Before We Arrive at the Grand Duke’s Castle
When she arrived at the Grand Duke’s castle, Anette planned to begin learning everything she was supposed to have been taught at the Imperial Palace—royal etiquette and all the foundational knowledge expected of someone of her status.
“And through that process, the duties of the Grand Duchess, and of the lady of the house, will naturally come up.”
She had once told Kardien that she had spent her life swinging a sword and didn’t know how to manage the affairs of a noble house.
That was true—and honestly, she lacked confidence.
But that didn’t mean she was completely clueless about finances or how to read a ledger.
After all, she had served nearly ten years as vice-captain and later captain of the Royal Knights. She had overseen salaries, supplies like weapons and armor, and even handled the nightmarish task of negotiating with the treasury on a pitifully small budget.
“Of course, managing the knights and managing a household are two completely different things…”
Still, she believed she could handle basic tasks—tracking operating expenses, budgeting for salaries and maintenance, and setting aside funds for food and supplies.
And even if she couldn’t—she was determined to learn. If there was one thing she could be proud of, it was her diligence and consistency.
So her goal while staying at the Grand Duke’s estate was to make Kardien feel confident that she could run the household as its mistress.
“Just because we’re getting married doesn’t mean I immediately get authority.”
Back when she led the knights, her carefully prepared budget proposals were often scrapped without the king’s approval.
She didn’t want to go through that kind of frustration again.
“More than anything, if I show him I’m capable, he won’t treat me like a child.”
Part of her felt childish even thinking that—but she pushed the thought away. She wanted to act mature more than anything.
“Your Highness, there’s something I’d like to discuss before we arrive at the Grand Duke’s castle.”
At that moment, Kardien gently closed the window and carefully drew the curtain. His voice was calm, but his eyes—normally so playful—were serious.
Anette sensed that this was going to be important and instinctively straightened her posture.
“What is it?”
Kardien took a deep breath and spoke in a solemn voice.
“We decided to set a limit on how many snacks you eat each day, didn’t we?”
“…What?”
“Your daily snack allowance.”
Thinking she had misheard, she repeated his words, but he nodded with unwavering certainty.
“You were… serious about that?”
She had assumed it was a joke!
Looking at him in disbelief, Anette was stunned when he simply nodded again, his eyes firm.
Her heart sank.
“Th-That’s ridiculous…”
Ever since she came to the Alkan Empire, she had become addicted to sweets.
She’d managed fine before she knew the taste, but now that she’d experienced it, there was no going back.
“Then… then I’ll be like His Highness the Crown Prince too…?”
She couldn’t even bring herself to say it out loud: only five pieces of candy or chocolate per day?
Just the thought horrified her. Her lips parted silently, but before she could respond, Kardien spoke with a smile.
“You can have five pieces of candy and five pieces of chocolate per day. How does that sound?”
She was still upset at the idea of any restriction, but it was double the amount she had expected. Relieved, she nodded quickly.
But then came the real blow.
“In exchange, other snacks will be allowed every other day. Only one slice of cake at a time.”
“W-What?”
Anette had once eaten the equivalent of three full cakes in a single sitting.
“One slice isn’t even enough to tickle my stomach! And every other day?!”
Feeling faint, she protested quickly.
“It’s not because of the desserts that I couldn’t eat properly the other day.”
She insisted that it was because of the Empress Dowager’s absence, which had made her feel uneasy—and also that the previous meals had involved formal dining with both the Emperor and Empress, making her overly conscious of etiquette.
She remembered being too tense to even feel hungry.
It wasn’t because she’d filled up on sweets, she was sure of it.
Anette tried hard to clear up this misunderstanding, but Kardien remained firm.
“You can choose cookies, macarons, or pudding instead of cake, but no more than one item every two days.”
“……!”
Anette was devastated.
She now realized there was no room for negotiation—Kardien was serious.
He’d said she could do whatever she wanted, that she didn’t need his permission. And it wasn’t like she was going to bankrupt the Grand Duchy by eating sweets!
Watching her fume with injustice, Kardien’s heart softened a little.
He also liked watching her nibble sweet treats, her smile brighter than the sunlight.
But her snacking had gone a bit overboard.
Just yesterday, Mikhail’s once-bulging snack pouch had already gone flat.
Anette had been sneaking candies and chocolates from it every time she got bored in the carriage. Sometimes she did it without even realizing, unwrapping chocolates automatically.
“This is to help you build better eating habits. Please go along with it. I’ll have the Grand Duke’s head chef prepare delicious, well-balanced meals for you—so don’t be too disappointed.”
“Nutritious meals…”
Anette mumbled in disbelief and raised her eyebrows.
“Your Grace. Do you really think I’m a growing child? Just because I start eating properly now doesn’t mean I’ll get taller or anything.”
She glared at him with sharp eyes, but Kardien calmly held out his hand.
“Please hand over your snack pouch. I’ll refill it every day with your set amount.”
“…!”
Reflexively clutching the pouch hanging from her wrist, Anette’s eyes welled up.
‘How could he try to take even this from me…’
She couldn’t take it anymore and burst out:
“This is child abuse!”
“……”
The carriage went silent.
Then Anette realized what she had just said—and her mouth dropped open slightly.
She hadn’t meant it literally. It was just that being treated like a child again was frustrating. If she really had been a kid, having her snacks taken away like this would have been so heartbreaking.
But now that she’d just called herself a child, she realized… she couldn’t even be mad if Kardien kept treating her like one.
Her lips drooped in misery.
Meanwhile, Kardien’s lips curled uncontrollably upward.
‘This is insane.’
How can someone be this cute?
How does a creature like this even exist?
She’s not just beautiful and impressive—she’s adorable, too?
He was mentally spiraling, his bright eyes sparkling like a madman’s.
The truth was, Anette had spent her entire childhood essentially imprisoned in a secluded palace—what she’d endured was real abuse.
So now, her overly emotional reaction to simply being told to cut back on sweets might seem exaggerated.
But Kardien understood. Her outburst was proof she had started to open her heart to the Alkan Empire—and to him.
Unlike in Heyworth, where she had silently endured every injustice without complaint, here she was expressing herself honestly—even getting angry.
And the desserts she was clinging to so desperately? They were likely the first food in her life that she’d ever truly enjoyed.
She had grown up eating worse than commoners, and even after joining the knights, she’d mostly survived on things like dried jerky. No wonder she was addicted to sweetness now.
It was adorable—and a little heartbreaking.
Part of him wanted to just let her eat whatever she wanted. But Kardien wanted her to enjoy this newfound joy for a long time.
More than that, he wanted to introduce her to all kinds of things: good food, music, art, performances—so she could discover her own preferences, experience everything she’d missed.
All of it.
Calming himself with that resolve, Kardien gently said:
“Nutritious meals aren’t only for growing kids. I just want you to be healthy.”
Anette didn’t respond. She simply stuck her bottom lip out in a pout.
Kardien couldn’t help but chuckle. She was too cute to resist.
“Alright. Since our princess wants cake that badly, how about this? One extra slice. You can have two slices every other day. Or one slice a day. Your choice.”
Anette hesitantly looked up.
She couldn’t bring herself to say no.
She had already thrown her pride as an adult out the window—at this point, she had to at least protect her snacks.
“…One slice a day.”
“Alright.”
Anette nearly raised a fist in triumph—then quickly schooled her face back into a sulky expression.
It was especially discouraging because just moments ago, she had been full of resolve to act maturely and manage the household like a proper lady.
‘Other people get to negotiate dowries or living expenses when they marry. But me…’
‘I’m negotiating snack rations?’ The thought hit her like a slap of reality.
That’s when Kardien added:
“If you start eating your meals properly, I’ll increase your snack allowance again.”
“Really?”
Anette, forgetting all her previous thoughts, asked with wide eyes.
She looked like a kitten peeking up with a trembling, hopeful gaze. Kardien, hit hard by the unexpected cuteness, instinctively clutched his chest and nodded.
Anette bit her lip, trying not to show how happy she was—but her little legs, which didn’t reach the floor of the carriage, had already started to swing gently.
Watching her, Kardien silently offered his gratitude to the King of Heyworth.
‘If it were me, I would never have let such a daughter marry out…’
In the meantime, Anette, perhaps trying to eat one last treat before it was confiscated, took out a piece of chocolate from her pouch and popped it into her mouth.
Kardien watched with a satisfied smile as she chewed—om nom nom—and enjoyed her treat.