I Became Part of My Childhood Crush's Affair with a Scummy Woman

I suddenly let out a bitter laugh. From the moment I became engaged to Nora, I had to deal with the complicated relationships of the former Chancellor’s household. I handled everything on my own, making sure she never saw any of the filth behind the scenes.

I even went so far as to endure hardship to help Dexter just to ensure that her stepmother would treat her better.

I carried countless burdens alone, all so that Nora could enjoy a peaceful life.

But she only cared about Tyler Murphy...

She turned a blind eye to everything I did for her.

But now, I’ve been reborn. I want to walk a completely new path, one that has nothing to do with Nora or Tyler.

In my previous life, after our engagement, I learned that the only reason Nora had suggested me to the former Chancellor was because Tyler had told her that among all the eligible bachelors in the capital, I was the most suited for her. He said we looked like a picture-perfect couple when we saw each other from across the garden.

What a lovestruck girl, willing to get engaged to me based on one remark from her childhood crush.

This time, to avoid the tragedy of my past life, I deliberately stayed away from the garden.

Now that I have a second chance at life, not only will I avoid the wrong marriage, but I will carefully navigate every step moving forward!

The next morning, I went with Zach to my grandmother’s courtyard. As soon as I entered, I knelt down and performed a deep bow.

“Aaron, what are you doing? Get up quickly.” My grandmother was startled and tried to stand to help me, but her maids and attendants rushed forward, some supporting her and others helping me, turning the situation into a flurry of activity.

“Grandmother, please let me remain kneeling until I’ve finished speaking,” I said solemnly, bowing my head to her.

Sensing the seriousness in my expression, my grandmother steadied herself and said, “Aaron, you’ve always been a level-headed boy. If you’re acting like this now, there must be something important. Speak, and I will support you no matter what.”

Warmth flooded my heart. In my past life, to help Nora, I had escorted her stepmother back to her old residence and was away for a long time. I didn’t know that during that time, my grandmother had fallen gravely ill, and I missed my chance to say goodbye to her.

Thinking of that now, I realized how much she loved me. How lonely she must have felt in her final moments, knowing I wasn’t there.

I lowered my head and spoke quietly, “Grandmother, I wish to join His Highness, the Crown Prince, in his campaign to the south to eliminate the bandits.”

In my previous life, Tyler had become engaged to the daughter of the Minister of Finance a month later, and I had officially gotten engaged to Nora two months after that.

The Crown Prince’s campaign to the south lasted three years.

Three years later, everything would be settled. Besides, I had my own reasons for going south.

Grandmother was momentarily taken aback. My father and brothers had all died on the battlefield, and both my grandmother and mother were honored ladies, holding noble titles. From a young age, I had studied fencing and military strategy. I was also a companion to the Crown Prince, and my talent and skills were well known.

However, the emperor, mindful that I was the only male heir of our family, had never allowed me to go to war.

To be more precise, whenever there was even the slightest hint of danger, everyone made sure to keep me out of harm’s way.

So, even though people called me “Young General,” despite my exceptional skills, I was only allowed to serve in the capital’s defense forces.

I had always understood my importance to my grandmother and mother... and their worries.

So, I suppressed my burning desire for battle and did what they thought was safe.

But this was the first time I had knelt before my grandmother to plead... to go to war.

The bandit problem in the south had plagued the empire for years. The court had tried to suppress them several times, but they had failed, losing many soldiers in the process. This was a dangerous mission.

Grandmother gestured for Mrs. Green to help me up. “Aaron, you’ve always been someone with a strong will. If you’ve come to me with this request, I’m sure you’ve thought it through. Go ahead. A hawk cannot be caged forever. I’ll speak to your mother.”

“Thank you, Grandmother.” After bowing, I left with Zach.

That afternoon, I went to the Crown Prince’s residence, and the following morning, I departed south with the Crown Prince’s forces.

This time, I was accompanied by two bodyguards my grandmother had assigned to me, along with my servant, Zach.

I rode a tall horse, wearing gleaming silver armor.

Nora and a few other young noblewomen were watching from an upper-level parlor when they saw our departure. Nora’s expression was distant.

“General Shawn really is quite striking. Even standing beside the Crown Prince, he doesn’t lose out.”

“The Shawn family has been loyal for generations. Even though Aaron is the only male heir, they’ve still raised him to be a man of honor and service. It’s admirable.”

“Nora, what are you looking at? You were at the Shawn family’s banquet recently, weren’t you? Did you meet Aaron?”

Nora pulled her gaze away and replied calmly, “No, I didn’t see him.”

At that moment, Tyler appeared in the distance. When he saw Nora, he smiled brightly, like the first warmth of spring. With just one look, the odd feelings Nora had been experiencing earlier vanished.