The Do-Over System:My Beloved is the Villain! - Chapter 76

Chapter 76: 02/22- Reverse Courting?

Aeliana wiped the tears from her eyes, her face still wet with the remnants of the emotional storm she had just weathered. She sat on the floor, her knees drawn up to her chest, the weight of the situation crashing down on her. The glowing system interface had confirmed it—Lucian hated her now. He had rejected her in every possible way, and the system reflected that cold reality back at her. Her mind was a blur of emotions, but one thought, one single thought, stood out among the others: I can’t give up on him. I won’t.

The more she thought about it, the more determined she became. There had to be a way to fix things. She had been wrong, yes, but she had made mistakes before and found a way to make things right. This time, though, it was different. She couldn’t simply apologize and hope that things would fall back into place. No, this time, she needed to show Lucian that she was willing to do whatever it took to win back his trust—and his heart.

Reverse courting, the idea struck her like a bolt of lightning. It was an ancient tradition, something she had heard about in the dusty corners of the old archives in the elf kingdom. A way for the woman to humble herself, to show her commitment and her regret, by courting the one who had once courted her. It was a practice that many considered outdated, shameful even. It was unheard of for a woman of her station to humble herself in such a way, but for Aeliana, the stakes had never been higher.

She knew that to do this would require every ounce of courage she had. The idea of throwing herself at Lucian’s mercy, of begging for his forgiveness in front of everyone, was almost too humiliating to bear. But if this was the only way to get him back, if this was the only way to prove her love and devotion to him, then she would do it. She wasn’t going to let her pride stand in the way of reclaiming what was hers. Lucian was hers, and she was not about to lose him.

The thought of reverse courting felt foreign, even laughable at first, but as she pondered it more, it started to make sense. She would start small—make subtle moves that showed him she cared, that she was willing to change. She would show him through her actions, through her dedication, that she was worth forgiving. That she was worth loving.

But where do I even begin? she wondered. The question lingered in her mind, almost mocking her uncertainty. She couldn’t just walk up to him and declare her intentions. It wasn’t that simple. She needed a plan—she needed to think this through. She had to take a step back and figure out exactly how to approach him without scaring him off completely.

She envisioned how it would all play out. The first thing she had to do was show him she wasn’t the same person who had hurt him. She had to prove to him that she had changed, that she was willing to work on herself. That meant addressing her own shortcomings. She would apologize sincerely, not just with words but with actions. She would show him that she was committed to their relationship, and that she had learned from her mistakes.

Her mind raced as she considered how best to approach him. Should she try to win him over with grand gestures? No, she thought. That would be too much too soon. What he needed was time—time to see that she wasn’t rushing him, that she wasn’t trying to force him into anything. She would give him space, but she would also be there when he needed her, showing him through quiet, consistent actions that she cared.

Her heart ached at the thought of how long it would take to rebuild his trust, but she was willing to do whatever it took. She would be patient. She would wait for as long as it took for him to come around. I won’t give up, she vowed to herself. Not now. Not ever.

The idea of reverse courting, while humiliating in some respects, was also empowering. It meant taking control of her own fate. It meant being willing to humble herself for the man she loved. She wasn’t going to let pride get in the way of her happiness—not this time.

Aeliana stood up, her body stiff but her resolve hardening. I’ll make him see that I’m worthy of his love, she thought, the fire in her heart burning brighter than ever. I’ll do whatever it takes.

But she knew it wouldn’t be easy. Lucian wasn’t going to trust her again overnight. He would be skeptical, maybe even angry, at first. And there was always the possibility that he would refuse to give her a chance. But she wasn’t going to let that stop her. She had already lost him once, and she wasn’t about to let that happen again.

I’ll take it one step at a time, she thought, a small, determined smile tugging at the corner of her lips. And when I win him back, it will be worth it. Every single bit of it.

Aeliana wasn’t sure how long this journey would take, but she knew one thing for certain—she was willing to fight for Lucian, even if it meant humbling herself in ways she never thought possible. She would prove her love to him, and no matter how long it took, she would never give up.

Kael watched Aeliana closely, concern etched on his face. Her demeanor was heavy, and he could tell that the weight of the situation was wearing on her. It had been a long time since he had seen her so torn, and he feared what this emotional turmoil might do to her. He had always known this relationship with Lucian was delicate—too fragile for someone like Aeliana, who carried the world on her shoulders.

“I knew this relationship wouldn’t work from the get-go,” Kael said, his voice steady, but with a hint of sadness. “You’re two completely different people, Aeliana. Lucian is a prince, burdened with his crown and obligations. And you… you are the elf princess, bound to your duties and your people. This was always going to be difficult.”

Aeliana’s gaze softened, but she didn’t shy away from his words. She knew Kael was right in some respects—Lucian’s role as a prince made him a prisoner to his duties, and her own responsibilities as the Oracle were an unshakable weight. But even with all of that, there was a part of her that still clung to Lucian, to what they had. She couldn’t imagine letting go of him, even when everything told her it might be for the best.

“I know, Kael. I know it sounds crazy,” Aeliana responded, her voice low and strained. “But I can’t let him go. I made mistakes, yes, but I can’t just walk away from him. We’ve been through so much together, and I… I still believe in us. I love him, Kael. I love him more than anything, and I can’t just give up.”

Kael’s heart ached as he watched her, knowing how deeply she felt for Lucian. He had been there for Aeliana through thick and thin, but seeing her so vulnerable was harder than he expected. He wanted to protect her from the hurt she might face, but he also knew that the only person who could decide the path forward was Aeliana herself.

“You can’t fix everything on your own, Aeliana,” Kael said gently. “Sometimes, you have to let go for their sake, even when it hurts. I’ve seen you suffer because of him, and I don’t want to see you continue down a path that might break you. You deserve someone who can understand you for who you truly are—not just as the Oracle or because of your duties.”

Aeliana’s eyes filled with unshed tears, her hands trembling as she gripped her cloak tighter. She knew Kael was only trying to protect her, but it didn’t make the pain any easier to bear. “I can’t just move on, Kael. He’s everything to me. I can’t imagine my life without him. If I let him go, I’ll lose a part of myself. I don’t know how to live without that part.” She swallowed hard, fighting to maintain her composure. “I’m not strong enough for that.”

Kael didn’t respond immediately. He had always been there for Aeliana, but this was something deeper, something that no amount of protection could shield her from. All he could do now was watch, hope, and pray that, no matter what happened, Aeliana would find the strength to get through it—whether with or without Lucian.

“I just hope you know what your doing, Aeliana,” He said in a worrisome tone that even Aeliana felt the tension and pressure of her decision.