SPWHC 05

Chapter 05

I couldn’t answer right away to such a sharp question, and Friedrich turned his head to look at me.

“I don’t understand. It’s good for me if Your Highness shows me affection, but it will only harm you…”

“Then that’s fine.”

Friedrich blinked in confusion.

“You said it’s good for you. Then that’s all that matters, isn’t it?”

When I gave him a look that told him not to ask further, realization dawned on his face.

“…My apologies. I spoke out of turn.”

He bowed deeply and apologized in a small voice. Seeing those cherry-like lips biting themselves made me feel oddly uncomfortable.

‘Get a grip.’

Even if he looks this gentle now, there’s no way he doesn’t resent me—the invader who destroyed his kingdom. I don’t need to show him all my cards.

Just because I’ve decided to marry Friedrich doesn’t mean I can treat him like a real partner or ally in life.

But still…

“I’ll make you one promise.”

That much, at least, I could tell him. Friedrich slowly lifted his head to look at me.

“Once I achieve my goal, I’ll set you free.”

His eyes widened. Seeing his disbelief, I added with a faint smile:

“I mean it. You’ll live a life not bound by anyone.”

Once I retire to the countryside, I’ll divorce Friedrich.

That way, he can meet his destined first love—the one who breaks his curse.

“So? That’s not such a bad deal for you, right? Just keep cooperating with me.”

“How should I…”

“Like before. Even if I say or do something a bit embarrassing, endure it.”

“…”

“If you don’t like it, it’s fine to show it honestly. People will just think you’re feeling humiliated.”

Friedrich nodded slowly. I patted his head approvingly.

He flinched for a moment, then seemed to remember what I’d said earlier and obediently let me continue.

“That’s it, just like that.”

I was smiling fondly at how docile he looked when suddenly he raised his head slightly and met my eyes.

“…Huh?”

The look in his eyes wasn’t defiant or ashamed—it was something else entirely, something hard to describe. I froze without realizing it.

‘Did he just use his charm to tell me to stop?’

For a moment, I thought I might actually fall for this boy—not as an act, but for real.

…Yeah, right.

“Hi there. You’re adorable again today.”

The moment midnight struck, Friedrich had turned back into a child—and I couldn’t help but laugh.

He frowned and glared at me, but a little boy’s glare isn’t exactly intimidating.

“Did you use the bathroom? Had some water? Remember, you can’t leave the tent before dawn.”

To keep others from discovering the magic on him, the tent had to stay closed all night.

Given the “passionate newlyweds” image we’d created, no one would dare intrude anyway.

“I’m well aware. You needn’t worry, Your Highness.”

The boy replied sulkily, lips jutting out. I almost reached to tug on them but decided he’d get angry.

Oddly enough, Friedrich seemed moodier after midnight. He wasn’t even old enough for puberty yet.

“Alright then, let’s sleep.”

I lay down beside him, but couldn’t fall asleep. When I quietly opened my eyes, Friedrich’s eyes met mine.

He startled and quickly turned away. I laughed.

“You can’t sleep either? Want me to sing you a lullaby?”

“I’m not a child, Your Highness.”

Hearing that from a little boy trying to sound dignified nearly made me burst out laughing.

I bit my lip to keep from smiling, but he must’ve noticed because his face turned bright red.

Then he yanked the blanket over his head, covering his entire face. He had no idea how adorable that was.

“Aren’t you suffocating in there?”

At that, Friedrich slowly lowered the blanket to his nose.

…This is insane. How can anyone be this cute?

I almost lost it laughing but barely managed to stay calm.

“Sleep well, my little one. In the front yard and the back garden…”

“I told you, I don’t need a lullaby.”

“Who said it’s for you? I just feel like singing.”

I sang stubbornly, and Friedrich didn’t look convinced. He shot me another glare before closing his eyes tightly.

It worked like a charm. Soon, I heard the sound of his steady breathing. Smiling to myself, I gently patted his head.

The journey back to the capital passed much the same way after that.

We knitted together in the carriage; at mealtimes, Friedrich would get stepped on under the table and then feed me bites of food.

The sight of us must’ve been so entertaining that people from the procession kept gathering at mealtimes to watch.

“Because his face is interesting,”

Elsa explained in her usual deadpan tone.

“If the Kingdom of Kiel had exhibited the prince instead of hiding him, they could’ve made a fortune.”

“You say human rights violations so casually, Elsa…”

“But Your Highness agrees, doesn’t she?”

I replied with a smug smile worthy of Princess René.

“That’s why I claimed him as my spoils of war. Such a rare and precious jewel—I’ll be the only one to admire it.”

Of course, Friedrich wasn’t around for these conversations.

Even he couldn’t possibly attend me during my bath.

“I honestly thought you would,” Elsa remarked.

“Are you insane?”

“Why not? You’ve already seen everything, after all.”

“Ugh, stop. I’d rather you—”

That’s when it happened. A chill crept up the back of my neck.

It wasn’t the cold of drying water—it was something sharper, darker.

“What’s wrong?”

Elsa must’ve noticed my change in demeanor.

Though my magic was gone, my instinct for sensing killing intent remained.

I forced a smile.

“Let’s head back. It’s getting cold.”

Someone dared to target the emperor’s triumphal procession—to assassinate the imperial princess.

Given how many enemies I had, it wasn’t surprising. They probably thought I was defenseless while bathing.

The problem was, if I fought back now and survived, the whole empire would know I’d lost my magic.

That would be a death sentence in itself.

‘Avoid them!’

I hastily threw on a robe and stepped out of the stream. From afar, I could sense two hostile energies clashing violently.

‘…What?’

Confused, I froze. Then, suddenly, the energy vanished.

After a while, I heard rustling in the forest. Someone was pushing through the bushes toward me. I tensed and focused on the sound—

“…Fritz?”

It was Friedrich.

He was coming toward me, a cut on his cheek. I stared at him, startled.

He, too, froze for a second when he saw me standing there in just a robe.

“Come here.”

After a brief, awkward silence, I spoke first. Friedrich hesitated, then slowly approached—but stopped a short distance away.

I motioned for him to come closer, and he did. I examined the wound on his cheek.

A scratch on that national-treasure face! I cupped his face in dismay.

“…Well,”

he began hesitantly,

“I wasn’t coming here on purpose, but I saw suspicious men heading your way, so I—”

“Came to check on me because you were worried?”

He didn’t answer. But I smiled as though he had.

“You know I’m strong, right?”

I couldn’t hide the warmth in my voice.

“And yet you still came to protect me?”

“I didn’t come to protect you, I—”

“Friedrich.”

I cut off his excuse and said,

“You did well.”

My hand moved from his cheek to rest on his head, patting him gently like one might a loyal puppy.

“From now on, keep protecting me. That’s your duty as my husband.”

“…”

“Understood?”

Friedrich looked puzzled.

“But Your Highness doesn’t need my protection.”

“I do.”

I answered immediately.

“I need you to protect me, Fritz.”