Chapter 9
“His Majesty the Emperor has asked again today to have lunch together.”
Emma said this.
I naturally shifted my gaze to the calendar.
‘These days, I’ve been having meals or tea with Father quite often.’
It wasn’t that I disliked it.
Spending time with my father was always enjoyable.
However, I was worried about his health—he was already busy with state affairs, undead monsters, and even taking care of me.
‘But it’s not just simple tea or meals, so I should attend.’
Since I didn’t have an intelligence network of my own, I learned about the atmosphere in the imperial palace through Emma’s conversations with other maids.
According to rumors, from the day I asked for the Grand Duke of Prouse using my absolute obedience authority, Father had started investigating him.
It seemed he was carefully reviewing negotiation conditions I might offer the Grand Duke.
Does he not trust me?
…But thinking that would be unreasonable, considering how wildly privileged and carefree my past life had been.
I should be grateful he was thoroughly checking things.
‘It’s already been two weeks since then, so he might be reaching a conclusion soon.’
With Emma’s help, I began getting ready.
After my mother passed away, I had stopped unnecessary luxury spending, so I had plenty of time.
That had originally just been a desperate attempt to recover my pride, which had been crushed by noble factions.
But spending time with Father was actually quite useful.
A few days ago, during tea time, Father had joked:
“Freya. You also think this father has nothing better than divine power compared to Duke Zelon, don’t you?”
After that, whenever we had tea or meals, short political lessons followed.
Thanks to that, I was quickly learning political know-how from Father’s experience.
A kind of crash course in real politics.
“Father, I’m here. For lunch—”
“Freya. Sit and wait for a moment. I’m in the middle of a report.”
When I entered the Emperor’s office as usual, I saw nobles from the conservative faction with serious expressions.
‘They’re mostly foreign affairs officials?’
It looked like they were summoned because of my forced contract marriage.
Their faces didn’t look like something good had happened.
And as always, bad feelings are usually correct.
“We are hearing that rumors related to Grand Duke Prouse have recently spread in the North.”
One official said, glancing between me and the Emperor.
Rumors?
About that noble Daniel Prouse?
“What kind of rumors?” Father asked firmly.
The official hesitated for a long time.
“W-well… there are rumors that Grand Duke Prouse is taking care of children.”
“A charity project? That sounds like him.”
“It’s not that… it is said that there are two boys being raised inside the Grand Duke’s residence.”
“Adopted from an orphanage?”
Father nodded as if that was normal.
But the official finally blurted out:
“T-the rumor says those two boys are actually the Grand Duke’s illegitimate children…”
“What? Illegitimate children?”
Father’s gentle expression changed instantly.
“If he is raising children from a loved woman, why didn’t he marry her? He’s a Grand Duke, he could do that.”
“Apparently… he does not know who the mother is.”
“So you’re saying his private life is messy?”
At first, everyone didn’t believe it, since Prouse had a spotless reputation for centuries.
But when evidence appeared that the Grand Duke had repeatedly purchased luxury children’s goods unavailable to commoners, everyone was shocked.
Father’s expression turned red with anger.
The officials whispered in confusion.
“No wonder he refused the marriage with Countess Bliette…”
“It’s fortunate we learned this before using the absolute obedience authority.”
“It seems he has been raising those children for years…”
I stayed silent.
Everyone subtly looked at me.
‘She begged for the Grand Duke using absolute obedience… what now?’
But I wasn’t reacting because I was holding back laughter.
‘Crazy. Even if you don’t want marriage, you spread rumors that he has illegitimate kids?’
He must have done it after hearing rumors that I was targeting him.
I wasn’t actually in love with him, but it still felt unpleasant.
‘Well… from his perspective, it makes sense.’
He hasn’t even heard my proposal yet.
My reputation is bad.
If we marry, the Crown Prince Taha and Duke Zelon’s faction become enemies.
And most importantly, he hates love.
‘Yeah… he really has every reason to refuse marriage.’
At this point, I almost felt sorry for him.
But I still had no intention of backing down.
If he still refuses after hearing my proposal, I’ll reconsider.
I briefly thought about writing a letter, but gave up—it might leak.
Even if it arrives, he’d probably throw it into a fireplace.
So meeting him directly was the priority.
“Oh my, that’s nice. I actually like children.”
I said shamelessly.
Everyone—including Father—furrowed their brows.
‘What nonsense is she talking about?’
They probably thought I didn’t care about children at all.
‘Well… I was a kindergarten teacher in my past life.’
I quickly shifted into my “carefree princess” act.
“Why are you all looking at me like that? If he already has illegitimate children, I don’t even have to suffer giving birth. I hate pain, you know.”
“….”
“And even if he has a hidden lover—”
I smirked.
Some officials flinched.
“I’ll just take him away from her.”
“Freya…”
“Father, I heard you carefully reviewed my proposal. Were you planning to use the absolute obedience authority?”
My boldness peaked in front of my parents.
“I was planning to announce its use at today’s afternoon meeting. But that was before hearing about these rumors.”
“Honestly, it is surprising.”
“I don’t want to send you to a man with such flaws.”
Father’s concern moved me.
But at this rate, this will end in disaster.
‘And I’m supposed to protect and bond with those children—that’s my mission.’
I said firmly:
“I had flaws, and now the Grand Duke has flaws too. So it’s a fair marriage.”
“Freya… so you’re finally admitting your faults.”
“…”
I had once filled my emptiness by collecting jewels from all over the country.
I probably did something problematic in the Grand Duke’s territory too.
But compared to illegitimate children, that might still be minor.
“Father, even if he never loves me, I’m fine. I just want a chance to win his heart.”
That was the truth behind my words.
Not love.
Just a chance.
Father understood everything.
After a long silence, he said:
“I appreciate your efforts. But I will proceed with the announcement.”
“…!”
I spent the rest of lunch listening to Father’s political lessons.
By the end, I barely knew what I was eating.
Afterwards, Father said:
“I should return to the meeting.”
He patted my head and left.
‘In an hour, the Grand Duke is going to lose his mind.’
Honestly, I was surprised.
I expected him to dislike the marriage—but not to spread rumors about having illegitimate children.
‘Does he not believe in divorce either?’
Well, I’ll handle that later.
As I walked down the hallway—
“Lady Freya.”
Ivriel Bliette stood in front of me.
She looked exhausted, eyes shaking with anger and despair.
She had probably heard about the absolute obedience order.
Very different from when she once shamelessly showed up at my mother’s funeral.
Frankly, it was ridiculous.
“Countess Bliette, what is it?”
“Do you think you’ll be happy obtaining Grand Duke Prouse like that?”
Her voice trembled despite her confident tone.
She truly seemed to love him.
I looked straight into her trembling eyes.
“Yes. I think I’ll be happy.”
“…”
“Excuse me.”
I walked past her.
Then her voice exploded behind me.
“I’m the one who will stand in front of Daniel Prouse in a tuxedo holding flowers and smiling!”
“….”
At my mother’s funeral, she mocked flowers—yet now she dreamed of happiness with them.
I suddenly had an idea.
I turned around and said to her:
