FTMR 12

Chapter 12

“At Least He Won’t Start by Calling It Ominous, Right?”

Morning.

Anette, who normally woke before dawn, jolted in surprise at the warm sunlight touching her face and hurriedly pulled the cord.

As if she had been waiting for that moment, Serina rushed in.

“Your Highness, you’re awake?”

“I’m sorry. I overslept, didn’t I? I had trouble sleeping last night…”

In truth, it was still much earlier than when most noble ladies or married women awoke, but unaware of that, Anette apologized. Serina waved her hands quickly.

“It’s still early. It’s just that…”

Anette tilted her head at Serina, who was trailing off as if she were holding back news, like someone who had prepared a gift and was waiting for a reaction.

Finally, unable to hold it in any longer, Serina beamed.

“Your Highness, they say the Grand Duke arrived at the imperial palace this morning!”

“…Huh?”

Who arrived where?

Still half-asleep, Anette wondered if she had misheard.

But watching Serina bustle around even more excited than Anette herself, saying she would help her wash up and get ready beautifully, it didn’t seem like a mistake.

“Is it really… the Grand Duke of Harzent?”

“Yes! It seems he departed the moment he heard the news about you.”

“That’s strange…”

Serina, the daughter of a baron and a close attendant to the Empress, had never once left the imperial capital in her life, so she likely didn’t find it odd. But Anette had arrived from the Kingdom of Hayworth just the day before.

Even using the fastest route through the dangerous Swamp of Monsters, it had taken two days. The territory of the Grand Duke of Harzent, bordering the western mountains of Hayworth, should have taken at least a day and a half to reach the capital.

“Then how did he arrive today, after hearing the news only yesterday?”

Anette briefly considered the possibility that magic had been used, but dismissed it—there was no reason to mobilize such precious mages just to see her.

What was certain, however, was that the Grand Duke had truly hurried to the palace to see her.

〈I’m sure the Grand Duke will come to the capital the moment he hears.〉

The Empress’s words resurfaced in her mind, making her cheeks itch.

Her heart started pounding…

“I’m nervous.”

She had assumed it would take several more days for the news to reach him and for him to arrive in the capital. She simply wasn’t mentally prepared.

Her face felt hot, so Anette plunged her head into a basin filled with warm water and splashed her face repeatedly.

After drying her face with a fluffy towel—

“W-What is all this?”

Anette froze at the sight of her room filled with clothes she’d never seen before.

“They’re gifts from the Empress Dowager, sent for you.”

Ah, so the gift was clothing.

For a brief moment, Anette had wondered if the Empress Dowager’s surprise gift might be the Grand Duke himself, and her cheeks flushed slightly.

Trying to hide her embarrassment, she turned her gaze to the clothes—and let out an unconscious gasp.

The dresses were adorable and delicate. Similar to the one she’d worn the day before but with more intricate details and a more ornate feel, they fit her perfectly, unlike the loose garments from before—as if tailored exactly to her body.

“Your Highness, you look just like spring sunshine.”

“That’s right. You’re truly beautiful.”

Flustered by the maids’ excited praise, Anette absentmindedly brushed her fingers over the soft fabric at her sleeves.

She knew they were routine compliments, yet she couldn’t stop herself from feeling awkward—and a little giddy. At the same time, anticipation bubbled up inside her.

From among dresses in pale pinks, calm sky blues, and light greens typically worn by young noble girls, Anette chose a soft yellow dress trimmed with thin white lace.

It had earned the best reaction from the maids, and, secretly, she wanted to leave a bright—not gloomy—first impression on the Grand Duke.

“At least he won’t start by calling it ominous.”

Even though her heart had warmed from the generous and kind treatment of the Alcan imperial family, she was still afraid a cold, distant reaction might await her.

Swallowing nervously, Anette sat before the mirror.

“Ah…”

A small gasp slipped out.

Just as the maids had said, the reflection staring back at her was far better than she’d expected.

Her round, neatly arranged features looked especially soft and harmless today—nothing like a cursed monster at all.

But still—

“Is this really okay…?”

No matter how carefully she prepared, the fact remained: the first thing he would see was a child.

She had no idea how the Grand Duke would react upon seeing his prospective fiancée turned into a child.

“Um…”

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“What kind of person… is the Grand Duke of Harzent?”

Only after forcing out the question did Anette realize how late she was in asking it.

Since it was a political marriage, she’d had no personal interest in the Grand Duke, even when signing the engagement contract.

But after coming to the Empire and meeting the Emperor and his family, curiosity had slowly begun to grow.

“The Grand Duke?”

“What would you like to know?”

The maids’ eyes sparkled as they chose accessories for her hair, clearly finding Anette’s interest in her fiancé adorable.

They were just about to launch into stories of his brilliance, his overwhelming talent, and his striking appearance—even with a mask—

“I want to know his personality.”

At Anette’s unexpected concern, the maids’ pupils shook violently.

“H-His personality?”

“His… personality?”

They tried not to show it, but their exchanged glances were full of panic.

What should we say?

…Tell the truth?

Are you insane?!

After their silent debate, Serina—the highest-ranking among them—smiled awkwardly.

“Your Highness, to be honest, we don’t really know the Grand Duke’s personality very well.”

More precisely, he was a man painfully aware of his own excellence—arrogant enough to be irritating, yet so perfect that one couldn’t help but acknowledge it. Whether that haughty nature would be revealed in front of Anette, no one could say.

“Wouldn’t it be best to see for yourself when you meet him today?”

“…I suppose so.”

Not entirely satisfied, Anette nodded.

She’d thought that servants who’d attended the Empress for so long would know more about him.

“He must not be the type to keep people close.”

She hoped he wasn’t overly prickly or difficult.

And if he truly was as violent or savage as the rumors said—someone who loved war, blood, and slaughter—that would be even worse.

Feeling her heart beat out of rhythm with mingled anticipation and anxiety, Anette closed her eyes.

Whatever happened, she decided it would be best to hide her red eyes as much as possible.

Meanwhile, at that very moment—

The Grand Duke of Harzent, Cardin—known by grim epithets such as “war maniac” and “merciless butcher”—was also in the middle of getting dressed up.

“Hm hm hmm.”

Samuel, his aide, let out a deep sigh as he watched his lord hum cheerfully while changing outfits again and again in front of a full-length mirror.

“Your Highness, that’s enough already…”

“Samuel, do you think this looks all right in the princess’s eyes?”

Cardin asked, straightening his slightly crooked cravat.

Having arrived in the capital the previous evening, he had practically swept up the finest men’s formalwear and the latest accessories. Since entering the palace that morning, this same question had been repeated endlessly.

“Yes. You look excellent.”

Utterly exhausted, Samuel replied in a flat, mechanical tone.

Imagining Cardin’s eyebrows shooting up beneath the mask made him flinch—but it wasn’t a lie, so he straightened his back again.

Tall and broad-shouldered, with a perfectly balanced physique, Cardin cut a flawless figure in a softly gleaming ivory silk shirt, black cravat, vest, and jacket.

He was more than excellent—he was perfect.

When Samuel sincerely gave him a thumbs-up and said, “You’re overflowing with elegance,” Cardin finally turned his gaze back to the mirror.

As if judging his sleepless efforts, he arrogantly concluded that it wasn’t bad at all—then frowned slightly.

“Still, maybe beige instead of black would be better.”

“What? At this point?”

“Come to think of it, this is our first proper meeting. If I want to look gentler, brighter colors might be better. What if she finds me frightening?”

Frightening? Who?

Samuel stared at him in disbelief.

“She’s the greatest swordsman on the continent.”

“You never know. She’s a child now. And even aside from that, I want to look kind and considerate.”

At his casual shrug, Samuel muttered as if he’d heard something he shouldn’t have.

“Kind and… considerate…”

If you really want to look that way, how about taking off the mask you’re wearing right now?

That angelic face of yours would charm anyone, regardless of gender. In black or beige—or even in blood-soaked armor—people would still fall for you.

But since that was impossible in the current situation, Samuel swallowed his regret.

Just as he was about to tearfully beg his lord to stop changing clothes and finally leave—

“What? Is it this late already? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

Cardin shouted after checking the time at last.

I tried to tell you—over and over! But every time, you kept asking if you looked okay, so I missed my chance!

Samuel’s resentment rose to his throat once more, but again, he held it in.

After all, the Grand Duke—who should have heard his complaints—had already dashed out of the room.