Loop {Reincarnated As The Weak Female Protagonist?}

Chapter 2

The crown prince, Vincent, was a kind boy on the outside. His mother the first Empress was never in good health due to a genetic illness. When she got pregnant, the Emperor begged her to not give birth to the baby because he knew her health couldn't take it. But she still refused to let go of her son.

And so she died after giving birth to her only son. The Emperor mourned for years and so his son never grew up with a loving parent. The Emperor blamed Vincent for her death and so he was hated throughout the palace.

Because of his poor treatment, he had near to death experiences from a young age.

Despite it all, he grew up as a terrifying man. The emperor favoured his second son, Melin, the son of the current Empress. She never batted an eye to him. Looking at that cold eyes of a child terrified her even though she was a caring woman.

Even though the crown prince and princess are chosen through age, the Emperor just needed a reason to take the title away from Vincent. He lived through fear, walking on egg shells afraid that they would crack.

"I greet his Highness the crown prince." Aurora said with a smile and bowed.

"Bring out the tea." he ordered to a servant. From what he knew she was gulable and too kind for her own good. Beauty but no brain is what everyone told him. Vincent sat comfortably as if there wasn't a guest in front of him. Because his brother was always favoured, he always wanted only the best. That was why he married Aurora in the past. She was a beautiful woman and he needed that power.

"My dear, you must have heard of our marriage right?" he asked. She nodded and lowered her head.

She wanted him as an ally. Not an enemy nor a puppeteer.

"No." she said.

"Pardon?" he asked.

"I'm not getting married." she said.

"My dear, I know it's sudden but you'll be the first in line for Empress-"

"I said no." she said. There was silence in the room exept for the tea being placed in front of the two.

He noticed that she refused to look at him. Bringing the cup to his lips his nose caught an unfamiliar scent.

He placed the cup down. Aurora clenched the fabric of her dress. He was quiet. She hesitated and grabbed the tea cup to swallow away her nerves. Suddenly a hand grabbed her hand slowly before she could bring it close to her lips.

"You do realize that your family is in debt. If they don't pay it back, they might as well get beheaded." he whispered in her ear.

"Your Highness." she said in a warning tone. He grabbed the cup from her hand and swallowed the tea in one go.

"This is inappropriate behaviour." she said. He walked back to his chair and sat back down comfortably with a grin on his face.

"I will pay my family's debt but I am not marrying you." she said and stood up. "I'll be taking my leave now."

"Wait. If you walk out that door you will regret it." he said but she did not even hesitate to leave. She stopped before the door.

"Marrying me will not make the Emperor recognize you." she said. Shock filled his eyes.

'How does she...'

"I will not be an object you can just show off like some gemstone. Do you realize how pathetic that is? I am not some mere stone you can show off to friends." Aurora said and turned to him. Her face was serious and cold. There was no mention of this about her from the other nobles.  And he had never seen that expression on her before. It sent a chill down his spine.