MFTR 75

Chapter 75

 Acting Like He’d Give Me His Liver and Gallbladder

Samuel involuntarily flinched when he saw Anette smiling innocently, her lips curved in sweetness, but her eyes brimming with a murderous intent that rivaled Kardin’s.

It was at that moment he was reminded, unintentionally, of just how formidable a knight she once was.

“Of course.”

Kardin, who just moments ago had been desperately lying and denying everything, now answered so plainly—as if the question itself was laughable.

And it was true. No matter how cute Anette was after becoming younger, and no matter how much he wanted to comfort the loneliness and pain of her childhood, his greatest wish remained the same: to make Anette his bride.

He wanted to marry her, become husband and wife, have children, and form the closest, most inseparable family in the world with her.

So of course, he would never wish for her to remain a child forever.

“How could I ever think like that, Princess?”

As he said that and smiled, the sincerity in Kardin’s eyes was so overwhelming that Anette instinctively flinched and lowered her gaze.

Awkwardly, she grabbed both ears of the stuffed rabbit and moved them back and forth.

‘I’ve played with stones before, but never with dolls. This is actually kind of fun…’

As she tried to suppress her embarrassment,

“For the time being, until we’re married, think of this doll as me and sleep holding it.”

Kardin whispered gently in her ear.

Hearing those words, Anette abandoned the thought of getting angry at such a childish gift.

‘How could I possibly think he’s treating me like a kid after saying that?’

She scolded him inwardly but couldn’t stop a small smile from escaping.

“When everything is too quiet or when you want to hear my voice, just press right here. Okay?”

“…Yes.”

Anette obediently nodded at Kardin’s request.

Then, hugging the doll tightly to her chest, she said,

“I’m happy. I’ll treasure it.”

It felt like a mere “thank you” wouldn’t do justice to the gratitude in her heart, so she thought long and hard before speaking those words.

Kardin’s eyes curved as he smiled as brightly as the midday sun.

The moment she saw that smile, Anette thought,

Today truly feels like my very first birthday.

“Shall we go see the other gifts now?”

Nodding and taking the hand he offered, she felt certain—

That this day, the day she was reborn, would be the happiest one yet.

She had no idea that at the flawless end of that perfect day, something like that would happen…

She simply didn’t know then.

Two days later.

Anette rested her small chin in her hands, looking gloomy.

Even coming all the way to the library to inhale the faint scent of old oak for comfort didn’t soothe her restless heart.

“Sigh…”

She let out one deep sigh after another. At that moment, Larisa, who had gone to fetch the book Anette requested, carefully placed it on the desk.

“Ah, Larisa, thank you.”

Anette quickly spoke in a bright tone.

But instead of responding cheerfully as usual—‘It’s nothing! If you need anything else, just let me know!’—Larisa gave an awkward smile and stole a glance at her mistress.

Seeing that, Anette gave a wry smile.

“Hmm. Larisa, go back to the quarters and get some rest. I’ll just read until dinner.”

“Huh? Oh, no! I should stay by your side, milady.”

“I just want to be alone.”

“Oh…”

Her tone was firm, so Larisa nodded heavily.

“Then I’ll wait outside so you can read in peace. Call me if you need anything!”

“No, I told you to rest…!”

Before Anette could finish her sentence, Larisa darted away as if fleeing.

Blinking blankly, Anette soon collapsed onto the desk, resting her head on her arms.

“Guess even Larisa felt uncomfortable around me…”

Ever since the birthday, Larisa hadn’t left her side despite Anette saying she was fine. But now, she bolted the moment Anette suggested it.

Clearly, things had become terribly awkward and uncomfortable.

But Anette understood.

When Larisa first noticed something was wrong, she had been determined to ask questions and find a solution.

‘But this is something she can’t fix herself, so of course she feels troubled…’

Anette recalled yesterday’s conversation with Larisa.

〈Hey, Larisa. Do you know anything about that locked room on the fifth floor of the main building?〉

〈Huh? Th-the room on the fifth floor? I-I don’t really…〉

〈Be honest.〉

〈Ugh… Milady, I really don’t know anything. Probably only the chief butler, the head maid, and Sir Samuel know. If you ask anyone else, they’ll say the same. But…〉

〈But?〉

〈Master told us repeatedly that you mustn’t know about that room—and that we shouldn’t let you anywhere near it.〉

“Haa…”

The memory made another sigh escape her lips.

She wasn’t shocked, not really.

Because Kardin himself had already told her on her birthday to “stay away from that room.”

“Acting like he’d give me his liver and gallbladder… So mean!”

Words she couldn’t say in front of others tumbled out now that she was alone.

Sniffling in anger, Anette glanced around the vast library.

Towering bookshelves filled with rare volumes stretched endlessly.

As she stared blankly at the countless books, a thought crossed her mind.

‘They say the answer lies in books.’

If she read every book here, would she understand Kardin’s heart too?

‘No… probably not.’

Shaking her head, her eyes grew red.

Covering her face with both hands, she thought,

‘That day was so much fun… How did things turn out like this?’

She couldn’t figure it out, no matter how much she thought.

Where had it all gone wrong?

Rubbing her reddened eyes, Anette recalled what happened two days ago.

〈Shall we go see the other gifts now?〉

Following Kardin’s suggestion, she took his hand and headed to a glass conservatory behind the main building.

Even though she’d explored nearly every corner of the duke’s estate with Larisa’s guidance, this was her first time here.

Sunlight streamed through the glass ceiling and walls, and in the center stood a massive ivory fountain. Crystal-clear droplets caught the light, scattering tiny rainbows everywhere.

The temperature was perfect—neither summer’s sweltering heat nor winter’s biting chill. A breathtaking, dreamlike space.

As Kardin explained that the conservatory had been completed just in time for her birthday, Anette walked among the riot of colorful blossoms, feeling her steps grow lighter.

When Kardin shut the door and told Larisa and Samuel not to follow, it felt like they were on a private date.

Deeper inside, they found a beautifully set tea table and chairs, clearly prepared in advance.

The table overflowed with strawberry-themed desserts—cakes piled high with whipped cream, custard puddings, parfaits, macarons… Just the sight of them made her heart soar.

Then Kardin said something that made her genuinely happy.

〈Since it’s your birthday, Princess, eat as much as you want.〉

〈R-really…?〉

Anette clutched her chest instinctively.

The sadness and frustration of always having to stop after one slice of cake—and the resentment toward Kardin for enforcing the snack ban—melted away instantly.

〈I heard you love strawberries, so I made sure to pick only the ripest, sweetest ones.〉

Could there be anyone more thoughtful and caring?

As Anette looked at him with awe, Kardin’s ears flushed red. He quickly pulled out her chair.

〈Please, sit. Give me your hand—I’ll roll up your sleeves.〉

Obediently, she sat down, eyes glued to the table, and extended her arm.

Her sleeves drooped far past her hands, like a child drowning in an adult’s clothes.

And indeed, she was wearing a cardigan sent by the Empress Dowager—a garment clearly made for an adult, not a child.

〈If I recall, this is the first time Her Majesty made something for a lady rather than a child.〉

〈R-really?〉

Startled, Anette’s eyes widened.

She had assumed it was something made long ago since she had recently been told her original body would soon return.

Realizing it was the first adult garment made just for her left her momentarily speechless.

Quickly, she began removing the cardigan and folding it neatly, regretting not letting Larisa take it back earlier.

Watching her fuss, Kardin finally burst into laughter.

Anette, too, let out a shy smile.

After that, she devoured strawberry desserts endlessly.

At first, she nibbled timidly under Kardin’s watchful eyes, but his constant reassurances—and the sweetness melting on her tongue—soon made her lose all restraint.

Once her stomach was satisfyingly full, they strolled around the conservatory together.

At some point, Anette stopped walking.

Before her stood a chaise lounge long enough to lie on, along with an easel and painting supplies.

Clearly prepared ahead of time.

As she looked at him questioningly, Kardin gently seated her in the chair and said,

〈Before leaving for the duchy, I promised Her Majesty that I’d send her a portrait of you. I doubt I can make it prettier than the real thing… but I’ll do my best.〉