I Really Can’t Take It Anymore
“Then the tree just… huh!”
As Mikhail animatedly moved his arms to explain what he’d seen, his face suddenly turned pale as if he’d seen a ghost.
“G-Grandmother… Mother…?”
He stammered uncontrollably at the sight of the Empress Dowager and the Empress emerging from one side.
“W-Why are you both… here…?”
Then Mikhail’s breathing began to falter. His mouth twisted awkwardly as if he might burst into tears at any moment.
He’d just realized why Anette had stepped in.
If that tree had fallen over… both Grandmother and Mother would have…
That was as far as Mikhail got before all the color drained from his face.
At that very moment, his father’s warning echoed in his mind—that his power was dangerous, and that he needed to keep it in check. That, until he could control it, he should keep his distance not only from Audrey but from everyone.
“All of this… because of me…”
Mikhail’s pale and pitiful face was about to form an apology—when he suddenly clapped his small hand over his mouth.
He had just remembered: the strange noise had first come from that thicket.
There was no need to ask how long the Empress Dowager and Empress had been there.
“Ugh…”
It was already shocking enough that he’d almost put the Empress Dowager and Empress in danger—but realizing they had probably heard everything he’d said made the tears finally well up.
For the eight-year-old Mikhail, born a cherished imperial prince and showered with love, this was simply too much to bear.
Just then—
“What exactly is going on here?”
A voice came from behind, without a single sign of approach.
The strangely familiar voice made Anette’s heart drop before she even turned around in surprise.
“Uncle!”
At the same time, Mikhail called out tearfully to Cardin.
It didn’t matter why he, who was supposed to be at the Grand Duchy, was here in the capital.
What mattered was that he’d found someone who was always on his side, no matter the circumstances—and that made Mikhail’s emotions overflow.
He ran straight toward Cardin to throw himself into his arms.
Or rather, he tried to.
“Mikhail.”
“F-Father…”
Before he could reach him, the Emperor—no one knew when he’d appeared—stepped between them.
Lucius didn’t ask for any explanation about the ruined garden. He only looked at his tearful son with a heavy expression.
“We must escort the young lady out first.”
The Empress Dowager, who was the first to recover from the shock, began to take charge of the situation.
At her words referring to Audrey, Mikhail’s ears perked up and he quickly ran over to the Empress Dowager.
“Grandmother, Audrey didn’t do anything wrong. I insisted we come here.”
Even though he knew this place was restricted to royalty, he had insisted.
He had wanted to be alone with her—without attendants, maids, or guards—and out of his father’s sight.
But now, more than being scolded himself, he was terrified that Audrey might be punished because of him. Tears streamed down his face.
The Empress Dowager clicked her tongue quietly at the sight of her grandson.
“I know the young lady isn’t at fault. But that doesn’t mean we can let her stay here.”
Otherwise, she might collapse.
At her added remark, Mikhail immediately turned to look at Audrey.
He now noticed how pale she was—too quiet this whole time.
From the shaking tree to the appearance of the Empress Dowager and Empress—it must have been all too much for Audrey, who was physically weak.
“Oh no… Audrey…”
“I’ll take her. Don’t worry.”
When Mikhail began to panic again, the Empress Dowager tried to soothe him.
“The Marquess should be waiting at the garden entrance.”
At Lucius’s words, the Empress Dowager nodded and turned to Audrey.
Even in her tense state, Audrey walked quietly.
She began to follow the Empress Dowager toward the entrance—only to suddenly change direction and run to Anette.
“I showed an embarrassing side earlier. I’m sorry, Princess.”
“……!”
She bowed deeply and then dashed off.
Anette was frozen in place.
Just moments ago, she’d been misinterpreting everything.
How had Audrey figured out her identity? Anette couldn’t imagine.
Was it the red hair? Red eyes? Or the way I handled the sword?
…Surely, it wasn’t because of him.
Anette glanced sideways at Cardin, who was standing beside her.
Since his sudden appearance, he had silently approached her and was now simply staring down at her without saying a word.
“The Marquess bragged about his daughter quite a bit, but she really is sharp,”
Charlotte commented while watching Audrey’s retreating figure.
She clicked her tongue at Mikhail’s confused expression, still puzzled by Audrey’s use of the word princess.
“Is it okay to just let her go?”
Anette asked nervously.
She didn’t know how Audrey had figured out her secret, but felt she should at least ask her to keep it confidential.
“It’s fine. She knows how to keep her head. She won’t say a word—anywhere.”
Not even to her father, most likely. Not just about Anette’s identity, but everything that had happened here in the garden.
Charlotte turned away, thinking she would call Audrey tomorrow and explain everything properly.
Because something far more urgent was at hand right now.
“Thank you. If it weren’t for you, Anette, something truly terrible could’ve happened.”
Anette thought the Empress Dowager and Empress might have been partially shielded by the bushes and not seen what had happened.
But Charlotte had clearly seen the tree falling toward her, casting a massive shadow overhead.
And the silhouette that shot up in front of her to stop it.
“You’ve done a great favor to the royal family.”
Lucius, now aware of the situation from his son’s brief explanation, also offered his gratitude.
“Mikhail, you should say thank you too.”
“Thank you…”
Having calmed down a bit, Mikhail bowed deeply with a face still marked by tears.
Seeing how the Emperor and Empress treated Anette had affected him—but more than that, now knowing how serious the situation could have been, he genuinely felt grateful.
“It’s nothing. I only did what anyone would do.”
Anette laughed awkwardly, shaking her head at the royal family’s gracious thanks.
And then she thought:
If you’re really that grateful, could someone please get rid of this guy beside me…
Cardin was still standing silently next to her, staring at her intently. Cold sweat trickled down Anette’s back.
Why isn’t he saying anything…?
She wished he’d just ask her what happened.
But instead, he just stared at her, as if waiting for something.
Don’t tell me he’s angry… No, he wouldn’t be…
But somehow, he seemed displeased.
Even though his expression was hidden behind his mask, she could feel it.
Unable to endure the awkward atmosphere any longer, Anette tried to change the subject.
“Just now… why did you…”
“Hah. I really can’t take this anymore.”
Cardin, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke coldly.
“……”
The air instantly turned icy.
Anette had been about to ask what was going on, knowing Mikhail was the cause of the incident.
She wasn’t the cause.
The walk in the garden had been the Empress Dowager’s idea.
Maybe he’s upset I jumped in without permission?
But the Empress had said something terrible could have happened. She had to step in. And the outcome had been good.
Even the Emperor had thanked her.
So why was Cardin angry?
Flustered, Anette clenched her fists.
Cardin sighed deeply again—and for some reason, a surge of resentment and sadness bubbled up in her chest.
I did my best… Couldn’t he at least say I did well…
She found herself pouting, without realizing it.
And then she froze.
Have I really become a child, inside and out…?
She felt childish—but even understanding it didn’t make the feelings go away.
Her frustration and hurt wouldn’t ease.
Just as she was about to avert her gaze, Anette nearly jumped.
Cardin had suddenly grabbed her hand.
The touch was gentle, but it startled her.
Her heart pounded wildly.
While she was still flustered, Cardin knelt on one knee to meet her eyes.
“There’s blood.”
She hadn’t even said it hurt…
That’s when Anette finally noticed—her bandaged left hand, the one that had been gripping the dagger, was now stained red.
It must’ve reopened during the chaos earlier.
“You said it was for self-defense. But why does it feel like you get hurt more because of it?”
Cardin spoke softly, gently loosening her fist and removing the dagger.
“I know you couldn’t help it just now… But it still makes me upset.”
Anette almost asked, Why?
But something told her that question would only lead to trouble, so she swallowed it.
Instead, she gave a vague apology.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
…And that’s when she remembered—Cardin had a tenacious personality.
He would never accept such a vague apology without picking it apart.
Anette bit her lip, wishing she had just asked why he was being so kind instead.