Chapter 9: I Became Friends with the Young Male Lead (2)
“Your Highness, are you nervous?”
“We’ll make you extra pretty today.”
“They say Young Lord Aurenbach is so adorable, but our princess must be even more beautiful.”
“What’s the point of competing in looks with a boy?”
“Oh my, Your Highness! He might be your future husband—you have to keep him under control from the start.”
“She’s right. You already look like a fairy in a potato sack, but not playing your best hand would be foolish.”
As Maryjane and Patisha chattered away with over-the-top excitement, I clicked my tongue inwardly.
‘They’re saying this because they have no idea.’
Leopold—destined for the love of the century—was just going to be a celebrity-like friend to me.
They clearly got great job satisfaction every time they dressed me up, their fussing reaching peak levels.
If only Cecilia weren’t this pretty—what would they have done then?
“Your Highness, should we tie your hair in a ponytail? Or braid it into pigtails?”
“Would you like the chick-yellow dress or the cherry-blossom pink one?”
“Lace socks or velvet ones?”
“Red lace ribbon for your hair or the black scrunchie?”
There was nothing for me to answer in these questions. They always dressed me up however they liked anyway.
‘Do what you want. I’ll look angelic either way.’
My only concern was the fact that I was finally going to meet the male lead of my favorite novel.
After getting all dolled up—
As soon as I heard that Leopold had entered the palace grounds in a carriage with his grandmother, the Duchess of Aurenbach, I ran out to the front yard of Freesia Palace.
I was too excited to wait calmly in the drawing room.
“Kyaa, you act all indifferent, but—”
“You’re definitely looking forward to it.”
Seeing me like this, Maryjane and Patisha squealed with glee.
‘I am excited, but not for the reason you think.’
The moment I stepped onto the stone path that led to the garden, I saw a small, open-top carriage approaching in the distance.
Next to a middle-aged lady whose once-light brown hair was now graying, a tuft of golden curls fluttered in the wind.
Clutching his grandmother’s skirt nervously, the little gentleman wore a herringbone jacket and shorts. He seemed tense in the open carriage.
‘He looks like a baby angel!’
When Leopold’s peridot-like eyes met mine, I was overwhelmed with emotion.
Had my seven years as an adult trapped in a child’s body all led to this moment?
Soon, the carriage came to a stop in front of the entrance.
A servant carefully lifted Leopold out by the armpits.
The sunlight shining on him as he was lifted made him look exactly like an angel. I struggled to keep my excitement in check.
“I greet the Empire’s Little Star, the Fourth Princess. We met once before at Her Majesty the Empress’s tea party—do you remember?”
The Duchess, having been escorted from the carriage, gave me a deeply courteous bow, as if to demonstrate to her grandson.
I decided to show off my maturity to the male lead’s grandmother.
Hoping she would entrust her grandson to me without worry—
“Welcome, Madam. Have you been well? That strawberry pie you recommended was so good, my mother’s pastry chef was relocated to Freesia Palace.”
“Her Majesty always praises Your Highness’s wisdom—it seems her words were true. I’m honored that you remember that day.”
Despite her modest words, the Duchess of Aurenbach, head of the Emperor’s faction, exuded grace and generosity.
“And this must be—”
“Yes, this is my grandson Leopold. He was born the same year as Your Highness. He’s still immature, so I hope Your Highness will guide him well.”
Hearing his name made my heart swell. I wanted to shout my joy out loud:
‘Everyone, I just met the male lead of my favorite novel in real life!’
I only screamed internally, reminding myself of my role as the seven-year-old princess.
“Rather, I should thank you for sending your precious grandson to keep me company. I’ve been lonely without friends my age at the palace.”
“Your Highness honors us with your words. Leo, come greet Her Highness.”
As the Duchess stepped aside, Leopold, still clutching her skirt, looked visibly unsettled.
‘…Is he crying?’
He wasn’t lacking intelligence. Maybe he was just extremely shy?
I looked more closely at his trembling gaze and realized—it wasn’t focused on me but behind me.
‘Ah. It must be Andy and Jake today.’
I’d gotten so used to my ever-present bodyguards that I forgot how intimidating they might look to a seven-year-old.
‘Oops. I’m an adult inside, so I never found them scary.’
Feeling sorry, I gave him my brightest smile.
“Um…”
Whatever he read in my smile, Leopold finally opened his mouth. I held my breath, watching the 2D male lead move in glorious 3D—no, 4D.
“Leopold of Aurenbach greets the Empire’s Little Star.”
He bent his short arms and placed a tiny hand on his chest, bowing deeply.
His cotton-candy-like hair glowed in the sunlight.
‘He’s too cute!’
My chest tightened and my cheeks twitched from trying not to grin.
‘Is this what Maryjane and Patisha felt when they squealed during etiquette practice? I feel bad for scolding them.’
But with the dignity of a princess, I masked my feelings and replied primly,
“Nice to meet you.”
“An… honor… to meet you…”
Leopold’s voice was barely audible. The Duchess patted his shoulder with a slightly awkward smile.
Right. I’d seen plenty of kids this age be shy before.
Life begins after puberty—he’ll grow up into that dashing young nobleman from “Eyes of the Duke.”
“Well, I’ll go see Her Majesty the Empress now. Leo, make sure you tell Her Highness lots of fun stories.”
“Yes, Grandma.”
“Don’t worry. Go ahead.”
Leopold gave his grandmother a deep bow and looked at me, waiting for instructions.
His eyes were still trembling and unfocused—clearly, he was nervous.
…I had a feeling I’d be the one telling him all the fun stories today.
“Follow me.”
As his fan, I felt a sense of duty and led the way.
“Your Highness, if anything happens, pull the bell cord, okay?”
“If you need more ice, just say so.”
“The teapot is hot—please be extra careful.”
“And don’t eat too many cookies before dinner!”
“Got it, got it. Just go already.”
I glared at the flustered Maryjane and Patisha.
They clasped their mouths like it was the cutest thing ever and tiptoed out of the playroom.
‘Ugh, those fools.’
Once the door shut, I turned to the tea table—and saw Leopold with his mouth wide open.
‘Is he drooling? Even that would be adorable.’
Porcelain skin, soft golden curls, and warm green eyes like spring leaves.
‘He looks just like a young dreamboat… oops.’
I almost made the same goofy face the maids had earlier.
Determined to maintain my dignity as a princess, I fixed my expression and straightened my posture.
It didn’t help much, given my seven-year-old body…
As I sat down at the tea table, Leopold, already seated, hesitantly spoke.
“Your Highness seems very close to your maids.”
“Well, you could say that.”
I let out a deep sigh.
Even sighs felt clumsy with this little body.
“They love playing dress-up with me like I’m their doll.”
…Oops. Was that inappropriate for a princess to say? I’d gotten too casual from the sense of familiarity.
Worried, I glanced at the little gentleman across from me.
He was still staring at me, mouth agape.
Even looking like a fool, he was adorable.
‘Well, he’s the male lead raised with love—of course he’s charming.’
Staring at his face, I blurted out a sharp question just to break the tension.
“What are you staring at?”
“S-sorry.”
“How was your trip?”
“It was my first time riding a carriage this far, but it was fine.”
“How long did it take?”
“About an hour…”
“Did you get motion sickness?”
“No, fortunately not.”
…The more I kept asking questions, the more it felt like I was trying to salvage a disastrous blind date.
But Leopold was still young—he didn’t have much to say yet.
“What are you studying these days?”
“Well…”
His expression brightened, eyes sparkling.
“I’m reading Theories of Kingship in the Early Sacred Era. I wanted to read Altis’s Geometry, but my parents said I need a more balanced education…”
Yikes. Hearing those book titles made the hairs on my neck stand up.
‘Those are academy-level books…’
He seemed so innocent, I thought he hadn’t started serious studies yet.
Of course, as the future male lead and a brilliant one at that, he was ahead of his peers.
‘He’ll later be praised as a genius and even join the Holy Knights for his divine power and martial skill…’
Sure, he was behind me in progress, but I had the advantage of past-life memories and adult discipline.
All things considered, Leopold was in a league of his own.
‘Kind of annoying.’
I looked at him through half-lidded eyes. He tilted his head and smiled dorkily.
Even at seven, was it okay for a noble heir to be this dazed?
He was unbelievably lovable though.
“What’s your favorite subject? Math?”
“Yes. Numbers never betray you, so I like them.”
As someone who gave up on math long ago, I pulled a wry face.
Whatever he interpreted from that, Leopold quickly added,
“W-What about you, Your Highness?”
Right. Asking good questions is the key to likability. Your first line later is “Are you alright?” after all.
“I like history best. My dream is to explore the Sea of No Return one day.”
“The Sea of No Return? Then… will Your Highness join the Holy Knights…?”
“No need. My sister’s going to become the commander.”
“Right. That’s amazing, Your Highness.”
His face flushed red as he said it.
‘Wait… is he falling for me? No, he must just be embarrassed, right?’
Your first love is supposed to be Amelie, you know?
Suddenly, I recalled all those reincarnation stories where love lines got scrambled.
‘No way… that’d be bad.’
All I wanted was to watch my favorite couple be cute together—from the front row.
Trying to shake off a vague sense of dread, I narrowed my soft brows and asked,
“…You’re not falling for my face, are you?”
