MFTR 14

 “A-hem.”

Feeling awkward, Anette cleared her throat unnecessarily, recalling what she was like before her transformation.

Even then, her hands had never been rough like Kardien’s.

‘I was called the Seed of a Demonic Beast, so my monstrous healing power must be thanks to that. As for the Archduke, he’s a member of the Alcan imperial family and blessed by the gods.’

They had completely different beginnings, yet the outcome was strangely similar.

Well, meeting someone like that and ending up in this kind of relationship was the most bizarre part of all.

“Ah, they’re really small…”

Overcome with emotion, Kardien unconsciously murmured as he stared at her hands.

Even after placing a respectful kiss on the back of her hand, he didn’t let go, as though still fascinated by how small it was.

Anette slightly raised her eyebrows.

Unlike the Emperor and Empress, who doted on her while pretending not to, Kardien didn’t even try to hide how much he was enjoying this. Perhaps that was why it slightly bruised her pride.

She couldn’t quite pinpoint the reason, but the way Kardien treated her like a child irritated her more than she expected.

A sulky voice escaped her lips.

“I’m not usually this small.”

“Excuse me?”

“As you already know, I’m twenty-four.”

As soon as she said it, she realized how childish it sounded—like a toddler throwing a tantrum.

Still, Anette stiffened her chin proudly.

She reminded herself that the man in front of her was two years younger than she was.

“I know.”

Kardien nodded calmly in response.

She briefly suspected he might be teasing her, but his gaze—locked directly on hers—was earnest, not playful.

His straightforward acknowledgment made Anette’s cheeks flush.

He clearly knew her age, yet he was still treating her so gently… It made her wonder if it wasn’t just because she looked like a child now.

‘No way.’

Worried she wouldn’t be able to control her expression, Anette quickly pulled her hand out of his grasp. Then, she spoke up about what had been bothering her the entire time.

“Please stand up now.”

Only after watching Kardien slowly rise from his kneeling position did Anette sit back down and take a deep breath.

Since meeting the Archduke, she had felt like she was constantly being swept along by the current.

Now, with a moment to collect herself, she finally began to calm down.

She sat neatly on the sofa opposite him and looked directly into his eyes.

That steady gaze reminded her of something he had said earlier:

“You’re the one I’ll spend the rest of my life with.”

Was he really being sincere?

Anette wanted to ask him.

But she didn’t have the courage.

Maybe he only said it in front of the Emperor to be polite.

That was far more likely.

If she voiced it aloud and he saw through her foolish hope, it would be too humiliating.

It wasn’t like her to be so afraid of confrontation.

Fortunately, Anette had another way of gauging Kardien’s sincerity without asking directly.

It might expose her further and embarrass her even more, but…

“I was planning to say this anyway.”

Taking a deep breath, Anette began to speak.

“Your Grace… I’m ashamed to say this, but I know nothing about politics. I’ve never been part of high society. I don’t even know how to manage a noble household. I’ve only ever lived with a sword in my hand.”

Even that had lost its value, and she was cast aside—until the Alcan Empire offered this alliance, essentially saving her from ruin.

“Whether it’s fortunate or not, I’ve been given the chance to wield a sword again. But I don’t know when—or even if—my body will return to normal. So…”

She swallowed hard.

“As of now, I’m in no position to fulfill any of the duties or roles expected of an Archduchess. Ah! Of course, if you don’t wish it, I had no intention of demanding any rights in the first place.”

Worried he might think she was overstepping, Anette made sure to draw a clear boundary.

The moment she did, Kardien—who had been quietly listening—changed.

“Just a moment, Princess. What exactly are you trying to say right now?”

“…Pardon?”

“You’re not… trying to annul the engagement, are you? Do you think I’d accept that?”

Anette was startled by Kardien’s trembling voice.

His tone wasn’t just angry—it sounded almost like he was pleading. The strange mix left her speechless.

Kardien’s urgency grew as he saw her blinking in confusion.

“Princess, we already signed the engagement contract.”

He glanced at the document the Emperor had left on the reception table.

Though it hadn’t been officially notarized by the temple, he looked at it as though it had already bound them together by fate.

Shocked by the emotion radiating from him—even through his mask—Anette quickly tried to explain.

“Your Grace, I didn’t mean it that way.”

“Then what did you mean?”

His eyes questioned her fiercely, asking why she had said all those things—belittling herself and claiming she couldn’t fulfill the role of his wife.

Feeling flustered, Anette quickly clarified.

“I only said that because I was afraid you might want to cancel the engagement. I’m lacking in so many ways right now, and I probably won’t be able to fulfill your expectations as a bride… but I’d like to ask that we continue with the marriage anyway.”

Determined to convince him, Anette pushed down her pride and added:

“If you’ll just promise me that much, I’ll do anything you ask. Even if you tell me to live like I’m dead… even if you take a mistress…”

“J-just a moment.”

Kardien, stunned into silence by her words, finally interrupted her.

Each word hit him like a blow, but the last one especially snapped him back to his senses.

Clenching his teeth, he held back his anger and asked,

“Did you just suggest I take a mistress?”

“…Excuse me? I mean… I wasn’t exactly suggesting it.”

“But that’s what you said. That it wouldn’t matter to you if I did.”

His voice sounded both sharp and hurt, and though Anette was surprised, she answered calmly.

“Yes, I wouldn’t care. If you wish, I could even treat any illegitimate children as my own…”

“Enough.”

Kardien raised his hand, unable to listen any longer—even if it was Anette speaking.

Burying his face in his hand as if the world had collapsed, he was overwhelmed with sorrow.

He wasn’t sure whether to be thankful that she couldn’t see his distorted expression behind the mask… or regretful that his feelings weren’t reaching her.

“Princess… how could you say such a thing…”

I’ve been waiting for you all this time.

Of course, Anette had no way of knowing this.

Kardien knew he had no right to resent her for not understanding him.

But still… the fact that she seemed to have no hope or expectations for their future together was crushing.

“There’s just… too much I want to argue with in what you said…”

Rubbing his face and lifting his head, Kardien looked at the confused Anette and asked with a heavy heart,

“First… can I ask why you thought I would call off the engagement?”

“…Excuse me?”

Anette honestly thought his question was absurd.

Was he teasing her?

But his blue eyes held no trace of amusement—just pure confusion.

Which made it even more baffling.

Technically, the alliance had been proposed by the Alcan Empire, but from Anette’s perspective, it seemed to benefit only Hayworth. The Empire didn’t appear to gain much—if anything, it was a loss.

Of course, Queen Esther and Bridget believed the Empire had accepted those losses just to marry off the disfigured Archduke, but… really?

Aside from his appearance, Kardien had everything—power second only to the Emperor, wealth, honor. He could’ve married into any noble house in the Empire or even another kingdom.

If Anette hadn’t been here, even if Bridget had cried and begged, the King of Hayworth would’ve reluctantly sent his precious daughter.

Kardien had every right to choose the bride he truly wanted.

With just one word from him, Anette would be sent back to Hayworth.

That terrified her.

So much so that, knowing it would make her seem pathetic, she’d pretended to be fine and lowered herself first.

But why…

“Your Grace… are you seriously asking me that?”

“Yes. I really don’t understand why you think I’d want to break off this engagement.”

At that, Anette’s face twisted in disbelief.

“I’ve told you over and over. I’ve turned into a child, and also—!”

“And also?”

“And also…”

You wouldn’t want me as your bride.

No one would. No one would ever want someone like me, the Seed of a Demonic Beast.

“….”

It was obvious—yet she couldn’t bring herself to say it aloud.

Biting her lip, Anette thought Kardien was being cruel.

There was no way she could keep clinging on now.

Resigned, she opened her mouth.

“I believe it’s only fair if Your Grace asks to change your betrothed to Bridget. You must have wanted her from the beginning anyway…”