Chapter 27.
“Why that look?”
When I asked curiously, Friedrich quickly shifted to a smiling face and shook his head.
“I’m just happy you’re worried about me.”
“You’re pleased by the oddest things. It’s just amazing and endearing that you sewed with those tiny hands.”
I let out a wry laugh and turned my gaze back to the dolls. Even on second look, the craftsmanship was astonishing.
The needle must be like a tiny sword to him, so he’s good at handling it. He could have been a great success as a designer.
“If Father asks what I’ll do in the countryside, I can say I’ll open a clothing shop.”
“Countryside?”
Friedrich asked puzzled at my offhand mutter. I paused for a moment, then smiled and shook my head.
“It’s nothing.”
Going to the countryside is my plan alone, after all. I need to send Friedrich off to meet his first love.
And of course, divorce him first.
“I didn’t know you had such talent with your hands. When you were knitting before, it wasn’t this level, was it?”
“K-knitting was my first time.”
Friedrich replied in a slightly flustered voice. He seemed embarrassed.
“I did sewing often in the Kill Kingdom.”
“You did?”
“There wasn’t much to do in solitary confinement besides reading or sewing.”
That tugged at my heartstrings again. I pursed my lips slightly and silently stroked his hair.
“That’s impressive. Not just wasting away in that situation, but doing something.”
“…”
Friedrich didn’t reply, just quietly surrendered his head to my touch.
After a brief silence like that, I suddenly wondered if I was being too familiar, feeling a bit awkward.
-Knock knock
A knock sounded, and the door opened. Then, an unexpected figure appeared.
“Duke Rommel?”
“So this is where you were, Your Highness.”
Joachim approached me with a smile, glancing at my hand on Friedrich’s head.
Suddenly feeling even more embarrassed, I was about to pull my hand away.
Joachim gently took my other hand, which wasn’t touching Friedrich’s head, bent his knee slightly, and kissed the back of it.
“I greet the brilliant morning star of Stade, the blessed Rene.”
“Why so formal all of a sudden?”
“It’s only right to do so at any time, under Your Highness’s protection.”
He replied nonchalantly, then glanced again at the top of Friedrich’s head.
In the end, I withdrew my hands from both of them and asked Joachim.
“What brings you here? I heard you hadn’t stepped a foot out of your room.”
“I couldn’t wander the palace freely without Your Highness present.”
“Well… You’re not a guest anymore, so no need to be that cautious.”
At that, Joachim stared at me with a blank expression. What’s with him?
“What touched you?”
“The part about not being a guest.”
Joachim murmured in a trembling voice.
“I thought I was a guest.”
“A lover isn’t a guest.”
“You’re like a beautiful statue, Duke.”
At that moment, Friedrich, who’d been silent, interjected. A crack appeared in Joachim’s enraptured smile.
“Isn’t that right, Duke? Since you’re at the palace entrance, occasionally providing pleasure to Her Highness.”
“…Occasionally?”
“You have frequent outings.”
Friedrich added with a smile.
“Unlike me, who waits idly only for Her Highness, you’re busy with affairs.”
It sounded like praise, but oddly felt like picking a fight. Surprisingly, Joachim smiled again.
“I suppose I need to try harder. After all, the so-called husband can’t provide Her Highness pleasure at night.”
At that, Friedrich’s expression vanished from his face, and I smacked Joachim for the ridiculous remark.
“Enough already? Both of you, before I tell you to get out of my sight.”
At that, both shut their mouths simultaneously. Huh, in moments like this, they seem like soul twins.
“Why don’t you two try getting along like that when I’m not watching?”
Friedrich and Joachim clamped their lips shut, their whole bodies screaming refusal. In my eyes, they could become quite close, though.
“But what were you doing?”
“Ah, perfect timing.”
Excited at having someone to boast to, I held up the dolls.
“Look at this, Duke Rommel. The prince made these based on my wedding dress designs. Impressive, right? Finishing all this in just a few days.”
“Indeed. Quite meticulous and devoted handiwork. The prince must have plenty of time, after all.”
Joachim said with a smile.
“I think the second doll suits Your Highness best.”
The one Joachim picked was the doll in an empire-line wedding dress.
It was a restrained and elegant design, like something a goddess from ancient myths might wear.
In contrast, the veil was lace with camellia and radial floral patterns embroidered along the rounded edges, giving a lavish feel.
Joachim seemed to have chosen it because it resembled the dress Rene wore at the triumphal ceremony.
“I’m not so sure. I thought the fifth doll suited Her Highness better.”
Friedrich immediately countered.
The one he mentioned was the doll in a bell-line wedding dress. Especially the delicate floral decorations on the bust and the large peony corsage at the waist exuded a glamorous atmosphere.
Lace was abundantly placed throughout, making it a truly romantic dress fit for a princess. Because of that, the veil was a rather simple design of transparent tulle.
“While making the dolls, I felt the fifth one would best highlight Your Highness’s elegance and nobility.”
“If that’s the case, all the more reason to choose the second. The prince’s taste is overly old-fashioned.”
“I suppose you don’t think your own taste is overly gaudy, Duke.”
“Ah, stop.”
I furrowed my brow and separated the two.
“They both look pretty to me.”
Suddenly, I’d ended up with old-fashioned and gaudy tastes. As I muttered quietly, both Friedrich and Joachim’s eyes widened at the same time.
“I-I misspoke. The second has its own antique beauty… It seems my comment was too narrow-minded.”
Joachim, after a dazed expression, quickly chimed in.
“The fifth seems fine too. I think I’ve heard such designs were popular in the Kill Kingdom. Your ability to absorb new cultures is exceptional, Your Highness.”
“Then which one to choose? I can’t wear both.”
I looked at them with eyes pleading for consensus.
Friedrich and Joachim glanced at each other, then simultaneously wore slightly cracked smiles.
“Still, the fifth…”
“Indeed, the second…”
“Ah, this could work.”
A combination that perfectly suited me suddenly came to mind.
I picked up the doll Joachim had chosen, and Friedrich’s gaze quickly wavered.
In contrast, Joachim’s expression turned triumphant, but it didn’t last long.
Because I layered the doll Friedrich chose over the first one I’d picked up, wrapping the head.
In short, I liked Joachim’s taste for the accessories and Friedrich’s for the dress.
“Done, decided like this. Thanks, both of you.”
I shrugged and left the two dazed men in the room.
As I exited, I didn’t forget to quietly latch the door.
***
Joachim Rommel’s bath that evening was unusually long. It was because he’d been locked in a room alone with the Kill slave during the day, making his body feel tainted.
The mischievous princess only freed him after an hour. It had felt like an eternity.
‘She’s truly incorrigible.’
Joachim shook his head, a peculiar smile on his lips. Looking back, she’d always been like that since childhood. Someone who accomplishes whatever she sets her mind to.
Born to be the empire’s sole duke, yet he couldn’t compare to her pride, making him naturally humble. The unparalleled, great morning star in Stade’s history.
Joachim’s prolonged bath was also for that reason. Tonight was his first night solely attending to the princess.
It was his first time, but for the princess with her abundant affections, it wasn’t. So Joachim couldn’t help but feel quite tense.
However, he’d prepared extensively for this day. He was glad he hadn’t entered the palace immediately. He hoped she wouldn’t be disappointed.
And finally, the door burst open. Only one person in this palace dared do that.
“Your Highness.”
Brighter than the sun, more beautiful than the moon, more sparkling than the morning star—his princess.
