Chapter 46.
‘But lately, the prince doesn’t seem to be in a great mood either.’
He even looked downright melancholic. As if he had some worry on his mind.
Wondering if perhaps it was the same issue with Princess Mari that troubled him, Joachim subtly approached Friedrich and struck up a conversation.
“Hey, Prince.”
Friedrich, who had been gazing steadily at Her Highness, slowly turned his head. The poignant face that met his eyes made Joachim flinch.
He hadn’t done anything, yet he felt a sense of defeat. Clearly, in terms of ‘beauty,’ Friedrich had the upper hand.
‘So she likes this flower-like face.’
He himself had heard such compliments throughout his life, but Friedrich was truly a pristine beauty, like a single lily.
In truth, his own aesthetic leaned toward the beastly vibe popular in the capital… but what could he do if Her Highness preferred this type of face.
His style was subtly shifting to resemble Friedrich’s.
Though transforming his bold features into something as delicate as Friedrich’s was difficult.
“You’ve been looking down lately. Are you jealous of Princess Mari or something?”
“….”
Friedrich gave him a sidelong glance, his expression asking what nonsense he was spouting.
He must be embarrassed at being caught. Joachim chuckled and patted his back. Friedrich immediately brushed it off.
“It’s fine. Lately, I’ve been…”
“I’d prefer if you didn’t lump me in with you. Who are you calling petty like that?”
Joachim’s mouth fell open, suddenly branded as petty.
“Ha, acting all high and mighty. I know you’ve been looking gloomy lately.”
“…Have you been watching me? That’s creepy.”
“Keeping tabs on a rival is basic tactics.”
As he shrugged, Friedrich’s expression twisted further. Then, as if he didn’t want to exchange any more words, he quickly stepped a few paces away.
‘Touchy, isn’t he.’
Her Highness needs to see his true colors soon.
Joachim hoped that day would come quickly as he shifted his smiling gaze to Rene, who was looking at Mari affectionately.
***
As Joachim had noted, Friedrich had been quite down lately.
But it wasn’t out of petty jealousy toward Princess Mari, as he suggested.
How could he harbor such feelings toward someone who had lived a life similar to his own—and Her Highness’s little sister, at that?
Friedrich’s melancholy stemmed purely from his own issues.
The day after his body changed at 12:15, he had anticipated an even later transformation…
“…Exactly midnight.”
The next day, he turned back into a child precisely at midnight. Friedrich and Rene’s dazed eyes met in the air.
Her kind Highness seemed worried about how to console him, and Friedrich felt profound self-loathing for causing her such concern.
“I’m fine.”
…Useless child.
“I’m sorry for disappointing you.”
“What are you saying? You must be more heartbroken than I am.”
Rene, with a flustered expression, pulled him into a tight embrace. Normally, he would have been overjoyed, but that day, it only made him sad.
“It’s okay. Really.”
Not wanting to worry Rene, Friedrich forced a calm smile and lied.
Rene didn’t seem entirely convinced, but she didn’t press further and fell asleep that night holding him in her arms.
“….”
Friedrich glanced sidelong at Joachim, who was nearby.
He was similar in height and build, but his features were bolder, exuding a masculine aura. Even to him as a man, Joachim was the kind of handsome that could captivate many women.
It was only natural for Friedrich to feel anxious. If he could become an adult at night, he’d sell his soul to the devil to make it happen.
Sadly, no devil came to him.
“Friedrich.”
Then, from afar, Rene called his name. Friedrich hurried over to her.
Finally, it was his turn.
Originally, he was supposed to go first, but he had yielded to Princess Mari, who was still recovering.
Rene, after giving him a once-over, curved her lips into an elegant smile.
“You look especially handsome today.”
Every time he heard such words, Friedrich wanted to believe them utterly, regardless of their truth.
With a faint smile, Friedrich sat beside Rene.
Soon, the court painter began sketching rapidly.
He stared straight ahead, slightly tense, carefully regulating even his breathing.
He wanted to look as handsome as possible, so that later, those who wondered why Her Highness had married a prince from a defeated nation might find it at least somewhat understandable.
Then, Friedrich noticed that as time passed, Rene was growing tired.
Her eyelids drooped slowly before she forced them open, and her head dipped forward before she straightened it.
Friedrich was about to suggest a break when.
Rene’s head tilted sideways and landed on his shoulder. Friedrich froze in that position for a moment.
But he quickly regained his composure and nodded to the painter, placing a finger to his lips as if to say continue.
Then, he carefully leaned his shoulder toward Rene to make her more comfortable.
Who knew leaning on his shoulder while sleeping could be so endearing.
Friedrich felt his heart pounding as if it might burst. Heat was rising to his face as well.
Gathering a bit more courage, he carefully took Rene’s dangling hand in his.
To support her body steadily, he cautiously wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
The painter seemed perplexed by the unprecedented portrait composition, but continued moving the pencil nonetheless.
Recalling that this was their wedding portrait, the composition didn’t matter—even if his face wasn’t in it.
‘My Highness.’
Friedrich simply felt overwhelmed and joyful in this situation and moment, sensing his recent melancholy completely vanish.
Unworthy emotions lost their luster before this radiant being. Friedrich immersed himself in gazing at the sleeping Rene’s face for a long while.
Like that, two hours passed in an instant.
The painter gestured for a break, but he shook his head. Thanks to that, the painter could continue drawing.
“Mm…”
Rene woke about an hour later.
At her faint groan, Friedrich looked at her with a touch of nervousness.
She stared blankly for a moment, then snapped to and looked at him in shock.
“D-Did I fall asleep? How long has it been? Why didn’t you wake me?”
“It’s fine. It hasn’t been long.”
“Your Highness, the sketch is complete.”
At the painter’s ill-timed interruption, Rene wore a surprised expression before drooping her eyebrows.
“Ah, I’m so sorry—what to do? Should we redraw it tomorrow?”
“I prefer today’s composition.”
Friedrich shook his head. He didn’t want to make Her Highness sit motionless for two hours again.
“If you’d like to paint two, I’d gladly accept.”
With a hint of greed in his added words, Rene smiled softly and nodded in agreement.
“Want to have dinner together? With those two waiting over there.”
The addition didn’t matter. As long as it was by Her Highness’s side.
“Sounds good.”
His petty jealousy or whatever would quickly become insignificant as long as he could be with Her Highness.
***
“Goodness, what is this.”
Some time later, upon receiving the portrait draft, I was utterly surprised by the unexpected result.
It wasn’t the typical solemn imperial portrait but a composition that modern couples might use for a pair photo.
I was asleep, my head resting on Friedrich’s shoulder, while he gazed at me steadily, his arm carefully wrapped around my shoulders.
“Is it okay to leave a wedding portrait like this? Did Friedrich say it’s fine?”
“Yes.”
“Really? In this composition, his face isn’t even showing?”
Elsa looked like she had something to say. After pondering briefly, she responded with a diversion instead.
“What does it matter? You’re Her Highness. Everyone will understand.”
“…That’s true.”
Actually, I liked this one more for its uniqueness.
“How many months until it’s finished?”
“At least half a year.”
“Half a year?”
Would I even be in the palace by then?
As my expression turned slightly uncertain, Elsa’s gaze grew puzzled.
I quickly smiled and brushed it off.
“I’m just eager to see the finished piece. It looks like it’ll be beautiful.”
Contrary to my worries, I didn’t know then that I’d end up seeing the completed version before leaving.
