Chapter 13
“I don’t mind, whether it’s Michael or Ernst.”
“……”
Adeline was the one who seemed startled at the casual suggestion to call him by his first or middle name.
After all, they were soon to become strangers, so it felt like she should maintain some boundaries.
Unlike the cautious Adeline, Michael didn’t assign much meaning to her suggestion.
To him, it was strange to maintain overly formal titles when they were supposed to be a married couple, even if only superficially.
Noticing her unease, Michael’s lips curved into a slight smirk.
“It’s just a name. I’m not insisting. Lady Adeline, do as you prefer.”
He smiled as if leaving the choice entirely up to her. That made Adeline feel awkward for being overly sensitive about something so trivial.
Yes, it was just a name.
Adeline Bernadotte.
A name she had once worn with pride, though now it felt dimmed and faded…
Adeline lifted her gaze, her voice soft as she replied, “Adeline. Please call me Adeline.”
Michael nodded slightly, understanding her permission.
By now, the carriage had entered the city’s main street.
In about ten more minutes, they would arrive at their destination: the Royal Theater.
Michael didn’t particularly look forward to today’s outing, but neither did he find it unpleasant.
It was simply another performance added to their pretense of a relationship built on mutual deception.
His role would remain straightforward: to act the part of a polite and attentive husband.
But it was clear his partner wasn’t thrilled about the meeting ahead.
Adeline turned her gaze toward the window as if trying to distance herself from him.
The shadow of a tree outside flickered across her figure. Her light purple suit complemented the lilacs blooming across the city in spring—a combination even Michael, who had little interest in aesthetics, found appealing.
Yet her slender neck was unnaturally stiff as she turned away, stubbornly avoiding his gaze. It was impossible for her not to notice him watching her so intently.
Curious, Michael wondered what would happen if he called her name now.
“Adeline.”
His voice was calm, warm, and casual enough to suit a friendly relationship.
To the tense Adeline, though, it felt anything but casual.
Startled, she turned her head to meet his eyes, her expression showing her confusion.
Michael offered her nothing but a quiet smile.
Adeline felt uncomfortably dry-mouthed, unsure how to respond.
She could sense his gaze but didn’t know what to do with it.
And what was he trying to achieve by calling her name only to say nothing after?
Adeline broke the silence first. “Why did you call me?”
“Because I wanted to see you.”
“What…?”
His unexpected answer left her speechless.
Michael chuckled softly. It amused him more than he expected to see the surprise and uncertainty in her large, green eyes.
He explained without hesitation, “I wanted to see your expression when I called your name.”
Adeline stared at him, completely at a loss for words.
Did men and women in Kassel exchange such playful remarks?
She didn’t know. This wasn’t Kassel—it wasn’t even Lechern—and she had never faced a situation like this before.
Her former fiancé, Roengrin, had been a familiar presence since childhood, always maintaining a respectful distance.
And he had never looked at her the way Michael did now—with a gaze so intense it made her uncomfortable.
Adeline blinked quickly, trying to steady herself. She didn’t want to seem flustered in front of a man who remained so calm.
Unable to withstand the tension, she tore her eyes away from him, pretending to focus on the passing scenery outside.
Even though the view was blurry, she forced herself to look anywhere but at him.
Just then, the driver’s deep voice interrupted the silence.
“We’ll arrive at the Royal Theater in five minutes, Count.”
Hearing this, Michael finally shifted his attention away from Adeline.
As he looked out at the bustling streets, a faint, soundless laugh escaped him.
He found it ridiculous that such a trivial moment could intrigue him so much. Perhaps he was simply bored after the war, craving something new in his peaceful life.
“Welcome, Lady Adeline. How wonderful to see you again.”
“Thank you for inviting me, Your Majesty.”
Adeline greeted the Queen graciously, maintaining perfect etiquette.
Harvina, the queen and today’s host, welcomed the couple warmly in the theater lounge.
Seeing Adeline—who had once been promised to her late son—brought back Harvina’s memories of Lars. However, this was a formal occasion, and she couldn’t afford to be sentimental.
Maintaining her composure, the Queen raised her voice cheerfully.
“What a stunning couple! His Majesty’s judgment is impeccable.
Don’t you think so, Crown Prince?”
“How could it be otherwise?”
The Crown Prince, Andrew, replied promptly, his gaze settling on Adeline, the foreigner.
Under the glow of the chandelier, Adeline’s beauty was striking.
Her poise, despite the circumstances, was admirable. Andrew’s attention shifted to Michael, his old friend from the military academy.
“It’s been a few weeks since we last saw each other outside of official duties, Count Meitner.”
“I heard you returned from Char just yesterday, Your Highness.”
Andrew smirked and added casually, “More importantly, congratulations on your marriage, Michael.”
It was the expected congratulatory remark, delivered at the right moment.
Yet Andrew couldn’t help but wonder how this marriage would unfold.
After all, rumors about the couple had already sparked betting games among his peers.
“Well, time will tell,” Andrew thought to himself, pushing aside his curiosity as he offered a polite smile to end the conversation.
Michael responded with equal courtesy, exchanging pleasantries with the Queen and Crown Prince.
Harvina, ever the picture of grace, offered parting words to Adeline and Michael before turning to greet other guests.
Despite the Queen’s departure, Adeline and Michael remained the center of attention, receiving endless introductions and greetings.
Adeline did her best to navigate the formalities, though she felt suffocated by the prying eyes and stiff conversations.
Knowing she still had a post-performance party to attend made it clear the evening was far from over.
Finally, an announcement rang out:
“The performance will begin shortly. Please take your seats in the main hall.”
Adeline sighed in relief, grateful for the chance to escape the constant scrutiny, even if only for the duration of the performance.
Seated beside Michael, she opened the program booklet and tried to focus on the ballet.
But her thoughts kept wandering, making it difficult to concentrate.
Glancing downward, she noticed Michael’s polished shoes tapping lightly against the floor, completely out of sync with the music.
He had crossed one leg over the other, showing no interest in the performance.
Her gaze lingered on his restless foot until she suddenly felt his eyes on her.
‘Did he notice I was watching him?’
Though she kept her head facing forward, her lowered eyes betrayed her inner turmoil.
Adeline quickly shifted her focus back to the stage, determined not to give away her thoughts.
Michael, meanwhile, studied her calm facade with quiet amusement before turning his attention elsewhere.
Adeline’s mind briefly flashed back to her mother’s advice on the day of her engagement:
“Adeline, marriage is a promise with someone trustworthy and sincere.
That’s why a person’s character and attitude matter more than love.”
Had she made the right choice? She wasn’t sure. But perhaps it was for the best.
Michael was pragmatic, not the type to get overly emotional or invested.
For a temporary marriage with a set end date, he was the perfect partner.
That will suffice, she told herself firmly, pushing her thoughts aside.
What mattered most was dealing with the present. For now, that meant focusing on the performance and enduring the evening.
