There are no Bad Transcendents in the World

“His Majesty the Emperor asked you to have lunch together today,” said Emma.

I naturally moved my gaze to the calendar.

‘I often drink tea or eat with my father these days.’

I didn’t hate it.

It was always a pleasure to spend time with Father.

However, I was concerned about the health of my father, who has to take care of government affairs, undead monsters, and even me.

‘But it’s not just about having refreshments or meals together, so I have to attend.’

Having no information, I had been relying on Emma’s conversations with other servants to get a sense of the palace’s atmosphere.

From what I heard, my father had been investigating him since the day I requested Grand Duke Prause with the right of absolute obedience.

It seemed that he was carefully examining the terms of the negotiations I intended to propose to the Grand Duke. Did he trust me?

I felt like an immature child in the corner of the room, unaware of the grand schemes being unfolded around me.

I should be grateful for my father’s thorough examination of the possibilities.

‘It’s already been two weeks since that day, so I think he’ll come to a conclusion soon.’

With Emma’s help, I started preparing.

I had plenty of time since I had given up unnecessary luxuries after my mother’s passing.

It was just an effort to restore my self-esteem, which was trampled on by nobles in the first place.

But spending time with my father was quite beneficial.

[“Frey, you must think that your father is no better than the Duke of Gelon, except for his divine power.”]

A few days ago, while drinking tea, my father said this in a playful voice.

After that, short political lessons followed over tea or meals.

Thanks to this, I was able to quickly acquire the political know-how my father had learned through experience.

It was like a crash course to prepare for the actual game.

“Father, I’m here to have lunch…”

“Frey, sit down and wait. I was just listening to the report.”

Entering the emperor’s office as usual, I saw the officials standing with serious faces.

‘Are they mainly the officials in charge of diplomatic affairs?’

These people seemed to have been called because of my forced contract marriage.

Looking at his expression, it seemed that nothing good had happened.

And, a bad hunch was never wrong.

“It is said that low-level rumors about Grand Duke Prause are circulating recently in the North.”

An official glanced at me and my father.

A vulgar rumor?

That virtuous Daniel Prause?

“Tell me what the rumor is.”

Even though my father urged him in a solemn voice, the official hesitated for a long time.

“That is… Grand Duke Prause is taking care of children.”

“Charity work? That’s commendable.”

“I heard that he is raising two boys in the palace.”

“Did he adopt them from the orphanage he sponsored?”

My father nodded, saying that it was like the benevolent Grand Duke Prause.

Until the official continued.

“That, according to rumors, those two boys are Grand Duke Prause’s born out of wedlock..”

“What? Out of wedlock? You mean illegitimate children?”

My father’s eyes, which had been carrying a smile, darkened in an instant.

“If you are raising the children of the woman you love, why didn’t they get married? If you’re a grand duke, you can do that, right?”

“That is… they don’t seem to know who the children’s mother is.”

“So, Grand Duke Prause’s private life is messy?”

At first, everyone didn’t believe it because of the image that Prause had built for hundreds of years.

However, everyone was shocked when evidence was presented that the common people had purchased high-end children’s items that could not be used at the Grand Duke’s residence several times.

Father’s face turned red.

The officials also whispered for a while with sullen faces.

“For some reason, he stubbornly refused to marry the daughter of Count Vliette….”

“It’s fortunate that I found out about the Grand Duke’s private life before using the right of absolute obedience.”

“From what I hear, it seems like it’s been a few years since he has raised his kids, but he managed to keep it a secret all that time.”

I kept my mouth shut.

My father and the officials began to secretly examine my face.

‘I had a crush on Grand Duke Prause and begged Father to let me use the right of absolute obedience, what should I do?’

It was just such a thoughtful gaze.

However, I chose to keep my thoughts to myself, enduring the potential ridicule that might follow.

‘Wow, that’s crazy. No matter how much you don’t want to get married, you’re spreading rumors that you, a ‘precious virgin’, have a child out of wedlock?’

He must have ordered it after hearing rumors that I was targeting him.

I didn’t really like him, but I couldn’t help feeling a sense of guilt.

With a companion like that—

‘It’s not funny….?’

Grand Duke Prause hasn’t heard my proposal yet.

I don’t like rumors.

If he married me, the next emperor Tahar and the Duke of Gelon would automatically become enemies of Prause.

Above all, he was a man who was fed up with love.

‘Well, you deserve to do your best to refuse to marry.’

At this point, I felt a bit sorry for the grand duke.

Well, that didn’t mean I would back down.

‘If you stubbornly reject my proposal, then I’ll have to reconsider.’

I thought about sending a letter with a detailed proposal, but gave up due to the risk of information leaking.

Even if it were to reach him safely, the Grand Duke would likely toss my letter into the fireplace.

So now, meeting him was my priority.

“Oh, that’s great. I like children.”

When I shamelessly proclaimed that, not only the officials, but even my father furrowed his eyebrows.

What kind of dog eating grass is that? *Nonsensical

It was a face like that.

Did they believe it was improbable that I like children because I only daydream or enjoy shopping alone?

‘But I was a kindergarten teacher in my previous life.’

I quickly changed my route to the immature princess.

“Why do you look like that? If the grand duke had a child out of wedlock, wouldn’t it be okay for me not to give birth to a child because of stomach pain? I just hate feeling unwell.”

“…….”

I spoke in a very arrogant voice.

“Besides, even if the Grand Duke has a lover hidden—”

Shit.

As I crookedly raised the corner of my mouth, a few individuals flinched in response.

“I just need to snatch the grand duke away from her.”

“No, Frey…”

“Father, I heard that you carefully checked my proposal. Did you intend to use the right of absolute obedience?”

My confidence and shamelessness, which was only displayed in front of my parents, reached its peak.

“I was planning to announce the use of the right of absolute obedience at a government meeting this afternoon. 

“But that’s because I hadn’t heard of Grand Duke Prause’s illegitimate children.”

“Indeed, having children born out of wedlock is quite something.”

“I don’t want to marry you off to a man with such a big flaw.”

My father’s thoughtfulness was touching.

But… it will be a bad ending if things continue like this.

‘Besides, my mission is to protect those ‘illegitimate’ children and build intimacy.’

I looked at my father and said in a firm tone.

“I had my flaws, and the Grand Duke has his flaws now, so it would be a fair marriage.”

“”Frey… It looks like you’re finally admitting your mistake.”

“…”

In the meantime, I had swept jewels from all over the country to fill my emptiness with material possessions.

I don’t recall exactly, but in the process, I must have done something regrettable to Grand Duke Prause.

But it’s not much compared to the flaw of having illegitimate children.

‘The difference between my reputation and the Grand Duke’s reputation is so big.’

“Father, even if the Grand Duke never loves me for the rest of his life, I want a chance to win his heart.”

I said this because there are officials present.

But my sincerity that I want to reach my father…

‘I want to take a chance.’

There was only this one sentence.

It was after explaining that she needed the position of Grand Duchess Prause to avenge her mother.

“Frey… I understand how you feel.”

I could tell just by looking in his eyes.

My father was considering whether I could avenge my mother even as an unloved grand duchess.

And after a long silence.

“Thank you for your hard work. However, the announcement of the use of the right of absolute obedience will proceed as planned during the afternoon political meeting.”

“…!”

The officials were left speechless, but kept their mouths shut.

Facing my father’s eyes filled with strong trust in me, I respectfully bowed my head.

“Thank you, Father.”

* * *

I listened to my father’s politics class throughout lunch.

It was to the point where I didn’t know if the rice went through my mouth or through my nose, but it was a lesson that I gained a lot from.

“Now then, it seems I have to attend the government meeting soon.”

My father assuaged his sore throat with a cup of tea.

I politely bowed and left the room.

‘In an hour from now, Grand Duke Prause, I will grab your back.’

To be honest, I was a bit surprised.

I thought the Grand Duke would hate marrying me, but I didn’t anticipate him insisting that the Transcendent children he had taken in were born out of wedlock.

‘Do you not believe that I would grant you a divorce?’

Well, it’s a divorce. You can ask to peek into my future.

The Grand Dukes of Prause, the guardians of time, could briefly glimpse into the future if the other allowed it.

If you see me giving you a clean divorce after hitting the jackpot, you might think that a short contract marriage isn’t bad either.

‘When are you going to arrive in the capital? If I use the right of absolute obedience today…’

As I made my way back to my room, I estimated the approximate time.

“Princess Frey.”

Evelyn Vliette, with a face as if she couldn’t sleep, stood in front of me.

Her eyes were agitated with anger and despair.

It seems that she learned about the plan to use the right of absolute obedience through the Count.

Her demeanor was a far cry from when she unabashedly taunted me at my mother’s funeral.

Honestly, it wasn’t even funny.

“Daughter of Count Vliette, what’s wrong?”

“Do you think you would be happy if you obtained His Highness Grand Duke Prause in that way?”

Contrary to her relaxed tone, her voice trembled.

It seems that she really likes the Grand Duke.

I answered while staring straight into her trembling eyes.

“Yes. I think I will be happy.”

“…”

“Then, goodbye.”

I walked past her to my room.

An angry voice burst out from behind.

“I am the woman who will stand before Daniel Prause in a wedding dress, holding flowers and smiling!”

“…….”

When my mother died, she mocked me with flowers, yet she was thinking of being happy with a bouquet herself?

I suddenly had a good idea.

I turned around and told her.

***