Why Isn’t She Afraid?
“Gasp!”
Even though it was clearly a whisper, she heard it all too clearly.
Anette covered her mouth with both hands and gave Mikhail an awkward smile, glancing sideways at Kardin.
She thought he was spouting nonsense again.
And at that very moment—
“…!”
She spotted Kardin lifting his other arm—the one not holding Mikhail—to massage his own shoulder.
Yesterday’s events flashed through her mind.
<Your Grace, please put me down now.>
<Oh, Princess. Did I mention that I returned safely from the temple?>
<Huh? No… Wait, don’t change the subject! We’re almost at the garden entrance. Before anyone sees—>
<I’ll show you the engagement certificate once we’re outside. I’m sure you’re looking forward to it, aren’t you?>
<Ugh, really!>
<…Ack!>
Anette had been irritated by how Kardin blatantly ignored her requests to be put down, and in a burst of frustration, she’d smacked his shoulder.
She hadn’t meant to hurt or attack him.
But Kardin groaned and bent at the waist.
Still, she got what she wanted—she was finally out of his arms. Surprised by his reaction, Anette had looked him over in concern.
She’d been warned since childhood to always be careful with her strength, which was different from others. So except in battle against beasts, she’d always controlled it.
But ever since her nanny had left, she’d rarely had physical contact with people.
Even when handing over reports or receiving food during subjugation missions, no one had dared to touch her.
Of course, things changed once she arrived in the Alkhan Empire. People here weren’t wary of her at all—it was overwhelming.
Still, Anette had never reached out to someone first.
And of all people, the first one she’d ever hit—even accidentally—was Grand Duke Harzent.
She could brush off mocking insults from people like Brigitte or Laon without batting an eye, but someone playing around with her like this… she lost control of her emotions and strength for just a moment.
She remembered breaking things in her sleep sometimes, and the memory made her mind go blank.
Kardin claimed he was fine, but she’d felt so sorry after seeing his grimaced face.
“Seeing him massage his shoulder like that on purpose again… it feels like he’s messing with me.”
Just as Anette narrowed her eyes at Kardin—
“Uncle, put me down.”
Mikhail had gotten off the ground and ran over to Anette with little steps.
“Princess, I have a question…”
Seeing the nervous expression on Mikhail’s face, Anette tilted her head and leaned in slightly.
“I had a feeling… Grand Duke, you really came here first.”
From the entrance came a voice, half exasperated, half sighing.
“Didn’t I say I’d be done soon and we’d go together? You really couldn’t wait… Ah! Anette, please stand.”
Anette rose awkwardly to her feet to greet Charlotte, who had entered the drawing room.
She quickly pieced things together from Kardin’s polite, “It’s not proper for a gentleman to take a lady’s seat,” and Charlotte’s sharp retort, “Is it gentlemanly to leave without escorting a lady?”
Apparently, Charlotte had left Mikhail with Anette to talk to Kardin, but then a guest had arrived.
“O-Oh, Audrey…”
Anette looked between the young girl beside Charlotte and Mikhail, who had somehow slipped behind her.
Just then, the girl whose name had been called stepped forward, lifted her skirt slightly, and curtsied.
“Lady Audrey of Marquis Melin greets His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince and Princess Heyworth.”
It was hard to believe that Audrey was the same age as the Crown Prince—she was so composed and mature. Her appearance thrust Anette into yet another awkward situation.
The reason was simple.
“Your Highness…”
“Hnnng…”
Even though Audrey, whom Mikhail had adored, was calling to him with a longing voice, he merely buried his face in Anette’s arm and whimpered.
Why did he have to sit next to me of all people?
He had his mother, Charlotte, and even his uncle whom he liked. Why did he insist on sitting next to her?
But the trembling of his small hand holding onto her arm passed through her body, and Anette couldn’t bring herself to ask.
On top of that—
Why is Lady Audrey also sitting beside me…?
Anette’s eyes shifted from left to right. Audrey looked disheartened, likely due to being ignored by Mikhail.
Of course, compared to the Empress or Kardin’s side, sitting next to another guest might seem more comfortable—but still, why did she choose a spot where she couldn’t even speak to Mikhail easily? It felt odd.
At first, Anette thought she was imagining it. But every time their eyes met, Audrey smiled as if she wasn’t the least bit uncomfortable or intimidated.
She clearly knows who I am.
Anette hadn’t been surprised when Audrey addressed her as “Princess of Heyworth.” Charlotte had already told her that she’d be explaining the situation today.
But then… why isn’t she afraid? Hasn’t she heard the rumors about me?
No, if she hadn’t, she probably wouldn’t have recognized her at all.
As Anette puzzled over this—
“If my presence bothers you, Your Highness, I’ll take my leave.”
Audrey let out a deep sigh and hopped off the couch.
Mikhail flinched and blurted out urgently, “W-Wait a minute!”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
Audrey responded calmly as always, and Mikhail, feeling a strange sense of relief, asked her in a trembling voice,
“Audrey… aren’t you disappointed in me?”
“Disappointed?”
“I was so… stupid yesterday.”
Looking back, asking to stay at the marquis’ house while renouncing his position as Crown Prince was an utterly selfish and shameful request—even if it was due to mistakenly believing Anette was his fiancée.
And then—
“Aren’t you scared of my power?”
Thankfully, a major incident had been avoided. But the danger of being unable to control his newfound authority had shaken him deeply.
When he first awakened his power, Mikhail had been thrilled.
But the Emperor, his father, had repeatedly warned him to be cautious. Mikhail couldn’t understand and even felt rebellious—until now.
“Father was right.”
His power was dangerous, and even more so because he couldn’t control it.
It was the first thought that struck him upon waking that morning.
He’d been overwhelmed with guilt and wanted to ask Anette how she had become so strong—how she controlled her terrifying strength.
After that, he’d planned to write Audrey a proper letter of apology. He never imagined he’d see her again so soon.
She must be disappointed… and afraid of me…
“I’m not afraid.”
Audrey’s words came as if she were reading his mind.
Startled, Mikhail gasped. “Really?” His eyes widened before a guilty expression settled on his face.
“I-I could accidentally hurt you…”
“But you’ll be careful not to, won’t you?”
“But still…”
“Even if something happens like yesterday, it’s okay.”
Because the Princess is here. And so is the Grand Duke.
At Audrey’s calm reassurance, Mikhail went quiet and slowly nodded.
Only then did Anette realize why the little Crown Prince had stubbornly stuck by her side.
He believed that if something happened again like yesterday, she would protect him.
This was a new kind of trust—one she had never experienced before. Anette made a strange face.
Then she suddenly met Kardin’s gaze across from her.
He was sitting directly opposite her, resting his chin on his hand, because he’d lost the chance to sit beside her.
He smiled faintly.
The gentle curve of his eyes made Anette feel like she’d been unexpectedly struck—she stopped breathing for a moment.
Meanwhile, the conversation between the two children continued.
“I’m sorry, Audrey.”
“For what?”
“For being a monster… for having a power that can hurt people…”
“Please don’t say that. Your Highness’s power isn’t meant to hurt others!”
“R-Really?”
How could she say that so confidently, even after witnessing that dangerous, destructive power yesterday?
Both Mikhail and Anette, who had been momentarily distracted by Kardin, looked at Audrey in surprise.
“Of course. You’ll become strong like the Princess and protect what’s important to you. Right, Princess?”
Unexpectedly, Audrey turned to Anette and asked directly.
When their eyes met, the usually mature girl blushed and whispered shyly,
“Yesterday… Your Highness was so cool!”
“Y-Yeah!”
Mikhail, who had somehow heard that, quickly agreed and raised his hand.
Flushed with excitement, he asked Anette,
“Do you think I can become strong like you and protect the things I care about too?”
“…Huh?”
How did such an important responsibility suddenly fall into my lap?