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Chapter 13
“His Highness the Prince is entering!”
At the servant’s announcement from outside, everyone in the dining room instinctively turned their heads toward the door. The central doors opened, and Franz appeared.
At the innermost seat sat the King, with Winston Countess on his left, and the Queen and Crown Prince couple on his right, all smiling warmly as they welcomed Franz. Franz bowed respectfully.
“I’m late.”
“Late? You arrived right on time.”
With her ever-gentle smile, Countess Winston greeted him.
“Yes. Sit down.”
King Hendrick spoke in a dignified voice, signaling Franz to take his seat.
Franz walked briskly over and kissed Sylvia on the back of her hand.
“You’re as beautiful as ever, Aunt.”
“Oh, you. Still the same as always.”
Sylvia smiled broadly, embraced him briefly, then returned to her seat.
Franz then kissed Elisabeth on the cheek, who was sitting next to Sylvia, and whispered,
“You’re keeping your promise, right?”
Franz flashed a playful, affectionate smile. Elisabeth gave him a teasing glare that wasn’t truly displeased. Her expression finally softened with relief, as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
“It’s been a while, Your Highness the Crown Prince. Your Highness the Crown Princess.”
Franz met their eyes and nodded with a friendly smile.
“It really has been a long time, little brother.”
Frederick’s face carried genuine affection for his younger brother.
He was a handsome man in his own right, attracting attention from the entire kingdom as the Crown Prince. The two brothers resembled each other in appearance, but while Franz had softer, more refined features, Frederick’s were more rugged.
At Franz’s playful remark—half complaint—Frederick shrugged.
“I’ve really been busy.”
“Brother, you’re even more tanned. Summer hasn’t even started yet—what are you going to do?”
Frederick, who enjoyed tennis, golf, and rowing, had a noticeably sun-darkened complexion.
He often trained outdoors even under the blazing midsummer sun. His well-built physique gave off an undeniably strong masculine presence.
In contrast, Franz’s fair skin made his slightly sun-kissed bronze complexion stand out even more.
“Want to train with me?”
Frederick brushed his face as he asked. Franz immediately shook his head.
“I’d rather avoid sweaty workouts with a bunch of sweaty men.”
“You really… Honestly. Want to go horseback riding tomorrow? It’s been a while.”
Franz, who enjoyed horseback riding, nodded at Frederick’s suggestion.
Once everyone was seated, dishes began to arrive on the table.
“Aunt, you must be hungry after such a long journey. Please, eat.”
As the meal began, they exchanged updates on each other’s lives. Since it was a private gathering, they spoke informally and comfortably.
“Your Majesty looks in good health.”
At Sylvia’s compliment, the King responded in good spirits.
“And you, Aunt, are looking better and better yourself. The Margrave must still be treating you well.”
“Now you’re teasing your old aunt.”
Though she said that, Sylvia smiled happily. Her expression carried the glow of someone deeply loved.
“As one gets older, the body isn’t what it used to be.”
“The Margrave is well, I assume?”
“Yes. He is healthy.”
Sylvia had once been the jewel of high society in her youth. She fell in love at first sight with Gerald Winston, the Margrave guarding the borderlands. The feeling was mutual. They married for love and had lived affectionately ever since.
“I thought you might come together this year.”
Queen Elisabeth said with a hint of regret.
“I intended to… but, hmm.”
Sylvia paused and took a sip of water. The corners of her mouth twitched upward as if suppressing a smile.
“Aunt. Did something good happen?”
At Frederick’s question, everyone looked at her expectantly.
Sylvia suddenly burst into quiet laughter. Seeing her bright expression, everyone’s eyes widened.
“I’m going to be a grandmother soon.”
At her words, everyone brightened with joy.
“Oh my! Congratulations!”
“Aunt, congratulations!”
The King and Queen offered their congratulations warmly, followed by the Crown Prince couple and Franz.
However, while accepting their congratulations with a smile, Sylvia was not entirely free of mixed emotions. It was because of Franz, whom she deeply adored.
He was her favorite nephew. Unlike Frederick, who was already married, Franz always worried her. It seemed like he had lost interest in marriage after being tied to the past.
She bit her lip lightly, thinking it was all Chloe’s fault.
‘No matter how young she was, to make such a foolish decision… tsk.’
Chloe had rejected Franz to marry King Altria, who was said to be in poor health. In Sylvia’s mind, it was nothing but a foolish choice.
Even if Chloe were to regret it now, the ship had already sailed.
This year, during the three months she would stay in Villen, Sylvia resolved to find a suitable noblewoman for Franz and finally get him married.
After the meal, they moved to the tea room.
“Franz. Any good news this year?”
Sylvia took a sip of tea and looked at him seriously.
“……”
Franz felt as if the tea he swallowed might choke him.
The real interrogation had begun.
And for Franz, the real ordeal.
He had already anticipated this from the moment he arrived, so he casually shifted attention to Frederick.
“I don’t think it’ll happen for me this year either. Ah! Brother, I heard there’s good news in the royal family? Congratulations.”
Frederick had married three years ago to the talented and beautiful daughter of the Duke of Merriweather, considered the ideal crown princess.
They had not had a child until now, but she was finally pregnant, which made everyone’s attention shift.
“Cough.”
Frederick cleared his throat awkwardly under everyone’s gaze. Sitting beside him, Crown Princess Diane’s face turned visibly red.
Soon, both of them softened into warm smiles. It was enough to make anyone watching smile in return.
“Oh! I almost forgot. I heard the news and was so happy!”
Sylvia’s face lit up with joy. She was thrilled by the news of the royal pregnancy.
“The doctor says she is about one month along.”
Frederick replied.
“This is a blessing for the royal family and for Lapland. The Crown Princess is in the early stages, so take great care of her and the child.”
“We will.”
Diane answered obediently.
“The Crown Prince must take good care of her until she gives birth.”
“Leave it to me.”
Satisfied, Sylvia smiled warmly.
“And now, only Franz remains.”
Just as the attention shifted away from Sylvia’s earlier joy, the arrows turned back to Franz.
“Does Franz still go out often? Your reputation in Pellington is quite something. When are you getting married, Franz?”
With a smiling tone, Sylvia asked.
Franz gave the same answer he had given every year.
“I have no intention of getting married at the moment.”
Elisabeth let out a quiet sigh at his utterly unconvincing tone.
“You should settle down soon. How long do you plan to live like this? A man should build a family.”
Franz wanted to live like this forever if possible. But he wasn’t foolish enough to say that in front of his mother, who was desperate to marry him off.
Especially not with Aunt Sylvia, his mother’s strongest ally, present.
“Franz. There’s nothing more important than filial duty. You should marry like your brother and live a stable life. Everything has its timing.”
Sylvia said gently.
He was, after all, rather late for a royal bachelor. Knowing they worried about him, he stayed silent.
“Don’t you have anyone you’re seriously seeing?”
Sylvia asked with concern.
Franz smiled faintly.
“If a woman I love enough to marry appears, I’ll consider it then.”
“A royal marrying for love? How extravagant.”
King Hendrick frowned.
But this time, Franz pushed back.
“Coming from the two of you, that’s quite a statement.”
When his father had been Crown Prince, there had apparently been another noblewoman chosen as his fiancée. But he had fallen in love with his mother and pursued her relentlessly, eventually marrying her.
Hearing such a comment from his father made Franz’s elegant face tighten slightly.
Hendrick was momentarily speechless.
“……”
Franz continued calmly.
“I grew up watching my parents love each other deeply and consistently. That’s what I want for myself as well. So don’t force me into a loveless marriage.”
Everyone stared at him in silence.
Looking at them, Franz thought quietly:
‘…That should do it.’
