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Chapter 11
“Your Highness the Princess. It seems His Highness Grand Duke Fraus has just arrived at the Imperial Palace,” Emma said while brushing my hair.
I had thought he might deliberately stage some kind of carriage accident on the way, but it seemed he had arrived more obediently than expected.
Does that mean he really wants to break off the engagement as quickly as possible?
“That’s a relief. Emma, please help me prepare.”
I, too, was only thinking of meeting Grand Duke Fraus as soon as possible and presenting my proposal.
But Emma, interpreting my impatience in her own way, ended up dressing me far more extravagantly than usual.
Well, to others, I was about to meet the man I’d had a long, one-sided love for.
It wasn’t strange that Emma was getting more excited than I was and placing ornate accessories in my hair.
Ssshh—
After finishing my preparation with perfume, Emma clasped both hands together and spoke playfully.
“Your Highness… you’re truly beautiful. I’m sure Grand Duke Fraus will be moved as well.”
“Thank you, Emma.”
Would that so-called depraved man even care about my appearance?
I swallowed the words I almost blurted out and stood up.
I was to attend the audience where the Grand Duke, who had arrived in the capital, would formally greet the Emperor.
“Princess Frey. This way.”
As I entered the main hall, my father’s secretary guided me to a corner seat.
A place where I would not stand out.
A blind spot where, even if people whispered about me, I wouldn’t notice.
Whenever members of the imperial family and great nobles gathered, my mother and I always took such seats.
Today… I was alone.
—
“Mother, I can’t see very well.”
When I said that as a very young child, my mother would pat me as I sat on her lap and answer:
“Frey. You love your father, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Then let’s sit quietly here today. If we take the Emperor’s side on a day like this, it’ll put your father in a difficult position.”
“….”
“Instead, when we’re elsewhere, stay close to your father. Alright?”
Even as a child, I think I understood what she meant.
I was an imperial princess, but I shouldn’t insist on a good seat and make my father uncomfortable.
I also didn’t want my mother to be left alone in a corner like this.
More than anything, I was afraid of the disdainful gazes of those who occupied the bright seats.
But now, the reason I endured this seat was different.
“Grand Duke Daniel Fraus greets His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of the Empire.”
With his entrance, people erupted in cheers.
I couldn’t see the Grand Duke from where I sat, but I could clearly see noble ladies falling into rapture.
I wanted to step into the light and see what kind of man he was, but I held myself back.
Soon, I received the news I had been waiting for.
“Princess Frey… just now, a man came and gave me this.”
Emma glanced at me cautiously and handed over a letter.
—
Princess Frey.
I would like to meet you briefly before the welcoming banquet begins. I will be waiting at the glass greenhouse in the detached palace.
— Daniel Fraus
—
He’s approaching faster than I expected.
As expected, staying out of sight was the best way to attract attention from others.
—
There wasn’t much time between the Grand Duke’s greeting and the welcoming banquet.
I couldn’t explain my entire plan in detail to him.
I had to be as concise as possible, and hope my proposals would appeal to him.
Stepping into the glass greenhouse of the detached palace, I immediately spotted Daniel Fraus and thought unconsciously:
Wow… just as rumored, he really shines.
Seated perfectly upright in a military uniform buttoned all the way to the top, Daniel looked like a statue from a grand temple.
Silvery-blue hair that shimmered faintly, and deep violet eyes that felt almost otherworldly.
Maybe he really did look like a “pure, noble man untouched by vice,” just as people said.
Is it really okay for me to trick such an innocent-looking man into a sham marriage?
His almost too-pure beauty even brought my buried guilt to the surface.
No wonder people obsessed over him.
“Grand Duke Daniel Fraus greets Princess Frey Obelier.”
Even while being forcibly summoned by a reckless princess, he placed a hand over his broad chest and bowed politely.
My guilt reached its peak.
That said, I still don’t intend to give him absolute obedience rights.
After we exchanged awkward greetings and had a sip of tea, he immediately got to the point.
“Princess Frey. I must repeat myself—I am a very promiscuous man.”
…So he’s trying to push me away with that kind of polite, gentle face?
His voice is annoyingly sweet too.
At his blunt words, the attendants began to murmur.
But I simply smiled.
“Oh my, I actually proposed marriage because I like your promiscuous side. Please don’t worry and be as promiscuous as you like.”
“…”
As if he hadn’t expected that response, Daniel’s eyes twitched slightly.
He then delivered what seemed like a final blow.
“As you may know, I already have two illegitimate children. There may be more in the future.”
Ah, so he finally brought that up.
I’ve been looking forward to seeing the protagonists’ baby versions anyway.
I struggled not to smile too widely.
“Oh my, I actually love children as well, so don’t worry.”
“Princess… children?”
“Of course. Children may dislike me, but I would never dislike them. I value family more than I look like I do.”
“…?”
As expected, this wasn’t the reaction he anticipated.
It was quite entertaining watching Daniel fall into confusion.
After pretending to sip tea and think for a moment, he spoke.
“Princess Frey. May I speak with you alone for a moment?”
Nod.
As soon as I agreed, the attendants stepped back.
His gaze turned colder.
I wasn’t surprised—I knew well why he hated love and romance.
His father killed himself out of love after losing his partner.
The story of the northern dragon Grand Duke who couldn’t endure life after his mate’s death was well known.
For Daniel, who had to grow up alone amid such trauma, love would naturally feel like a curse.
That’s why I never intended to demand love or affection from him.
Time to begin the proposal.
“I have fallen completely in love with Grand Duke Fraus and truly want to build a family together, but I think it would be best for both of us to live together for about 2 years, 7 months, and 18 days and then divorce if we don’t suit each other.”
By then, we would have prevented the crown prince’s assassination attempt and built bonds with the infant transcendent beings.
The oddly specific duration made Daniel’s eyes narrow.
“Grand Duke, you know I possess divine power, correct?”
“Yes.”
“With our divine power, we could resolve the undead monster problem in the North to some extent.”
Fwoosh—
I manifested divine energy in my palm for him to see.
His attention clearly sharpened.
“If we solve the undead problem, we can open a direct gate to the capital, and the North will flourish using its resources.”
I raised my brows as if inviting him to imagine it, and Daniel seemed slightly shaken.
“Princess Frey. Are you proposing a deal to me?”
“Perhaps I can say I became bold after the loss of my mother?”
“…I am sorry for Lady Roselia.”
“It’s fine. I’ll feel better if you marry me.”
I continued smoothly.
“A beautiful wife, a royal dowry, a direct capital gate, and removal of absolute obedience rights.”
“….”
“And after that, I’ll even grant you a divorce. So from your perspective, it’s not a bad deal.”
Of course, I already intended to use the obedience right, so he couldn’t defy me anyway.
Daniel asked cautiously.
“I believe you may change your words after marriage.”
As expected.
I was not particularly trustworthy.
Since I had anticipated this objection, I responded calmly.
“Then why don’t you look into the future first? I heard you can briefly see other people’s futures.”
“How do you know that?”
“Well, I am a princess. I hear many things. And I also enjoy reading.”
I extended my arm.
From his perspective, using his foresight now would be beneficial.
If he could see a guaranteed divorce, the other conditions would seem appealing.
“….”
As expected, Daniel took my hand.
Where our skin touched, mana rippled like heat haze.
As he viewed the vision, his brows furrowed deeply.
“I see a man in front of you, removing his shirt.”
“Oh my.”
So I was having a good time in the future.
“And that man is kneeling in front of you.”
So I’ll be meeting someone like that in the future?
Unexpected.
Curiously, I asked.
“What does he look like? Hair color?”
“It’s silver hair, but—”
“Silver? Then he must be from the North. Do you know him?”
But then—
“…I do know him.”
Daniel Fraus, still watching the vision, frowned as if he had seen something he shouldn’t have.
