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Chapter 2
Please Give Me Your Highness
By nature, an illegitimate princess is only useful as a pawn in a political marriage.
“Reports say the movements of the western border counts have been unusual, Your Majesty. To firmly bind them to the royal family, nothing works better than a political marriage. Sending the Fourth Princess to one of them would surely strengthen our ties.”
“But there is no suitable candidate. Most are old or already married…”
“They say Count Marbo has been widowed for over a year. If Your Majesty personally arranges for his next wife, the Marbo family will surely consider it an honor.”
Empress Katharina took advantage of the moment when Cedric had left the palace.
She whispered into the Emperor’s ear about the unusual movements of the border nobles.
“Even though the Crown Prince has gone to inspect the borders, this is the state of affairs? They must be slacking off in their duties.”
“The Fourth Princess is now of suitable age for marriage, so it’s time she contributes to Celestin’s glory.”
Whether the Emperor took her words at face value was unknown.
One thing was certain: the Emperor reacted positively to the idea of a political marriage with the western border counts.
As a result, before the morning cock crowed, rumors had already spread throughout the palace:
That Odette would be sent off to become Count Marbo’s next wife.
But did that mean Odette was doomed to misfortune?
While the choice for the count’s next wife circulated as an open secret, by sheer chance, a perfect opportunity for Odette’s marriage appeared.
It was truly by chance.
“Louis can’t provide the investment funds? What do you mean by that?!”
“They say there’s absolutely nothing that can be done. No matter how many times we ask, it’s the same answer.”
Exhausted after wandering around in search of a way to avoid a political marriage, Odette had found herself in an empty place—and overheard this conversation.
‘Louis?’
It was easy to identify the person being discussed from the conversation.
Odette had heard the name Louis before: Louis Clovis, the young blond who had recently inherited the countship after the death of the previous Count Clovis.
‘I’ve heard he’s sociable and open-minded.’
In other words, he was either charmingly social or, less flatteringly, unpretentious for a high-ranking noble.
For a young nobleman, such traits weren’t considered major faults, and generally, he had a decent reputation.
But this time, the atmosphere seemed tense.
Peeking slightly, she saw Louis’ friends frowning as they spoke.
“The old matriarch still doesn’t trust Louis, it seems.”
“You mean the grandmother?”
“Yes. She said she won’t hand over the estate until Louis marries. That’s causing him quite a problem.”
“Damn that old woman.”
One of them muttered this with a twisted expression.
Finally, Odette understood the situation.
Under imperial law, when the head of a noble house passed away, the eldest direct family member would manage the estate for three years.
Currently, the Clovis estate was controlled by…
‘The Clovis Matriarch.’
She was Louis’ grandmother and a prominent figure respected throughout high society.
Apparently, she refused to hand over the estate until her unreliable grandson married.
“Then he should just get married, right?”
“Not just anyone. It has to be someone acceptable to the grandmother, or she won’t approve.”
“It’s absurd—he’s not a toddler!”
“They’re strict because Louis is so flamboyant, I guess.”
Though he wasn’t serious with any one woman, rumors of affairs had exceeded ten women—classic playboy behavior.
“Then he should just seriously date someone.”
“Apparently, he doesn’t like frustrating women like his grandmother.”
“What a problem. He doesn’t want to marry, but he can’t get the estate without it.”
“Then he should find someone compatible, someone who could understand his affairs.”
“That’s ridiculous. Who would tolerate that?”
The man laughed and lightly patted his friend on the back:
“If such a person existed, he’d marry immediately!”
They resumed their discussion about investment funds, laughing and joking—completely unaware that Odette, shocked, was listening from across the corner.
‘Louis Clovis needs a marriage partner?’
Odette’s mind was filled with disbelief.
It wasn’t that Louis was a playboy—it was what she overheard next.
‘He needs a partner because the Clovis Matriarch demands it.’
The partner had to be high-status, without scandal, and someone who could tolerate Louis’ flirtatious nature.
‘In that case…’
Isn’t that perfect for me?
Odette instinctively stepped back and covered her mouth with her hand.
It felt like a stroke of luck had been thrown at her.
‘I thought I was going to be sold off as a count’s next wife without a choice.’
Just moments ago, she had been seeking ways to avoid a political marriage.
- Duke Pavel, is there really no other way? You’re my brother’s uncle. There’s nowhere else I can turn but you.
- As I said, the only way to avoid a political marriage is for Your Highness to marry someone else—someone who could replace the border count. How could we possibly find such a person immediately?
No noble would want to marry an illegitimate princess. High-ranking nobles had no reason, and the Emperor wouldn’t accept anyone lower.
- Then hold your silence until the Crown Prince returns. Under imperial law, no noble can propose to a royal first.
Indeed, imperial law stated that no one could propose to royalty unless the royal first expressed intent. This acted as a final defense for those who would otherwise be sacrificed in political marriages.
- So even if His Majesty arranges a marriage, if you remain silent…
- They’ll pressure me in every way until I speak. Unless I choose to marry someone suitable, there’s no solution.
Even Duke Pavel could risk intervening to prevent Odette’s marriage, but she wasn’t that valuable.
‘I’m just a guard set to observe while my brother is away.’
Thus, Odette knew she had to comply with the Emperor’s arranged marriage—even if it was terrifying.
But…
‘If I could marry Count Clovis, everything would change.’
If Louis agreed to marry her, the Emperor would certainly approve.
The Clovis family was influential, and having a daughter as support would be a small price for gaining such a powerful ally.
The Matriarch would also have no reason to object if Louis married a royal princess like Odette.
‘So if I propose conditions to Count Clovis, he’ll agree.’
The conditions were simple:
- After marriage, Louis would not interfere with her freedom regarding his affairs.
- In exchange, Louis would allow Odette to leave the palace.
There was no reason for either side to refuse.
Of course, with conditions, it was more of a contract than a marriage—but a contract was fine.
‘Of course… I know Louis isn’t the ideal match.’
Some might think marrying a playboy is foolish, but Odette had never demanded much from a husband.
In fact, for someone who just wanted to live quietly outside the palace, he was perfect.
‘A man without ambition or desire for power.’
Well-mannered, good-looking, financially comfortable.
‘The only flaw is his high status…’
Marrying high status meant a quiet life wouldn’t be easy, but there was no other option.
Better to grasp a thorny path than stay trapped.
‘There’s no perfect marriage for me anyway.’
If she was going to be used as a political pawn, she might as well sell herself on her own terms.
‘This is the best condition I can get.’
Odette resolved herself internally.
A week passed. She attended Walter’s victory banquet, discreetly passed a note to Louis, and waited at the appointed meeting place. Everything seemed to go smoothly.
Until Walter suddenly interfered.
After Louis closed the door and left:
“What… what is this…”
Odette couldn’t hide her shock.
Everything seemed unreal.
A man she thought wouldn’t even speak to her had somehow blocked her path—and now proposed marriage.
Even if it were the fantasy of a naive debutante, it was too much.
She wished it were only a fantasy—then she could enjoy it. She could admire that handsome face.
‘He is very handsome…’
But the problem was, she didn’t know what he might do with that face.
Walter’s interference had already ruined her plan.
‘I shouldn’t have even gotten involved.’
But Odette, drawn in by Walter’s knowing attitude, found herself caught.
Clutching her confused mind, she asked:
“…Why me?”
“I said I wanted Your Highness. Do you need a reason beyond that?”
“Of course. Because you…”
Odette trailed off unconsciously.
She remembered the voice of the Third Princess, Regina, whom she had overheard at the banquet:
- Duke Ertman must be interested in me. I can tell just by how kind he is.
Odette knew that Regina and Walter had met a few times, and she had heard Regina talk about him daily.
But mentioning Regina in front of Walter would make things awkward, so she carefully skirted the topic:
“…But you have someone you’re seeing.”
“I’m not seeing anyone.”
“You’re not?”
“No. So now I’d like to discuss your proposal.”
Walter’s “proposal” was clear: a contract marriage.
Odette thought for a moment before speaking:
“Contract marriage, you say?”
“As you heard.”
“Then what are the terms?”
“Give me Your Highness. That’s all.”
