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Chapter 33
At the sound of a sudden knock, everyone’s heads turned toward the door.
Then a voice followed.
“Your Highness, the Archduchess, it’s Karl. May I come in?”
From beyond the door came the composed voice of an elderly gentleman.
“Yes… no, yes!”
Ah, I told him to speak casually!
Remembering Karl’s request that, since I would be living in the main residence from now on, he hoped I would finally stop being so formal, I hurriedly added my words.
Before long, the door opened, and Karl appeared. He could not hide his surprise at seeing me so fully dressed up.
“Your Highness, you look absolutely beautiful.”
“Thank you. But what’s the matter?”
Even as I asked, an uneasy premonition swept over me. If Karl was here to see me…
“His Highness the Archduke requests your presence.”
Sure enough, my instinct had been correct.
What now? I’m busy! I have a boat outing planned!
I didn’t bother hiding my displeasure as I replied.
“Right now?”
“Yes, I will guide you immediately.”
At this point, it seemed the Archduke had the uncanny ability to unsettle people even without being physically present.
Why does it feel like everyone is trying to ruin my first date with a handsome man?
I forced a sigh and began speaking.
“Um… Karl, actually, I’m really busy—”
Just as I tried to make a half-hearted excuse and slip away, a voice rang out.
“Oh my! The Archduke is here!”
Startled, I turned and saw the Archduke standing there silently.
‘What? When did he get here?’
I had no idea when he had arrived; not a sound had given him away.
The deep blue-violet eyes that met mine were throbbing with intensity. He even looked a little flustered.
‘Could it be… he’s embarrassed about that incident from the other night?’
Heh heh. Should I tease him a little?
Perhaps my mischievous thought showed too clearly on my face, because the Archduke suddenly frowned and quickly turned his gaze elsewhere.
‘Do as you will. Hmph!’
Seeing that, I felt a pang of irritation and stopped teasing, quickly looking away.
At the same moment, my eyes met Marie’s. She was practically glowing with excitement, as if witnessing her favorite couple in real life.
‘Marie, you misunderstand… he just came because he expected I’d run away if Karl called me, that’s all…’
But that internal thought didn’t reach her ears.
“Your Highness! You’re not in your study…”
Then Karl’s flustered voice joined in.
Seeing his surprise, it seemed the Archduke’s behavior had been entirely unexpected. Karl must have rushed over without waiting for the brief time it would take to guide me to the study.
The Archduke gave a small, knowing smirk.
“I didn’t expect you to come willingly. You were probably planning to wriggle out with some excuse, like a little mouse. It’s faster if I come myself.”
“….”
Hmph, he’s right!
The strangely gentle demeanor he’d shown the other night was completely gone. Here was the Archduke I knew—rude and imposing.
Right… no wonder he was quiet yesterday.
I bit my lip in rising irritation.
“Does that mean you find me as cute as a little hamster? Oh, my! You’re not very straightforward.”
Is that what he meant…?
Marie’s eyes were completely sparkling with hearts.
‘Unlike Betty, she’s completely different…’
I was too tired to scold her, so I ignored Marie’s muttering and said,
“Well… since you’ve come in person, I’ll ask directly. What is your business?”
“Karl.”
The Archduke didn’t answer me but called for Karl instead. Even that annoyed me.
Karl quietly bowed in response and dismissed all the maids in the room.
“Please speak freely.”
After giving a final bow himself, he closed the door.
“….”
“….”
Left alone in the room, a heavy silence settled.
Sighing, the Archduke walked around the room and then sank into the sofa.
“You’re going boating with Katarina Hugo?”
The man’s eyes, shadowed darkly, held a clear irritation. It somehow made me feel he looked down on me, which infuriated me.
I replied with a smirk to cover my anger.
“Yes, is that a problem?”
“I always notice how careless you are. Katarina Hugo, even when you became Archduchess, openly boasted that she would soon be the Archduchess herself. She even tried to slander you. And now you’re going out for a friendly outing with her? Don’t you have any pride?”
“….”
Look at the way he talks! I always notice, but his mouth is terrifying!
I’m human too, and listening to this made my anger rise. The incident from the other night, his behavior today… it was all incomprehensible.
‘Could it be that he’s really worried about me getting close to Katarina?’
If the Archduke still had feelings for Katarina, it was a plausible thought. The idea of an ex-girlfriend and current wife getting along… it was ridiculous.
But that didn’t justify the way he was scolding me now.
‘I have no reason to be told this!’
Just as I was about to argue, a sudden shock crossed the Archduke’s previously cold expression.
Why…?
I realized almost immediately.
Suddenly, tears streamed down my face, running over my cheeks.
‘Ugh! What is this? I’m furious, but why are tears coming first?!’
I didn’t want to cry at all! I had so many things I wanted to say!
My mind was boiling with cold rage, but my body refused to obey.
I tried to calm myself with a deep breath.
“Sniff, th-then… why… huhuh!”
But the deep breath only made the hiccuping sobs worse.
‘This is insane! He’s going to think I’m weak.’
Not just anyone, but in front of the Archduke! My pride was cracking in real time.
“You… why…”
The Archduke, pale-faced, hesitated as he approached.
I quickly stepped back, shouting,
“I don’t understand why I have to hear such things! Everything was a misunderstanding, and Katarina has already apologized for her mistake. She’s my maid anyway—what’s wrong with getting along?”
“…With such a soft heart, how can you become the Archduchess of Celeste?”
His voice had softened slightly, but it still annoyed me.
“And did I have any choice in the matter? Hic…?”
Damn it. I just woke up at a wedding! Did I even have options?!
The Archduke, unaware of this, paused slightly as if realizing something.
Seizing the opportunity like a wolf, I continued my verbal attack.
I didn’t look very elegant with my unintentional sobs, but…
“Yes… I am not someone suited to be the Archduchess of Celeste.”
I knew it. I was an unwelcome impurity in this story. I didn’t even fully understand my own role. Anyone seeing me might think I was a fool.
‘But!’
I had done my best to live cheerfully in my own way. That was the most “me” I could be. Whoever I had been here before, now I could live my life as ‘me.’
“You told me to live quietly, didn’t you, Your Highness? Hic… I followed your wishes. Everything… So why do you keep—”
My emotions welled up again as I spoke.
I never wanted the Archduke to notice me. I only wanted to enjoy a peaceful life in my small cabin with my maids. Occasionally, circumstances forced me to meet him, but I had never lingered intentionally in front of him!
‘The other night too… what is this? Confusing and frustrating! Acting however you please! What rhythm am I supposed to follow?’
Tears poured down as I bit my lips tightly.
All the effort I put into makeup, the carefully chosen dress, now felt foolish. Everything felt ruined.
“You told me not to expect husbandly duties. Yes, I don’t expect anything. But you, Your Highness… now, do you want me to truly be your wife?”
Even as I shouted through my tears, the Archduke didn’t reply. That made me even angrier.
“I just want to live quietly. So stop interfering… I’m not going to sully our family name, I’m just going out for a stroll!”
With that, I stomped my feet deliberately as I left.
‘Ah, embarrassing! I hate everything about this! Why am I crying? It’s not worth it!’
Sigh.
But even a deep sigh didn’t help.
I opened the door to see the maids pacing anxiously in the hallway.
“My lady…”
Trying to act casual, I said to them,
“…Could you call Katarina for me?”
Perfect timing, since I was about to lose my temper anyway.
I needed to go to the river and cool my head before I could feel any better.
