🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter : 17
Duke Del Rokin Switcherard was standing at the entrance of the mansion. The people of the estate were lined up on both sides of the lobby carpet, bowing at ninety degrees to the duke. Startled by the sight, Frisia hurriedly walked toward Duke Del.
“Good afternoon, Your Grace.”
“……?”
For some reason, the duke did not respond. Instead, he looked as if he were wondering who this maid was, boldly stepping forward before him. When Frisia lifted the head she had slightly bowed, her eyes met the duke’s. Only then did he seem to recognize her. His gaze wavered at the sight of Frisia.
“Your Highness… the Imperial Princess?”
“It has been a while, Your Grace.”
“No… why are you dressed like that?”
“Ah, this is…”
Before Frisia could answer, the duke’s expression darkened rapidly. With a terrifying glare, he turned his gaze to the butler beside him.
“Where is Hatz!!!”
Everyone flinched at the thunderous shout. The butler and maids standing in the lobby trembled all at once. Not understanding what was happening, Frisia glanced at Ron. Ron frowned and pointed at her clothes with his finger.
A dark brown maid’s uniform…
D-don’t tell me he misunderstood…?
“Y-Your Grace, the young duke is currently—”
“Bring that brat before me at once!!!”
At the butler’s hesitation, Duke Del’s booming voice grew even harsher. Just then, footsteps echoed from the stairs.
“Father?”
It was Hatz.
“Hatz! You little— hm?!”
“Why have you come so suddenly?”
“…What on earth is the state you’re in?”
“It’s nothing.”
‘Nothing,’ you say? Your hand right now—no, what in the world is this…?”
The duke’s flustered voice trailed off, and an icy silence settled over the mansion. Frisia forced a smile as Hatz calmly walked toward the duke.
Duke Del looked back and forth between Hatz and Frisia. The imperial princess, wearing a dark maid’s outfit, dark circles filling her eyes. Hatz, with a haggard face, wrinkled shirt, disheveled hair, and a bandage wrapped around his left hand. As the duke took in their appearances, his face grew increasingly grim.
“Hahaha! I nearly made a huge misunderstanding.”
Clink. Duke Del Rokin Switcherard laughed heartily as he took a sip of warm black tea. The man who had been shouting moments ago was gone, replaced by a gentle, kindly demeanor.
After that, Frisia immediately changed into a dress, and Hatz briefly explained the situation. Thankfully, the misunderstanding was resolved quickly.
“You must have been startled. I thought my Hatz had lost his mind and was making the imperial princess work as a maid—I almost broke his arm.”
“Ah… haha…”
“And then I saw his hand wrapped in bandages, and that truly put me in a difficult position.”
“Haha… I’m glad it was just a misunderstanding.”
I’m smiling right now, but I’m not actually smiling. Why on earth is he acting like that? Stop staring at me already!
Frisia shot a sideways glance at Hatz, who was gazing intently at her. But as if he didn’t notice her look at all, Hatz simply held his teacup to his lips with his right hand and continued to stare only at Frisia.
“Still, no matter how comfortable the clothes may be, dressing like that makes everyone uncomfortable. You should purchase some other outfits.”
“No, no, it’s fine. The clothes I have now are enough.”
‘Enough’? What do you mean? For women, clothes and jewelry are things you can never have enough of.”
“No, really, I’m fine.”
“Haha! No need to refuse. You’re practically family now, Your Highness.”
Just then—
Clink. Hatz set his cup down.
“Father, I’ve already prepared clothes separately, so don’t worry about it.”
“You prepared them yourself?”
“Yes. I commissioned the atelier to make outfits suited to Frisia’s taste. They should arrive next week.”
“Really? You prepared clothes…?”
“Yes.”
What clothes? I didn’t know anything about this.
Frisia looked back at Ron, who was standing behind her. Ron shrugged slightly, as if he knew something. At that moment, the duke suddenly placed a hand on Hatz’s shoulder.
“Well done, my son.”
Duke Del smiled at Hatz with satisfaction, then turned his gaze to Frisia.
“What do you think, Your Highness?”
“Pardon?”
“Is he acceptable as a fiancé?”
“Ah, yes. Well, that is…”
Frisia met Hatz’s eyes.
You really have a thick face…
Normally, one would feel pressured or embarrassed by such a question and avert their gaze, but Hatz instead stared straight into Frisia’s eyes. Unable to answer immediately, Frisia felt Ron poke the back of her neck lightly.
“He’s more than acceptable. In fact, he’s far too good for me.”
Coming to her senses, Frisia smiled at the duke.
Until I sort out things with my stepmother and secure the compensation, I have to endure this engagement. That’s all I need to think about for now.
Pretending to sip her chocolate tea, Frisia bit her lower lip. She hadn’t expected things to turn out this way, but Hatz had become someone she needed right now.
“Far too good? It seems you’re still burdened by accepting Hatz’s feelings.”
“No… what? Feelings? What do you mean?”
“You didn’t know? The reason Hatz accepted the engagement?”
“…?”
Frisia looked at Hatz with wide eyes. Hatz, meanwhile, was frowning at his father.
“What are you talking about, Father?”
“You haven’t told her yet?”
“Told her what?”
“Weren’t you secretly in love with Her Highness all this time?”
“……”
Hatz shut his mouth.
What? Is that true? The thought crossed her mind, but Frisia quickly dismissed it. It didn’t seem so. Hatz’s expression was growing cold, as if a chill wind might blow from his gaze alone.
“I have never been in love with Frisia.”
His tone was firm.
“What nonsense. Didn’t you accept the engagement while remembering everything?”
“What on earth are you saying?”
“If you don’t remember, then why did you accept the engagement so readily?”
“……”
Hatz fell silent again, seemingly lost in thought. The duke then looked at Frisia.
“Do you not remember either, Your Highness?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Didn’t the two of you meet when you were young? At my wife’s funeral.”
“…What?”
This was the first she’d heard of it. Of course it was—she didn’t remember her childhood. Frisia looked at Hatz again. His expression was too cold for him to be pretending not to know.
It really seems like he doesn’t remember…
“Empress Rocherin was very close friends with my wife. From time to time, the imperial princess would accompany her on visits.”
“I’m sorry… I don’t remember.”
“That’s all right. You were very young.”
Feeling strangely guilty, Frisia picked up her cup of chocolate tea. The duke took a sip of black tea and set it down.
“My wife passed away from illness when Hatz was six years old.”
“……”
“At that time, after the funeral, Empress Rocherin stayed with us for several days to help with the aftermath. You came with her, Your Highness. While everyone was overwhelmed, you stayed by Hatz’s side, comforting him. I was truly grateful.”
“……”
Hatz remained expressionless, while an unbearable loneliness spread across the duke’s face. Soon, however, the duke laughed awkwardly.
“Haha! And on the day you returned to the palace, Hatz couldn’t bring himself to ask you to stay. He just held your hand and cried his heart out.”
Held her hand and cried? When Frisia looked at Hatz again, he scowled deeply.
“I cried because I lost my mother. I never cried for such a reason.”
“No, you definitely did.”
“Your memory must be mistaken, Father.”
“Wait… you don’t mean—”
As if realizing something, Duke Del hurriedly set his teacup down. Frisia exchanged a confused glance with Ron and brought the chocolate tea to her lips.
That must have been something that happened with the original Frisia, not me. But judging by Hatz’s expression, it really seems like he doesn’t remember… Then he didn’t accept the engagement because he liked her. So why did he accept it? The question filled her mind.
Frisia took a big gulp of the sweet chocolate tea.
“Hatz, was it really true that you said the pink angel had returned to heaven back then? Is that why you didn’t recognize Her Highness?”
“Pff—!!!”
At the words “pink angel,” Frisia sprayed her tea. Hatz, sitting across from her, froze. Chocolate droplets splattered mercilessly from Frisia’s mouth, coating his face.
Drip. Drip. Dark chocolate drops fell onto his pristine white shirt.
“Y-Young Duke…!”
At the butler’s signal, the maids rushed over with wet towels.
“Don’t touch me.”
Hatz brushed their hands away and looked at Frisia. His icy gaze felt like it could kill someone with a look alone. Frisia jumped to her feet.
“I’ll wipe it! Give it to me!”
She snatched a towel from a maid and wiped Hatz’s face. The duke and Ron could say nothing, simply staring at the two of them.
Damn it. I should’ve swallowed it, even if it made me cough later.
Her breath had suddenly twisted, and she couldn’t hold it back. Thinking that such a pretty phrase had come out of that cold face—it was funny, and cute, and so—
“I need to change clothes.”
Hatz stood up.
“Father, how much time do you have?”
“I still have a couple of hours. Take your time and change.”
“Then excuse me for a moment.”
Hatz bowed lightly to the duke, then glared at Frisia.
“I-I’ll go too. Excuse me.”
Frisia followed behind Hatz. As she climbed the stairs and glanced back, she saw the duke and Ron watching her with pleased expressions.
It’s a misunderstanding. A misunderstanding! I’m not going because I want to take care of this man!
Click. Hatz came out after washing the chocolate off in the bathroom.
“Did you get it all off?”
Hatz’s face and hair were damp. Because of the bandage on his left hand, it looked like he’d only managed a rough wash. Chocolate stains still dotted his shirt. Frisia followed him into the bedroom.
In the meantime, a maid had laid out a clean new shirt on the bed. Hatz turned around slowly to face Frisia.
“What are you doing?”
“Pardon? …Why?”
Hatz stood there, looking at her. Suddenly, he raised his right arm and stepped closer.
“You should help me change, right?”
What?!
At his calm, casual words, Frisia’s face instantly heated up. Seeing her reaction, Hatz smiled slightly.
That smile at this timing is unfair. Why on earth has he been so sexy since yesterday?!
Frisia swallowed hard. She thought she might actually get a nosebleed this time.
“Come on. Hurry.”
“It’d be better to ask the maids. I’ll go get—!”
Ignoring Frisia’s protests, Hatz continued to approach her. Frisia quickly turned away and tried to dash for the door…
—but failed.
With a firm motion, Hatz pushed the slightly open door shut.
