🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter : 6
“Um… might there be some sort of trouble…?”
Grand Duke Rikesis spoke with concern as he looked at me, so I quickly forced a polite smile.
“Ah, I was just briefly lost in thought despite having an honored guest here. I apologize, Your Grace.”
“Oh, no! How can Your Highness the Crown Princess apologize to me! You are constantly thinking of the empire, are you not? There’s absolutely no need for apologies!”
“…….”
I was just thinking about how to entice him…
In an instant, something shattered.
My illusion…
I had definitely imagined an image of the “Northern Duke.”
Living in a snow-covered castle, guarding the north—!
Sharp, cold eyes—!
Intimidating to approach, but warm to only one person—!
…Or so I thought, but he’s way too bright and cheerful.
Since the “Northern Duke” isn’t in the original story, I could only imagine him.
I had even planned to quickly propose a “contractual romance” using that cliché and set the heroine on a guaranteed winning path!
…But if I brought up something like a “contractual romance” from the start, he’d probably panic and run away.
I-I’ll have to scrap this plan.
For a brief moment, stunned by the shattered illusion, I managed to respond.
“Shall we head to the main palace first? We need to prepare before meeting His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Yes, I shall follow your wishes!”
Walking toward the main palace with the Duke, I recalled my first plan.
[Step 1: Get as close to the Duke as possible!]
To get close in heart, one must first get close in body.
Hiding a mischievous smile, I cautiously asked the Duke:
“Grand Duke Rikesis, is there somewhere you plan to stay while in the capital?”
“Ah… no.”
Startled by my question, the Duke blushed and lowered his head in embarrassment.
“Since I inherited the northern duchy, I’ve had no reason to leave, so I haven’t prepared a separate residence.”
…What luck!
Without hesitation, I seized the opportunity.
“Secretary Shuna! Please guide the Duke’s attendants to my palace guest quarters so that they may stay comfortably.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Without asking any questions, Shuna whisked the Duke and his entourage away.
“Oh!”
Even the Duke, who had been embarrassed, brightened considerably.
This is so easy?
Anyway, Step 1 was a success.
We soon entered the building and arrived at the reception room.
After signaling all the attendants to leave, I said:
“Please, sit, Grand Duke Rikesis.”
“Thank you!”
As the Duke sat, the fading sunset light broke over his black hair.
Since time was short, I quickly got to the point.
“The reason I invited you, Grand Duke Rikesis, before the early spring banquet is…”
To welcome him as a consort, ahem!
I should start with something reasonable…
“It is because I’ve come to know the merit of your steadfast vigilance over the northern region all this time.”
“I-I am utterly unworthy of Your Highness the Crown Princess’s attention!”
The Duke bowed while seated.
Why is he like this?!
I was momentarily flustered but nodded.
“So, I was thinking of writing a recommendation for the imperial military merit medal for you, Grand Duke Rikesis.”
[Step 2: Subtly appeal that I can grant benefits!]
However, the Duke’s eyes widened, and he cried out desperately:
“A military medal? That’s impossible!”
What?
“I’m still lacking in so many ways. I’m not worthy of such an honor… sob.”
“Oh… no.”
Why would he refuse a military medal? Isn’t it the highest honor for a noble?
I was puzzled, but soon learned the reason.
“Rather than me… it’s the soldiers of Rikesis who suffer, facing monsters each year while their stomachs go empty.”
“I see.”
“I cannot exchange everyone’s hardships for my personal glory.”
As he spoke, tears welled up in his eyes, making me tilt my head.
Was his duchy impoverished? Ah, well, this is before the discovery of the magical ore…
A moment later, I smiled.
If all he wants is food, that’s much simpler!
As Crown Princess, I held some of the authority that the Empress would have…
“You’ve been facing a food shortage, haven’t you?”
“Sob… yes…”
As the Duke began to sniffle at my words, I silently pulled out documents and a golden seal.
The Seal of Favor. When the imperial marriage was decided, His Majesty gave it to me to establish my position as Crown Princess.
A document stamped with this seal was essentially an imperial decree.
I’ve been saving it for a time of real need…
Clutching the seal, I gritted my teeth.
All those years of working like an ox, oblivious to my husband’s infidelity! That anger!
Pouring all that and more into the document, I stamped it with the seal and handed it to the Duke.
“This certificate grants you, Grand Duke Rikesis, support from the imperial food stores until your duchy overcomes the shortage.”
“Eh?”
At that moment, the Duke’s gaze, which had been slightly flushed, shifted to the certificate, and his eyes traveled downward.
“Ah!”
Once he understood the content, he looked as if struck by lightning, trembling violently.
“G-Good heavens… my God…!”
…His reaction is amusing.
It seems he didn’t expect the problem to be solved this easily.
I can see his heart clearly. Yes, such a man couldn’t lie.
I liked that.
One betrayal from a man is enough for me.
Transporting the food will also give us plenty to talk about. Time to move to the next step.
I opened my mouth in a serious tone.
“As for the food stores…”
Had I perhaps moved the Duke too much?
“…Your Highness the Crown Princess.”
Suddenly, the Duke leapt up and approached me, kneeling with a thud.
“Grand Duke Rikesis? What… stand up!”
I panicked and tried to help him up, but he bowed deeply without moving.
Why would a Duke kneel so easily?
Just as I was at a loss, he shouted:
“I, Cardmael Rikesis, pledge my body and heart entirely to Your Highness, Crown Princess Lertie!!”
“…Excuse me?”
W-What is he saying…?!
“Though this may seem sudden, the moment I saw Your Highness, I instinctively knew that I would dedicate my life to serving you faithfully!”
“Eh?!”
“Though our meeting is brief, my heart is sincere. Please, accept my loyalty!”
Shouting this, the Duke suddenly grabbed my hand.
“Will you accept it?”
Accept it? What do you mean accept it!
His pushy insistence made me scream inwardly.
I had called him to the palace to be a consort, but he hadn’t even known me long and was already pledging his entire loyalty?!
What if I were a bad person?
Of course, I am a bad person!
“I, Cardmael Rikesis, can serve you well!”
The Duke shouted again, eyes sparkling, but I felt even more troubled.
I wish it were love, not loyalty!
Because I couldn’t accept the Duke’s loyalty.
For me, the Crown Princess, taking a loyalty oath would make him half a knight under the Crown Prince. That’s not why I called him here.
“Your loyalty…”
I’ll refuse for now and slowly soothe him.
I couldn’t let go of a potential consort I had painstakingly found.
What a waste… if only I weren’t the Crown Princess!
As I silently wept tears of regret, intending to reject him, a sudden voice rang out.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince is here!”
The urgent cries of the maids came from outside.
What?
Why is the Crown Prince here now?
I turned around hurriedly as the door burst open with a bang.
