FTMR 33

Chapter 33

  I Told You, You Don’t Need Permission

 Kardien, who had been nervously glancing at her, widened his eyes.

“Really?”
“Yes.”

She hadn’t expected to find it this quickly.

As if watching a child grow day by day, Kardien felt joy and pride as he asked,
“What is it that our princess wants to do? Go ahead, tell me.”

“Well, um…”

Contrary to her bold start, Anette’s lips only trembled and failed to form words. She even slightly avoided Kardien’s gaze, as if her confidence had suddenly vanished.

The reason was simple.

Because the seemingly simple wish—“I want to eat together at the Grand Duke’s estate”—was, in essence, the same as asking Kardien to remove his mask.

Though Kardien had told her not to ask for permission and to do whatever she wished, Anette didn’t think this counted as something she could just do.

Even if she believed she wouldn’t be shocked by what was under Kardien’s mask, that was just her assumption.

What truly mattered was his feelings.

Even close family like his mother and siblings had never seen his face. How could she, who only met him yesterday, ask to see it?

She might even hurt him by bringing it up—so she definitely didn’t want to mention it carelessly.

After much hesitation, Anette finally spoke.
“I want to properly learn court etiquette.”

Changing the subject wasn’t hard. It was something she had already been meaning to ask him about.

“Etiquette?”
“Yes. I was originally supposed to receive education in the palace before the royal marriage. Of course, since my condition turned out this way, formal education became difficult… but I think it’d be good to learn what I can in advance.”

Although born into royalty, Anette had never received a proper education.

Her nanny, Sarah, had taught her basic writing and etiquette, but it had been too long ago for her to feel confident.

“Hmm…”

Kardien’s gaze darkened slightly.

He was glad she had something she wanted to do, something she wanted to learn. But he couldn’t help but wonder—was this truly something she wanted for herself, or was she simply acting out of duty?

Still, he soon shook his head. It was only the beginning. One day, she would fully express her true desires.

At least, unlike yesterday, she wasn’t devaluing herself or speaking in a self-loathing manner. That alone was enough for now.

Just then—
“Oh, and… could I possibly go to the library?”

Her voice, just slightly hesitant but tinged with excitement, reached his ears.

Looking down, Anette tapped her toes against the floor and added in a slightly defensive tone,
“I mean, it’s not anything special. I heard a brief explanation from Hayworth, but I still don’t know much about the Alkhan Empire or the Harsenzt Grand Duchy… So I thought reading up would help…”

Then, as if checking his reaction, she looked up.

“If it’s about avoiding the palace staff or other people who use the library, I’m fine even going at night. If you let me know which areas are restricted, I’ll make sure not to go near them—”

“I told you, didn’t I? You don’t need to ask for permission.”

Anette blinked in surprise at Kardien’s words.

“The library, or wherever else—it’s fine. As long as you want to go.”

“…Really?”

“Of course. And it doesn’t have to be about the Empire or the Grand Duchy. You can read anything you like.”

Anette was a bit dazed.

She had hoped he’d say yes, but hadn’t expected him to respond so readily.

Still, the surprise quickly turned into joy. Her expression lit up as Kardien gave her full access to the books.

Even after becoming the commander of the royal knights, Anette hadn’t been able to roam freely around the palace.

It wasn’t as though she was officially confined.

But because many courtiers, nobles, and staff would react with fear or disdain upon seeing her, she chose to stay near the knights’ building or her detached quarters.

She never openly complained about it—but there was one thing she had always regretted: the lack of books.

She had barely learned to read and count under Sarah’s guidance without proper materials.

Fortunately, there were abandoned books in her quarters, and she had read and memorized them cover to cover. Yet, her thirst for knowledge had never gone away.

Now that she thought about it, becoming commander and handling reports and paperwork had been nothing short of a miracle.

If she hadn’t forced herself to read and understand everything she could get her hands on, she would’ve never managed.

‘Ah, and Franz helped too.’

After stubbornly asking the king to send her to fight the monsters, Franz had visited her several times, eventually giving up and gifting her a sword from who-knows-where.

When he realized she could read, he also brought her monster manuals and tactical books to help her survive.

But even Franz didn’t know that what she truly wished for—something she’d never dared to say—was to roam a library and read freely.

She had only mentioned it now because she finally had a “reasonable” excuse. She never imagined it would be granted so easily. Her heart fluttered with anticipation.

Seeing her face glow with excitement, Kardien smiled in satisfaction, then suddenly asked,
“But still, why do you want to learn about the Empire and the Grand Duchy all of a sudden?”

“Huh? Well, that’s because…!”

Anette answered as if it was the most obvious thing in the world—then stopped and bit her lip.

Her ears turned red as she mumbled,
“Because… the Alkhan Empire is my country now. And the Harsenzt Grand Duchy… is where I’ll be living from now on.”

More importantly, she was going to be the Grand Duchess—the lady of the Grand Duchy—after the marriage.

“So it’s only natural that I’d want to know.”

Staring at her toes, Anette barely finished her sentence, then looked up—and froze.

Kardien’s ears were burning red.

As if he had just received a love confession.

And it wasn’t an entirely wrong assumption.

Her words showed that she no longer saw their marriage as a mere formality.

She had already made up her mind to embrace her future with Kardien.

“I’m really happy.”
“T-That’s only natural…”
“I don’t think so. I’m truly grateful, Princess.”

At his firm words, Anette shyly fidgeted her fingers behind her back.

To her, she had simply asked for a few things she wanted.

‘And yet he’s thanking me like I just risked my life again to fight monsters.’

Anette felt she might become addicted to his sweet words and gentle compliments.

“Ah, but now that I think about it, using the palace library might be a bit difficult.”
“…What?”

Is he taking it back?!

Anette’s face fell in disappointment like the sky had collapsed. Seeing this, Kardien chuckled.

“We’ll be going to our home soon anyway. Once we’re there, you can do anything you want.”
“…Our home?”
“Yes. The subordinates I sent from the Grand Duchy will arrive tomorrow morning. Let’s have lunch and leave right after.”
“W-Wait a second…”
“There’s a spacious archive in the Grand Castle too. You won’t be disappointed. Etiquette, dancing, anything you want to learn—”
“Wait!”

Kardien, who had been talking excitedly about their plans, tilted his head.
“Is something wrong?”
“Um… when you say ‘our home’… do you mean the Harsenzt Grand Castle?”

Anette’s voice trembled.

Realizing what was making her hesitate, Kardien bent down to her eye level.

He gently tucked her hair behind her ear and firmly said,
“Yes, the Grand Castle. Since it’s where you and I will be living from now on, it’s our home.”

“Th-That’s…”

Just moments ago, she had thought of herself as the future Grand Duchess and the mistress of the Grand Duchy.

But hearing him call it “our home” still made her heart flutter strangely.

“But we’re not even married yet.”

She sounded like she was grumbling, picking on the wording. Kardien grinned.
“We will be soon. We’re already engaged.”

Faced with an irrefutable argument, Anette closed her mouth.

Strangely, she felt relieved.

“But leaving tomorrow… that’s sooner than I thought.”
“I wanted to bring you home quickly, so I told my men to ride day and night.”
“A-Ahem. Then… wouldn’t it be better for the knights to rest for a day?”

Feeling flustered, Anette tried to change the topic.

She hadn’t expected to head to the Grand Duchy so soon.

But Kardien looked reluctant.
“Well… then I’d have to open our townhouse in the capital. If we only stop by the palace, maybe. Otherwise, it might draw too much attention.”

Just entering the capital with a group of Grand Duchy retainers would already cause a stir—but Anette, unaware of such social logistics, nodded sincerely.
“I see.”
“Yes, and more importantly…”

Kardien paused, his tone suddenly serious, as if there was a bigger problem.

Anette’s eyes widened.

‘Is it because I shouldn’t stay in the palace too long?’

Even though the Empress Dowager and Charlotte had said it was okay, the palace was a public place, and secrecy would be hard to maintain…

“It’s just that… the Princess is too popular. It’s hard to have you all to myself here.”