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Chapter 46
‘But the prince hasn’t seemed to be in a good mood these days, either.’
He even looked gloomy—almost as if he were troubled by something.
Wondering if the prince shared his own worries about Princess Marie, Joachim quietly sidled up to Friedrich, who stood nearby.
“Hey, Prince.”
Friedrich, who had been staring blankly at the princess, slowly turned his head. Joachim flinched when he saw the sorrowful expression on his face.
He hadn’t done anything, yet somehow he felt defeated. In pure “beauty,” Friedrich definitely had the upper hand.
‘So Her Highness likes this type of delicate, flower-like face.’
Joachim had been complimented in his own right, but Friedrich was truly a lily-pure beauty.
In truth, Joachim’s preferred aesthetic was the wild, beast-like look that was in vogue among the Empire’s aristocracy… but what could he do if the princess preferred faces like Friedrich’s?
Even his own style had gradually started to resemble Friedrich’s.
Of course, it wasn’t possible to change his bold, sharply defined features into something as delicate as Friedrich’s.
“You haven’t looked well lately. Don’t tell me… you’re jealous of Princess Marie?”
“……”
Friedrich shot him a crooked look—What nonsense are you talking about?
Ah, so he was embarrassed because Joachim hit the mark. Joachim chuckled and patted his back. Friedrich immediately slapped his hand away.
“It’s fine. I’ve also been—”
“I’d rather you not lump yourself with me. Who do you think you’re making out to be so petty?”
Joachim’s jaw dropped—apparently he was now the petty one.
“Oh, come off it. I’ve noticed how gloomy you’ve been lately.”
“…Have you been watching me? That’s creepy.”
“Keeping tabs on one’s rival is basic strategy.”
Joachim shrugged. Friedrich’s expression only twisted further, and he stepped back several paces as if he didn’t want to talk anymore.
‘Prickly brat.’
If only Her Highness would hurry up and see his true personality.
Thinking that, Joachim shifted his gaze to René, who was smiling warmly at Marie.
*
Friedrich had indeed been depressed lately, just as Joachim observed.
But it wasn’t, as Joachim claimed, because he was being petty and jealous of Princess Marie.
He could never feel such emotions toward someone who had lived a life so similar to his own—and was the princess’s younger sister at that.
His gloom had nothing to do with Marie. It was entirely his own problem.
The day after their bodies swapped at 12:15, he’d hoped that the next transformation would be delayed even longer.
But…
“…Midnight. On the dot.”
The next day, exactly at midnight, he reverted back into a child. Friedrich and René met eyes in stunned silence.
The ever-kind René looked as though she was wondering how to comfort him, but Friedrich felt only crushing self-loathing for making her worry.
“I’m fine.”
…Useless child.
“Sorry for disappointing you.”
“What? Don’t say that. You must be the one who’s disappointed.”
René pulled him into a hug, flustered. Normally, he would have been delighted, but that night it only made him sadder.
“It’s all right. Really.”
But he didn’t want her to worry, so he forced a smile and lied.
René didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t press the matter. She held him in her arms until she fell asleep.
“……”
Friedrich glanced at Joachim from the corner of his eye.
Joachim was of similar height and build, but with stronger facial lines that gave him a masculine charm. Even as a fellow man, Friedrich had to admit he was the kind of face women would swoon over.
Of course he felt anxious. If only he could become an adult at night, he would’ve sold his soul to a demon without hesitation.
Unfortunately, no such demon came to make a deal.
“Friedrich.”
René called him from a little distance away. He hurried to her side.
It was finally his turn.
He had originally been scheduled first, but he’d yielded his spot to Princess Marie, who was still recovering.
René looked him over, and a graceful smile curved her lips.
“You look very handsome today.”
Whenever she said things like that, Friedrich desperately wanted to believe her—truth didn’t matter.
He returned a small smile and sat beside her.
The court painter quickly started sketching.
He held his breath and stared straight ahead, trying to look as impressive as possible. When people someday wondered why the princess married a prince from a defeated nation, he hoped the portrait would provide at least some justification.
But soon he noticed René growing drowsy.
Her eyelids drooped and then snapped open; her chin dipped downward only for her to jerk her head back up.
Just as he was about to suggest they take a break—
Her head gently tipped sideways until it rested against his shoulder.
Friedrich froze.
Then, regaining composure, he pressed a finger to his lips and nodded at the painter, signaling him to continue without waking her.
He carefully leaned his shoulder toward her so she could sleep more comfortably.
How could she look so lovable, asleep on his shoulder like that?
His heart pounded violently. Heat spread up his face.
Gathering courage, he lightly held her hand.
He even wrapped his arm around her to support her better.
The painter clearly struggled with this unprecedented composition, yet continued sketching.
It didn’t matter. Even if Friedrich’s face didn’t appear at all, it was fine—it was their marriage portrait.
My princess.
Overwhelmed with joy just from the moment itself, all his recent gloom vanished.
Those pitiful insecurities faded instantly before someone so radiant.
Friedrich spent a long while simply gazing at René’s sleeping face.
And so, two hours passed in a flash.
The painter signaled they could rest, but Friedrich shook his head. The painter, resigned, continued working.
“Mm…”
René woke about an hour later.
At her soft groan, Friedrich tensed slightly and looked at her.
She blinked blankly, then suddenly jolted upright and stared at him.
“Did I—did I fall asleep?! How long was I out? Why didn’t you wake me?”
“It’s all right. It hasn’t been long.”
“Your Highness, the sketch is complete,”
the painter interjected cluelessly.
René looked startled, then her brows drooped in dismay.
“Oh no, I feel terrible. Should we redo it tomorrow?”
“I prefer today’s composition, actually.”
Friedrich shook his head. He didn’t want to make her endure another two hours of sitting still.
“But if you’d like two portraits, I would gladly accept them.”
He added, just a touch greedy. René chuckled softly and nodded.
“Shall we have dinner together? With those two waiting over there.”
Whatever she added afterward hardly mattered.
If it meant being by her side—
“Gladly.”
Any petty jealousy he felt lately was nothing in the face of moments like this.
*
“Goodness gracious, what is this?”
Later, when I received the preliminary draft of the portrait, I was utterly stunned.
Instead of the stately, solemn portrait typical of royalty, it looked more like a modern couple’s photo.
I was fast asleep with my head on Friedrich’s shoulder. Friedrich held me gently, his arm around me, gazing down at me tenderly.
“Is this really okay to use as a royal marriage portrait? Did Friedrich agree to this?”
“Yes.”
“Really? He’s fine with his face barely even showing?”
Elza looked like she had something to say. After hesitating a moment, she changed the subject instead.
“Well, Her Highness is the bride. No one will question it.”
“…That’s true.”
Honestly, I liked it too. It felt special.
“How long until it’s finished?”
“At least six months.”
“Six months?”
Would I even still be in the palace by then?
My expression faltered before I could stop it. Elza looked puzzled.
I quickly forced a smile.
“I’m just excited to see the final version. I’m sure it’ll be beautiful.”
Little did I know, I would be able to see the finished portrait before I left.
