Join Forces with My Beloved to Fight Against My Scumbag Husband

I'm the beloved princess, utterly enchanted with Lucian Knight, the new valedictorian, from our very first encounter—he was the court's new shining star.

Ten years into our marriage, he dumped me into the cold depths of the lake.

As I was sinking, I realized his elaborate schemes were all to avenge his first love, his true wife.

After I was reborn into this life, he claimed all was a mistake and begged for forgiveness.

I scoff, "Didn't you have a wife to dote on? What are you doing here groveling to me?"

1

Lucian Knight overthrew the court, imprisoned my father, and flung me into the icy waters.

From the shore, he watched, hands clasped behind him, his expression stone-cold as I struggled in the water.

"Lillian Rivers, who are you fooling? If you hadn't forced your way into my life, my Anna would still be here. I feigned love for a decade just to see you and your father pay dearly."

The chilling waters claimed me, pulling me deeper.

"Help!"

My last cry echoed as the end neared.

A concerned voice broke through, "Princess, are you caught in a bad dream?"

I woke groggy, finding Rose, my maid, by my side.

Hadn't she married and left? Why was she back?

I blinked away my confusion.

Rose quickly lifted me up and offered me a cup of water.

"Princess, the King has summoned you to the Flower Festival."

Flower Festival? My curiosity stirred.

"Rose, which year is it?" I inquired.

Rose smiled gently, "Oh, Princess, you've been deep in slumber. It's the 17th year of King Jonathan's era."

Stunned, I realized—this was my second chance.

Back to being fifteen, the year Lucian Knight first crossed my path.

"Hurry, Princess, the King awaits your presence."

Maids rushed in to ready me, fixing my gown and hair.

My reflection showed a youthful princess—bright-eyed, cheeks flushed, far from the woman scorned and neglected for years.

Clearly, I had been blind, deceiving myself.

He had always cherished his first wife and resented me and my father for separating them.

2

Arriving late at the Flower Festival, I found all seats already taken.

"Princess Lillian has arrived," the royal herald declared, drawing every gaze my way.

"Lilly, join me," my father, the King, called warmly.

Tears welled as I approached—my previous life flashed before me, my father manipulated and confined by Lucian, till I died unseen.

"I greet you, Father," I said, then broke protocol to embrace him, casting aside formality.

"You're soon to be presented to society, why the childish tears?" he teased, his face aglow with delight.

The assembly chuckled kindly.

Among the many stares, one felt persistent and unsettling, locking on me.

I traced it back to a man, standing regally in his crimson courtly attire.

It only took this glance to make me sure that the man was Lucian Knight.

Midway through the celebration, my father, perhaps inspired, proposed, "My radiant Lilly inspires many. Let the scholars pen a verse; we shall judge their worth."

This was unexpected.

Previously, such festivities never included such requests.

My entire being had been consumed by Lucian, eager for any interaction.

"At once, Your Majesty," the scholars obliged, pens poised.

When Lucian's moment came, he knelt, offering his work and suddenly looking up at me.

Our eyes met—his twinkled like celestial bodies.

"If you would, Your Highness," he invited, his voice smooth.

I kept a composed face as I took the poem, resisting the urge to dismiss it outright.

After reviewing all submissions, my father highlighted Lucian's.

"Our esteemed scholar does have a way with words. Lilly, your thoughts?"

I glanced briefly at the verse and remarked dismissively, "Merely decorative words. Lacks any heartfelt depth."

I let a smirk play on my lips as I dropped his poem to the floor.

As the festival ended and the guests dispersed, Lucian gave me a backward glance but ultimately joined the departing crowd.

Intent on leaving him in my past, I headed to my quarters.

Suddenly, a voice called from behind.

"Princess, a word, please!"

I turned to see Lucian standing beneath an oak, dignified and composed, a lost cat in his arms.

"Found this little stray," he grinned, "Your maids mentioned it was yours. Thought I'd return it."

He stepped forward with all the smile, reaching out his slim hand.

Indeed, it was my cat, my lone companion during many solitary nights.

I motioned for a maid to retrieve the cat, acknowledging, "Yes, that's mine. Thanks, Sir Knight."

As I began to leave, he halted me once more.

"Something's been bothering me, Your Highness," he started.

"What is it?" I prompted.

"You mentioned earlier my poem lacked heartfelt depth. May I ask why?"

The question nearly made me chuckle.

Lucian, why don't you search your heart and see if you ever truly cared?

"Just a passing thought. Don't fret over it. Besides, you're a scholar and should act accordingly. We must keep appearances, especially since I'm yet unmarried. Avoid actions that could smear my reputation."

I spoke firmly, already turning away, eager to leave his question—and him—behind.

At the turn of the path, I glanced back to see him still there, seemingly lost in thought as he watched me walk away.

3

Life settled into a peaceful rhythm after the Flower Festival.

My fifteenth birthday was on the horizon, and my father was going all out planning my debutante ball.

On that day, he called me to the Grand Hall.

I assumed he'd ask what present I wanted, but instead, he dropped a different question right off the bat. "Do you have your eye on anyone special, my dear?"

"I'd rather just stay by your side forever, Father. I'm not interested in marriage."

I feigned shyness in my reply.

"Don't be silly, every young woman eventually marries."

Father grasped my hand, looking at me tenderly.

"There are plenty of promising young men from the recent civil service exams; you met them at the festival. Anyone catch your fancy?"

There he goes again, I thought.

I quickly shook my head, "No, not really."

"Really?" He still smiled. "I thought Lucian Knight, the new valedictorian, seemed quite the catch. How about I arrange your marriage to him?"

His suggestion shocked me, and I blurted out, "No, Father! I don't want to marry him!"

His confusion at my vehement refusal was evident.

"Why not? He even found your cat; seems like destiny to me."

"I don't like him, and I don't want to marry him," I stressed, then decided to confess my deeper suspicions.

"Besides, I think Lucian Knight only found my cat as a ploy to curry favor. He's a schemer, Father, don't trust him too easily."

My blunt assessment momentarily stunned him.

Without my previous life's knowledge, who would believe the genteel Lucian Knight capable of such deceit?

"Lilly, this..."

Father seemed momentarily flustered. He cleared his throat and then addressed someone behind me, "Sir Knight, it appears I cannot grant your request for my daughter's hand."

As he spoke, Lucian Knight emerged from behind the throne. Dressed in his crimson ceremonial robe, his handsome face was hard to read, his eyes intensely fixed on me.

I hadn't expected Lucian Knight to be here, much less asking to marry me.

I steadied myself and met his gaze with icy detachment.

"Sir Knight, I have no interest in you. Please, save your efforts."

He turned pale, his body swayed, and he lowered his head.

"Understood," he murmured.

After leaving the hall, I felt a mix of emotions. I sent the maids away and walked alone, only to be abruptly grabbed by the arm.

I was forcefully pulled into a hidden corner and pushed against the wall.

"Lillian," the man restraining me was Lucian, his face ghostly pale but his eyes a fiery red.

"You've returned too? Do you remember everything from our past lives?"