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Chapter 19
I was pointing at the roses in the vase. Judging from the situation, it seemed like the flowers were sent because Friedrich felt bad about breaking the vase last time.
It had been over a week now, and the roses were completely dried out. Yet, even in that state, the vase on his desk still held the withered bouquet.
“Are the maids giving you looks for picking flowers from the garden or something?”
I frowned slightly as I asked him. The maids nearby looked startled and hurriedly shook their heads.
But I blocked their view and stared straight into Friedrich’s eyes.
His gaze wavered for a moment before he shook his head.
“That’s not it. Everyone has been very kind to me.”
“Then why are you still keeping those shriveled-up roses?”
“…Because they were given to me by Your Highness. How could I dare throw them away?”
“What?”
I stared at him in disbelief.
“Even if the Emperor himself gave them to you, if flowers rot, you throw them out. I’m not so twisted that I’d be offended over something like that.”
“It’s not that, it’s just…”
Friedrich hesitated before finishing softly,
“I didn’t want to waste them. I couldn’t bring myself to throw them away.”
Good grief. Was it because he’d been locked up for five years, without ever seeing a flower?
I looked at him with pity.
He had said he was interested in gardening, so I could understand why he’d treat even wilted flowers preciously.
“I’ll just give you more.”
His eyes widened, as if to ask if I really meant it. The way he looked almost too happy made my chest ache a little.
“I mean it. So get rid of those. They say keeping dead flowers around isn’t good luck.”
“Still…”
“Friedrich Kiel.”
“…Yes, Your Highness.”
I called his full name sternly, and he flinched before nodding. Then, after a moment, he murmured quietly,
“You can call me by my new name already.”
I blinked at him in confusion.
“Since that old name will be discarded soon anyway…”
“You mean, call you Friedrich Stade?”
He nodded faintly.
Well, considering how miserable his years in the Kingdom of Kiel had been, it made sense he’d want to shed that name as quickly as possible.
“Anyway, if the flowers wilt, just throw them out. You can pick as many as you like from the garden, okay?”
Friedrich nodded, smiling faintly. As soon as I left the room, I decided I’d have a huge bouquet sent to him.
[“I will respect Her Highness’s wishes.”]
Elza had sent a letter to Duke Rommel, and we received this curt reply soon after.
Since he backed down so neatly, I thought that was the end of it—until…
“The Duke has taken to his bed, Your Highness.”
About a week later, Elza delivered the news. I looked at her blankly.
“He even missed Count Brock’s birthday gathering.”
“What? Those two are as thick as thieves. Is there a flu going around?”
I muttered under my breath. “A summer cold? Even dogs don’t catch that.”
Elza replied dryly, “Then I suppose Your Highness has made him worse than a dog.”
“What are you talking about?”
“They say he’s suffering from lovesickness.”
My eyes widened. What? Lovesickness? Just because I turned down his proposal?
“How did that rumor even start? You didn’t say anything, did you?”
“I do value my life, Your Highness,” Elza said seriously. “But… would you really like to know?”
“Why are you being so dramatic?”
“Because it’s rather romantic. Apparently, while he was delirious, he kept calling Your Highness’s name.”
“Gasp…”
If it were Renee, she’d probably have said:
‘How dare he utter a royal’s name so presumptuously?’
But instead, I simply told Elza, “I don’t mean to punish him.”
“Yes, that would be too cruel.”
“Still, there was nothing between us. Lovesickness is a bit much, isn’t it?”
I’d thought it was just wounded pride. After all, he’d lost his standing to an exiled prince. But falling sick over it? That seemed excessive.
“Perhaps he truly fell for you, Your Highness. Maybe he grew to love you during those three years of waiting.”
“Oh, come on… That’s peculiar. Why get sick now and make me worry?”
“It’s not too late yet.”
“I’m not taking him as a consort.”
I shook my head firmly. Even if I was concerned, I couldn’t give him false hope.
“Time heals all wounds. He’ll get over it.”
I brushed the matter off and tried to forget about Joachim.
“Will you be visiting the library again today, Your Highness?”
“Yes, why?”
“The sky looks overcast. It might rain.”
“Perfect, then. I’ll hole up there for a few hours.”
Elza narrowed her eyes suspiciously, making me flinch.
“…Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You’ve suddenly fallen in love with books, haven’t you?”
“Why the attitude?”
“It’s just curious. The woman who once said, ‘Heroes don’t need to study,’ has become an avid reader overnight.”
Renee had always been the type to solve problems with strength, not strategy—her powerful magic made it possible.
“It’s not studying, just reading. It’s not like I have anything better to do.”
I replied with forced nonchalance, and Elza gave me a skeptical look. I quickly stood up.
“Let’s go before it starts pouring.”
“You’ve been coming almost every day lately.”
The librarian, who had looked as tense as a startled cat on my first visit, seemed to relax after seeing me several days in a row.
“The books are quite interesting. I should’ve started earlier.”
I smiled kindly and headed to the shelves, picking out random books.
Most were for show anyway. I couldn’t read anything about magic, or I’d draw suspicion.
“…Sister?”
Just as I was about to move to the magic section, a familiar voice called out.
I froze for an instant but turned calmly.
“You come to places like this, Sister?”
It was my half-brother, Prince Anton. He looked genuinely astonished.
What, was that supposed to be an insult? I narrowed my eyes.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Excuse me?”
“Are you implying I’m too dumb to read books?”
I scowled right away, and Anton flinched, smiling awkwardly.
“Of course not. I’ve just never seen you here before.”
“Funny, I’ve been coming for days and haven’t seen you either. Guess you don’t read much.”
I shot back shamelessly. His expression turned incredulous—until his eyes dropped to the book I was holding.
“…I knew it.”
His expression grew serious. Curious, I glanced at the title.
“A Must-Read for Princesses Who Seek to Overthrow Their Brothers and Become Kings.”
Why—why did I grab this of all things?!
“Books these days sure have odd titles, huh?”
I laughed awkwardly and quickly put it back.
The surrounding section was full of similar books—political theory and royal strategy.
Anton’s lips curved into a sly smile.
“Why not? I admire you, Sister. You’re walking a path no one in Stade history has ever dared to tread.”
“I’m not interested in the throne.”
“That book must have taught you how to lie well.”
He looked genuinely impressed.
“To think I’d see you hide your true intentions—guess I’ll live to see many strange things. But that’s what a future ruler must learn, isn’t it?”
No, it’s not what it looks like!
“Anton, seriously. I’m not interested in the throne.”
I smiled disarmingly, but he clearly didn’t believe me. He bowed slightly and walked off, leaving me fuming.
Fine. I’ll prove it through actions.
I immediately gathered a pile of books with titles like “Peaceful Life in the Countryside After Retirement” and “How to Farm for Self-Sufficiency.”
From now on, I’d use these as camouflage.
Then I finally went to the magic section and picked out a few volumes that looked useful, taking them to my usual spot.
Soon, rain began to pour outside. I read for about three hours, the sound of rain serving as perfect white noise.
‘Nothing really helpful here, though.’
When I finally left, it was still raining hard. I shivered a little as I walked back toward the palace.
“A hot cup of cocoa and a nap sound perfect right now.”
“I’ll prepare it with three marshmallows,” Elza said.
“No, make it four today…”
That’s when I noticed it—one of the palace windows was open.
All the others were closed, making that one stand out.
“That’s Friedrich’s room, isn’t it?”
Rain must be pouring right in. I frowned and hurried closer—then froze at the sight through the window.
“…Friedrich?”
He was collapsed by the window.
“Call the royal physician, now!”
I shouted in alarm and climbed through the open window. As I feared, rain had drenched the floor and his body completely.
“Friedrich, can you hear me?”
His cheeks were ice-cold. Panic gripped me.
“Fritz.”
I tapped his face repeatedly until his eyes fluttered open.
“…Your Highness?”
“Are you sick? What are you doing here?”
I pressed my hand to his forehead—damn it, he was burning up.
Without another thought, I dragged him to the bed and laid him down.
“Elza, bring dry towels, quickly—!”
“Wouldn’t it be faster to use magic, Your Highness?”
At those words, I froze like a statue.
