MFTR 18

 “Your Majesty, the Empress?”

Before she realized it, Anette had stopped walking and was looking at Charlotte with a curious expression while Charlotte was lost in thought.

Caught off guard, Charlotte quickly smiled and asked,
“So, the man you’re going to marry—well, your fiancé now—what was your impression after meeting the Grand Duke in person?”

“Ah, well…”

It wasn’t an embarrassing question in the slightest.

But whether she was simply not used to these kinds of conversations or just shy when thinking of Kardien, Anette’s ears turned red.

Charlotte smiled fondly at her adorable reaction.

“…He was completely different from the rumors.”

Anette spoke in a soft voice.

She had expected a violent and rough man, based on the gruesome rumors of a war-crazed murderer with no blood or tears.

She had even assumed he would hate her for being called a beast’s spawn, having lost his looks due to the blood of magical beasts.

But she was wrong.

“He was kind, considerate… and very warm-hearted.”

Though she’d been plagued by rumors her entire life, she realized she had still held onto her own prejudices.

The Grand Duke was far more than she deserved.

Anette was so lost in reflection that she didn’t notice how Charlotte and Serina’s expressions changed upon hearing her honest response.

Though the rumors about the Grand Duke of Harzent were widespread, the real man was very different.

“And he was honest and a bit shy too.”

Who was this person she was even talking about…?

“Especially his values—he had such admirable and upright ideals. I was honestly surprised.”

So who was she even describing…?

Serina remembered the Grand Duke from his days as a prince—he had the face of an angel and stole the hearts of countless noble ladies, but with a cold heart and an arrogant nature, he shattered those hearts just as easily.

Of course, he was a respected war hero who had always remained loyal to the emperor and protected the empire—but kind and considerate?

As both a noble lady of the empire and a close attendant of the Empress, Serina had known Kardien for years and was stunned by the gap between the man she knew and the man Anette described.

Charlotte was just as shocked.

Even though she considered Kardien like a younger brother, she could never call him warm-hearted.

It wasn’t that he was flawed as a person—he simply believed that giving any hope for unrequited love was more cruel than being cold, and he had developed an extreme purity due to the secret of his birth.

Except for Anette—whom he had long decided to marry—Kardien was the kind of conservative man who thought the world would end if he so much as brushed hands with any other woman.

Serina might not have caught on, but Charlotte suspected that the “ideal values” Anette referred to were about marriage and relationships.

‘If it weren’t for Anette, I doubt Kardien would’ve ever married anyone.’

Feeling grateful once more to Anette for “saving” Kardien, Charlotte looked at her kindly.

“…?”

Just then, as Anette was blushing and mid-sentence, she suddenly froze like ice.

“Your Majesty? What brings you here?”

“Staying up all night has left me feeling rather stiff. I thought a light walk before tea might be good. Would that be alright?”

Anette froze briefly at the sudden appearance of the Dowager Empress, then flinched at the chill in her gaze.

“Of-Of course, Your Majesty.”

Only after giving such a foolish response did she realize she hadn’t greeted the Empress properly.

She thought to do so now, but it felt too late.

Just then, the Empress’s cold eyes scanned her up and down, as if inspecting her.

Feeling like prey in front of a predator, Anette tried to consciously relax.

‘The Grand Duke always called the Dowager Empress “Mother.”’

Unlike with the late emperor, whom he never once called “Father.”

He truly seemed to consider her his real mother—so the Dowager Empress must really be as wonderful as Kardien had said.

Besides…

— Your Highness, um… about the Dowager Empress… does she… like me?

— Yes? Yes… Is it true, then?

Kardien had answered her hesitant question as if he’d been waiting for it.
“Of course. Absolutely.” he said, nodding without a pause.

The answer came so quickly that Anette almost doubted him.

He had arrived early that morning, so he likely hadn’t yet met the Empress.

So how could he say with such certainty that she liked Anette?

As if reading her mind, Kardien explained:

— The outfit you’re wearing now—my mother made it herself.

When they were children, even while busy with state affairs, the Dowager Empress often made clothes for her two sons.

She had especially taken to offering dresses to her delicate-looking younger son, so Kardien recognized her handiwork immediately—from the fabric to the pattern and design.

It was only after Kardien told her this that Anette realized: from the nightgown she wore on the first day to everything she had since received—they weren’t hastily acquired children’s clothes, but lovingly made outfits tailored to fit her.

The Dowager had even asked if the clothes were uncomfortable.

And the next day, she gifted her a dress that fit perfectly.

‘She really didn’t dislike me after all!’ thought Anette.

Maybe, just maybe, the Dowager Empress even liked her, just as Kardien had said.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have gone to the trouble of tailoring so many clothes so perfectly.

As Anette tried to accept this unbelievable truth, her fists clenched and her heart pounding, Kardien had leaned in and whispered like sharing a great secret:

— When Mother looks at something cute and lovable… her gaze gets really intense. Almost like she’s glaring.

— …!

And it was truly a great secret.

Kardien’s words—that the more affection the Empress felt, the fiercer her gaze became—gave Anette incredible comfort.

If he hadn’t told her in advance what kind of person the Empress was, she might have been trembling in fear at her expression right now, unable to speak a word.

But now things were different. She couldn’t just stay silent.

Ignoring her pounding heart, Anette opened her mouth.

“Thank you very mu—”

“Your hand… how did that get injured?”

They both started speaking at the same time—and immediately fell silent.

“……”

“Ahem.”

Charlotte chuckled quietly at the two blushing women, then asked worriedly,

“Anette, did you hurt your hand?”

After hearing the Empress’s question, she noticed Anette’s hand was wrapped in a neat white bandage.

Charlotte felt guilty for not noticing earlier when they’d been together the whole time since picking Anette up from the palace.

But then again, Anette’s hands were very small.

Meanwhile, Anette—who hadn’t even thought much of the bandage—was surprised by how closely the Dowager Empress had been observing her.

Flustered, her chest fluttering with emotion, Anette hurried to speak.

“It’s nothing serious. His Grace the Grand Duke…”

“Duke of Harzent?”

“Kardien hurt you? He harmed the princess?”

Startled by the sharp questions coming all at once, Anette quickly clarified.

“No, no! His Grace just needed a bit of my blood.”

She realized too late that it sounded strange, and rushed to explain further.

Before going to the temple, Kardien had brought his aide Samuel and the royal mage Martin into her room and introduced them as trustworthy.

After short introductions, Martin explained that he needed to study her blood to uncover the cause and cure for her condition.

Upon hearing this, Anette had immediately pulled out a dagger and made a deep cut on her palm.

When Martin later took out a thin needle, she regretted it, realizing she had overreacted.

While she awkwardly laughed at her rashness, Samuel had called for the royal physician, and Martin carefully collected her blood into a small vial.

Once that was done, Kardien silently took out a handkerchief and firmly wrapped her hand without a word.

Even behind the mask, his emotions were so clear—it made Anette wonder if it was even possible to feel someone’s feelings so intensely without seeing their face.

It felt like he was scowling, even though he said nothing.

Wondering why, Anette had tried to explain herself, possibly because bringing a weapon into the palace was bothering her conscience.

— As you may have heard, there was a surprise attack in the Empire of Bayendor. The traitor was probably in Heyworth, but just in case…

She mentioned that she had the Emperor’s permission, to which Kardien replied,
“You did well.” and nodded.

But despite his words, he still looked displeased for some reason, and she couldn’t figure out why…

“Did you say… a mage?”

The Dowager Empress’s voice pulled Anette from her thoughts.