enchanting, unfurled like a true phoenix spiraling into being, its cries echoing, like jade shattering on Kunlun Mountain, like tears on lotus petals, weaving a tale of deep, sorrowful affection that touched the heart. The audience, listening intently, found their eyes welling with tears. The victor of this competition was, without a doubt, clear. Ethan was still struggling, but I had already released my hold. Regardless of whether I could continue playing, I couldn't compete anymore. Because I had recognized the person in the private room next door. In the fourth year of King Valerius's reign, my father and Prince Arthur returned from the border. I was scolded by my tutor to my father for playing with lute strings as if they were slingshot elastic. My father was distressed. I wanted to learn riding and archery, not music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. He didn't know how to convince me and was about to drag me indoors for a lecture when the boy beside him stopped him. The boy said that riding and archery didn't conflict with music and the arts. He suggested that in my spare time, I could learn martial arts with the family guards to strengthen my body. I stared at his handsome, serene features, unable to look away, and dumbly asked, "Will you learn to play the lute too?" He chuckled. "Why wouldn't I?" With that, he set down the lute that my tutor had brought and personally played a tune. That piece was "Phoenix Seeks Mate." Phoenix, oh phoenix, return to your homeland, wandering the four seas, seeking your mate. I was only seven at the time. His playing that piece was merely a whim; it held no deeper meaning. But it was the first time I had ever heard such beautiful music, seen such a handsome young man. From that day on, I never forgot him. Even reborn, I still recognized the player in the next room. It was him. The former Prince Arthur, the current King—Arthur. 7 Why was he here? I ceased playing. Outside, Ethan's melody had devolved into chaos, and he awkwardly withdrew from the competition. The owner of The Muse Gallery personally delivered the "Emerald Silk" lute to the room next door. I stood at my door, hesitating whether to go offer my congratulations. Just as I decided to feign ignorance, a voice from behind me called out, "Lady, a moment." I turned. The man cleared his throat lightly and spoke towards the room, "My master requests your presence." Behind the landscape screen in the private room, a young man in white robes sat on a chair. Hearing my footsteps, he slowly raised his gaze. His features, flawless and handsome, like the crisp light of an autumn moon, clearly etched themselves into my vision. My body trembled. I could barely remember the last time I had seen him this close. My gaze lingered. Though I knew I should bow my head in deference, I couldn't bear to look away for even a second. Seeing my reaction, the young man showed no anger. He simply curved his lips. "Stunned?" I shook my head, gathered my thoughts, and bowed formally. "Greetings, Your Majesty." Arthur raised a hand, dismissing my formality. I stood quietly, asking if he had any instructions. Arthur pushed the "Emerald Silk" lute towards me, gesturing for me to take it. "Here." I froze, not moving for a moment. "This is... something Your Majesty won." Arthur seemed unconcerned. "It's fine. You were the one playing in the room next door, weren't you? Didn't you want this lute?" I pressed my lips together, answering truthfully. "This lady desired this lute only to present it to Your Majesty on your birthday. Now that it is in Your Majesty's hands, my wish has already been fulfilled." "I see." Arthur paused, shaking his head. "Then I suppose I acted rather unnecessarily. I hadn't expected you to play so beautifully after three years. I recall you used to fuss and argue with Duke Montgomery, refusing to learn the lute." A smile played on Arthur's lips as he reminisced, making me feel a flush of bashfulness. "That was just this lady being foolish in her youth." I vehemently defended myself, my face turning crimson. Thankfully, Arthur didn't dwell on the teasing. He simply plucked a few strings, then offered the lute to me. "Take it. Consider it a reward for your progress." Such a reason left me no room to refuse. As I took the lute, my wide sleeve slipped from my arm, revealing a string of glistening polished stones on my wrist. Arthur noticed them, his gaze pausing. "This is..." Seeing that he seemed to have forgotten, a pang of sadness went through me. I was about to explain, but Arthur spoke softly. "...Is this something I gave you before?" A ripple stirred in my heart, and I nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. This was a gift from you on my tenth birthday. I have worn it every day since." Arthur fell silent, his gaze complex as he looked at the string of flawless stones. They glowed with the soft warmth of long handling, clearly treasured and worn by their owner for many years. He spoke gently, "You've kept all the things I've given you?" I paused, then instinctively clutched the lute closer. "Yes. Anything Your Majesty gives me, no matter what it is, is incredibly precious to me." Hearing this, Arthur let out a soft sigh. He waved a hand, dismissing me. A knot of anxiety tightened in my chest. I felt that Arthur had sensed something, and I left the private room, my mind distracted. As I was about to return to my room, two figures emerged from the far end of the corridor: Ethan and Isabella. Seeing me there, Ethan froze for a moment. Then he noticed the lute in my arms, and disbelief flooded his face. "So it was you who was competing against me earlier?" I curtsied to him. "Greetings, Your Highness." Ethan's brow furrowed deeply, his gaze fixed on the "Emerald Silk" lute in my arms. I understood what he meant, but I had no intention of handing it over. "Does Your Highness have any further business? If not, I shall take my leave." I brushed past him, clutching the lute, but he suddenly grabbed my arm. "Stop!" I frowned, my voice low. "Your Highness, you're hurting me." He realized his grip and instinctively released me. Then, as if it were his rightful due, he said, "This lute is what I chose. I hope Lady Montgomery will transfer it to me. I would be most grateful." He thought he could just take it with a word, as if he were already King. I scoffed internally, but on my face, I feigned a troubled expression. "I apologize, Your Highness, but this lady is also extremely fond of this lute. I fear I cannot grant your request." I curtsied again, then moved to leave. But Ethan stepped in front of me, blocking my path, and sneered, "Stop pretending. What do you know about music? In our past life... I never heard you play 'Phoenix Seeks Mate' before. That piece just now, you had someone play it for you, didn't you?"
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