Chapter 9: TBTW

“His Majesty the Emperor has asked that you join him for lunch again today,” Emma said.

I naturally shifted my gaze to the calendar.

‘Lately, I’ve been having meals or tea with Father quite often.’

It wasn’t that I disliked it.

Spending time with my father was always enjoyable.

However, I couldn’t help worrying about his health—what with state affairs, undead monsters, and even having to look after me on top of everything else.

‘But it’s not just a casual tea or meal, so I should attend.’

I didn’t have much access to information myself, so I learned about the atmosphere in the imperial palace through Emma and the conversations she shared with other attendants.

According to them, Father had begun investigating Grand Duke Prouse from the very day I demanded him as part of my absolute obedience right.

It seemed he was carefully reviewing the negotiation terms I might propose to the Grand Duke as well.

Does he not trust me?

…That thought didn’t really hold up, considering how colorful my past life as a sheltered, spoiled noble girl had been.

I should be grateful he was thoroughly examining the possibilities.

‘It’s already been two weeks since then. He should be reaching a conclusion soon.’

With Emma’s help, I began preparing.

Ever since Mother passed away, I had given up unnecessary luxury, so I had plenty of time.

That extravagance had only been a desperate attempt to restore my shattered pride after being trampled by the noble faction.

But spending time with Father was genuinely beneficial.

[“Frey. You also think your father has nothing better than divine power compared to Duke Zeron, don’t you?”]

A few days ago, while we were having tea, Father had said that jokingly.

Since then, every tea time or meal had turned into short political lessons.

Thanks to that, I was rapidly absorbing the political know-how he had gained through experience.

A kind of crash course in real-world politics.

“Father, I’m here. About lunch—”

“Frey. Sit and wait a moment. I’m in the middle of hearing a report.”

When I entered the Emperor’s office as usual, I saw several noble-faction officials with serious expressions.

‘They’re mostly diplomats, aren’t they?’

For some reason, it felt like they had been summoned because of my forced contract marriage.

And judging by their expressions, nothing good had happened.

And as always, bad premonitions never missed.

“There have recently been rumors in the North regarding Grand Duke Prouse,” one official said, glancing nervously between me and my father.

Rumors?

About the noble Daniel Prouse?

“Tell me what kind of rumors,” Father urged in a stern voice.

But the official hesitated for a long time.

“It… it’s said that Grand Duke Prouse is taking care of children.”

“A charity project? That does sound like him.”

“That’s not it. We’ve heard there are two young boys being raised within the ducal residence.”

“Adopted from an orphanage he supported?”

Father nodded, as if that were typical of the benevolent Grand Duke Prouse.

But then the official finally blurted it out.

“T-the rumor says those two boys are the Grand Duke’s illegitimate children…”

“What? Illegitimate children? You mean bastards?”

The Emperor’s previously gentle eyes turned sharp in an instant.

“If he’s raising the child of a woman he loves, why didn’t he marry her? A man of his rank could do such a thing easily.”

“It seems… even the identity of the mother is unknown.”

“So you’re saying Grand Duke Prouse has a disreputable private life?”

At first, people didn’t believe it, given the Grand Duke’s long-standing reputation.

But once evidence surfaced that he had repeatedly purchased extremely high-end children’s goods—luxuries commoners couldn’t even imagine—everyone was stunned.

The Emperor’s face flushed red and then pale.

The officials began murmuring in shock.

“So that’s why he kept refusing marriage to Countess Bliet…”

“It’s fortunate we learned about this before using the absolute obedience right…”

“It seems he’s been raising them for years. He hid it quite well.”

I stayed silent.

Both Father and the officials were now subtly glancing at my face.

‘She begged for the absolute obedience right just to marry the Grand Duke… what do we do now?’

That was exactly what their looks said.

But I was silent for a different reason—I was holding back laughter.

‘Wow, seriously? No matter how much he wanted to avoid marriage, he’s spreading rumors that a “proper, abstinent noble man” has illegitimate children?’

He must have done it after hearing rumors that I was targeting him.

I wasn’t even particularly attached to him, but I still didn’t feel great.

As if I were some kind of future spouse—

‘Well… it’s not exactly a jackpot situation, is it?’

He hadn’t even heard my proposal yet.

My reputation was already bad.

If I married him, the next Emperor Taha and the Duke of Zeron’s family would automatically become enemies.

And above all, he was a man who detested love itself.

‘Yeah… it’s understandable he’d do everything to avoid marriage.’

At this point, I almost felt sorry for him.

Not that I intended to back down just yet.

‘If he still refuses after hearing my proposal, I’ll reconsider.’

I had even considered writing a detailed letter, but abandoned the idea due to risk of information leakage.

Even if it arrived safely, he’d probably toss it into the fireplace.

So meeting him in person came first.

“Oh my, that’s nice. I do like children,” I said shamelessly.

The officials—and even Father—furrowed their brows.

Their faces clearly said: What nonsense is she talking about?

They probably thought it didn’t fit me at all, since I usually only enjoyed daydreaming or buying things.

‘Hmph. I used to be a kindergarten teacher in my past life.’

I quickly switched into my “reckless princess” persona.

“Why are you looking at me like that? If the Grand Duke already has illegitimate children, then I won’t even have to risk my body giving birth, will I? I absolutely hate pain.”

“……”

I continued in a haughty tone.

“Besides, even if he’s hiding a lover—”

A sly smile curved my lips, making a few people flinch.

“I’d just take him away from her.”

“Now, Frey…,” someone began.

“Father. I heard you carefully reviewed my proposal. Were you planning to use the absolute obedience right on me?”

My confidence and shamelessness, which only came out in front of my parents, peaked.

“I was planning to announce its use at this afternoon’s political meeting. But that was before I heard about the Grand Duke’s illegitimate children.”

“It is certainly surprising.”

“I wouldn’t want to marry you off to a man with such a flaw.”

Father’s concern warmed me.

But… this was heading toward a bad ending.

‘Besides, my mission is to protect those children and get close to them.’

Looking at him, I said firmly:

“I also have flaws, and now the Grand Duke has flaws too. That makes it a fair marriage.”

“Frey… so you’ve finally admitted your fault.”

“……”

I had once tried to fill my empty heart by collecting jewels from all over the kingdom.

I don’t remember clearly, but I probably did something unfortunate even in Grand Duke Prouse’s territory.

It might not be as big a flaw as having illegitimate children—but…

‘The gap between our reputations is huge.’

“Father, even if the Grand Duke never loves me in his lifetime, I don’t mind. I just want the chance to earn his heart.”

I said it because the officials were present.

But what I truly meant for my father was only this:

“I want a chance.”

Just that one sentence.

I had already told him I needed the position of Grand Duchess to take revenge for my mother.

“…Frey. I understand your feelings.”

I could tell just from his eyes.

He was weighing whether I could still carry out my mother’s revenge even as an unloved Grand Duchess.

After a long silence:

“I appreciate your efforts, gentlemen. However, I will proceed with announcing the use of the absolute obedience right at this afternoon’s meeting.”

“…!”

The officials opened and closed their mouths in shock.

I met my father’s gaze—filled with unwavering trust—and bowed politely.

“Thank you, Father.”

I spent the entire lunch listening to my father’s political lessons.

I couldn’t tell if the food was going into my mouth or my nose, but I gained a great deal from it.

“Now then, I should head to the meeting,” Father said after finishing his tea.

He gently patted my head.

I respectfully said goodbye and left the room.

‘In about an hour, Grand Duke Prouse is going to have a headache.’

Honestly, it was somewhat unexpected.

I knew he would dislike marrying me, but I didn’t think he’d go so far as to claim I had kidnapped children were his illegitimate heirs.

‘What if he doesn’t even believe I’ll divorce him?’

Well, I could just show him my future.

The Prouse Grand Dukes, who guarded time, could briefly glimpse the future if their counterpart allowed it.

After I struck it big in business, once he saw the clean divorce at the end of our contract marriage, he’d probably reconsider.

‘When will he arrive in the capital? If I use the absolute obedience right today…’

As I was thinking this while heading back to my room—

“Lady Frey.”

I was blocked by Ivriel Bliette, who looked like she hadn’t slept at all.

Her eyes were shaken with anger and despair.

She must have heard about the plan to use the absolute obedience right through the count’s information network.

Very different from how she had shamelessly shown up at my mother’s funeral.

Honestly, it was ridiculous.

“Lady Bliette, what is it?”

“Do you think you’ll be happy getting Grand Duke Prouse like that?”

Despite her confident words, her voice trembled.

She must truly love him.

I met her shaking gaze and replied:

“Yes. I think I’ll be happy.”

“……”

“Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

I brushed past her and walked away.

Then her voice exploded behind me:

“I’m the one who will stand in front of Daniel Prouse in a tuxedo, holding flowers and smiling!”

“……”

When my mother died, she mocked her with flowers—and now she was dreaming of happiness with a bouquet in her hands.

A good idea suddenly came to me.

I turned back and said to her—