“If You Stare Like That, I Get Embarrassed”
The maids tried to convince Anette that a proper lady should always arrive fashionably late. But Anette believed that basic etiquette was far more important than such superficial elegance.
Of course, she was also fully aware that she couldn’t afford to make a bad impression on the Grand Duke.
And so, Anette headed to the parlor where she was scheduled to meet Grand Duke Harzent, arriving slightly ahead of the agreed time.
Perhaps it was thanks to the soft shoes that didn’t hurt her feet or the white lace socks that came up to her ankles, but even as she walked the long corridor, her steps didn’t feel heavy.
Still, nervousness made her discreetly wipe the sweat from her palms onto her clothes. She expected the parlor to be empty—but froze when she saw two people already seated inside.
“You’re here.”
“Oh my! Dear, you look so lovely today!”
It was the Emperor and Empress.
“Ah…”
Why had she assumed it would just be her and the Grand Duke?
Come to think of it, since this was a political marriage to forge an alliance between nations, it made perfect sense for the imperial couple to attend.
Feeling embarrassed, Anette quickly bowed and apologized.
“I didn’t know you were already here. I’m sorry for being late.”
“You’re not late. Kardien… the Grand Duke Harzent isn’t usually one to be tardy,”
Lucius awkwardly commented, recalling Kardien, whom he had expected to already be waiting. He was worried his younger brother might give a poor first impression.
But Anette didn’t seem particularly bothered that the Grand Duke wasn’t early. She simply moved quietly to the seat Charlotte gestured to.
The couch faced the door, placing Anette between the Emperor and Empress. For some reason, sitting like this made her feel as if they were her family instead of the Grand Duke’s, which gave her a strange sensation.
Then it happened.
“His Grace, Grand Duke Harzent, has arrived.”
With the attendant’s announcement, the door opened smoothly.
Anette took a deep breath.
Click, click—the sound of men’s formal shoes echoed heavily as her heart pounded with every step.
Amidst the nerves, a flicker of anticipation and fluttering hope rose inside her. Noticing this, Anette sternly reminded herself:
‘Get a grip. He’s just a political fiancé.’
And then he appeared—wearing a black formal suit, every bit as dignified as expected.
Without realizing it, Anette stood up. Even accounting for her shorter height, she was startled by how tall and broad-shouldered the man was, with such a straight posture.
‘So this is… the Grand Duke Harzent.’
As the rumors said, he wore a black mask over his face, exuding an air of refinement and grace.
His hair, thick and golden like honey, shimmered so brightly it was hard to imagine an ugly face hiding behind the mask.
If anything, the mask made him seem more like a flawless statue than a living man.
Then the Grand Duke’s throat bobbed visibly as he suddenly bowed his head and cupped his mask with both hands. His shoulders trembled slightly.
Only then did Anette realize he had been holding his breath since entering the room—he exhaled with a soft, uneven breath, as though finally remembering to breathe.
“….”
Unconsciously, Anette bit her lip.
She had heard the Grand Duke had been informed about her condition, but perhaps seeing her in person was more shocking than he had expected.
Seeing this, Anette lowered her gaze and steeled herself.
She couldn’t let the engagement be broken like this.
She hadn’t expected to say this in front of the Emperor and Empress, but she was prepared to recite what she had planned to win the Grand Duke’s favor.
Just as she closed her eyes to begin—
“…A doll?”
Her eyes flew open at the low, mellow voice.
“She’s too cute to be human.”
“….”
She thought she had misheard.
But the voice was unmistakably the Grand Duke’s.
In other words…
Her fiancé—the man known as a bloodthirsty warmonger and ruthless butcher—Kardien Harzent.
‘Has he gone mad?!’
Lucius nearly clutched his forehead after witnessing his younger brother’s bizarre outburst in real-time.
To be honest, he had arrived earlier than the couple just to watch the show unfold. He expected Kardien to put on a charming facade, but never imagined he’d spout such nonsense.
Judging by how meticulously dressed he was from head to toe, he must have been running late because he was primping. If he had energy for grooming, he should’ve used it to stay mentally grounded. Lucius felt his insides boil with frustration.
“Ahem, you’re right on time,”
Still, as the elder brother, Lucius had a duty to cover for him.
He tried to redirect the mood and emphasize to Anette that the Grand Duke hadn’t been late for their first meeting, hoping it would help Kardien get his act together.
And perhaps that effort wouldn’t go unacknowledged—but…
“Hmm? You were here?”
That insolent brat—he hadn’t even noticed the Emperor and Empress.
It seemed Anette was the only person in the room he could see.
“Of course. Since this is the first meeting of the key players in the alliance between the Alkhan Empire and the Heyworth Kingdom, it’s only natural for us to be here.”
“Hm. That may be, but I’d like to greet the person I’ll be spending the rest of my life with alone. If Their Majesties wouldn’t mind stepping out.”
“Hah!”
His tone was so arrogant and rude, one might not believe he was speaking to the Emperor.
Lucius scowled in disbelief.
“So…”
“…”
“You really want us to leave?”
“Yes.”
Kardien’s firm answer came without the slightest hesitation.
Lucius clicked his tongue.
Just when things were about to get entertaining…
Charlotte seemed to feel the same way. But when she saw Anette staring at Kardien with a mesmerized look in her eyes, she quietly smiled.
“Since it is their first meeting, maybe our presence would be a bit uncomfortable.”
Then she gently tugged on her husband’s arm, who was dripping with reluctance, and led him out of the room.
There would be plenty of entertaining moments to enjoy later.
Once the door closed and they were finally alone, Kardien immediately turned his head.
He slowly approached Anette, then knelt on one knee to meet her gaze.
Their eyes met before Anette could even remind herself not to show her red eyes.
“I apologize. I was quite unseemly just now.”
His voice, so different from the cold, impolite tone he had used with the Emperor, was soft—almost ticklishly sweet—and Anette found herself dazed.
In truth, she had already lost her composure when he called her “the person I’ll spend the rest of my life with.”
She had tried to draw a clear line, reminding herself it was only a political marriage—but then…
“I… It’s fine.”
Half-dazed, she barely managed to reply to his apology.
Kardien then softly murmured, covering his mouth with one hand.
“Even your voice is so young…”
Anette blinked slowly, stunned. Her head was spinning a little.
Suddenly, Kardien burst into laughter.
Whether it was muffled by his hand or echoed through the mask, the quiet chuckle that reached her ears was so melodious that Anette froze.
“I’m truly sorry.”
He finally managed to stop laughing and apologized again.
“It just feels like a dream.”
Anette couldn’t help but agree.
She had heard the Emperor doted greatly on the Grand Duke, despite their twelve-year age gap. Still, she thought it would be the kind of respect and favor a ruler gives to a capable subject.
But what she just saw was a deeply affectionate, brotherly bond.
Even so, it wasn’t the warm bond between Lucius and Kardien that made things feel surreal—it was how Kardien was treating her.
And then, a terrifying thought crossed her mind.
“I only heard rumors that his appearance became grotesque due to a beast’s blood… but what if he’s also gone mad…?”
How else could you explain this?
Anette completely forgot her vow not to reveal her red eyes and looked straight into the only visible part of his face—his eyes above the mask.
And in that moment, she was utterly entranced.
There was no madness in those deep, sapphire-blue eyes—only an unmistakable warmth and tenderness directed at her.
And then he said,
“Hmmm, this is a problem.”
“Ah! I’m sorr—”
“If you keep staring like that, I’ll get embarrassed.”
“…Pardon?”
Snapping out of her daze, Anette quickly lowered her gaze to apologize. But then Kardien tilted his head and whispered:
“I’m actually a bit shy, you know.”
“I-I see…”
Feeling like her brain had short-circuited, Anette nodded awkwardly.
Then Kardien exhaled softly and, still kneeling on one knee, lowered his head.
“Allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Kardien Harzent.”
Surely, they were here to form a diplomatic alliance between their two countries.
And yet, that simple, sincere introduction made everything else feel insignificant.
Anette also gave a polite bow.
“I’m Anette Heyworth.”
Strangely, not attaching the title Princess of Heyworth made her feel much lighter.
“I know, Princess.”
“….”
His reply was a little odd.
Princess and lady of the kingdom essentially meant the same, but perhaps it was because his voice was so kind—Anette felt a ticklish warmth near her ears.
Unconsciously fidgeting with her fingers, she then noticed a hand extended toward her—long, smooth, and flawless. It was hard to believe it belonged to a knight who wielded a sword.
Blinking, Anette slowly reached out and placed her own small, soft hand into his.