In My Second Life, I Became Someone Worth Loving

Chapter 2 — Letters Across the Distance

[Eleven Years Later]

Josephine sat quietly beside the window, a letter resting in her hands.

The handwriting was familiar. Neat, elegant, and slightly more refined than it had been years ago. She had received letters with the same handwriting since she was seven.

At first, they had been short. A book he had read. Something interesting he had seen. A complaint about Estelle cheating during chess. Then, as the years passed, the letters became longer.

He wrote about his studies. The places he visited. The people he met. The things he liked. And sometimes, he simply wrote about his day.

Josephine always replied.

Their correspondence had become such a natural part of her life that she hardly remembered when it had started.

She unfolded the letter again.

Dear Josie,

I will be returning to Elysia this week.

Elias and I should arrive before the end of the week. Father has already informed me that I am expected to attend several royal functions upon my return.

I suppose that means I won't be able to avoid them forever.

I hope you haven't changed too much while I was away.

I look forward to seeing you again.

—Lucien

Josephine smiled faintly. "Welcome home, Lucien."

"You smiled."

Josephine's head lifted. Estelle stood in the doorway, her arms crossed over her chest.

"What?"

"You smiled."

"I do that."

"Not like that."

Josephine frowned. "Like what?"

Estelle walked into the room and glanced at the letter in her sister's hands. Then her lips slowly curved upward. "Ah."

Josephine narrowed her eyes. "What?"

"Nothing."

"Estelle."

"Absolutely nothing."

Estelle's smile became increasingly suspicious.

Josephine folded the letter. "He's just coming home."

"I know."

"We haven't seen him in almost two years."

"I know."

"He's our childhood friend."

"I know."

Josephine stared at her twin. "Then why are you smiling like that?"

Estelle's grin widened. "Hohoho~."

Josephine sighed. "I don't like that sound."

"You'll understand someday."

"Understand what?"

"Nothing." Estelle turned and walked out of the room.

Josephine stared after her. "...She's strange."

She looked down at the letter again. A small smile returned to her lips. She had missed him.

That was all. There was nothing strange about missing an old friend.

At least, that's what Josephine told herself.

The following days passed quickly.

The Richter estate became busier than usual as preparations were made for the Crown Prince's return.

King Aurelius had arranged a formal welcome at the palace, followed by a private gathering for several prominent noble families.

As the daughter of the King's Chancellor, Josephine was expected to attend. She didn't particularly mind. She had grown accustomed to social gatherings over the years.

They were still exhausting, but they no longer frightened her. Perhaps that was one of the biggest changes in her second life.

She was still quiet. Still preferred books to crowded rooms. Still found long conversations tiring. But she no longer believed there was something wrong with her because of it.

Her family had never made her feel that way.

Neither had Lucien.

A carriage eventually carried the Richter family toward the palace.

Estelle spent most of the journey talking about Lucien's return. "I wonder how much taller he is now."

"Probably taller than you."

"That's not difficult."

Josephine glanced at her. "Estelle."

"What?"

"I'm sitting right here."

"And you're still shorter than him."

Josephine sighed. "You're enjoying this."

"Very much."

Their parents chuckled from across the carriage. Eleanor looked fondly at her daughters. "You haven't changed at all."

Estelle smiled. "I hope not."

Josephine looked out the window. The palace gradually came into view. Her heart gave a strange little flutter. She ignored it. It was probably excitement.

After all, it had been nearly two years since she had last seen Lucien.

That was all.

The palace was already bustling when the Richter family arrived. Servants moved through the halls while guards stood at attention. The moment they entered the grand receiving hall, Josephine saw the royal family waiting.

King Aurelius stood beside Queen Seraphina.

And beside them—

A young man stood with his hands folded behind his back.

Josephine stopped. For a moment, she didn't recognize him.

He was taller than she remembered. Much taller.

His golden hair was neatly styled, and his blue eyes carried a confidence she hadn't seen when they were children. His features had sharpened with age.

He no longer looked like the mischievous boy who used to steal Estelle's desserts. He looked like a prince.

No.

He looked like the future King of Elysia.

Lucien's gaze swept across the room. Then it stopped. On her.

Josephine.

For several seconds, neither of them moved. Lucien's expression remained composed. Perfectly composed.

But Elias, standing beside him, noticed the slight change immediately.

The Crown Prince had spent the entire journey listening to Elias complain about the upcoming royal functions. He had looked bored during every formal briefing.

He had barely reacted when they were informed that half the noble court would be attending. But now?

He wasn't even blinking.

Elias followed Lucien's gaze.

Then he saw her.

Josephine Richter.

Elias looked back at his best friend.

Oh. So that's how it's going to be.

Lucien finally stepped forward. "Lady Josephine." His voice was deeper now.

Josephine blinked. "Your Highness."

Something flickered in Lucien's eyes. "You still call me that."

Josephine tilted her head. "You are the Crown Prince."

"And we've known each other since we were seven."

"That doesn't change your title."

A faint smile appeared on his lips. "No. I suppose it doesn't."

Estelle suddenly stepped between them. "Lucy!"

Lucien's expression immediately changed. "Estelle."

"You got taller."

"So did you."

"Not enough."

Lucien chuckled.

Josephine watched the two of them bicker as though they had never spent nearly two years apart. Some things really hadn't changed.

Estelle was still Estelle.

Lucien was still Lucien.

And yet...

Josephine looked at him again. Perhaps not everything had stayed the same. Lucien caught her looking.

Their eyes met. His smile softened. "I missed you, Josie."

Josephine's heart skipped. She quickly looked away. "I missed you too."

Behind Lucien, Elias slowly covered his face with one hand.

Eight years.

Eight years of watching this i***t.

And apparently, it was only getting worse. He glanced toward the Richter twins.

Josephine was still looking away, seemingly unaware of the effect her simple words had on the Crown Prince.

Estelle, however, had noticed. Her eyes moved from Lucien to her sister. Then back to Lucien. A slow, mischievous smile spread across her face.

Elias noticed it. Their eyes met. For a moment, neither said anything. Then Estelle's smile widened. "Hohoho~."

Elias stared at her. "...You know, don't you?"

Estelle tilted her head innocently. "Know what?"

Elias glanced toward Lucien, who was still trying very hard to appear composed in front of Josephine.

Then he looked back at Estelle. "Never mind."

Estelle giggled. "You're his best friend, aren't you?"

"Unfortunately."

"Then you must have seen it too."

Elias sighed. "Since we were children."

Estelle's eyes sparkled. "Me too."

They looked at Lucien again.

The Crown Prince was currently explaining something to Josephine, his expression calm and dignified.

Estelle leaned slightly toward Elias. "So..."

Elias already knew where this was going. "No."

"I haven't even said anything."

"You don't need to."

Estelle grinned. "Hohoho~."

Elias sighed again. "At least I'm not the only one suffering."

Estelle nodded solemnly. "Finally, someone understands me."

And just like that, an unlikely alliance was born.

Neither Josephine nor Lucien noticed.