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Chapter 27
“Why?”
When I asked curiously, Friedrich quickly changed his expression into a smile and shook his head.
“I’m just happy that you’re worried about me.”
“You’re happy about the weirdest things. I’m just impressed you sewed with those tiny hands of yours.”
I gave a small laugh and turned my gaze back to the doll. No matter how many times I looked, it was astonishing craftsmanship.
Since the needle was about the size of a miniature sword, maybe he was good at handling it. He could’ve become a great designer if he wanted to.
“When His Majesty asks what you’ll do in the countryside, you can tell him you’ll open a dress shop.”
“The countryside?”
He looked puzzled at my offhand comment. I paused briefly, then smiled and shook my head.
“It’s nothing.”
Going to the countryside was only my plan. Friedrich should go meet his first love.
Of course, that’ll be after the divorce.
“I didn’t know you were this good with your hands. You weren’t this skilled when you tried knitting before, were you?”
“K–Knitting was my first time, that’s why.”
Friedrich’s voice sounded slightly flustered. Guess he was embarrassed.
“I often sewed when I was in the Kingdom of Kiel.”
“Really?”
“There wasn’t much to do in solitary confinement besides reading or sewing.”
That made my heart ache a little. I pursed my lips and silently patted his head.
“That’s admirable. Instead of wasting away, you actually did something.”
“……”
Friedrich said nothing and simply leaned into my hand.
A quiet moment passed, and just as I started to feel embarrassed for being too affectionate—
Knock knock.
The door opened, and an unexpected figure appeared.
“Duke Rommel?”
“There you are, Your Highness.”
Joachim approached with a smiling face—and noticed my hand on Friedrich’s head.
Feeling embarrassed, I tried to pull my hand back, but Joachim caught my other hand, the one not on Friedrich’s head, and gently kissed it.
“It is an honor to behold Lady Renée, the radiant star of Stade and the one blessed by God.”
“Why the sudden formality?”
“As long as I am under Your Highness’s grace, such respect is only proper.”
He replied casually, but his gaze flicked again to Friedrich’s head.
Feeling awkward, I withdrew both hands and asked,
“What brings you here? I heard you haven’t left your quarters once.”
“I couldn’t possibly wander freely through the palace when Your Highness was away.”
“Well… You’re not exactly a guest anymore, so you don’t need to be that cautious.”
At that, Joachim stared blankly at me. What’s with that face?
“What are you getting emotional about now?”
“You said I’m not a guest.”
Joachim’s voice trembled slightly.
“I’d thought of myself as one.”
“A mistress’s man isn’t a guest.”
“The Duke truly is like a beautiful statue.”
That was when Friedrich, who had been silent, suddenly spoke. Joachim’s emotional smile cracked.
“Don’t you agree, Duke? You’re like one of those sculptures at the palace gate that occasionally bring joy to Her Highness.”
“Occasionally?”
“Well, since you’re often away on business.”
Friedrich smiled politely as he added,
“Unlike me, who idly waits for Her Highness.”
It sounded like a compliment, but somehow there was an undercurrent of mockery. Still, Joachim only smiled again.
“Then I must try harder. After all, as her husband, I can’t exactly bring Her Highness nightly pleasure.”
At that, Friedrich’s face went blank, and I smacked Joachim’s arm.
“Enough already! Before I throw both of you out.”
Both men fell silent immediately. Honestly, the two of them were like soul twins sometimes.
“Why don’t you get along this well when I’m not around?”
Both of them crossed their arms and made it abundantly clear they didn’t like that idea. I personally thought they could be great friends if they tried.
“So, what were you doing?”
“Oh, you came just in time!”
I was delighted to have someone new to show off to and eagerly held up the doll.
“Look, Duke Rommel! The prince made this based on my wedding dress sketches. Isn’t it amazing? He finished it all in just a few days!”
“Indeed. Very meticulous and delicate work. The prince must have plenty of time on his hands.”
Joachim smiled faintly.
“I think the second doll suits Your Highness best.”
The one he pointed to wore an empire-line wedding dress — elegant and refined, like something a goddess from an ancient myth might wear.
The veil, on the other hand, was lace with camellia and radiating floral embroidery along the rounded edges, giving it a touch of grandeur.
He probably chose it because it resembled the dress I wore at the victory parade.
“I actually think the fifth one would suit Her Highness better,” Friedrich countered immediately.
That one was a bell-line gown, adorned with delicate floral decorations across the bodice and a large peony corsage at the waist — luxurious and romantic, like something out of a fairytale.
It had rich lace all over, making it truly fit for a princess. The veil was simple, transparent tulle — understated compared to the dress.
“While making them, I felt that the fifth one would best capture Your Highness’s grace and nobility.”
“Then that’s all the more reason to go with the second one. The prince’s taste seems a bit too old-fashioned.”
“Whereas the Duke’s taste seems rather gaudy, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Alright, enough.”
I frowned and stepped between them.
“To me, they’re both beautiful.”
Great — now apparently I have both old-fashioned and gaudy taste.
As I muttered that, both men widened their eyes.
“I–I misspoke. The second one does have a classic elegance… It was too narrow-minded of me.”
Joachim also seemed flustered and quickly added,
“The fifth one’s quite nice too. I believe such designs were fashionable in the Kingdom of Kiel, weren’t they? As expected, Your Highness has an extraordinary eye for new styles.”
“So which one do I pick? I can’t wear both.”
I looked between them, hoping they’d reach an agreement.
Instead, they looked at each other and gave matching strained smiles.
“Still, the fifth…”
“No, the second…”
“Oh, I’ve got it.”
A perfect compromise popped into my head.
I picked up the doll Joachim had chosen. Friedrich’s eyes wavered.
Joachim’s face, triumphant for a moment, quickly froze when I placed the doll Friedrich had chosen on top, combining the veil from one with the dress of the other.
“In that case, this is it. Decision made. Thank you, both.”
I shrugged and left the room, leaving the two stunned men behind.
Before I went, I made sure to quietly lock the door from the outside.
That evening, Joachim Rommel’s bath lasted unusually long. After all, he had been locked in a room alone with the slave from Kiel, which he considered a contamination of sorts.
The mischievous princess had waited a full hour before releasing him — an hour that had felt like a lifetime.
Truly, she’s incorrigible.
Shaking his head, Joachim’s lips curved into a faint smile.
Come to think of it, she had always been that way — since childhood, once she set her mind on something, she would see it through.
Though born to become the Empire’s only duke, even he could not compare to her pride and brilliance.
The unparalleled, glorious star of Stade.
That was why his bath took so long — tonight would be his first night alone in service to his princess.
It was his first time, though certainly not hers. Naturally, Joachim was nervous.
But he had prepared well for this moment. How fortunate he hadn’t entered the palace too soon. He only hoped he wouldn’t disappoint her.
And then, suddenly, the door burst open.
In this palace, only one person would dare to enter like that.
“Your Highness.”
More dazzling than the sun, more beautiful than the moon, more radiant than any star — his princess, his Renée.
