Chapter 1
Jude Rockner’s Love Life – 1
My name is Jude Rockner, eldest son of Marquis Rockner.
I’m the nephew of the current king, Richard Lucrutte—his younger brother’s son.
Ever since Dean Lucrutte, the king’s long-missing son, safely returned, talks about my engagement have started to float around.
You’d think Dean should go first, right? But apparently he already has someone he loves, and can’t even think of marrying anyone else. So now the king, the ministers, and for some reason even my aunt have all been dragged into the mess. It’s turned into quite the uproar.
Honestly, if Megan had just chosen me, she wouldn’t be having such a hard time right now.
When Lady Lella and Felicia’s new home was completed, the three princes—including me—and Megan were invited to celebrate. Megan had arrived early and was cooking together with Lady Lella and Felicia.
I remember that day so clearly. Dean just stepped a little closer to her, and she let out this tiny “Eek!”—like, where did that sound even come from?—and ran off to the back. Dean looked pretty crushed, and I couldn’t help thinking, well, looks like I still have a shot.
Because, come on—I’ve known Megan longer than he has. What? You’re saying it’s Kuro who’s been with her the longest? Sure, but he’s a cat.
I met Megan in town—she helped me when I was being chased by men in black. She even offered to let me stay at her house. Then later, we both got captured and locked up, and escaped on horseback together to the castle.
That day, she had been at Lady Lella’s tea party. I’d never seen her look so beautiful. When I helped her up onto the horse, she was so light—like, does she even eat?—and despite having been a prisoner, she somehow smelled… really good.
I think that’s when I started seeing her differently.
What about Felicia, you ask? Of course, while we were in town, I was drawn to her too. She reminded me of the kind of little sister I might’ve had—active, strong-willed, always doing whatever she set her mind to.
Even though I’m royalty, I ran away from home because I didn’t want to be the next crown prince. Maybe that’s why she caught my attention—she and I are a lot alike.
When the topic of marriage came up, I thought, well, Felicia wants to be crown princess anyway, and her status won’t be an issue, so I made the proposal.
Never imagined she’d turn me down.
Royal marriages are all about rank and reputation. Sure, I was aware of my feelings for Megan, but I figured no one would ever approve of her as my bride. Dean, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to worry about that at all. Guess that’s another point to him.
During our visit to Lella and Felicia’s new home, David returned from the back, but Dean and Megan didn’t.
“They’re late. I’ll just go check on—”
Before I could move, Felicia grabbed me by the collar.
“You mustn’t, Lord Jude,” Lady Lella said with a soft smile.
There’s nothing scarier than a quiet woman smiling like that. David nodded beside her, fully agreeing. Traitor.
Then Dean came back, holding Megan’s hand. One look at their faces, and… yeah. I knew exactly what had happened.
Damn it. My love life just never goes smoothly.
“Lord Jude, are you ready?”
It was Stefan, my attendant, stepping into the room. He’s about my age, smart, and good with a sword.
“Ready? For what?”
“The evening party, my lord.”
“Oh… that.”
I grimaced instantly.
“Do I really have to go?”
With a frown, Stefan replied, “Of course. You’re the one who said, ’It’s outrageous to have a fiancée chosen for me without my consent,’ remember?”
Did I say that? Sounds like something I’d say.
“You even told His Majesty, ‘You both had love marriages! Why can’t I choose my own partner? If I can’t even do that, how could I possibly serve as a proper minister?’”
...Yeah, I might have said that. It sounds nonsensical when you repeat it back like that, though.
Honestly, I just wanted to escape the marriage talk. Still, it is true that I don’t want someone else deciding for me.
“Well, since none of the ladies you courted accepted you, I suppose—”
“Stefan!”
“My apologies. In any case, you did respond that you’d gladly attend the evening party.”
He said it so calmly, like he hadn’t just stabbed me through the heart.
“But wait, tonight’s party is at the House of Quorasomp, right? That means Lady Meri—”
Stefan nodded. “Lady Merigaret Luiriya Quorasomp.”
“Right…” I sighed deeply.
Apparently, the Quorasomp family is very eager about this match. They were also the first to step forward when I was considered for crown prince. That time, I had Megan pretend to be my fiancée just to fend them off.
“But seriously, that girl tried to make Megan drink something suspicious, you know!”
“Ah.”
“You weren’t there, so you wouldn’t know,” I said.
I crashed the tea party to catch whoever was harassing Megan—though I was actually hiding in the shadows, keeping watch. At that moment, Miss Merigaret was practically forcing Megan to drink tea like crazy. Like, seriously.
“The look on her face back then? It was terrifying.”
“Uh-huh.”
Stefan just kept urging me to change.
“Come on, let’s go.”
And before I knew it, he was pushing me out the door while I was still protesting.
The Quorasomp Estate.
That was where the evening party was being held— though it was less of a dinner and more like a full-blown ball.
“Please feel free to attend,” they said. Yeah, right. This was obviously a matchmaking event—a lineup of potential brides.
I’d boasted that I’d choose my own partner, and this was their response: Fine, then. Pick one from the ladies attending tonight.
“Haahhhhhh...”
“That sigh was unnecessarily loud,” Stefan said in his usual dry tone.
Since it was a noble ball, the guests included sons of marquises and counts—many of whom I’d known since childhood.
“Jude.”
The one calling out to me was Ralph Waldman, the foreign minister’s son.
“So I hear tonight’s party is basically your arranged meeting?”
“Uh—”
I hesitated, and he smirked.
“Most of us are just here as filler, but the unmarried guys are pretty fired up.”
Ralph himself had married his childhood sweetheart. He’d brought his wife tonight, too.
Then Lady Merigaret’s father approached to greet me.
“Thank you for coming, Lord Jude. I believe you’re already acquainted with my daughter.”
Oh, I was. The Quorasomps were among the first families to propose a match for me.
“Yes,” I replied politely.
“I understand there were… complicated circumstances surrounding the last matter. But thanks to that, Lord Dean was able to return safely, wasn’t he?”
Right. That “complicated matter” being when I had Megan pretend to be my fiancée to get out of the previous proposal. Now Megan was the top candidate for crown princess. A lot had happened—but only a few people knew the full story.
“Consider tonight a fresh start. I would be most honored if you could share a dance with my daughter.”
“Of course.”
There was no way I could refuse. Her father worked under the Minister of Finance—Lady Lella’s father.
The count looked around. “Now, where has she gone?”
I followed his gaze. Merigaret wasn’t behind him as I’d expected; she was leaning casually against the far wall.
“My apologies, I’ll fetch her right away.”
“Oh, no need—I’ll go myself.”
Maybe my tone was a bit too friendly, because the count’s face went red and his nostrils flared.
…Oops. Probably gave him the wrong idea.
Well, it’s fine. I’ll be dancing with other ladies too.
At least, that’s what I thought—until I saw another man step in front of Merigaret.
Wait a second...
It was Andrews Cluett, heir to the Count of Cluett.
“Sorry, but Lady Merigaret’s here to dance with me,” he said smoothly, extending his hand.
And right before my eyes, Merigaret placed her hand in his.
...What?
What’s going on here?
Andrews led her into the circle of dancers.
“Yikes. Got turned down, did you?”
I turned to see Ralph and his wife, Alyssa, looking at me with sympathetic smiles.
Hey, hey, hey. I didn’t even come here for that, okay?
“Ralph, mind if I borrow your wife?”
“Huh?”
“Is that all right with you, Lord Jude?”
Leaving Ralph sputtering, I took Alyssa’s hand and led her into the dance floor.
I could see Andrews’ smug grin and Merigaret’s pink dress swaying ahead of us.
Unlike the mature, understated gowns of the married ladies, the young debutantes’ dresses were frilly, ribboned, and designed to emphasize their charm. Merigaret’s gown flared gently from the waist down, dotted with pink ribbons, and the puffed sleeves gave it even more volume than the others.
“Lord Jude,” Alyssa said.
“Yes, Lady Waldman?”
She chuckled softly. “I’m still not used to that title coming from you.”
“Well, we have known each other since we were kids.”
“It does feel strange, doesn’t it?”
Among nobles, some children were taught privately, while others—like me, Dean, and David—attended the royal academy for a few years. That’s where I met Ralph, and through him, his fiancée Alyssa.
“You’re concerned about Lady Merigaret, aren’t you?” “Huh?” I wanted to say, “That’s not true,” but she just frowned slightly. “Lord Andrews isn’t a good match for her.” Harsh, but… I couldn’t agree more.
Andrews Cluett.
Like Ralph, he’d attended the same school. He’d always seen me as a rival, constantly trying to outdo me.
Moreover, he’s been involved with quite a few women—though only we and a select few are aware of it. His father, Count Cruet, has probably heard the rumors as well, but perhaps he’s simply been skillfully misled.
Now he’s leaning in to whisper something to Miss Merigaret. Isn’t that a bit too much stimulation for a young lady of her upbringing?
