My Fiance Keeps Trying To Raise Me

At morning, Annette, who always woke up before dawn, pulled the rope in surprise at the warm sunlight on her face.

Serena ran in as if she had been waiting for her to wake up.

“Princess, are you awake?”

“I’m sorry. Did I wake up too late? I couldn’t sleep last night…”

In fact, she was much faster than the average noble lady or noblewoman, but Annette, not knowing this, apologized and Serena waved her hand.

“It’s still early. However…”

Annette tilted her head as Serena trailed off, as if she was preparing a gift and expecting a reaction. Finally, she smiled brightly as if she couldn’t stand it anymore and said.

“Princess, I heard that His Highness the Grand Duke arrived at the palace this morning!”

“…Hmm?”

Whe-when did he arrive?

Annette doubted her ears, wondering if she was still half asleep. However, it seemed that she was not mistaken, seeing Serena rushing to get ready to wash her face and dress up more excitedly than Annette.

“Really… is Grand Duke Hargent here?”

“Yes! I guess he left right after hearing the news of the princess.”

‘It’s a bit strange…’

Serena, the daughter of a baron and the empress’s close maid, had never left the imperial capital in her life, so she didn’t seem to be curious, but Annette had come to the empire from the kingdom of Hayworth the day before yesterday.

It took two days even using the fast route through the dangerous swamp of the devil, so it would take Grand Duke Hargent, who was facing the western mountain range of the kingdom of Hayworth, at least one and a half days to reach the imperial capital.

‘But how did you arrive today after hearing the news yesterday?’

While pondering, Annette’s mind began to contemplate the possibility that he might have used magic, but she came to the conclusion that there was no reason to mobilize that precious magician just to meet her. However, the fact was that the Grand Duke had really rushed to the palace to see her.

“Your Majesty, the Grand Duke will definitely come to the capital as soon as he hears the news.”

For no reason, the Empress’s words came to mind and her cheeks tickled.

Her heart was pounding…

‘Hmm, I’m nervous.’

It seemed that she wasn’t mentally prepared because she had thought it would take a few more days for the Grand Duke to hear the news and come to the capital.

Annette felt her face was somehow hot, so she buried her head in a basin filled with warm water and washed her face.

She then wiped her face with a fluffy towel.

“What is all this?”

Annette found a room filled with clothes she had never seen before.

“This is a gift from Her Majesty the Empress Dowager to the Princess.”

Oh, the gift was clothes.

Annette blushed slightly as she briefly thought that the gift the Empress Dowager had prepared was for the Grand Duke of Harzent.

The moment she turned her gaze to the clothes to hide her embarrassment, she couldn’t help but admire the cute and adorable dresses.

The dresses, which were similar to the ones she had worn yesterday but had more details and a more luxurious feel, fit her body perfectly, unlike before when they were loose.

“Your Majesty, you look just like the spring sunshine.”

“Yes, you are. You are really pretty.”

Annette felt embarrassed by the maids’ fuss and touched the soft fabric on her sleeves.

She couldn’t help but feel awkward and excited even though she knew it was a compliment. At the same time, she felt a little excited.

Today, Annette chose a dress made of light yellow fabric with thin white lace, among the various colors that young noble ladies usually wear, such as light pink, gentle-looking sky blue, and light green.

Of all the clothes she tried on, the maids responded the best, and she also wanted to leave a first impression that wasn’t dull for the Grand Duke.

‘I guess they won’t curse at this level and call it ominous.’

Although she was moved by the warm and generous hospitality of the Alkan Imperial Family, she was still worried that she would receive a cold and indifferent response, so Annette swallowed hard and sat down in front of the mirror.

“Ah…”

A short exclamation came out without her knowing.

The woman in the mirror was really better than she had expected, to the point that the maids couldn’t help but praise her.

Today, her round and dense facial features looked quite cute and harmless, and she didn’t look like a cursed demon at all. However…

‘Is this okay…’

No matter how hard I dress up, the fact that I first met her as a child didn’t change.

She had no idea how the Grand Duke would react when he saw his fiancée who had become a child.

“Hey…”

“Please speak, Princess.”

“His Highness the Grand Duke Harzent… who is he?”

After hesitating several times and finally speaking, she realized that this question was very late.

In reality, since it was a political marriage, she had no personal interest in the Grand Duke Harzent even when signing the engagement papers. However, when she came to the Empire and met the Emperor and his family, she gradually became curious.

“His Highness the Grand Duke?”

“What are you curious about?”

The maids who were choosing the accessories to wear in their hair sparkled as they found Annette’s interest in her fiancé cute.

It was when they were preparing to talk about how brilliant and talented he was, or how handsome he was now wearing a mask.

“I wonder about his personality.”

The maids’ pupils shook violently at Annette’s unexpected interest.

“P-personality?”

“Personality… you mean?”

The maids quickly exchanged glances, trying not to show it, but very flustered.

‘What should I say?’

‘…the truth?’

‘Are you crazy?!’

After the silent conversation, Serina, the most senior of them, smiled awkwardly and said.

“Your Highness, in fact, we don’t know much about His Highness’ personality either.”

To be exact, the arrogant personality of that perfect man who knew his own superiority from head to toe so well that he was unlucky, but also had no choice but to acknowledge his confidence, might be revealed in front of Annette as well.

“Can’t you confirm it if you meet in person today?”

“…That’s true.”

Annette nodded her head at the unsatisfactory answer.

Everyone, including Serina, had been serving the Empress for a long time, so she thought they would know something about the Grand Duke.

‘It seems he doesn’t really let people get too close.’

It would be good if he wasn’t too picky and prickly.

If he had a violent or vicious personality, like a war maniac or someone who enjoyed blood and slaughter, I would be even more worried.

Annette closed her eyes, feeling her heart beating out of sync with the anticipation and anxiety that coexisted.

In any case, she thought it would be best not to show those red eyes as much as possible.

* * *

Meanwhile, at that moment.

Grand Duke Harzent, Cardin, who had the ominous nickname of a war maniac and a cruel murderer, was in the midst of getting all dolled up, just like Annette.

“Hehehe.”

Samuel, Cardin’s aide, sighed as he saw his lord changing his clothes several times in front of a full-length mirror and humming.

“Your Majesty, stop now…”

“Samuel, will this look good to the princess?”

Cardin, who had straightened his slightly crooked cravat, asked.

This was a question he had been asking since he had arrived in the capital the previous evening and had swept up the finest men’s suits and accessories, and entered the palace in the morning.

“Yes, very good.”

Samuel’s mechanical answer flowed out of his mouth, completely fed up with this.

His eyebrows rose sharply behind his mask, and his body flinched, but it was not wrong, so he straightened his back again.

Tall and perfectly proportioned, Cardin was wearing a softly sheened white silk shirt, black cravat, vest, and jacket, and he was truly excellent, if not perfect.

Samuel once again said, “You are so elegant,” and gave a thumbs up with sincerity, and Cardin turned his gaze to the mirror.

He arrogantly commented that it wasn’t too bad, as expected from someone who had worked hard without sleeping.

“I guess beige would be better than black.”

“Huh? Now that you’re here?”

“Come to think of it, this is your first formal greeting. If you want to give off a soft impression, bright colors would be better. What if she is scared of me?”

Scared? Who?

Samuel countered with a look of bewilderment that he didn’t know he had.

“She’s the best prosecutor on the continent.”

“You never know, she’s a kid now. Even if that’s not the case, I want to look affectionate and thoughtful.”

Samuel muttered as if he hadn’t heard what she said, shrugging his shoulders.

“Affectionate… thoughtful…”

If he really wanted to look like that, he just had to take off the mask he was wearing now. If he revealed that angelic face that Holly was wearing, regardless of gender, even if he was wearing black or beige or even blood-covered armor, they would be fooled. However, since it’s impossible in the current situation anyway, Samuel swallowed his words with regret. And now that it’s really time to go, he was about to tearfully offer advice to stop changing clothes.

“What? It’s already this late? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

Cardin, who checked his watch belatedly, shouted in surprise.

No, he meant to tell him several times. But he kept asking if it was okay, so he missed the timing to tell you!

Samuel felt resentment rising to his throat, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it this time either. It was because the Grand Duke, who was supposed to hear him, had run out of the room.

 

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Translator Note: