SPWHC 35

Chapter 35

“Congratulations on your marriage, Princess.”

Another voice suddenly cut in.

I instinctively turned my head, and there stood Emperor Otto with Empress Gisela at his side. The three of us immediately bent our knees and paid our respects to the imperial couple.

“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”

“Hm. But I didn’t expect Duke Rommel to show up here.”

Emperor Otto looked genuinely surprised as he stared at Joachim. Joachim simply flashed a bright smile and pressed himself right up against my side.

“Of course I had to be here, Your Majesty. It’s the wedding of the lady I serve.”

“…Which is precisely why most people wouldn’t come. I didn’t realize you were such an unusual person.”

“Is it really acceptable for the Empire’s only duke to live as nothing more than the princess’s consort? People will gossip.”

Empress Gisela asked with feigned concern but unmistakable sharpness. Before I could say anything, Joachim stepped forward.

“Of course it’s acceptable. Just as serving as the emperor’s consort is an honorable position, protecting Her Highness’s side is the greatest honor I could have.”

“Oh my, are you comparing the princess to His Majesty now?”

“I wouldn’t dare. I merely meant that they share the same glorious blood of the mighty Stade imperial family.”

With that, Joachim smiled sweetly and kissed the empress’s hand.

His flawless etiquette made the empress stare at him with open displeasure before she shifted her gaze to me.

“The princess must be pleased. Having such beauties on both sides—anyone would envy you.”

“My jaw practically aches from smiling.”

“Well then, may you build a prosperous household, Renée.”

With a face that seemed to question whether it was appropriate to offer such blessings when the bride’s “lover” stood right beside her, the emperor awkwardly gave his congratulations and left.

“Congratulations on your wedding, Your Highness. M-may your marriage be harmonious.”

Everyone who came to greet me after that also faltered when they saw Joachim planted at my side, giving me similarly unsure well-wishes.

“Are you planning on staying here, Duke? You’re making people uncomfortable.”

I finally asked, unable to hold it in anymore. Joachim averted his eyes and murmured,

“I was just quietly standing here to assist you, Princess…”

“Friedrich is here. I don’t need you. Go back to Renée Palace.”

After pushing Joachim out, I glanced at Friedrich—and his expression was not good.

I sighed softly and cupped his cheek to make him look at me. He startled slightly and met my eyes.

“Did Duke Rommel upset you?”

“Ah…”

Friedrich’s gaze trembled faintly before he shook his head. I released his cheek.

“Then is it because of what was said earlier? About the imperial succession?”

“…”

He pressed his lips tightly together and stared straight at me. I didn’t avoid his gaze.

“Do you… want to become emperor’s consort someday?”

Friedrich looked utterly baffled and shook his head.

Then what is it? I stared at him, confused, when he suddenly grabbed my hand.

“Your answer earlier… was it sincere?”

“What answer?”

“Do you swear to cherish, love, and respect Friedrich Kiel?”

He recited the marriage vow from the ceremony word for word.

I was briefly startled that he remembered something I had said purely out of formality.

“…For a lifetime.”

When he added that, I was momentarily speechless. He watched me anxiously and asked in a timid voice,

“Was that sincere?”

Oh. So he was worried I might not keep my promise—about freeing him once my goal was achieved?

Realizing this, I smiled brightly and shook my head reassuringly.

“You know it was just something I had to say. I couldn’t exactly say ‘no’ in that situation.”

I ruffled his stiff hair gently.

“Don’t worry. I remember my promise. Once I achieve my goal, I’ll set you free.”

“…That goal.”

Friedrich’s eyes turned red, and in a trembling voice, he asked,

“You mean… withdrawing from the line of succession?”

“Yeah. Once Anton becomes crown prince.”

“…”

“Then you’re free.”

At that, Friedrich’s expression emptied completely. He looked even more grave than before.

I couldn’t tell what on earth I had said wrong. I frowned and asked,

“What’s the problem? Why do you look like that?”

“…Becoming emperor.”

Friedrich spoke after a beat—saying something completely shocking.

“Can’t you do that?”

“What?”

For a moment I could only blink.

“So you did want to be emperor’s consort?”

“I don’t need anything like that.”

Friedrich shook his head firmly. I stared at him, even more confused.

“I just…”

He bit his lower lip.

“I just want to stay by your side.”

It took me a moment to fully process his words. He gripped the hem of my dress tightly.

I looked blankly at his hand, then at his face.

His violet eyes were turning red, glistening with tears, shining even more beautifully.

“Please don’t throw me away.”

His voice trembled with desperate pleading. My heart dropped like a stone.

That strange and unfamiliar feeling I’d sensed last night when I looked into his eyes surfaced again.

“Don’t abandon me.”

He had begged me like this once before, but his expression now was far more devastated. Naturally, I was more flustered.

The tears filling his eyes finally spilled over, falling one by one as he lowered his head.

Guests nearby began whispering.

“Did the princess just make the prince cry? At her own reception?”

“Seems like it. What kind of horrible thing did she say to stab him in the heart like that?”

“Did she tell him she’d divorce him immediately if he kept acting stupid?”

Excuse me? Why is everyone painting me as some heartless monster?

…Though to be fair, Renée might have said something like that.

“Fritz.”

I deliberately used his nickname as I cupped his cheek again. He looked up at me, face completely red and eyes trembling.

More whispering erupted nearby—violent speculation, of course.

“Is she grabbing his cheek to slap him?”

“She’s not about to punch him, right?”

“Do you hear that? My image is plummeting because of you.”

At my sighing remark, Friedrich immediately looked stricken and panicked.

I leaned in close, until our breaths brushed.

“So this is partly your fault too. Endure it.”

Before the bewildered light in his eyes fully took shape, I closed my eyes and kissed him.

Confession: I’ve never had a relationship before. Never even kissed a man, not once.

But this was Renée’s body. And this body knew exactly what to do the moment lips touched.

Which meant everything that happened next was entirely Renée Stade’s fault—not mine.

I only intended to give him a light peck.

But before I realized it, my lips parted his, and I kissed him deeper.

He was so shocked he froze completely.

I didn’t care. I wound my arms around him, pulling his rigid body close.

Friedrich jolted slightly and tried to back away, but I held his shoulders gently, showing everyone our relationship in no uncertain terms.

As if we were alone in the world—the music faded, the noise faded, everything went still.

I kissed him softly a few more times before finally pulling away.

My palms were burning hot. One look at Friedrich’s face, and I understood why.

He was so red it made me wonder if he was still physically okay, like he might explode any second.

“Let’s go back to Renée Palace.”

I brushed my thumb over his smudged lipstick, and it vanished as if nothing happened.

Then I added brightly,

“Now everyone will understand.”