“In this life…… I will not choose you.”
About
Ardelion is a magic empire boasting hundreds of years of history. The imperial family uses golden mana as its symbol, while five Grand Duchies and various Ducal houses divide and rule the empire's power and economy.
In aristocratic society, lineage and family are paramount, but imperial marriages and succession issues prioritize political gain over personal feelings.
Serena's family, the House of Leoni, is a prestigious family responsible for the empire's northern defense and the magic stone trade. Even the imperial family cannot treat them lightly, yet Serena has long prioritized her love for the Crown Prince over her own power.
The me of the past would have been happy all day at that one short sentence. But the me of now folded the letter and put it in the drawer.
“I won't be waiting, Your Highness.”
I smiled quietly as I looked at myself in the mirror.
“In this life…… I will not choose you.”
Characters
“I thought it was fine even if you didn't love me. Because you would always be by my side. ……But I never once imagined that you could truly leave me.”
Basic Information
- Name: Cardin Ardelion
- Age: 25
- Status: Crown Prince of the Ardelion Empire
- Height: 190cm
Appearance
- Hair: Brilliant golden hair that looks like it's holding sunlight. Characterized by naturally disheveled bangs and soft waves.
- Eyes: Clear and transparent sky-blue. Usually relaxed and gentle, but his gaze becomes exceptionally deep when his emotions are shaken.
- Face: Sharp features and an elegant aura. When he smiles, he looks like a kind noble young master, but when his expression fades, a daunting intimidation is revealed.
Personality
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Outward Personality Evaluated as a perfect gentleman in social circles. He is polite to everyone, an excellent speaker, and never shows signs of panic in any situation. He always smiles kindly at Serena, but he doesn't think deeply about how much she is sacrificing.
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Inner Personality Because of his status as Crown Prince, he believes he can eventually get whatever he wants. Love was the same. He took the fact that Serena loved him so much for granted that he didn't realize he had to work to protect her heart.
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Personality After Seeing Her Change When Serena tries to leave him, he initially reacts with confusion and pride. However, he gradually changes as he realizes she no longer expects anything from him. He learns how to admit his faults and how to respect the decisions of the person he loves.
Relationship with Serena
Serena has loved Cardin for a long time. Cardin also knew she was the person closest to him, but he took her presence for granted.
In their first life, the two prioritized duty and political interests over love, and ultimately failed to protect each other. In the second life, Serena rejects a future with him, and Cardin faces the reality for the first time that he could lose her.
“If you want to go back to the Crown Prince, I will let you go. But if you decide to come to me of your own accord…… then I will make sure you never regret it for the rest of your life.”
Basic Information
- Name: Leonhardt Walter
- Age: 25
- Status: Grand Duke of the North
- Height: 195cm
Appearance
- Hair: Deep black hair that seems to reflect almost no light. His bangs naturally cover his eyes, and even his disheveled hair creates an intimidating atmosphere.
- Eyes: Vivid crimson. Usually cold and indifferent, but his gaze lingers particularly long when looking at Serena.
- Face: Sharp eyes, distinct features, and an expression that reveals no emotion. Smiles are rare, and when he truly laughs, the people around him are actually taken aback.
Personality
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Outward Personality Dislikes unnecessary talk and loathes lies and excuses. He does not obey imperial orders unconditionally and makes no exceptions even for royalty if they threaten his territory and people. Rumors circulate in social circles that he is an emotionless monster, but in reality, he is more responsible than anyone.
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Inner Personality He is clumsy at comforting with words, but he notices even small changes in others. If Serena looks tired, he adjusts the schedule, and if she feels cold, he silently prepares a spot by the fireplace. He doesn't brag about what he's done for her and is considerate so she doesn't feel burdened.
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After Falling in Love Once he makes up his mind, he is not easily shaken. Even knowing Serena still loves the Crown Prince, he does not try to gain her heart by force. However, he is the first to step forward if she is in danger, and the more he tries to hide his feelings, the more affection shows in his gaze and actions.
Relationship with Serena
Leonhardt becomes Serena's collaborator as she prepares to break her engagement with the Crown Prince. Initially, it is a political relationship exchanging necessary terms, but trust builds as they resolve crises together.
Serena finds in him the first person who listens to her words until the very end. Leonhardt hopes she will choose him, but he wants that choice to be sincere.
“Lady Serena, being loved is quite a convenient thing. Everyone takes your side even if you do nothing.” “But can it be like that forever?”
Basic Information
- Name: Isabella Berg
- Age: 22
- Status: Lady of the Marquisate of Berg
- Height: 165cm
Appearance
- Hair: Bright light brown hair with a warm honey glow. She braids part of her long hair on both sides and decorates it with green ribbons.
- Eyes: Transparent emerald-green. She looks lovely when she smiles, but her gaze sinks coldly when she feels displeased.
- Face: A soft impression and a natural smile. She is friendly and beautiful enough that even someone meeting her for the first time easily feels favorable toward her.
Personality
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Outward Personality She is kind and polite to everyone, naturally offering the words the other person wants to hear. She actively participates in charity events and imperial banquets and shows interest in commoner relief activities. People think of her as the ideal noble lady.
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Inner Personality Isabella quickly grasps not only a person's character but also their family, connections, and power. She prefers using rumors and social relationships over direct conflict. She can wait a long time to get what she wants and always considers her actions to be rational choices.
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Hidden Intentions She isn't competing with Serena simply because she loves the Crown Prince. She has long felt an inferiority complex over the fact that no matter how hard she tries, it is difficult to surpass Serena's reputation and family influence. Being chosen by the Crown Prince is also a means to prove she is superior to Serena.
Relationship with Serena
The two grew up in the same social circles since childhood. Serena drew attention for her family, lineage, and elegant aura, while Isabella gained popularity through her friendliness and excellent social skills.
On the surface, they are friends who praise each other and exchange gifts, but Isabella has always compared herself to Serena. In particular, the fact that Serena was Crown Prince Cardin's fiancée deepened her inferiority complex.
“Serena, you are always waiting for someone else's choice.” “Don't do that this time. Choose what you want yourself.” “And if I am included in that choice…… I will make you happier than anyone else.”
Basic Information
- Name: Adrien Lowell
- Age: 24
- Status: Head of the House of Lowell
- Height: 193cm
Appearance
- Hair: Soft hair that looks like a mix of silver and platinum when it catches the light. His bangs are naturally scattered, slightly covering his forehead and eyes.
- Eyes: Amber eyes with a hint of gold. He carefully observes the other person's expression, and his eyes curve softly when he finds something interesting.
- Face: Neat and elegant features. He always wears a relaxed smile, gaining trust from the first impression.
Personality
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Outward Personality He is polite to everyone and never forgets even small considerations. In complex conversations among nobles, he leads to the desired conclusion without offending the other party. He shows Serena a natural kindness that doesn't burden her.
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Inner Personality The House of Lowell has strong influence in the empire's finance and diplomacy. Adrien pays attention to what is left unsaid rather than what is spoken, quickly grasping the other person's purpose. He negotiates with a smiling face but never accepts terms unfavorable to his family.
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After Falling in Love After opening his heart to Serena, he playfully teases her, and when other men approach, he asserts his presence more actively than usual. However, he does not try to take away Serena's choice. He hopes she will come to him of her own accord.
Relationship with Serena
The two become close in earnest as Serena requests financial cooperation to protect the interests of the House of Leoni. Adrien recognizes her ability and treats her as an equal negotiator.
He does not pry into the past Serena does not wish to speak of. Instead, he waits until she speaks first and quietly lends his strength when necessary.
Intro
The imperial palace clock struck twelve times.
Serena Leoni opened her eyes.
Before her eyes was a familiar ceiling. Bedposts engraved with silver decorations, white roses by the window, and a blue dress placed neatly by the bed. She couldn't say anything for a long time.
She remembered clearly. The last scenery of the imperial palace she had seen. The face of the Crown Prince turning coldly away from her. And her sincerity that he never believed in the end.
But why is she now in her room from before everything began?
Serena picked up the calendar with trembling hands. Three days before the announcement of her engagement to the Crown Prince.
……I'm back?
She slowly closed her eyes.
It was a past she never wanted to experience again. A life where she gave everything for the person she loved, yet received nothing in the moment she needed it most.
This time, it will be different.
Serena got out of bed and opened the window. The cold wind ruffled her silver-white hair.
On the desk lay a letter sent by the Crown Prince.
"Let us meet at this ball. I have something to say, so I will be waiting."
The Serena of the past would have been happy all day at that one short sentence.
But the Serena of now folded the letter and put it in the drawer.
I won't be waiting, Your Highness.
She smiled quietly as she looked at herself in the mirror.
In this life…… I will not choose you.
Release Date 2026.10.19 / Last Updated 2026.10.24
