Chapter 29
I blurted out exactly what Blade had fed me without thinking. At that, the Former Grand Duke widened his eyes and looked at me.
Why is he looking at me like that? Something feels off…
“Gasp! I’m so sorry! To dare call you, Former Grand Duke, grandfather…!”
I immediately bowed in apology. I wanted to smack my foolish head. No matter how much he treated me almost like a granddaughter, it was a grave disrespect.
When I first arrived at the ducal estate, one of the etiquette lessons Lady March taught me was to use proper titles.
She was particularly strict about this lesson.
“You must show respect to the masters of Baltstein. Even if they treat you kindly, you must never forget your place. The same goes for me and everyone living in Baltstein’s lands. They are our kings. Remember that.”
Kaiden and I had spent years together, and since he considered me a friend, he was lenient when I acted impudently.
But I am undeniably a commoner by birth. I don’t even know my parents or my birthdate.
As my thoughts reached this point, I began to wonder if marrying someone as lofty as a grand duke was even right. Everything felt like it was going wrong.
At that moment, the Former Grand Duke roared.
“Why are you bowing like that?! Stand up straight this instant!”
“What?!”
I responded in a bewildered voice but immediately straightened up and met his gaze.
The Former Grand Duke was glaring at me with a terrifying look. I swallowed hard.
I thought the epitome of nobility, the Former Grand Duke, was about to scold me harshly.
But then he said something unexpected.
“Who are you?”
“…Pardon?”
When I let out a dumb sound, he thundered.
“I said, who are you?!”
“I’m Marion Krugman!”
I answered promptly. Ten years of knightly service had conditioned me to respond reflexively to a superior’s shout.
“Who gave you your surname?”
“You did, Former Grand Duke!”
He nodded.
“That’s right. So I’m your grandfather, aren’t I?”
“What…?”
I looked at him in shock, and the Former Grand Duke let out a “Hmph!” before speaking.
“And you, brat! Why are you so quick to bow your head?! A Swordmaster, of all people! You must never treat your head lightly! Understood?!”
“Yes, yes!”
I answered frantically, completely at a loss for what was happening.
I could feel Kaiden staring at me, but the Former Grand Duke’s tirade began, leaving me no time to look at him.
He said that a noble should always carry themselves with their chin held high.
“But I’m not a noble.”
“You fool! Do you think nobility is some grand thing?! Your ability and demeanor are what make you appear noble!”
I nodded vigorously, forced to listen to his lecture on “What is a noble?”
Seemingly satisfied with having said his piece, the Former Grand Duke spoke with a relieved expression.
“That’s right. Whether you two are truly lovers or not, if a proposal has been made, you must take responsibility to the end.”
Kaiden and I nodded. He clearly didn’t seem inclined to believe we were lovers.
“I’ll support you.”
“Really?”
Kaiden and I asked in surprised voices. The Former Grand Duke waved his hand dismissively, as if annoyed.
“Have you ever seen me go back on my word?”
“Thank you, Grandfather.”
“But the Emperor and other nobles will likely oppose it. It won’t be easy.”
Kaiden nodded.
A noble’s marriage requires the Emperor’s approval. For someone like Kaiden, a high-ranking noble, the Emperor’s interference would be even greater.
At that moment, Kaiden’s aide, Vito, knocked on the door.
“Your Grace, it’s almost time for the grand assembly. You must head to the palace.”
“Grandfather, we’ll take our leave now.”
Kaiden and I bowed to the Former Grand Duke and rode a carriage to the palace.
The grand assembly was a meeting held once a year after the Founding Festival, where nobles from across the empire gathered.
It was mandatory for representatives to attend.
The funny thing is, though I’m not a noble, I had to attend because I’m one of only two Swordmasters in the empire.
Having attended every year since turning 18, it was a familiar routine.
I didn’t have any specific duties. I just stood there, listened to the Emperor, heard the high-ranking nobles speak, and dozed off with my eyes open.
But this time, the grand assembly filled me with unease. Surely, there would be talk about Kaiden and me.
However, since Vito was in the carriage with us on the way to the palace, Kaiden and I couldn’t discuss our strategy.
As we stepped out of the carriage, all the nobles’ eyes turned to us. Whispers followed.
“Are they really together?”
“There’s a rumor he did this to avoid marrying Princess Caroline.”
“Good heavens. But how could he, with a ruffian like her…”
I grew increasingly anxious. People were doubting our relationship.
At that moment, Princess Caroline appeared among the nobles.
“Your Grace.”
“We greet Your Highness.”
Kaiden and I bowed.
Caroline glared at me with a murderous look. I ignored her gaze, staring at the bridge of her nose. She called Kaiden aside.
“There’s still time. I need to talk to you for a moment.”
“Understood. Marion, wait here.”
“Yes.”
The two moved to a nearby pillar.
Caroline probably thought no one could hear her, but as a Swordmaster, I could hear clearly from that distance.
“Your Grace, marry me.”
Wow, Caroline came on strong from the start.
“Your Highness, I’m sorry, but I have someone I love.”
“Hah, someone you love?”
Caroline scoffed at Kaiden’s bold words.
“That someone is a lowborn?”
“Yes.”
Caroline looked furious.
Well, as a princess, her pride was being trampled. She took a deep breath, her chest heaving, and spoke through gritted teeth, as if suppressing her anger.
“Fine. I’ll make a concession. I’ll allow you to keep her as a mistress.”
Now I was the one fuming. Who does she think she is, deciding to make me a mistress? Does being a princess give her the right?
While I was seething, Kaiden, the son of a romantic century, shot back.
“My heart beats only for Marion. I could never make her a mistress.”
Caroline pointed at him, exploding in anger.
“You’re tarnishing the name of Baltstein right now!”
So I’m the tarnish, huh?
I felt awful. I hadn’t had a moment to feel good since arriving at the palace.
“What don’t you like about me?! I’m beautiful, tall, slender, with flawless skin! And I’m a princess!”
I’d thought this before, but the children born to the Empress had severe cases of prince and princess syndrome. I couldn’t help but wonder how they were raised.
“Marion is slightly taller, though.”
“Your Grace!”
“Sigh.”
Kaiden looked exhausted. He ran a hand over his forehead and spoke.
“Since I was young, I always hoped my spouse would be someone I could respect.”
Caroline tilted her chin up and replied.
“Then I’m perfect for you.”
“I respect Marion.”
I stared at Kaiden in disbelief as he fumbled after starting strong.
Why would a grand duke, of all people, respect a lowborn knight?
Who would believe such nonsense? I thought everything was ruined when—
“I first saw Marion when she was 13. A scrawny kid who looked like she could barely lift a sword was fiercely cutting down beasts, gritting her teeth. She kept slashing and slashing. I’ve watched her for ten years.”
My mouth slowly dropped open. Kaiden turned his head. Our eyes met.
“How could I not respect her?”
☆▪︎▪︎▪︎☆▪︎▪︎▪︎☆▪︎▪︎▪︎☆
By Anna 💓
