Chapter 30.
Marie Stade was the original novel’s female protagonist. But before that, she was also Rene Stade’s half-sister.
I was incredibly tense at the fact that I was meeting the original female lead’s half-sister for the first time, but I sat down across from her without letting it show.
Almost simultaneously, Marie Stade rose from her seat and knelt down.
“I-I greet the brilliant morning star of the empire.”
“Rise, Marie. We’re sisters; no need for such formalities.”
That Anton guy barely even nodded when he saw me.
Thinking they could use a bit of each other’s personalities mixed in, I personally helped Marie to her feet. If I’d just told her to stand, it would’ve taken forever.
Marie hesitated as she stood, her legs trembling uncontrollably.
How nervous must she be for her legs to lose strength like that?
Feeling a pang of sympathy, I personally seated her and gazed at her steadily.
Marie Stade was a pretty girl with ruby-red eyes and hair the color of a midnight sky.
She was fifteen this year, and at a glance, she looked thin and frail. There were no obvious signs of abuse, but she seemed introverted and timid.
‘Well, it’s natural she’d be wary, since her half-sister, who treated her like a stranger, suddenly shows interest.’
Especially if that sister was a candidate for the throne who paid no attention to others and lived solely for her own ego.
‘Friedrich has been locked away since this age…’
That made Marie tug at my heartstrings even more. She seemed so terribly young all of a sudden.
“Is there anything you need?”
I asked, trying not to seem overly interested.
Marie looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“Any inconveniences in your daily life, or problems that need solving.”
“…”
“Of course, all this might feel sudden to you.”
I said this while trying not to look awkward.
“I just realized I’ve neglected you for far too long.”
“…”
“So don’t hesitate to tell me. I’ll grant most requests.”
As I spoke as plainly as possible, Marie’s eyes trembled faintly. They were eyes filled with bewilderment and disbelief.
Yes, it’s better for survival to have some caution rather than none at all. In the original story, Marie Stade was a cautious character.
‘And taciturn too.’
She rarely revealed her inner thoughts, which frustrated Friedrich quite a bit in the original.
So, it’s unlikely she’d open up after just one meeting.
No need to rush. I decided not to act impatiently and stood up from my seat.
Marie flinched and looked up at me. I smiled and gently stroked her hair.
She flinched but didn’t seem inclined to pull away, which somehow made my heart ache. The maids outside probably don’t treat her like this.
“I know. You can’t trust me right now.”
At those words, Marie looked up at me with a frightened expression. I smiled softly and continued.
“You don’t have to say anything right now. I’ll wait until you can trust me. And I’ll keep coming until then.”
I gave her a light wave goodbye and left the reception room. The middle-aged woman hurriedly followed to see me off.
“Which family are you from?”
At my question, the woman startled and quickly bowed her head.
“I’m Anna of Neuven.”
“Lady Neuven.”
I nodded and said,
“Take good care of Marie. See you again.”
“Yes? Oh, yes!”
Lady Neuven jumped as if scorched and bowed so deeply her forehead nearly touched the ground.
I left the familiar sight behind and headed back to Rene Palace.
“Where’s Friedrich?”
I asked casually, thinking we could have dinner together, but Elsa’s response was unexpected.
“He’s with Duke Rommel.”
“With Joachim? Just the two of them?”
I asked in surprise.
“Are they fighting, by any chance?”
“Who knows. On the surface, they don’t seem on bad terms. They’re having dinner together in the dining hall.”
It was one surprising revelation after another. Curious about what they could be discussing, I headed straight to the dining hall.
“So, it’s something that lasts a lifetime…”
“Don’t make a fuss about it unnecessarily…”
They were even whispering conspiratorially!
How odd. Weren’t they on bad terms just yesterday?
When I flung the door open, both froze like statues.
“Did I interrupt something?”
“How could that be?”
Joachim jumped to his feet. I sat at the head of the table and looked at the two of them.
When I asked what they were talking about so intently, both clammed up.
“Just wedding talk.”
At Joachim’s belated reply, I asked curiously,
“Wasn’t the wedding dress discussion over?”
“Since the prince isn’t yet familiar with Stade’s customs, I was explaining them in detail.”
…Since when was he so kind to Friedrich?
When I looked at Friedrich with eyes asking if that was true, he nodded as if confirming it. Hmm, I suppose I can believe it?
“You’re not bullying him, are you?”
“How could I?”
Joachim hurriedly shook his head. Friedrich didn’t seem to deny it either. But it was still surprising.
“I didn’t expect you two to suddenly get close. Was locking you up yesterday effective after all?”
At those words, both their expressions turned strange simultaneously. Guess not.
“We’re not that close.”
Joachim made a face like it was absurd. He even seemed a bit betrayed.
“Then you’re in the process of getting close? Well, earlier the duke said you’re precious to him.”
At that, both Friedrich and Joachim’s eyes widened at the same time.
Joachim looked at Friedrich with shocked eyes, and Friedrich stammered as he spoke.
“When did I say such a thing…”
“That if it’s precious to me, it’s precious to you too?”
“So I’m precious to Your Highness.”
In the midst of it, Joachim was touched. Friedrich wore a stunned and awkward expression before slightly bowing his head and muttering.
“…I’ll retract saying it’s precious to me too. Just that we’ll try to get along a bit…”
“Ah, so that’s why you knocked on my door first earlier.”
“…”
Friedrich bit his lip tightly, his expression oddly humiliated, and I decided to stop teasing, laughing as I patted his shoulder.
“You’re so good. I thought it was just lip service.”
At those words, Friedrich slowly lifted his head and smiled faintly.
His smile was so pretty that I stared at it, but then I felt a burning gaze from the side.
When I turned, Joachim was practically glaring at Friedrich’s shoulder where my hand touched.
Then, when our eyes met, he quickly softened his expression into something harmless.
I laughed in disbelief and patted his shoulder the same way.
“Happy now?”
Even though it was practically like receiving a bow, Joachim looked quite satisfied. I really can’t with him.
“You get jealous over the silliest things. I didn’t know the duke had such a childish side.”
“A man can become as childish as needed in the face of love, Your Highness.”
“…”
The word ‘love’ suddenly pierced my ear like a thorn, making me pause for a moment. Joachim seemed to realize belatedly and hurriedly changed the subject.
“But where are you coming from?”
“Knox Palace.”
“That’s where Princess Marie lives.”
Joachim asked with a puzzled expression.
“Have you suddenly taken an interest in Princess Marie?”
“She’s my half-sister.”
After briefly explaining to Friedrich, who might not know the topic well, I replied casually.
“His Majesty seems to have forgotten her existence entirely. It struck me as too neglectful, so I was concerned.”
“…You’ve become kinder.”
Joachim muttered, sounding unfamiliar with it.
I know. My current actions aren’t very like the original Rene.
“Displeased?”
When I looked straight at Joachim and asked, he shook his head.
“I only hope a bit of that kindness reaches me too.”
How he could say such cringeworthy things so casually was beyond me. I was momentarily speechless in admiration.
From the side, Friedrich looked at Joachim in disbelief, then suddenly started writing something on a napkin.
…What is he writing?
***
The wedding was approaching, but my daily life remained the same.
I read books on magic in the library and visited Knox Palace very occasionally.
Given Rene’s personality, going too often would seem suspicious, so I spaced them out on purpose, but lately, she was always napping, so I couldn’t meet her.
“At this rate, won’t she miss my wedding because she’s sleeping?”
One day, I jokingly asked Lady Neuven, and she shook her head in alarm.
“That will never happen.”
Finally, it was the day before the wedding.
“Friedrich, let’s have lunch together…”
When I casually flung open Friedrich’s door, the sight that greeted me made me jump in shock.
